Watercolor race prep

There is just something about springtime that always makes me pull out my watercolors. I think it has something to do with how light the paint feels. Does that sound weird?

Watercolor is also a very portable medium which is nice because this weekend is the first road race (cycling) of the season in Nebraska and if the weather predictions hold, I will be rooting for my husband from the car. I've got quite few of these pieces started and filled up a pencil bag with markers, pens, and pencils to take along. 

I also have like six books from the library that had been on hold for awhile that all became available this week! Anyone else have this happen? 

For those of you who do watercolor more often, I'm in need of a making fluid recommendation! I usually use rubber cement, but it kinda turns my paper yellow and I don't like that!! Thanks in advance!!

Hope you all have a blessed weekend!

A little crayon therapy

We spent Independence Day at my husband's grandparents house in Langdon, ND. This quiet little town is the perfect escape for our little ones who are not big fans of fireworks. Also, my Grandparents-in-law are just wonderful people. They've set a great example to the family of how Christians should live and love people, warts and all!

It was really hard to say goodbye to them on this trip because Grandpa's second round of cancer is finally catching up with him, and we don't expect to see him again on this side of eternity. We are filled with a mix of grief for our up-coming loss but also a hope-filled peace that he will soon no longer have to feel the effects of this disease. 

This up and down of emotions has just made me just not want to work on anything I've got "in process" for the moment. I knew that I just needed to work on something so I was thankful that Jane Davies posted this showing her latest pieces using crayons. Given the ages of my children I'm sure you can imaging how many crayons I have!!

I ended up using a combination of crayons, oil pastels and watercolor. The pastels and crayons work as a resist for the watercolor which can created some interesting pooling of color.

The older I get the more I appreciate these times to just experiment and play. They help keep my creative energy up and any negative inner criticism down. Using cheaper materials also takes off the pressure to create masterpieces each time I'm in my studio!

Speaking of tough critics, my four-year-old told me that she thinks I did really well on these pieces. She is not known for holding back negative reviews of my work so positive comments are always appreciated! :-)

Race Report: Odin's Revenge

A few weeks ago my husband and I went to Gothenburg, NE for Odin's Revenge, a self-supported gravel bike race. Note: my husband is the one who races. I merely come along for the fun.

The short course riders leave at 6:45 in the morning so there is no sleeping in on this vacation!

After seeing Travis off, I headed back to the hotel for some breakfast and to attempt some watercolor landscapes and read a bit. 

As you can see, landscapes are nowhere near my strong suit, but it is a genre that I would like to gradually get better at with time.

Trav was done with the race by noon (he got third) so we decided to go explore some gravel roads just the two of us!

I ride a road bike so my husband wanted to check my tire pressure right off the bat. It is very nice to ride with someone who can take care of those things for you!

And he took this lovely selfie to remember our adventure date!

What I'm Painting: Walls and Watercolors

This past week I've been occupied with the oh-so-fun task of painting the living room. My goal was to get it done by Memorial Day, and it looks like I might get it done with a few days to spare. 

Progress has been slightly hindered the high ceiling on half of the room, but I borrowed my mom's ladder so I should be good to go from now on.

And as great as the crisp white walls look, it will be nice to have my paintings back up!

 My kiddos paint with watercolors everyday and I've been feeling a little jealous since all of naptime/maketime has been devoted to wall painting for over a week now.  

I started painting shapes that I have been drawing for awhile and then starting to play a bit more. 

The design on the bottom middle seemed sort of botanical so I tried it out in warm colors.

And then I just had sort of a doodle page. Who says sketches have to "be" something!

In my sketchbook: mixed media doodling

In my sketchbook: more mixed media work

In my sketchbook: indigo inspiration

Oh, how I love the color indigo!