I came across this video on the Liz Wiltzen blog called,  "Live Attuned".  It is such a beautiful video i had to share it with you, thinking what a great way to close out the year. I've watched this many times over and never lose the awe that it inspires. Hope you all have a great New Year with many dreams coming true. But most of all that you experience first hand the amazing love of the one who created it all in the beginning. He was the first true artist. What an amazing artist He is. God bless each and every one.

"My Town"

The beginning's of a whimsical take on my town, Calgary. Some of the recognizable places are evident like the "Saddledome", "Bow Tower", and "Calgary Tower". The houses in the middle ground represent inner city communities of Sunnyside and Hillhurst. These i plan on doing brightly colored and fun. The city buildings will mostly be grays, blues, purples outlined in white and a sky filled with dancing images and stars. Not too sure what to do with the foreground yet and have to be careful. A painting like this can become too busy in short order. The rows of houses will be the focal point of it all. These are fun to do and i have hopes of doing a series based on local, familiar areas. We shall see. I get sidetracked so easily. Sigh! Hope all are having a great day with new paintings all around. God bless, and Happy New Year.

"Portofino"

Portofino is finally  complete. This was a commission for a lady who saw another one similar to it and asked me to do one for her.  It took me over 18 months to get it done because i kept getting sidetracked doing other things. She was so very patient and gracious. I would have fired myself a long time ago.
But glad she waited as i am most pleased with the outcome and cannot wait to show it to her. This is watercolor on Arches 300 lb. CP paper. 17" X 44".

WIP "Portofino"

This is now about 80% complete. I have yet to do the background as I do not quite have a clear image of what it is to be yet. Also the area on the left side is yet to take shape. Hope to be finished in a couple of days.

Today i was thinking of what a privilege it is to be able to paint. When i dreamt of doing this, i always thought it would be such fun and a very cool way to live. Boy, was i in for a surprise. It is really a ton of work and the work is never done is it? If we are not painting, we are percolating the next idea or maybe thinking of new ways to market our work. Or you might be trying to develop a new technique, re-invent the wheel, or learn to work with new mediums. When i was a kid i can remember asking my mom always what there was for me to do. "I'm bored!" said me. Hehe!  Should have painted. Hope all are having a fabulous day. I'm playing today and having fun!

WIP of Portofino...

This is a work in progress based on the Italian village of Portofino. I enjoy taking a real life village and using it as a starting point. You can see the photo i used on my lap top. This painting will be 17" X 44" when done. So far it is coming along nicely and i look forward to adding the dark areas which bring a watercolor to life and make those whites and light areas pop. Adding little bits of complimentary color nearby also helps. Hope to have the completed piece posted soon.

"Mousehole"

This is based on a photo of the village, "Mousehole" in Cornwall. I really enjoy doing these little villages.
The drawings take on a life of their own and evolve from a photo to a slightly off kilter, whimsical representation of what is really there. For this one, my intention was to keep most of the colors grey and cool except for a few houses. It appears as if the sun is setting and nightfall will soon envelope everyone.
Oops! I forgot to put some people in which i like to do. Next time! Watercolor on Arches C/P 300 lb. paper.