Category Archives: Pen

30 in 30, Day Two

Today was a struggle. I started a 9 x 12 portrait. One that I have been wanting to do for a while now. Right now it is in the ugly-time-to-trash it phase. I was trying to paint large and loose. Well, after five hours, I can no longer hope for loose. The thing is, the face is looking pretty good, just the rest of it is muck. So maybe I can save it tomorrow, and crop it way down, and have the gift for a friend I was trying for.

I am reminding myself, that watercolor is a difficult medium. I know what I am doing wrong… but It is not helping me to get it right. It is 8:24. I need to post my piece here to be able to post it on Leslie’s site as well. Done is better than perfect. Sometimes. Right?

I am not happy with this either. I toiled diligently, so it is going to have to do. So happy for all of my friends who are participating! Your work today is so awesome!

Acrylic, watercolor and pen 3 1/2 x 4

Making Marks with Pauline Agnew

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Mixed media on acid free paper.

This weekend I participated in Pauline’s OPENSTUDIO taster class. A sample of her “Draw and Paint what you Love” course. The event took place both on her website seedbedstudio, and on Facebook over two days. Pauline provided fantastic videos, both for instruction and for inspiration.

Pauline Agnew is an artist with a Degree in Fine Art, a Masters in Multimedia, and lots of experience in teaching art from Primary to University levels. Her work has been seen in public and private galleries, and she had an artists residency in The Irish Museum of Modern Art and was chosen as an artist in residence also for Cork City’s year as European capital of culture in 2005.

Seeds of Inspiration

Quick sketch

I found this class by accident, and I am so glad I did! I was visiting Lucy Chen’s website late at night, watching her self-portrait video. Thank You Lucy! Lucy works in oils, and she has only been an artist since 2011. Before that she worked in finance! Her work is really amazing and I hope you will take a look! I was so inspired to start this class, I had to wet my brush and spread some paint before going to bed. So I did this quick sketch. Horrible I admit. But I felt better having moved some color around.

First layers

The next two days, I painted. Making marks as Pauline suggested. I painted with a twig, swizzle stick, a couple of nail heads, a toothbrush, foam rubber, and a few brushes. I used acrylics, Inktense watercolor pencils, and pens.

Ideas Germinate

Not only is Pauline a wonderful instructor, but she was also immensely supportive of our efforts. The conversations and feedback from the other participants was such a blessing to take part in! When I started, I had no intentions of painting a particular, anything. I was not thinking about a finished landscape, or portrait. For a while in the middle of the process, I was pretty sure I was not going to have a piece worth showing. But I kept on. Added more bits here and there. When I flipped the paper around to see if I had something to build on, I saw a neck, and a bit of a head wrap.

I really am so pleased with this. It was a surprise. I think that is why I like it so much, I wasn’t trying to paint her. I was just painting. I spoke with a couple of the artists in class, and they suggest that I leave her faceless. I can almost see her features, but they have not quite revealed themselves to me. So for now, this is how she will stay. Let me know what you think!

I feel this is one of the best paintings I have ever done. I am so thankful I found this introduction. Thank You Pauline for an enlightening weekend!

Mixed media on acid free paper. 9 x 12

They Say Angels Are Among Us

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To fit in better with the struggling, striving, sprouting souls on earth, they leave their wings behind. And are known to us as friends.

I know this is true. I have proof. I have witnesses. I will share a short story, and you too can bear witness to the miracle of friendship.

This past weekend I was elbow deep in research. My phone was not ringing, my inbox was empty. My focus was on reading, note taking, blog building.

How to Blog. Build a better Blog. Blogging 101. What beginners need to know about blogging.

By Sunday I was overwhelmed, and sure that I was the biggest under achiever in Blogland. I decided to take a break, but before I turned the computer off, I checked my mail. There it was. A gift. A blessing. A letter from a friend.

Most of the letter was an update on what is new in her art world. Exciting, interesting, GREAT news. I couldn’t wait to reply! And then in the last few lines… she just lifted me up the way Bette sang about to Barbara in Beaches.

She said my friendship was a blessing to her. She complimented my work. And get this, she asked me to teach her about Blogging. What??

ME, teach about blogging?

Her words brought me to tears. A pat on the back that turned into a full-fledged HUG.

She asked if she could buy one of my bookmarks (they are free by the way, and you can see them here.) I replied, telling her that one was on the way via USPS. I couldn’t help but include a quick little ATC (Artist Trading Card) for her. This is just a partial peek, because she might read this. I am hoping it will brighten her day, and serve as a reminder of what a blessing her presence here on earth is.

Thank You Kat!