A Moleskine Journal

winter squash

2011-12-19T01:49:00.000-06:00

watercolor on paper 6" x 9"

leaf dance

2011-10-08T01:13:00.000-05:00

Like leaves floating on cool water....

autumn is crisp, green apples

2011-10-04T13:59:00.000-05:00

it's autumn!

2011-10-03T00:27:00.000-05:00

I think that if you are an artist, autumn is a magical time of year, especially if you live in the midwest.

a trio of pears

2011-10-02T18:07:00.000-05:00

While illustrating children's books, I like to balance out my creative life with some "adult" work in watercolor or graphite or charcoal. So the other night, I stayed up late and did a quicky watercolor sketch of a bowl of pears. Looking at it now, however, the trio of pears feels rather playful to me, perhaps like a nest of little birds singing for their next meal.

loosening up

2011-09-15T15:39:00.000-05:00

Watercolor is something I have always wanted to master, but eluded me. Lately I have ben trying to loosen up and allow the paint and paper to work in harmony, patiently waiting to see what comes together, instead of trying to control the outcome. Hey, I think that is a good rule for life in general!

I used the same palette as described in the previous post, which is essentially my palette of choice.

watercolor salt demo

2011-09-15T02:12:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I had the pleasure of hosting a demo for a group of women from Windy Brushes, the IL chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters. Because autumn in IL is such a beautiful and colorful time of year, but also short-lived, I wanted to take advantage of the changing colors in the autumn leaves for the project I was demonstrating. Each student left that day with a set of 4 watercolor cards with matching envelopes. I selected Canson Monvant 140 lb. 5" x 7"cards, which come with matching envelopes. Below is a tutorial I put together for students who paid for the class, but could not stay. I thought I would share it with you here.

As short as autumn is, I suggest you go out and gather up some beautiful autumn leaves and try this technique now. These cards can also make beautiful place cards for guests at your Thanksgiving table.

Salt Textures for Watercolor Painting

This simple technique is easy
to do, but can produce stunning effects.

Here is your palette:

Students collected autumn

colored leaves prior to class.
Leaves are sketched lightly with
a pencil on watercolor card, or you may trace an outline of the leaf if you do
not have good drawing skills. You
may choose either a vertical or a horizontal format.

Next, use a brush to wet the
paper inside the drawing of the leaf.
I mainly used size 3 and size 5 round sable brushes for painting. Next, loosely apply watercolor directly
into the wet areas of the leaf, and allow the colors to blend into each other
on the paper. The beauty of watercolor
is that it can be unpredictable, so do not try to control or overwork the
colors in your leaf. You may put
down a light base of color, and apply more colors as you work. Applying transparent layers of color
over other transparent layers is called “glazing”. This is the best way to keep your colors looking fresh.

While the paint is still
damp, sprinkle a little salt (kosher or regular) into random areas of the
leaf. Allow the paint to dry
completely, then brush off the salt.
You may keep adding glazes of color and work with more salt until you
achieve the values and hues you desire.
Once your leaf is dry, you may decide to add a drop shadow, or
completely paint in a background around the leaf. I have included several examples.

(card with matching envelope)

(card with painted background)

(card with drop shadow instead of painted background)

As you can see from the

examples, we also applied the technique to the edge of the envelope to make a
matching card and envelope set.

You may also want to check
out this video I found on YouTube, where an artist demonstrates the technique: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyYI0cEN5jA&feature=related

I thought these leaves turned out so nicely, I decided to stick them in my Etsy shop. Click here to browse.

it's autumn again!

2011-09-03T02:21:00.000-05:00

Here's a sample I painted tonite for a workshop I have been invited to teach next Saturday. This may end up in my Etsy shop. It's a card with matching envelope. Happy Autumn, my friends!

new items in my etsy shop

2011-07-18T12:40:00.000-05:00

I am adding new charcoal drawings to my Etsy shop this week, and will be adding autumn leaf reproductions soon.

Also, you can see my drawing featured over at An Apple a Day.

still life with feather

2011-07-17T12:04:00.000-05:00

a vase that was my mother's

a feather from my walk

a pewter box from an old love

a rosary from my grandmother

still life with rose bud

2011-07-14T13:03:00.001-05:00

The paper I draw on makes a huge difference in the look and the feel of the finished drawing. I enjoy Moleskine paper because there really is nothing else like it. It is so smooth and holds the graphite really well. However, Using this handmade paper, seen here, forces me to loosen up. It surface is bumpy, flawed, and somewhat unpredictable, and I prefer to switch to charcoal for this paper.

Here I have included a scan of the entire page, so you can see the uneven edges, which also add interest and beauty to the drawing. The size is approximately 8.5" X 12.5".

shallot

2011-07-05T18:46:00.002-05:00

One thing I have always felt passionate about is art. Drawing is the first thing children learn to do to communicate with others and make sense of their world. There is something very primitive, yet sophisticated, about a beautiful graphite drawing rendered well. In creating still lifes, I hope to draw attention to the simple things in life that are often overlooked, celebrating the mundane as something rather spectacular. I hope my love of the traditional media of graphite on Moleskine and my passion for art comes through in all of my drawings. Regardless of how busy my life gets at times, I return again and again to my studio, set up a still life comprised mostly of the foods I use for cooking, open up my Moleskine, and get lost in the intimate bliss of drawing.

Original graphite drawing on Moleskine paper now available in my Etsy shop.

memories of last autumn

2011-06-13T20:01:00.002-05:00

watercolor on paper (cropped)

framed

the "original"...

Note how cropping can make a piece of art take on a whole new focus.

apples in a bowl

2011-05-08T02:18:00.003-05:00

charcoal on handmade paper

late night watercolor study-limited palette

2011-05-02T19:28:00.000-05:00

Paul's Onion

2011-04-21T16:35:00.000-05:00

New commissioned drawing, graphite on Moleskine paper.

butternut squash with onion & garlic

2011-03-23T22:47:00.000-05:00

graphite on handmade paper

pumpkin

2011-03-22T01:10:00.001-05:00

graphite on handmade paper - my entry for Illustrations Friday's theme "Cultivate".

Happy Spring!

2011-03-07T10:39:00.000-06:00

No art to post today. I just wanted to post a photo from yesterday's walk. I am so excited, because spring is finally coming back! Sunshine and I have missed our walks! I hope that warmer weather in the upcoming months will bring new inspiration to paint and draw. Happy Spring, everyone!

Illustration Friday - "Layers"

2011-02-22T14:04:00.001-06:00

drawings from 2008 (top) and 2010 (below)

New Fine Art Shop

2011-02-20T18:43:00.000-06:00

Check out my new Etsy shop featuring my fine art originals and reproductions.

d'anjou pears

2011-02-20T00:57:00.000-06:00

The Marathon Runner

2011-02-17T13:03:00.000-06:00

Beyond The Coyote Arts Festival 2010

2010-09-12T01:54:00.000-05:00

Here are some photos from this past week and weekend:

My friend Suzi (left), who bought "Crimson Leaf" on opening night.

"Crimson Leaf"

A view of exhibit space after I hung it on Thursday.

A good frame on a painting is like a good suit on a man.

Watercolor leaves, purchased by my friend Phyllis before the show.

Framing art in my studio....watercolor mushrooms.

framed!

2010-09-10T01:56:00.000-05:00

A good frame and mat should enhance and compliment the artwork it holds.

new shop, new art & 2 art shows

2010-09-06T12:03:00.001-05:00

While away in California last week, I created some new art, which I wanted you to see. I am really enjoying watercolor lately. I have enjoyed painting these autumn leaves, but decided to stretch my wings a bit and try a still life. My boyfriend and I visited the local farmer's market, and came home with lots of great produce, which I find makes great subjects for still lifes. I posted my still life here, although my scanner does not do it justice. I need to have it professionally photographed. But here it is:

I also painted a few new leaves. Here is one of them:

Last night I opened a store on Etsy, where I will be selling fine art and giclee prints. I had giclees made of several of my leaf paintings when I was in California. They turned out great. For more info, and to see my shop, click here.

Regarding art shows, if you are in the Chicago area next weekend, Sept. 10 - 12, please come meet me and see all of my fine art originals and prints at Beyond the Coyote in the Flat Iron Arts Bldg. You can do a little early holiday shopping, or just celebrate art and culture in our beautiful city. September is the best month here!

I will also be having an art show and sale with fellow artist Vincent S. Chiaramonte during the Rockford Fall Artscene, in Rockford IL. Click the link here for more info, and to map the event...we are listed as Aardvark Studio. The hours are Friday October 1st from 5pm - 9pm, and Saturday October 2nd from 3pm - 9pm.

weathered aspen

2010-08-23T11:43:00.000-05:00

new watercolor paintings

2010-08-22T02:56:00.001-05:00

pin oak

2010-08-16T19:51:00.000-05:00

little brown leaf #3

2010-08-08T00:29:00.000-05:00

another study in my Moleskine watercolor journal

little brown leaf #2

2010-08-07T02:15:00.000-05:00

In my watercolor Moleskine journal

upcoming events

2010-07-09T13:51:00.001-05:00

Please come meet me and see my new works at the Beyond the Coyote show in Chicago, IL, September 10 - 12, 2010. This is a fun event and will feature over 150 other artists.

I will also be showing my art along with artist Vincent S. Chiaramonte in Rockford, IL, at a pre-holiday show in mid October. More details to follow soon...

still life with sea shells

2010-07-07T04:40:00.001-05:00

mushrooms- watercolor study

2010-07-02T18:42:00.002-05:00

~ in my moleskine watercolor sketchbook.

button mushrooms

2010-07-02T11:55:00.004-05:00

spring onions

2010-05-28T01:58:00.002-05:00

after the bath

2010-04-26T01:14:00.003-05:00

Recently my Mac crashed and I am still trying to rebuild my system. I did find some time last week to draw in my Moleskine...for the first time in about a month. It felt good to draw again, and I've really missed it. Tonite I scanned the drawing on a friend's scanner and emailed it to myself so that I could post it. The scan did not pick up a lot of the subtleties of my drawing, but it's still a fair representation of the original. I just wanted to share with you what I have been up to lately. Thanks to all of you who encouraged me during my break. Your words meant a lot to me.

taking a little break...

2010-03-20T00:44:00.003-05:00

I've decided to take a little break from my fine art for a while. I need some time to reflect on what I am doing, what I am trying to say through my art, and what it is saying to me. I feel as though I need a bit of quiet time to stretch and find what it is about my art that was once bringing me joy. Or maybe I need to grow as an artist. *sigh* I have some strong regrets about selling my favorite drawings, knowing that I will never get them back. Makes me wonder why I started putting a price on them in the first darned place. I used to just draw for the enjoyment of it. When did it become a commodity for me? It was never my intention when I began drawing in my Moleskine a year and a half ago to sell anything. Ever. And starting this blog was only a way to share my joy of art with you. But now something is missing, and I am left confused and regretful. Bummer. Perhaps I'll be back with a new sense of purpose, and maybe I'll even have new works to show when I return. Or maybe not. *sigh* I'm just not sure anymore....

The 2010 Spring smART Show is Coming!

2010-02-12T23:46:00.003-06:00

The Spring 2010 smART Show has been announced. Join me on Friday March 5th through Sunday March 7th at the Flat Iron Arts Bldg in Chicago!

Getting Ready....

2009-12-07T18:27:00.002-06:00

Today I framed my drawings for the 2009 Holiday smART Show. I will be showing 13 drawings again this time around. That seems to be a lucky number for me. The show runs from December 11-13 in Chicago.

2009 Holiday smART Show

2009-12-04T13:08:00.002-06:00

I will be showing and selling my new drawings at the 2009 Holiday smART Show December 11-13.
Flat Iron Arts Building
1579 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622

"Eve"

2009-12-02T17:17:00.003-06:00

This is my latest commissioned nude. It will be featured, along with "Adam", at my upcoming show & sale at the 2009 Holiday smART Show at the Flatiron Arts Bldg in Chicago, December 11 - 13.

"Adam"

2009-11-12T01:08:00.003-06:00

I will be showing this and other new works at the Holiday smART Show in Chicago December 11-13, 2009. More details will be posted. Many works for sale.

Art on Track 2009

2009-10-15T13:46:00.003-05:00

"Art on Track is a mobile art experience aboard an eight-car CTA train, which circles the Chicago loop for a day long celebration of fine arts culture."

My latest piece entitled "Tuesday Evening" was displayed in the October show Art on Track. I was unable to attend the event, but it looked like loads of fun! Find out more and see photos from last year's show by visiting their website.

Tuesday Evening

2009-09-23T12:38:00.004-05:00

I recently acquired an A4 size Moleskine so that I could work on a larger surface. I am disappointed with the results. The paper is completely different in color and texture than the buttery soft, coated paper that my pencil is used to gliding over in the smaller size Moleskines. I struggled to achieve tonal range and the texture I was looking for. Nevertheless, I decided to finish the still life I had started.

Amendment: I should probably clarify...I am disappointed with the inconsistency of the paper, but I am actually pleased with the results of the finished still life. This one is also for sale, and will be featured in an upcoming show. Email me if you are interested in purchasing the finished piece. It measures 6.25" X 9.25".

river rocks

2009-09-14T13:10:00.003-05:00

The 2nd Annual smART show at the Flat Iron Art Building in Chicago was a great success this past weekend. This was my very first time showing my fine art, and I ended up selling 5 drawings. I had a great time and met so many wonderful artists, all with unique styles all their own. I hope to participate in the Holiday smART show show this year. I will post a few photos from this weekend's event when I empty my camera.

I was so inspired to keep drawing, I came home last night and drew river rocks.

getting ready....

2009-09-09T14:58:00.004-05:00

I am spending the week framing my artwork for the smART show in Chicago this weekend. The batteries for my camera are bad, so here is a little snapshot I took with my computer. I will take photos at the show, but if you are in town, I hope you will stop by and say hello!

come see my first fine art show and sale!

2009-08-31T12:42:00.004-05:00

Please visit the official smART show website for more information. I will be showing my work in studio 214. Hope to see you there!

rhonda

2009-08-19T11:37:00.003-05:00

joan's bowl

2009-08-16T17:05:00.002-05:00

morning nude

2009-08-06T23:40:00.003-05:00

female nude #1

2009-08-03T02:19:00.001-05:00

Illustrations Friday - "Idle" (summer's seashells)

2009-07-19T02:07:00.004-05:00

One of my favorite things about summer is idle time. I found the joy of drawing again tonite.....

lunch

2009-02-21T03:26:00.001-06:00

garlic whimsy

2009-02-10T01:16:00.002-06:00

lidded bird jar

2009-01-25T03:11:00.004-06:00

(see my demo in previous post to learn how I draw accurate ellipses)

demo - drawing ellipses

2009-01-24T20:51:00.006-06:00

I have not posted in a while. My day job is illustrating children's books, and I am deeply involved in my 5th book right now. But....I really miss just drawing! So tonite I took out my Moleskine and sat down with one of my favorite and also most challenging items to draw - ellipses. I thought I'd turn this drawing into a little demo to show you how I begin my process.

I draw my ellipses freehand, starting with a center line and adding cross lines as reference points so that my ellipses are all as they should be. The rest, well, I "eyeball" the entire object as I draw it, measuring it in my mind and on paper. After drawing an ellipse, I turn my paper 180 degrees and recheck the ellipse. I may turn it 90 degrees as well and check it that way. When it comes to drawing, our minds have a tendency to lie to us and tell us everything is okay when it's not. It always pays to spend as much time as necessary checking and rechecking your initial sketch, since way too many mistakes are caught only after a drawing is finished. Mistakes can easily be avoided as long as you are not hasty in moving on to the rendering stage. In the end, it is worth the time taken to make sure your drawing is accurate.

My drawing looks pretty good, so I think I am ready to begin rendering it now.

porcelain box

2008-12-31T19:27:00.002-06:00

my final post of 2008...
Thanks everyone who visited my blog this year and left comments. It is much appreciated.

avocado & pear

2008-12-27T03:10:00.002-06:00

a study of texture and light

lemon on linen (detail)

2008-12-26T03:00:00.004-06:00

jade frog

2008-12-05T03:02:00.005-06:00

HB & B graphite pencils.
I bought this jade frog while in Chicago's China Town back in the early 90's.

acorn squash

2008-11-19T04:29:00.005-06:00

2H pencil, B pencil and black Prismacolor pencil

red leaf

2008-11-09T19:31:00.004-06:00

I forgot how poorly reds scan. Maybe I will try photographing the painting instead. The original painting has a much broader range of pretty reds.

Illustration Friday - "Wise" (kate's leaf)

2008-11-07T03:28:00.003-06:00

(in my watercolor Moleskine)

"While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease." - Genesis 8:22

There is wisdom in remembering that there is a purpose for every season in our lives and it is all part of a bigger plan for us.

little brown leaf - november

2008-11-06T00:28:00.002-06:00

watercolor study

banana

2008-11-02T01:34:00.004-05:00

note: I gave in and ate the banana as I was posting tonite.

autumn's apples

2008-10-25T15:38:00.006-05:00

"McIntosh"...the way I prefer my apples and my computer. : )
I used only a 2B pencil. I find it challenging to draw with a natural light source on days like this when the weather is blustery and the sun keeps popping in and out from behind heavy clouds.

Onion

2008-10-18T01:29:00.004-05:00

Maybe tomorrow I will add some garlic...

glass bottle

2008-10-17T01:00:00.008-05:00

Study of a glass bottle in my watercolor Moleskine. I made this study for a sketchbook class I was teaching this past summer. (Unfortunately, not all of the values were picked up on my rickety little tabletop scanner.)

small box (illustration friday - "vacant")

2008-10-16T15:03:00.002-05:00

office supplies

2008-10-16T02:20:00.001-05:00

autumn oak

2008-10-14T23:26:00.001-05:00

The leaf was drying and curling right before my eyes as I was trying to draw it....a real challenge, but one I sort of enjoyed.

golden eggs

2008-10-14T03:07:00.001-05:00

an older drawing....a study for one of the art classes I taught last year.

Welcome to my new Moleskine Sketch Blog!

2008-10-13T11:25:00.002-05:00

"A Lovely Pair"
"Red Glazed Bowl"
"Leftovers"
quick study of limes
a mosaic coaster I made in 2003 and drew in 2008
loose study of limes and tomato using a wide graphite stick