African Violets

African Violets
Watercolor on 300# Arches

9x10
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Original Watercolor
$125.00
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This is one of the latest from my "little paintbox". Yes, I've been splashing the paint around again. My framer is getting ready to do her Spring and Summer window. I paint and she frames and displays...a great relationship.

African Violets always remind me of my Grandmother. I remember how she would start new plants from a single leaf. I found the whole process quite fascinating as a child. When the plants were mature and had blooms...she would carefully wrap the pot in colorful cloth scraps and present them to others as gifts.

She took such care of them...and of course had all these little secret potions. I never learned what she put in the water and certainly did not inherit her green thumb.

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1 Corinthians 3:7
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
1 Corinthians 3:6-8 (in Context)

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Sunlit Tulips..new watercolor

Sunlit Tulips
Watercolor on 300# Arches
17 1/2 x 11 1/2
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$150.00
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This is one of my most recent watercolors. Spring is in the air...I know it's a bit early to see tulips in bloom, at least here in central Illinois. Yet, I simply couldn't resist. This photo has been in my files for a couple of years now and I figured it was time to see if I could do it justice with a watercolor painting.

I was particularly attracted to the angle of the photo and the way the light and shadows played around on the petals. I will admit, the colors you see here are a tad more vibrant than my reference...but that is our option as artists isn't it?

I always thought I would use this reference photo for a drawing...I'm glad I held off and chose to do a watercolor instead.

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On a different subject...I have a HEALTH UPDATE:

I'm not going into detail...but I have been 'issue free' for 14 days now. I'm believing that I'm on the mend. This has been a long ordeal (almost a year)...I feel like for the first time in months I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

I just want to say thank you for the encouraging emails and prayers. God does listen and does answer if we just believe.

Bless you for caring,
Marsha

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Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:23-25 (in Context)

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Just Thinking....what can I do next?

"Grandma's Boy"
Watercolor on Paper

8x7

This is Wil...the first grandson of one of my friends. I'm not sure this is quite as good as my last watercolor portrait. It seems a tad overworked in a couple of places yet it does resemble him nicely.

Will has the most beautiful little 'pursed' mouth and gorgeous hazel eyes. There was so many colors in his eyes that it was hard to get them all in. I really struggled with his hair...you know me and my thing for detail. I almost blew it here!!

Anyway...here it is, one more portrait for you to take a look at. Enjoy

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Psalm 37:25
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
Psalm 37:24-26 (in Context)

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An Afternoon at the Races

Christina Xamis
Watercolor on paper
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MY FIRST WATERCOLOR PORTRAIT

The photo used for this painting was actually given to me to use as reference for a commissioned pencil drawing. I thought it was a perfectly captured moment in time. Christina and a friend were on a European Holiday and took in the horse races...fancy hats and all.

Her friend took this photo as Christina learned her horse had just won the race. You can see the racing card and pen still in her hand and you can almost feel her spontaneous surprise and excitement. Christina has the most beautiful eyes...and yes, all those lashes are hers.

I've been antsy of late to try a watercolor portrait. One of my big challenges with watercolor is to not always try to control it. I keep wanting to correct those little watercolor mishaps...you know, the stuff that makes watercolors beautiful. (it must be the realistic pencil artist residing inside me). It's really difficult to just walk away from the painting and QUIT..before I muddy it up.

For my first portrait I'm happy...only hope I can do another one before I forget what I did here:)

Christina's parents and their family are out of town for the holidays and have not yet seen this painting yet. If they want, I will still do a pencil drawing...in fact I may do one anyway as my pencils have been screaming at me for some time now.

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Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:10-11

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Red Apple with Green Grapes

Red Apple with Green Grapes
Original Watercolor on 300# Arches
7 x 81/2
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$65.00
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This is my latest watercolor effort. When I say Effort, it was a definitely an effort because of my paper choice. I ordered a 'sample' package of watercolor paper and this was one of the rough sheets. I've never worked on rough watercolor paper before...don't think it was really suitable for this subject. Perhaps it would be better suited for landscape or perhaps architecture.

As you can see, I'm working on those dark backgrounds again. Each time it comes out a little better. As usual, the colors don't show up great here. The background looks rather flat in color here, when in fact it has many subtle colors in it.

My biggest challenge with this 'rough' paper was trying to get smooth edges and make the surfaces appear shiny...I decided that this paper would probably be better when you want to show more texture.

So...anyway, up for critique here.

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John 15:4
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
John 15:3-5 (in Context)

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"The Arrangement"

The Arrangement

Watercolor on paper...9 1/2 x 15

This is another one for the 'wine window' my framer is doing in August. I attended a wedding some time ago where the wine for each table was incorporated into the center piece. It was really quite well done.

Each table had two bottles of wine and a cork screw was included in the grouping along with the grapevines you see and an assortment of grapes. I took lots of photos and combined them for this painting. I wanted kind of a misty illusive background and am pleased with that...but as usual the subtle colors are not showing up well.

Hope to get one more done in time for framing.

The weather is beautiful here today. Should be painting but think I'm going to take my camera and go for a bike ride.

See you later and thanks for stopping by.

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John 2:9
They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside
John 2:8-10 (in Context)

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Latest Painting..."After the Wine"

After the Wine
Watercolor on paper...8x10

Here's another for the wine display coming up in August at Serendipity Framing. This one I REALLY like:) Please excuse me if I sound overjoyed with my last two pieces. I have struggled with watercolor for so long. Much longer than any of you realize.

I have walked away from the easel, beaten up, battered and 'emotionally' bruised so many times....swearing NEVER to paint again. Then my eye would catch a painting, sure enough it would be a watercolor. I just couldn't get past the desire to take control of this illusive medium.

For years now, I would pull out my pallet periodically, mess around a little....sometimes with a project in mind sometimes just playing with the colors. I would read books, watch DVD's. (Oops...watercolor started beating me up before DVD's existed.) THAT'S HOW LONG IT'S BEEN.

It's just great to finish a painting and actually still enjoy looking at it the next day!

So, here it is. I welcome your opinions and thank you for your continued encouragement.

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Isaiah 55:1
[ Invitation to the Thirsty ] "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
Isaiah 55:1-3 (in Context)

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New Watercolor..."Hidden Perfection"

Hidden Perfection
7x9 1/2 watercolor on paper

This is my latest watercolor painting and this time I am pleased. I just wish the colors were a little more accurate in the photo...going to have to work on that some (in my free time).

My framer and dear friend...has these wonderful huge display windows and is doing a 'Wine' themed window for August-September. I hope to get a couple more pieces done before the end of the month. After the 'Sea Shell' fiasco...I considered putting away my paints! Soooooo glad I didn't.

I promise, when the window is done I will post pictures. As always...I'm open to critique. I know it is difficult from the photo. The original has stronger burgundy tones on the leaves and grapes. There is even some in the background that seemed to 'take' more purple in the photo.

My camera will do a 'custom white balance'. If I have time I'll try to set that up next time. Love my camera...the lens is great at capturing detail. I think it's the lighting that's throwing off the color.

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John 15:5
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:4-6 (in Context)

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OK...you've seen the good, here's the bad

"Just a Shell...of what he used to be"

This is my painting from last weekend. I'm not happy at all and wasn't going to post it but figured failure is part of the process. Someday perhaps when I look back...this one photo will show me how far I came. How's that for a positive start to the day.

Drawing is easy and natural for me and was from the start. Watercolor just beats me up. I think I try to control it too much instead of letting it do it's thing.

Anyway, here it is. Off to a new painting for this weekend. Hopefully it will turn out better.

Have a great July 4th and many blessings.

Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.

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Mother's Pearls

Mother's Pearls
Watercolor on paper 7x7

What a challenge...I actually threw away the first attempt at this painting. Second time around I got a little smarter by doing a few small practice paintings of the pearls and and the background before getting into the 'real' painting. Even at that, this was a real struggle.

The photo colors aren't real accurate and the highlights on the pearls are more subdued. I did a wash on them when I was done and scrubbed the edges to soften. The camera just wouldn't pick up these subtle changes.

My framer is doing her summer window in a beach theme this year...this painting will be part of the display. I hope to get a couple more done but time is getting short.

She has been a real blessing...framing and displaying my work (not charging me until it sells). All my other water colors have sold this spring except two. How good is that?

Anyway, here's my latest...open for critique.

First Colors of Spring

...First Colors of Spring...
Watercolor on paper 7x10

Here is another look at my progress with watercolor. I actually took the photo last summer at a friends house with the idea of using it for a drawing. Every painting is a 'new' struggle. I'm still 'fiddling' too much...in my fiddling, I'm loosing highlights. The background is a little darker and the leaves not quite as prominent as they show here. Yet, the colors of the tulips are fairly accurate...interesting.

I've always wanted to do really 'loose' watercolors...I think I'm stuck on the detail. When you figure I came from drawing, I guess it's only natural. So...I guess I'm going to quit fighting it and settle for the realistic style of watercolor you see here. Maybe I can loosen up later.

When walking in my own garden this week I noticed that my tulips were bursting through the ground. It always fascinates me...once they stick their heads up, it's like they grow in front of your eyes. My tulips aren't nearly this pretty. Possibly because my flower garden doesn't get the care it should.

My friend is a 'master gardener'...I just love visiting (with my camera) and sitting on the patio with a glass of wine. She doesn't even have mosquitoes! We have a deal...she provides the wine, the grill, and the 'extras'...and I bring the steak. Such a deal. We get together several times during the summer months. She is just as a good a cook as she is a gardener.

I'm open for critique...I look forward to your comments

Saturday's Watercolor..."Standing Together"

...Standing Together...
Watercolor 140# Arches

Well guys, I'm posting this only because I said I would. The painting does look a little better than the photo. The background and foreground are fairly accurate. The cherries are considerable brighter when looking at the actual painting.

This painting is waaaaaay different than the first ones I did. I've seen the really dark backgrounds used and liked the contrast...obviously I need more practice at this. It looks a little muddy here, but when looking at the original...I think that is actually one thing I managed to avoid.

Obviously...unlike many of you thought, I have not found my 'style' yet:(

One lesson (of many) learned here...Friskit does not last 10 years! I had planned to use friskit on the stems so I could do smoother washes on the background. Got my brush all soaped up and when I opened the friskit jar...it was a mucky mess. Absolutely unusable.

Trying to paint this dark around those skinny stems did not give the look I wanted.

I also REALLY had a difficult time staying out of this one...it is definitely overworked in a few places. I learned that I had to have more paint on my brush than I expected or the painting lightened up on me. And, if I used the paint too thick (not enough water) it tried shiny!

I wish the cherries popped in the photo like they do on the original...they're actually the coolest part of the painting. I'm going to also have to learn how to do a little better on my photo editing.

Anyway...I'm open for critique and advise. I look forward to your opinions.

I've Been Unfaithful...to my first love

I cleared my drawing table, put away my pencils...and got out my watercolors, brushes, and paper. As I neatly placed my drawing stuff on the shelf and closed the door...I did feel just a little 'unfaithful' to the thing I love, but I did promise to return.

I started trying to paint water color maybe 10 years ago and my instructor stressed so strongly the importance of drawing and composition and being able to 'see' light and shadow that I laid the watercolors down and took a drawing class. The drawing class rekindled my childhood love...and you know the rest.

I've written often in my comments on other blogs and in the things I write here that I am a "watercolor want-a-be". I have never lost my desire to conquer 'watercolor'...I'm always drawn to the medium as I look at your websites and blogs.

OK...you said you wanted to see. I wasn't going to post anything until I was satisfied but thought my 'journey' might be an inspiration to others who want to try a new medium.

My love is of course Portraits and Still Life...and would love to someday be able to paint some street scenes. Yet I chose to start with flowers because I thought they would be less complicated and help me practice the layering of colors and once again learn my pallet.

I probably struggle most with watercolor styles that I like and what I am able to do now. I'm not a patient person and very critical of my work. Right now...I tend to rework too much and wow, staying away from the wet areas was a challenge. In my drawings I start on one side of the paper and move to the other...this jumping around to stay out of the wet areas so the paint didn't run together was a challenge.

My plan is to paint again next weekend. Most likely more of the same 'simple' subjects. I'm still trying to learn my pallet and get a feel for the process.

Be kind. Remember '"I'm still just a watercolor want-to-be"....with much to learn.

Sincerely...I'm very open to critique and would love to here what you have to say. This is a learning process and I'm no where near where I want to be.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

Watercolor Books from My Library

Some of my Favorite Books on Watercolor:
This is no doubt my second love...I don't show any of my watercolors but my daughter has them hanging in her home. These are some of my favorite books on the shelf. Since you know me as a pencil artist, I am sure you expect to see books with watercolor paintings exhibiting lots of realistic detail...I think you will be quite surprised. Links provided for REVIEWS.

*These are good for the beginning watercolorist...
Drawing and Painting People...by John Raynes
Watercolor Planning and Painting...by Alan Oliver
Watercolor..Simple, Fast, and Focused...by Mel Stabin

*Watercolor Books that I refer to again an again...
Painting People in Watercolor...by Alex Powers
The Figure in Watercolor...by Mel Stabin
Painting the Unposed Figure in Watercolor...by Ballestar and Sanmiguel
Paint Watercolors Filled With Life and Energy...by Arne Westerman
Making Color Sing...by Jeanne Dobie
Interpreting the Figure in Watercolor...by Don Andrews
Painting Watercolor Portraits That Glow...by Jan Kunz
Transparent Watercolor Wheel...by Jim Kosvanec
Painting Watercolor Portraits...by Al Stine

*A Collection of Charles Reid's books on Watercolor...
Painting What You See...by Charles Reid
The Natural Way to Paint...by Charles Reid
Portrait Painting in Watercolor...by Charles Reid
Painting Flowers in Watercolor...by Charles Reid

I hope you have found the resources listed here helpful and informative.