No. 124

No. 124 / Scarlet Macaw
Original Watercolor — Image Size 6" x 9" (paper size 9" x 12")

I have to admit that it will take a few days for me to get back in the "groove." Since I have been playing, and not painting, I have sure felt the difference. I am looking forward to getting my mojo back and to start packing those boxes. (Okay, maybe less excited about packing . . . but excited about the future.)

Thanks, again, for all of your support! You make this project fun for me! Have a great Monday!

No. 117

No. 117 / Drape
Original Watercolor — Image Size 6" x 9.4" (9 x 12 in paper)
Price: $117.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

I love this fabric! I was going to sew a beautiful top with it until my mom (a master seamstress) told me it was ill suited for wearing. Instead I made a curtain (me—not a master seamstress). Still, I love the color combinations and it gives me a bit of joy to look at it. 

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 116

No. 116 / Contemplative
Original Watercolor — Image Size 10.25" x 7.25" 

Another visual from time spent in Sun Valley, Idaho. This is another painting from the Garden of Infinite Compassion. Am I making you want to visit yet? Fall is one of the best times to go with all the beautiful colors. 

No 115

No. 115 / Let Them Eat Cupcakes
Original Watercolor — Image Size 7.4" x 9.5" (paper size 12" x 9")

I am off to my "weddingmoon" extravaganza with my soon-to-be-husband and family. This means some of my older paintings will be listed while I am on vacation. I will be available through email and the like (I am just not slaving away at my usual pace). When you officially hear from me next I will be refreshed and hitched! Have a great week! 

No. 113

No. 113 / Halved
Original PanPastel — Image Size 9" x 6" (paper size 12" x 9")
Price: $113.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

The one thing I love about these Pan Pastels is that they save me a tremendous amount of time! I can't even believe it! The best feeling is to be able to start a painting and finish it before I go to work. I might survive this year after all. :) 

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 111

No. 111 / EGGS #2
Original PanPastel — Image Size 9" x 6" (paper size 12" x 9")
Price: $111.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

More explorations playing with the Pan Pastels. I was in Aaron Bros this week looking for a frame and realized they had art supplies! Who knew? They appear to be the only game in town that actually carries Pan Pastels. In case you wanted to get a set of your own . . .

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 110

No. 110 / EGGS
Original PanPastel — Image Size 9" x 6" (paper size 12" x 9")

Eggs are kind of fascinating to paint. I don't know how to explain it, but I get a real satisfaction out of it. The best part is I get to eat them when I am done! 

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 109

No. 109 / Red Onion
Original PanPastel — Image Size 9" x 6" (paper size 12" x 9")

Today was an exercise in "letting go." I get wrapped up in the little details of painting often and my work becomes too tight. While exploring these pan pastels I'm finding it easier to work looser. What do you think?

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 108

No. 108 / Geology #2
Original Watercolor — Image Size 9" x 6" (paper size 12" x 9")
Price: $108.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

This time next week I will be sitting on a beach pondering my future with my soon-to-be husband. Eight days until the big day!

I plan fully on taking painting supplies with me to Kauai, but I am allowing myself the option to just relax. This means you will see some older paintings on the list in my absence. I will still be available via email, checking periodically if there is a painting you want. 

That being said . . . this bad boy is hot off the watercolor table. I was too tired last night and had to finish it this morning (hence the late email). It is another specimen from my excursion to Giant Springs. 

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 105

No. 105 / Brick + Mortar

Original Watercolor — Image Size 10" x 7" (paper size 9" x 12")

Price: $105.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

Great Falls, MT. I will move here in less than two months. It's a town with a population of 60,000 and sports a Sam's Club, a few breweries, and an amazing greenbelt system along the Missouri River. No, I am not knocking Sam's Club, but I am illustrating how small it is. Originally, I am from a small town in northern Idaho. I love small towns for their friendly neighborhood waves, old movie theaters, and established brick homes. 

When driving through downtown one weekend I began noticing all the vintage sign work. It is a great study for anyone interested in graphic design. Most of the signs are dated and  . . . beautiful. Old brick buildings weathered by age stand tall, reminiscent of Kellogg. (In a different time both towns housed smelters. No longer.) In this expedition I found some bricks in an alleyway that I had to save for a painting. There is beauty everywhere if you really look. 

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 104

No. 104 / In the Garden of Infinite Compassion
Original Watercolor — Image Size 6" x 9" (paper size 9" x 12")

Two years ago I found myself sitting in the Garden of Infinite Compassion listening to the wind tickle the aspen leaves, reveling in the sacredness of the space. I had no idea how greatly my life was going to change. Difficult times often usher blessed ones, don't they? .

This special garden takes residence in Sun Valley, Idaho, houses the only prayer wheel in the state, and was blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2005. Hugging the garden is a grove of aspen trees flanked by a few benches. It's a little hypnotic to watch the leaves dance with the breeze. Each time I visit Sun Valley I stop by this little garden for some quiet contemplation. It's one of my favorite places. 

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 103

No. 103 / Lily
Original Watercolor — Image Size 6" x 6" (paper size 9" x 12")

I received these flowers from Kyle last week and just had to capture them. They are so pretty. (Yes, I am a lucky gal.) Today's painting was an exercise is letting go just a bit. I did my best not to overwork this one. 

Have a terrific Monday! 

No. 101

No. 101 / Phyllis

Original PanPastel — Image Size 8.25" x 5.25" (paper size 12" x 9")

Happy Caturday! Cats, dogs, goats . . . I love them all. I have never outgrown my love for animals. You might say I am a bit of a cat lady. This feline in particular holds a real soft spot in my heart. She is named Phyllis (after Phyllis Diller). She is generally disheveled and can be found at our office door every morning. When she sees my car in the mornings she comes running to greet me. Sometimes she will even accompany me along the canal sending me off on my daily lunchtime walk. Often she can be found napping on the hood of my car. (I think she believes I am her mother/master.)

I am going to hate to leave her when I go to Montana. It's funny how attached we become to our little animal companions, how we assign human qualities to them. They can bring real comfort to us when we need it, and I believe our lives are enriched by their presence. I haven't done many animal paintings, but I thought 'ol Phyllis deserved a place in internet history. 

Hug your animals today! 

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 97

No. 97 / Wet Paint
Original Watercolor image size 5.25" x 8.25" (paper size 9" x 12")
Price: $97.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

Ah, watercolor! The portable paint. When I first attended BSU my first painting class was Watercolor with Gaye Hoopes. I am sure this wasn't a class recommended for a newbie, but somehow I managed to get myself on the roster. Hoopes was a great instructor, but I stunk at painting.

I remember painstakingly cleaning my tub to gently drop a few sheets of paper in hot water to "stretch" it. (It was probably the main reason my roommate and I had a regularly cleaned tub.)  I'd then slap it on plywood, smooth sticky brown packaging tape over the edges, staple it down, and  pray it wouldn't buckle. What a process! Maybe this is what they mean by struggling for your art?

Luckily, I have figured out easier ways to deal with the paper and the painting. I am a fan of this medium because it's easy to travel with, is relatively cost effective for the dabbler, and juicy in color. What's your favorite medium?

Paige

No. 96

No. 96 / Yellow
Original Watercolor image size 8.25" x 5.25" (paper size 12" x 9")

Happy Monday to you!

It was quite the weekend and I can say I am now feeling the pressure. Ha! Today's painting is another one of flowers. I find them to be rather challenging to paint and had to "quit while I was ahead" today. They seemed appropriate as we migrate into spring. 

Interested in buying my original art? Get on my mailing list and be the first to know what is available. Join the list here.




Thanks for visiting!

Paige

No. 90

No. 90 / Napoleon 
Watercolor/Pan Pastel, image size 5.25" x 8.25" (paper size 9" x 12")

The Cult of Portraiture list would not be complete without my  bobble-headed rendition of Napoleon Dynamite. I used Pan Pastel with my watercolors for this one and am excited to use it more. It blends beautifully.

It's hard to believe March is coming to a close so soon, but I am looking forward to April's theme of MAGNIFIED. And, it will be a big month as I am getting married! 

Tonight will be the drawing for a free portrait for a lucky list member. Stay tuned for more details . . . 

No. 89

No. 89 / Mrs. Fitz
Watercolor, 9” x 12” (Image 5.25" x 8.25")
 
Today I will be highlighting two paintings instead of one. Often in the early mornings I am listening to the audiobook series Outlander while painting. This might explain all the pieces dedicated to the show, huh? 

This weekend I was on a mission to find something specific at the art supply store and came home with something entirely different. (Does this ever happen to you?) Of course, I had to try out my new supplies! I wanted to complete my Outlander series with Mrs. Fitz and began drawing with just the Derwent Graphitint pencils. I used one pencil color and wet the drawing with water and a brush.  (I think it was the most successful of the lot.)


That was the case until I decided to experiment additionally with watercolor and Derwent Intense pencils —then things just got a bit messy. 


Although both the Derwent mediums are nice I wasn't a fan of them with my watercolor. This led to painting "B," which is strictly watercolor. Like I said, the drawing was probably the most successful of the whole bunch (and saved a ton of time), but sometimes a little exploration is necessary! And, hey, who doesn't love art supplies?!


What's your take?

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Paige

No. 87

No. 87 / Claire
Watercolor, image size 5.125" x 8.125" (paper size 9" x 12")

Can I tell you how lucky I am?  It was my birthday this week and I got oodles of art related goodies. I cannot wait to try out some new media + mediums in the upcoming weeks. You may even see some videos! 

This morning's painting comes to you later than usual. I had some finishing work to do on the painting before I sent it out. This is of Claire from the Outlander series. The brave, smart woman who travels to 18th century Scotland. The new series begins on April 4, 2015. Are any of you fans? 

No. 86

No. 86 / Deputy Kovacs
Watercolor, image size 5.25" x 8.25" (paper size 9" x 12")

I had a very special guest visit me while painting this portrait of Deputy Kovacs from The Grand Budapest Hotel. I will reveal more soon, but I can tell you I am very excited!

One thing I can reveal to you is that April will be the month of MAGNIFIED. This topic is wide open and I am stoked for a new direction. I may even explore some new medium.

Rock your Friday friends! 

I

No. 84

No. 84 / Red Jamie 
Watercolor, image size 5.25" x 8.25" (paper size 9" x 12")
Price: $84.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) for list members

Last summer I went abroad to the United Kingdom, and I was intoxicated with the rich history and culture I found there. Scotland was one of my favorite places. Maybe it was the dark sandstone buildings, the father and his young son I saw running errands in their kilts, or the Scottish National Portrait Gallery that appealed to me most. No matter what, I was lucky to have the opportunity. 

When my friend, Michelle, told me about the series Outlander I thought it sounded interesting. When I realized it was primarily based in Scotland, I was hooked. Although this series is a modern television show, not a cult classic, I am betting it becomes a fan favorite. This portrait is of the swoon worthy protagonist of the series, Red Jamie (Fraser). He defies death and the Red Coats many times over in the story. 

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige