Lisa's Darn Yarn

  

I met Lisa at Darn Yarn, Needles & Threads in Harmony, PA.  Her shop specializes in American made yarn and supplies for knitting, crocheting, spinning... needs. It is a friendly place where Lisa also offers classes, tips and knowledge of the craft and local community. 

I spent some time photographing Lisa and the shop and found I was distracted by all the great conversation. We easily moved from subject to subject covering family, gardening, uni/bicycles, and ideas for future projects. I felt I made a new friend.

Last time I visited, Lisa showed me a new aluminum spinning wheel that is a work of art in itself. It is so beautifully balanced and so lovely to look at. A new "spin" on an old design. 

 You can follow Lisa on facebook here for shop info and because it is just fun.

https://www.facebook.com/darnyarnneedlesandthread

"Lisa's Darn Yarn" is number two of my "Buy Local, Paint Local" series.

Watercolor 14x14

It will be part of the AABC Invitational Art Exhibit at the Cranberry Township Municipal Building from July 9th - 18th and at the AABC Art Center from July 23 - August 2nd.

2nd in Buy Local, Paint Local!

This is the step by step progress so far for my second painting in Buy Local, Paint Local!

I will share more when the painting is done.

It was slow going this winter. But slow and steady... well , you know!

Sally at the Cider Press

As I finished this painting last week, I was reminded of a nice day this past fall. 

I spent an afternoon at a local cider press to do some "painting" research. 

It was a busy day at the press. People that waited to have their apples pressed shared stories about gardens, seasons and families. 

For me it was a chance to slow down and appreciate these seasonal traditions.

This is a family run cider press and they all work together with a comfortable ease. 

At first I thought I would do a painting about the men that work there. 

But as I watched and photographed the workers, I saw that the real energy came from Sally. 

She went from job to job seamlessly and was welcoming to all. 

I am sure that is why the cider press has her name on it!

Sally at the Cider Press,  17x29 inches, Watercolor on 330 lb. watercolor paper

Update- May 9th 

This painting won the Evelyn Nicholas Portrait Award at the 71st Spring Show 

at the Associated Artists of Butler County

July 10th

Also won third place in the AABC Invitational in Cranberry Twp, PA

Value Portrait in Watercolor

This is a demonstration that I did for my watercolor students when we were working on portraits. I wanted them to see the shapes using values and then think of color later. It is a nice quick exercise to do before any portrait... or painting for that matter.

Well, now what?

sold

I  wonder what this Basset Hound is thinking?
I kind of feel like I interrupted his morning.
watercolor dog portrait on quarter sheet watercolor paper

Hey, Hey You!

I imagine this gentle dog has a gruff voice.

Watercolor on quarter sheet. sold

Portrait Session

Wonderful day today. 

The sun is shining, I got to go to a portrait session 

and I used bright red paper!

2 hour session, Terri Ludwig pastels on Canson paper

www.mklart.blogspot.com

Portrait Session

Another portrait session today. 

I reworked this when I got back to the studio. 

So I lost the likeness and the detail but feel the general shapes work better now.

pastel, 11x14 inches, 2 hours worktime

Workshop Day Two

I can't say enough about how much I got out of the workshop.

 Anatomy is so important.

So is observation, angles, planes...

And a good pair of bifocals. 

(Will be making appointment this week.)

Also having your materials organized and prepared.

I dropped my pastels, that were in pizza boxes, in foam sections, 

(which work really well in my studio, not for travel), 

and they got mixed up.

(Will be looking into a new storage system.)

This is my pastel on 18x24 wallis paper from day two 

of the Judy Carducci workshop. 

I needed to stop fifteen minutes before to leave 

the hands and bottom looser, or need fifteen minutes more 

work time to tighten it up some.

Another thing to learn.

Workshop

I spent the weekend at a Judy Carducci portrait workshop.

And I learned so much. 

And know I still have so much more to learn.

And what fun I will have on the journey.

She demonstrated a gorgeous value portrait on the first day.

So I chose to do the same. This is my effort.

Vine charcoal and white pastel on 18x24 inch canson paper

drawn from live model... so fun!

Sue

10 x10 inch watercolor I did as another gift.

I call Sue a dynamo. She gets stuff done.

Doc

This is a watercolor, 10x10 inches, that I did as a gift.  

Sometimes you meet people that make a difference.

Late Again

I was late to this weeks portrait session and had just over an hour of work time on this one.

I would have worked the shadow values in stronger and blended the grays in the skin tones alittle smoother, but for the time I had, the likeness I got, I am happy.

pastel on 16 x 20 inch velour mat board

Quick Portrait Session

I went to a portrait session this morning

 and thought I would work in pastels.

I love the portrait sessions (Associated Artists of Butler County) 

because they are so casual, no pressure and a warm group. 

I was too busy to go lately, 

and forgot what a nice opportunity this is. 

 I could have used about 20 more minutes to 

work the shirt and tidy up a bit.

Total work time, about and hour and a half 

on 11x14 ish bristol board that I put a pastel ground on.

Dog Portrait

another 7x10 inch watercolor dog portrait... this little guy looks like a handful. What fun!

Almost Done

I bought myself some new pastels (terry ludwigs) and started this painting for a show at the Butler Art Center. The theme is art and music. I originally started a watercolor based on the Kokoon Club (an old Cleveland art club) Bal Masque but I couldn't wait to try the pastels. Wow, it is so nice to use these pastels. (I also like windsor newtons.) I will finish this today and get it to drop off tomorrow if I can make it out the driveway... snow, snow, snow...

Update- Here is the finished image. I cropped it to 14x18 inches. It will be matted and put into a 20x24 inch frame. I titled it "Preparing for Class".

Another Update- It won second place in the pastels.

How about two more

Two more 2.5 x 3.5 watercolor, face cards.

I am doing some research on the Kokoon Club, an artist club from Cleveland, Ohio that had it's heyday in the 1920's and 1930's. They used to have fundraising "Bal Masques" that were costumed, decorated, skandalous?... and the hottest ticket in town.

Four more 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch Face Cards

Well I decided to call them my "face cards." I have been having fun with them so far. I should be working of a piece for a show I am entering, but these are more fun at the moment. (2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches, watercolor)

DSFDF Portrait Challenge

I started my blog last year with the DSFDF portrait challenge and had so much fun with it. I jumped right in with this years challenge and hope the unknown artist that was given to me to paint (I am pretty sure I know) is happy with the results. Watercolor 7x10 inches

For those of you not familiar with the Different Strokes from Different Folks, it is worth checking out.

Fun to participate and fun to follow!

Update- Yes, I guessed right. It is Dean and you can click on his name to visit his site and see the painting he did of me. (note how we both used warm colors against cools-totally unplanned by us)

A Good Friend

This is a dog portrait I just finished for a commission. The story behind this dog is wonderful and is all about friendship, patience, loyalty and always ready with a smile. Kind of like my "Buddy." Which reminds me that I need to do a painting of my dog too. Stay tuned....

8x10 inches, watercolor