Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Watercolor Painting

I got a new watercolor set a few weeks ago.  Funny story.  I got a comment from a new reader, Janine, who lives in Tokyo.  So, I visited her blog and enjoyed it, and saw that she had an Etsy store.  I visited it - and fell in love with her hand-sewn bags using beautiful fabric.  I also love to support fellow crafters, so I ordered one.   They are unique in that you can roll them up and carry them in your bag so you always have a shopping bag with you.  Isn't that cool?  She checked out my Etsy shop and liked my Sumi ink cards - but said she liked to use post cards and if I made some she might buy some.  SO.. I went to the art supply website to buy some watercolor card stock post card stock.. and found also a new set of watercolors.  So that is why I got the new watercolors.. it's CraftyTokyoMama's fault.  :-)  Yesterday my son's family went to a birthday BBQ at his wife's sister's house - so while it was quiet I pulled out my big art board, filled a jar with water and got to painting.


Then Buddy the dog decided he needed to sit on my lap, what was left of it, and after he got settled in - then I could begin.  I printed up one of my designs for inspiration as I painted.


I took a class long long ago in Sumi Ink Painting -- so I could do bamboo on my pottery pieces.. but the art of Sumi has stayed with me all these years.  You use simple brush strokes to create iris leaves


Then you lightly paint a stem and then your iris flowers, which are made by quick brush strokes of purple or blue.  I added a hummingbird feeding on the flower.



You should try this!  


This is my sumi painting book, you can see it's well-used and loved.  FYI - you can google this title and author and buy this online.  I visited Wing's shop and studio in downtown Portland on several occasions, buying rice paper rolls, brushes and paint.  It was full of treasures, paintings, art supplies and was an artist's heaven, with an aroma of incense.


I am proud to say I was able to take classes by the master - Wing K. Leong at Mt. Hood Community College.. let's see.. 39 years ago when I was a young mother of 3 children.


If you want to add a bird to your painting, here is how, step by step.  It's very helpful.  Buddy naps while I paint.. the house is quiet.. my husband sits companionably by my side in his easy chair.. life is good.



Here is bamboo for each season.


I then painted some black bamboo with a bird.  


Then some golden bamboo in Spring with new green leaves.  I will put these 3 post cards on my Etsy store.


After our quiet afternoon - we headed to Bumpers Grill and Bar for an early dinner - I wanted to treat my Veteran husband to a good steak dinner in his honor.  We both had their filet mignon with red wine Bordelaise sauce, twice baked potato and fresh sauteed green beans, carrots and zucchini.  They also bring you a wonderful green salad and fresh baked dark bread before the main course is served.  


We shared a fresh made creme brulee for dessert.  :-P


I thought I should add a photo of CraftyTokyoMama's bag rolled up and...


I stuffed Caleb's crochet blanket in the bag to show you how much it holds.. and Caleb modeled it for me.  :-)


I hope you had a good weekend and have fun plans for the coming week.  I'll be swimming with Gracie tomorrow - she is finally feeling better after suffering through a flu bug.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 


26 comments:

  1. Hello Teresa your talents are never ending. Beautiful paintings. Love the bag and the dinner you had with Dayle looks so delicious. Hugs Anne x
    PS So pleased to hear that Gracie is better. x

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a wonderful story :) Your paintings are beautiful <3 Now I have to go check out CraftTokyoMama's blog & Etsy :P
    Smiles, DianeM

    ReplyDelete
  3. How DO you DO IT?? Love the postcards Teresa. They do look doable BUT I've never ventured Chinese painting. You are so talented in all you do, you go girl : )
    Love that you two were enjoying your peace and quiet together, xoRobin

    ReplyDelete
  4. What beautiful work Teresa, you must have found this so relaxing sitting with Dayle by your side...bliss. He certainly deserved his steak, he is indeed such a good Hb to you, we are lucky to have such men by our sides. Enjoy the week xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Teresa, this was fascinating. I love this kind of painting and did a little of it in school. I loved art and took almost every art class I could in high school. Your work is beautiful. That dinner looks awesome! I haven't had a twice-baked potato in a long time and now I have a craving. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for the shout-out, Teresa. You make painting sound so easy! My mother, sister and daughter are all great artists, but I don't have the knack. That's why I studied Japanese. Writing Kanji makes me feel like an artist! (Half joking, but it's true!) Thank you for taking my suggestion and making up some postcards. They are sure to be popular with my Postcrossing recipients.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your paintings are so lovely, you truly inspire me with your awesome talents sweet friend. ((hugs))

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your painting is very good Teresa xo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful work!
    I just wish I knew how to paint.
    That creme brulee looks amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful! I have always had an appreciation for Japanese things:)
    Blessings,
    Aimee

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nice painting indeed. Keep it up and thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I met Janine through a SewMamaSew giveaway day a few years ago. She grew up in Oregon and comes back each year for one summer month. I love her bags! I almost always have one rolled up in my purse for special finds at garage sales. I'm hoping to visit her soon in Kyoto.
    It's great to share creative friends.
    She likes postcards because of Postcrossing.com - I call it a modern version of penpals. - Once you register on the postcrossing site, they give you addresses to send postcards to. When those people receive your postcard, they register it on the postcrossing site. Meanwhile, random people are sending YOU postcards which you then register on the site. Postcrossing is a treasure trove of statistics and fun facts. Each person sets up a profile so it is really fun (for me) to get postcards on gardening, sewing & airplanes. I look for older Oregon postcards for Janine.

    I love your little hummingbird.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What beautiful painting, you have a definite talent for it. And you make it look so easy! I love that you've kept your painting book all this time, you should treasure it. I hope you enjoy the rest of the week Teresa. CJ xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beautiful work Teresa - so delicate.

    Hope you enjoyed your swim!

    Helenxx

    ReplyDelete
  15. Such lovely paintings, Teresa, you are very talented! I have tried a little of that style of painting when I was at art college, and so admire it....love all the beautiful brushes and the magical shapes the brushstrokes create! So glad you and Dayle had a lovely meal out together to celebrate...he is such a brave veteran. Wishing you a happy week.
    Helen xox

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful cards. I could NOT make those. I am sure of it. My son might love that book though

    ReplyDelete
  17. Painting and drawing are just not my things. I've never been able to draw very well, although I've tried. It still looks like a third-grader did it every time! Yours looks great. It's nice to have something else you enjoy doing besides just one thing. Buddy looks like he enjoys being with you while you're doing it. Such great companions. I love creme brulee! Mmm!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your paintings are really nice. Buddy looks adorable laying there watching you work. So cute! That bag is great! So, big and so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Teresa! I'm home. Yesterday was a looonng day of flying with many delays...but I'm home now! I love your blog today. Of course I'm a fan of all things Japanese for obvious reasons and your bag and postcards are beautiful. I like how buddy sits on your lap and "helps" you paint. What a sweety.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  20. Definitely have to look up her bags on Etsy. I flew as a flight attendant in/out of Viet Nam and Japan during the Viet Nam war, and so love the country. The paintings are great. Will have to see if that book is still available. My art teacher has a funny story about how she paints her initials to look like a fancy Japanese signature! Isn't painting fun?

    ReplyDelete
  21. Theresa, I just ckd and his book is still available on Amazon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should order the book.. you won't be sorry!

      Delete
  22. Well, you have done it again, Teresa...published another post that I think is my favorite!!! This one leaves me positively excited and so eager to try out my paints. Your gifted work inspires me. Thanks for posting xx

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love your water paintings - you're such a gifted person. xox

    ReplyDelete
  24. Well my dear friend Teresa I haven't had any time to check out your blog this week with my moving but I now know what I was missing... This delicious ... Wonderful ... Post ! I absolutely love your paint ... You are so talented and I cannot believe how much you did in one afternoon. How beautiful! Just gorgeous, delicate art.
    I have painted a little in the past and after I'm settled in my house would LOVE to make some paintings for my house ... Maybe we can get together ?

    ReplyDelete

I absolutely love comments and thank you so much for taking time to leave me a note. :-)