Alula, Pendant Kihi Fern and Psychotria Grandiflora (Wild Coffee) Puka, Sunrise and Kahelelani Shells Honu on Poipu Beach Textured papers were created by Gelli-Plate printing 35 sheets of paper with a variety of textures and colors. These papers were cut up into shapes and assembled with Acrylic Gels. The Claybord surface was prepared with layers of paint. After...
Learn MoreI received a set of Claybords for Christmas and this was a new surface for me! I had just returned from a trip to Kauai, and the colors and textures of the island were still in my mind. I was also inspired by all the things we saw in Kauai that were considered scarce, rare or endangered. I decided that collage and scratch texture on claybord would be a good way to...
Learn MoreThe Sacred Grove The Susquehanna River Kirtland Temple Nauvoo...
Learn MoreThis little watercolor sketch caught my eye later when I was looking for a subject to try for my first Aquabord painting. I had never tried using Aquabord as a watercolor substrate before, and I was amazed by how forgiving the surface was. This sketch was created in a sketchbook that includes quick pencil, colored pencil, ink and watercolor...
Learn MoreThis is part of a larger painting of Schubert Cafe and the surrounding walkway. However, together the two parts seemed to compete for the focal point of the work. It immediately solved the problem to trim the painting into separate parts. It actually makes me enjoy the painting so much more to see it in bits and pieces! This little detail from the larger Salzburg Cafe...
Learn MoreAutumn is just deliciously messy. It laughs at the obsessively ordered garden and edged lawn. I love how it just blows anywhere and everywhere. Autumn looks like scribbles to me and I love...
Learn MoreThis fall, I am taking a marketing class and was asked to schedule ten postings for my Instagram account. Fortunately for me, I am always creating things that probably should be shared but just get thrown in a drawer instead. Suddenly I realized I could easily come up with ten images to share. I collected sketches, scribble drawings and card-sized paintings that I have...
Learn MoreThe Knitting trio: we take turns using the knitting loom, the needles or the weaving loom. Love seeing the girls using yarn...
Learn MoreFor this artwork, I thought I would share a little poem written by D: My family is like a tide pool. My sister A is like a starfish; always sticking up for people and brightening up their day. My sister K is like a sea snail; making a pathway for others to follow. My brother C is like a crab; always picking up stuff and trying it out. My Dad is like a sea anemone;...
Learn More12/28/12: I forgot to share with you all that I have been doing these last many months! As a mom, teacher, artist and musician, I spread myself across many interests, but not all at once! Before and after musical numbers at church and doing homework with the kids, I have been teaching a lot of art this year. From 5 year olds to 18 year olds, I have been discussing the...
Learn More4/16/12: Sometimes my spiral notebooks have studies that are very expressive. I think I am willing to take more risks with color and design in my sketchbooks before I move to the “nice paper”. Working out the possiblities in these preliminary studies helps take some of the fear out of staring at a fresh sheet of watercolor paper or canvas. In this color...
Learn More4/16/12: I had a request to see some of my sketches. I have a number of watercolor pads and sketchbooks that I fill with ideas or use to practice drawing. The next two posts feature a few of these color studies or drawings. I have actually quite a few stashed in drawers and stacked on...
Learn More4/12/12: Spring Break inspired me to create texture and color in new ways. We took a trip to the coast and the children awakened my eyes to the beautiful colors and textures of tide pools, surf and sand. Amazing how some time with children can put your own creativity into hyperdrive! As soon as we came home there were so many new ideas in my head. I see several projects...
Learn More3/17/12: “Cockatiel Condos” a collaboration between Janet and 26 2nd graders. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas. 24″ x 48″. This was a lot of work and planning. It required a carefully drawn “map” that assigns birdhouse space for each young artist. I love the whimsical and colorful result. I am so intrigued by the possiblities of mod...
Learn More3/16/12: Currently I am working on a collaborative art piece. This artwork displays the painting of my daughter’s second grade class in an arrangement that I designed and finished. The artwork “Cockatiel Condos” features birdhouses that I drew and the children painted with their own colorful patterns. They are arranged on an “inside out...
Learn More2/28/2012: People often ask me, “when do you have time to paint?” and truly I don’t know how to answer them. There is never a set time – I can’t plan on regular evenings, mornings are unpredictable and really my schedule is run by lots of little people. Yet somehow I get the practice time in. I run into the time and seize it more often than...
Learn More1/14/2012: Today it feels like winter is really here to stay awhile. It is rainy, cloudy, a bit dark and there is a possibility of snow. The darkness and dampness of Oregon winter is something I actually quite enjoy. There were many people out walking today and they didn’t look a bit grumpy. I decided I wanted to feel winter too but not get cold and wet so i worked...
Learn More1/5/2012: Preparing for a successful year of painting does not mean sending away my family to paint every day, (Although there are times when I need to be alone! Ever tried to paint a delicate wash with a four year old asking for a drink?? ) What I am learning from artists who have painted for many decades is that there are many activities that support your painting...
Learn More12/13/2011: Finally I have a place to share what I am learning through painting! Painting has given me a chance to rethink, rediscover and recreate all sorts of memories and feelings. I hope you visit often to see how my techniques and creativity evolve and grow over time. I have so many images I want to record and so much to say that without art and music – I think...
Learn More