Dairy Queen
6" x 9" watercolor
$75 plus $6 US shipping or $15 International
But, I really LOVE their eyes, they are so expressive. And this girl's were particularly intelligent I thought. It was a lot of fun to try and paint some color into her black fur and get those soft edges on her ears.
I think this is one of the loosest watercolors I've painted. And do you know that I really like it? The whole painting came together very quickly, and I'm always happy when that happens because less time spent on each painting = more completed paintings = major feeling of accomplishment.
Which is very important to me and my life where the laundry multiplies faster than rabbits, dishes are constantly waiting to be washed, and the floors. . . Well, let's just say that it's spring and I have two big dogs, three rambunctious little boys, and a backyard full of mud.
It's not pretty my friends. Not pretty at all.
Back to the painting: I think that maybe I'm in the midst of an artistic evolution. I feel like I'm growing more with each painting that I do lately.
One of my major goals with my art is to paint expressively while still maintaining the realism that I love. I am really striving for a good balance between realism and suggestion and trying to listen to my own impulses of how I want to paint. I'm finding the process to be very satisfying. :)
In other news, my workshop went well! Thanks to all of you for your kind words of encouragement and the confidence you have in me. :)
The only thing is that I forgot to take pictures. Oops! You will have to be satisfied with this painting I did as the demo, still in process.
Untitled
10" x 14" watercolor in progress
And in case you missed this from my last post (I updated it after it had already gone out) Daily Paintworks interviewed me last week and if you're interested you can read it right here. :)
Until Thursday! May your paintbrushes be obedient to your artistic whims! Huzzah!
Another beauty! Really loving how you're handling the backgrounds of both Dairy Queen and your demo. Nice brushwork!
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh I love coming here, beauiful art and such great writing!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely you are painting expressive and realistic -a beautiful combination :) The workshop painting looks like was a treat to watch! Now, I will go and check out that interview.
ReplyDeleteThe cow is fantastic...I love their eyes too.
ReplyDeleteGreat work on the cow--and I'm with you. It's always a challenge to stay original while maintaining a certain level of realism, at least it always is for me, but you've succeeded here.
ReplyDeleteVotre portrait de vache est très sensuel, comme doivent l'être probablement ces bêtes-là qui comme vous m'interpellent car elles paraissent toutes très bon enfant !
ReplyDeleteJ'aime la manière que vous l'avez peinte avec une véritable spontanéité.
Gros bisous à vous et ne vous inquiétez pas le ménage avec des enfants c'est un éternel recommencement... J'en ai eu 4 et je connais!
love the dairy queen! i always have the desire to paint a bull, don't know why, haven't done it yet, either. did i see your horse painting on Facebook? also, love your sense of humor, 3 boys, 2 dogs and a muddy backyard. you put it much more eloquently.
ReplyDeleteCrystal,
ReplyDeleteI know that feeling when you complete something fast in minimum strokes. It feels just so wow.. And I too love cows. They have a kind of contentment and acceptence in their eyes. And yes this painting is really loose and really beautiful. Didn't I tell you your workshop was going to be just too cool. Offf to read your interview now..
They do have big eyes...Best wishes for your artistic journey from realism towards a more loose and expressive style.I would love to be your companion :)
ReplyDeleteWell, this is possibly one of my favorites!! It is absolutely perfect in every way! Like you say, there is a looseness too it but at the same time it all comes together in the form of the most beautiful and least scarey cows I've ever seen! It makes my coloured pencil sketch of my Aunty's cow look very sad indeed, lol! I love the title and I love that shiney fur and her sparkling eyes - Adorable! We seem to be feeling in completely opposite ways at the moment. My latest bear is slowly begining to feel as though it will be an utter disaster - close to abandonment - and I just can't seem to get the right set up for the next one! I think it's because I am feeling the pressure to produce the goods now the Gallery have signed me up and that pressure is having the opposite effect! I MUST snap out of it!! I want tio feel like you again! :0)
ReplyDeleteAmzing Cow.. I like the eyes..
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely cow! They do have expressive eyes and you've captured that perfectly xx
ReplyDeleteVery nicely done! I like the flowingness of it. I like how you said you strive to paint realistically, but with expression. Maybe we should start a new genre! What should we name it!
ReplyDeleteShe has a Queenly air to her with those beautiful eyes of hers. Really enjoyed this post, seeing into your growth as an artist. Off to read the interview now :-)
ReplyDeleteShe rules, Crystal......:)
ReplyDeleteLove it! :-)
ReplyDeletewhatever balance you are striving for...fear not...you will get there. your process is so much fun to enjoy. glad the workshop went well-I knew it would
ReplyDeleteI just love visiting your blog, Crystal!! Always a nice surprise waiting. This cow has a real nice expression...nice color and sheen!!!
ReplyDeleteYour cow is really beautiful, and I love that background! Well done as always!
ReplyDeleteQueen she is with those expressive eyes...lovely work as always.
ReplyDeleteThe dairy queen seems to be observing us, rather than us looking in at the painting ...which perhaps says a lot about your talent. Wonderful, love it.
ReplyDeleteI noticed you have a (the) Dylan Thomas villanelle posted on here (Go gently into the night). Thomas also said, ‘The magic in a poem is always accidental,’ I know that applies to my work...anything I get right is accidental, but I suspect it isn't an accident in your case :0)).
nice write up and a very impressive painting of the dairy queen....the eyes are very expressive!
ReplyDelete