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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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. 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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Paige

No. 79

No 79 / The Stranger
Watercolor, 5" x 7"  (less .6" border)

TGIF!! This Friday couldn't have come any sooner. My fiancé is coming to town this weekend and I am ready for some rest and relaxation. How about you? 

Full Disclosure Friday—today I used one of my 'get out of jail free' cards. There was no possible way I was getting a painting done for today's post. This one I did 2014. It is of Sam Elliott as "The Stranger" in The Big Lebowski. Seriously, who doesn't love a little Sam Elliott? You forgive me, right? I thought you might. 

Have an awesome Friday! 

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No 76

No. 76 / Leeloo
Watercolor, Paper size 5" x 7" (less border .6")

Happy St. Patrick's Day! May you have a safe and jolly holiday!

Today's character is Leeloo from The Fifth Element. 

No. 68

No 68 / Claire
Watercolor, 5" x 7"  (less .6" border)

Cult of Portraiture month would not be complete without this gal. She was in a number of movies from the 80s. My favorite was The Breakfast Club. I can't tell you how many times I watched that movie in junior high school wishing I had both her haircut or her "cool." 


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Paige

No. 67

No. 67 / Carl
Watercolor, Paper size 5" x 7" (with a border approx. .6")

Another Bill Murray . . . I finally watched Caddyshack. 

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Paige

No. 65

No 65 / Doc
Watercolor, 5" x 7"  (with .6" border)
Everyone has that one wacky friend, right? The one with crazy ideas who is slightly eccentric? Doc definitely fits the bill in Back to the Future. Who is your favorite character from the movie?

What is great about watching this film after all these years is the reference to 2016 . . . that's next year! It's pretty amazing the changes our culture has seen since 1985. 

No. 63

No 63 / Raleigh St. Clair
Original Watercolor, 5" x 7"  (with .6" border)
Price: $63.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) for List Members

I have actually considered doing a whole series on Bill Murray. Really. His characters are always so vivid and fun. He is a Wes Anderson alumnus; in this painting his character is Raleigh St. Clair in The Royal Tenenbaums. What is your favorite Bill Murray character?

No. 62

No 62 / Miss Mona (aka Dolly)

Watercolor, 9" x 12"  (Image 5.25" x 8.25")

Price: $62.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas isn't exactly what is considered a cult classic. It did boast a classic 80s cast with Burt Reynolds, Dolly Parton, and Dom Deluise. At some point in my youth I watched this movie and really liked it. I chalk it up to all the singing and dancing. Now, I like it for the nostalgia. This was a time before cell phones, the internet, and Dolly's transformative plastic surgeries. Big hair, cowboy boots, and goofy comedy were par for the course. Do you have a favorite movie or movie star from this era? 

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Paige

No. 61

No. 61 / Margot
Watercolor, Paper size 9" x 12" (Image 5.25" x 8.25")
Price: $61.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

Happy Monday!

For those of you who are Wes Anderson fans you will recognize this lady. It is tragically depressed Margot Tenenbaum from the movie The Royal Tenenbaums. This one was fun to paint. I am looking forward to more of these! 

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Paige

No. 54

No. 54 / Hops
Watercolor, Paper size 9" x 12" (Image 5.25" x 8.25")
Price: $54.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

Hops. They give beer that "tangy, bitter" flavor. On my visit to Bowser Brewing Co. I asked Evan if he could part with a few of them for my painting purposes—he was kind enough to oblige. They are like little green pinecones.  Now it has me interested in the home brewing process. Are any of you home brewers? 

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Paige

No. 53

No. 53 / Glass
Watercolor, Paper size 12" x 9" (Image 8.25" x 5.25")
Price: $53.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

When visiting Bowser Brewing Co in Great Falls, Montana, we got a bit of a tour of the place. One of the back walls had this glass window in it. Initially, I thought the colorful rounds were wine bottle bottoms. In fact, these beautiful handmade windows were part of the old Shakey's Pizza that once resided in the building. Evan found this one when they were doing construction in the back. There are two more windows like it located high above the bathroom doors. They work perfectly in the space with its colorful and artistic lean, while giving a bit of a nod to the past, 

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Paige

No. 51

No. 51 / Chocolate Covered Crunchberries
Watercolor, Paper size 12" x 9" (Image 8.25" x 5.25")

On Valentine's Day my fiance, Kyle, and I had dinner and brews at Bowser Brewing Co. in Great Falls, MT. They offer a gourmet food menu and some delicious beer. (The Strawberry Blonde is my personal fave.) For the special occasion we had the Chocolate Covered Crunchberry and played Ticket to Ride with Evan, the owner.  It would seem we like spending holidays there—we spent Thanksgiving there, too. 

In the midst of our game playing a huge group of retirees stopped in and filled the place with chatter and laughter. They had rented a limo and were doing a pub crawl! Talk about fun, right? 

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Paige

No. 50

No 50 / Grady

Watercolor, 9" x 12"  (Image 5.25" x 8.25")

I can't believe I have made it to painting number 50. What an adventure this project has been so far! Today's painting is of Grady. He is the barman at Black Eagle Brewery in Black Eagle, Montana. One tidbit about him is that he likes spending time with his grandma. They watercolor paint together and are considering teaching some classes in their community. Cool, right?

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Paige

No. 49

No. 49 / Valentine
Watercolor, Paper size 9" x 12" (Image 5.25" x 8.25")
Price: $49.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

This little lopsided latte is a little break from brews. Valentine's Day marked a visit to Crooked Tree Coffee & Cakes in Great Falls. They have the MOST amazing looking cakes, wedding and otherwise. 

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Paige

No. 48

No. 48 / Two

Watercolor, Paper size 12" x 9" (Image 8.25" x 5.25")

Last weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Great Falls, Montana, to visit my better half. He helped me with my "research" and we visited the new Black Eagle Brewery, which is within yards of his home. It boasts glossy yellow-logged walls, copper accents, handcrafted wooden tables, and is very Montana-esque. Grady, who was our barman, was friendly and fun (and even allowed me to photograph him for a portrait).

I spied these growlers in their wooden carrier and had to make note of them. I am not sure if it is a Montana thing, a Great Falls thing, or just a brewery thing, but it seems like growler transport is a lucrative art form.

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Paige

No. 47

No. 47 / Irish Coffee
Watercolor, Paper size 9" x 12" (Image 5.25" x 8.25")
Price: $47.00 plus tax and shipping ($2.30) 

Last year I had the opportunity to travel to the United Kingdom. It was an eye opening, inspiring trip filled with castles, cathedrals, and tour buses. We stopped at the Kerry Museum in Ireland for a look around. Upon entering the restaurant/bar we were greeted by rows of  glasses of Jameson, coffee, and cream; and glasses filled with Baileys. "When in Ireland . . ." Right? 

The Irish Coffee, which I've yet to find an authentic duplicate for in the States, was delicious. This might have been due to the thick layer of fresh cream residing on top. There are many good reasons to visit Ireland. If you go try the Irish Coffee (and the pie!). You won't regret it. 

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Thanks for visiting!

Paige