Paint Party Friday -- painting, inspiration and exciting new tools!

My most recent watercolor paintings were inspired by the clematis flowers that are blooming in the garden.




I enjoyed painting two of the same subject  when I did the peony flower, so I tried it again with the clematis.  Gave me a chance to compare different papers and different techniques.

This time the leaves gave me the most trouble.  My toothpick veins method isn't giving me the results I'm after.  More practice, I guess.







One got veins and one did not.

My acrylic abstract got some more layers of paint.  I wanted to add some orange.  Just a little blob.  And then I got carried away enjoying the paint and it became another circle.




Not sure what to do with the center, but I've been wanting to collage a pressed Queen Anne's Lace flower on this painting.  Here's a photo of an earlier stage of the painting with the flower set on it as a thought:




It's a big flower (the canvas is 11x14).  I'll play around with it and maybe actually finish it sometime soon.

Today I got the most exciting thing in my inbox: the first installment of Dana Barbieri's ART*FULL newsletter!!  And it's all about color.  I first heard about Dana and ART*FULL from my bloggy friend Claire.  Some of you may remember that I won Claire's giveaway a while back.  I love her artwork and her blog is always so inspiring to me.  She's also really kind whenever I email her with questions asking for advice, too.  Seeing that Claire was excited about Dana's newsletter made me quickly sign up for it myself.  Just stopping by Dana's blog brightened my day.  Dana's art and her blog are so colorful and happy.  And the newsletter is full of joy and encouragement.  I think you'd like it.  Sign up for for it here.





And I'll share one final bit of excitement with you today because I can't contain myself!  I've been wanting to have a rubber stamp made of the My Giant Strawberry logo since before the logo was designed.  This past Sunday I finally ordered not just one stamp, but three different sized stamps.  Yesterday they arrived in the mail.




I could not be more delighted with how they turned out!!  The design is engraved on the top of the wood so they look really pretty from the top.  The stamps themselves are well made and very detailed.  I'm not the best stamper and the ink pad I used might not be the best, but even so, the images are very clear.




What's also very exciting is that they were very reasonably priced.  If you order $20 or more the shipping is free.  My order wasn't even $20 so I had to pay shipping (which wasn't very much).  The cheapest shipping method is supposed to take 7-10 days.  My order took 4!

So, if you're thinking about getting a rubber stamp made, this is the place to go.  Ordering was really easy, too.  Just upload your image and you're done.  I know this sounds like a commercial, but I'm just thrilled with my new stamps.  I had a bad experience having business cards printed and I was a little skeptical about how the stamps would turn out.  That they turned out so well makes me ecstatic (can you see me jumping up and down?).

Don't forget to stop by Paint Party Friday, too! Lots of fun and inspiration with all those painters!  I'll be visiting the blogs a little late because I have a few things to do this afternoon and then we're going to see Harry Potter!

Comments

  1. I LOVE your Clematis (I didn't know they could be used as cut flowers!) and your abstract looks like you are having SO much fun- I say go with your instincts and collage the Queen Anne's Lace in- I love the photo with it laid in!
    Your stamps are beautiful too- so professional looking!
    Happy PPF,
    Stephanie

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  2. What great things you're sharing with us today. You really captured the satin softness of the clematis. I'm very jealous about those stamps! How great to have your very own - so cool!

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  3. Your clematis drawings are so beautiful!

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  4. love the clematis! both versions, and the stamps are wonderful!

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  5. Wow, I really like everything here, it's all so unique, the clematis is so delicate and the paintings are so vibrant. Cool stamp!

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  6. GREAT stamps (you may want an ink called "versafine" for little details and a crisp image...I remember that from the stamping days) :)

    I love your paintings too..so happy to meet you! Happy PPF!

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  7. The clematis watercolour is fabulous and your circles are looking great. Congratulations on your stamps they look wonderful. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  8. i really like the clematis painting. very nice. also love the art full piece. it's so happy and cheerful! and I think the stamps are great - i must go check out the site! thanks!
    happy ppf

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  9. Jumping up and down about your stamps too! Way cool!

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  10. I can see improvement in your watercolor technique every week!

    Thanks soo much for the stamp tip Anne! I ordered one off of Etsy (just with my shop and blog web address) and it was alright but expensive so I think I'll give this a try too since I can add a graphic :)

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  11. Beautiful painting on the clematis. I definitely thing you should put the Queen Anne lace in the center of the unfinished one.

    Your stamps look great.

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  12. What an informative post! Thanks for sharing! Your painting is lovely!

    Hugs Giggles

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  13. So many pretties this week! Love your stamp too! HAPPY PPF!

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  14. Your Clematis is really pretty. I am so excited to hear about your stamp. I am going to have to upload some images. What fun! These could be great gifts for people if you personalize images for them.

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  15. Love your post Anne. Your own stamps! Yay! They are awesome as are your paintings. Your work is always great. Have a wonderful weekend and your excitement just flowed in your post. Happy for you.

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  16. Lots of link love today from you. :) I'll have to check them out. Gorgeous paintings I absolutely love your abstract. Keep working at it I'm so excited to see what comes out. :) And your logo stamps looks just marvelous.

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  17. Your water colour flowers are beautiful, mine never turn out so well! Love your new stamps, too, really exciting! Hope you enjoyed Harry Potter, I'm going on Tuesday!

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  18. Hey Anne, I am enjoying your post and it's such a joy to see your painting.. even if it's not perfect in your eyes but they do look beautiful! And I also signed up for the Art Full newsletter because I think I might like it:) Congrats on your stamps.. they're gorgeous! Have fun!:)

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  19. Really LOVE your clematis and other paintings, and don't blame you for being THRILLED with your stamps!! They are wonderful! I must check out that site!!

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  20. All of these pieces are gorgeous! You have had a wonderfully busy week!

    Thanks for the info on the stamps. Great idea!

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  21. i think both of the flower paintings are delightful, and your veins successful. The acrylic circle painting is coming along quite nicely and I like the idea of adding the Queen Ann's Lace--perhaps off center? I am waiting for my little patch of wildflowers to come in--plan to embed some into art with wax :)

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  22. What a fabulous post!! Where do I begin...I LOVE the story at the start of your blog ..LOVE it as a writer it makes my heart sing!! Your paintings are so gorgeous....the one with the orange circle looks like it has an eye in the center..it speaks of depth and seeking and magic...go you rockin' the new stamps! They are super fantastic ...yeah, they make me want to cartwheel and I will be off to visit Dana because I dig all things color...Happy PPF!

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  23. Anne, I love your clematis...very well done. The deep purple combination and this shade of green is fabulous. I am also liking the orange added to the abstract, esp how there is a gradation with an exceptionally bright spot. This color combination is really pleasing too. I don't think it needs much more.
    Your stamps are really precious, and thanks for the link to where you bought them. I will def check it out ;) Kathryn

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  24. ps-i took another look at the abstract and really like it as is...maybe just a bit of dark blue at the center...i see a faint abstract eye, but i would leave it very loose and leave most of the turquoise at the center, too...just my impression =) Kathryn

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  25. What a fabulous Clematis!! I love those flowers and your logo stamp looks great!! Happy Sunday and PPF to you too!

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  26. Such delicate flower work and how I wish I could have a garden full of beautiful flower to draw.

    The rubber stamps look so cute!

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  27. Your clematis paintings are beautiful - I am loving the way you are handling your watercolors!

    Your stamps are great! Thank you for the link to the stamp site (I've bookmarked it).

    xo
    Kristin

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  28. The clemantis painting was so pretty today. Your stamps came out fabulous...they are light and lovely like your paintings. gerri :)

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  29. I love the clematis paintings, they are so delicate and beautiful/ I really like the orange abstract too.

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  30. Anne, your paintings are beautiful!!!I love the way the photo came out with the flower on the painting!And the stamps are so cool !!!! I never thought about getting a logo done, what a great idea!!!

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  31. Anne, thanks for the big up! You're a darling :) I love the clematis water colour with the toothpick veins - great idea that - I'm gonna steal it! I posted about Jenny Wheately which was the other book I would have recommended.Ta'ra.

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  32. your watercolor is wonderful I love how open, happy your heart is it show in all your art.

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  33. So glad to be sharing. I really appreciate all the encouragement and love you've been sending my way!!

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