Thursday, June 30, 2016

Pen, Ink and Watercolor



Summer harvest: tomato varieties and jalapenos. Rendered in pen, ink and watercolor.

Meet Coco

This is Michael's cat, Coco.  Michael is our son.  He has a wife, two daughters and two cats, and they live happily in Idaho.  Coco stays out of sight when we visit, she is that shy. Another watercolor pet portrait, in keeping with my theme of family pets.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Einsheimer Apple from the garden

Einsheimer apple from an ultra-dwarf tree planted in our garden two seasons ago. Einsheimer is a low-chill apple. This is the first year apples have formed and I'm excited; there are only seven apples on the tree.  I wonder if they will be sweet or sour. Painted by me, using watercolor medium.

Family Pet Portraits, Ruby and Zander

RUBY
ZANDER
More family pet portraits in watercolor.  Here are Ruby and Zander.  Ruby's been in the family since she was a pup; Zander is a rescue dog who has found a good home, a good life. Both belong to our son and his wife, Sean and Anna.  My painting skills are improving but there's so much more I need to learn.  The translucent quality of watercolor paints is addictive.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Jams Jellies and Relishes

June 22, 2016...it's a once a year tradition of mine to put up jams and jellies.  This week I made Mango Pineapple Jam, Mango Jalapeno Jam, Red Onion Marmalade, Sweet and Zesty Zucchini Relish and Candied Jalapeno Slices, all pictured above, all very yummy, most of them more sweet than savory. The red onions which went into the Red Onion Marmalade are homegrown from this year's early harvest.

Friday, June 17, 2016

Favorite Pet Portrait in Watercolor...by me

Here it is, using a photo taken by my photo buff son, Michael, as a painting guide, "Our Henry." 

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Hello Henry!

Working on watercolor painting skills.  Here's Henry, my first pet portrait in watercolor.  

Monday, June 13, 2016

Pickle Time

June is almost too early, but when fresh pickling cucumbers like these appear at the local Asian market, it's time for crispy, crunchy homemade refrigerator pickles.   Mine is a small-batch recipe for Easy Refrigerator Pickles, and they are yummy.  Fresh dill and a Bay leaf gathered from my very own garden make home canning a happy event in my kitchen.

Fresh dill from the garden
Potted Bay Leaf plant

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Rose and Honeysuckle

A simple posy; rose and honeysuckle from my garden
Watercolor rendition of rose and honeysuckle posy


Monday, June 6, 2016

Realistic Watercolor Rose

First layer 6/5/2016
Finished 6/7/2016
Switching gears from quilting and gardening where I have spent most of my time lately, I am having fun with watercolor painting.  Here is a rose I am working on from a class, Realistic Watercolor, Step by Step, offered by artist Anna Mason, through Craftsy.com.