~Imaginary Visit to the Garden~

This is the second "imaginary trip" that I've taken with Laure Ferlita.  The class is for 6 weeks with just one lesson a week.  I looked anxiously forward to each week's lesson and while waiting usually paint more than one "page" for my journal.
Lesson One: Wildflowers
I thought this would be easy because I love flowers but my first page had a lot "flaws".

I was really unhappy with the lettering.  I'm learning that lettering is an integral part of the journal page. It's not all about the painting.

Lesson Two:  Window Boxes

I really had trouble with the shadowing on this painting.  After my critique, I painted a second page from a photo that I took in Paris.

This was a window that I had photographed in Montmartre.

Lesson Three:  Water features

I really liked this subject though my first painting turned out to be harder than I thought it would be.  The second painting was done from a photo that I took when driving cross-country.  I was amazed that it turned out so well.  Had it not been for the "Trip to New Orleans" and the lesson where we had to paint people, I never would have taken on this sculpture.

Lesson Four:  Garden Tools
I composed a "set up" with my gardening gloves and hand trowel as my subject.
The second painting is from a photo that I took in Paris.  It is a small garden shop in the Tuileries Gardens.

The lettering style is "bungalow".

After the critique, I went back and softened the white pen lines on the watering can.

Have you noticed that the lettering has improved?  I bought a couple "how to" books and they have really helped (along with practice)!

Lesson Five:  Garden Critters

When  I first saw this topic I just cringed, ugh! ~bugs.  I do NOT like bugs.  But then when I was looking through the choices of photos to paint, I was mesmerized by this one....these are not "bugs".

These Checkered Skippers  looked like two Tiffany creations, so delicate on top of the pincushion flower.  This is one of my favorite paintings.  I didn't put any journaling on it, though I did add the scientific name last (Pyrgus oileus).

 

I mentioned practicing my lettering skills.  I made a "sampler" page~for fun and reference.  The styles "draftsman" and "bungalow" are my favorites

 Lesson Six:  Last class~ Dew Drops

 

This lesson would have been a whole lot easier if I had chosen not to paint in my little 5" x5" journal.

My little rain drops were so small my hand cramped and my eyes crossed.  Some in the class just did a "how-to" page; one large raindrop.  They were the smart ones!

I might have spaced my drops a little better but I was pretty pleased with the end result..certainly learned a lot about light dispersion on a drop of water!

Laure gave us a "bonus" lesson because there were a lot of "computer issues"; but I was out of town and by the time I got back was just too tired to get it done.  But I did print out the photos because the subjects were absolutely stunning~Asian Gardens!

This class, like the last Imaginary Trip, was just a joy. I've learned SO MUCH!  My classmates, and there were quite a few (32), were delightful, talented, supportive and fun.  By the end of the session you feel like you have made new friends.
Laure will be taking an "Imaginary Trip to Italy" and I have signed up~I am ready to go!!

Wanna come along???  I can promise you it'll be great fun!

 

~INSPIRATION~

I've been taking a wonderful on-line art workshop and it has been quite motivating and inspiring. It's been awhile since my Muse has guided me.  It was truly serendipitous that I found the Painted Thoughts Blog.  Now my muse's name is Laure Ferlita.  Besides all the journal pages we've been painting for the class (see the post for Imaginary Trip to New Orleans), here are a few more paintings I've done in the last couple weeks.

"Indian Dancers and Totem Pole", Monument Valley
My sister vacationed in Arizona last year and this painting was her birthday present.

"Sea Oats in the Dunes"
I joined a website Paint My Photo.
  This site allows artists to use other artists photos without infringing on any copyright laws.

"The Old Mill"
The old mill is the oldest building in my hometown of Hatboro, Pennsylvania. It was built here on the Pennypack Creek in 1720 by a Mr. Dungworth. In August of 1777, Gen. George Washington used this mill to grind grain for his troops, on his way to an encampment at the Moland House on the Neshaminy Creek, where General Lafayette joined the army.
 The mill became an eating establishment in 1918.  Sadly, it  closed  a few years ago.

"Maxine Baritt Park" in Venice, Florida.
Thi is our newest beachside park.  It has a large pavilion with picnic tables
 and views of a large pond, the Gulf and the Venice Pier.

"Neuilly-sur-Seine"
This little park is located on a small triangle in the Paris suburb of  Neuilly.
My sister-in-law & brother-in-law would walk their 2 poodles here often.

Painting is so relaxing and I feel so good...the endorphins are flowing!
Art Therapy works every time.