Let Sleeping Cats Lie

8x10 Watercolor Batik on Rice Paper. This is from a picture  I took of a big fat sleeping cat on top of a barrel at the Carl Sandburg home in Hendersonville, NC. He just looked so warm and content. Still enjoying the Batik process. I edited this with a new photo of the painting, I've discovered that taking a photo under certain light bulbs turns everything yellow, here the colors are true to the painting.

I'm Thinking Salsa

This 11x14 Watercolor Batik on Rice Paper is my second attempt at this new to me process. I've mounted it on 140 lb. watercolor paper.  I'll be doing more of these.

This is a process I've been wanting to try since Kanuga last spring.  It is called Skillet Batik ala Carol Ann Sherman (you can see a free video demo at Jerry's Artarama).  It involves using wax as a resist, painting on rice paper with watercolor then ironing the wax off.  I've had this photo I took at a street festival for a while trying to decide what to do with it, so you see the result.  This was my first attempt and I enjoyed it - learning dos and don'ts as I went along.  Will definitely try it again.

"Worry is a misuse of imagination."

This larger watercolor was one I just had to let go of and not worry about the details.

Re-purposed Peonies

This little 5x7 watercolor started out as a much larger painting of peonies in a vase.  After struggling with the larger painting but liking a few of the blooms, I marked out a 5x7 section and repainted the background.  Then I sprayed it with light coats of clear gloss, cut it out, pasted it to a 5x7 gesso board and coated it with some acrylic medium.  Worked out fine for a little raffle we will be doing as a group project for our upcoming Monday Night Painters show.

"Oh, the places you will go" Sam

Art friend Bill's grandson, Sam, and his dog. 5x7 acrylic on gesso board

"Ah, a man with a sharp wit. Someone ought to take it away from him before he cuts himself.

Another art friend, Joe, who has a wonderfully sharp wit. 5x7 Acrylic on gesso board.

...what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

My art friend Jo Ann who makes the most of  her "one wild and precious life" this little 5x7 in acrylic on pastel board just seemed to flow out of me and was fun painting all the little details.