Showing posts with label batik - watercolor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label batik - watercolor. Show all posts

HOLLYHOCKS & The Batik Process

HOLLYHOCKS
Watercolor Batik - 12x18

Watercolor batik is a process similar to the ancient art of using fabric, dyes and melted wax to create unique designs. For Hollyhocks I used a fibrous rice paper for my base, inked on my design and used melted wax to protect areas of my composition as I painted with watercolors. When the entire piece was covered in wax I crinkled it up and added dark paint to seep into the cracks to create the 'batik' finish. After ironing off all of the wax the artwork was complete.

 

KOI POND - Symbolism

KOI POND
Watercolor Batik - 12x18
Koi fish have intrigued and inspired for centuries. They have been called “living jewels” and
“swimming flowers” for their physical beauty. They are also rich with symbolic significance, 
especially in Asian cultures. 

Tenacity

Koi fish are known for their ability to climb rushing streams and waterfalls until they reach 
their destination. They are determined fighters that do not give up.

Wealth and Abundance

Koi are also associated with financial advancement and success. This is in part because larger koi can be quite expensive. Their elegant forms and radiant colors also convey richness and opulence.

Luck

Koi symbolize good fortune and auspicious circumstances in Asian cultures. Whether you 
cultivate the fish or display koi emblems, symbols or tattoos, it’s believed koi can help draw 
positive energies to you and your family.

Courage

In addition to their beauty, koi are known for being very courageous. They face challenges 
head on without backing away, and this allows them to overcome obstacles and achieve.

Family Strength

Japanese festivals have honored koi for their positive qualities in connection with family 
strength and development. Specific koi colors represent each family member and they are 
emblematic of solidarity, harmony and unity.

Feng Shui

A koi pond on one’s property can improve the flow of positive energy and serenity. 
Koi support positive feng shui and an auspicious, optimal flow of universal life force 
energy for all who live and visit there.

SAILBOAT SUNRISE

SAILBOAT SUNRISE
Watercolor Batik - 12x18

~ Life is like sailing, you can use any wind 
to go in any direction. ~

DANCE OF THE TULIP & Favorite Subjects

DANCE OF THE TULIPS
Watercolor Batik - 14x18

There are certain subjects, like tulips, that I love to paint over and over. And that is OK. No matter how many times we return to a favorite subject there will always be something new to learn.

Each time we paint it we become more familiar with the subject and feel freer to take risks.

Familiarity leads to more creative expression with shapes, color and composition.

We feel encouraged to explore new techniques, different paper, bolder colors and more dynamic designs.

OLD WINDOW & Slow Down

OLD WINDOW
Watercolor Batik - 12x18

I have learned that it is often prudent to work incrementally on a painting, especially in watercolor where it is easy to over work an area and end up with a muddy mess. Instead of jumping in and making drastic changes it is better to make small, thoughtful adjustments. Take your time, step back and look at it from a distance. Move on to another painting and come back later with fresh eyes to see if you are indeed finished.

DAISIES & Sharing Conversations

DAISIES
Watercolor Batik

I think we can all agree that this past month has been a strange time with 'social distancing' and 'stay at home' becoming the norm but it seems to me that we are all having more honest to goodness real conversations with the people in our lives. Not being able to meet someone for coffee or a walk seems to have led to more phone calls or Zoom get togethers where I think we are getting deeper into the minds and feelings of our friends and families. When we meet in person there often seems to be a time limit, a need to get back to work, the kids or the rest of our scheduled day.  

Now that we are being forced to slow our lives down and reach out to those we love in a different way we might actually be learning more about each other, having more meaningful conversations and sharing at a deeper level. Not such a bad thing at all!

MAGNOLIA BEAUTY & Artists Are Different!

MAGNOLIA BEAUTY
Watercolor Batik - 9x12

Artists are different. 
We are always in search of 
creative inspiration. 
We can be inventive, expressive, 
adventurous and intuitive. 
We are the kids who didn't want to 
put their crayons away.

TROPICAL FISH & Watercolor Batik

TROPICAL RAINBOW
Watercolor Batik - 11x14

I always have fun when I am painting on rice paper for the watercolor batik process but I especially enjoy using bright colors and bold shapes for my compositions. Spatter a little wax for unexpected pops of white and I am good to go.



WINTER BLUE BIRD - Watercolor Batik

WINTER BLUE BIRD
Watercolor Batik - 8x10

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful time with family and friends over the holidays. We were lucky enough to have my mom, all three kids with their spouses and our two adorable granddaughters here for Christmas. It is always a blessing to spend time together amid the joyful chaos.

A BIG thank you to all of you that participated in my 50% Off Black Friday sale this year. I mailed many, many paintings off to their new homes - always fun!

COVERED BRIDGE & Vermont

COVERED BRIDGE
Watercolor Batik - 12x18

I loved visiting our son in Vermont during his college years and having the opportunity to see all of the covered bridges across the beautiful countryside.

EVERGREEN PINECONES & Watercolor Batik

EVERGREEN PINECONES
Watercolor Batik - 12x18

EVERGREEN PINECONES - this is a Watercolor Batik of a cute blue bird sitting in an 
evergreen tree among the pinecones while the snow falls gently 

Watercolor Batik is similar to the age old fabric batik but I paint on fibrous rice paper instead of cloth. Melted wax is painted onto the areas that I want to stay white and then I start painting inthe lighter colors of the painting. The wax is then used to protect these lighter areas - the process of painting and waxing is repeated until the entire piece is covered. The wax is then ironed off and the result is always a unique and creative piece of art.

Black Friday Holiday Art Sale - 50% Off All Original Paintings!

SNOWMAN
Watercolor Batik - 8x10

BLACK FRIDAY HOLIDAY ART SALE!

Enjoy 50% Off All Original Watercolor Paintings of flowers, landscapes & more!

Sale Ends Dec 9, 2019 so hurry on over to my 

SANTA
Watercolor Batik - 8x10

WINTER WISHES
Watercolor Batik - 8x10

CHRISTMAS STOCKING
Watercolor Batik - 8x10

FLOWERS & LACE Watercolor Batik and Art Workshop Benefits

FLOWERS & LACE
Watercolor Batik - 12x18

Are there benefits to attending art workshops if you are an experienced artist? 

PRUNING - No matter how experienced we are we can always learn something new. Taking workshops from artists that we admire can help us to prune the creative dead wood' We are always growing as artists and sometimes we grow branches that we don't need or that are weighing us down. It takes a fresh eye to see what old branches we should get rid of us and what new branches we should replace them with.

TIME TO PAINT - Experienced artists can get bogged down with things other than their studio time - marketing, business, galleries, teaching. Attending a workshop is a way to give you some dedicated time to paint. And the bonus is that you might learn something new.

COMRADERIE - One of the big benefits of attending a workshop for artists of any level is the opportunity to spend time with other like-minded creative people. There is something special about immersing yourself in all things art for a few days. Learning from other artists is often just a valuable as learning from the instructor.

TRAVEL - A workshop is a great excuse for a road trip with your art friends

HIBISCUS BEAUTIES - Watercolor Batik

HIBISCUS BEAUTIES
Watercolor Batik - 9x12

Watercolor Batik is a process similar to the age old fabric batik but I paint on fibrous rice paper instead of cloth. Melted wax is painted onto the areas that I want to stay white and then I start painting in the lighter colors of the painting. The wax is then used to protect these lighter areas - the process of painting and waxing is repeated until the entire piece is covered. The wax is then ironed off and the result is always a unique and creative piece of art.

WINTER BLUE BIRD - Watercolor Batik

WINTER BLUE BIRD
Watercolor batik - 8x10

'The blue bird carries the sky on his back'

~ Henry David Thoreau ~

BIRD WATCh Watercolor Batik Painting

BIRD WATCH
Watercolor batik - 12x19

We are still getting some cold, wet weather here in east Tennessee but the pear trees are starting to blossom you can hear the birds singing so there is hope that spring will arrive soon.

30% Off All Watercolor Batik Paintings!

PINK HOLLYHOCKS
Watercolor Batik - 12x27 inches

I invite you to visit my Etsy Shop where I am having a 30% Off Sale for all of my original watercolor batik paintings. Sale ends March 31 so hurry on over!

SOUTHWESTERN POTS - Watercolor Batik

SOUTHWESTERN POTS
Watercolor Batik - 13x24

It is always fun to visit Taos and Santa Fe in the beautiful state of New Mexico. You are surrounded by dessert, adobes and wonderful southwestern arts and crafts. I was inspired to capture some of that heritage in one of my watercolor batik paintings while taking some artistic license with the jewel like colors.