A cold beginning for March 2019: Bamboo Boughs

It's been a while since I sat down and posted anything on here, so I thought I would start with a new painting.  Bamboo Boughs.

We've been having lots of snow and cold days around here, so I made the most of it by getting some new art painted and framed.  This painting is currently in a show in Rockford, along with 3 others.  I'm in sort of a black and white period, probably because I've been teaching in black and white.  My students don't want to waste any time mixing colors!  I'm enjoying the simplicity of it as well.  It makes for quick set-up and clean up, which is a bonus as well!


 

Chilly day

Another chilly day in Minnesota! It's been so unseasonably warm, that I thought it was the norm!

Last week I went to the Arboretum and took along my camera. Here are a few photos from the adventure!

Moving

A photo of the area when I arrived in January. Ugh, it was cold!

Well, I am settling in to our new house, but I miss Hong Kong. I probably always will. Just like I miss Texas. The weather has improved since we arrived in January, that was to be expected. Caysie loves the back deck and would spend all of her time there, if given the chance.

I still have lots to do around the house. I want to get my painting area set up so I can do some work!

I had a chance to teach my nephew some painting lessons while I was in Texas the last few weeks. He had so much fun, and so did I! I hope I can find a job teaching painting here! I enjoyed teaching in HK! Not sure if it is the sort of thing that will be desired in MN! We'll see!

This one makes me think of coloring with crayons!  

It's amazing, but all the wrinkles will come out when this is framed!

Morning Chat

Two little birds chatting happily away on a blossom laden tree limb.  You can almost smell the spring air!

Lotus Morning

This one is one of my favorites on the green paper.  I just love how delicate the flower turned out!  I need to take this one to the frame shop and have it framed!  The only trouble is, where to store it...or hang it!

Ladybug

My instructor thought this was a "bad" bug and was busy killing them in her garden.  My fellow classmates and I informed her that this one eats lots of the "bad" bugs so to not kill them anymore!  

weekend in Macau

Recently, we spent a weekend in Macau.  We stayed at the Venetian and received a coupon for a free gondola ride.  Our gondolier was from Italy but went to school at SMU in Dallas!  What a small world!  She even visited Austin a few times!  She sang several songs to us during our ride, one of which brought tears to my eyes.  What a beautiful voice.  We had such a great time, I hope we can return again soon!  Especially since it is only a 1 hour ferry ride away!

Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful New Year!  Cheers!

Pre Christmas cheers!

We couldn't resist a couple of margaritas to start off our Christmas Eve celebrations!  Cheers!!  

Wish you were here!

Magnolias on the Rise

Here is another painting of magnolias.  I painted this one and the other one at the same time.  As the background requires wetting the paper over and over again, I worked on one, then the other as they dried.  This one I did in the more traditional style in that I painted the flowers first, then the stems, leaves and finally, the background.  Once it is all complete, I sign and chop the painting.  Then it is ready to go to the framer!  Just like the other magnolia, this one is on rice paper with gold flecks in it.  The paint won't stick to the gold specks, so they shine through!  

Chinese Magnolia

This little one is small but colorful!  I imagine it framed in a narrow, tall frame, or put on a scroll.  As you can see, it is torn a bit on the bottom left.  The framer can repair it or just cut it off since it won't influence the painting.  This rice paper is so thin that it is easy to tear when it is wet.  Also, any wrinkles will come out when it is framed, so not to worry!

Bamboo and Butterflies

It seems bamboo is one of my favorite subjects to paint.  I love the simplicity of it.  This time I added a few small butterflies.  No signature on this one, I only found room to chop it!

Magnolia

Bill was such a huge help when I had my art show a few weeks ago.  I set out all of my paintings, and he set up the camera and took photos.  Hurray!  Now, I can update the blog!

I hadn't realized how many paintings I had around the house.  They are stashed all over the place.  The ones on scrolls are easiest to store because I don't have to worry about them so much, since they are rolled up on a wooden dowel and hidden in the closet.  But the unframed artwork is so fragile!  I have most of it stored rolled up in long, plastic tubes.  

Of course, many of my paintings are framed and under glass.  They pose a bit more of a difficulty with storage as we have such limited space.  I have them hidden behind all sorts of furniture!  

White Lotus and White Daisy

These two I painted at the same time.  While one dried, I worked on the other, switching back and forth until the background was completed.  Then, I painted the white flowers onto the vibrant rice paper.

Colorful Magnolia

With the new computer set up and lots of photos taken of my artwork, I can finally add a few new pieces to my blog!  Many have not been framed or put on scrolls, so you will be able to see the raw stuff!  This happens to be one of those!  

Please enjoy!

li

Christmas Caysie

This painting is the one I used for my 2007 Christmas card. The photo I took this from is posted earlier in the blog, if you haven't seen it. I imagined Caysie under a Christmas Tree and playing in the presents. Who knows what she might do in such a situation. We only have room for a very tiny tree here!

The small ornament hanging in the Christmas tree says "good fortune".

Summertime Shade

This one is a bit later in the year for the seven singing birds!

Springtime Song

I had done this years ago and decided to do it again, but with a variation. This is a Springtime song.

Daisies

These three daisies are framed together in one tall frame. They look great together. Each small painting is only 5.5" x 7.5" but make a lovely framed piece at 11" x 30".

I took it to the Helena May bazaar and it had lots of comments from the visitors.