Flowers, Spirit Cards and Goblins

 My goblins dressed for Trick or Treating

Spirit Card before cutting

Flowers from a Friend

11x14 watercolor
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Oh my, I feel like it has been forever since I have been able to paint.  Life has been busy this past month or so.  My baby turned 5 today.  We celebrated with a party this past Saturday.  I just have to tell you how adorable he is because I know these are the last days of experiencing the total innocence of a toddler.  One sample of adorableness, "Is Santa watching me when I am looking through the Lego catalogue?"  In the top photo, my 3 little goblins are dressed for Halloween.  An NFL Patriots Fan, Sensei Wu (Lego), Scream and our dog as the Headless Horseman.  I love the challenge of coming up with the most clever costume and I must say my baby was the only Sensei Wu.  If you want to see my husband and I in Halloween attire, you will have to go to my facebook page.

Finally, today, I got to paint for 5 straight hours!  I went to Pat Kochan's class and spent the day creating and working with spirit cards.  The second photo shows my painting before I cut it up into several 4x6 spirit cards.  We used a method explained by Douglas Walton.  Fill a page with abstract marks and strokes in varying sizes, colors and shapes.  Then use a 4x6 mat to map out the rectangles all over the back.  Cut out.  Then select one of the spirit cards to create the underpainting of a painting.  I will post the cut up spirit cards and the final painting next post.  

Flowers from a Friend - this painting was inspired by a gorgeous bouquet of flowers I saw at a friend's house.  Yes, I started taking photos of the bright peonies, roses and pink hydrangeas.  I couldn't resist.  

Oh!  I forgot the biggest news.  I casually mentioned to someone that the SWS (Southwestern Watercolor Society) should have a facebook page..... well that is what has consumed my time.  You are looking at the new SWS Facebook Chair.  Note:  be careful what you mention.  All kidding aside, I am very excited to be a part of this project with the SWS.  I hope you will all show your support by "liking" the Southwestern Watercolor Society Facebook page!  Please pass it on to all of your watercolor friends.  Big thanks!!!!!!!

Have a great week.  Check back for the finished painting from the spirit card.