Pear watercolour still life

"Blush"

9x12 inches

watercolour on 140lb cold press paper

Still Life.

Not very exciting, I know, but a change from the usual for me, nonetheless.

I've been asked to instruct a watercolour class for this year's Mosaic Art Camp (link is to the pdf file from last year's Gala). The Art Camp is a 6-week long program at the Children's Treatment Centre in Chatham-Kent, Ontario which enables children of all abilities to experience various art mediums. The works are then auctioned off at a fundraising Gala in the fall. Last year, the artwork raised over $30,000!

Because this is a short class (one hour), we are working with a simple subject. I've chosen the pear for several reasons.

1) I like pears.

2) Pears are easily recognizable by their shape alone. 

In other words, you can do almost anything to it and it will still look like a pear.

One can't really say the same for a banana.

3) Food sells.

 I've found that still life studies of food in general are popular with collectors.

4) Simplicity in shape allows for creative colour accidents.

Now I have to break this down into simple steps. We'll be using one colour at a time, so when I have the lesson plan worked out I'll post it on my blog for anyone else that would like to try it. This image I've shared with you is my first pear, ever, so I'll likely simplify the colours a bit more - but it's a start. 

in other news....  may I present Miss Zero, as promised yesterday:

It's my birthday today. 

Which means I don't have to cook, I get to order in Thai tonight (I'm the only one in the house who appreciates Thai cuisine) and I can download book 9 of the Sookie Stackhouse series with my new KINDLE (ya baby!) - no more waiting for the paperback release in April.

If the sun would peek out, my day would be complete.

Paintings that reflect life.

"Quinn"

8x10 watercolour portrait

- the unfinished version - 

Sometimes I feel closest to a painting in the final stages before it is actually finished. At this stage of painting "Quinn" I hadn't added the detail to his jacket, deepened shadows or smoothed the hard edges of the facial features.

And I kind of like it.

I have several portraits on the go right now, so while I plug away at them I'll share a few of the paintings I completed in the last few months.

"Golden Days"

5x8 inches

(did I show you this already?)

These paintings all have a common thread, in that I love the life and vitality that I've created. Sometimes, as I've often said, "it just works".

"Doozer"

5x7 inches

watercolour on 140lb cold press paper

I LOVED loved loved painting Doozer. 

I'll share Doozer's companion, Ms. Zero, with you next time!

(psst: remember to comment and/or retweet for a chance to win a FREE mini portrait)

Mixing Colours, Creating Moods

Sometimes, things start out with just an idea.

a wisp of pink

a wash of red

a push of sand

and a drop of yellow

I have been making rings 

out of original watercolours lately, 

playing with different blends 

and washes of colours

then sealing them under glass

"Sunset Strip" original hand-painted ring

While doing this last night

I came across a mix

that I had to try larger.

Whooooosh!

with a sweep of my arm

I cleared the space around me

(some of it is still on the floor)

I wet down a block of paper

laid in Perylene Red

then Quinacridone Red

New Gamboge

Transparent Red Oxide

and finally 

pushed it around

with Buff Titanium

The result is in the first image.

Now to just let it sit

and be.

Until it tells me what it wants to be

when it grows up.

"Earth Bound" original hand-painted ring

* Remember that when you comment on my blog, you are entered to win a mini portrait each month. Here are the giveaway details if you missed it *

Wordless Wednesday Bird Edition

Wordless Wednesday Male Nude a la Jackson-Triggs 2009 Shiraz

Painting with Wine - male nude, originally uploaded by christydekoning.
* remember, your comment and/or retweet gets entered into my monthly portrait giveaway!*

Zazzle Awards!

I know I don't talk about Zazzle very often, but my artwork has received a bit of attention there lately so I thought I would share it with you.

This Easter Bunny greeting card won a Today's Best Award at Zazzle today:


Bunz the cool painted bunny by ChristyDeKoning

and this Barn Swallow Mousepad won the same award two days ago:

Painted Barn Swallow by ChristyDeKoning

I go through phases where I remember for a few days to create some Zazzle products with my new paintings - then I forget again for a month. My Zazzle shop seriously needs an overhaul, but that will be a rainy day kind of thing.

Actually, I tend to work my best on rainy days.
Unless I have a good book to read.
(the last book I read was #8 of the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris - I'm not quite ready to let go of the buzz from it and start something new just yet)

While we're speaking of books, what was the last book you really enjoyed?

Portrait Giveaway - moving it here to my blog!

As some of you are fans of my Facebook Page, you might remember that I did a monthly portrait giveaway last year.

"Tell Me Lies" - detail

 Watercolour 16"x20"

2010

Facebook put an end to that, when they revamped all their rules and regulations. Since then, I've had the giveaway on the backburner as I've explored different ideas and venues for the contest. I considered a Twitter contest - but I realize that not all of you are active tweeters like me.

So I've come full circle and ended up back here on my blog. The place where it all kind of started.

I have been a bit slack with my updates, and I realize it's because I feel pressured to share something really worthwhile with you. Sort of the "All or Nothing" kind of situation. So more often than not, I choose "Nothing".

"Golden"

Watercolour 6"x9"

2010

I've decided that this will be my goal for the year (i know it's March already - shhhh). Blog more. Think less. Share little tidbits of my life. Give a small portrait away every month.

So without further ado: the rules to the Christy DeKoning Original Portrait Giveaway (pretty posh eh?)

Rule #1: leave a comment here on my blog (only one comment per post per day will be recorded as an entry)
Rule #2: see rule #1

yup, that's all there is to it.

BUT wait! There's more...

... if you'd like to be entered more than once, then you can ReTweet this post on Twitter for a second entry, and/or Post it to your Blog or Facebook page for another entry. That can add up to 3 entries per day per person! Just make sure you come back here and leave me a link to the tweet, blog post or status update (you can use the handy "retweet" button at the bottom of each post)

I'll tally up the comments at the end of the month and use Random.Org to pick a winner.

oh right - the PRIZE!!!! A teensy weensy itty bitty miniature "ACEO" portrait, custom painted from a photo that the winner will email to me. Turnaround time for me to finish the portrait will be about 1 month or less.

"A Talent for Silence and Brevity" - detail

Watercolour 22"x30"

2008

Sock Monkeys caught monkeying around on tape.

I'm working on a new illustration right now for a fun-lovin' Super 8 camera buff in Seattle. Two sock monkeys cavorting around with the Super 8 cameras, caught up in a reel of film. Here is the rough sketch that I'm about to start painting:

I've had the pleasure of creating several pieces of art for this fellow in the past, and you might notice a theme here:

And one for the cover of his Film School DVD:

This last one was fun - I used masking fluid on the "chalkboard" then painted over in black. When the paint was dry I just lifted off the mask and it was still white underneath. 

(a tip: if you don't want to rub over your painting when removing masking fluid, take a piece of masking tape and press it onto the dry mask - lift up, and the gummy mask will come off with the tape)

I'll keep you posted with the progress of those naughty sock monkeys!