mARTa's Art

Naranja Sangrienta

I have a blood orange tree in my yard which produces luscious fruit. When ripe the rinds are deep orange red and the pulp the color of dark red blood. The juice is not as sweet as our California Navel oranges but sweet enough to eat and great for juicing. Rudy has finished picking the last of the oranges and before he juices them I wanted to do a quick painting....trying out my new "loose woman" philosophy. So I just played and approached this somewhat distracted by the pretty view out the window and my plans for a lazy day. So much so I stuck my brush into my coffee while working at the kitchen table!

Posted In still life, watercolor | 4 comments |

I Want to be a Loose Woman

| 2 comments |

Diane and I at the PAAR Paint-Out

Diane and I among the catcti at Elin's.

Posted In photo | 0 comments |

My new friend Diane and I recently joined PAAR; Plein Air Artists of Riverside. Today we went to our first "paint-out" at one of the member's home, Elin Pendleton She has this great place at the outer edges of our city right smack at the base of the foothills. She's got a horse, a goat, a cool studio and fantastic views all around. The day was sunny and warm so I picked a shady place to sit while I did this 5x7 watercolor. The shadows moved and I must have blinked and missed them!! But I had fun and enjoyed getting to know Diane as we commuted to Elin's. We decided this was lots of fun and plan on going out again to paint.

Posted In landscape, watercolor | 1 comments |

Dreaming in Watercolor

I awoke this morning with the image of the Chinese Garden in my head and instantly knew what is wrong with it. It has no focal point and the arches are smack in the middle. I should have walked around more to find a better point of view. The bridge comes from nowhere and goes nowhere. Next time I go out to sketch, before just plotting myself down on the ground, I'm going to do some prep work.

Today I decided to start some working sketches for a portrait a co-worker wants me to do of her boys. I told her "I don't know, I'm not that good." She thinks I am good enough I suppose so I agreed. It's harder for me to work from a photo I didn't take myself or have never met this child. I don't even know his name! This pencil sketch finally met my expectation and will work from this to attempt a watercolor. I want to pick up some graphite paper to transfer the image or make a sheet myself. I'm going to leave it alone for a few days for now.

Posted In pencil, photo, portrait | 0 comments |

I've decided I really...

don't care for the Moleskine sketchbook. The paper doesn't hold up to my abuse as I try to lay in watercolor washes. But I do love the Moleskine Watercolor Sketchbook. The paper is creamy and really holds up when laying in the watercolor.

This was a wonderful weekend. Yesterday's outing to the theater was fun and I sketched in the MS but when adding watercolor the paper frustrated me. I did a skyline view of Los Angeles and the interior of the theater just before the curtain rose.

Today we drove out to the Huntington Library and Gardens to check out the new Chinese Garden which is in it's first phase of construction. It's going to be beautiful when done! This sketch is in the MS watercolor book. I used masking fluid on this one to preserve some whites. I think I was close to mudding up this sketch so I stopped. I'm not sure if I like this or not. But everyday I learn something new so I keep trodding along.

Posted In landscape, moleskeine, watercolor | 0 comments |

Tea Party!

This has been a long day. We are really short staffed at work this week so I offered to come in and work 6 hours this morning before running out to a hair appointment. The grey roots needed to go before tomorrow's date with DH to see Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolfe? at the Ahmanson in Los Angeles.

Then this evening I had my nieces, her friend and their little ones over for a tea party. We drank herbal tea, some lemonade and ate brownies and cookies. Baby Aidan had a bottle and was well behaved (for a boy at a tea party). This is a watercolor I did just after Christmas of him from some photos I took. I really missed the highlights in the eyes and his lips too bright, but the likeness is definitely there. I might try this one again with a looser approach. I just love my little Aidan!

So, now the long day is done and I'm ready for a fun weekend. I will try to find time to sketch as the weather is warm, sunny and just lovely for being outdoors.

Posted In portrait, watercolor | 0 comments |

Happy Valentine's Day

No sour lemons for me for EDM challenge #106: draw something sour or tart. The kids at work today were exchanging cards and candy and I came home with my own bag of goodies!

Posted In EDM, moleskeine, watercolor | 9 comments |

Work is interfering with my creativity...

Last Friday I drove home from the beach at 5am to be at work by 7am to work a 12 hour shift. I worked the next two days as well. I barely have time to take a break let alone draw; yet I carry my sketchbook to work with me, just in case.

I have had two days off but spent yesterday rejuvenating myself. Today I seem to have it together and wanted to continue with the EDM challenges since I'm about 100+ behind!

I have been wanting to pull out the old Singer Featherweight and maybe have my dear one oil it for me. I haven't made a quilt in over 5 years and I'm thinking it might be time to caress fabric once again. I'm off to work the next two days....yes, long hard hours but I'll have pen and paper at hand....just in case.

Posted In EDM, moleskeine, watercolor | 2 comments |

Weekly Drawing Thread/ Wet Canvas

I was looking forward to this week's drawing challenge from Wet Canvas. I spent more time on it than I thought I would but was very happy with the result.

Posted In landscape, watercolor, WDT | 4 comments |

EDM#101

I spent a few days in San Clemente, California at the beach. It was cool and foggy but perfect for relaxing and catching up on some projects. I went to one of my favorite boutiques and found a beautiful box of wonderfully scented soaps from Paris. I couldn't resist as well as perfect for the Everyday Matters Challenge #101.

Posted In EDM, moleskeine, watercolor | 1 comments |

Christmas Cactus

I don't know why this Christmas cactus begins to bloom weeks after Christmas is over. I am actually amazed that it has already survived several Christmas' (houseplants usually die on me).

I signed up for an open studio class at our local art museum. Because of work commitments I can only attend a couple times a month. On my first session the instructor gave me the syllabus and a materials list. She wants us to use a limited palate and so in doing this little sketch (in my new moleskein sketchbook) I used only those colors.

I guess I should go downstairs now and hang out with the old guy who's watching the Superbowl alone :(

Posted In moleskeine, still life, watercolor | 1 comments |

Weekend in San Diego

I drove south on Friday to spend some time with my Amy in San Diego. We arose on Saturday to a beautiful day and decided to take a hike searching for waterfalls. We drove east on interstate 8 to Sunrise Hwy for a hike to Cottonwood Creek Falls. It was a relatively short hike but a long climb down and worse getting back up to the road. We enjoyed the morning and I had a chance to do a quick wc sketch while she skipped stones in the creek. Although we've had such a dry year, the water was flowing and the falls cascading.

Posted In EDM, landscape, moleskeine, watercolor | 0 comments |