Do you ship paintings? I discovered this really great way to cut down boxes to ship paintings.
   1. Make sure both ends are taped shut.
   2. Decide how deep you want your box (I want about 1.5 inch to ship canvases), take a box cutter and cut 1.5 down from the top, all the way around. Then do the same with the bottom.
   3. Throw away the middle and you have 2 exact pieces that fit one inside the other, for a perfect, strong flat box. I then mark the size on the box and store for when I need it.

#85 Fox Theater: 3

WORKED all day Saturday (top) and all day Sunday (bottom). I actually finished Monday morning. And by "all day" I mean get to the studio at 11am, break for lunch, go home to let the dogs out, break for a long dinner, back to the studio until 8.

#85 Fox Theater: 2

I GET TO the studio Friday morning. Redraw AGAIN onto the watercolor board (Crescent Illustration Board) but I can't start painting. To avoid work I go to Facebook, post on my daughter's wall:

Me: Where are you when I need you? I have to finish a large watercolor by Monday- I've thrown 2 tries away and I CAN'T START on the 3rd. (I'm on FB again to procrastinate.)

Kelty: I wish I was there to motivate you instead of at work! Lol believe me. If it helps, I have never seen one of your "tries" that wasn't also exceptional. Just go for it you talented lady!

Me: I always remember when I couldn't paint the lion's eyes and you handed me a brush, gave me that "I know best" look of yours, and told me to "just do it". I've used that a hundred times. 

SO QUIT whining and use it now. Back to work. OK. I don't like how the board accepts my watercolor paints, but when I use Nova Color acrylics watered down, it bleeds like a dream. I start with the sky and by the end of the day the tree's first lay-in is finished.

HOME to the dogs and a movie...

#85 Fox Theater

18x24 image for watercolor

I STARTED this on Wednesday- drove to Visalia, about 30 miles away, and took about 250 photos, trying to get the Fox theater and Little Italy restaurant in one image. I thought I was doing an acrylic with the black lines, then found out my client decided on a watercolor.  OK- where's that last sheet of 140 lb. watercolor paper. Here it is. My paints are in pretty good shape, I might need some green. I'll manage.

I ADDED agapanthus flowers in bloom to the photo, along with daylilies and geraniums.

USING A LIGHT TABLE, I traced the picture onto my watercolor paper. I'm always a little nervous when starting a watercolor – I paint in acrylic more often. And I'm a messy artist, so I have to be really careful of dirt on T-squares, drips etc. I don't think of those things when I paint in acrylic.

I'm pretty happy- going home to the dogs and a movie...

DAY 2, Thursday: I paint the sky and tree. NOT HAPPY. I made the tree too dark, so now the top half is way too heavy. Relax – I can fix it... going home to the dogs and a movie...

BUT HOW am I going to fix it...

Feed the dogs, play with the cats, dang – I have to finish this painting by Monday...

It'll wait till morning...

Dang it– no it won't. So I drive back to the studio to assess the situation. Fixable? No, not really. OK, let's start over. I'm out of paper! Wait- I have that large paper I never use- 300 lb, it'll work. So I cut it down, redraw picture, start to paint the sky, and realize why I never use that paper... I HATE it! I Facebook to local artists in town for help on paper, home to the dogs again...

I WAKE UP in the middle of the night remembering I have an extra of that wonderful watercolor board I had ordered for a large painting, and that it accepts my Nova Color acrylic paint like the dreamiest watercolor paint...

I SHOULD go back to sleep- it's only 2:00 am – too early to go back to the studio...

Ethan and Family 5: Finish

10 Favorite Art Critiques from Family and Friends

I'VE BEEN an artist for 40 years. It's the only job I've ever had and now it's the only job I'm qualified to do. I work hard – I go to the studio 7 days a week. Over the years I've eliminated any activity not as fun as painting (everything).

THE HARDEST challenge over the years was finding my style. You know – that way of painting that excites every part of your being – that leaves behind all other less authentic ways of expressing yourself. I don't have a name for my style. My hero and artist advocate, Robert Genn, suggested "a unique form of realism" and "designs of nature". And I've used "colorist". I don't know.

AND LET me tell you- it's a great feeling to know you are on the right path. However, halfway through patting myself on the back, I realized that many of the people close to me – family and friends – weren't exactly on board. Some feel I've made a wrong turn and, apparently, some feel that all I need is a honest word to get me back on course. I thought I would share my favorites with you.

1. Is this a Paint-by-Number? (Ouch).

2. I can't wait 'till you stop painting like this.

3. I like your OLD art.

4. I can see why you paint like this – it's faster and you can make more money.

5. You're definitely getting better. Hang in there.

6. But your watercolors were so good.

7. Would you mind changing some colors so it matches the other art on my wall?

8. It looks like a coloring book.

9. I guess you need to get it out of your system. It'll pass.

10. My favorite. A woman held a piece of art in her hands. I asked if she wanted to buy it.  She handed it to me and said, "No- I don't like your art anymore."

Ethan and Family 4: Ethan

#74 Pirate and June

9x12 acrylic, 3/4 painted edge, $100.