Jo mackenzie: May 2014

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Round two updated

watercolor

7.9x7.9

I realized I didn't push the value range enough. So I went one more "round".

Round two

watercolor

It is time for some pink peonies. Finding the Notan was super hard to do.

What I have learned so far:

The color variations within a flower are small choose wisely.

Friday, May 30, 2014

Three step painting of Champ

Champ

watercolor 7.9x7.9

$140

This is the third and final step. Putting in the lightest values possible.

Step two putting in the mid-tones

Step one putting in the underlying darkest NOTAN pattern

My book has many examples of how to do these three steps.

Good morning

watercolor

7.9x7.9

$130

Today is a monthly painting giveaway day!

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Three Step watercolor

Chili watercolor

7.9x7.9

$130

Chili is the Jo Mackenzie watercolor pet friend of the day. The free painting giveaway is tomorrow. Good luck to all the pet and peony friends.

Step two putting in the mid-tones.

Step one laying in the dark NOTAN patterns.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

This weekend I was talking to someone and I was saying how I really wasn't obsessed with peonies it was really just a joke with myself. She raised one eyebrow and said "Turn around". I was standing in front of my wall of peonies....Busted!

Monday, May 26, 2014

Dish challenge try number 2

watercolor

7.9x7.9

$130

Turning color into value shapes or is it turning value shapes into color?

The kitchen sink

The Daily paintworks challenge this week is to paint this picture of dishes on the sideboard.
This is my first try. I think I should get in closer and find simpler shapes. This is a good start.

Dish challenge

7.9x7.9 watercolor

$100

Day two of open studio

Day two of open studio was yesterday. It was one of the most remarkable, random , healing arts of a day I have ever experienced.
It was like a movie...it had drama, commerce, healing, friendship, NOTAN , pets, sunflowers and ultimately ...wait for it...wait for it...GRACE!
It was quite a day.
What I have learned so far:

Healing happened
Art happened
Friendship happened
Commerce happened
Learning happened
Love happened

It all came to me in unexpected ways and forms...but art was the common thread that made it appear from thin air. I have a humble respect for the power of art. It was in full evidence yesterday and I was just in for the ride.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

No shame in this game

No shame

watercolor

7.9x7.9

Yesterday and today are open studio days. This stirs my pot of emotions like nothing else.

I woke up this morning and decided to "paint it out". I can see that my strokes are a bit heavy and maybe my eyes are not seeing as clearly as they usually do.

What I have learned so far:

There is no shame in this game. I paint no matter what. Sometimes the results are great sometimes not so great, but the studio is a "shame free" zone.

Oh and lastly...remember Jo these are first world problems

Friday, May 23, 2014

Thank you Linda

White peony number 7

watercolor

7.9x7.9

$130

Artist Linda McCoy sent me some great white peony pictures to work from. I am finding simpler shapes and using neutrals to soften edges and provide a bridge for the eye.

What I have learned so far:

If you are not sure of a color ..find a neutral that will work in value.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

A white peony is a rainbow

White peony 6

watercolor

7.9x7.9

$130

I am seeing color spots of value everywhere.
Is there an intervention for that?

NOTAN?

No no Notan

watercolor

7.9x7.9

$130

There is no no Notan pattern here. There was one and I followed it but in the end I think I wandered off into the weeds.

I wonder if someone has written a book about how to solve this problem? Oh that's right I did .

Open studio is the weekend the 24th and 25th. There will be paintings., books, cards and a chance to win a free lesson at my home at 1573 Lightening Ridge Road in Adamant Vermont. So come in out of the rain and visit.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

The white peony dilemma

White peony

watercolor

7.9x7.9

$130

This is today's peony steps one and two. I think I am seeing more value shapes this year.
The white ones are super challenging.

Here is step one. It has a freshness but not enough value range.
Quest 2014 so far.

What I have learned so far:

You must leave white paper white. Once you paint it there is no going back. Move carefully and step back often.

Open Studio

It is open studio weekend in Vermont . May 24th and 25th. Studios will be open from 10 in the morning to 5 pm.
My open studio is at my home 1573 Lightening Ridge Road in Adamant Vermont. Number 128 on the Open studio map. I will be demonstrating my three step method of painting. There will be a wall of peonies and there will be candy (gummy ) spearmint leaves.

It is going to be a fun weekend full of new places ( for visiters ) and faces ( for me).

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Buck

watercolor

7.9x7.9

$130

This is Buck . He is the Jo Mackenzie watercolor pet friend of the day on Facebook.

The next monthly giveaway is coming up soon. On May 30th. I have many pet friends to get to before then. Good luck to everybody.

The Vineyard challenge

This week the daily paintworks challenge is to paint this picture of a Vineyard. Thank you to Mico who encouraged me to enter. I didn't think I had the concentration to do it. I am glad I tried. I may try it again. There is lots I would change.

I love the challenges because I always learn something from them.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Peony 4 2014

watercolor

7.9x7.9

$130

The peony parade continues.

Open studio weekend is coming up in a few days. I wonder what surprises that will bring?

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Nora

watercolor

7x11 inches.

$130

Nora is the the Jo Mackenzie watercolor pet friend of the day.

What I have learned so far:

Just because you can use all the colors in the world doesn't mean you should. Gray will help colors along and provide a good values next to more saturated color areas.