"Antique Egg Prints"

Sorry I've been away so long... too many things going on besides our scanner finally giving up. I hated that thing. I would get a million error messages and then finally it would scan. My hubby brought home an old scanner from work and it still scans beautifully. So, woo hoo I'm back.

Here's a fun project I've always wanted to do. Did you ever admire the antique egg prints? I found a blog (I forgot to save her name) and she suggested printing from the New York Public Library digital archive. It took a little time but I found the egg prints.

Then, I printed some for shape only and did my watercolor thing. I did take some artistic license. It's really fun. I used 2 different watercolor papers and I think it made a difference. The first pair is on 150 archers. The second pair is on 140 lanaquarelle.

The Glass Castle

Did you ever read a book and keep thinking about afterwards? This is how I feel about "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls. She tells the story of her life growing up with two irresponsible parents who should not have had children. It's amazing she made something out of her life with the start she had. She tells her story with love and I enjoyed it immensely.

New Shell Grouping

My friend will be giving a group of my shell paintings to her mom and dad for their anniversary. Before I gave them to her, I copied them first and made a few changes to my next grouping (shown above). I really loved to paint the egg shell. I used a Q-tip to speckle the shell. There's always a moment of panic when I think I've blown it -- but then it eventually works out.

Lilly Pond

Thinking of my mom at Mother's Day--this was painted from a picture we took at a park in Tenafly when we visited her in New Jersey some years ago. At the time, it was a big accomplishment for me so I framed it and gave it to her. She loves lilly pads.

Morning Glories

I first saw Morning Glories in Catalina Island and loved them, but today I celebrate the last Morning Glory I yanked out of my yard. We had a vine hanging on the fence between our neighbor's yards. We all loved them but the vines were out of control. There were so many vines that they choked out anything in its path. I found them a pretty subject for watercolors, though.

Isabelle & the Rose-Colored Glasses

Just a few illustrations I've been working on for my children's book. It's a story about a girl who learns to appreciate meaningful gifts from her family. She sees visions through the glasses.

I don't know if it will ever get published but that's the goal. (My daughter modeled for this book when she was 8ish...she's 19 now.)

Poppies!!!!

Adding to my flower collection to welcome spring, is a painting I painted inspired by style of Annelien Beukenkamp . Her watercolors really have a translucent feel. I especially love her flower paintings and yet I love the style of Jean Uhl Spicer (She doesn't have a website ...I only could find her book "Bright & Beautiful Flowers"). If you like painting flowers, it's a great book. I also saw it on Swaptree. Someday, I have to get back east to take a workshop from either artist.

The little ripples at the bottom are a reflection when I took the picture on the glass patio table. I liked it so I left it in... what the heck.