Can Tho

...And we continue with the Holiday posting catch up.  


This one is of Cần Thơ, a city in Vietnam named from "cầm thi giang" - river of poems.  It is especially recognizable for it's "floating market" - vending accomplished solely by small barges along the river.  This is the first scene I've drawn of my native country; someday I'd like to return and spend some leisurely time creating artwork of the cityscapes.


I used Fabrino Artistico extra white watercolor paper for this and the best word to describe it is "yummy!"  Sometimes paper is a preferential thing but this was the right amount of absorbency, durability and cost for my style.  I received some Arches CP for Christmas so we'll see if it lives up to the hype. Sorry the scan isn't great.

Watercolor on Paper, 7.5" x 9.5"

Can Tho, Framed

Can Tho, Closeup

A Chip Off...

My MIL has this great childhood photo of Cody wearing an outfit that she made, one that she handed down to Connor when he was born.  I thought it would be meaningful to both her and Cody to capture Connor in the very same outfit, in the very same pose, at the same age.


The idea seemed wonderful, but co-operation from a cranky, active, 14 month old was anything but.  In the end, I settled for what seems more of a smirk than a smile.  Thanks goodness,  Grandmothers are the easiest sell.

Cody @ 12 months (left) and Connor @ 14 months (Right)

Saving Philanthropy - Web Presence Phase I

Kate and Robby Robinson, the dynamic brother/sister duo, are creating a revealing documentary about the importance of organizational accountability of charitable funds.

Saving Philanthropy speaks to non-profit directors and funders who value outcomes but are struggling with how to define and measure them. The film is designed to offer a clear, straightforward framework for implementing a managing to outcomes strategy.

Check out the site that I built.  They needed a quick but not so dirty new web presence to promote the film, garner additional production funding (speaking of charitable giving) and distribute the documentary to local public stations.  The site features integrated blog, video gallery, social media integration and CMS.  Not flashy, to be sure, but fast, functional and informative.

Ampersand Aquabord

I had some Ampersand Aquabord that I purchased a while back lying around so I broke it out as a support for my Aunt Tran's painting.  I don't think Aquaboard is much different from the previously labeled Claybord, also by Ampersand.  That is...it is a hardboard coated with a thin layer of clay on one side.  It sounded promising enough - a durable watercolor support that didn't have to be protected behind glass, can mounted like canvas and able to withstand rigorous working over.  Alas, I was very disappointed.


Perhaps it was an inexperience with the material and the expectation that it would behave like watercolor paper (such as the promo described) but I was thoroughly frustrated with it.  Instead of absorbing the paint, washes merely laid on top of the board until dried.  This made washes nearly impossible for me.  Color gradations would run into each other and create a dirty mess.


Grazes (a staple for me) were out of the question as each successive layer attempt would just lift the color below it.  Pigments are more opaque on this support and does not dry to the intended delicate transparent hues.  The texture is grainy much like coarse sand paper thus lacking the usual watercolor paper finish.  This affected how granulating colors settled or not. The only positive thing I found is that colors tend to be bright and saturated if not overworked since they sit atop the support.


Overall, a disappointing trial.  I am not encouraged to continue with this product since I spent so much time working and reworking the art, never achieving a satisfactory finish.  One should probably consider that this negative impression is in relation to my style and technique.  I worked on a small canvas, no doubt affecting how much material I could put down and control.  A larger support would have been easier and probably resulted more favorably.  Also, I can see how Aquabord would complement gouache much better than watercolor.  Finally this support encourages bold purposeful movement and color.  It appears detrimental to be tentative or uncommitted.


Despite all that I've mentioned...I have seen some beautiful paintings by other artists painted on Aquaboard but even they admit their frustrations with it.  This makes me sad since I very much wanted a great painting of a much beloved Candie and was excited to be using some wonderful violets and gold on her.  It doesn't help that I forgot to get a decent scan either.  I will ultimately have to do a do-over on Candie.

Watercolor on Aquaboard, 5"x7"

Aquabord

Pooh Bear

It's not through any planning on my part and I'm not sure why but I think I've drawn more dogs than any other subjects.  I'm in good company because I read once that canines are the 5th most common painting subject sold.  People either love their dogs or they love their children and in my case...these people love their dog children.

This is Pooh.  She showed up on the doorsteps of my in-laws one stormy day as a young pup and quickly became their surrogate child.  She is very loved so I thought that her parents would appreciate a painting.

On another note - I am very impressed with Daniel Smith's original line of watercolors, especially the quinacridones.  I will not do a full review since they are very popular and one can find reviews quite readily on the web but  I am now using the brand exclusively.  This painting is the first time I've had the opportunity to try out some new hues including french ultramarine, cobalt violet, cobalt violet deep quinacridone burnt orange (replacing burnt sienna), and quinacridone gold (replacing yellow ochre)...the latter two more transparent than the earth pigments.  Can't wait for another free shipping promo to order some more triads I've been hankering for.

Watercolor on Paper, 4"x6"

Pooh, framed

*Please excuse the bad iphone photo.  I forgot to snap a picture so had to do so on the fly after the gift was unwrapped.

Framed!

I decided to frame the paintings of Rev and present it to Chris for Christmas.  He originally wanted a poster size art piece of himself, shirtless, wielding a sword and flanked by a scantily clad beauty embracing each leg.  Needless to say, I didn't quite get around to that this year but he may still yet get his wish for his birthday.

I confess that I went a little crazy buying remarkable frames this holiday so keep an eye out for some nice framed pieces for sale coming soon.

Babe 'n Boots - WIP

I've been feeling somewhat guilty about the lack of postings even though I'm inundated with holiday projects that will have to wait until after the holidays to be revealed so here is a little something - the second in my Tots postcard series.  I haven't had the chance to finish coloring it yet.  Stay tuned and Happy Holidays!

Graphite on Paper, 5"x8"