Here is a very simple technique to paint a special Valentine's Day watercolor painting for a loved one.

 

Take a sheet of good quality watercolor paper approximately 8 x 10 (landscape) in size.  You will only need two colors; a permanent rose; rose madder or quinoqrodone rose; and either cobalt blue or French ultramarine blue.  Mix two puddles of juicy color the consistency of milk.  Draw a heart in the center or a bit off to the side trying to fill up most of the sheet.  (I draw a half heart on a folded piece of paper; cut out and trace around it onto the wc paper; simple).  Now wet the inside of the heart drawing with clean water, leaving one small dry spot for a highlight on the right hand side near the top.  Load your rose color onto a #8 or #10 round brush; from 3-4 inches above the painting, drop the rose color onto the upper portion on the wet area, avoiding dropping paint onto the dry spot.  (You may need to squeeze the color out with your thumb and forefinger). Now clean off the rose color and load your brush with the blue shade; drop the blue shade onto the lower portion of the heart, making sure some (a bit) of the blue overlaps the rose.  Tilt your paper to cover the entire heart (except the highlight).  Let dry and DO NOT TOUCH IT AGAIN UNTIL DRY!  Once it is completely dry, take a black permanent ink pen or calligraphy pen and write "Love" all around the heart, starting and ending at the point. 

 

There you go...a perfect gift for the one you love.

 

www.karenmattson.com

 

 

This trip had been planned for over a month.  It was to include several artists from the Anchorage and Mat-Su areas.  One fellow had a river boat, and he invited all of us to be a part of the adventure.  

The weather reports were not favorable, and when we met on the morning of October 2, only three of us showed up;  Scott, the boat owner, Kurt, an oil painter and myself. 

The "en plein aire" trip started out as a "rain out", but this didn't stop us.  We started from Anchorage at 9 a.m., with wind and rain following us all the way down to the Twenty Mile River.  An hour later, we chatted in the truck at the Twenty Mile River boat launch for a few minutes trying to decide whether or not to "bail", but Scott really wanted to take us up the river so we could see how beautiful it was there.  The river was very high with all the rainfall overnight.  There were no gravel banks showing at all, but the evidence of them were noted due to the grass popping up through the water.  Fresh uprooted trees, stumps and logs had to be avoided as he maneuvered up the river.  Plus, it was a downpour of rain.  The mountains were not visible for a good portion of the time.  Finally, in the middle of the river, there was a small part of a gravel bank visible, so we stopped for a cup of coffee/tea.  The weather did appear to improve, so we continued further up the river.  Scott must have spent a lot of time on this river, because he knew all the "ins and outs" of the tributaries of the river.  We finally spotted a flat and open gravel showline, so we stopped to stretch our legs.  (Well, I had another thing in mind to do.....you can guess!)  (Whew!!)

We took a few pictures, since the mountains were somewhat clearing up and the rain was just a drizzle.  The golden colors of the trees were so beautiful contrasting with the darks of the evergreens and the deep greys of the mountains.  It was a perfect spot to paint.  We tried without the use of a pop-up tent, but the drizzles interfered with the paints, causing them to drip down the canvas/paper.  Even the oils were not wanting to stick to the canvas.  Up went the pop-up, and by gosh, we thought we could really do this! 

The rain increased and the tent top ballooned up and dumped water into our laps with every occasional gust of wind.  We were defeated!  But we must be given credit for not being wimpy about the weather and for giving it our best shot. 

It was actually a wonderful day of sharing on how we as artists think about art constantly and after seeing a particular scene, how we would paint a particular subject.  We talked about pricing our paintings, what constitutes someone "famous" and how does one get to that point, sharing our art through galleries, art shows, weekend bazaars or outdoor markets, etc.  We shared many laughs and had a wonderful time overall.  It will be a trip we will not likely forget.

 

The "After Vacation Blues" started about the time I got back from Florida almost two weeks ago.  Florida was rather chilly and windy, but compared to the weather in Alaska.......well, need I say more?  Ok, here goes.  We had heard the weather here had been balmy and the snow was melting, so there was the anticipation of spring around the corner.  But NO, when we landed, there was a snow storm.  It probably has snowed over two feet since then; that would make it about an inch a day.  Needless to say, my motivation to paint went out the window!  I found all sorts of needless, everyday stuff to do...like:  being on Facebook, checking my emails every five minutes (there has to be some message coming to make me not be blue) and the nighttime mindless television with corny commercials.  A couple of books did get read, so not all was lost!

I am happy to announce:  "The BLUES are over", and I hope they don't return real soon.  I started painting again the other day, so be looking for some progress paintings posted in the next few days.  I started a large white water lily watercolor painting from a photo I took last summer.  My "Spring into Summer" art show is scheduled for April and May at Primrose Retirement Center in Wasilla, Alaska. 

Now, you know the reason for my motivation! 

Here's hoping your "blues" are limited to the jeans you are wearing and may your days be filled with love and creativity! 

I will be teaching a beginner/intermediate oil painting workshop at the Pioneer Schoolhouse on the corner of 3rd & Eagle in Anchorage, Alaska on Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the lower level.  The cost is $40.00.  We will do some still life exercises first and then proceed to do a simple still life.  This will be an opportunity for artists to work from life instead of photographs.  The camera often doesn't tell the entire story about objects.  Emphasis will be on light, reflected light, shading and cast shadows and color.

A supply list is available by "contacting the artist" from this website or by going to Blaines Art Store in Anchorage.  Reservations for the workshop must be made by Monday, November 9th.  If there is enough interest, a follow-up workshop may be scheduled.

Contact me at www.karenmattson.com.

Thanks!

It's been a very long time since my last blog, and for that, I apologize.  After painting for two art shows and with summer vacation approaching, we took a long and eventful trip down the Alaska Highway to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and back with our motorhome. 

Now, with winter practically on our doorstep, it's time to get back down to business.  Plus, I have missed the interaction between the blog and the readers. 

The latest painting is one I have labored over for the last 2 months.  (Where does the time go?  I wish I knew!)  I belong to two art groups, each meeting twice a month, so this painting was worked on during these two - three hour sessions.  Sometimes, there is so much conversation going on, it is difficult to get some painting in though.  I find these groups therapeutic and inspiring.

The first day, the background was laid in on a very wet background and brushes loaded down with blues, yellow, greens and turquoise.  The paint was moved around some while the colors intermingled and soaked into the paper.  At that critical moment when the paint was starting to lose it's gloss, I sprinkled in sugar.  YES, that was sugar, not salt.  I had forgotten my salt shaker, so the next best thing available was sugar.  Immediately, the paint started getting pushed aside!  It was very exciting to watch.  This was the first time I had used sugar, so it was an experiment on my part.  I think it was successful in making it appear like there were some 'mystery' leaves in the painting.

I didn't use maskoid on any of the white, but rather used control during the background work.  I find the masking causes too sharp an edge; plus it's a real challenge to see if I can do it without messing up the flower and leaves. 
 
Next, I worked on the leaves trying to use various colors of yellows and green.  Intermingling spots of the flower color into the leaves brings interest into them and reduces boredom and that "ho hum" look.

The flower itself was first painted by varying Cadmium Yellow Light and New Gamboge on a wet surface.  After that dried, I layered in oranges and reds, keeping spots of the highlights clean.  I usually work with a #6 or #8 Steven Quiller round brush, because it holds a lot of pigment and has a nice sharp point,  A #1 round was used for the finer detail in the center of the flower. 

If you have questions regarding this painting, I would be happy to answer them.  Please feel free to contact me at www.karenmattson.com or email me at artistic@karenmattson.com

Enjoy and may your fall days be filled with color and light.

If holding art shows is an addiction, I think I have it!  My BIG show, “Petals of Color” at one of nicest galleries in Anchorage, Alaska was held last Friday, May 1, 2009.  It features garden flowers grown in my perennial garden and a few tropical flowers, such as Birds of Paradise and a bright red Hibiscus; "Exotic Birds" and "Southern Belle" respectively (found on my website in the artwork portfolio).  When first walking into the gallery, I experienced a strange sensation I can’t quite explain.  Of course, I knew my paintings were there since I delivered them a couple days before, but actually seeing them on the walls of the gallery made me feel different somehow!  It really was quite a rush!

 

I’ve had paintings in downtown galleries before, but it’s always been with a group such as the Alaska Watercolor Society Signature shows or after being accepted into a juried show.  They have always been exciting, but this was so much more exhilarating! 

 

Friends were the first ones to arrive at the reception; hugs, hugs and more hugs!   Before long, the gallery was teaming with people; people I knew very well, some only a little and then the ones I had never seen before.  Anchorage First Friday events draw lots of people walking the streets to the many locations local artists are featured with their work.  It has become a monthly “must attend” event for many locals as well as tourists.  Fortunately, Friday was a record-breaking beautiful warm day, which brought out the swarms eager to catch a few rays and actually walk the streets without worries of falling on slippery sidewalks or stairs.  It would have been nice to have a number count, and I’m guessing it was well over 150 people. 

 

It was wonderful meeting new folks interested in art and seeing a multitude of friends from my many years of living in this great state. 

 

To have sales of originals is the goal of having an art show, but never counting on it happening makes it even sweeter when there are some sales.   It’s the ultimate compliment! 

 

After it was over, it was bittersweet.  The anticipation and excitement is over, but a new chapter can also now begin…..Where will my next show be?  What will I call it?  How long will it take to come up with a series of new work?  Within 6 months I have had two shows; a winter mostly landscape show and now an all floral show.  What will the next one feature?  I do have something in mind already.  One must have inspiring goals, don't you think?

 

“Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain.  An occasional glance toward the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point.  Climb slowly, steadily, enjoying each passing moment; and the view from the summit will serve as a fitting climax for the journey.”  Harold V. Melchert

THE FOWL WOMAN

Having been raised on a farm in Michigan, where my parents raised chickens, cows, pigs and where the horses did all the work before a tractor was purchased in the 1950’s, I especially remember the chickens; notably the obstinate and cocky rooster and the reason we had chickens in the first place…eggs, of course, and every Sunday, the family enjoyed a chicken or two for dinner.

 

During the 1980’s while living on five acres in Eagle River, Alaska, I decided to teach my children farming values and how to raise chickens, ducks, and geese of their own.  I’m not sure they thought it was such a fabulous idea, but they did learn quite a lot that summer. 

 

Fall was in the air, and my husband decided to take the “rule of the roost” goose and get him ready for the Sunday dinner table.  All the fowl gathered close to the fence while this procedure was taking place.  The chickens’ necks grew long and a look of fear came into their eyes!  After the goose no longer stirred, the lone rooster in the pen started to crow!  “I’m the boss now!  I’m the boss now!  Over and over he crowed!  This is the scene that inspired this painting (many years later) of the rooster, bright colored and “cocky”! 

 

The family goose feast was super for supper and the memories linger on. 

 

I hope you enjoy the story of "The Fowl Woman" and the rooster painting.  As always, I would love to hear from you.  Do you have stories to tell?  Here's hoping you tell them!

Being a farmer’s daughter, “Make hay when the sun shines” was always taken literally.  There is nothing worse for a farmer than to have it rain on the hay as it rots quickly once it is cut.  The weather played a huge role during cutting season.  Now, being far away from the farm, this saying means something totally different to me.

 

Some people say this proverb means, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today”, or “the early bird catches the worm.”  I suppose these would apply to laziness, but to me, it has more to do with your state of mind from the sun factor.

 

How do you feel on sunny days?  Are you vibrant, energetic, and happy or basically a ball of fire?  How about on a cloudy, grey and dismal day?  Isn’t it quite the opposite of how you feel when the sun is out?  Don’t you just want to sit down to read a book, lazy around the house, or if you are at work, doesn’t it feel like you don’t accomplish much?

 

I recommend every artist to paint something everyday to see how the weather affects artistic thinking and how much more you can produce on a glorious sunny day versus the cloudy, gloomy one.  If possible, do a painting a day for a few months or a year and keep a log of the weather and what you painted on your calendar.  This gives you the opportunity to see how the weather played a role in your moods and how your varying moods affected your paintings.  It is very interesting to see the results!

 

Do as much artwork as you can when the sun shines, for I guarantee your artistic rhythms will be at their best. 

 

As always, feel free to contact me.  I would love to hear your successes.  Thanks.

Sunset Painting – Bull’s Eye

 

Here is an explanation on how to paint a sunset in watercolor with little or no drawing.  To sketch this, it only took five lines; the tops of the ridges and the two lines at the base of the hills.  Easy.

 

You will need to stretch the paper onto gator board or use a watercolor block.  If using a watercolor block, be careful not to touch the edges of the paper with your fingertips when manipulating the watercolor. 

 

Wet the entire sheet of watercolor paper until it is pretty well soaked with puddles starting to form.  If you live in a humid climate, this will stay wet for quite some time, but in Alaska, the paper dries out quickly.  Needless to say, laying down the paint has to be done quickly as well.

 

I chose three colors to apply:  New Gamboge, Quinocridone Rose or Permanent Rose and Cobalt Blue were each blended into puddles about the consistency of milk on the palette.  First, apply the yellow in a circular area just right of the center.  Clean off your brush, and apply the rose into a circular area somewhat larger than the yellow, covering part of the yellow, but being careful not to cover all the yellow in the focal point.  After cleaning your brush again, apply the blue over some of the rose and into the edges of the paper.  Be sure to apply enough paint….don’t be bashful!  Watercolors always dry lighter in color than while wet. 

 

This step is very important!  You should have a lot of paint on the paper, and it will need to be moving around on the surface for the blending process.  If the paint is not moving, squirt water onto the paper to liquefy the paint.  Take the board or block and start to tilt the board up, down, sideways to watch the paint flow together.  Still try to keep the bright yellow area untouched by the other colors.  A squirt of water into the area will push the unwanted color away.  Continue this process until you notice the paint starting to seep into the paper and there are no longer any puddles moving around.  This will take several minutes.  If you run off some of the paint during this process, the painting will become light in color and will lose the vibrancy.  Let the paint dry until the sheen starts to disappear.

 

The background hill was painted on while the paint was still cool to the touch, and was painted with some rose mixed with blue and applied very thinly.  The second hill and foreground trees were painted with a somewhat thicker mixture.  To get the appearance of low bushes on the middle hill, a wetter brush was applied to the waters edge, pushing the color up from the shoreline. 

 

Let the painting dry, sign it and you are finished. 

 

You may want to do several of these backgrounds for future use.  If you need a quick painting for a gift, the painting is more than half finished.  Have fun with this!

 

The last entry on my blog was about “spring fever”.  It has been hanging on way too long, and it has caused a change in my normal painting patterns.  Instead of picking up watercolors, I started a painting on canvas using acrylics. 

 

Pink peonies seemed to be calling to be painted, and I had a great reference photo from last summer.  This bunch of peonies was of the single variety, with the sun brightly shining on the curved petals.  The pattern of the flower petals looked like it would make a great composition. 

 

The sketch was done loosely directly on the canvas with pencil before the initial base layer of paint.  Everything was going well, and it was great fun.  Using a large flat brush and dark greens and blues, the leaf pattern in the background was started in a somewhat haphazard and loose style.  Since normally I paint in watercolors and watercolors dry lighter, acrylics soon posed a typical problem.  Even knowing the acrylics darken as they dry, I still find it difficult to get them light enough.  The leaves were worked on for many days before I was completely satisfied with them.  The flowers were so bright compared to the dark leaves; they looked like they were off on another painting.  Persistence prevailed!

 

Every day of working on this painting was frustrating!  There were at least two rather sleepless nights, which made painting the next day even more challenging.  However, I didn’t want to give up on the challenge!  I finally signed the painting today, so I consider it finished.  My critique of the painting is brutal.  But, somewhere out in the world, someone will think it was painted for them.  Indeed, it was.

 

May your challenges give you a better understanding of your gained knowledge. 

ps  Please feel free to make comments; I welcome them!