Welcome
to the April--June 2009 Project. The theme for this quarter is
"The Animal Kingdom." Just so that we are clear, the Animal Kingdom
includes sponges, worms, insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
That should be enough to choose from. The painting you submit must be painted
specifically for this project and be watermedia. Submit your images to me
via email or snail mail--please send the image as an attachment to your email
rather than embedded in the body of the email. Send title, size, and comments
about the paintings and painting process. Let me know if it is OK to link
your email address when I add your image to the project page. The project
end date is June 30, 2009.
The images on this page are protected by copyright law. Any use without the expressed consent of the artist is prohibited!!!
Mick Black
"Untitled"
Ive attached two watercolours for your April June 'exhibition'. I would be over the moon if you chose to display either of them. Im very much an amateur and have never even tried to have my paintings shown before so to send these to you was a giant leap of faith!!!
Watercolour 1. Windsor and Newton paints with Bockingford 140lb paper; original size 14 by 10 inches. The Bea Eateris a welcome visitor to my house in Analucia and seeing it perched on a dormant fig branch inspired me to have a go.
Deborah Holmes
"Keys Iguana"
This painting was done with free hand brush work on the front of head, under neck area was textured with styrofoam packing that I painted and pressed onto a dry wash. The top part of neck was textured with the end of drinking straws put into paint and then pressed onto the dry wash color. Most of the iguanas in the Keys were born from pets that were let go by their owners. I enjoy seeing them when I go there but they are considered a pest.
Steve Hughes
"L-Pod Frolick"
It's been a little while since I submitted a painting, but this project inspired me to get back into it. I used a lot of different techniques to get the splash/spray including diluting masking fluid and flicking it onto the paper with a toothbrush and my thumb, scraping with a razor, and rubbing with an eraser. 8x10 on Arches. Lots of fun! Thanks.
Judy Silver
"Sweet Soul"
Attached is my submission for The Animal Kingdom. It is titled "Sweet Soul" and is based on a photo of a friend's sweet dog who couldn't look ferocious if he tried. It is a mixed media painting, watercolor and pastel. Many thanks for these projects.
Frank Schneider
"Mama??"
Attached is my entry to this quarter's project. It is watercolor on 140# Arches cold pressed. Title is MAMA ??. As you probably know cattle hide their calves and then forget where the hid them. Thus the title.
Randy Emmons
"Town Crier"
In this little seaside town, if it is not a seagull it's a raven making trouble. This is my representation of the local town crier. Waterford paper and mainly DeVinci paper.
Cathy Geha
"Untitled"
Praying Mantis are commonly seen here and I have one that I find most years in my nearby herb patch. My husband says that local lore says that the praying mantis is able to predict the gender of unborn children but I can't remember HOW they do this...think it has something to do with either holding onto a rock or dropping it. This painting was done on Lukas 140 pound cotton paper using Daniel Smith watercolor paints. I have now been painting for one year and find your challenges a whole lot of fun. I will be showing paintings in a fund raising event in May and am a bit overwhelmed with the thought.
Susan Rose
"Chris Meets Miss Mantis"
It was a pleasure being able to create a submission for this quarter. I sorted through my reference photos and came across one of Christopher sitting in my flower bed. I am doing a garden creature series , so that fit in. I added a praying mantis since she was also in my plans to paint anyway. Painting is 5 x 7 inches, on Strathmore Paper. Used a variety of brands of tube watercolor paints. After drawing basic plan, I used a masking compound to block out the grass blades around Chris and on the ground. Painted the rest, lifting out some blades and stems out of the dark background. Removed the mask, and tinted the blades.
Frank Murphy
"See You Later Alligator"
My submittal is attached, Title is "See You Later Alligator" Size = 14" X 20", done on W/N 140# cp with Da Vinci watercolors and Liquitex Acrylic in the background. This is one of the locals, you got to keep your eyes open, when fishing in the canals and lakes down here.
Barbara Sailor
"Just Hangin' Round"
The name of this painting is "Just Hangin' Round" and it was painted from a photo taken by Debra Holmes at the zoo. She kindly has allowed me to use it. It is painted on ¼ sheet of Arches cold-pressed watercolor paper with mostly Holbein watercolors.
Bonnie McBride
"Hide in Plain Site"
I call this "Hide in Plain Site" These partridges were found under a tree within the city, taking shelter from the cold. This is painted on Twinrocker 12" round watercolor paper with Daniel Smith paints.
Maria Jose Barrera Garrido
"Eagle"
Drawing paper, approximate size 30 x 40 cm. Thank you Maury for so interesting projects.
Águila, acuarela, lápiz de color
y tinta negra.
Papel de dibujo, tamaño aproximado 30 x 40 cm.
Gracias Maury por tan interesantes proyectos
Mª José Barrera Garrido.
Sevilla, Spain, Europe
Dorothy Wagner
"An Unwelcome Guest"
I painted this on Farbiano Artistico paper. 140 Lb cold press.
Size: 13.5 by 11 inches using Winsor Newton paints.
Spring has come to my area along with all of nature's creatures both large
and small. The lowly fly may be an important member in our ecology but an
unwelcome guest in our daily lives. Thanks again Maury for the opportunity
to participate in your interesting projects.
Maury Kettell
"Animalia, Insecta, Diptera, Asilidae, Diogmites, Augustipennis Loew"
This is a robber fly. They capture other insects and use the stabbing proboscis to kill their prey. My son Mike took this image while we were on a white water rafting trip in the Gunnison Gorge, western Colorado. I've taken liberties here as the real insect is light brown in color-the eyes are green as painted. 11" x 15" Arches, cold press. Winsor Newton, Daniel Smith watercolors.
Merry Nuutinen
"Brown Trout"
Enclosed is a picture that I did for your project. I will donate it to a charity raffle. I planned to do an outdoor life picture as men will be bidding on the raffle prizes. I originally wanted to do a rainbow trout but this brown trout caught my eye. I did use some white gouache for accents but otherwise it is Winsor Newton transparent watercolors.
Georgina Jones
"Cuddles"
You'll never believe how "chuffed" I feel that I managed to paint my dog "Cuddles" and it actually looks like him. I can see where improvement is needed, but I now have the encouragement and desire to try another painting of him. Thank you again for your projects that get me painting. As usual....140lb Cold Press paper and Winsor Newton paints.
Sallie Kratz
"Majestic Bird"
I did one like this beautiful bird a few years back and it was not returned from a loan. So... using a photo of the one I had done, I redid it. It's rather light in this photograph I took of it. I love these Majestic Birds. Done on Arches 12 X 16 hot pressed paper. I sketched it out with pen & ink first, I basically use Windsor Newton paints, and for some reason...I rarely clean off my palette and go from there...adding a color here and there..etc. Seldom do I use pure color, but sometimes do.
More images to come