Village of Oak Creek Art Class Organizers

Special thanks to these two ladies, Jan and Sherri, for inviting me to teach their workshop in Oak Creek. It was a lot of fun and everyone had a painting ready for our critique at the end of the day. What an inspiration for me! See my slideshow in the previous posting for an overview of the class and it's members.

Village of Oak Creek Workshop - A Success!

Village of Oak Creek (VOCA) Watercolor Class

14 wonderful watercolorists joined me on Monday, June 7, 2010 for a full day class in the Village of Oak Creek, AZ, just south of Sedona. You can see from the pictures each are experienced in their own way and came well equipped with their own supplies. We explored together how to paint florals and landscapes using a variety of techniques including glazing, spatter, spray, sponging, and salt. Thank goodness someone had salt to loan me as I had left mine at home!

Enjoy their artwork! We wrapped up the day with a critique of everyone's paintings. It is always fun to see the works as they progress and view them with mat corners. Everyone had such positive comments for each other. It was wonderful to be part of such a warm and supportive group!

... a special thanks to my husband John for taking the photos of each of these inspiring artists!

Guest Artist in my Studio

I had a special guest in my studio today - my little granddaughter was visiting and asked to paint at my table. Yes, she did a watercolor! Actually, it turned out to be a mixed media with a picture of a guinea pig "collaged" onto it (in anticipation of a birthday trip to the pet store). What fun to see my grandkids enjoying painting as much as I do!

Artists' Marketplace 2010

It was a beautiful Spring day in Flagstaff as I set up my booth along with 30 artists from the Flagstaff Artists' Coalition for the Marketplace in the CCC Commons. I'm sure everyone who attended would agree that there was a terrific variety of art available by a very professional group of artists.

It was fun to catch up with familiar faces and make new friends. The folks visiting my booth were able to sign up for a drawing of a small giclée and the lucky winner was Cathy Owen of Flagstaff! All in all, it was a great day with some new paintings and new items to share.

A big thank you to all who came out and made it a successful event!

Be sure to watch for this event next year! Now, next up for me, will be my show at Brandy's in July. I will keep you posted on new watercolors. Meanwhile, give me a call and visit my studio when you need that unique gift for someone special (hint, hint---maybe Mom?)

Hugs, Catherine

Spring in Full Bloom

Spring and watercolors - how wonderfully they go together! What should I paint first? The flowers are blooming everywhere in the Arizona desert as well as at my front door! Here you can catch a glimpse of my sweet peas as they climb the trellis - at least 7 feet tall! And they smell heavenly!

Some of you folks have had more than your share of winter. Well a little floral watercolor might just be the thing to hurry spring along in your neck of the woods. Check out my website for some ideas and let me know if you have a favorite flower or hiking place that I should consider. The website has been updated with some new landscapes and a new sunflower painting will be posted soon.

Also check out my calendar. Next up is the Artists' Marketplace on April 24th in Flagstaff at the Coconino Community College, 10am - 4pm. Be sure to mark your calendar if you are in the area. There will be a wonderful array of art to enjoy by all those talented Northern Arizona artists! I will have some small originals on stand up boxes, new giclée prints and cards. Oh yes, and a drawing for a small giclée print! Look forward to seeing you!!!

Small Gems Juried Show

The Small Gems Juried Show went up this week in Flagstaff, AZ at the Artists' Gallery on San Francisco St. It's a wonderful collection of small art pieces by a variety of artists.
"First Blossoms" (4"x 3")
"Snowfall" (3.5"x 5")
"Brilliant Aspen" (5"x 3.5")

Theses watercolors are my entries. They were fun little gems to paint on watercolor paper and then mount on little boxes that were crafted by my husband John. With a waterproof archive finish they are ready for display as desktop or wall art !

They will continue to be on display in the window until the end of the month, unless of course they sell first! If you are in the area, be sure to see them soon!

Happy New Year!

"Hurry Up Bella!" (image 16"x20")

Here is the watercolor painting that I was commissioned to do for a special Christmas present. If you look closely, you will see Bella, the family's golden retriever - she is always being asked to hurry and catch up with everyone. (I actually learned that little fact after I had finished the painting and titled it!) The setting is the desert outside of Tucson in the Rincon Mountain area. A beautiful place for a hike and a great setting for the painting! I planned this composition from an assortment of photos that were provided of the different family members on various hikes. It was fun putting them together and deciding just how I would portray them. Everyone enjoyed finding themselves in the painting and, all in all, it was a great surprise for their Grandma to present to them! (Perhaps this will give you an idea of a painting you would like to have me do?)

I hope everyone is getting off to a wonderful new year and working hard at all those resolutions! But not too hard - it's still just January! I am having fun working on some new paintings and look forward to sharing them with you soon. Thanks for your wonderful comments and emails. I love hearing from you!