Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Work in Progress

Work in Progress

    Working on two paintings right now.  

    A watercolor pastel painting that requires a little more time than anticipated.

     Also a watercolor painting with the cruciform compostition.  Takes more planning that I had originally thought. 

    So stayed tuned . . . . 

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Tuscan Window

Tuscan Window

Watercolor

(Arches 140 lb paper)

FIRST PLACE HONORABLE MENTION RIBBON 

TOMBALL ART LEAGUE FALL JURIED SHOW 2014

TOMBALL, TX

I love this watercolor work and cannot understand why I forgot to post it on my blog!  Well, here ya go!

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Magick Bunny

Magick Bunny

Prisma Pencil 

FIRST PLACE BLUE RIBBON WINNER 

IN THE NORTHWEST ART LEAGUE FALL JURIED SHOW 2015

 HOUSTON, TX

Interestingly this was their biggest show ever with a grand total of 287 entries consisting of beautiful works of art in all imaginable mediums.  I entered the Non-Professional Drawing Category.  The medium for this work is Prisma Pencil.  It is one of my favorites.

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Fun pieces from my art class - April 6, 2015

These are just fun learning pieces from my art class.  Technique is wet on wet.  Quite the challenge because each piece was timed for 8 minutes of painting.  Yes the instructor timed us with an actual timer, which screamed loudly and rudely warning us that our 8 minutes of painting were up.  All paint brushes down please!

The reason behind the timing of the works were two fold:  1.  so the paper would not dry out.  Instructor had us wet the entire paper in the beginning.  2. also for us to learn 'when to stop painting'.  So many painters want to keep on going, thinking they will either correct an error or make the painting better.  What actually happens is that by adding more color or water the painting reacts as a palette by mixing the added water or paint on the art work itself.  The end result is that the work just ends up with muddy colors.  

stormy skies full of clouds over the ocean.  

brilliant sun set

at the harbor at sunset 

I have used both the wet on wet technique and the timed painting technique before.  They still are a challenge to me!

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Special Announcement!

Please visit my new site at:

contemporaryartworksbytheresa.com

Thank you!  I will still be posting on this blog.  I will be changing this blog to reflect my painting journey!  

Thank you for all your views!  Keep coming back please!

Theresa 

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - NWAL Spring Show 2015

Ready For The Northwest Art League Spring Juried Show 2015
Houston, Tx

March 21, 2015

White Frame:  Watercolor of White Cosmos - Medium is Watercolors

Black Frame:  Spring Flowers in a Water Pitcher - Medium is Watercolors

Gold Frame:  Magick Bunny - Medium is Prisma Pencil 

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Viola

Viola

Watercolors

(Arches - Hot Pressed - 140lb)

7x10

2015

Viola is a genus of flowering plants in the violet family.  Some Viola species are perennial plants, some are annual plants, and a few are small shrubs.  A large number of species, varieties and cultivars are grown in gardens for the ornamental flowers.  In horticulture the term "pansy" is normally used for those multi-coloured, large flowered cultivars.  So you see, although you may have wanted to call this a 'pansy', the terms "viola" and "violet" are normally reserved for small flowered annuals or perennials.  

(I painted this as part of a tutorial with Anna Mason from Watercolours With WOW).

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Vitamin C to the 10th Power!

Vitaming C to the 10th Power

Watercolor

(on Arches Hot Press Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

9 x12

2015

Juicy and sweet and renowned for its concentration of Vitamin C, oranges make the perfect snack!  They also contain high amounts of antioxidants and other nutrients that can help to boost the immune system.  

((I painted this as part of a tutorial with Anna Mason from Watercolours With WOW).

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Garlic Clove

Garlic Clove

Watercolors

(on Arches Hot Press Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

7x10

2015

Garlic is a species in the onion family.  Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, and chive.  Garlic is widely used around the world for its pungent flavor as a seasoning or condiment.  

The garlic plant's bulb is the most commonly used part of the plant.  Garlic cloves are used for consumption (raw or cooked) or for medicinal purposes.  They have a characteristic pungent, spicy flavor that mellows an ssweetens considerably with cooking.  Some human studies found garlic supplementation to produce small reductions in blood cholesterol.  

(I painted this as part of a tutorial with Anna Mason from Watercolours With WOW).

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Snowdrop Flower

Snowdrop Flower

Watercolors

(on Arches Hot Press Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

7x10

2015

The Snow Drop flower is formally known as Galanthus, Greek for milk flower.  These are perennials which grow from bulbs.  Each bulb generally produces just two or three linear leaves and an erect, leafless flowering stalk.  They flower between January and April in the northern temperatures.  There are a number of gorgeous Snow Drop gardens in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.  The short story "The Snowdrop" by Hans Christian Andersen follows the fate of a snowdrop from a bulb striving towards the light to a picked flower placed in a book of poetry.   

(I painted this as part of a tutorial with Anna Mason from Watercolours With WOW).

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - White Cosmos Flower

White Cosmos Flower

Watercolors

(on Arches Hot Press Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

7x10

2015

The Cosmos is a flowering plant in the sunflower family.  Spanish priests grew Cosmos in their mission gardens in Mexico.  The evenly placed petals led them to christen the flower "Cosmos" the Greek word for harmony or ordered universe.  Cosmos, like many of our warm weather annuals such as marigolds, originated in Mexico and South America.  

(I painted this as part of a tutorial with Anna Mason from Watercolours With WOW).

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Basil Leaf

Basil Leaf

Watercolors

(on Arches Hot Press Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

5x7

2015

The word 'basil' comes from the Greek meaning "king".  Basil is commonly used fresh in cooked recipes.  In general, it is added at the last moment, as cooking quickly destorys the flavor.  The fresh herb can be kept for a short time in plastic bags in the refrigerator, or for alonger period in the freezer, after being blanched quickly in boiling water.  The dried herb loses most of it flavor, and what little fllavor remains tastes very different. 

(I painted this as part of a tutorial with Anna Mason from Watercolours With WOW).

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Harnessing the Energy Within #1

Harnessing the Energy Within #1 

(in a series of 3)

Watercolor

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

11x14

2015

The Cobra yoga pose is a back bend that stretches muscles on the front of the torso and strengthens your arms and shoulders.  Open your heart and roll the shoulders down to promote flexibility in this pose.  This pose also helps to open the chest and lungs.  

Aura:  Pink as a dominant color in the auric field indicates the presence of compassion and unconditional love.  This person may have a great capacity for caring and for empathizing with the needs of others.  These people often choose to work with those who are generally shunned by society.

Namaste!  

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Calla Lily

Calla Lily

Watercolors

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

11x 14

2015

The Calla Lily is a most beautiful flower coming in many colors - whites, rich yellows, and yes, deep burgundy!  Native to South Africa where rainfall and temperatures are adequate.  It's preferable habitat is in streams and ponds or on the banks.  It is the national flower of the island nation of Saint Helena, where it grows widely.  Much to my surprise, it has become an important symbol of Irish republicanism and nationalism since 1926 to commemorate the fallen of Easter 1916 and onwards.  

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Andrew's Soccer Legs 2014

Andrew's Soccer Legs 2014

Watercolor

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

5x7

2015

My grandson Andrew's soccer legs!  (Age 8).  When I sent him the photo of this painting he said, "awesome".  Taking it to the framers today and sending it to him in the mail to hang on his bedroom wall. 

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Vase full of Flowers

Vase Full of Flowers

Watercolor

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

9x12

2015

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Red Rose

Red Rose

Watercolor

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

11x14

2015

A rose, is a rose, is a rose.  What more is there to say other than this is my most favorite flower!  I am fortunate to have a number of rose gardens.  Taken care of with lots of love - after all, a rose is all about love, peace, joy and friendship. 

Long a symbol of love and passion, the ancient Greeks and Romans associated roses with Aphrodite and Venus, whom we know as the great goddesses of love.  Men have used the rose for hundreds of years to convey messages without words.

Each color offers a distinct meaning:  red, the lover's rose, signifies enduring passion; white, humility and innocence; yellow expresses friendship and joy; pink is for gratitude, appreciation and admiration; orange symbolizes enthusiasm and desire; while white lilac and purple roses represent enchantment and love at first sight!

What color is your rose?

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Wildflower Agapanthus

Agapanthus

Watercolors

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

11x14
2015

The name is derived from scientific Greek: αγάπη (agape) = love, άνθος (anthos) = flower.

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Winter Flowers

Winter Flowers

Watercolors

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

5x7

2015

New technique practiced by following brush strokes laid out by the Master Watercolorist Charles Reid.

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Fall Leaves

Fall Leaves

Watercolors

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

9x12

2015

Fall Leaves (After Georgia O'Keeffe).  Georgia O'Keeffe's unique artistic vision made her one of the great American oil painters of the twentieth century.  The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico, holds the premier collection of her work.  This is where I fell in love with her work!