tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63916004608477042452024-03-05T00:48:14.031-05:00BlueBird HillAnn's Notes From the StudioAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.comBlogger886125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-86681311361499383352017-02-03T14:48:00.000-05:002017-02-03T14:48:15.849-05:00continuity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmj_FB1a9F5Ojx07uhPAmFIgVXtVzEs_LvotXv_dVRvneNgTeDJU7Ot56bKJDy8vyliszBBfufrZIPC8MBCben0isReSh4fM57z3jCKNSLYjuEL3fCNXJrdrUQkDysDjcBztCr6f5lCr0/s1600/Dawn_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmj_FB1a9F5Ojx07uhPAmFIgVXtVzEs_LvotXv_dVRvneNgTeDJU7Ot56bKJDy8vyliszBBfufrZIPC8MBCben0isReSh4fM57z3jCKNSLYjuEL3fCNXJrdrUQkDysDjcBztCr6f5lCr0/s400/Dawn_web.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
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<b>Dawn</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acrylic on canvas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6 x 8 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/494435234/original-abstract-acrylic-painting-dawn?ref=shop_home_active_8" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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Here are three small canvases that I recently completed as a part of my Mountains Abstracted series.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PfXrBQy0Ff6lvPkpv9b-Y4rTtry3FwoATD6T0VumhIjaSiMv3DmTvZVrryv1U5hdn8Kuu7AiqII10MEJRDkQ6Ltgz0145X6a0uHmFYIK-T10oq9sTu-F55W-ed2McvAl0nuKT7mqEP8/s1600/Noon_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PfXrBQy0Ff6lvPkpv9b-Y4rTtry3FwoATD6T0VumhIjaSiMv3DmTvZVrryv1U5hdn8Kuu7AiqII10MEJRDkQ6Ltgz0145X6a0uHmFYIK-T10oq9sTu-F55W-ed2McvAl0nuKT7mqEP8/s400/Noon_web.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
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<b>Noon</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acrylic on canvas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6 x 8 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/507924125/original-abstract-acrylic-painting-noon?ref=related-4" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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Just as the square formats (<a href="http://nemcoskyart.blogspot.com/2017/01/when-completed-isnt-finished.html" target="_blank">from my previous post</a>) introduced unique compositional challenges, so did these smaller sized paintings. In this case it was about how to get enough variety of shapes without being overwhelming in the small space.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJmob3fWLd5C2wiDywjTK6l4rRcbc-oWTmy3G_ABYBQWl-GekKZpfsHwiwu4QsprZfvHXcwMchcfxExKhWuXQptn1TILM24QyfAGDWxVo4d-6jP_3x2n5z0wyLK5JP63dJp0Th95lesc/s1600/Twilight_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJmob3fWLd5C2wiDywjTK6l4rRcbc-oWTmy3G_ABYBQWl-GekKZpfsHwiwu4QsprZfvHXcwMchcfxExKhWuXQptn1TILM24QyfAGDWxVo4d-6jP_3x2n5z0wyLK5JP63dJp0Th95lesc/s400/Twilight_web.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b>Twilight</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acrylic on canvas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6 x 8 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/507925117/original-abstract-acrylic-painting?ref=related-3" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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I also enjoyed working with the variety of greens that are possible to create with this limited palette of yellow ochre, teal, purple, and white.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxNAh0ZYFpxkLT8AUY8JkaepWTfIUJ75pmBJvUHlGl4XC3OQTPphSxflkH0st8lNMh9-JOWfdQVqJprYmNDRjE5_F9zaWgotEQL6oSx9-r44VDVjrAsmD7_K35qWFhAzIWi75vY7AF1Y/s1600/three2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxNAh0ZYFpxkLT8AUY8JkaepWTfIUJ75pmBJvUHlGl4XC3OQTPphSxflkH0st8lNMh9-JOWfdQVqJprYmNDRjE5_F9zaWgotEQL6oSx9-r44VDVjrAsmD7_K35qWFhAzIWi75vY7AF1Y/s640/three2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And here, just for fun, is a snap shot of the three canvases placed together - although please pardon my poor photo, I had randomly lined them up in preparation for varnishing when I noticed that they also worked as one continuous composition. I doubt I could have worked that out so well if I had been trying!Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-38646636090249455182017-01-25T13:25:00.000-05:002017-01-25T13:25:40.361-05:00when completed isn't finished<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIje7FXrSSVWHpngcWqooSGiMWnBGREgFaxJDjKFE04w9hFLkrphnp9KKaet7__u45MaC2iRVvTEtEcqflTE05byVtGzbnSf59qgiHcLUxDuD7zr9Vt5n6GpHiix4e0zd2N0WxFog4Do/s1600/MoonGarden_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIje7FXrSSVWHpngcWqooSGiMWnBGREgFaxJDjKFE04w9hFLkrphnp9KKaet7__u45MaC2iRVvTEtEcqflTE05byVtGzbnSf59qgiHcLUxDuD7zr9Vt5n6GpHiix4e0zd2N0WxFog4Do/s1600/MoonGarden_web.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Moon Garden</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acrylic on canvas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
12 x 12 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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Here are what were to be the final three paintings in my Mountains Abstracted series. They are all painted with acrylic on 12 inch square canvases using the same limited palette of yellow ochre, teal, purple, and white.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIPRTun3JCcOlP4awWaanIw6DCs4-VS0_9oIShvEnTHUKnDcF_YqbE3urWV1k3dkqY8Uf_XmXB-k7Nc1QhMb9Sqj4zvnEyR71vvOgteziWX4suFxFkMn0E9cv5WwYnk8-SEVFtwSDWOw/s1600/ComeTogether_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIPRTun3JCcOlP4awWaanIw6DCs4-VS0_9oIShvEnTHUKnDcF_YqbE3urWV1k3dkqY8Uf_XmXB-k7Nc1QhMb9Sqj4zvnEyR71vvOgteziWX4suFxFkMn0E9cv5WwYnk8-SEVFtwSDWOw/s1600/ComeTogether_web.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Come Together</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acrylic on canvas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
12 x 12 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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The square format introduced new compositional challenges, but it is one I often return to for its simplicity. And I believe that with this series the square enhances the abstract quality of the composition.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FibrEb72txxbioLF_rdAldk5aeQSKgNtxRmvut2DgcrBcx2GRvRX4AddfmuH5sZZJikeHbazVG7XinfOh-O073G0lVqSr0XGT_X50ptRUwKO5HvTEGwRisXVJzVmTGvAyCkw32X9rHg/s1600/MoonSong_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FibrEb72txxbioLF_rdAldk5aeQSKgNtxRmvut2DgcrBcx2GRvRX4AddfmuH5sZZJikeHbazVG7XinfOh-O073G0lVqSr0XGT_X50ptRUwKO5HvTEGwRisXVJzVmTGvAyCkw32X9rHg/s1600/MoonSong_web.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Moon Song</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acrylic on canvas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
12 x 12 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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And yes, I did believe that with the completion of these three paintings (making a total of twelve in the series) that I would have exhausted my interest and would be ready for something else, a new subject to paint. Except that I wasn't. It seems that there are more questions for me to answer with this theme and more paintings to make.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-79684832696601722122017-01-17T16:31:00.000-05:002017-01-17T16:31:21.864-05:00Listen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVWPDM1bY4u1VEOKeZlmRnsWuLFm_uE5QWfdJtYtD6hPGD8xksyhA0_i4OfZ4YIryFgb9itAkTAyUF4tvPDofFpfdqKroKPiepBPZPpWxnrIuq4Q9Ky1DX2QeLt7qfoU1p80mx-7ZdOg/s1600/Listen_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVWPDM1bY4u1VEOKeZlmRnsWuLFm_uE5QWfdJtYtD6hPGD8xksyhA0_i4OfZ4YIryFgb9itAkTAyUF4tvPDofFpfdqKroKPiepBPZPpWxnrIuq4Q9Ky1DX2QeLt7qfoU1p80mx-7ZdOg/s1600/Listen_web.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Listen</b></div>
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acrylic on cradled panel</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
16 x 20 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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This painting is the largest in my Mountains Abstracted series. There is a challenge in moving up in scale. With this painting it was the realization that I could actually have too many small shapes, which I resolved by combining shapes to create a few larger areas that were more in keepeing with the overall size of the piece. Now, 16 x 20 inches really isn't all that big and I would like to do even larger paintings. Just as soon as I work out how to do that in my small work space.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-16874995641729506072017-01-11T12:08:00.000-05:002017-01-11T12:08:16.066-05:00Riverside<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5EXOyetWVyitYLeupgr7RKwGM03LkziNMFN6xQlrnMWlQoAg7LsSzXqLkGaEAwu3pbKmmxyLCLO-zLtfQXehQ4wxlLMDHaJumsUm1mr7lFn1j2A6lJWCjELzshyphenhyphenVTaGnqReX1D8Y7EM/s1600/Riverside_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5EXOyetWVyitYLeupgr7RKwGM03LkziNMFN6xQlrnMWlQoAg7LsSzXqLkGaEAwu3pbKmmxyLCLO-zLtfQXehQ4wxlLMDHaJumsUm1mr7lFn1j2A6lJWCjELzshyphenhyphenVTaGnqReX1D8Y7EM/s1600/Riverside_web.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Riverside</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acrylic on panel</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
12 x 16 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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Here is the next painting in my mountains abstracted series. It is one of my favorites yet proved to be the most difficult to get a good photographic image of, for some reason. This one was as close as I could manage. I have been really enjoying painting this series, exploring my limited color palette, and playing with shapes in these compositions. I had forgotten how much fun painting with acrylic can be. And yes, I still adore painting on these cradled wood panels.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CLYLzTc-ZJFMqCLTVHM8KlWYUYY5RptlXGJ2Hg6PQLPmnZ333ai2E9Mdl3luZKV2mHn6PAEldetj7F5vFBnlgqcrLKn-4ojQbVpUVggK7w6P32MEx_YpuZvoIKFQL084frIhwVNGEfM/s1600/HighRoad2_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CLYLzTc-ZJFMqCLTVHM8KlWYUYY5RptlXGJ2Hg6PQLPmnZ333ai2E9Mdl3luZKV2mHn6PAEldetj7F5vFBnlgqcrLKn-4ojQbVpUVggK7w6P32MEx_YpuZvoIKFQL084frIhwVNGEfM/s1600/HighRoad2_web.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>High Road</b></div>
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acrylic on panel</div>
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12 x 16 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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And here I am reposting this painting because this image is a much more accurate representation of its color than the one I posted last time.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-11338606173129358992017-01-04T11:41:00.000-05:002017-01-04T11:41:17.516-05:00High Road<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPswVYH0RDlHlHJYHq-isp87jqPDlUoz4njj7DJiAfjbhSPv3Hso-AcwLvrIm29g8-kK3QLj3K3WnCuTlSbAuFAqdeyhIk1PVIsjxvW7957jFl76HhL9-1Qz2jY7jR0wYIj8a1QORkV8g/s1600/HighRoad_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPswVYH0RDlHlHJYHq-isp87jqPDlUoz4njj7DJiAfjbhSPv3Hso-AcwLvrIm29g8-kK3QLj3K3WnCuTlSbAuFAqdeyhIk1PVIsjxvW7957jFl76HhL9-1Qz2jY7jR0wYIj8a1QORkV8g/s1600/HighRoad_web.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>High Road</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acrylic on wood panel</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
12 x 16 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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I am starting this new year by contuining the theme of abstracted mountain imagery that I began towards the end of 2016 with acrylic paint on paint paper. Out of curiousity I purchased a couple of <a href="http://www.cheapjoes.com/catalog/product/view/id/26990/s/joe-s-prime-3-4-profile-cradled-painting-panels/category/261/" target="_blank">cradled wood panels</a> and am over the moon with painting on this surface. They are available unfinished or already gessoed and I got the unfunished ones because we always have gesso at our house (doesn't everyone?) so I just gessoed them myself.<br />
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I am keeping to my limited palette, mostly, as I continue with this series. That palette is yellow ochre, purple, teal, and white. I am enjoying the wide range of mixes possible with just these hues including the rich grays and muted greens. These paintings have become as much about the interaction of color as they are a subject to be explored. I have a goal to complete 12 altogether. I don't know why 12 exactly, but with 6 on paper it sounded good to me to also have 6 on canvas or panels. I am already up to the 11th painting but getting good photos is proving more difficult that I anticipated. I am hoping for a sunny day to come along soon so I can get these paintings properly photographed. I'd love to hear if anyone has any tips on successfully photographing paintings.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-86489001022181444742016-12-28T14:43:00.001-05:002016-12-28T14:43:29.212-05:0012 in 16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As this year comes to a close I have put together a review of my creative journey for 2016. From the over 60 works that I catalogued this year I selected 12 that seem to best represent the scope of my artwork over this past year. I have made some changes in my approach to making art and am overflowing with ideas and plans for continuing on this journey of creativity.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3cQX7mjk1F4m_GQryE1oaUs6zHNBrJP3Bjhicnap6fimDyJ2OWUvoDFH5h5PjprgIrwv5OkQ_s8564OOTPTspJQSeSCtrJ99bLGO6E0ypVtwNvIMPuO6_BIftyl9oe2363LY6l2CLLQ/s1600/LandscapeStudy8_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3cQX7mjk1F4m_GQryE1oaUs6zHNBrJP3Bjhicnap6fimDyJ2OWUvoDFH5h5PjprgIrwv5OkQ_s8564OOTPTspJQSeSCtrJ99bLGO6E0ypVtwNvIMPuO6_BIftyl9oe2363LY6l2CLLQ/s400/LandscapeStudy8_web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Landscape Study VIII</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watercolor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6 x 6 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sold</div>
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I began 2016 with a continuation of my landscape theme in watercolor in this series of small studies. They were very satisifying to paint and the small format meant that I could move from one idea to the next fairly quickly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wnBPk1Ux-H2onAMgvskCb2YZ3K-eJ9pD778JfmEL9GvZfNsqnEA9r5ebndmw77oKXe4KdCnW3xHdLQbaVqxae0HigRZcalUGTmMvh-LnrBG37-YPy2amLb8wyoyWgQlYCs5y_JeEKM0/s1600/PinkJoy_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wnBPk1Ux-H2onAMgvskCb2YZ3K-eJ9pD778JfmEL9GvZfNsqnEA9r5ebndmw77oKXe4KdCnW3xHdLQbaVqxae0HigRZcalUGTmMvh-LnrBG37-YPy2amLb8wyoyWgQlYCs5y_JeEKM0/s400/PinkJoy_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Pink Joy</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watercolor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8 x 10 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
available from the artist</div>
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I also painted a series of flowers in watercolor. I loved painting these delightful tulips!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhda8nYMnHJ4zfV3X3-PTYAvZvfF8IvRC1zQdTuDLnZeqCKrCEIoy1Au5mkem-TDZ-BOwMyej_57miwEm-Ph0sayV_YJ2rATC7q3fuka89Q4wJG6eWi1T-5DG2-OgLPuqSlLz8QrKEGzuc/s1600/Oceanides_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhda8nYMnHJ4zfV3X3-PTYAvZvfF8IvRC1zQdTuDLnZeqCKrCEIoy1Au5mkem-TDZ-BOwMyej_57miwEm-Ph0sayV_YJ2rATC7q3fuka89Q4wJG6eWi1T-5DG2-OgLPuqSlLz8QrKEGzuc/s640/Oceanides_web.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
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<b>Oceanides</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watercolor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
11 x 14 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
available from the artist</div>
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I also continued exploring my love of painting the ocean surf and slightly increased my format with a few of them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMU8FAyfwRaeyy1nyekVguOjcmxO3T7tXhvZgGMDNp75TNQL3LZz-nLMfvmfpTDjq8wsTmzOHM1_MCgvOE_QKue__SdsZaSxyLr966VND4hFLBozrwp-YW465-5cAMC0Ftqqklm39aiKs/s1600/BehindPompano_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMU8FAyfwRaeyy1nyekVguOjcmxO3T7tXhvZgGMDNp75TNQL3LZz-nLMfvmfpTDjq8wsTmzOHM1_MCgvOE_QKue__SdsZaSxyLr966VND4hFLBozrwp-YW465-5cAMC0Ftqqklm39aiKs/s400/BehindPompano_web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Behind Pompano</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watercolor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6 x 8 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/475389337/original-landscape-watercolor-painting?ref=shop_home_active_11" target="_blank">available</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This small painting was significant to me in that it was a scene I had attempted to paint many times and scrapped over and over again, until I got it right with this one.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1BaSqBi7qWM6NilOGQHOTdiVyV9QZ5zVZsnjb39WS5jPMtKJRS_DPMmRvZW3fi8hEeQcxjMOrIzwt7_qzx7VCBJgPd1zYzVDrNbYBz3czBtF01B3K0i4KRr9ALrkhcBYCSVn7xIZFhQ/s1600/WaterSkyV_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1BaSqBi7qWM6NilOGQHOTdiVyV9QZ5zVZsnjb39WS5jPMtKJRS_DPMmRvZW3fi8hEeQcxjMOrIzwt7_qzx7VCBJgPd1zYzVDrNbYBz3czBtF01B3K0i4KRr9ALrkhcBYCSVn7xIZFhQ/s1600/WaterSkyV_web.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Water Sky V</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watercolor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
11 x 14 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
available from the artist</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I completed a small series exploring the ocean and sky.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTU_USnAKEkxOoS1_Z_3wpz0FD6we-uJ-OUuXKhOWIClaKihDH9l5LoCCb8OD2LvJ3GXfvIHSokzZijkS4hBPmTUdFGu62aKte5sHEetjOHZ_a0LdJArphEQk9lpD6FQv-IpUoLY4cpO4/s1600/EarthSkyIII_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTU_USnAKEkxOoS1_Z_3wpz0FD6we-uJ-OUuXKhOWIClaKihDH9l5LoCCb8OD2LvJ3GXfvIHSokzZijkS4hBPmTUdFGu62aKte5sHEetjOHZ_a0LdJArphEQk9lpD6FQv-IpUoLY4cpO4/s1600/EarthSkyIII_web.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Earth Sky III</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watercolor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
11 x 14 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
available at <a href="http://www.handsgallery.org/index.html" target="_blank">Hands Gallery</a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then went on to do a related series about earth and sky.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_6ugq8tN8dbcvLT_g4_N_sk50aONONRalOCiQL_Ns3Rixqx_pJCWn3-apkf9V7FWl0HnRmhieNoUnEqTZTg7pf9lBn9AMyHEghWe0Irpcgi_fxRZxGDwQFk7fyvJZRhcHwXSwBacOvA/s1600/orchard_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_6ugq8tN8dbcvLT_g4_N_sk50aONONRalOCiQL_Ns3Rixqx_pJCWn3-apkf9V7FWl0HnRmhieNoUnEqTZTg7pf9lBn9AMyHEghWe0Irpcgi_fxRZxGDwQFk7fyvJZRhcHwXSwBacOvA/s640/orchard_web.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Simple Hours</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watercolor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
10 x 14 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
available at <a href="http://www.handsgallery.org/index.html" target="_blank">Hands Gallery</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
With my love of landscape I spent some time pushing the interpretation of an image in watercolor, the beginning of a desire for greater abstraction.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyzubSkkqqbsD1oNHNFnScw6Ac72SvA9tcCw663Pgg04w4vuYpT_aXLgFmVEUO89Ig-55z52bOSq3FbZvXrSz6kUETDmc3dOHxSHcyjW2XC_aLPGqra4MSZXtWd4jCCXc8OLA677AnWc/s1600/ViewFromHere_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyzubSkkqqbsD1oNHNFnScw6Ac72SvA9tcCw663Pgg04w4vuYpT_aXLgFmVEUO89Ig-55z52bOSq3FbZvXrSz6kUETDmc3dOHxSHcyjW2XC_aLPGqra4MSZXtWd4jCCXc8OLA677AnWc/s640/ViewFromHere_web.jpg" width="499" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The View From Here</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watercolor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
11 x 14 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/482312345/original-landscape-watercolor-painting?ref=related-4" target="_blank">available</a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
In a series based on the Raven Rocks overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway I relied more heavily on developing compositions in my sketchbook, and began working with color in a more interpretative way rather than relying on local color for my color palette.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKZkpjXTQbI7WoFh5ysYHgccrTTnmxTygq2nt3mBsamLwrfm8hsAHEfAvAN37kX8yTOe6fIdtYbyu6A73O9tDo42btWUqYuWBA1hdu9a6iC-FAARwVznLamuFlhWv2HodxQVTzTW8kQU/s1600/AllTheQuietPlaces_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKZkpjXTQbI7WoFh5ysYHgccrTTnmxTygq2nt3mBsamLwrfm8hsAHEfAvAN37kX8yTOe6fIdtYbyu6A73O9tDo42btWUqYuWBA1hdu9a6iC-FAARwVznLamuFlhWv2HodxQVTzTW8kQU/s1600/AllTheQuietPlaces_web.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>All The Quiet Places</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
mixed water media</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
10.5 x 14 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/478635008/original-landscape-mixed-water-media-all?ref=shop_home_active_8" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
And when Hurricane Matthew struck my beloved Edisto Island last October, I created a series of Edisto paintings, using some of the mixed media I had been experimenting with and my own interpretative color palette.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UxVEIBmnicYFKi4NXDBcHFLHE1y2a9JhTADmcGvNUdGmBImiWQFp1Mt4otdWtUNRJLV2MCd5Uy_ZfB8k3Cas0bU5SkMxOhTFOxCE5bYiDveY6PVGOlsJ2ZDHk7hI77BmvRlp7eqbhFs/s1600/mixed1_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UxVEIBmnicYFKi4NXDBcHFLHE1y2a9JhTADmcGvNUdGmBImiWQFp1Mt4otdWtUNRJLV2MCd5Uy_ZfB8k3Cas0bU5SkMxOhTFOxCE5bYiDveY6PVGOlsJ2ZDHk7hI77BmvRlp7eqbhFs/s640/mixed1_web.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
untitled (Mountain mixed I)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
mixed water media</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8 x 11</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
available from the artist</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
With a desire to futher explore abstraction I experimented with mixed water media on paper. Encouraged by the results I wanted to see where I could take this with acrylic paint.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTlcUnA34ttexKyjVjqXT-5w2yB1P_J4u-Lws_AwQ706tQhEuQcv_w6dj9pXlt7t1ny_uxhO_HDbIg_jF8PtTkljuJanjTMwcctwCvdz0WKPbwbjdgmYR5WvCbtWzRaiIRcElUE8j4IU/s1600/EveryRoadHome_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTlcUnA34ttexKyjVjqXT-5w2yB1P_J4u-Lws_AwQ706tQhEuQcv_w6dj9pXlt7t1ny_uxhO_HDbIg_jF8PtTkljuJanjTMwcctwCvdz0WKPbwbjdgmYR5WvCbtWzRaiIRcElUE8j4IU/s640/EveryRoadHome_web.jpg" width="457" /></a></div>
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<b>Every Road Home</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
acrylic, graphite and Inkense on paper</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
8 x 11 inches</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
available from the artist</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So with a handful of acrylic tubes I did more exploration on paper. My intent was to paint non-objectively, but mountain landscapes still showed up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_mMMAYLYz4lwucBURRezAUsIMzTNe5xpR6RT45U0VSwE5-rPaCed0X_qzIVju1geJUHLUImuvZW9rtgYNtaKI01dxYYGYkGMowIx7y3SbP-41yRC1xltCY0YKUvnWXKlFLJ7rzXVr-c/s1600/PassingDays_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_mMMAYLYz4lwucBURRezAUsIMzTNe5xpR6RT45U0VSwE5-rPaCed0X_qzIVju1geJUHLUImuvZW9rtgYNtaKI01dxYYGYkGMowIx7y3SbP-41yRC1xltCY0YKUvnWXKlFLJ7rzXVr-c/s640/PassingDays_web.jpg" width="465" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Passing Days</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acrylic and graphite on paper</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8 x 11 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
available from the artist</div>
<br />
Since doing these abstracted landscapes on paper I am in the process of continuing this series on larger cradled panels as well as having a few canvases on standby. There are other themes I plan to explore in acrylic and with this intuitive painting approach. I am eager to continue with these works in the new year to see where all of this takes me. I do plan on working with watercolor again too, and I would like to increase the scale of my watercolor paintings. Of course my <a href="http://nemcoskyart.blogspot.com/search/label/sketchbook" target="_blank">sketchbook </a>will continue to be an important part of my creative process.<br />
<br />
As for the other parts of my creative life, I plan to continue to add designs to my <a href="http://nemcoskyart.blogspot.com/p/trillium-wood.html" target="_blank">Spoonflower </a>collection. That is a process and product I find deeply satisifying. And <a href="http://nemcoskyart.blogspot.com/p/crochet.html" target="_blank">crochet</a>. I was busy with holiday gifts and am now making something for me, but once that is complete there will be more crocheting happening too. All of these are important parts to my creative life. And who knows? There just may be new creative adventures to take in 2017! What are your creative plans for the new year? Trying a new media or method? Wherever your creativity takes you I wish you all a very happy and art-filled new year!<br />
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-18800380305012881122016-12-14T11:54:00.000-05:002016-12-14T11:54:18.501-05:00completing a series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPPC50EMi1kt2rC5T-MAWQC7gz0Pv0WdepqtlJqEC-5w6_KvdbTHFQJJ-2DXaBFpN6OCQArgvN91u4lkMTneYTq55WUkdskhXR4O1WUj34gcFYjutVq-Zzr84FyeqlEflDl2-sY_ZNps/s1600/GoldenSpell_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPPC50EMi1kt2rC5T-MAWQC7gz0Pv0WdepqtlJqEC-5w6_KvdbTHFQJJ-2DXaBFpN6OCQArgvN91u4lkMTneYTq55WUkdskhXR4O1WUj34gcFYjutVq-Zzr84FyeqlEflDl2-sY_ZNps/s1600/GoldenSpell_web.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Golden Spell</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acrylic and graphite on paper</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8 x 11 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
<br />
These are the remaining two paintings on paper that I have completed with this abstracted mountain landscape theme. They are with my chosen color palette of teal, ochre, purple and white and are probably my favorite of the six paintings on paper. For the painting above it is probably because it asks more questions than it answers that I prefer it over the others.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoFdKcyLQDEAh85LQk-doQn-s3MYJyqzcIBkYP6hTmij3hZmfA0dY_zbJIXPlp22UwsTprB8PN2IGeN7yC1_yzZ7a8UZdYHuMmVAW506M_NzLtv69XUIox0QoQVtb5OHL9rFwWBlSK6E/s1600/PassingDays_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoFdKcyLQDEAh85LQk-doQn-s3MYJyqzcIBkYP6hTmij3hZmfA0dY_zbJIXPlp22UwsTprB8PN2IGeN7yC1_yzZ7a8UZdYHuMmVAW506M_NzLtv69XUIox0QoQVtb5OHL9rFwWBlSK6E/s1600/PassingDays_web.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Passing Days</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acrylic and graphite on paper</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8 x 11 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
<br />
And as for this painting, I am happy with the lighter values and more controlled intensity of color.<br />
<br />
However I have yet to get this series out of my system. I purchased some wood painting panels in sizes larger than the 9 x 12 painting paper and am happily continuing on abstracting mountain landscapes. When is a series complete? With this one I will just have to wait and see.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-72699450454473171802016-12-09T13:50:00.001-05:002016-12-09T13:50:53.159-05:00landscape abstracted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtm14HA5gZ6R_zqx5L8s0JtRamDL-tWE-19nhAiEwvqgUIBay1bRhHSH6nuuAA2XQyU6xDa1C2GUSw0_hi_AynuKsIWRJoMcGqeX78X9biTpOyGnoLEI_PkM_cm26FuuNE1_TWgb61FU/s1600/MistyMorningSong_web2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtm14HA5gZ6R_zqx5L8s0JtRamDL-tWE-19nhAiEwvqgUIBay1bRhHSH6nuuAA2XQyU6xDa1C2GUSw0_hi_AynuKsIWRJoMcGqeX78X9biTpOyGnoLEI_PkM_cm26FuuNE1_TWgb61FU/s1600/MistyMorningSong_web2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Misty Morning Song</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acrylic and graphite on paper</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8 x 11 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
<br />
In continuing with my abstracted mountain landscape theme, this painting may be the most abstracted in the series so far, or the most nearly non-objective painting depending upon how you look at it. I used my same limited palette of teal, purple, ochre, and white but also introduced ultramarine blue. I like the tension created with the ultramarine and teal in the composition.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjkX6ICMM9dsmx79d4AJI8a4Ewu4iGucMDe99hh8foRO8mxmC-C5p03mACAhPZT7RIFwmyDIxLNyw_lDdnvwjA2lvO5GDXMcWHTdnClvuboETmPH67c9DGkQjCqx81WYDh5u0H1XPbrg/s1600/WhenItRainsInNovember_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjkX6ICMM9dsmx79d4AJI8a4Ewu4iGucMDe99hh8foRO8mxmC-C5p03mACAhPZT7RIFwmyDIxLNyw_lDdnvwjA2lvO5GDXMcWHTdnClvuboETmPH67c9DGkQjCqx81WYDh5u0H1XPbrg/s1600/WhenItRainsInNovember_web.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>When It Rains In November</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acrylic, Inktense, and graphite on paper</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8 x 11 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
<br />
This painting was made on the first rainy day we had experienced here in months. After weeks and weeks of drought and wild fires too close by for comfort, the rain was such a relief and wonderful to listen to all day long. I think it was that sound of rain that influenced the abundance of little shapes and patterns in this composition. Here I also used a little magenta Intense to liven up the teal, ochre, and purple palette. I am enjoying the challenge of keeping my palette limited with this series, as you probably know by now that if left unchecked I do have a tendency to use ALL the crayons in the box, I like color that much. So by keeping my hues limited I am more conscious of how I am using value and intensity, adding to the challenge, and ultimately the fun, of painting abstractly.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-24164951541663586752016-12-06T14:35:00.000-05:002016-12-06T14:35:52.570-05:00acrylic - that other water media<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0ISprlHLfKzvNXh4rTJ2Gl8-T2FW7zY0HvJcLSBejT-EJ_8uRAaPLREGChzOTVlPcSN5zLNvqvMCMwZ9YG3rFFMZDa34Yaux5XDEDPaiPYTFQv7eiuBHixnTV5S7-ch9HCA7ehK6L-U/s1600/acrylic2_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0ISprlHLfKzvNXh4rTJ2Gl8-T2FW7zY0HvJcLSBejT-EJ_8uRAaPLREGChzOTVlPcSN5zLNvqvMCMwZ9YG3rFFMZDa34Yaux5XDEDPaiPYTFQv7eiuBHixnTV5S7-ch9HCA7ehK6L-U/s1600/acrylic2_web.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
untitled</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acrylic on canvas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
9 x 12 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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If you follow me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nemcoskyart/" target="_blank">Instagram </a>you may already know that I have begun a new journey with acrylic painting. My explorations in mixed water media have led to the desire to really push paint around on canvas or whatever surface I can get my hands on. I see the approaching winter solstice is a time to draw inward, as a good time of year to step out of my routine and take an inward retreat. A time to try something new, without pressure, and just for me. I have a new crochet pattern to try with some wonderful new yarn and I may even attempt a macrame wall hanging for that piece of drift wood I brought back from the beach last spring. And I painted two acrylic landscapes on canvas. The one above was the more successful of the two. At this point I felt more exploration was in order so I went back to the acrylic painting paper. I like this paper in that it is sturdy, acid free, and not all that costly so I don't worry so much about wasting good art supplies.<br />
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<b>Every Road Home</b></div>
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acrylic, graphite and Inktense on paper</div>
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8 x 11 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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I began this series with the intent to paint non-objectively. I wanted to explore compositions that were about color and shape, texture and line, but without the constraints of subject. Except what happened was that mountain landscapes kept showing up. So I just went with that.<br />
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The perimeters I am using for these works is to keep the format vertical and use a limited palette. My palette as shown above is white, purple, teal and ochre acrylic. I just love those gray-greens that come from these three colors. The crayon is a Lyra water soluble graphite crayon, and I occasionally threw in little bits of magenta Inktense.<br />
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<b>Where Mountains Rise</b></div>
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acrylic and graphite on paper</div>
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8 x 11 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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Again, the limited palette, while exploring using a variety of shapes and marks, and there are those mountains again. I have lived here so long that the landscape has become a part of my subconscious visual language!<br />
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Now one of the biggest road blocks I faced when working with acrylic was how to dispose of the waste water. This was a big issue when I was painting with water soluble oils. I liked painting with them but was worried the plumbing in our house wouldn't. From my previous trials with acrylic I was keeping a bucket for the waste water hoping that the liquid would evaporate and I could throw out the solid acrylic skins. Except that here in these southern mountains nothing ever evaporates and I was stuck with this ever filling bucket of paint water. But I kept looking for a solution and eventually found <u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG_wXxu7W0o" target="_blank">this delightful artist</a></u> who had found the answer to this problem. Kitty litter! It's simple and brilliant. The only issue with the kitty litter is the sickening synthetic "air freshener" smell. So if any of you cat owners know of a brand of kitty litter that clumps but has no perfumey odor please let me know!Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-42121356101282212152016-12-02T10:24:00.000-05:002016-12-02T10:24:28.383-05:00departure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I seem to work in cycles. After playing with abstracted images in my Edisto series, I have returned to my familiar mountain landscapes with the aim to take them beyond the literal. This is something I have attempted in the past with watercolor but this time I am exploring other water media as well.<br />
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So these two pieces are the first in this exploration. I began with a scene in mind and a few sketches where I focused on what is most interesting to me about the landscape- the movement of the undulating hills receding into the distance, defined by the lighted and shadowed areas.<br />
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Both of these works are approximately 8 x 11 inches on acrylic paper. I used water soluble graphite, Inktense blocks, Neocolor II watercolor crayons, Lyra Aquacolor crayons, gesso, and some acrylic paint. Pretty much anything I could think of to throw at it just to see what would happen! This is a departure from what I have been doing with watercolor for the past several years and I find the novelty of working in an unfamiliar way energizing as break from routine and the predictable.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-71305474894549456742016-11-29T10:42:00.000-05:002016-11-29T10:42:21.018-05:00sketchbook :: food for the feast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had a wonderfully relaxing Thanksgiving holiday which was spent cooking, eating, sketching, and catching up with a dear friend. I managed a couple of watercolor sketches in my 9 x 12 Kilimanjaro watercolor sketchbook. The clementines above and the sweet potatoes below were both done with watercolor only, no preliminary sketching, just straight in with paint.<br />
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That is my preferred way to sketch in watercolor, although sometimes I find myself committed to a composition that could have been better planned.<br />
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However, there were no do-overs. The clementines were needed for zest in the cranberry sauce and the sweet potatoes ended up mashed under that blanket of marshmallows. And when we put away our art supplies to finally eat dinner everything was so very tasty.<br />
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And now it's suddenly time to begin preparing for the next holiday! In between I am resolved to keep up with my studio practice as I have so many ideas percolating at the moment. I know it's nearly impossible to do everything, but I can certainly try!Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-43244654670422868422016-11-15T17:05:00.000-05:002016-11-15T17:05:00.871-05:00Edisto Series <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwEKiyCtgt3kR13sbPt5NC5UKFwZCwgQXM0znohugZIRpP-0cb0PUQWuwMyapeKTEia2AisqcTneo8ua7v_NU5ZKegLhuw6Zcooj2gmjuOZ6t6KfCbQO3fVWrmzhnhaKvvTWf5VUhf8E/s1600/AllTheQuietPlaces_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwEKiyCtgt3kR13sbPt5NC5UKFwZCwgQXM0znohugZIRpP-0cb0PUQWuwMyapeKTEia2AisqcTneo8ua7v_NU5ZKegLhuw6Zcooj2gmjuOZ6t6KfCbQO3fVWrmzhnhaKvvTWf5VUhf8E/s1600/AllTheQuietPlaces_web.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>All The Quiet Places</b></div>
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mixed water media on paper</div>
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10.5 x 14 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/478635008/original-landscape-mixed-water-media-all?ref=shop_home_active_8" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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My Edisto series is now completed and available for purchase in my Etsy shop. You can see the entire collection in my shop by clicking <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueBirdHill?ref=hdr_shop_menu&section_id=20425617" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<b>Ending Where It Began</b></div>
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mixed water media on paper</div>
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10 x 10 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/478637580/original-beach-scene-mixed-water-media?ref=shop_home_active_6" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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I loved this exercise of sticking with the theme of the beauty of Edisto all the while keeping my color palette and method of painting and mark making consistent.</div>
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<b>That Alone Will Do</b></div>
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mixed water media on paper</div>
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10 x 10 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/492136035/original-landscape-mixed-water-media?ref=shop_home_active_5" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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There is so much beauty to be found on this island, a beauty that requires our strict attention in order to protect and preserve this coastal environment.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxV2w8CEmUPMjQITBGGatK3ItrHWkiRBNrSc7tEcyQPnOFiL9dMrvLX2v52vok0WgVDm4Sh8Dv_KsWEAFQvysNAlLYZ94SLsMfKMmsHDGvBYXRXYIodrw3JerzKzjoT9Tz_ecsWLnXUs/s1600/ToLoseOne%2527sSelf_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxV2w8CEmUPMjQITBGGatK3ItrHWkiRBNrSc7tEcyQPnOFiL9dMrvLX2v52vok0WgVDm4Sh8Dv_KsWEAFQvysNAlLYZ94SLsMfKMmsHDGvBYXRXYIodrw3JerzKzjoT9Tz_ecsWLnXUs/s640/ToLoseOne%2527sSelf_web.jpg" width="449" /></a></div>
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<b>To Lose One's Self</b></div>
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mixed water media on paper</div>
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10.5 x 14 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/492133567/original-beach-scene-mixed-water-media?ref=related-5" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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And it is a home and a second home to many who find comfort in being by the sea in a small, strong community, away from the commercial trappings found in most coastal areas.</div>
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<b>Beckon</b></div>
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mixed water media on paper</div>
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6.5 x 10 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/478640440/original-abstract-coastal-mixed-water?ref=related-3" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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I also enjoyed the challenge of abstracting this theme just a bit. </div>
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<b>Haven</b></div>
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mixed water media on paper</div>
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6.5 x 10 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/492138967/original-abstract-coastal-mixed-water?ref=related-2" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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I used my feeling for the place as a starting point and allowed the paintings to develop through the common thread of beach, water, palms, and the light.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzohdwaUdeRHyJFqMqILTjva6AyzRlJk78pNMalDNkKnBMC2dc0Dso_MotB0WUPBitg0hMmgobNPH9bGZ84Xl8lslgnTOrGNGf7LwCL03sEtfFTtkXAw_MULeZXwWHJUPc7pQwxK8GgSo/s1600/Return_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzohdwaUdeRHyJFqMqILTjva6AyzRlJk78pNMalDNkKnBMC2dc0Dso_MotB0WUPBitg0hMmgobNPH9bGZ84Xl8lslgnTOrGNGf7LwCL03sEtfFTtkXAw_MULeZXwWHJUPc7pQwxK8GgSo/s400/Return_web.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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<b>Return</b></div>
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mixed water media on paper</div>
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6.5 x 10 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/492140195/original-abstract-coastal-mixed-water?ref=related-1" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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This is a method that I plan to explore more deeply in future works.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhregt8L9u4F-rQ3CK01ciO1Uamnzxk483e0zyaai1ng0L_2RRMR98A561qvN7KroFbZ6RGVfQtcNuYWIyXsXcPBvrwTo81nJy-zdzbSj06KeBFzsxWBJZdzAW63GKP55mH2Yvg9ATbHzQ/s1600/Rhythm_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhregt8L9u4F-rQ3CK01ciO1Uamnzxk483e0zyaai1ng0L_2RRMR98A561qvN7KroFbZ6RGVfQtcNuYWIyXsXcPBvrwTo81nJy-zdzbSj06KeBFzsxWBJZdzAW63GKP55mH2Yvg9ATbHzQ/s400/Rhythm_web.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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<b>Rhythm</b></div>
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mixed water media on paper</div>
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6.5 x 10 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/492141321/original-abstract-coastal-mixed-water?ref=related-0" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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<b><i>For whatever we lose (like a you or a me),</i></b></div>
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<b><i>It's always our self we find in the sea.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>~e.e. cummings~</i></b></div>
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Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-9107226164967951142016-11-04T17:15:00.000-04:002016-11-04T17:15:00.461-04:00Edisto series continued<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1I3xqWS01NeoniLslweQzUmFwxvpNIiDX6RzQdA641a1YQH6Fav7Wz3TMwmtD3OVhh4HmonBPy8ogx8NI9vVYOqmL4E1qjO6FAJ3ncSl1gBksXqeYziueMoDwmmQwyTRihAPJGYbANDg/s1600/EdistoII_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1I3xqWS01NeoniLslweQzUmFwxvpNIiDX6RzQdA641a1YQH6Fav7Wz3TMwmtD3OVhh4HmonBPy8ogx8NI9vVYOqmL4E1qjO6FAJ3ncSl1gBksXqeYziueMoDwmmQwyTRihAPJGYbANDg/s640/EdistoII_web.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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<b>Edisto II</b></div>
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mixed water media on paper</div>
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10 x 14 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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Here are two more paintings in my Edisto series, created with the same process as the <a href="http://nemcoskyart.blogspot.com/2016/10/edisto-series.html" target="_blank">first</a>. After sketching in the composition with a watercolor pencil I lay in watercolor washes. Then I build up areas with more saturated watercolor, after which I apply watercolor gesso in selected areas. Then more washes and marks with Inktense pencils. I liked the simplicity of the composition in the painting above, and left a good deal of white paper exposed. This painting shows one of the many little cottages at Edisto beach.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Y3_J-8RCZZHImS77azq9Z4wmP9h3Yf5RnFHuo6t5Y0OCntFWyBWI7H4zvq1F7tfHSUEEiPfIqMJxcfDilljvTwDJLRCREechraxTqaLbck5ZMfWFd-d-o_p5hLca0hSm_1olYntBjXs/s1600/EdistoIII_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Y3_J-8RCZZHImS77azq9Z4wmP9h3Yf5RnFHuo6t5Y0OCntFWyBWI7H4zvq1F7tfHSUEEiPfIqMJxcfDilljvTwDJLRCREechraxTqaLbck5ZMfWFd-d-o_p5hLca0hSm_1olYntBjXs/s1600/EdistoIII_web.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Edisto III</b></div>
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mixed water media on paper</div>
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10 x 10 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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I am enjoying being able to use very saturated color and then push it back with the gesso. This process adds a dimension to the layering of pigment that watercolor alone cannot. And then restating areas with marks made with those wonderfully vibrant Inktense pencils is just fun! The painting above is inspired by the walk out to the beach at <a href="http://www.preserveedisto.org/Botany%20Bay/BotanybayWMA.html" target="_blank">Botany Bay</a>. I have read where the Botany Bay nature preserve sustained a good deal of damage from Hurricane Matthew and that it will be quite a long time before it will be open again.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-7814361093377723742016-10-27T19:05:00.000-04:002016-10-27T19:05:28.864-04:00Edisto series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6g8b9m62jm9a9o1nrst0u96vAWRxxgqn5pQwUQNQoyfNQmJNUC25TNfOfRClB6aLkF0Bkkqgk-uzWnFpeb39g3F7bFvpQVY-KJmcoGn4phF7cFSSJ2vmECL_JCXNyIWMmi1Yn90dttjU/s1600/EdistoI_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6g8b9m62jm9a9o1nrst0u96vAWRxxgqn5pQwUQNQoyfNQmJNUC25TNfOfRClB6aLkF0Bkkqgk-uzWnFpeb39g3F7bFvpQVY-KJmcoGn4phF7cFSSJ2vmECL_JCXNyIWMmi1Yn90dttjU/s1600/EdistoI_web.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Edisto I</b></div>
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mixed water media on paper</div>
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10 x 10 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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Since my last post I have been busy creating works based on Edisto Island, South Carolina. The painting above is inspired by the many marsh views there, this one comes from Botany Bay on Edisto.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB3PvtOqhHWG1BZzxvjhoHDRF8vbudDOgmdElAo8DOl0AF5o0XEzzqxziqTpnYMQ3zQ28kpoXbyYwmROviDkr6HDHbA-084FdycLGc-_lyZeKdTqXNHsxNXdAJvggXmMSkiIt-QX2O5k/s1600/Edisto_studies_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB3PvtOqhHWG1BZzxvjhoHDRF8vbudDOgmdElAo8DOl0AF5o0XEzzqxziqTpnYMQ3zQ28kpoXbyYwmROviDkr6HDHbA-084FdycLGc-_lyZeKdTqXNHsxNXdAJvggXmMSkiIt-QX2O5k/s1600/Edisto_studies_web.jpg" /></a></div>
After my sketchbook explorations, I made a suite of small images wothout working directly from a photo reference. Instead, with my photos nearby purely for inspiration, I relied more on memory and pulled some of the graphic elements to create imagined compositions based on my feeling for Edisto. These were done on 1/8 sized watercolor paper. I used some watercolor washes along with watercolor crayons, water soluble graphite, Inktense blocks and gesso.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqQB0rhx8FZdPNwlMx9NT1tp012RsaC8R5oPMeere0oEA3Q-b9oTlxLbZuye6UVFZ38u8Mlyu_pxl3ldzLRpaekLjDNI4603AqASW7pjxwhAUTGfJiPUBjjCV1QbWLc7m2v9kliZOiHQ/s1600/EdistoIa_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqQB0rhx8FZdPNwlMx9NT1tp012RsaC8R5oPMeere0oEA3Q-b9oTlxLbZuye6UVFZ38u8Mlyu_pxl3ldzLRpaekLjDNI4603AqASW7pjxwhAUTGfJiPUBjjCV1QbWLc7m2v9kliZOiHQ/s1600/EdistoIa_web.jpg" /></a></div>
I am finding that I do like using gesso with watercolor. I discovered <a href="http://www.cheapjoes.com/american-journey-gesso.html" target="_blank">this gesso</a> and similar to a watercolor ground, it can be applied thin or thick. I like using it not only to reclaim white areas but also to push the intensity of color back a bit when applied more thinly. It also provides an absorbant surface to then layer with a wash or accept watercolor pencil.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9_pJPU-Eg7A40YiUd9z47n_KjoZG4Bi2i2WBNYLv5WVYzpX-DW2NTPa3ftXpPT9e_1C50SzJAHAZHz3eySs7_V8BEjYuWGlBiC_6XuvLxwj0gr6wvCUyLEpUCxDsh0Co1jPSt2rEdfo/s1600/EdistoIdet_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9_pJPU-Eg7A40YiUd9z47n_KjoZG4Bi2i2WBNYLv5WVYzpX-DW2NTPa3ftXpPT9e_1C50SzJAHAZHz3eySs7_V8BEjYuWGlBiC_6XuvLxwj0gr6wvCUyLEpUCxDsh0Co1jPSt2rEdfo/s1600/EdistoIdet_web.jpg" /></a></div>
And here is a detail showing the watercolor pencil marks on top of a thin layer of watercolor gesso. Even though I had intended to keep these strictly watercolor paintings, I am so enjoying responding to the image with mark making and the added element of layering the surface. And all of this is causing me to reconsider those acrylics that I tried a while back.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-39087434784164813522016-10-19T14:27:00.000-04:002016-10-19T14:27:10.184-04:00sketchbook :: Edisto series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMZt_E9BcSwML5adMeZXM8mwxdz8GROndDvWwuHRPTHCjSblHs6uAJ1Jps-r1p7pAgiWx2Rc5Tp_0YNuk1xW82l9e8rN0JjCxagm4v_6JPNp_eOauf_56RJunAsKxmxzUNo5W7YpEa9M/s1600/edistoSketch1_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMZt_E9BcSwML5adMeZXM8mwxdz8GROndDvWwuHRPTHCjSblHs6uAJ1Jps-r1p7pAgiWx2Rc5Tp_0YNuk1xW82l9e8rN0JjCxagm4v_6JPNp_eOauf_56RJunAsKxmxzUNo5W7YpEa9M/s400/edistoSketch1_web.jpg" width="389" /></a></div>
Ever since Hurricane Matthew cruised up the East Coast a couple of weeks ago, my mind has been on our beloved Edisto Island in South Carolina. Edisto took a direct hit from the hurricane and has sustained a lot of damage. Keeping up with the news reports and seeing photos of the destruction was, and is, heartbreaking.<br />
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I began pouring through my photo inventory from Edisto with the idea of creating a new series of paintings based on that island that we love so much. This top sketch is inspired by the walking path that takes you out to Botany Bay on Edisto Island. Sorry about the wrinkles but this big Seawhite sketchbook is a bit unwieldy for my scanner.<br />
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And this one comes from the view out to St. Helena Sound.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4wSnrvEt8QXdRqXC_8AgU3pchhb_FEhpeHXtaisB8azorFb0gpNDmhLrg7ehEQp3YBjwV4x6aevtAQjd28Lc1oIRuRhd-xf7j2teVfCOWSNza2SQKiIRjfcqChpByvFq4_-G9odvq50/s1600/EdistoSketch4_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4wSnrvEt8QXdRqXC_8AgU3pchhb_FEhpeHXtaisB8azorFb0gpNDmhLrg7ehEQp3YBjwV4x6aevtAQjd28Lc1oIRuRhd-xf7j2teVfCOWSNza2SQKiIRjfcqChpByvFq4_-G9odvq50/s1600/EdistoSketch4_web.jpg" /></a></div>
Another St. Helena Sound view. I love those tall sea grasses.<br />
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I am using a variety of water media with these sketches, watercolor pencils and crayons, Inktense pencils and blocks, a water soluble graphite pencil, charcoal, and a little gesso sometimes here and there. I am exploring imagery from Edisto that is something other than my usual seascapes. You know how I love painting water and waves! But for this series I am looking for a different perspective on that beautiful island, so I plan to explore ideas through lots of sketches and studies.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-11117154899408822532016-10-14T10:24:00.000-04:002016-10-14T10:24:44.224-04:00Raven Rocks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIwrsHwPNlEwnQBuQNuqSDxP74bYVKlNIGVA3DiL1-VCiy-LiVAM8qb7gwg3pr1X_UPyNRprjrFwUN-1tEESzobQHAeZc-1O6ujLlA3v5qs7g_5TJB8fA5Vi5CcCdgoboQX8371_Nezg/s1600/RavenRocks_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIwrsHwPNlEwnQBuQNuqSDxP74bYVKlNIGVA3DiL1-VCiy-LiVAM8qb7gwg3pr1X_UPyNRprjrFwUN-1tEESzobQHAeZc-1O6ujLlA3v5qs7g_5TJB8fA5Vi5CcCdgoboQX8371_Nezg/s1600/RavenRocks_web.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Raven Rocks</b></div>
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watercolor</div>
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10.25 x 14 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/471786386/original-landscape-watercolor-painting?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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Here is one more painting in my Raven Rocks series. With this series I have challenged myself to limit my palette in order to use color that is more expressive and interpretive as well as explore a more expressive painting style. Although I will not post every painting in this series, overall I am satisfied with my results and I am now excited to carry this over into a new theme for paintings. Below are the other three paintings making a suite of four Raven Rocks paintings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIR8xqGzpmOj-tpNEr17VHJoShrrkwK7ZqXmlsQBzsSy1-ipx3NxourEfk9A612bOlCFBB1PQQJ8dVcFomuZDJ5MDS_ABKGU09MYHsxWXZvG7JxjInn7dw5h6uPYYIEpr_ax-uhou-31Y/s1600/ViewFromHere_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIR8xqGzpmOj-tpNEr17VHJoShrrkwK7ZqXmlsQBzsSy1-ipx3NxourEfk9A612bOlCFBB1PQQJ8dVcFomuZDJ5MDS_ABKGU09MYHsxWXZvG7JxjInn7dw5h6uPYYIEpr_ax-uhou-31Y/s320/ViewFromHere_web.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
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<b>The View From Here</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnekEJBfMndxYJjOd2K9Qi3VTs6Cy7xYn6RWa1ImFllpwyJHDTU-ecrzT2V92_ievFybEfSshY1O2a462PyxTUAqwBjDkbNDqZNjF6MEH9jOYcp0nhuht4BFjVB3B1_bkOJnyRvQT3ETE/s1600/Daydream_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnekEJBfMndxYJjOd2K9Qi3VTs6Cy7xYn6RWa1ImFllpwyJHDTU-ecrzT2V92_ievFybEfSshY1O2a462PyxTUAqwBjDkbNDqZNjF6MEH9jOYcp0nhuht4BFjVB3B1_bkOJnyRvQT3ETE/s320/Daydream_web.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
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<b>Daydream</b></div>
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<b>From Where We Stand</b></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-8154752833474921432016-10-11T14:40:00.000-04:002016-10-11T14:40:21.788-04:00all things creative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Nok5a9IVxT6s_dQhhy8DSWHgmYjU35FVAB9IrsaEUCjdm8tSdZt_tjJBJlbfxh34IRpQqGdYEoqR5MZiWqH35VMv6xhSCXLVJ91WyMWZskp_4xU90zh5MMiANKztvprfqwDmr8tia58/s1600/blueBBdet1_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Nok5a9IVxT6s_dQhhy8DSWHgmYjU35FVAB9IrsaEUCjdm8tSdZt_tjJBJlbfxh34IRpQqGdYEoqR5MZiWqH35VMv6xhSCXLVJ91WyMWZskp_4xU90zh5MMiANKztvprfqwDmr8tia58/s400/blueBBdet1_web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
For a long time I have kept this place, BlueBird Hill, solely about my art. Paintings, sketchbooks, and drawings have been the theme. Now I have decided that BlueBird Hill should be a home for all the parts of this creative life, not just paintings. In my last post I introduced my fabric design adventures. And something else that I love to do is crochet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZADc6DGNozX_Rj2mSdwPg-STE1oHbQpoeCLHYKYt6mgm5tDsu7xZNHHqU7GWVNZV7AkEJA0JRzYCaEe8u9tPjI7y3YkVmpfaxDnRQHfg_RQ2p_IaUokDdrNXmz64bzGDAisRWgP6FTf4/s1600/pinkBB_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZADc6DGNozX_Rj2mSdwPg-STE1oHbQpoeCLHYKYt6mgm5tDsu7xZNHHqU7GWVNZV7AkEJA0JRzYCaEe8u9tPjI7y3YkVmpfaxDnRQHfg_RQ2p_IaUokDdrNXmz64bzGDAisRWgP6FTf4/s400/pinkBB_web.jpg" width="322" /></a></div>
So now, on occasion, I will be posting a crochet creation. I have added a few of these to <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueBirdHill?ref=hdr_shop_menu&section_id=20152904" target="_blank">my Etsy shop </a>and will be adding more in the near future, simply because I crochet all the time and my closets are full! All of the hours spent waiting while Kiddo is in classes, or when watching our favorite tv series, I crochet. I find crocheting to be a very meditative activity and I love putting together new color and stitch combinations to make something new.<br />
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Baby blankets and market bags are two of my favorite things to crochet. Next I will be working on scarves, cowls and maybe a shawl or two.<br />
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I'd love for you to stop by my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueBirdHill?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> and check out my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueBirdHill?ref=hdr_shop_menu&section_id=20152904" target="_blank">new section dedicated to crochet!</a><br />
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*the patterns for the baby blankets and the market bags are inspired by patterns from the wonderful knitter/crocheter and artist, <a href="http://jenniferedwards.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Edwards</a>. Thank you Jennifer for your inspirations!Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-64883346751176897722016-10-07T13:13:00.001-04:002016-10-07T13:13:33.272-04:00sketchbook :: my other sketchbook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSvo1nPetR_Rl1Ww81gYq70LjF5FI8U2HTvllD7T0yJs3aKM0gOYbxkCacvlXKi1KLDguKst-Ygh6uBmx-yBVswEyUyPpOYc2EuK51MszuqTV5Kf8jMa0-0Wc0IGVnDOMIByNS9JmW10/s1600/palette_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSvo1nPetR_Rl1Ww81gYq70LjF5FI8U2HTvllD7T0yJs3aKM0gOYbxkCacvlXKi1KLDguKst-Ygh6uBmx-yBVswEyUyPpOYc2EuK51MszuqTV5Kf8jMa0-0Wc0IGVnDOMIByNS9JmW10/s1600/palette_web.jpg" /></a></div>
This past summer I began a sketchbook dedicated solely to playing with shape and color. I initially began these exercises because I hated to waste the paint left on my palette after I had completed a painting. I do like to start with fresh color when I begin a new painting but oh, those colors left on my palette called me to make something creative before washing them away.<br />
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These "palette exercises" soon became a meditative experience that I look forward to doing before the start of a new painting. By using my beginners mind in this way, what I paint is only inspired by the colors I see there, with no preconceived notion of where it is going or what it will become.<br />
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Then the "what would happen if" thoughts started to surface. I put one of my sketches into my very basic photoshop program and played with turning it every which way. Well, that looked interesting!<br />
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Which led me to explore Spoonflower, the place where you can upload designs and play with various repeats and scale. This was becoming too much fun!<br />
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A new adventure has begun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7jcg7q1Y_TZB0kmD5Fz8fdhE5hik48SxRAw230ryt89QGTDxXsajp2b83AWMeclrf7eeNxBVCn3Lp9Hd_JBLHiYfKWaSWO7rHYhx1ddUzcgX3_fik2SVDCTEssfjdrvIFHAMfklaDqI/s1600/design4_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7jcg7q1Y_TZB0kmD5Fz8fdhE5hik48SxRAw230ryt89QGTDxXsajp2b83AWMeclrf7eeNxBVCn3Lp9Hd_JBLHiYfKWaSWO7rHYhx1ddUzcgX3_fik2SVDCTEssfjdrvIFHAMfklaDqI/s400/design4_web.jpg" width="321" /></a></div>
I am calling these my "Zen Palette" designs. And my "other" sketchbook is continuing to be filled as I find this routine of creating these little meditative color studies a very satisfying studio practice. By making these I create a space where nothing is forced. Sometimes it's good to just follow along where the ideas lead you.<br />
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You can see my <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/trilliumwoodstudio" target="_blank">Zen Palette collection here.</a><br />
<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-84508834890187573622016-09-30T10:09:00.000-04:002016-09-30T10:09:27.673-04:00The View From Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoNgvmbOKuDi5Hh0WSgchCdlv8hz6knPPLpV-AWuJAF6zZFtz_zhAyv3dCmf74HiBVnnZbKOYpPJoSX-X6qwXTGMSdZOwRrkTLVOLr76OPcK_XyUeR5ndaz20Y2Zp39KSGu-8ttlGgtE/s1600/ViewFromHere_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoNgvmbOKuDi5Hh0WSgchCdlv8hz6knPPLpV-AWuJAF6zZFtz_zhAyv3dCmf74HiBVnnZbKOYpPJoSX-X6qwXTGMSdZOwRrkTLVOLr76OPcK_XyUeR5ndaz20Y2Zp39KSGu-8ttlGgtE/s1600/ViewFromHere_web.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>The View From Here</b></div>
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watercolor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
11 x 14 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/482312345/original-landscape-watercolor-painting?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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Here is the next in the series of Raven Rocks paintings coming from my sketchbook studies. I am enjoying working with this theme of mountain vistas from the Blue Ridge Parkway. I am finding that I am making paintings that feel more like "me" in terms of color and style. And that's a good thing as it keeps me returning as a curious explorer to the subject.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-13672231205399398362016-09-27T18:19:00.000-04:002016-09-27T18:19:22.871-04:00sketchbook :: a new Seawhite sketchbook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghULs5fZXcVQE7jhbAHE23W4iLUwDy0c2NUBmEOulsy3P1-LaLekKll-eCWDw6-FeesH-S9n0NiQsrQsPQCaI93ypwTbCS5gO9cd_MVMwsVU7xWGPiv3xljJLzKmFItI9z05catL_c-us/s1600/sept18sketch_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghULs5fZXcVQE7jhbAHE23W4iLUwDy0c2NUBmEOulsy3P1-LaLekKll-eCWDw6-FeesH-S9n0NiQsrQsPQCaI93ypwTbCS5gO9cd_MVMwsVU7xWGPiv3xljJLzKmFItI9z05catL_c-us/s1600/sept18sketch_web.jpg" /></a></div>
I am continuing with the Raven Rocks overlook theme by exploring compositions and color in my sketchbook. Above is one of the last sketches that finished my Strathmore 500 Series 8.5 x 11 inch Mixed Media sketchbook. Here I used charcoal, watercolor, watercolor pencil, Neocolor II watercolor crayons, and Inktense blocks. Although I like the Stathmore Mixed Media sketchbooks as a sturdy studio sketchbook I had found another, new to me, sketchbook to try.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkuAuM7ttiLORlecTleDVGb4IS4hfTeqxIcHXdrvS3G9LyghO0yQhdX_t_ItrQXU6jWienibOc30wXqnlTmFrQFnVw-C3dCwJRumEGuub6vI542VvzSsvNxHW0Z11A0xHzTnxIBs72LM/s1600/sept21sketch_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkuAuM7ttiLORlecTleDVGb4IS4hfTeqxIcHXdrvS3G9LyghO0yQhdX_t_ItrQXU6jWienibOc30wXqnlTmFrQFnVw-C3dCwJRumEGuub6vI542VvzSsvNxHW0Z11A0xHzTnxIBs72LM/s1600/sept21sketch_web.jpg" /></a></div>
It's a sketchbook made by <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/SEAWHITE-Hardback-Artists-Sketchbook-250x250/dp/B00BH34RJO/ref=pd_sim_201_1?ie=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00BH34RJO&pd_rd_r=KG629WPENX93ZF58N4FB&pd_rd_w=dE8qw&pd_rd_wg=BI8d5&psc=1&refRID=KG629WPENX93ZF58N4FB" target="_blank">Seawhite of Brighton</a> and I chose the 10 inch square format. It is cloth bound with a hard cover and has a whopping 190 pages, so it's a hefty book. One of the first things that I noticed is that it stays flat when opened so there is no struggle with clips or holding the pages down when trying to work in it. The paper is 140gsm(95lb) all media cartridge paper, and it is a nice, bright white. So far, it has held up very nicely to everything I have thrown at it. There is some buckling when the paper gets very wet (and I tend to do that) but I don't mind because it is a sketchbook after all. The sketch above was also done with mixed water media.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HVLahz0Z5cU_nXaBBvPenPhT2E-3WtS27gXWePivPPU7zsVHHPhhmF40RW9DVdCG1NeAkNm0m71KI9fHne2fM6p2VKbvCikx3ARZS37RWol7VZdmcRyU35r3qBE9OuAUi1l4P6e0DVM/s1600/sept24sketch_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HVLahz0Z5cU_nXaBBvPenPhT2E-3WtS27gXWePivPPU7zsVHHPhhmF40RW9DVdCG1NeAkNm0m71KI9fHne2fM6p2VKbvCikx3ARZS37RWol7VZdmcRyU35r3qBE9OuAUi1l4P6e0DVM/s1600/sept24sketch_web.jpg" /></a></div>
I was curious how it would be for straight watercolor painting and I was very pleased with the way the paper in this book handles paint. I like to paint very wet and drop in color to allow it to mix on the paper and that method worked well with this paper. I have had sketchbooks that were so heavily sized that the paint would just sit there which was very frustrating for the way I like to work. I also found that lifting paint was not a problem on this paper either, so the sizing seems about right. This sketch was done with watercolor only.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VO-H_Lq4k0NOwPSD-xdd3PhQsjydjNcHOy1yJ9_Ki8DXkv4fug9MA27AUzv6qOQuYTPTzf1JsCbifkNk8PVKBBgCQf44_coa8Ue7pPdzTscvd98Qi6BAzQPwroJm28HSeElh6Q1WVOY/s1600/sept26sketch_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VO-H_Lq4k0NOwPSD-xdd3PhQsjydjNcHOy1yJ9_Ki8DXkv4fug9MA27AUzv6qOQuYTPTzf1JsCbifkNk8PVKBBgCQf44_coa8Ue7pPdzTscvd98Qi6BAzQPwroJm28HSeElh6Q1WVOY/s1600/sept26sketch_web.jpg" /></a></div>
So all-in-all I am happy to be working in this sketchbook. My studio sketchbooks do become a mix of studies, notes, quick visual thinkings, an occasional watercolor or pencil sketch, and more notes. I like that this has a lot of pages to accommodate all of that. Although because of its size I doubt I'll be hauling it around very far for plein air painting, but I already have a nice <a href="http://www.cheapjoes.com/kilimanjaro-original-bright-white-watercolor-paintbooks.html" target="_blank">watercolor sketchbook</a> to fill that purpose. The sketch above is also with mixed water media. I have more exploring to do yet with this Raven Rocks theme.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Use cheap colors, if you will, but buy good paper - fifty percent and more of your watercolors depends on the paper you use. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Work very wet and don't be afraid of the colors running into each other. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Use more color, play with it, yell at me with color. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Give me something dripping with sunlight - make some horrible free studies.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>~Charles W. Hawthorne~</i></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-22249953112222281922016-09-21T13:48:00.000-04:002016-09-21T13:48:05.836-04:00Daydream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Daydream</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watercolor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
11 x 14 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/480364541/original-landscape-watercolor-painting?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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I am still exploring compositions gathered from Raven Rocks overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This painting comes from my first batch of sketchbook studies, looking for those spots of sun and shadow on the mountains while exploring more personal color choices and methods of paint application. I am enjoying the process of seeing where these paintings will take me.<br />
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<i>It is not the sentimental viewpoint but the earnest seeking to see beauty - in the relation </i></div>
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<i>of one tone against another - which expresses truth - the right attitude. If you're a thoughtful humble student of nature, you'll have something to say - you don't have to tell a story. </i></div>
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<i>You can't add a thing by thinking - what you are will come out.</i></div>
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<i>~ Charles W. Hawthorne ~ </i></div>
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<i>from <b>Hawthorne on Painting</b></i></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-38688245571752568212016-09-16T10:54:00.000-04:002016-09-16T10:54:45.463-04:00From Where We Stand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6-Va7qL9tx_zQTATgDy-CCIGyuRvr___I-fr1x_-glDotNPcXNc7iqhx9DnT36OMXt1pQzwhTCV6_drmqbCfsUmuOXcvQh2qp19WhQ_4nMhjoo4RC5pUFVWmFgAN65Fchj8ZrUdPr0o/s1600/WeStand_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6-Va7qL9tx_zQTATgDy-CCIGyuRvr___I-fr1x_-glDotNPcXNc7iqhx9DnT36OMXt1pQzwhTCV6_drmqbCfsUmuOXcvQh2qp19WhQ_4nMhjoo4RC5pUFVWmFgAN65Fchj8ZrUdPr0o/s640/WeStand_web.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>From Where We Stand</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watercolor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
11 x 14 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/465749306/original-landscape-watercolor-painting?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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After spending this past week working up sketch studies from one of my Raven Rocks images, I chose this composition for painting. I am finding my sketchbook explorations valuable in helping me reach what I am after with composition, color, and light.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcfS9hakl7QFwOoj6o3VZOujBFklAhUN32FCmMrjcAIqfHbdV6dV-DqqpKZWmFVWAw8vwgL1kLZWP8lPZy0-m7E5RcKSpYUox0unaD_SrpPBwZVaoXEFCplr0Nun87O4_S2_GtWeLp-0/s1600/SketchToPainting_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcfS9hakl7QFwOoj6o3VZOujBFklAhUN32FCmMrjcAIqfHbdV6dV-DqqpKZWmFVWAw8vwgL1kLZWP8lPZy0-m7E5RcKSpYUox0unaD_SrpPBwZVaoXEFCplr0Nun87O4_S2_GtWeLp-0/s400/SketchToPainting_web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Too often I find myself caught up in the subject of a painting and I forget 'why' I want to express this in paint in the first place. By studying the subject first with much exploration I can search out and define the 'why', where exactly does my interest lie? Right now, I find this is a very satisifying way of working.<br />
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In other news, I have another gallery representing my artwork. In addition to <b><a href="http://www.withthesehandsgallery.com/" target="_blank">With These Hands </a></b>gallery on Edisto Island, South Carolina, I now have paintings available at <a href="http://www.handsgallery.org/index.html" target="_blank"><b>Hands Gallery</b></a> in downtown Boone, North Carolina. Hands Gallery has a wonderful mix of art from local artists and crafters. Do stop in for a visit the next time you are in town!Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-24713222104182647132016-09-12T11:27:00.000-04:002016-09-12T11:27:12.801-04:00sketchbook :: moving forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbP8o5qki0dzdg2DqKi3ONB2awsGnTPpDp4sm-5xkZpe7BnpIBNYHGbvYWtqZUp_1uvDVJ7YE4wLauMPKezXCCOruTlbkx3ulZ9VMLODK4HgfL7w-7rYSXo0i1R4LhY2zLj6UYJMI2LM/s1600/sept8sketch_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbP8o5qki0dzdg2DqKi3ONB2awsGnTPpDp4sm-5xkZpe7BnpIBNYHGbvYWtqZUp_1uvDVJ7YE4wLauMPKezXCCOruTlbkx3ulZ9VMLODK4HgfL7w-7rYSXo0i1R4LhY2zLj6UYJMI2LM/s640/sept8sketch_web.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
For some time now I have been using my sketchbooks more as working sketchbooks than illustrated journals. They become filled with scribbles of ideas and notes, lots of notes. I have been feeling a bit stagnant with my art and new ideas keep popping up and my sketchbooks are the safe place to explore and try out various media and approaches to visual expression. And two recent events seem to have collided to inspire a renewed interest in my sketchbook studies and my approach to making art.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1myZEVN99G8hOh_Yvp9no-3mIs2hmk8NI3JBt5cbTmExJTd89alwhyphenhyphenDWlZCMJgHPTlI2JWSUKeutThBhjdhUn-DOlq5Sz-tNpcA5cYsUEIgzheLieiBQMJhSkYbbTUOxUBNdshA6QbD0/s1600/RavenRocks_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1myZEVN99G8hOh_Yvp9no-3mIs2hmk8NI3JBt5cbTmExJTd89alwhyphenhyphenDWlZCMJgHPTlI2JWSUKeutThBhjdhUn-DOlq5Sz-tNpcA5cYsUEIgzheLieiBQMJhSkYbbTUOxUBNdshA6QbD0/s400/RavenRocks_web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
One was a recent drive up on the Blue Ridge Parkway where we and stopped at the Raven Rocks overlook, and I snapped several photos.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkSOcYgHMDUEGvZt8_SrEnPjn1yW6H8LrhfXZeVhQcCjTSto4_G_GtCr6F-xn9cJh4F000q0sYpM72zAfyz8Z-Ku6Z0HOAwW5Tb_6K8aRLXTZkjO3FYSGdHB6MGrwspSbn7_u49xz7EM/s1600/sept10sketch_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkSOcYgHMDUEGvZt8_SrEnPjn1yW6H8LrhfXZeVhQcCjTSto4_G_GtCr6F-xn9cJh4F000q0sYpM72zAfyz8Z-Ku6Z0HOAwW5Tb_6K8aRLXTZkjO3FYSGdHB6MGrwspSbn7_u49xz7EM/s640/sept10sketch_web.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
It was a glorious September day and I delighted in the clouds drifting in the bright blue sky creating shadows on the distant mountain ridges.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nGCC0pjdeYXV1EHZ3K8-FvcMteXHbdaPWPildfmc1VqDp1O8sfBbU9yH2Cs7jR63yq086DvCYjZSpqQst1ztOiBuCA9Ys4_OlNNhwhtg3dzMDk8kyLvwG6d2v7LbXyvmvuaGMhTCePk/s1600/sept11sketch_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nGCC0pjdeYXV1EHZ3K8-FvcMteXHbdaPWPildfmc1VqDp1O8sfBbU9yH2Cs7jR63yq086DvCYjZSpqQst1ztOiBuCA9Ys4_OlNNhwhtg3dzMDk8kyLvwG6d2v7LbXyvmvuaGMhTCePk/s640/sept11sketch_web.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
From those photo references I am working up sketchbook studies, focusing on what interests me most about each scene. I love the deepening of the late season greens along with the warm spots of sun on the mountain sides. I am trying out a variety of media, curious to see what happens with my mark making and color choices. Some, maybe a few, of these studies will eventually find their way into larger works. But for right now, the value is in the study.<br />
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And that is where the other recent event comes in. Last week I took part in <a href="http://taraleaver.com/" target="_blank">Tara Leaver</a>'s 7 Day Challenge. The goal was to create a series of seven small works in as many days. The parameters of the challenge were left up to each artist to set for themselves. I chose to experiment with my approach to watercolor while working from one photo reference, exploring various views within that singular scene. It was a whirlwind of a week, creating a new work everyday all the while working in a way that was new and unfamiliar. I got out ALL my water media supplies and tested various approaches to getting marks of color on paper. It was a fun and enlightening experience as I learned just how much change I was comfortable with in my work and when the steps were too big to take all at once. It was with this exercise concentrated in one week that inspired me to return to the practice of creating sketchbook studies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGC2lSW90ZbaryhWfATx0tJOSs0wj7wKTofY41H9lNYrMD9z0DABVGz9XmVocZB85_6LFtuNRvKHKxyT_78aHJNLlDSKRYlDryIkKhVMgoXJeitt8aNtV7L6BEmahM51ZixNQfFElZm-k/s1600/7DayChallenge_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGC2lSW90ZbaryhWfATx0tJOSs0wj7wKTofY41H9lNYrMD9z0DABVGz9XmVocZB85_6LFtuNRvKHKxyT_78aHJNLlDSKRYlDryIkKhVMgoXJeitt8aNtV7L6BEmahM51ZixNQfFElZm-k/s1600/7DayChallenge_web.jpg" /></a></div>
Here are the finished pieces from <a href="http://taraleaver.com/" target="_blank">Tara Leaver</a>'s 7 Day Challenge. And <a href="http://taraleaver.com/2016/09/7-days-change-your-art/" target="_blank">here is her blog post</a> wrapping up the experience with lots of wonderful art to see.<br />
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All of my sketchbook images above were made in a Strathmore 500 series mixed media 8.5 x 11" sketch journal, using watercolor, graphite, watercolor pencils and crayons, and Inktense blocks.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-82508653601359745272016-09-07T15:25:00.001-04:002016-09-07T15:25:48.040-04:00so long summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNurjkCccKOHtwXlLBZanyq2I6E1UVLXlIVhkuVgptO3uXGlGA_9hVoKkwlxw4SroynN4jbyi21uZgcDJQ7zHJ4uNSf_rapXQaA2dRsGNVAlwMMbs8lNN2FOwuxxYWLnxa-opOj_jk604/s1600/BackyardSummer_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNurjkCccKOHtwXlLBZanyq2I6E1UVLXlIVhkuVgptO3uXGlGA_9hVoKkwlxw4SroynN4jbyi21uZgcDJQ7zHJ4uNSf_rapXQaA2dRsGNVAlwMMbs8lNN2FOwuxxYWLnxa-opOj_jk604/s640/BackyardSummer_web.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<b>Backyard Summer</b></div>
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watercolor</div>
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8 x 12 inches</div>
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©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/477340197/original-floral-watercolor-painting?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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It has been a long and very warm summer here in our Southern Mountains. And the flowers in our yard have been just glorious. We have a patch of Black Eyed Susans that I love to see in bloom every year, they are such happy flowers. And I am glad that I took the opportunity to paint them before we say good bye to another summer.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391600460847704245.post-11108828561846078212016-08-31T10:28:00.002-04:002016-08-31T10:28:58.777-04:00simple hours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoav6H52_tu6AjL3UzoqKtjkv9PIyWUiHTyxkgJqc33Q-pXxY7XF8ZX41WVaTl0rCfy9clsrZ7nNVHFJVPo7-_R0wrWlIubcRjiLtoFOyai4Lr5uqPyxAS3o3b3HjwnUQpTIlmT79RPs/s1600/orchard_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoav6H52_tu6AjL3UzoqKtjkv9PIyWUiHTyxkgJqc33Q-pXxY7XF8ZX41WVaTl0rCfy9clsrZ7nNVHFJVPo7-_R0wrWlIubcRjiLtoFOyai4Lr5uqPyxAS3o3b3HjwnUQpTIlmT79RPs/s640/orchard_web.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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<b>Simple Hours</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watercolor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
10 x 14 inches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/475807883/original-landscape-watercolor-painting?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">available</a></div>
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When hiking along the Blue Ridge Parkway in these mountains you sometimes come upon a setting that suggests that particular spot was once more cultivated than it is now. Maybe a farm was once there, or a cabin with a garden that is long gone over into wildness again. This is one of those places, with a small stand of apple trees left alone out on a hillside, reminiscent of a more simple time long ago.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559534274200050929noreply@blogger.com3