Draw and Doodle

Over the years...even when I have a moment, right out of my head, 

I just doodle and draw. Here are some quick examples of my 

random doodles from my Franklin Planner calendars over the years...

Be inspired and just doodle and draw!

Farm House Study

Just a view of the a new study of a farm house.
I'm trying to develop my creative space. It's an evolving process...
I hope this space becomes more lovely in coming weeks.

Quick Paint: Veiled Lady

This is last nights work... apx 3.5 hrs.

Veiled Lady

I started working on the drawing. 

The background is only white due because I was reusing this panel.

Poor painters have to be thrifty.

Then I started blocking in the color...that's the basic start.

Finding Inspiration

I love to explore... especially hidden little gems.

These are some places I found here in Florida!

Watercolors Studies

I've been painting with watercolors for a long time. 

Here are some I found in my archives I thought I'd share!

Whenever I go for a walk in nature... I'm inspired by God's creation!
I love the amazing colors and shapes of these fallen samaras that I
found this past spring. Samara's are one of my favorite seeds. Basically,
they are seeds with little wings designed to ensure the seed has a chance to
reach light, away from the parent tree.  This one is from a maple.

This palm frond reflects a stunning pattern in the light.

Rainy day Work

It's pouring outside, but I have a new creation on the table.

This weeks work...together! 

                                

              for sale on Etsy! Check it out here!

Another Fragile thing for Illustration Friday

I couldn't resist...one more fragile thing for this week!

Also, don't forget...please stop by my 

Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rcreesestudios and Like for updates. 

for sale on Etsy! Check it out here!

Giving Thanks!

I sure am thankful for so many things...so I thought I'd share a favorite inspirational spot...a hard pan (soil) pond in the middle of a flatwoods ecosystem here in Florida! Now this is the real Florida! 

You won't see a large mouse in a shirt out here!

My favorite bench to contemplate the beauty this peaceful place.

I hope your summer is filled with inspiration and beautiful places! 

Illustration Friday: Fagile

Well, I can't help thing of "the Christmas Story" 

when I think of the term "fagile"..but the closest

thing I have is a painting of a shoe...that seems fragile too. :-) 

This weeks submission for Illustration Friday.

Check it out at their website. Illustration Friday!

Also, don't forget...please stop by my 

Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rcreesestudios and Like for updates.  

Raymart Competition for June

So I've signed up to participate in the Raymart Art Online Competition's.
This was June's submission. I decided to post my still life "Not for Burning"
as posted here before.  Here's a peak to help you remember.
It's also posted on the Gallery Tab.

Take a look here...raymarartcontest.com

More Old Colonial Work

So here's the recent progress I've made on the 

Colonial Building I've been working on.
More to come!

You can see the progression of photos here.

Illustration Friday "Beard"

My submission for this week...

Illustration Friday Submission

So..I decided to submit my painting  "American Summer" 

for this week's Illustration Friday. Perfect for the "Summer" topic. 

Fun Illustrations from my Art Journal

I've always loved to doodle from my imagination, apart from painting.

Here's some recent images....

Beauty around you

 I thought I'd share a few inspiring jems with you.
I love the beauty of the colors of nature.

The Storms of Summer

The storms of Summer are bringing some amazing views to the 

lake recently. I thought I'd share. I pray you are having a 

summer full of blessings!

Getting Out!

So I finally got my paints together and pushed myself out the door to paint today! 

I made it short and sweet. I chose a simple landscape 

and painted for about an hour straight once I got set up. 

Here's my results. Not bad I think for not doing this in a while. 

It can be cumbersome to take some colored goo (aka paint) and 

mush it around and make it look like anything in such a short span. 

So, I'll give myself a gold star for today. It helped that I listened 

to my favorite inspirational station while I painted, Z88.7, so it felt good.  

Although this was a quick painting on a 4x4 panel,
 the sky was constantly changing 

due to storm that moved in while I was on location.
Even the cloud colors changed from a warm grey to
a cool grey. Needless to say I ended in a downpour!

Inspiration to Paint

As an artist, I naturally drew as soon as I could pick up a pencil.

Painting, however, for me was intimidating.,Especially oil painting. Inspiration struck,
on an unplanned trip to Ottawa, Canada, where a Tom Thompson exhibit was on display.
I was amazed by the colors, the brush stokes. His plein air work had a feeling of presence and being in nature that I loved. Once I got home, I started to paint and haven't turned back since.
Here's a glimpse of this inspiring individual!

Morning's Quick Study

Revving up for more plein air work, I decided to do a quick study in 

watercolor of my bird, Scooby, on the back porch.

Workshops for growth...

In all things, we must constantly strive to grow.
Art is no different.
Aside from school, local sketch clubs, art schools,
I think that workshops help you grow and learn skills
 from successful artist in the field. Of course cost can
be a factor, but I believe in getting the best bang for my buck.
So I try to focus on workshops given by those I most respect
and also try to attend workshops of local artists I admire as well.
Even better when an artist you love comes for a workshop locally
like Mary Whyte did last year here in Florida.

Here's a few of the workshops I've been fortunate
to have gone to in recent years.

Scott Christensen Workshop in Wyoming...

An amazing trip and experience.

one of the quick plein air paintings done in Wyoming...

Scott Burdick workshop in NC, 

I've been fortunate to take a landscape class

and a portrait class with Scott.

Mary Whyte workshop in North Florida

 one of my studies in the workshop...

I've also taken a workshop with Scott Wadell who held a class locally.


However...this year... a workshop in Ga with
a local favorite artist of mine, Larry Moore.

Moving forward in life and learning is a necessity, less you die, or feel dead!