It's snowing again...

These hungry Steller's Jays are invading the bird feeders and scaring the smaller birds away. I let them feed a while, long enough to get several picures. I added the red cotoneaster berries to the painting which are more food for the robins than the jays. They were hard to paint - I added the snow using a toothbrush which spattered all over my tiny studio tv. It's ok because it soon won't work anyway and it is only black and white. I am out of birdfood and must get to the store soon.

Looking out the studio window at the snow

Making time for a quick watercolor study -

Darker leaves add contrast to the delicate flowers.

My teachers have warned me to avoid the tyranny of reality, and I have tried to omit unnecessary detail here, not so easy. I like the complementary colors of the Christmas season, red and green, or any variation thereof. This is the beginning of the painting - to be darkened.

Christmas cards are starting to arrive...

Here are two imaginary horses, one a show horse and the other a pleasure horse. I am now painting more in watercolor than sumi because it is much easier. I will get back to sumi in the new year to prepare for my next show at the Gallery, in April.

A thank you gift

I helped my friend Betsy set up a blog; look at the beautiful cyclamen she gave me in return.

Too busy to paint or blog right now

If you have time for a quick break, go here. The puppies are really fun to watch when they are awake (this site is good for another couple of weeks or so). Enjoy:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/shiba-inu-puppy-cam

Pears and grapes

Painted in 3 sessions, flat color, unfinished watercolor. I might finish it in pastels or acrylics...