Watercolor classes have begun again!  Two afternoons of painting pansies here in the art studio was amazing time spent together with several friends, both old and new.  All of this began with a thorough cleaning and reorganizing session to make the space better suited for sharing with other painters.  

Because the violas have been abundantly reseeding and growing in my garden (more than ever!), and their shape and colors are both simple and inspiring, I chose pansies (violas, johnny jump-ups) as the theme.

In time, I will become much better at spreading news of upcoming classes.  I apologize for not sharing a post here in advance.  I am slowly getting back into the steps of publicizing watercolor classes.  I am sharing on Facebook and Instagram along with an email list.  If you are interested in getting notified my email, please send me an email letting me know.  At present, my classes are only offered here on location in my home art studio.  It's most easily managed with a smaller group, my own studio setting, not needing to pack up supplies, more flexible scheduling, and my set up can be days in advance.  This space has a calming and relaxing atmosphere by design.  Over the years, it has been modified in a lot of ways to benefit functioning as a creative space.

The lighting in my home studio has been switched out for a much better experience.  I am amazed at the difference from before and after.  It's like daylight is pouring through sky lights!  Evening and winter painting will be better without the need for multiple task lights.  

In June of 2024, I offered two afternoon classes and had a few students each day.  I did not have either class fill up completely so July's class will be offered on only one afternoon.  I have not had anyone contact me requesting an evening or Saturday class so that may not be necessary.  I would be more than happy to accommodate anyone wishing to schedule a private event for six to nine students at one time.  

I was preparing to write a post about July classes and realized I didn't share about June classes.  Oh, well it is all a work in progress anyway.  Allowing myself some grace, I will share these thoughts and photos of one of the examples I painted for class.  July class information is coming soon!  As of today, the next class is twelve days out.  The theme is going to be a really fun one to explore and I encourage everyone to play with finding their own inspiring photos.  I am off to paint a few examples and will return to share more soon.

Christy

-She must make art.

 

In December, I had a bit of fun offering a collection of winter miniatures to my followers on Instagram and Facebook.  It was such a success!  The number was under twenty five total.  Each watercolor painting, an original artwork, were 3" x 4" in size.  

I am preparing to begin work on the spring collection of miniatures, limited number to be available.  With under thirty available and each one painted by hand with unique details, no two will be alike.  

Those who have purchased a winter miniature have already expressed interest in collecting from each season.  This makes my heart sing!  I was thrilled with the response to something like this working so well.  I am able to sell my artwork to a those who have a more limited budget...or just need a little bit of artwork to splurge on now and then.

The way this works for me...I begin small watercolor artworks on 3" x 4" watercolor paper.  There are about 30 small artworks in the collection.  These paintings are painted in one short span of time, say about 2 weeks' time.  With a single palette of colors chosen, the paintings have a continuity yet they each have their own "personality."  As I share previews of these mini works in progress across social media, I ask potential buyers to direct message me to claim one.  I may have to set a limit of 2 or 3 going forward.  I create my list as messages come in.  Once the watercolor minis are completed, I begin private messaging buyers with a photo of the miniatures still available.  Payment is taken preferrably Venmo, Paypal, or cash (local pickup).  Once the purchase is made, I prepare the art to ship in the following 2 or 3 days.

Shown below is an example of my first little spring miniature.  It may be finished, I am not quite sure yet.  I will set it aside and glance at it again later...fresh eyes sometimes see something that it still needs to be finished.

Along with spring minature collection, I am preparing to offer the many other miniatures I have in stock in the coming weeks.  By removing these small artworks from my website inventory, I will manage it more easily to bring a spotlight to artworks.  Each release will be in numbers of about ten or less within a week's time.  I am still deciding whether to offer them available like the miniatures were done OR record a LIVE video showing them off and claiming done in the comments.  Separated into smaller categories like flowers, mountains, waterfalls, and prairies/farmlands will help make these into a more enjoyable experience.  And more easily manageable for me.

With a few hours of bright sunlight the past two afternoons, I have been able to tackle some artwork photography.  I began by cleaning the floors especially where the sunlight is free of shadows on the landing.  The tripod set up on with a cell phone mount is my usual method now.  I set the tripod on a sheet of foam board as the base for placing artwork.

If all is good with detail and color captured in the photos, I may be ready to move to the next step of cropping and giving each artwork a title.  It all takes time so I'll keep plugging along!

Artwork prices have been updated effective 1/26/2022.  This applies to artwork available for purchase from now going forward.  Private Art Commission prices have been updated as well.  These prices are now listed here on the blog and on my website christysheeler[dot]com.

If you are not following me on Instagram and Facebook, I encourage you to do so!  I share so much more in the way of Live video as I paint; I am still a bit unpredictable but hoping to work out a regular schedule of when I go Live on those platforms.

There's my little update on what's happening here.  Thanks for following along.  I sincerely appreciate all the encouraging feedback.  Knowing that you are enjoying my updates is a boost and looking forward to sharing more along the way.

-Christy

She must make art.

Popping in to say hello!

Hello from the studio!  It's been a long while, I know.  I have been going in so many directions, not only with art studio activities, but with home and family as well.  There's so much to be done in this off season...and the weeks are flying by.  By the second half of March, I will be returning to nannying full days and that lasts until September.  With my most recent art sale, just three days ago, the buyer mentioned she enjoys my blog.  Well, the blog has been so far off the list, it's nearly fallen off.  Thank you, Julie for saying you enjoy reading these...this one's for you!

The past two weeks have been surprisingly busy with artwork sales.  To those who enjoy my work enough to purchase...a big thank you!  Each piece brings me a huge amount of pleasure to paint.  The fact that someone else is so attached and purchase a piece is a big deal.  It's an investment in my time and passion, an added little bonus to the supplies fund, and the hope that I can continue for years to come.  Some days, I confess, I wonder if I will run out of space to store the artwork.  My husband says not to worry.  He says to keep painting, even if I never sell another piece.  I love that man more than I could have breath to tell!

The art room looks much the same, but there's quite a bit of new artwork collecting on the back counter.  I have moved most of it from here to the next steps in completion.  The paper takes on some faint buckling by the time the artwork is finished.  I have a process for flattening it before I sign it.  This time, I counted over 50 total.  Many are miniatures but still quite a few 4" x 6" and 5" x 7" in the mix.  Beyond those, I am finding maybe a dozen more that are close to being finished with a few brushstrokes.  I have one art commission project in progress, to be finished by the end of February.  At this point, my goal is to finish up the steps needed to list this great amount of artwork by mid March.

Our snowy season began earlier than usual, with first snowfall in September.  By Thanksgiving, I had lost count of how many times it had snowed.  On Thanksgiving day itself, we were on day 2 of a snowstorm that was more hefty than expected.  We had the whole meal ready and only my husband and I at home.  The value of a 4-wheel drive vehicle cannot be impressed enough.  We were well stocked for supplies and power and heat stayed on.  It was a memorable holiday for sure!

In a moment of pure silliness, I challenged a friend to do a free fall into the snow.  This snow was so light and powdery.  We were out often to shovel...again.  I had my husband's help as I shared this on Facebook Live.  My friend took the challenge and soon she was free falling though I think the ski goggles might be counted as a cheat.

I guess it's obvious by now that there's been no shortage of inspiration for snowy winter landscapes.  As January is drawing to a close, I have got to say...I am snow over it.  (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)  I have a collection of gorgeous winter watercolors to share now.  I enjoyed each one.  They were a relaxing way to spend cold days indoors, with hot tea, and lovely music playing in the background.  I spent two afternoons hosting a winter landscape workshop here in the studio.  These were completed around that same time.  There are probably more, but this gives a good peek at what I've finished so far.

Thank you to Cath for the nudge to try this one.  She took my winter landscape workshop...she was the one who requested a workshop.  She asked for some tips during our time together.  She was wondering how to paint snow on branches.  

So as the ladies painted on their projects, I headed outside to get a few photos to work from to demonstrate.  I took the photos on my phone, later shared them in a google album online, and began this painting.  I was able to show how to quickly sketch the basic details, lay down a first wash of color, use masking fluid to save whites/lights...and then after laying down the second wash of color, our time was up.  

They asked for me to finish it and share a video.  It's been a while since I have saved and posted a video.  On the day I was ready to finish this piece, I set up my phone on a tripod and recorded my process.  They were able to go online and watch this with a link.  My skills are improving a bit at a time...both artwork and technology wise.

I think I have fallen in love with this one.  I love all of the work I create but sometimes there is a painting I think cannot go anywhere.  This one needs to stay put here, hung on my wall for now.  In 2020, one of my goals will be to add more paintings larger than 5" x 7" so we'll see how that turns out.

  

I am sure many readers have wondered at where I had gone.  It's been such a long time but not to worry.  While I may not be sharing the in-depth posts with how to and recommendations for products, I am still actively creating artwork.  My time is limited and I am using it with painting the watercolor artworks.  I will soon be at the one year anniversary of my website launch.  My plan is to have it updated with quite a few new artworks in the next month or two.  I am very active on Instagram because it's become so familiar with the use of my phone camera.

Perhaps, one day I will figure out a great and simple method for staying consistent with blog posts once again.  Thanks for stopping by and hoping you enjoyed a glimpse of what I have been doing creatively.

Christy

She must make art.

website:  christysheeler.com

instagram:  @christysheeler.artist

facebook:  @ChristySheelerArtist

email:  christysheeler.artist@gmail.com

December in the Art Studio

My Art Practice is Flourishing!

It's been a few months since I posted to share

my newest artwork.  So much watercolor action

has been happening and there's more than I can

share in a single post.  This is a quick highlight

to show a few of my most recent landscapes and

florals.  My art room has had some major improvements

with the addition of two more work tables.  I love

having so much flat work space now.  I can paint at one

table, flatten artworks at another, and mat and frame at

the third table.  I have been able to host a few art studio

workshops as well. 

In the past several months, I have felt my creative spirit coming alive more than ever.  I feel freer and braver than before.  The energy to create another painting from a loved landscape view is building with each new work.  My technique is less tight.  My manner is relaxed and fluid.  I come to the art table with a purpose of playing for 15 minutes to loosen up and relax before I begin anything serious.  I do not go directly into a painting already in progress.  I wait.  I first warm up my creativity.  Maybe because I have this mental idea in mind to warm up, the warm ups themselves are fun and lovely, too.

Today, I am sharing just a few of the recent watercolors that are now soon to be available for purchase.  There are many more but I need to get back to painting so this is a preview of more to come.  One of my 2019 goals will be a website.  I am working through my list of tasks to make that a reality.  If there is something here that you would like more information about, please email me at christysheeler.artist@gmail.com.  I am happy to send an invoice through Paypal or Square.  Shipping costs are additional.

Summer Blessings 4"x6" 2018 

Wandering Above Cave Mountain
5"x7" 2018

Sunday Afternoon Drive 5"x7" 2018 SOLD
Soft Spray of Running Eagle Falls 5"x7"
Refreshed at Two Medicine 5"x7"

Spring at the Farm 4"x6" (left)
Backyard Beauties 5"x7"
Soft Spray of Running Eagle Falls 5"x7"

A glimpse of recent watercolors from 2018.

Landscapes, Sunflowers, and Birds 2018

Winter and Summer Landscapes 2018

A few watercolors on display in my art room/studio 2018.

Thank you, as always, for stopping by to visit me here.  I appreciate that you would give up a few minutes to see what is happening in my artist world.  It's wonderful to create with my watercolors and even better that I am able to share with art lovers as well.

Christy

She must make art.

Lessons in Loose and Less Controlled

Letting Go

It's been a while but I'm here today and I've got some new watercolors in progress.  Because my art time is so limited now, the most recent projects are different.  I tend to work very tight, controlled and detailed when I paint.  Stepping out of my usual habits is forcing me to grow as an artist.  (The one here on far left is described more further on below.)  Can you relate with the struggle, working more tight and detail-focused in your own artwork?  Along the way, some tips on challenging yourself to be more loose with the brush and working less controlled in your own artwork.


The two paintings below are watercolors on Yupo surface.  It's not paper.  It's a plastic surface for watermedia or mixed media.  It takes some time and patience to work with in my experience.  With practice, it's been easier to adapt my strokes for a better result.  I enjoy working with this surface very much even though I've been so tight in my style for a long time.  The genius of this surface is it can all be rinsed and wiped away for a fresh new start.  The first landscape is done with a reference photo and the second landscape is just a fun imaginative journey.

Can you relate with the struggle, working more tight and detail-focused in your own artwork?  

In this post, 10 Tips for Working Loose and Less Controlled.

I have followed Angela Fehr's work for a while on Facebook and love her YouTube videos for learning to relax and enjoy the watercolor medium.  Her work is so lovely.  She has online courses so I signed up for a free course on her website.  I'll link it here: Watercolor Jumpstart with Angela Fehr  

I wanted to keep myself painting even when my schedule is working against me.  She has such a positive way with explaining and she's easy to follow when she teaches.  I would say that if you are curious about taking lessons...go check out her courses.  You will enjoy yourself and she can take you from basics to advanced skills.

Here is the beginning stage of my project following along with her instruction.  This was my first time completely soaking my paper before beginning the first layer of color.  I loved this and enjoyed the time in my art room very much!  It's a mystery what will come of it and that's the fun of it.  The second photo below is further on in next stages...once the first layer of watercolor was dry.

This is the second project done with the online course.  She provides the art reference photos and they can be downloaded onto a pc or other device.  I had the photos downloaded onto my tablet so I could see them at my art table.  

The third of my works done through her online course is below.  This was an exercise in negative painting which is painting around an object to reveal its shape.  I was familiar with the technique but not excited to use it often.  It's a challenge to be sure!  She shares quite a few tips for making the negative painting process not so overwhelming.  

This is the one I've chosen to revisit today but it didn't go very well.  If I'd seen this photo (taken over a month ago) while working on it today, I'd be much happier.  I faced two major problems.  The first, I couldn't remember which photograph I'd used for this project.  I searched and guessed it to be a similar photograph to the one showing below.  The second problem, I think I turned the painting upside down.  Ugh.  See, the work doesn't always go as originally hoped for in my art room, too.  I can scrap it altogether or I can see what can be done now.  Maybe this is the time to try washing it all off?  I'm not sure what I'll decide to do at this point.  

The two photos below were taken after my painting time today.  I see that I chose the wrong photograph but right subject.  The watercolor paper should have been spun around but it could work as it is now.  Tough decision.  Not sure what I'll decide to do now.

Today's warm up session was a quick landscape on Yupo surface.  It's done loosely with pale colors.  I used an art reference photo taken just a few weeks ago.  I don't love this one but I'm showing it anyway because you might think I turn out nothing but work that I love in the end.  It's so much more pale than my usual work.  It's an exercise in branching out for color scheme and less vibrant.  It's also on Yupo...so I will probably wash it all away and try again.  Love that about Yupo!

 It's been more productive in the art room for March, April and May in 2018.  Spring of 2017, I wasn't painting much at all.  I've been checking back to answer comments here as well as email.  If you've got questions, don't hesitate to contact me.  I'll get back to you as soon as I am able, usually 5-7 days.  Sheesh!  It's June now!  The days just fly by now.

10 Tips for Painting Loose and Less Controlled

1.  Block out the need to have an artwork for mat and frame.  Nobody has time for that pressure!

2.  Take 10-15 minutes to play on a smaller scrap of paper.  No expectations.  

      Warm up your mind and subconscious for creative energy to flow better.

3.  Try a new way of starting...like soaking the paper.  Be adventurous!

4.  Have an open mind about supplies and tools and techniques.  What would happen if...?

5.  Watch a painting tutorial that inspires you and then GO DO it yourself.                               

      YouTube is full of great videos that cost nothing.

6.  Be more aware of your self talk.  It's not just you thinking, "oh, what should I do now," 

       or "well, that didn't work the way I wanted," and "what should I do about this area?"  

       There are unsure moments in the process.  If it's really got me rattled, I lay it aside 

        and take a break (15 minutes) or I pick up another work in progress to get 

         my mind off of it for a while.

7.  This is hard work to move out of our comfort zone.  Don't expect it to come easily or quickly.        

      This retrains the brain, the eye, the hand, and the creative process.  Learning takes a lot of energy.

8.  Give yourself a bit of flexibility to be creative.  Set aside the art reference photo 

       and ask yourself how you want to paint this.  Take a glance now and then if it helps 

       relieve anxiety of needing direction.  Ask yourself how YOU want to paint this.  

       No one will see that photo.  It will not sit beside your painting.  It doesn't have to 

       match what the photo shows for accuracy. 

9.  Find a way to not stress over the supplies you're using.  We don't want to be adventurous 

       because this paper cost a pretty penny!  Paint on both sides of the paper.  Use it up.  

       Try washing the painting off...I'm going to try this soon.  Don't use cheaper paper.  

       Quality paper 140 lb. or 300 lb. is where you need to be.  I push myself to use only 300 lb. paper 

        now and it took years for me to get to that point.  YUPO!  Yupo is amazing.  

        It's a bit more money but you can really wash away all the paint and start again.  

        Rinsing it off in the sink will not damage it at all.  Stains?  Magic eraser.

10.  Do it all again.  Go back and remember the new methods.  Write yourself some reminders.  

        Repetition and reminders help us keep the new way of thinking and creating for the long term.

Thank you for stopping by the blog today!  Be sure to leave a hello in the comments.  You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.  I'm most actively posting on Instagram these days because it's so quick and easy.


-Christy

She must make art.

5 Steps For Making Your Own Watercolor Mixing Grid

Plan Your Mixing For Better Creative Flow

I use mixing grids as tools, because it saves so much guesswork.  Clearly seeing which mixes I want to use in my work,  I am less frustrated and make fewer mistakes.  It's less, "oh, I don't like that!"  There's more "oh, it's coming together!"  

Would you like to make one?  Does it seem intimidating?  Can I give you some tips to get you started?  It's an enjoyable process, methodical yet relaxing at the same time.  In the past, artists have shown interest in making a chart like this.  It's just paper and paint.  Really.  I promise.  Don't hold back because I'm just sure you can handle it.  

(Well, no...I don't know you that well...what do you have to lose?  You might have a great time!)

After the many years I've painting with watercolors, there's a stack of various watercolor paper scraps with free form brushstrokes of color.  Each one of these pages is a record of my time exploring how to achieve a certain mix for a painting.  The earliest mixing "notes" are filled with blobs of color with a few scribbled notes in my handwriting.  I sorted this stack into the following collections.  Some of them instantly take me back to the specific painting, others not so much.  It's interesting to see how my methods changed over time.

LET'S BREAK IT DOWN.

Supplies:
Watercolor paper (I'm using 300 lb. cold press)
Pencil
Fine-point permanent marker
Straight edged ruler
Watercolor pigment
Watercolor brush
Watercolor palette
Container of rinse water
Paper towels

1.  Choose your pigments.  

Keep the number limited.  How about the primaries, and then a few other pigments you're curious about trying out.  I usually begin by comparing my reference photo with my favorite reference book, The Watercolor Painter's Pocket Palette by Moira Clinch.  Over time, I have saved my mixing grids from previous artworks, and those are also great tools now.  So, for the hollyhocks as my photo reference, I've chosen these watercolor pigments.

I chose Daniel Smith Quinacridone Coral, Daniel Smith Quinacridone Red, Windsor & Newton Transparent Yellow, Daniel Smith Quinacridone Gold, Da Vinci Cerulean Blue, and Daniel Smith French Ultramarine.