Greetings! ...from Kimberly Shaw

Just for the fun of it.

Clair, whose flicker name is "justforthefunofit" posted several photos of her garden shed covered in snow.  Someone commented it looked like a painting waiting to happen and Clair suggested it should be painted by someone (even though she is an artist herself) and said, "I'll wait to see it on flickr." So I took her challenge, choosing the image in this photo because I enjoyed seeing the additional color of the fence in the background.

I've never painted snow before, so this was the perfect watercolor challenge for me to learn something new. The majority of the painting was created with cobalt blue, burnt sienna, and a bit of rose madder. The green is a mix of what was left in my tray from the last painting.

Looking Forward to Spring

Looking forward to Spring I started a new Teacup Greeting Card inspired by a small vintage saucer I've had for a while. Unable to locate the matching teacup, I created my own.

You can see the saucer peaking in the photo on the left. I love using a milkglass compote for water as it is large enough I don't need to change the water as often and its pedestal base gives my desk a bit more room to position my paper around.  Here's a sneak peak at the process.

A wide green band on the teacup and saucer are accented with gold trim. Resting on a frilly doily and complimented with a warm burnt orange tabletop. 

The black details were created using an old-school Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph pen, the smallest  000/.25 size, and shaded with a light watercolor wash. This cup will come with a light and refreshing Green Tea. 

Artwork copyright Kimberly Shaw 2010 and property of Kimberly Shaw Graphics

Aquarelle

This Royal Grafton teacup was so much fun to watercolor in its delightful aqua color, sitting on a frilly doily,  against a pink background, with a pink rose in front. 

My favorite part to paint was the lower left where the doily lifted up allowing spots of light to shine through. I also enjoyed painting the gold accents in its various hues.

 

Blue Freesia

Freesias are a close friends favorite flower.

Each time I see one I think of her.

8"x10" Watercolor on 140# hotpress paper.

Copyright Kimberly Shaw 2010

High T at the Great Wall of China

I was inspired to paint this watercolor by learning the real meaning behind the term "High Tea" from my friend & historian Gary Holloway along with Gary's impressive blue & white plate collection.

 
"High Tea" was coined by Sir Lipton who preferred to have his tea at a higher dining table verses a low table (such as the coffee table of today) where the ladies served their tea in the parlor or sitting room.  

Planted by the Waters

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.

 
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8

No. 12 of 2o Posts on HOPE

For me there is no other source from which real hope can be found than in God's word. Who doesn't want to be like a tree planted by the waters when drought or heat comes in our lives, and it does come. It's interesting how the tree is "planted" indicating a deliberate act to dig a hole and position it "by the waters" as though a thoughtful Gardener planned where it was to be placed.  For me this gives me hope, knowing that as I put my trust in the Lord, He will plant me where I can grow and yield fruit.  The tree bearing fruit, even in drought, teaches me that the tree becomes a benefit to others who come seeking shade and comfort under its branches and find fruit also.

 

Fall is Here

I just felt like painting a Fall Leaf.
Avoiding the laundry, the dishes, and the overgrown garden for just one day, I choose instead to spend my Saturday playing with my watercolor paints, just for fun!

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

10"x11" watercolor painting on 140 lb. hotpress watercolor paper. 

Blue Willow Teapot on Lace Doily

                                                                                                                 Artwork © Kimberly Shaw
8" x 10" Watercolor on 140 lb Hot Press paper.
This is the third watercolor in a series of 3 paintings all celebrating doilies.  Growing up doilies were just a part of life. My Grandmas and Aunts all had them on their fine wood tables under a favorite china piece or vase of flowers.  All three watercolor paintings are available in my Etsy Shop, framed and ready to hang.  

Pink Teacup on Lace Doily was the first painting, and the second painting is Floral Teacup on Lace Doily.

I have an idea for a fourth painting but that will come later. I've just started painting a 2010 calendar for myself just for fun. January's page is almost done and I'll 'Show and Tell' that project next.

Floral Teacup on Lace Doily

 
                                                                         Artwork © Kimberly Shaw
8" x 10" Watercolor on 140 lb Hot Press paper.
The china pattern on this teacup is one of my favorites, usually unmarked.  I adopt whatever I can find with this design, mostly small plates and teacups.  And, as you know, I love painting the negative space of doilies.  This is second in a series of 3 originals available in my Etsy Shop.

A Little Sneak Peak

 
Here is a sneak peak at the second in a series of watercolor paintings I'm working on, all with doilies.  I don't use masking fluid when painting the negative space, because by the time I finish applying the sticky substance, I could already be done painting each little opening. Plus I like controlling where I leave more paint leaving darker edges to indicate shadow.  See the finished artwork here. 

Delta Farm House

 
8"x10" watercolor on 140 lb hotpress paper © Kimberly Shaw

This is my favorite view in the California Delta. From a boat on the Sacramento River this adorable farm house, I'm guessing was built in the 1920's, peaks over the levee road surrounded by spectacular trees.  Earlier this month I happened to be lucky enough to float by just as the setting sun filtered through the trees, when my son fell off his wake skate.  He had to wait a bit for us to go back and pick him up as I captured a few photos.  He wasn't in any danger, though, since we were the only boat out that day.

I was inspired to paint this view from my study of Jeremiah.  Chapter 17:7-8 reads, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the Lord.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit."

Pink Teacup on Lace Doily

                                                                                                                 Artwork © Kimberly Shaw
8" x 10" Watercolor on 140 lb Hot Press paper.
I've been wanting to challenge myself by painting an embroidered doily.  I love painting negative space and by letting the white of the paper be the doily, I just painted the holes.  I couldn't resist adding a pink teacup just peaking in, as though it's waiting to be filled with a relaxing cup of tea.

First in a series of 3 originals available in my Etsy Shop. This will be the first time I've sold original watercolor paintings.

TeaGuide Review

I received an overwhelming review of my Teacup Greeting cards by Janis Badarau, Editor & Publisher of TeaGuide: Reviews and Ramblings.  She is an incredible writer and her site is brimming with reviews on tea facts and products including cookbooks, tea sources, tea history, gifts, and one of my favorites "Sugars by Sharon".  You'll also find beautiful tea book reviews and numerous links to exquisite tea blogs and web stores.

Sumi-e Class

A Sumi-e art class was offered at our local Community Center.  I signed up and added my 13 year old son to the class as well.  He was furious stating, "I'm not going to an art class with a bunch of old ladies!"  As I purchased 2 each of the items needed on the supply list,  more son complaints followed.  On the day of the class I gave him a choice: art class or chores.  He chose art class insistent  he'd only go once.  The result was surprising, he was better at it than I was and after the first classes were over he  insisted I sign us up for more.  And the "old ladies" were thrilled, they loved him.

Quick energetic strokes makes Sumi-e painting turn out much better, which my son was great at.  Me, I'm more of a planned precise detail artist.  If you work too slow at Sumi-e the porous paper soaks up all the ink leaving a big blob.  This is the only painting I did that turned out, and I credit it to a day I was angry at someone.  My frustration turned into energy that produce this stormy day.  After twelve lessons, my teacher was finally pleased with my work. 

Drop in the Bucket

In response to the events that took place in our nation last week, this verse kept running through my thoughts. 

"Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing." Isaiah 40:15

I imagined God holding a large galvanized farm bucket.  With his wrist, He's twirling the bucket as a drop of water rolls around the bottom.  I'm reminded that He is in control, and whenever He wants to roll our nation to the other side of the bucket, He can.

A Sweet Sunday Message

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Matthew 12:28-30

Radish

Wanting to paint for fun, not only for work, I chose this simple shape from my garden to get started.

A Gift of Beach Sand

I painted this card for my nephew, Joshua, who recently sent me his precious drawing with hearts all over it.

Bright Enough?

I recently received a call at my office from someone who commented that my cards aren't very bright. Here's a sneak preview of my latest card in response to that call.

We take customer comments very seriously at Kimberly Shaw Graphics. It's important to us to know what you're looking for. As I was painting this card another caller commented that my cards were too busy. Well, I'll see what I can do...

Christmas Card Painted in July

A Christmas Card in July for the coming season. Actually, I like painting Christmas Cards. My hobby of creating my own hand-made Christmas cards is how Kimberly Shaw Graphics started in the first place. Besides, it's fun creating new ideas for Christmas.

This year I painted from a different angle.  I didn't paint a matching set, but created something from scratch: a Poinsettia cup, a berries saucer, and a Baroque plate (Georgia's brilliant idea) with a woodland background of squirrels and acorns. Georgia will insert the Cardinal postcard, with special text, on the saucer before printing. She also asked me to paint an acorn. I can't wait to see how she'll surprise me with it.

 

This image will also be used to create a new note pad on the woodland background.

Apple Blossom Watercolor

My MacIntosh apple tree is producing its second crop.  The apples are still very small. It had incredible blossoms which were actually mostly white. I painted these blossoms with more pink.

I was trying a painting technique a friend told me she loved where she wets the leaves and drops the color in. I did that at first but finished with my favorite style of adding layers of color washes.