Water Sky

Water Sky I

colored pencil on Stonehenge

5.5 x 7.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

It has been a little while since I posted a colored pencil piece. Here is the latest. Inspired by the changing light and color of the ocean and sky, I decided to try a more simplified composition as a statement of color. And yes, the title does suggest that there may well be more like this to come.

Sweet Stillness

Sweet Stillness

watercolor on cold pressed paper

7.5 x 9.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

Another scene inspired by the marshes of Edisto Island. I find the landscape there so calming. Maybe it's the wide, watery horizon at every turn.

Going with the flow

Casey's Tree

watercolor on cold pressed paper

5.5 x 7.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

This painting was done in response to a challenge photo from a group created by Casey Klahn of The Colorist. The group is called Paint the Barn in Winter. They have now moved on from the barn image to another scene, Individual Tree, photographed by Lorie Klahn. You can see a selection of the barn images here.

The scene captured in Lorie Klahn's photograph, Individual Tree, was very appealing to me, so I decided to give the challenge a try. When I was about mid way into the painting I realized that I was not taking it in the direction I had originally intended. Instead of sending it to the bin, I decided to just go with it and allow the painting dictate what to do. That happens sometimes. And sometimes it works out. I am okay with my result here, but still may give it another go, just to see what happens.

this day :: snow

After days of heavy rain the snow finally came yesterday.  

We worried about losing power during the snow storm. I kept a candle burning while preparing eggplant parmigiana for last night's dinner, just in case I was suddenly thrown into darkness. Thankfully the power stayed on for us.

 This morning we woke up to a world blanketed in white under a clear blue sky.

Seeking warmth in winter, yarn projects are comforting. I finished another crocheted basket. This one will serve as a stash basket for what else - yarn!

 It should be a good day to record another bird count for Project Feeder Watch.We are enjoying seeing the visitors to our feeders, and learning about the habits of our winter time birds. I wonder if they dream of warmer places like I do when winter comes.

sketchbook :: slaw reflections

Making coleslaw became an opportunity to study the reflections of my metal mixing bowl.

Light Coming

Light Coming

watercolor on cold pressed paper

7.5 x 9.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

My new collection of watercolors offer the opportunity to play with color mixes and previously untried color combinations. Some are colors I have had around for quite some time now. Sap green, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, like old friends. Others I had left behind and have now brought back, such as my old favorite royal amethyst. And then there are the newcomers that I am just getting acquainted with, like poppy. Who wouldn't like a color named "poppy"?

The palette I found at Cheap Joe's during a sidewalk sale. It was a real bargain, too good to pass up. The paints are all American Journey. A brand I am happy to stick with for now. My palette does have more wells for color, so my collection of watercolors may grow. Finding new favorites is always fun.

Easing into 2013

Marsh Dreams I

colored pencil on Stonehenge paper

6.5 x 4.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

I have stayed away from this space long enough. The new year is well underway, light is slowly returning. Slowly.  During my break from blogging I resolved a few works and began others. Above is one that I had set aside some time ago. I decided that it was worth bringing to a conclusion.

Using up some leftover yarn, I am making crocheted containers for supplies. My new watercolors fit nicely in this little yarn basket.

 Of course those watercolors are being put to use as well. A new studio addition of a small clothesline is working well as a place to let paintings rest within view before I store them away for safe keeping.

Once the art is stored, there is the issue of just how best to keep track of it all. I have tried catalog numbering with lists in notebooks and/or charts and tables on my computer, yet I still manage to have works that slip through the cracks. I did some research and decided to give this system a try. So far, I am finding that Art Tracker has most of what I was hoping a system could do. It catalogs my art works, keeps things cross referenced by several criteria, and is straightforward to use. And the price was reasonable. The only element I find lacking is a place to record expenses. I know that is easily accomplished with any basic word processing program or even a paper and pencil, but having that information all in one place would be helpful.

I do need to keep things simple. I have a couple of nice opportunities coming along this year. And I intend to keep my Etsy shop going. However, I will be leaving the routine I had established for blog posts behind. I will still post regularly, with art work, sketches and photos, but without the schedule. This year I need to just let things happen as they will, when they do. To just be.

I hope your new year is off to a good start. What changes have you made to your routine?