Friday, February 1, 2013

Winter Watercolors

I love the quiet and solitude of January. It's been too cold and icy to do much outside other than taking care of the animals....who are doing fine, by the way.

Last winter I decided to try to learn about watercolors. I have always admired watercolor artists because I think WC is really hard! It involves letting go of illusions about how something might turn out.

Inspiration came from my favorite watercolor artist, Jody Bergsma. She is SO talented, a huge success in the commercial world, and the CEO of her own publishing and distribution company. Jody Bergsma's website and blog offers videos of her paintings in progress and offers so much educational material to help people paint. And she freely shares all of this....like, for FREE! She works from a constant source of abundance and is truly a loving and giving person on top of all that talent. And a horse girl, too!

As an artist, I would not copy anyone's work. As a student, I had to get over the fact that I AM trying to emulate her art. And not doing a very good job of it!! How full of myself I had to be to think I was going to just pick up a brush and paint like Jody!

Jody Bergma's rendering of crows

I love how she designs the composition. It's so full of images and really tells a story. She uses graphic additions that tie into the overall theme. I could spend all day studying her paintings, but now it's my turn to try.
My first watercolor ala Jody style in 2011

Too funny! But as I always like to say.....you have to start somewhere. Here are some more attempts:
This was an early one. Very loose in style. I just like big cats and slopping paint.

Flowers are fun

Trying to find my own style...

Keeping at it.....

Switched to butterflies.
That's enough for now. Next time I'll add some of the ones from 2012. No... I haven't improved but I am having some fun with new styles and techniques.

Thank you, Jody Bergsma, for your generous spirit and inspiration!



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