Greetings! ...from Kimberly Shaw

April Sweet Peas

Sweet Peas are the birth flower of everyone born in April.

Watercolor copyright Kimberly Shaw

 

Daffodils for March

March's birth flower is the Daffodil.
 Artwork copyright Kimberly Shaw

"Daffodils"  By William Wordsworth (1804)  

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

 

 

 

 

January Carnation & February Violets

The Carnation is the birth flower of all born in January

Violets are the birth flower of all born in February.

Watercolor artwork copyright Kimberly Shaw 2009

Fall Leaf

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 a part of life. My Grandmas and Aunts all had them on their fine wood tables under a favorite china piece or lamp.

Floral Teacup on Lace Doily

Artwork © Kimberly Shaw
8" x 10" Watercolor on 140 lb Hot Press paper.
This china pattern is one of my favorites, usually unmarked.  My chalenge was painting the doily, mainly the negative space because the white of a watercolor painting is from the paper left unpainted.

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 can already be done painting each little opening. Plus I like controlling where I apply more paint leaving darker edges to indicate shadow.  See the finished artwork here. 

Watercolor on 140# hotpress paper copyright Kimberly Shaw 2009

Western Scrub Jay Painting

3' x 4' acrylic painting  on canvas © Kimberly Shaw

I painted this for my son to surprise him when he returned from camp.  I photographed this Jay as he delightfully ruffled his feathers and cocked his head for a pose.

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 old farm house 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.

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."

Coral Pink Teacup on Lace Doily

                                                                                                                 Artwork © Kimberly Shaw
8" x 10" Watercolor painted on 140 lb Hot Press paper.
I've been wanting to challenge myself by painting an embroidered doily.  I love painting negative space leaving the white of the paper as the doily. 

Just Playing Around

With some left over paint and a 5'x20" strip of canvas left over from another project, I decided to keep playing.

First I laid down my favorite color combination, blue and green, horizontally over the entire canvas.

Next I created the clouds. 

Experimenting with an old course brush I stippled the colors on  to create the impression of a garden. 

I hope you are having a  blessed day and can find a bit of time to be creative with whatever you have just laying around!!!  After all, being creative is an attribute we received from God our creator, who made us in His image.

 

The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. Gen. 2:8 & 9

  

Sumi-e Class

Quick energetic strokes makes Sumi-e painting turn out much better, which I am not good at.  My energetic 13 yr. old son mastered it.  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.  After twelve lessons my teacher was finally pleased with this one.

Delta Sunset

The last evening of a vacation, watching the sun set over one of my favorite place in the whole world, a peaceful delta.  I was envious of these fishermen who were just setting out across the water.

14"x20" painted on 140 lb. hot press water color paper.

A Sweet Sunday Message

A quick little watercolor painted on a Sunday afternoon.

"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

A simple painting from my garden.