November pet friend winner

El's is this month winner and this is the painting she selected.

Congratulations to pet and humans ...Friends all!

Aub swimming 2

Aub swimming 2

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$150 

I had a hunch I could do this better if I slowed way down and accounted for very value and color decision. I really like this one.

What I have learned so far:
Slow down. The paper is not going to run away. 

Painting giveaway day

Pet Friends 

watercolor 

7x10 inches 

$150 

Tomorrow is the pet friend game giveaway day. Send a photograph and you will be entered for the next giveaway Dec. 31st. 

Aub swimming

Aub Swimming 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$150 

Tomorrow is the monthly free painting giveaway and this painting is a clue for who the winner is. 

No worries. There is a new winner every month. 

A Parade

A Parade

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$130 

I think I was influenced by the parade on TV. Lots of confetti and loud trumpet noises. It seeped into my work today.

Roses that last

Roses That Last 

watercolor 

9x12 inches 

$225

This one is bit larger than my usual size. I think I am getting a handle on this "roses thing". I have so many more colors and shapes I want to try. 

What I have learned so far : 

Take advantage of you own state of mind. It is a kind and faithful friend.

Thanks for giving and what not to wear?

Thanks for the giving

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$150 

This is a thanks for giving day. My thoughts are many. I am so glad I have my painting to guide me through every day as a loyal companion. I also have  Tom of my heart and two goofy pet friends. 

Human friends who are always gifting me and family although far away in great abundance. And now an official Dress Like an Artist snapshot.

Or how not to dress like an artist? 

Dana   are you there ? Is this a serious fashion mishap or can I pull of the layered bohemian look. Uh oh...if you have to ask the answer is probably "No". 

White cat with stripes

White Cat with stripes 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$150 

The challenge with a white cat is to keep your values mid-tone and leave a lot of white to peak through. I am not sure how to do the opposite with a black cat. I still need to figure that one out.

Tee Hee

Tee Hee

watercolor 

7x10 inches 

$150 

This one would cheer anybody up.
What I have learned so far? Have fun , take chances and be boundless. 

Foster Dog

Foster dog 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$150 

I was asked recently to include the source photo . So here it is .

This was edited from a larger photo. I hope that helps.

Cousins and goats

Cousins and Goats 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

You had to be there. But these are the cousins and the goats in late Fall afternoon.

Marley

Marley watercolor 

10x7 inches 

$150 

Marley is the Jo Mackenzie watercolor pet friend of the day.
If you are looking for a gift for a pet lover there is still time for a pet portrait.
You will be the "Hero" of the day when you present this special gift. Tears will flow... for sure. Then the smiles will come.

Simplify 2

Simplify 2 

watercolor 

7x10 inches 

$150 

This painting can be found here

Simplify

Simplify 

watercolor 

10x7 inches 

$150

What I have learned so far? Simplify and don't try to paint like somebody else.

Boy Wonder

watercolor

Boy Wonder 

7x10 inches

$150 

This is my new favorite painting. I love to see the relationship between people and their animals. It is all about the "space in between" where  I find faith hope and connections of the unspoken kind.

What I have learned so far ? A TENS unit it my new favorite device. 

The little peony artist who could

The little peony artist who could 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

matted 12x12 

$120 

I will save you the drama behind this painting. But I am grateful that it is here and that I am too.

What I have learned so far? Keep trying until you get it right. 

Tina

SOLD

Tina 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

matted 12x12 

$150 

Tina is the Jo Mackenzie watercolor pet friend of the day. She is owned by a collector who has purchased paintings from me before. That is such a huge compliment when somebody purchases  a painting and then comes back for more. I would call that an encore!

Three step watercolor collie

Collie Three Step 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

matted 12x12 

$150 

Three step watercolor of a collie.

Step three putting in the lightest washes and making final adjustments. 

Step two putting in the mid-tones. 

Step one ..establishing the overall darkest value pattern shapes.

Three step sheltie

3 step Sheltie 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$150 

Step two ..putting in the mid tones.

Step one ...establishing he dark value pattern shapes.

Saturday roses

Saturday  Roses 

The brave version 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$125
This painting can be found here

I did the roses and felt safe. But that is not good enough.
Safe is the same as not painting at all.

A small triumph

This is my painting of the contents of a refrigerator. It was chosen by Carol Marine to be included in her newly published book about daily painting. This is a huge thrill for me. 

The book is terrific and affordable.

I feel so great to be included in the company of the artists in this book.

What? No face!

What No face!

watercolor 

7.9x7.9

$150 

This is Riley . All I can say is it was awfully hard to find the structure of a face underneath all that "fur-ness"