Sea and Sky

Sea and Sky

watercolor

8 x 8 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

available

I needed a little break from painting those complex still life images, so I took a mental vacation at the beach with this painting. I like to think that I am working in a series, or with a theme, however in order to keep from feeling stuck with my art work I do keep more than one theme, or series, going at a time. This piece naturally fits with my coastal themed work. I am hoping to develop the idea of the ocean horizon, with just the two elements of sea and sky, into a series. And I have yet to tire of the many moods of the ocean in color and light.

sketchbook :: more washes

A couple of quick wash landscape studies to help chase away this cold, cold, January weather.

Among my stash of abandoned sketchbooks I found a 7 x 5 inch Cachet Linen Watercolor book that is perfect for these little washes. It is a landscape format with 20 sheets of 140 lb watercolor paper. Now I would like to purchase another book like this, and perhaps one in a larger size, but a quick internet search showed none to be found. While I ponder that perhaps I should make a goal to finish the pages in this book first?

Clementines on Asters

Clementines on Asters

watercolor

6 x 6 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

available

Here is the finished clementine painting with all that pattern. I have done watercolor sketches of clementines so I thought it was time to do a more formal still life with their wonderful orangeness. The fabric I had used years ago to make a table runner and napkins. It has a pattern I still love, even after committing it to paint. Thinking it would prove to be difficult, actually it was the silver bowl that was the most fun to paint in this still life.

sketchbook :: permission to play

I have begun this year with the intent to use my sketchbooks more freely, without restrictions, to play. This comes from my feeling that my sketchbooks were becoming a bit stuck, in the usual approaches and subject matter. I am wanting to let go of expectations on these pages to allow for more possibilities.

The first thing I did was to abandon my handmade books for something less precious. I am also not limiting myself to any one book. I have let go of any self-imposed rules.

These little wash studies were done in a 9 x 12 Kilimanjaro watercolor sketchbook that I have had laying around with very little use. They were all done on one page, with very wet paper and a large round brush. Less control meant more room for play.

When it comes to thinking about what it is that I want to do, whether in a sketchbook or with more finished work, I am easily overwhelmed. I have more ideas than time. So being able to settle on one direction, method, theme, media, whatever, is often a struggle. Laure Ferlita of Painted Thoughts Blog has an interesting discussion going on about this very issue of artists' struggle with FOCUS. With FOCUS being the key word here, I believe that by letting go of my focus in one area, sketchbooks, I may actually arrive at more focus with my art work overall. Or not. Either way, it is always fun to just play.

Sunny Pears

Sunny Pears

watercolor

6 x 6 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

available

Here is my most recently completed watercolor painting. A little still life of pears in one of our hand crafted ceramic bowls, bathed in sunlight. This painting was finished before I began the one I shared a peek of in my last post. That one with all the pattern. I am enjoying these still life paintings, the challenges of light, form, and texture, and the square format is a nice change of pace for me.

warming to the new year

I did not intend to take such a lengthy break from this blog, yet it seems that I did after all. We are now getting back into our familiar routines after a relaxing holiday break. This morning, as the temperatures were finally warming to something more reasonable for our January days, I watched as the sun approached slowly across the distant hills, filling in the shadows with light.

Here are the beginnings of a new watercolor painting. I don't know what I was thinking with all of that pattern. This in-progress view may be the only glimpse you have of this painting, if all does not go well from here on out.

My work that did not sell from our December show is back home now. It's nice to see some of these old friends again.

Kiddo's tennis and homeschool co-op classes have begun again. And my newly completed tote bag, stuffed with yet another crochet project is ready to go along. It is comforting to be returning to our rhythm. I have been looking forward to this new year, a new year of light and warmth, ready to be savored.