• The birds were calling me. They sit in the lilac bush and wait for a turn at the feeders. I chose to leave the two landscapes in progress for tomorrow. Instead, I chose a small sheet of watercolor paper with a soft watercolor wash done previously...this loose wash of color made a great starting point. . . With a few pencil lines to block in the shapes of the birds and the branches, this painting took shape quickly. I have a strong feeling this one is very close to done. I won't touch it again today. I will look at it with fresh eyes tomorrow. That's the wisest way to avoid overworking the painting. . . . Does anyone else keep feeders full of seed for the birds? . . . . #watercolorbirds #featheredfriends #eyeonthesparrow #artstudiotoday #watercolor #danielsmithextrafinewatercolor #archespaper #shemustmakeart
    The birds were calling me. They sit in the lilac bush and wait for a turn at the feeders. I chose to leave the two landscapes in progress for tomorrow. Instead, I chose a small sheet of watercolor paper with a soft watercolor wash done previously...this loose wash of color made a great starting point. . . With a few pencil lines to block in the shapes of the birds and the branches, this painting took shape quickly. I have a strong feeling this one is very close to done. I won't touch it again today. I will look at it with fresh eyes tomorrow. That's the wisest way to avoid overworking the painting. . . . Does anyone else keep feeders full of seed for the birds? . . . . #watercolorbirds #featheredfriends #eyeonthesparrow #artstudiotoday #watercolor #danielsmithextrafinewatercolor #archespaper #shemustmakeart
  • Mountain hikes are one of our family's favorite pastimes. When our two children were very little, they had a hoodie sweatshirt tied around their waist, a hat to shield their heads, and a small water bottle...I carried the backpack of snacks. We clapped loudly, told stories, sang silly Laurie Berkner songs...to keep the bears on notice that we were there. Now that life is busy and different, it's been a while since we hiked together. Those memories are precious. Camping and hiking and wading in frigid rivers and lakes. I find myself more calm and relaxed...at peace, in the mountains with fresh air clean and crisp, tall pines towering overhead, birds singing, the scent of campfire, the snap of twigs underfoot, the sunshine warm and bright. That's what I want to come across in my artwork. That experience of being reminded that God's gorgeous creation reminds us to take a break, breathe in deeply, and just be present here and now. Listen. Relax. Look for lovely. What is your peaceful place in nature? Where do you go when you close your eyes to take a 10 second vacation? . . . . #mountainhikememory #montanamountainview #takemetothemountains #familypastime #watercolorlandscape #artworkinprogress #shemustmakeart #uptheteton #abovecavemountaincampground #takeahike
    Mountain hikes are one of our family's favorite pastimes. When our two children were very little, they had a hoodie sweatshirt tied around their waist, a hat to shield their heads, and a small water bottle...I carried the backpack of snacks. We clapped loudly, told stories, sang silly Laurie Berkner songs...to keep the bears on notice that we were there. Now that life is busy and different, it's been a while since we hiked together. Those memories are precious. Camping and hiking and wading in frigid rivers and lakes. I find myself more calm and relaxed...at peace, in the mountains with fresh air clean and crisp, tall pines towering overhead, birds singing, the scent of campfire, the snap of twigs underfoot, the sunshine warm and bright. That's what I want to come across in my artwork. That experience of being reminded that God's gorgeous creation reminds us to take a break, breathe in deeply, and just be present here and now. Listen. Relax. Look for lovely. What is your peaceful place in nature? Where do you go when you close your eyes to take a 10 second vacation? . . . . #mountainhikememory #montanamountainview #takemetothemountains #familypastime #watercolorlandscape #artworkinprogress #shemustmakeart #uptheteton #abovecavemountaincampground #takeahike
  • This is where I left off last week. The pockets of time I can spend here are amazing and blessed. The water fountain bubbles, inspiring music fills the room, a cookie and a cup of tea are waiting nearby. I have my brushes and so many lovely pigments here. My palette is a beautiful mess. I have a mountain view on my tablet and in my mind. I focus to choose what I want to say about this mountain scene. Which pigment and which brush and how much water... It's what I love translating on to paper. It's an adventure, not knowing exactly what it will be when completed. That's not a stressful or worrisome process for me. It's stepping out, excited to see what we can do together, as I join with my supplies and we playfully explore and create an artwork that bring nature and hope and calm for someone else. #artoftheday #artinspiredbynature #natureinspiredartist #watercolorlandscape #natureistherapy #shemustmakeart #mycreativelife
    This is where I left off last week. The pockets of time I can spend here are amazing and blessed. The water fountain bubbles, inspiring music fills the room, a cookie and a cup of tea are waiting nearby. I have my brushes and so many lovely pigments here. My palette is a beautiful mess. I have a mountain view on my tablet and in my mind. I focus to choose what I want to say about this mountain scene. Which pigment and which brush and how much water... It's what I love translating on to paper. It's an adventure, not knowing exactly what it will be when completed. That's not a stressful or worrisome process for me. It's stepping out, excited to see what we can do together, as I join with my supplies and we playfully explore and create an artwork that bring nature and hope and calm for someone else. #artoftheday #artinspiredbynature #natureinspiredartist #watercolorlandscape #natureistherapy #shemustmakeart #mycreativelife
  • While having my morning coffee yesterday morning, my eye was drawn to the view through my kitchen windows. The trees with their varying shapes were outlined against the sky. The variety of shapes, forms, heights were so striking. Later, as I was ready to go to work in the art room, I quickly slipped out the back door to get photos of the trees. This was my warmup and it was pure joy. It's inspiring a few more like it. This little painting may only be placed in a frame to be placed here in the art room...a reminder that art creating should bring joy. That's why I am an artist. It's because of the energy and desire to create that must be expressed. Happy Tuesday! Look out for beautiful views today. They are there, I promise. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #artistinspiration #artstudio #watercolorpainter #artistthoughts #landscape #shemustmakeart #danielsmithwatercolors #winsor&newtonbrushes #archespaper #myartlife #lookingforthelovely #natureinspiredartist #artismytherapy
    While having my morning coffee yesterday morning, my eye was drawn to the view through my kitchen windows. The trees with their varying shapes were outlined against the sky. The variety of shapes, forms, heights were so striking. Later, as I was ready to go to work in the art room, I quickly slipped out the back door to get photos of the trees. This was my warmup and it was pure joy. It's inspiring a few more like it. This little painting may only be placed in a frame to be placed here in the art room...a reminder that art creating should bring joy. That's why I am an artist. It's because of the energy and desire to create that must be expressed. Happy Tuesday! Look out for beautiful views today. They are there, I promise. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #artistinspiration #artstudio #watercolorpainter #artistthoughts #landscape #shemustmakeart #danielsmithwatercolors #winsor&newtonbrushes #archespaper #myartlife #lookingforthelovely #natureinspiredartist #artismytherapy
  • Today's adventure with brushes and palette...finding my way with a loose and soft painting that I started in the spring. Inspired by lilac buds but going it's own unique direction. I don't fight it anymore; art goes how it wants to and I am just dancing along. #artstudiotoday #artistherapyforthesoul #enjoyingtheartjourney #shemustmakeart #findingthelovely
    Today's adventure with brushes and palette...finding my way with a loose and soft painting that I started in the spring. Inspired by lilac buds but going it's own unique direction. I don't fight it anymore; art goes how it wants to and I am just dancing along. #artstudiotoday #artistherapyforthesoul #enjoyingtheartjourney #shemustmakeart #findingthelovely
  • Artwork in progress today, a field of sunflowers, is taking on bold color and loose wet-into-wet style. Fresh and loose without tight control helps me to let the painting lead me. There's more to be done and that's great because I am enjoying my time here today. Lauren Daigle is filling the room with beautiful sounds from her Look Up Child album. If you haven't heard her yet...lovely and calming. Rescue and Everything bring me to tears. Pure poetry that brings me back to the Creator Father God. Okay, so now I must get back to my brushes. I will wish you a beautiful and inspiring day... #sunflowersinwatercolor #fieldsofyellowflowers #praisingwhileipaint #thankfulandinspired #artstudiotoday #shemustmakeart #artworkinprogress #watercolorlandscape
    Artwork in progress today, a field of sunflowers, is taking on bold color and loose wet-into-wet style. Fresh and loose without tight control helps me to let the painting lead me. There's more to be done and that's great because I am enjoying my time here today. Lauren Daigle is filling the room with beautiful sounds from her Look Up Child album. If you haven't heard her yet...lovely and calming. Rescue and Everything bring me to tears. Pure poetry that brings me back to the Creator Father God. Okay, so now I must get back to my brushes. I will wish you a beautiful and inspiring day... #sunflowersinwatercolor #fieldsofyellowflowers #praisingwhileipaint #thankfulandinspired #artstudiotoday #shemustmakeart #artworkinprogress #watercolorlandscape
  • Watercolor workshop yesterday was a joy! I have been painting along and demonstrating as I explain my process. Here is a look at my own project from our time painting together. I love sharing this passion for watercolor painting with others. I love encouraging the playing and experimenting. The learning comes with the doing. Every time I pick up my brush, I learn something new. #shemustmakeart #watercolorworkshop #artstudioupdate #playingwithpaint #autumncolors #thecreativelife #autumnlandscape
    Watercolor workshop yesterday was a joy! I have been painting along and demonstrating as I explain my process. Here is a look at my own project from our time painting together. I love sharing this passion for watercolor painting with others. I love encouraging the playing and experimenting. The learning comes with the doing. Every time I pick up my brush, I learn something new. #shemustmakeart #watercolorworkshop #artstudioupdate #playingwithpaint #autumncolors #thecreativelife #autumnlandscape
  • This scene was on my mind today. Almost like it begged me to paint it. This is the middle section and the full painting measures 5 inches by 7 inches. I have been afraid for many years. I was afraid to try painting this one. The desire and the fear fought. Today the desire won. There's no improvement without the doing. The more I give it one more shot, the more I fall in love with learning more about painting. Maybe I will do more with this one. Maybe I will call it done. That decision happens another time. Just thankful that I painted today. #paintober2018 #artstudiotoday #fearlosttoday #shemustmakeart #watercolorlandscape #glaciernationalparkinspired
    This scene was on my mind today. Almost like it begged me to paint it. This is the middle section and the full painting measures 5 inches by 7 inches. I have been afraid for many years. I was afraid to try painting this one. The desire and the fear fought. Today the desire won. There's no improvement without the doing. The more I give it one more shot, the more I fall in love with learning more about painting. Maybe I will do more with this one. Maybe I will call it done. That decision happens another time. Just thankful that I painted today. #paintober2018 #artstudiotoday #fearlosttoday #shemustmakeart #watercolorlandscape #glaciernationalparkinspired