Fingerprints Tree Painting

Fingerprints Tree Painting

Mom and Me Fingerprint Painting

Family Yoga Art

Sharing these adorable photos of the families who joined us for the Family Yoga & Art class last month.  Join us on June 25th for the next Family Yoga & Art class adventure. We will be painting with our whole bodies in canvas!  More info can be found here:  Family Painted Yoga

Can't wait to Paint by Yoga with you and your little ones soon!

Tiny Original Paintings

Little Chicago
Tiny Watercolor Paintings.

New paintings.  I'm really enjoying painting my city in minuscule form.  It's a bit challenging, especially when trying to retain white parts of the paper.  But just like what I tell my kids, the most important thing is to enjoy and have fun with whatever you're doing.  Also, it helps when you have a good plan before laying that first brushstroke.

What are you working on?  

Bling Your Painting

Working on a new collection.  These are tiny paintings set in jewelries. Perfect as Mother's Day or bridesmaids gifts.

Have a city, landmark, subject you want to be painted?  To see more of my recent works, please visit:

www.sheriesloane.com

Like it?  I'm always happy to hear your thoughts.

Thanks again for stopping by!

How to Paint an Abstract Art

Fun foundation painting.  Work in progress.

Putting in the tiny details.

'Untitled' by Sherie Sloane.  Finished Painting - Detail.

Watercolor on Strathmore Cold Press Paper

Art should be fun.  Remember how fun it was painting in grade school? Laying the colors with our brushes without knowing the 'rules' of color combination, hues, focal point and subject placement.  All the tenets of art that seem to hold many emerging artists from fully expressing themselves.

With dull skies hovering the city in this cold autumn weather, I craved for punches of color on my paper. At the same time, I wanted to create something cheery and bright.  I happened to stumble on my boys' building blocks on my way to the studio in the wee hours this morning.  That was my starting 'block'.

One after the other, I painted squares in random sizes and colors, not thinking about any rules.  It was my time, in my own island of imagination and creativity.  Away (even for a moment) from the rigors of daily routines.  After the paper is filled with squares, I painted some of the squares with darker colors to bring out shapes to represent the subjects that developed in my mind during the process.  The difficult part is when to stop, especially when you're having fun. 

Maybe next time, I'll try circles.  So if you think abstract art is just for serious artists, think again.  You can do art and have fun too.  

'Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.'  

~Pablo Picasso

Feel free to share!  Send a photo if you decide to do this project, I'll be happy to see and share your art here.  Take care.

Eiffel Play

'Beneath the Tower' by Sherie Sloane. Detail. 

Mixed Media on Watercolor Paper

'Beneath the Tower' by Sherie Sloane.

Mixed Media on Watercolor Paper

I was feeling the blues a bit today, and thought a play with color and imagination will be a good pick-me-up.  How about walking under the Eiffel Tower with the moon all aglow? That already gives me a warm feeling inside.

How was your day today?

Kid's Craft: Birthday Balloon Card

'Birthday Balloons' Card.

Birthday Balloon Bag.

Ready for Gift Giving.

Wondering what to do with all those kids' artworks piling up?  Here's an awesome idea for you.  My boys recently made these for their uncle's birthday.  I helped them with the cutting and they used double sided tape to adhere their balloon paintings and yarns.  The balloon paintings were actually cut outs from their free-form painting and scribble on letter-size paper.

What do you think?

Saturday Sentiment: Tears

Portrait Detail.

Watercolor on wet media canvas.

by Sherie Sloane

We all had our share of shedding some.  Go ahead, cry it out.  It doesn't make us weak, only more human.  

- Posted from my iPhone.

Post Workshop Photos

Here are more photos from the Painting Workshop I did at the Chicago Children's Museum two weeks ago.

Click on images for full view.

Students' Painting

My students this year ranged from one to seventy-eight year olds.  Who says age matters when it comes to learning a new skill?  On top of painting their own artworks, each participant took part in painting the collaborative piece. Forty one artists (including me) made their marks on the finished painting, including the tiniest, one-year old artist.

Actual Workshop Instructor Painting

Now, meet the amazing budding artists and see their cool works below.

Participants' and their Paintings

If you missed it this year, make sure to mark your calendar on June 2012 for the bigger and better painting workshop.  Best of all, it's free for the whole family.  

Don't leave just yet.  If you're around Chicago on July 24 (Sunday) and want to learn how to paint Chicago cityscape in canvas, join us at the Family Fun Festival in Millenium Park from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.  More details to follow soon.

Learn-To-Paint Workshop

A family paints together.

Little artists try their hands on painting.

Artists for the day.

My three year old student paints the background.

Move over Monet, the new Master is here.

Not too young for art.  My tiniest, one and a half year old student.

Moms, kids and even grandparents showed up for the workshop.

Students got free watercolor pads from Strathmore Artist Papers.

Here are some photos from the Learn-To-Paint art workshop I did yesterday at the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier.  If you missed it this year, stay tuned for next year's workshop.  

I'll be posting more photos soon.  Thanks to all who came.  See you again next year!

Learn To Paint in One Hour - For Free

Learn to Paint

Click image to zoom.

Map

Click image to zoom.

Tropical Fruits by Sherie Sloane

Actual Workshop Painting

Is learning a new trade or skill in one of your to-do-list this summer?  Here's your chance to check that off from your list.  Learn how to paint in watercolor in an hour, all for free.  Materials are provided.  All you have to do is make time.  It's only an hour, and best it's on a weekend.  

Who knew you can be an artist in less than the time you commute from work to home or from running errands.  But for three years, sixty students went home feeling accomplished and happy to declare they're officially an 'artist' after attending my annual summer painting workshop.  Best proof is hanging their finished paintings on their walls for everyone to admire.

So what are you waiting for?  Mark your calendar this Sunday, June 12 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. You have a date with me!  A painting date that is.  Bring the kids, your spouse, friends, in laws or co workers. Post workshop, go around the museum to experience the Passport to the World event shows and activities.  

Thanks to our gracious sponsors Strathmore Artist Papers for providing the watercolor papers for our students and Dick Blick Chicago.

See you there!  Be there at least half an hour early, seats fill up fast.  Bring extra brushes and pencils too.  

Click the icon above to RSVP.

DIY Handpainted Envelopes

DIY Handpainted Envelopes

This is a fun project you can do with your kids indoors on a rainy or cold spring day.

As I was finishing the thank you cards for our son's first birthday, I realized I ran out of envelopes.  Instead of packing all the kiddos to drive out in the 40 degree weather just to pick up some, I thought of making our own since we only needed few.

I used an old envelope as a template, cut and glued the sides.  And the fun part began.  Both our toddlers, 1 and 3 year olds had fun painting to their heart's content.  They didn't have to paint all the envelopes, I taught big brother to press other envelopes on the ones he already painted to make prints on the rest.  The result were one of a kind, colorful envelopes.  

The hardest part was making my boys stop.  Make your own too, and have fun!

Hundred Gardens Project

Photographers and Garden Enthusiasts Wanted! Want to see your gardens turn into visual art? Then join the hundred paintings project.

I'm starting a new painting project: 'Hundred Gardens'.

How you can participate: Send me a photo of your garden and I'll paint it. Even if you're not a professional photographer, you may send your digital or scanned photos. You will be given credits if your photo is selected. The artistic the shot is, the better chance it will have to be chosen and painted among the firsts. Let me know which town, state or country your garden is located. Consider it a virtual global garden tour for online viewers to see.

Thanks and I look forward to seeing your beautiful gardens. It's time to show off your green thumbs and let your hard work be seen.

Have a question? Just drop me a line.

A Beautiful Engagement

'A Beautiful Engagement'

Watercolor on Paper. 9 x 12 inches. (c) 2010.

I painted this as a wedding shower gift to my cousin. They got engaged last fall in Morton Arboretum.

I love what his fiancee's sister said at the shower last weekend. "The wait may seem forever, but when the right one comes along, it will be all worth it."

Light House

'Light House'

Watercolor on Paper. (c) 2010.

A work in progress. This is actually a watercolor sketch for a 36 x 48 painting I'll be painting later today.

Baby Bursts

'Baby'

Watercolor Illustration. (c) 2010

I painted this for my cousin's baby shower. We're due on the same date! How about that.

I must have missed mentioning that we're expecting our second child. Yes! Another boy on the way. Growing the baby has been one of the things that was keeping me occupied that's why I wasn't able to update my blog regularly.

Although I've been down this road before, parts of the pregnancy journey seems all so new again. And I'm enjoying the perks that come with being pregnant. I get to use the 'Stork Parking' at Babies R Us and enjoy the heavenly foot massages courtesy of hubby, to name a few.

I've been receiving messages requesting updates on my recent 'projects'. Recently, I've been busy making baby gifts for relatives who are either having a baby or just had one. On top of that, I'm preparing for my upcoming one-woman art show this coming March in downtown Chicago. To make it even more exciting, the opening will be four days before my due date.

Hopefully, our baby won't decide to come out by then. I'll keep you posted if he decides to or not. If you're a mom who's expecting like me, the illustration above is dedicated to you too. I wish you all the joys a new baby brings.

Happy Belly Burst Day!

Parol, More than an Ornament

'Parol'

Watercolor on Paper © 2009.

It's that time of the year again when I can't help but miss the cheerful lights and sounds of Christmas back home. There, streets are adorned with lights as early as September and taken down the day after Valentine's day. A long festive celebration indeed.

I miss seeing the Parol. I remember making those when we were growing up. 'Parols' are ornamental star-like Christmas lanterns from the Philippines. It is traditionally made of bamboo and paper and comes in various shapes, sizes and designs.

It symbolizes the Nativity star that guided the Magi to the manger, which for me is the very essence of Christmas - the birth of Jesus. It also represents the victory of light over darkness and the Filipinos' hope and goodwill during the Christmas season.

Painting this somehow makes me feel a little closer to home.

Back on Paper

'I Got Your Back'

Watercolor on Paper (c) 2009.

'I Got Your Back'. Detail.

This morning I missed my sisters and out of the blue, I started drawing these two girls on my sketchbook.  Then it occurred to me that it's been a while since I painted watercolor on paper.   

For a year now, I've been painting on watercolor canvases.  Although canvas gives new dimension to watercolor painting, the thrill of successfully achieving transparency on paper is unsurpassed.  The 'touch and go' approach on paper still remains to be the purest form of watercolor mastery.

If papers could talk, I bet they're saying 'Welcome back, Sister!'.

Meet the Morning Artist

Oak Park Avenue by Sherie Sloane

Watercolor on Paper, 18 x 24 inches.

Mark your calendar.

On June 27, the Vogt Visual Arts Center in Tinley Park, Illinois will have its Inaugural Juried Art Show and Sale from 10 am to 3 pm.  

Bring the family to meet local artists and tour the  beautiful Oak Park Avenue.  

I'll be there, so stop by and say hello.  See you there!

Click here for more information.

Uptown Girl

While in uptown Portland, I took the opportunity to paint the greenest city here in the United States.

Please click here to find out more about this painting.

Birds of Paradise - New Work

The Making of a Painting

From top to bottom, left to right (please click photo to zoom):  

-  Value Study (HB pencil)

-  Color Study (colored pencils)

-  Color Sketch (watercolor pencils)

-  Color Sketch (watercolor pencils)

-  The Palette (new refined Holbein watercolors and pure sable brushes)

-  First Washes and Underpainting

-  Painting, Final Phase

-  Finished Painting

Birds of Paradise

Watercolor on Canvas, 16 x 20. SOLD.

To find out more about this painting, please click title above. Interested in my work? Feel free to contact me, I'd be happy to hear from you.

Thank you for appreciating my art.