Today's Experiment ~ A Looser Direct Approach to Watercolor

"With experimentation

comes surprise and discovery."

~ Kim Lee Kho

Today's larger watercolor was painted directly on Yupo paper with transparent watercolor without any preliminary pencil lines or even a rough thumbnail sketch. For the past year, since I shattered my ankle last April Fool's Day, I have painted primarily smaller works while seated. Today, while standing and painting larger, I rediscovered a whole body, dance like rhythm that's more freeing and relaxing. I don't think I could have done this same painting while seated.

I'm fairly happy with it, but I have a dilemma.

Do I leave it as is?

11.5  x 14.5"  ~ 16" x 20" Matted size

SOLD

Or should I add a little more to it? (foliage and/or vase, more pink and blue flowers in the upper left and/or lower right, etc.?)  I could go back in. It's easy enough to do on Yupo, unlike traditional cotton rag watercolor paper. Sometimes it's hard to know when to stop though. I'm always hearing that little voice saying; "less is more".

Cropped to 12" x 16" matted size

Or do I just crop it and move on?

I'm seeking the help of some of you awesome artists out there! Lately the feeling of isolation from other creative types is starting to get me down. Your camaraderie and suggestions for improving this piece would go a long way in cheering me up. Thanks for your time and input in advance. I love you guys. You know who you are!

P.S. I hate to be a pain, but I'm also looking for suggestions for a title for this one. ☺

X ♥ O

Hummingbird Migration

"Spring is nature's way of saying,

"Let's party!"

~ Robin Williams

Hummingbird Magic 5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted to 8" x 10" Signed and Certified See Purchase information here.

Hummingbird Magic

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted to 8" x 10"
Signed and Certified
See Purchase information here.

The Ruby Throated Hummingbirds

are on the move.

They may be at your house soon.

One has just been spotted in North Carolina.

See their 2013 migration map here!

HUMMINGBIRDS!!

Yes folks, they are finally back!! 

Bobbie is here and we were chatting when I saw our first little traveler. He came right up to the studio doors, stopped, hovered for about ten seconds and looked right in at me.

I shrieked, "It's A HUMMINGBIRD"!

I got into my wheelchair and we went out and sat on the screened in porch for a while. I saw two small males zoom by several times while we were out there. Bobbie never laid eyes on them herself, but after seeing my enthusiasm, has no doubt that they ARE finally here. Add joy and enthusiasm into your space and your life with my Hummingbird Prints! They make great gifts too!

Greetings From Hummerland!

The Mountain Laurel is just about done here in the pines. The local hummers love the stuff, so we don't get an accurate idea of their numbers until the flowers are done blooming. Here's a picture I took this week on one of my morning rides. This is my new bike next to one of the bushes so you can see the scale. The forest is just loaded with this North American kalmia. Many bushes are even bigger.

The past few days we have had a population explosion in our yard! I went from four small feeders to eight. The four I just added are the large 16oz.capacity. Even still, two of the feeders needed filling twice today! I'll tell you, this is exhilarating and just wonderful craziness.  I took this snapshot yesterday with my pocket camera next to the Butterfly Bushes where the birds love to play hide and seek, king of the bush and tag. We are all very eagerly waiting for the buds to open up! Many of the little sweeties can be seen constantly checking on the bud's progress. I spotted six hummers hiding in this little section of the plant, however there may be more. The yard and bushes have just been loaded with them! Anyone wanting to see them for yourself, give me a holler! Come spend the day with me here in HUMMERLAND!

The Hummingbirds Are Here ! !

Now license this image here.

O.M.G. - I JUST SAW MY FIRST HUMMINGBIRD!! A tall handsome male was just seen taking a long drink at the feeder. Once again friends, I am in Hummer Heaven!!

This image available for license.

Hummingbird Migration Still Happening

Here in Southern New Jersey, my husband spotted a small traveling hummingbird perched on one of my hummingbird feeders yesterday afternoon! So sorry I missed it. I still have two feeders out and keep them clean and filled until Thanksgiving. One year I had a couple of youngsters come through on November 22nd, so don't put yours away just yet. Somebody might be depending on you! This drawing is one of many I posted this summer on my Drawing Everyday Blog.

Hummingbird Update

Hummer season is getting into full swing here in Southern NJ. Don't miss out on the fun. Find out how to attract and care for your own little garden treasures! Hurry, before they all head out to my place! Check out today's post on my Squidoo Lens, 5 Steps To Happy Hummers here.

Blessed By Angels

I'm sitting here on my screened porch sipping my coffee and watching the new arrivals at my hummingbird feeders. Oh my gosh! I just saw my first female! They are usually a week or two behind the males, but there's my first lady, glistening in the sunlight in all her iridescent beauty, only a few days later than the guys. So far, they all look in really good shape too, not thin and travel weary like some years. With the temperatures here being unseasonably warm the next few days, (in the 90's), I'm expecting even more travelers to show up shortly. I get such immense pleasure from my little jewels! I've missed them tremendously and am rejoicing about their return.

"Against All Odds"

16" x 20" ~ Double - Matted and Framed
silver level ~ original watercolor ~ $399.00

Because they can travel more than 3,000 miles two times a year,
hummingbirds are symbolic of accomplishing that which seems impossible.

Learn about how to attract and care for your own little earth angels by going to my Hummingbird Pages and my Squidoo Lens. People don't call me the "hummingbird master" for nothin'!

Happy Hummers Still Hanging Out

Although things are winding down here in Southern New Jersey and most of my hummingbirds have left on their fall journey, we still have a dozen or so hanging out here. They are probably transients, but several have gotten quite accustomed to me, so I'm sure they have been here for at least a couple of weeks.

We also have some hummingbird enthusiasts, Nancy Hinds and Frank Goff, who have been coming every Saturday to spend time with our little treasures. I call them the Hummer Hounds. It's fun to share my enthusiasm and joy with them. It's Saturday, so I expect their call to say they are coming over soon. This photo was taken by Hummer hound, Nancy Hinds.