"Three Trees" finished.

Can you see the adjustments? I defined the horizon and made some adjustments in the hair and skin tones, and added a little definition to the scarf.
I do believe I am now finished.
I love the fingerless gloves with the hands wide open . Those were hand knit gloves... a perfect reminder of the wonderful "winter craft" of knitting.

"THREE TREES" for Yoga Calendar 2012

Tree pose is a perfect winter pose.
I'm not sure I am quite finished with this painting yet. Maybe a few subtle adjustments. However I am pleased with the mood of it for "December" or "January".
The challenge in this painting was that I had to do the figure a bit smaller as I wanted it to be a horizontal painting rather then vertical in dimensions. When I paint figures smaller it is harder to get the kind of detail in skin tones etc. (All my paper is cut to certain dimensions).
However it was fun to do this variation on tree pose, with a little whimsy and to add the trees.

UNCLAD ART SHOW

THIS YEAR'S ART SHOW CAN BE VIEWED AT WWW.UNCLADART.COM

Yoga Philosophy and ART

I am sometimes drawn to combining my art with yoga teaching ... making little token gifts for my students with aspects of what we are studying during that session. So last week they all received a" Yupo heart" with the reminder of beginner's mind (a fresh perspective, awesome moments.) Yupo is a type of paper that allows for all kinds of interesting effects with watercolor.

Ruth Duckworth Memorial Video

I came across this the other day and was touched listening to this artist. She says the most creative thing we can do is PLAY. I am bringing the element of play more and more into my art practice. I am hoping the playful, the whimsical will be more and more evident.

Tulip Girl

It feels good to have finished my first painting for my 2012 yoga calendar.
I love her little feet. Kids do that with their toes... curl them.
This is her "turtle pose".
Zakara is a model I could paint over and over again and not get tired of.
She is very expressive in her little body.

Tulips brought indoors have this wonderful expression of life. They start off closed and tight and then gradually open so wide exposing all that is inside. Lastly, the petals fall, one by one.
I never throw them away until all the petals have fallen.

Turtle Pose... In Process

"Turtle pose" with Zakara is starting to emerge. I rarely do a painting with full face, straight on. However this painting seemed to call for that. It is more challenging I think and not always as interesting and yet even "straight on," the two sides of the face are never really identical.
It is February and we are seeing lots of wonderful tulips in the flower shops and grocery stores. They are so abundant right now I had to invite them into this painting. "Tulips and Turtle Pose".

Starting paintings for the 2012 Yoga Calendar

Yes, it is time to begin paintings again for the new calendar...
It begins with finding my models and getting inspired to make this one even more fun then the last one...or... at least unique in itself.
I keep my eye on flowers, veggies and fruits... I have decided to keep the theme of nature in my calendar paintings. Almost everyone can relate to botanicals and how they manifest in interesting and delightful ways in communion with yoga poses. Stay tuned, I will post the paintings as they emerge.
In the meantime let me know if you have any fantabulous ideas. :)

****Here is a little painting I did last summer after a visit to the Farmer's Market.

Painting Juried into Art Show

A lovely surprise this week... my painting "Baby Love" was juried into the 2011 art show, UnClad, The Fine Art of The Figure, in Stanwood Washington. Very exciting.
Go to www.uncladart.com and click on "view the art" to see this year's line up. Some amazing art will be shown this year. Can't wait.