SOFT GERANIUM CLIPBOARD

This weekend I wanted to try out a modification of a design by Patricia Rawlingson in the Quick and Easy June 2009 magazine. I just love the softness of her design and want to do it on some vintage metal chairs and a vintage kerosene stove to transform to a table. I had a small clipboard so decided I could use a little bit of "beauty" on the drab brown board.

When I finished and was taking a picture I decided to take an element shot (small photo) and will use this somewhere along my creative journey. I love the impressionistic look and geraniums are one of my favorite flowers. I learned a lot with this "piece" and thank PR for the inspiration. Now I feel a bit more confident as I think about painting the chairs and stove.

I am thinking of having this photo of the clipboard element enlarged to poster size and framed. I think it would just be perfect for a focal piece in a room.

Reflections of Bamboo

In my dining room I had an artificial bamboo plant in a pot. It was in a "not so good" location but I loved the way the reflection "played" on the wall so I "put up" with it.

Tonight I decided it was time I take brush and paint and use the reflection as a pattern and paint in the stalk and leaves. Then I could get rid of the tree ... kinda like having my cake and eating it too....lol...

Although my camera didn't catch my wall color correctly it is a pale green (the other 2 walls are a much darker green) and the paint I used was Wedgewood Green in Delta. I chose Delta because of its' thinness and felt it would give me less coverage which I wanted. Now that it is done it is very impressionistic
and neat. I should have done this months ago but a procrastinaotor I am.....I am. I can hardly wait to see it in daylight vs the artificial light.

One weekend project accomplished and it took me only about
30 minutes. Quick and Easy..

Artists are Magicans / Jerry Yarnell

My favorite landscape/scenery artist is Jerry Yarnell. I have taken several of his seminars and have walked away every time with a better understanding of what I want to achieve when I paint. Jerry says artists are illusionists...through paint and brush we magically put onto paper an illusion for the viewer...to finish. We bring them in to the painting and then they can walk around and enjoy what they see, getting lost in their own personal thoughts of what is "not" there. I love the impressionistic flair of painting with just a touch of realism and my goal is not to provide the viewer with a picture but an illusion they can finish to their own hearts content.

Jerry is an artist who can paint, teach and is a wonderful sharing person with his art ex-
perience. He holds nothing back and shares as much knowledge as the students are able to
absorb. Knowledge is wonderful but he provides the "how to use" techniques he has learned through the years to accomplish his wonderful pieces of art. Anyone can read
information .. and I am appreciative for his hands on way of teaching and seeing.

Small Works of Art Quiet Time

This is a "small piece of art" matted and framed. The painted picture (done by me with acrylics) is on a piece of black mat board that is ACEO (Artist Card, Edition or Original)
2 1/2" x 3 1/2" but has been matted and put into a 5" x 7" frame for a lovely piece of original, affordable wall art. The design I have used is NOT my design ... but an adaptation of a design by another artist. I used Matisse Paints, and the Dynasty Micro Mini Brush set for painting. The pointed flats were awesome for doing this design....

Brush Basin P.S.

I was using just a paper towel in the lid of my brush basin but I took my lid to
a near by glass shop and had a piece of clear acrylic cut to fit inside my lid. This allows me to "lay out" the colors in little puddles on the acrylic and I blend on my paper plate. Periodically throughout my painting session I use a mister
to spray my acrylics to keep them wet. With the acrylic palette my paints do not bleed as they were doing with just the paper towel. It works more to what I am
used to now, and like.

When my acrylic gets bad I just soak in my utility basin in hot water and the
paint peels off so I can throw it away. What doesn't; I use one of the Pampered Chef plastic scrapers...works wuuuunderful and my palette is clean as new.

One of my students says she uses one of the shamwows with a piece of the Masterson palette paper.

Different strokes for different folks....

Small Works of Art

These artistic pieces are ATC sized that I have made for a current exchange I have participated in. The rose is called "Aspen Rose" and the other piece is called "An Artists' Day". The rose is painted using Matisse acrylic paints and the other ATC is painted with the addition of altered art items depicting items of daily consideration. These little works of art are fun to do and spark the creativity within us all.... These were done on archival mat board and are 2 1/2" x 3 1/2". Frames and mats are also available for these ATC/ACEO's so that they can become a true piece of "hangable" art.... Makes having an artists' original affordable...

On the back of each piece is a label with my name, the date and
the title of the piece.

Pieces for sale can be seen on my etsy site: http://www.smallworksofart.etsy.com/

STEAMPUNK JEWELRY

I really like what is called Steampunk jewelry and will be making some to sell on my Etsy site "Jewelry Jeans" soon. I just finished making a piece for myself and was amazed at how much it "told about me" when I was finished. It takes a while to search out the pieces you want. Each piece will be different. I am going to make a different necklace chain for the piece using "gunmetal" which is a grey color and will fit the piece a little better.

MY ETSY SHOPS

I now have 3 Etsy shops... My daughter thought it would be better to do it this way than everything on one so:

http://www.artisticrenderings.etsy.com/ has handpainted items, wallets, my handpainted jewelry kits, and misc. painted items.

http://www.jewelryjeans.etsy.com/ are handmade jewelry items using handmade Moretti glass

lampwork beads or polymer clay.

http://www.smallworksofart.etsy.com/ are small handpainted canvas pieces as well as some of

my favorite photographs for sale, suitable for framing or matting and framing.

Erin, from Colorado just finished redoing my banners and advatars for me. They are all the same but different and I am delighted with her work. This helps tie everything together.

If you haven't been on Etsy....and have a few minutes wander around...there are some extremely talented Artisans on this site. All of my gift giving is done through the Etsy vendors. I love handmade and supporting the individiual artists this way.

Make your Own " Brushy Basin"

Make your own "Brushy Basin". I have been using mine since developing it in

1986.

I love my basin. I researched and have really "honed" it for durability. The brushes can be purchased at: http://www.leevalley.com and the item # is: CA201. The pair are $1.60 or buy a dozen #CA203 for $7.90. (these are out of Canada). These brushes are soooooooooo soft and kind on your brushes. There are 1, 440 bristles per each 2" x 3" brush. No more ruined brushes. I have shown the top and bottom of the brushes . There are vent holes so no "gunk" gets trapped. These are the surgical brushes used by a lot of surgeons that I used to work for years ago.

The basin can be purchased at the following stores: Fred Meyers, Food for less, Ralphs, Frys Market Place, Save Mart Suerpmarkets, King Shoppers, Sweetbay, and QFC (Quality Food Centers. The Item # is CHN-2950 3 section 2.1 Quart SUBLBC14-055. And the mfg. is Cleverware out of Vernon, CA. http://www.volumebrandsint.com/detail.aspx?ID=4611 and the phone number is: 1-866-981-1400 if you want to purchase by a lot of 48. If you can't find one at your local store ask for a manager and see if he will order them for you. They come in bright pink, neon green, and bright sunny yellow.

The glue I have used is: Welder. It is a contact industrial strength adhesive which can be purchased at many stores in the hardware/glue section. ie: WalMart, Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, etc. Don't try to use an "alternative" glue. Please use only the glue which I have listed for the ultimate "staying" results. REMEMBER: read the how to use, and warnings on the back of the tube before using. The tube is bright red with black and white lettering. The glue is clear and dries clear. I have intentionally left water in a "test" basin for over 2 weeks and it has not loosened the glue so for me that is "satisfaction" but I recommend emptying after each days' use. One of the advantages of the brushes I use is if your brushes should ever loosen up or come out: Peel off the glue and reglue. It will be good as new.

TO GLUE: I run a good sized bead line of glue around the bottom rim edges (all 4) of the brush and press to the bottom of the basin. Remember this glue dries clear so don't worry a whole lot about excess that may ooze out,,,but make sure that you have enough on the edges. Do not press hard, just set the brush down and lighty press. I would let this "set up" and dry for a good 2 days before using the basin. I put a brush in the biggest of the sectioned basin and the section adjacent to the first one. (See photo) I use the larger section for the first "clean" of my brush as I am painting, (I put a little of the Avalon Glycerine hand soap mentioned previously in my blog in this section). The other section with the brush is for rinsing and the 3rd brushless area is my "clean water" before reloading my brush with color. I have been making, using and selling this basin for years....and I absolutely love it and I bet you will too.

My only caution to you is to MAKE SURE THAT THE WATER COVERS THE BRUSHES COMPLETELY or when you clean your brush you may get a little shower.....lol....

Also the top of this basin can be used as a neat "wet palette".... Snap the lid on and it is a small storage center if you are using it as a travel basin.

So make yours soon and enjoy the pre cleaning of your brushes. I find that my brushes last longer, and do not "splay" out or get ruined as they did with the
basins with the hard ridges in the bottom. You won't believe the difference.

Website

My website is launched and up although we are encountering a few "missing components"...sigh..... I am sure Michelle is also glad that the most of it is "behind her", so she can get her webiste up and running also. The site will be easy to maintain (since Michelle will have to do it) and hopefully will be a successful venture and adventure. So keep checking back to see the finished product and things that are added as we go along.

I really appreciate Michelle giving up free time; of which she has little, to help
get this up and running for me...I don't think there is much she doesn't know and
I am every grateful for her expertise and knowledge as I get older and things
become more complicated for me... Thanks honey.

Oh, nearly forgot. The website is: http://www.dianaputnam.com

TO ENLARGE PHOTOS ON BLOG

ALL OF THE PHOTOS ON THE BLOG WILL BE ENLARGED BY SIMPLY CLICKING ON THEM .....

Brush Cleaner

Tonight I was in a hurry to clean one of my stipple brushes and grabbed the pump bottle of
hand soap that was on the ledge... Imagine my surprise when I scrubbed the brush on my hand towel and it was so soft. I don't think I have ever felt them like this before and it worked just wonderful when I began to paint. Soft stippling which was great. Mistakes are sometimes "good things". The name: Avalon Organic Lavender Botanicals Glycerin Hand Soap....and it is hypo-allergenic. The website is at: http://www.avalonorganics.com I also use the hand cream which I really like...but NOT for brushes gang.... I think I have found myself a new brush cleaner.... Happy Painting.

Dynasty Micron Mini Brushes

Perfect for the small works of art done on any surface are the new line of mini Micron Brushes by Dynasty. They are great They can be purchased at http://www.artistbrushstrokes.com
Quality is top of the line, with snap, and wonderful fatigue reducing fatter handles. They are a real pretty burgendy red and you will LOVE them.....

Sunflower in Freezing Fog

This is one of my sunflowers from last season. I am glad

now that I did not cut the heads as this is one of my favorite

Freezin' Fog photos... I have had this enlarged and plan on

matting and framing this one along with 2 other FF photos.

I love the way the background "mottled" in this one and it

will help me when it comes to doing painted backgrounds for

color reference, tree shapes, etc.

Enjoy.

Brenda Harris Mediums

I have been using Brenda Harris' mediums for about 3 years and every week I find some way
different to use them to make what I want to achieve a tad bit quicker/easier.

There are 3 products.
White Blend
Clear Blend
Slow Blend

The Slow Blend acts much like a retarder of sorts and the open time can be as long as an hour. It is to be used for FINAL layers and details. The Slow Blend can be reactivated with a damp brush. I use this medium a lot, and in different ways. It is a fun medium to "play with".

White Blend is a Titanium White pigmented medium. It is slow drying and will change the value of colors. I love to use this instead of white when I am painting skies, water, etc.

The Clear Blend does not change the color value of your paint and is used for transitioning colors, softer edges etc. The medium can be added to the paints or by itself....gives you wet on wet blending. If desired you can thin with water. Also works beautifully for glazes and washes. It
provides slower drying but does not have the increased open time that is found with the Slow Blend. This can be used when additional layers are to be done/added.

According to Brenda these mediums are compatible with all acrylics. I have used them with DecoArt, Matisse and Liquitex with no problems. I have a few Jo Sonja paints that I got in a starter kit so one day soon, I will see how the mediums work with this.


Brenda uses a sea sponge for a lot of her work....and her results are really quick and beautiful.
There are times when I use small pieces of a sea sponge instead of a scumbler/dry brush if there is a specific "look" I want or am having difficulty with a brush but I use brushes for the majority of what I do. I guess I am "sponge challenged"....LOL... However; sponging may be just what YOU are looking for...

If you want to see some of Brenda's work or order some of her mediums, see her pattern packets, videos, and read more about her go to" http://www.brendaharris.com

Paint Works Magazine April 2009

I received my subscription copy of PaintWorks magazine today and my Robin design/painting is
in this magazine. Michelle took the picture and even got a bit of a byline as well as seeing her photo in a magazine. It was a neat mother /daughter effort.....

January 2009 Freezin' Fog

When conditions are just right we get a gorgeous freezin fog day...and today was one of these magnificent days. These photos were taken at Drake Park, on the Deschutes River which runs through the center of Bend, OR. It was a freezing 23 degrees and the fog was heavy, so therefore nearly the whole towns'

trees were fringed with ice and just absolutely WONDERFUL....pictures just DO NOT do this phenomena justice but I hope you enjoy. IF you would like to see all of the photos I took today go to: http://www.picturetrail.com/hannahmaesporch and go into the album called "my photography".

We had been feeding our deer corn along with alfalfa and with "cutting back" we decided on just alfalfa. As

you can see this is NOT agreeable to them and they are

after the bird seed, which they love. They are all getting pretty adept at balancing on their hind legs long enough to swipe their tongue and scoop up a goodly amount of seed. This is one of our small bucks...

tonight we had 8 doe and buck, and a 22 pointer who was new so feeding all of them has become an expense.

Enjoy our friend.

I have decided I need to start a sketching journal. Based on the book from Claudia Nice "How to keep a Sketchbook Journal ", it is not just the drawing that is important but the date, person, place or thing, color, hue, shape, texture and border definitions.

Sketches can be used not only for watercolors but for acylic paintings also. I have already started to draw up some sketches from the many albums of pictures I have taken.

I think that 2009 is going to be a great year for me as far as development of my own personal art and style.

This picture is of the carnations my DH bought me for Mothers' Day. I love these flowers with their spiked petals and subtle color and it is going to be my sketch for tomorrow followed by paintng it with either watercolors or acrylic.....

April 2009 PaintWorks Magazine

I just received notification that my "Too Early Robin" is going to be published in PaintWorks magazine's next issue which will be April 2009. He was painted using
a photograph taken by my daughter Michelle, and is painted on a Brentwood type
box. I used the new Dynasty Micron Mini brushes and believe me they worked like a charm. He was fun to paint..

Claudia Nice

This weekend I viewed a new (to me anyway) video called " Painting Nature in Pen and Ink with Watercolor Part 2." I am totally in awe. I have the book that goes with the video (same name as the video) but it is "out of print". It was put out by Sue Scheewe. I have another of Claudia's books by Northlight called "Painting Country Gardens in Watercolor, Pen and Ink". Watercolor has always "interested" me but I never really found an artist that I could identify with....until Claudia. I just went on Ebay and got great buys on 3 more of her books.

The other thing that "excited" me is Claudia lives in the beautiful cascade wilderness near Mt. Hood, OR. She has a studio there and her website is http://www.brightwoodstudio.com/. So maybe, just maybe, I will be fortunate enough to get to meet and take a class with her....

So,,,,,,,,,,,,one of my New Years' Resolutions for "myself" is to do some watercolors and incorporate the Koh-I-Noor Rapidiograph pen into the design as she does.
(She uses a 0.25 Nib). Although this pen is more "costly" than the disposable it works better (no skipping) and is refillable so in the long run it is more cost effective. Within the hollow nib is a wire and weight which moves back and forth causing the ink to flow easier. I have used the disposable ones, and believe me...on watercolor paper...they are less than effective. I was lucky when I purchased mine. I was in a Thrift Store and they had a set of either 5-6 with the ink for a whopping $3.99. If any of you have ever purchased or looked at these pens you cannot even buy the ink for that price, and a set of 6 pens is over $100.oo so I came away a "happy camper" on that purchase.

But anyway back to the video.

Claudia shows you how to do the following:

1. How to apply and remove masking fluid
2. How to "blot"
3. How to achieve texture in waterpainting
4. How to "lift color"

In the specific video I have mentioned she does snowdrop flowers, a wooden rustic gate with rusty hinges, and a waterfall scene. She paints each separately and then combines them all into one piece using a couple of different photographs she has taken for her design inspiration. She shows how to get water to look like water, depth, shadowing and highlighting.

***** One thing I have recently learned. When one uses acrylics you start with dark and lighten, with watercolor and oils you start light and darken. *****

When you view the video you will note that her watercolor paper is taped to her painting table. What I have done (today, as I was so jazzed) was to cut a piece of masonite or hardboard (name depends on the area of US you live in) to accomodate the maximum size (plus 2" on each side) of watercolor paper I thought I would be comfortable using which is going to be 12" x 16". Larger in canvas is not comfortable for me so I didn't think it would be in watercolor either. Taping your paper (using the blue masking tape) will help to eliminate the buckling of the paper that sometimes happens from the water. As it dries the buckling will "settle down" so don't let it worry you as you paint. Don't sweat the "small stuff"... (another resolution)

When I saw her paint the rusty hinge on the gate, do the grain in the wood, I could just feel my enthusiasm mount...... I have the watercolors but have never had the push to "try"....but now it is a different story.

Jerry Yarnell says that "Fear" gets in the way of our painting and he is right. My
fear is in the pit of my stomache. It is based on NOTHING, it is just "there" hindering me so that is another of my resolutions. When I walk through the door from my home into my studio, I am going to leave that "fear" behind me. I am no longer going to let it interfere with what I want to do. I am not 20 years old anymore and I don't need this fear holding me back...there is too much I want to experience and do and "time is getting short"... I grin as I say this....

In her books she goes more into detail with: Scraping, Bruising, Water spatters,
Salt texturizing, Impressed Textures, etc. **DO I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION** are you saying to yourself hmmmmmmmmm.... Then get one of her books, or videos, or both and let's get started.

I am going to begin this week.... I need to get some things "out of the way" first in the line of errands, a dr. appointment, etc. but my first step is to "find" the watercolors, my watercolor paper (it is in this studio somewhere) set aside a new area, find a photograph of what I want to paint,,,and I think I know EXACTLY what I want to do, so I need to locate the picture, leave the fear behind me and
paint a watercolor. I will post, good or bad, when I am done. I have the Grumbacher tube watercolors which is "good" as the colors are the same as with oils and tube acrylics....sap green, ultramarine blue, etc. so they should be vibrant and "sharp" colors....and since I have been mixing with the acrylics I will be a bit ahead of myself with the watercolors????? Hope so..... Will have to get my ink and Rapidograph pens out and find the right nib, or one close, clean and have that "supply" item ready to go also..... Preparation is half the battle sometimes; don't you think so too?

So, if you are going to join me in this "attempt" drop me an email and let me know.

This needs to be a NEW YEAR full of new adventures, new aspirations, positive attitudes, with no reservations.

As the song goes.

I 'm soooooooooooooooo excited.. I just can't hide it.......

Diana

Best of the Bunch January 2009

Best of the Bunch January 2009

What an surprise when I went in to check my Yahoo group post on New Years Day and discovered I have been chosen "Best of the Bunch" for January 2009. The group is BrushBunch
and what a great group of women. We have a lot of fun, CTTY exchanges (Christmas Throughout The Year) which are ornament exchanges and they have just started a greeting card exchange as well as the exchange of painting tips, general knowledge, etc.

I have taken a photo of my "Diploma" and will post it soon,,,,the blog is giving me "fits" tonight. Doesn't want to post the image.

Mt Batchelor 11/08

This is one of the major mountains in the Cascade range and can be seen from our house and also

Sun River which is about 20 miles from us and where this photo was taken. The mountain range had just had it's first major snow of the season but down where I was it was beautiful and warm. We most generally have snow on this mountain till July or August. So many beautiful photos to be taken here in OR.

Deschutes River Woods Deer

We have a lot of deer which are more tame than wild and we have watched them grow, mature,

and have babies. They feed here, nurse their young, and we love to watch the bucks that come

duel with their antlers as if to provide us entertainment. We have one buck we call Forceps and then the Grandaddy of all buck which is a 16 point. I went for a walk to take pictures and when I entered our driveway they were all there to "greet me"....

I LOVE Santas..and even today , the day AFTER Christmas, I cannot resist the urge to grab my brush as my book from the author has just been delivered.

These Santas in the picture were painted by a delightful woman who has been dubbed "Dingle" and the book that houses these Santas, and more is called "Dingles Kringles". Her "real" name is Debby Harris. The book was published in 2001 so email Debbie directly at dharris3@bellsouth.net to order your copy.

They are unique, different, mystical and magical and are sure to bring a smile to your face as you paint the designs and bring these Santas to "life".

Debby is working on some new pattern packets and as soon as they are ready I will let you know where to purchase them.....

Miss Pru (our Dog) with her Mom and Dad (Michelle's Dogs)

View on Religion:

Remember: Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.