Trail Tales

I love biking and the way it allows me to explore new places. Last weekend, we drove to Geneva and biked along the Fox Riverside Trail.




This is where our adventure brought us to. The historic Fabyan Village, where an old Japanese Tea Garden rests.

How timely for my ongoing 'hundred gardens' project. I can't wait to jump to the seventh painting. Right now, it's time to resume working on the sixth.

But wait, you still have to see the fifth.

- Posted from my iPhone

Saturday Secret - Straightening Doors

Novice and professional painters alike occasionally come across the challenge of painting straight edges. Let me share you one of my tried and true technique - masking. With what else, but a masking tape!

As I was working on the fifth painting, trying to straighten a brush stroke with a tired mommy hand wasn't just happening. Plus, I didn't want to lose the 'impressionist' feel of the painting by restricting the movement of my loose, freehand strokes.

Masking tapes are plein air artists best friend too. Here, I just put a three-inch tape to achieve a somewhat straighter edge. By doing it, I was able to continue painting loosely without worrying about the edges too much.

Voila! My door frame looked like what it's supposed to be. It's not perfectly straight. But painting isn't about photographic illustration. For me, it's about creating shapes, strokes and smudges that represent 'something'.

Focal Shift

Working on the fifth. Right now, I'm deciding to shift the focus from the obvious focal point, which is the blue door. I want to lead the viewer's eye to something unexpected.

Stay tuned to see where it will be. But while you're here, why not tell me what you think. I'll be happy to hear your suggestions.

- Posted from my iPhone

Mystery Subject Revealed

I posted this inverted image last Saturday to ask readers what they think this is. One reply I got from my Facebook Page is that it could be a vintage upholstery. Now, let me introduce you to my newest subject - Fletcher.

I'm getting more excited to finish this painting. It's a step outside my comfort zone, since I don't usually paint pet portraits. But when I got this image for the 'hundred gardens' project, I knew instantly I have to paint it.

Stay tuned as I keep you posted on how this painting develops.

Right now, I'm making the darks darker using a mix of phtalo green, burnt umber and alizarin crimson.

- Posted from my iPhone

Going Green

Egg cartons for planters, anyone?

That's what I call 'thinking outside the box'. Better yet, 'planting on the boxes'.

Happy Sunday! Go green and grow greens.

- Posted from my iPhone

3. White Garden Room

'White Garden Room'

Acrylic on Canvas. 11 x 14 in.

Welcome to Boxwood Cottage's White Garden Room. This is our third stop in our Hundred Gardens tour. Carola welcomes us in her lovely cottage in Bremen, Germany. Take a seat and savor the delectably designed white room in her garden.

Pebble Patio

Almost done, just dry brushing the pebble patio. I intentionally didn't worked too much on the pebble details, so as not to take the spotlight out of the focal point.

Are you able to tell which is the star (focal point) of this painting already?

- Posted from my iPhone

2008 Best of Show

Winner of the 2008 International ACEO Competition

Sponsored by Strathmore Artist Papers

The news came two days right after Mother's Day. Another achievement, another blessing.

A Time to Bloom - Part 2

"Time to Bloom 2"
Mixed Media on Paper, 18x24 in.
Watermark not present on actual artwork.
Click here to buy archival print, $20.

Winters passed and seasons changed
She breathed within her range
The warmer breeze of Spring
Filled her with the joy it brings

Walking calmly
She proceeded without hurry
Looking to see what blooms
Today will fill her room

Not too far
Almost torn apart
A familiar bloom
Lay completely in gloom

Trampled and wilted
Her branches almost dead
Once again her tears dropped
This time it didn't stopped

She picked her up with care
Saving her roots from the tear
Thank you for picking me up
It muttered while leaves flop

Hush my 'little bud'
Bloom again and be proud
In my garden just like in my heart
You'll always have a spot

A Time to Bloom - Part 1

"Time to Bloom 1"
Mixed Media on Paper, 18 x 24 in.
Watermark not present on actual artwork.
Click here to buy archival print, $20.

Where has she been? Looking back, she realized she is no longer her 'little bud'. She has fully blossomed, ripe for the picking.

As much as she wanted to get her for herself, she cannot. This time, she belongs to someone else. There, with him, she'll spread her own seeds and plant a garden of their own.

My time to nurture her has come to end, she said. She is yours now. Hold her gently and don't let her wither away. Her heart twitched with pain and bliss as she let her go.

You'll forever be my 'little bud', she whispered as tears dropped on her petals.

P.S. Friends, this post is a special tribute. Watch out for the second part of the story. Post your comments and let me know who you think this tribute is for.

Illustration Friday: Pet Peeve

"You're blocking my way."
Watercolor on Yupo, 6x9 in. Watermark not present on actual print, $19.
Click here to buy archival print.

When it gets crowded in my pond of thoughts and I lose focus.

Entry to this week's Illustration Friday's theme 'Pet Peeve'.