• Art studio today. Plenty to do and the week is going to be busy here. Good busy. Fun busy. Tonight, I am taking a stack of artwork to flatten under heavy art books (of course, right) and tomorrow they will be looking so nice without the ripples and buckles. My guys came home with the start of nasty head colds...so that's going to make our week a bit more challenging. It was only a matter of time, I guess. Very happy with my progress today. Ebb and flow of life as an artist. I am considering my word for 2020. Ponder. That's the word that comes to mind often. Still figuring out if it's settled. #mycreativelife #artstudiotoday #watercolorartwork #artistthoughts #myhappyplace #wordfortheyear #shemustmakeart #creativeprocess #behindthescenes #laststepstofinish
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    Art studio today. Plenty to do and the week is going to be busy here. Good busy. Fun busy. Tonight, I am taking a stack of artwork to flatten under heavy art books (of course, right) and tomorrow they will be looking so nice without the ripples and buckles. My guys came home with the start of nasty head colds...so that's going to make our week a bit more challenging. It was only a matter of time, I guess. Very happy with my progress today. Ebb and flow of life as an artist. I am considering my word for 2020. Ponder. That's the word that comes to mind often. Still figuring out if it's settled. #mycreativelife #artstudiotoday #watercolorartwork #artistthoughts #myhappyplace #wordfortheyear #shemustmakeart #creativeprocess #behindthescenes #laststepstofinish
  • Just a few days and winter begins and we will see the days gradually grow longer. There is so much beauty in winter. That sounds so cliche, I know. It's a stillness, a calming hush, a quiet peace...God must have known that we need this season to slow down and take pause. . Here in Montana, our winter weather came sooner than usual, and we weren't thrilled at all. Somehow, I have sensed that the majority of us are still staying upbeat in spite of it...some are even finding joy in it. I know, all the Pollyanna thinking can get to a few. (Google the Disney movie by that title, if you are wondering. ) . There's already too much negativity in the world. None of us needs more. I choose to look for the lovely. Wishing you a great Wednesday! . #artistthoughts #winterlandscape #watercolorartist #creativeoutlet #artistherapy #mycreativelife #shemustmakeart #christysheelerartist
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    Just a few days and winter begins and we will see the days gradually grow longer. There is so much beauty in winter. That sounds so cliche, I know. It's a stillness, a calming hush, a quiet peace...God must have known that we need this season to slow down and take pause. . Here in Montana, our winter weather came sooner than usual, and we weren't thrilled at all. Somehow, I have sensed that the majority of us are still staying upbeat in spite of it...some are even finding joy in it. I know, all the Pollyanna thinking can get to a few. (Google the Disney movie by that title, if you are wondering. ) . There's already too much negativity in the world. None of us needs more. I choose to look for the lovely. Wishing you a great Wednesday! . #artistthoughts #winterlandscape #watercolorartist #creativeoutlet #artistherapy #mycreativelife #shemustmakeart #christysheelerartist
  • These skies are ever changing, full of so many beautiful shades, and I could get lost in time...just watching to see how God will form them in the next minute. . And how is it that pale golden stubble in the fields can contrast so lovely against the blue violets and sky blues like an Artist composed it that way. I gaze and study, quiet and still, and I soak it in. . Winter may be cold, with shorter hours of daylight, and tougher road conditions...but the landscapes are just as gorgeous as all the other seasons. . #winterlandscape #artinspiration #artreferencephotos #montanalife #artistthoughts #lookingforthelovely #beautyofwinter #colortheory #observingthelandscape #shemustmakeart
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    These skies are ever changing, full of so many beautiful shades, and I could get lost in time...just watching to see how God will form them in the next minute. . And how is it that pale golden stubble in the fields can contrast so lovely against the blue violets and sky blues like an Artist composed it that way. I gaze and study, quiet and still, and I soak it in. . Winter may be cold, with shorter hours of daylight, and tougher road conditions...but the landscapes are just as gorgeous as all the other seasons. . #winterlandscape #artinspiration #artreferencephotos #montanalife #artistthoughts #lookingforthelovely #beautyofwinter #colortheory #observingthelandscape #shemustmakeart
  • I smell snow. I see snow. It's the word of the day. Just a light dusting so far...but the workshop this afternoon...we are going to paint drifts and bare branches and shadows. Many different shades of gray, hints of blue, lavender, pink, peach. . Yesterday was a flurry of preparation and just a bit more to do getting palettes ready. . More to share soon! . #snowandshadows #winterlandscapes #fallmeetswinter #artstudiotoday #preparingtopaintsnow #sharingthestudiotoday #artroomadventures #mycreativelife #shemustmakeart #watercolorlandscape
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    I smell snow. I see snow. It's the word of the day. Just a light dusting so far...but the workshop this afternoon...we are going to paint drifts and bare branches and shadows. Many different shades of gray, hints of blue, lavender, pink, peach. . Yesterday was a flurry of preparation and just a bit more to do getting palettes ready. . More to share soon! . #snowandshadows #winterlandscapes #fallmeetswinter #artstudiotoday #preparingtopaintsnow #sharingthestudiotoday #artroomadventures #mycreativelife #shemustmakeart #watercolorlandscape
  • Masking fluid. I don't use it often these days but it is a staple to have on hand. After trying several brands over the years, Pebeo is my favorite one. . Masking fluid is used to protect areas on the paper from paint. Most commonly, to save white details in a painting. It has a latex or rubber cement type of base. It needs to be used in a certain way for successful results. . I use older brushes that are kept mainly for masking fluid. After dipping my brush in water, I coat the bristles in soap. This makes the fluid easier to clean from the bristles afterwards. I pour a small amount of masking fluid into a separate dish...like half a teaspoon. This brand can be diluted with a small amount of water for fiber details. I dip my coated brush into the masking fluid and paint over the details to be saved on my watercolor paper. . Let the fluid dry on the paper before painting over it. That is one of the most important steps. Otherwise, the fluid can be impossible to remove later. . To clean the brush, rinse under running water while removing the masking fluid with fingers. A product like GooGone can help get the brush really clean; clean the brush with a drop of dish soap to remove the residue of the cleaner. . Once the painting process is done and the paper is dry, the masking fluid can be removed. Rub your fingertips over the areas on the masking fluid and it will pull away from the paper surface. There are tools like square, rubber blocks about 1/2 thick available for this purpose. . Curious to know more? Ask away! . #artstudiotoday #artstudiotools #artmaskingfluid #mycreativelife #passionforcreating #savingthewhiteofpaper #artisttipsandtricks #watercolorstudio #shemustmakeart #pebeomaskingfluid
    8 1
    Masking fluid. I don't use it often these days but it is a staple to have on hand. After trying several brands over the years, Pebeo is my favorite one. . Masking fluid is used to protect areas on the paper from paint. Most commonly, to save white details in a painting. It has a latex or rubber cement type of base. It needs to be used in a certain way for successful results. . I use older brushes that are kept mainly for masking fluid. After dipping my brush in water, I coat the bristles in soap. This makes the fluid easier to clean from the bristles afterwards. I pour a small amount of masking fluid into a separate dish...like half a teaspoon. This brand can be diluted with a small amount of water for fiber details. I dip my coated brush into the masking fluid and paint over the details to be saved on my watercolor paper. . Let the fluid dry on the paper before painting over it. That is one of the most important steps. Otherwise, the fluid can be impossible to remove later. . To clean the brush, rinse under running water while removing the masking fluid with fingers. A product like GooGone can help get the brush really clean; clean the brush with a drop of dish soap to remove the residue of the cleaner. . Once the painting process is done and the paper is dry, the masking fluid can be removed. Rub your fingertips over the areas on the masking fluid and it will pull away from the paper surface. There are tools like square, rubber blocks about 1/2 thick available for this purpose. . Curious to know more? Ask away! . #artstudiotoday #artstudiotools #artmaskingfluid #mycreativelife #passionforcreating #savingthewhiteofpaper #artisttipsandtricks #watercolorstudio #shemustmakeart #pebeomaskingfluid
  • I have been away from my brushes today. I am doing my homework, so to speak. I am collecting my thoughts for teaching a workshop next week. . It's not that I don't know what I am doing. I do these things when I create that I have done for so many years (some for a shorter time...I keep learning all the time.) . I love learning especially when it comes to watercolor skills. I soak it up everywhere I can get it. Books, magazines, podcasts, Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, artist websites, and Artist Network TV. I am a little obsessed. . I pick up new ideas and skills to try from all over. As I learn and grow my skills, I challenge myself to bump it up to the next level. It comes as second nature to me but that doesn't help someone else understand what I am doing very well. . I cannot just demonstrate the skills. I need to be able to explain what I am doing and why. I am reading through all my studio library books and magazines to refresh myself on the terms and ideas...to help me organize what is really important to explain to others. . Underlining and sticky tabs for references to show the ideas I am explaining with a visual. We will need 2 afternoons to help make these concepts sink in well. . #artstudiotoday #watercolorworkshop #preparingtoteach #explainmyprocess #artprocess #lightandshadow #composition #planningtopaint #glazingwatercolors #thepreparationbeforethepainting #artistthoughts #shemustmakeart #winterlandscapeworkshop #writeitallout #lessonplanning #doingmyhomework
    17 3
    I have been away from my brushes today. I am doing my homework, so to speak. I am collecting my thoughts for teaching a workshop next week. . It's not that I don't know what I am doing. I do these things when I create that I have done for so many years (some for a shorter time...I keep learning all the time.) . I love learning especially when it comes to watercolor skills. I soak it up everywhere I can get it. Books, magazines, podcasts, Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, artist websites, and Artist Network TV. I am a little obsessed. . I pick up new ideas and skills to try from all over. As I learn and grow my skills, I challenge myself to bump it up to the next level. It comes as second nature to me but that doesn't help someone else understand what I am doing very well. . I cannot just demonstrate the skills. I need to be able to explain what I am doing and why. I am reading through all my studio library books and magazines to refresh myself on the terms and ideas...to help me organize what is really important to explain to others. . Underlining and sticky tabs for references to show the ideas I am explaining with a visual. We will need 2 afternoons to help make these concepts sink in well. . #artstudiotoday #watercolorworkshop #preparingtoteach #explainmyprocess #artprocess #lightandshadow #composition #planningtopaint #glazingwatercolors #thepreparationbeforethepainting #artistthoughts #shemustmakeart #winterlandscapeworkshop #writeitallout #lessonplanning #doingmyhomework
  • Art and artists and how we have something to share, an inner emotion about a subject that means so much more. . #artistthoughts #artprocess #behindtheart #artistinspiration #whywecreate #createdtocreate #creativeoutlet #shemustmakeart
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    Art and artists and how we have something to share, an inner emotion about a subject that means so much more. . #artistthoughts #artprocess #behindtheart #artistinspiration #whywecreate #createdtocreate #creativeoutlet #shemustmakeart
  • Yesterday, I rewarded myself with painting live! The vacuuming and sweeping (plus more) was overdue, so once the work was done, I played with my brushes. This is the final artwork that resulted after I worked a while longer. More golds to hint at fall in this one. Fall and winter have merged here so that works perfectly. . Happy Friday and wishing you a relaxing weekend! . #shemustmakeart #artstudioupdate #paintingliveupdate #originalwatercolorartwork #natureinspiredart #artforthehome #myhappyplace #fallmeetswinter #winterlandscapes
    16 1
    Yesterday, I rewarded myself with painting live! The vacuuming and sweeping (plus more) was overdue, so once the work was done, I played with my brushes. This is the final artwork that resulted after I worked a while longer. More golds to hint at fall in this one. Fall and winter have merged here so that works perfectly. . Happy Friday and wishing you a relaxing weekend! . #shemustmakeart #artstudioupdate #paintingliveupdate #originalwatercolorartwork #natureinspiredart #artforthehome #myhappyplace #fallmeetswinter #winterlandscapes