Here is what has been keeping me busy: We have been tiling the bathroom. Last night we finished the walls, but not the floor of the shower. There is still the grout to be done, but it is looking nice, if I do say so myself. The grout will change the look lots - I'll show you when it is finished. The glass block will come on up to separate the shower from the bath. Notice the box of Kleenex on the block. I don't go far without a handy box of tissue these days. And if you wonder where I am at, follow the trail of soggy Kleenex. They will lead you to my runny nose. Here is a photo of my hollyhocks. In the past years my friend, Jean, has given me all sorts of plants in buckets to transplant to my yard . All of which I have promptly killed. I just don't have time for the yard, yet. But these babies fell out of the bucket and started growing on their own last fall. They are not growing in the most convenient spot, but I dared not move them for fear of killing them. Hollyhocks are my favorite - they remind me of New Mexico.
Yesterday was homeschool day at Six Flags. My tutoree went, of course. I did not. So, I had the day to myself - time for a little painting. In my head I had a plan for a very loose watercolor portrait - something like Jeannie McGuire's work in my watercolor magazine. I picked an old picture of Jesse with interesting light. Then I proceeded to paint the heck out of it.
So much for loose! It needed some more detail work, but I was tired of it yesterday. Toby did not seem impressed - said the chin was too pointed. Watercolor is not a very forgiving medium, so please be forgiving as you critique. I will probably try again - it was not the look I was going for. Since I still wanted to be loose, I worked on this little painting from an online photo taken of a soldier in Afghanistan. It could use a bit more detail work, but I'm trying not to paint it to death. 
6 comments:
The tile is lookin' good. No... great!
Hollyhocks remind me of my house in Dee-troit; we had a stand of them along the fence that ran down the driveway to the garage. They were always so beautiful in Spring, and they always got sick and died shortly after blooming. But they came back every year.
I agree with Toby about Jesse's chin in your painting.
That photo of Jesse just screams "Dutch Masters." I love it.
I'm loving the bathroom, and I like the paintings, too.
You men always stick together.
Thanks Becky. Sometimes "brush time" is helpful even when the paintings do not turn out as expected.
Ah, your bathroom is to die for!!
The painting of Jessie is a great likeness. It is hard to get paintings to come out as you want. They take on a mind of their own. I like the soldier, too. That painting doesn't need much more. Jesse's photo is beautiful.
Thanks Jo. I was hoping for a rather loose watercolor with funky color, but I am such a tight painter. Maybe I needed to drink some chocolate wine first.
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