New Watercolor Paints

 As of late I have been trying out different brands of pan watercolors. The five dollar brand really isn't professional quality, and if I want to sell my artwork on the internet, I really need to get serious about my paints.  With that said.........I don't want to overspend on paints either. 

I think I found a good compromise with Vivart Watercolor Set.  Here is the low down on these wonderful paints:

The colors are high pigmented..........which means the colors show up bright.  Totally blend-able.  Love that there are 48 colors in the pan...........which means I spend less time mixing.  Well priced.  Looks like they will last for a good while.

Over all I am happy with the paints.  Check it out:

I hope everyone has a joyful holiday.

Keep creating

Christin

"Playing on the Surface of the Water"

Halloween glittered shoes please

 This is a silly post today.  Halloween is almost here and I really wanted some glittered shoes to go with my witch costume.  

Into the black hole of my closet..........where I reconnected with several lovely heels that I use to wear a few years ago and have not touched since.   I was happy to reacquaint myself with the shoes I didn't know I had........even though all have graced my feet.  

Anyway, I found a lovely pair that really should have been tossed, the heel was scuffed up on both shoes.  Lucky day for you.  I knew these were the right pair for Halloween night.

Check out before: 

Check out after: 

See a little glue, glitter and clear spray can make these old shoes spectacular!

Boo to you,

Christin 

New watercolor painting/ sketch

 Even though we are continuing to clean up around our house due to Hurricane Ida..........I  hid in my studio and finished up three paintings.  Here is one that I wanted to share.  (Please note: the images on this blog are low resolution.) 

"Blue Veil"

Also, we have postponed our Art Yard Sale until we get our sidewalk fixed.  Unfortunately it was destroyed due to the storm.  Maybe we will proceed in December............but really it is up in the air.

Wishing everyone happy days.

Christin

Hurricane Ida.....you were something

 What were the odds that another hurricane would hit on the same day that Hurricane Katrina hit? Also, leaving a wake of destruction in its path.  Apparently the odds were in favor of Mother Nature........cause that is exactly what Hurricane Ida did.  

After Katrina, I vowed not to return to my hometown; yet the years changed my feelings and we returned back to Louisiana ten years later.  Fast forward to 2021 and what was once a  category 2 hurricane quickly intensified into almost a category 5 storm. 

Glenn and I stayed.  

It was a huge storm with severe winds up to 150 mph.  Rain drops actually exploded into mist.  Yes at times Glenn and I opened the front door to see the action.....but when a piece of flying debris almost hit Glenn's face........we shut the door and locked it.  

Our phones were going off every 1/2 hour with intense wind alerts and we should take cover.  I cleared out one of my closets so we would have a safe place to huddle. The only time I became afraid is when the wind was pushing rain into our bedroom windows, and our bedroom took on water.   I really thought the windows were going to fly out of the frames. 

We were the lucky ones. (Although we did have damage it does not compare to neighbors that had trees fall on their house and split their house open. Also, the many residents that are homeless and those that still are without power).  It makes my heart ache.

My beautiful studio was spared except for the water that came in through the side seams.  Immediately I got to work in there...........cleaning, and caulking.  Again I was lucky.  Since I do not have electricity in my studio, I was back to creating artwork. How could I not?  Walking the dogs everyday and seeing the debris stack up gradually getting higher and higher.  Trees that were 70 feet tall leaned over with giant root balls in the air.  Precarious limbs of trees dangling and ready to fall at a slight breeze. Visually everything was out of sorts but this can't be ignored. 

How weird it is that the newest work I have created in pencil and watercolors lend themselves to my latest drawing.....titled, "Ida" ( This piece still needs a watercolor wash and details, but I thought I would still share.) How lucky am I. 

Christin

"Ida"

 

Storage solution for paper paintings

Studio update:  Storage and organization.  So, I have been producing new paintings; however, storage and protecting my completed paintings have been an issue. With an outdoor shed converted into a studio, little critters such as lizards,  find my studio as a heaven on earth.  Yes the little buggers, are waiting at my studio door ready to enter as I open the door to begin a painting session.  

Already one painting was tossed into the trash after a lizard relieved itself on it.  Here is where I get frustrated.  

 So my main concern with storage is how to protect my watercolors while they are in different stages and once they are complete.  ( Since we live in a small house, I really want the artwork to stay in the studio....not in the house) 

Solution:  chest of drawers.  Chest of drawers are narrow and tall.....that works for my space.  After a couple of weeks of looking around on garbage pick up day and not coming up with a set of chest of drawers, I realized it was time to hit the junk store.  (Mind you I have upcycled all my furniture in the studio)  I was very lucky!  The first store Glenn and I went to we purchased a nice chest of drawer that needed a little TLC..........nothing difficult.  

Check it out:

Perfect size

However, I wasn't happy with the brown stain.........too dark for the studio space.  So I repainted the chest of drawers  to match my desk.

Check it out:

Heirloom White

Lined with vinyl inside drawers

I was very fortunate that Mother Nature held her rain for two straight days here..............so I was able to knock this project out.  

Already I started to organize the drawers and fill with watercolor drawings.   The chest of drawers was a great solution at a minimal cost.  All total I spent $80.00 (for chest, paint, and lining) What a deal!

Here is a detail shot of my latest painting (which will now be safe from lizards)

Untitled for now

New Artwork

 Last remaining wall went up a couple of weeks ago in the studio. Finally my studio feels closer to completion. (Although next year's project will be adding a ceiling and solar panels)  Currently I am organizing the studio....basically figuring out where to put my supplies.  There is nothing more frustrating to know you have a particular paint brush but you can't put your hands on it. 

 In between organizing, I have been working on new paintings.  I have to admit.....it has been a struggle.   I decided to go into a different direction then oils.  I have been using charcoal, watercolors and pencil.  

Since my studio feels like it is located in a forest, it was only natural to be influenced by my surroundings.

My goal is to create original paintings; have giclees made from them and sell the giclees on Etsy.  I haven't set up an Etsy account yet, because from what I gather you really need at least 36 images.   I am no where near that, but at least I have started.  

Today I did send off for two giclees.  I am excited to see how they turn out. (They are considered test runs)

Also in the fall, two artists and myself will have a Yard Art Sale.  Basically in my front yard we will have tables and art to sell for one weekend.  I am looking forward to letting go of some older works. 

Check out my newest paintings. 

Dangerous Mushrooms 

Waiting for Spring

Wrapped in Fall

Hello There

 Hello There,

So nice to have time to mention a few projects I have completed.  

The holidays seem so far away, but I did want to share a a couple of hand embroidered bookmarks I gave as gifts.  Check it out:

The designs came from this sweet little book.  The designs are simple and easy to hand stitch. 

Moving on to the outdoors.  I really wanted to create a seating area outside my studio door.  So, the hubby and I went to Home Depot and lugged a bunch of bricks home.  The size of the area is  about 12' wide by about 4' deep.  It took around 200 bricks to complete the project.  I did throw some thyme seeds in the space between the bricks......I hope I will have a carpet of thyme, but we will have to see.

Inside the studio, I realized the little ones, ( the name I gave to our two new little dogs) needed a dog bed.  They love to hang out in the studio with me when I paint.  So back into the sewing room and I sewed up this cute cotton dog bed.  I have been wanting an excuse to use the giant zigzag tape, so I got my wish.  I used it as trim around the bed.  Nola loves her new bed.  I now need to sew one for Morpheus.  They don't like to share.  Oh well. Check it out: 

OK Nola doesn't like taking photos

Stay safe and keep creating!