Gabe

Gabe 

watercolor 

11x7 inches 

$140 

This is Gabe . He is a young sheltie puppy who in this picture has not gotten his "big boy" fur yet. 

This is for Tracy S. 

Tomorrow is the free painting giveaway day for Sept 2014 . Good luck to everybody. 

I did a new thing in this painting I have never done before. I think I have a loyal reader to this blog who will spot it. It is a milestone for me but does not need to be discussed. 

(maybe at a later time). 

Petey and his Mom on vacation

Petey and his Mom 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

matted 12x12 

$150 

The other end of the leash series continues. We have to get other pets in here too. What should we call this series of paintings that emphasizes  people and their pets interacting? 

What I have learned so far: 

Just because you can do something once it doesn't guarantee  you can do it again. 

The pet friend game

Selfie after the headband is gone

It is official . I have a contemporary ( for me) haircut and have thrown out all my head bands. 

It took me a long time to realize that more hair did not equal more power. 

Now I need to work on my wardrobe.

I admit to being a slow learner on this one. I should have done this 6 years ago.

People and pets

This is Fiona and her girl Josie.
This is an original watercolor. I  was asked if I use an "app". I had no idea there was one. But no I do not use an app. ( not that there is anything wrong with it).

This is Aub who has been on these pages before doing many varied activities.

Here are 20 of the 35 to forty collies and shelties  who appeared on this blog during my recent "Colliepalooza" of 30 paintings in 30 days.
Now it is time to get ready for open studio day. Oct 4th and 5th.

Happy Runnings

Happy Running s

 watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$140

matted 12x12 

This is one of the paintings for the thirty collies in thirty days challenge.
Just fun.

Aub and Zuuku

Aub and Zuuku 

7.9x7.9 

matted 12x12 

$150 

This is Aubrey and her black cat. I have such a hard time with both the painting of people and all black things. So this was a worthy challenge for me in the pets and their relationships with people series. 

I wonder how many people have black on their palette?  I never have. 

Here is what I have learned so far: 

I grabbed some tips from Diane Mannion's blog yesterday.  She explained glazing in a way I could finally understand. Her post can be seen here HERE

I used some of those ideas to build the black of the cats fur. 

The other thing I have learned is to consider the temperature of a hue. It is a bet like trying to figure out what kind of mood another person is in. You almost have to feel it .I don't have a handle on this yet but it is a thing to keep in mind and consider.

Nora and Goat 3

Nora and Goat 3 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

This painting can be found HERE

This is a break through painting for me. I took the three steps and broke my areas of  shapes into colors that were different in hue but not in value. carefully...very carefully. 

I mixed them on the pallete and then applied them. I stayed with the plan and I think I have more of the high values I want without it looking washed out or bland. 

Can I be this patient and strategic every time? 

I sure hope so because I like the results. 

What I have learned so far : 

Any painting could be a break through painting even a goat.

Who am I ?

Who is my human ? 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$140 

 

At Jo Mackenzie watercolor headquarters  ( my family room) things have gone awry. The single employee ( me) sent books to people instead of gift cards, she cleaned the printer ink heads today and ruined clothing and all surfaces nearby ( but was successful) and finally , she has lost the identity of today's pet friend both his and his owners name. 

I think I have to fire myself. 

To Door Prize or not to Door Prize?

Open studio is coming up the weekend of Oct 4th and 5th. I have so many paintings it is kind of scary....so the question is
To Door Prize or not to Door Prize?
I bet a lot of the paintings above look familiar and they were just done in the last two weeks.


Somebody

Help me? Is this normal.....OCD or Hoarding at this point?

Petey and Mom

Petey and Mom 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$150

This is step four. The colors blend better in real life. I don't know why the photograph looks more fragmented ....

Below are steps 3, 2 and 1.

Building in mid-tones. You can see all the test dabs on the left.

Step two ..building mid tones.

Step one...laying in the darkest patterns

The other end of the leash series

Alison and Kashmir 

watercolor 

11x7 inches 

$140 

This painting can be found here

If you have a picture that shows the relationship between pet and human friends send it to me at jowatercolor@gmail.com and I will paint it and post it. 

There is one free painting giveaway each month and that could be you and your little darlings! 

 What I have learned so far: 

This may sound random but I have learned that car and tractor paintings are a hard sell. It took me three years to figure that out. I am a slow learner. 

I am putting steps two and one of this painting below. 

Yup....it is a three "step-er". 

Step two with all my test dabs showing on the left.

Step one establishing the dark NOTAN pattern.

3 step watercolor video and book

This is an example of a three step watercolor ( Jo Mackenzie style). You can see a free video on my bog about how to do this and I also published the information in book form for those of us who have to move at a slower pace.

Need a goat?

You don't know it but according to Nora...everything is just a bit better if there is a goat in the picture. So this one is for Nora the  goat lover and our very first pet friend that bleets!
Thanks Nora and family....

What I have learned so far

Goats are the missing element in many of our lives we just don't know it yet. Ask Nora the philosopher...she knows.

Puppy Loving Time

Puppy Loving Time 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

matted 12x12 

$150

I am starting a new project where I am attempting to paint the connection between human and pet friends. 

If you have a photo that you would like to share I would love to see it.

I have decided to post steps two ..laying in the midtone and step one...the initial NOTAN pattern for you to see. 

I decided to leave out all the dark patterns in the trees in the background. I thought that would distract from my main focus. 

What do you think? Was that a wise decision? 

    

Piper on the other end of the leash

the other end of the leash 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$140

Time to focus on more than just the dog. How about the other end of the leash? This is Piper and her Icelandic Sheepdog named Saela. 

This one is for my friend Karen Riggin who rescues , trains and knows more about dogs than I can ever imagine. 

Below is step one of this painting . Laying in the dark NOTAN pattern.

Thirty Collies/shelties in thirty days video so far....

Thirty collies/shelties in thirty days video so far

Jeter

Jeter 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

matted 12x12 

$140 

This is wonderful Sheltie "Jeter". He is 19th Collie/Sheltie of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge . This painting can be found on my website pet friends page. found here

I am listening to Artist helping artists radio program while I type this and I realize I need to take a day off soon to get my little newsletter up and running. 

Yes it has been too long and in the meantime because of this collie/sheltie project it has grown as quickly as a puppy ! 

Collie/Sheltie Quest Day 18

Keep Away 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

matted 

12x12 

$140 

This is day 18 of Collie/Sheltie Quest. 

I have lots of pictures to chose from and lots of additions to my mailing list.

Here are the first two steps.
If you want to learn how to paint this way there is a link to my three step watercolor book at jomackenzie.com

 

It's Two , Two Paintings in One!

Selfie garden challenge number 2

watercolor 

7x11 inches 

$140

Let's discuss. 

First...it was interesting to do this challenge twice. I always learn more that way. 

What are your feelings about the pencil lines? 

I had vertigo painting this one. I had to sit down and clear my head. There was so much to consider. 

What have I learned so far?

Keep a mirror handy. I have so many possible ideas that a mirror could be used in.

Never ever ever ...ever give up! 

Kody

Kody 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

matted 

12x12 

This painting can be found HERE

Arnie's Dog

Arnies Dog 

watercolor 

9x12 inches 

$200 

This picture is larger than usual. It is 9 by 12 inches. It is a puppy stealing fruit from  a  bowl. I think we call  this "counter surfing".

Bouncy Bouncy

Bouncy Bouncy 

watercolor

7.9x7.9 

$140

This is my idea of a fun painting. Just the simplest of shapes but it tells a story of having fun.

Do you think I should add more or leave it as is? 

Shilo

Shilo 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

matted 12x12 

$150 

This painting can be purchased HERE

This is collie number 15 . I was so challenged in terms of values on this  one. Thank you to Nancy  Wellman for this photograph and check her out on the rough collie group site. She takes wonderful photographs and just may have the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen.

Barnie and Keely

Barney and Keely 

watercolor 

7x11 inches 

$140 

SOLD

These two were on a gray beach but I knew I needed green to play off the sable colors. It is great to be an artist and be allowed to make these decisions. If  real life worked that way we would all be magicians.

Oro

SOLD

Oro 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$140 

Oro can be found here.  

This one taught me some things about local color versus shadows. Below is step one finding the dark NOTAN pattern 

Vicki's collie

This painting can be found  HERE