Having Fun With Flowers

 I've been playing with just splashing paint on a small piece of watercolor paper to do a flower as I continue with my #The100DayProject.

I'm also experimenting with a variety of brushes. I like all of them, some more than others but it's great fun.  Here are a few more,..

These are all small, about 3" x 3".  I'm having way too much fun to stop doing them '

More Flowers and The Sketchbook Revival

 Still doing flowers but I did a few more exercises in the Sketchbook Revival which makes me think I need to play a bit with watercolor again.  And had a chance to gather some background on another Art Tribe friend I would love you to meet, Carol Cousineau.

Angela Fehr was the workshop leader and doing it reminded me of the fun of watching the colors move and blend.  Perhaps time to also consider more fluid acrylics as well.

I did some more sketching too and played a bit with a more realistic watercolor and acrylic floral.  The watercolor wasn't fun, not as much fun as those that were just color.  The acrylic was more fun but a first try at realism in acrylic.  Well not totally.  My first acrylic painting done several years back --

My spouse making coffee on the sailboat we chartered for our honeymoon. His left arm isn't that light in the painting -- sun glare.  This one hangs in my office, he doesn't like it -- I do.  Not that it's particularly good, doesn't matter, I love the subject.

And that other Art Tribe friend Carol Cousineau. Carol's work is always recognizable in whatever media she is working in at the moment. Her primary medium is oil pastel but lately she has branched out using gouache and collage.

Carol is from northern New Jersey. Museums, and galleries in New York City were very accessible and visiting them inspired her.  She was also able to study with Arthur Maynard at Ridgewood New Jersey Art Institute.

She, like most of us, has been creating for as long as she can remember and was inspired and encouraged by her maternal grandmother.

 She says "The desire to create is innately a part of me. The process is pleasurable, therapeutic and satisfying. The resulting piece of art is a bonus and has afforded me the opportunity to be in galleries. All of the above is motivational."  She'd also inspired by museums, galleries, books, interiors, buildings, landscapes, nature, colors, shapes, light and shadows. Travel around the United States and other countries has influenced her art . She added that walking and driving around Michigan has probably had the most influence. We do live in a beautiful state.

You can see Carol's work at the Gallery Uptown -- go see if you haven't already.

I Met Some New Artists

And I want to introduce another Art Tribe friend.

I haven't quit the flower project ...

  

... but I've also been checking out some of the short workshops on  Sketchbook Revival.  Last time I mentioned I checked it because a couple artist I follow were doing workshops.  Well, I found two new ones to follow. 

Both of the new ones are Urban Sketchers and since I’ve recently joined Urban Sketchers West Michigan I wanted to check what they were teaching.  Love what they do!  The two are Dutch artist Koosje Koene  and Irish artist Roisin Cure.  If you’re interested in what Urban Sketchers is all about check these two artists out.

And as long as I’m introducing, meet another Art Tribe friend, Bette DelVechio.  Here’s a sample of her work.

Bette grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa. She tells me “It’s possible the diversity of the people and the area has had some influence on my work.

Like my friend Sandy, Bette has always known she was an artist.  As a young girl she was always designing and sewing outfits for her dolls.   When she was 5 or 6 she was designing and sewing complete outfits for a baby doll! What great fun!

I can certainly relate to what motivates her – she says “It’s just a need.  If I don’t spend time in my studio regularly I get cranky.”  I hope I don’t get cranky but I know, like Bette, I just have to do it.

Most of Bette’s work these days is 2D (paintings) but she still does clay work and a bit of jewelry. When I asked her if her work has changed over the years she said as she continues her trek into art, she learns and grows.  “Hopefully, I’m getting better.”

Bette also enjoys entertaining friends with a good meal when she has time to cook.  Cooking is another creative outlet and you’ll find some of those creative treats when the Art Tribe has it’s exhibit at the Gallery Uptown in July.  Plan on it.