Plein air watercolor painting of a gargoyle in a New Orleans fountain.

Plein air watercolor painting   9.5 inches x 7 inches     $100

I did this watercolor painting in the same New Orleans courtyard where the stone goddess lives. There were gargoyles all around the fountain wall, and I thought it’d be a hoot to paint one of them. The water flowing from his mouth was a real challenge to get down on paper…

This artwork was created with:
Paper: Saunders Waterford Watercolor Paper
Medium: DaVinci Watercolors

Plein air watercolor painting of a statue of a young woman in a New Orleans courtyard.

Plein air watercolor painting   7  inches x 9.5 inches   $100

Here is my second watercolor painting of the lovely young stone woman in our courtyard last week in NOLA. Its always challenging to do figure paintings in watercolor, but it helps when your model doesn’t move a bit and she’s all in one color!

This artwork was created with:
Paper: Saunders Waterford Watercolor Paper
Medium: DaVinci Watercolors

Plein air watercolor painting of a statue in a New Orleans courtyard.

Plein air watercolor painting   7  inches x 9.5 inches   $100

We are back from a wonderful family trip to New Orleans! We took in lots of history, museums, music, and amazing food! What I didn’t do much of is paint. I had the best intentions to do many watercolor paintings of buildings when I was down there. But the truth is, the colorful city scenery was overwhelming to me and it was unbearably hot unless you were in deep shade. Plus, there was just so much to do and see. I tried a few architecture sketches, but was unhappy with them and but them directly into the trash. I took lots of photos for reference and managed to do a couple of watercolor paintings in the old courtyard of our condominium.

I was drawn to this 1800s-style sculpture of a young woman holding a basket and attempted two pieces with her as the subject.

This artwork was created with:
Paper: Saunders Waterford Watercolor Paper
Medium: DaVinci Watercolors

Plein air pastel painting of a statue in a garden.

Pastel painting 4.75 inches x 8.75 inches  $100

I love painting landscapes and I’m drawn to the human figure. What a bonus when I can do both in one pastel drawing! This piece was done at one of my favorite plein air spots, Weller’s in Saline. The old mill site is now used for weddings and they have gorgeous gardens and grounds surrounding the buildings. I’ve been to many nuptials there and it is the perfect place for intimate, nature-filled gatherings. There are 3 or 4 elegant statues in the park-like setting and they make a perfect subject for plein air pastel paintings!

I’m continuing to work on loosening up in my plein air work. Catch the light and shadow, get the values right, ignore the itsy bitsy details…

Speaking of values, check out this neat online color test for artists. Women usually score higher than men. If you take it, send me your score!

Pastel painting of a garden sculpture in the spring.

Pastel painting 10 inches x 13 inches

Wednesday was another day in the continuing saga of constant rain in Michigan. We were supposed to have a plein air meet that morning, but it was drizzling and I was the only one who showed up. I started this pastel painting of a statue in the park but the rain forced me back into the car twice. I finally left the garden painting unfinished and gave up for the day. Maybe I will try to work back into it on another day…

Plein air watercolor painting of a Madonna statue in front of a building in Italy.

Watercolor painting   5.5 x 15 inches

Please contact me if you are interested in this or similar artwork.

This Madonna statue was right outside my window in front of the rectory in Barberino. She was so stately and elegant, I had to do a watercolor painting of her. The town was so small, we soon met THE doctor, THE priest, THE nun, THE cafe owner and many others. All of the Italian people were so kind and welcoming to us American bumpkins…

Plein air pastel painting of a statue of woman holding flowers.

Pastel painting 8.5 inches x 11 inches     $300

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

Another example of a figure drawing and pastel landscape at the same time! This piece is a mirror to my earlier Miss Spring painting and was also done at the gardens surrounding Wellers in Saline. The bright sunshine and flowers in the background suggest that summer is right around the corner here in Michigan!

Pastel plein air painting of a beautiful statue of a woman in a spring park.

Pastel painting 8.5 inches x 11 inches     $300

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

Wellers is a historic mill in Saline, Michigan. The grounds are absolutely amazing and the scene of many weddings in our area. Our plein air group was given permission to paint there last weekend. I started working in watercolor but the rain forced me under a canopy so I decided to switch to a pastel painting. The many statues on the site caught my attention and I focused on this young Spring Maiden with a bough of flowers. The sun peeked out at the last minute and I was able to place the warm highlights. I loved this scene because I could do a figure drawing and pastel landscape at the same time!

Plein air watercolor painting of a lion statue guarding steps in Petoskey, Michigan.

Watercolor painting 6 inches x 9 inches 100

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

Every May we travel “up north” for a few days. I paint, while the guys golf. Then we eat marvelous food and start all over the next day. I painted this watercolor painting one sunny day in Petoskey. The spunky little lion statue looked like it was guarding the modest mansion behind it. I was attracted to the light and shadow and the way the stairs formed a natural lead in to the center of interest.

Watercolor painting of a sculpture of wild horses running at the Lely Resort in Naples Florida

Watercolor painting 11 inches x 9 inches
$100

Please contact me if you are interested in similar artwork.

While we were in Florida, John golfed at the Lely Resort Golf and Country Club. It was a beautiful place but my favorite part was a life size bronzes of running mustangs at the front entrance of the golf course. One morning, I sat on the grass and painted a quick watercolor painitng of a few of the statues. They were mounted on a huge pedestal of craggy rocks. It was almost like being back at the ranch in Montana—except the horses didn’t move!