Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Sweet Teenager

Sweet Teenager

Graphite Pencil with Watercolor Wash

3/12/2016

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Sneakers . . . .

Sneakers

or do you prefer to say Tennis Shoes?

Graphite Pencil with a Watercolor Wash

3/12/2016

I like to sketch.  Actually that is a lie.  I love to sketch.  I started out with a pencil learning to draw, drawing in the negative space first to get your actual picture, than adding to or taking away from it to make the sketch the way you wanted it.  Then I started with watercolors.  Wow, how I loved those watercolors but they are so unforgiving.  So if you make a mistake - consider it a part of the painting and just work it in somehow.  Unlike acrylics, oils, prisma or pastel pencils there is no painting over to correct an error.  So I learned to love my mistakes with watercolors  . . . and so here I am.  Today.  Loving sketching and watercolors!

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Bridget, inspired by Saint Briget of Kildare, Ireland

Bridget

Graphite Pencil, Watercolor Wash

March 10, 2016

Meet Bridget

Bridget got her name by an artist friend of mine, Peggy (check out her amazing creativity on her blog TheHouseofKent.blogspot.com).  When I told Peggy I loved this painting of mine so much that I wanted to name her - Peggy wrote:  Bridget, inspired by Saint Briget of Kildare, a patron saint of Ireland.  She shares her name with an important Celtic goddess, and there are many legends and folk customs associated with her.  She was a goddess poets adored and associated with Spring.  Peggy also said, "She just looked Irish to me, I think with the red hair."

Thank you Peggy for giving my art lady her name!  Bridget - I love it!

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Sketching Every Day!

Catching up on my posting . . . . . sketching every day to improve my skills - I can see progress!  And some I've even added a water color wash, since I love watercolors and their transparency!

White Heron as seen in my back yard pond! Febuary 2016 Graphite Pencil

Girl Scout - February 2016 - Graphite Pencil

Sweet Young Girl - March 2016 - Graphite Pencil

First Oscar in celebration of the Oscars!  Febuary 2016 - Graphite Pencil 

Birthday Surprise!  March 2016 Graphite Pencil with a Watercolor Wash

 Rainy Day Sketching just for the fun of it.  1950's fashion!  Graphite Pencil March 2016

More rainy day sketching Graphite Pencil March 2016

Just plain ole' fun listening to CNN reports the winners of the primary day voting in some states.  Watercolor pencil - March 2016.  My kitty trying to hide from me!  LOL

A Million Pillow Cases Humanitarian Project

A Million Pillow Cases Humanitarian Project

Quilting Clubs around the US are donating hand made pillow cases to sick child, foster children and the elderly through charitable organizations.   Their hopes are to collect One Million pillow cases! 

I did contribute, but than I made these for my grandchildren.  They came out sweet.  For those of you interested in making a pillow case for the cause, or for your own use, goggle sausage pillow case or buritto pillow case for instructions either in the printed form or on You Tube.  

These are very easy to make in less than one hour.  An excellent project for teaching a child to sew. 

Just Saying!

Just Saying!

Shiny Romantic Things . . . . .Pretty, Pretty!

Shiny Romantic Things

Yes, this fireplace mantel is in my room!

I bought some mini mini mini lights (although on flash camera they look larger) that run on battery so that I could add (another) a touch of romance in my room.  So super cool!

 A slightly different angle - pretty pretty!

I Love To Quilt

Very Southern Quilt

Lap Size Quilt also known as TV Quilt

The quilt top was pieced in 2015, however I did not get around to Free Motion Quilting it until January 2016. 

I just love the way my Very Southern Quilt sits in the center of my king size bed (on top on my king size white hand quilted quilt!). 

Here's a close up of the pretty quilt! 

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - A Note to My Readers. . .

Note to my Readers

I haven't been posting for a while but will soon be back once I catch up with things.  Along with my travel and art work, I have returned to quilting and sewing and have been consumed with my love for all these creative enjoyments.   In 2015 I pieced and quilted SEVEN quilts!  Call me crazy!

And so enters another interest - a new one for me!  Photography!  I have made a major investment (well, for me and my budget that is) in a Nikon D7200 and I am in love!  I am in the process of taking an on-line course.  For my Houston area friends who are familiar with our landscape, I hope to find the time to go to Rice University in March for an 8 week course. 

So here's my promise - I will be catching up on all my posting real soon!  I will be adding more quilts and some photography!  

I Love To Quilt

Just Call Me Scrappy

Quilt

Double Bed Size

Premium Cotton Fabrics

I Love To Quilt

A Quilt for Janie

Pretty Little Pinwheels

Quilt

Double Bed Size

Premium Cotton Fabrics

I Love To Quilt

So okey its not actually art with paint - but putting fabrics together, getting 

colors and design right - putting all this together is a work of art!

Quilt Works 

Hoochie Coochie Momma!

SaveSave

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - My Guardian Angel

My Guardian Angel

Watercolors

8 x 10 

2015

A commissioned work.  I love how it all came together.  

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Status Update!

I'm back!

Had a wonderful, wonderful vacation!  A 16 day cruise and land journey around and through Alaska!

Raw wilderness - raw beauty!

I think I have way too many photos to paint - but I will try!

See you soon!

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Sweet Girl!

Sweet Girl 

Watercolor Portrait

(Arches Paper 140 lbs)

Private Collection

5x7

2105

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - A Vase of Springtime

A Vase of Springtime

Acrylics

( on Premium Artist's Canvas Sheets)

8x10

2015

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Just a bunch!

Just a Bunch

Acrylics

(Paramount Premium Quality Artist's Canvas)

8x10

2015

This is a no brainer - everyone knows carrots are good for them!! 

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Watercolor Quotes I love!

Watercolor Quotes I Love!

"Watercolor is a medium of countless options but few second chances."  Gordon MacKenzie from his book The Complete Watercolorist's Essential Notebook.

and

"In my workshops it never fails to amaze me how people will travel great distances, pay out hard-earned cash for materials and instruction, and put up with crowded conditions just so they can study the effects of drying water.  Along with a little pigment and manipulation, that's about all that's happening with watercolor."  Gordon MacKenzie from his book The Complete Watercolorist's Essential Notebook.

For those of you who watercolor the first statement you understand, while the second statement will make you giggle!

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - A Mother's Day Bouquet

A Mother's Day Bouquet

Pastel Pencil and Watercolor

(Daler Rowney 98 lb, Acid Free Pastel Paper)

12x9

2015

Here is a bouquet of Mother's Day Flowers.  I don't think I know one women who does not love flowers, and always enjoys recieving them on Mother's Day and truthfully any day of the year!

This was an interesting painting.  It has been quite a while since I have worked with Pastel Pencils.  (I believe the last one was my rendering of The Corn Poppy (interestingly named after the flower) by Dongen c. 1919).  Working with Pastel Pencil and watercolors gave this painting an interesting effect.  And because it is paper for pastels, the watercolors were gingerly applied.  

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Barnyard Scene

Barnyard Scene

Watercolor

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

11x14

2015

Cruciform composition - my first, but certainly not my last.  I love the way it works!  Once again, the actualy painting is much prettier than the photo of the painting!