Jenn Avery GOURD ART
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Blog

Jenn's Gourd Art Blog

My Watercolor Journal Tour

7/5/2022

3 Comments

 
Did you know that July is World Watercolor Month?  This was started by Charlie O'Sheilds of Doodlewash.  So, this post is dedicated to my recent little foray into watercolor.  

At the end of May my family and I took a vacation to coastal Maine and then spent a few days in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.   I knew we would be spending the entire  vacation outdoors, biking or hiking and just enjoying God's creation all around us. This is such a beautiful part of our country and I was also looking forward to working some plein air painting in my little watercolor journal.
I think that artists can benefit from working in other mediums from time to time.  For my little detour from gourds, I had a goal to working on a few small scale paintings from life.  Although I failed in my "one painting a day" goal, I still got a some pages in my new watercolor journal filled, and I am now working on some from the photos I took so I can complete my journal.  
I thought it would be fun to share what I have done in my watercolor journal so far.  These are not masterpieces!  But that is the point, there is a lot of room for improvement and for me that inspires me to try at it more.    
Picture
First watercolor on site at Bailey Island. Painted in the rain.
Picture
Coast of Bailey Island, Giant Steps. My favorite watercolor. The waves were crashing on the rocks, I can still smell the ocean and this painting brings back the memory of it.
Picture
This one I used a water soluble graphite pencil for a monochromatic study.
Picture
This one was done from a photo. I used a fountain pen filled with walnut ink.
Picture
Here I used a combination of ink and watercolor pencils.
Picture
Another with walnut ink. These trees growing around rocks were common on this hike at Franconia Notch State Park.
Picture
Ink and watercolor. Bar Island is only accessible by a land bridge at low tide. If you lose track of time and the tide comes in, you will be stranded for 9 hours!
Picture
Another watercolor, Eagle Lake along the carriage road. Used my photo to complete.
Picture
Mountain stream at the Flume Gorge hike, Franconia Notch. Also done by photo.
I hope you enjoyed your little tour!  Working plein air was challenging, but I think those are my favorite paintings.  Taking the time to really sit and observe a place, not only seeing but taking it all in using all the senses, sounds, smells, touch, the paintings then bring back memories much stronger than the photos.  I do intend to complete the pages using my photos, but I also will try and make a greater effort to paint more plein air in the future.

Do you have a "alternate" art medium or craft that you like to dabble in now and then?  Please leave a comment and share!
3 Comments
Bonnie Morgan
7/7/2022 05:43:16 pm

I am so not an artist but enjoy your gourds. I just started doing gourd last January and fell in love with it. I especially like your wood burning.
I saw your video on doing pastel painting on gourds and wondered if you have done any pieces using that medium. I have played with it and it comes out nicely.
A year or so ago I bought some color pencils and did a little sketching but gave up. This has inspired me to try again. Your little journal idea is appealing. Thank you and God bless.

Reply
Allison Lasky
7/8/2022 09:06:16 pm

Jenn, It's a delight to see your watercolor explorations. I love your reflection of the aliveness you felt doing plein air painting. I find sometimes certain mediums call to me say for a gift I am making or simply to express the elements of the vision that comes for me. I will often try things I have not done before or have not done for many years to follow this. It is always a leap of faith in myself and what wants to come forth. I tried gourd burning before for a gift years ago without any experience. It was nothing near the exquisite beauty of pieces you make though it does have a lot of heart.

Reply
Pam Johnson
10/5/2022 09:05:47 am

Jenn - I love your watercolors and the variety of mediums you used in creating them! During COVID a friend and I started painting in watercolor following an artist online. The focus is on mindfulness while painting and learning to discern not criticize your work. I enjoy the approach and creating patterns in watercolor. Sometime I plan to paint landscapes - yours are inspiring! Thank you for sharing

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    About me...

    Art has always been a part of my life, and I have worked in many different mediums. 

    My love of animals and nature, and love for God influences my work.   

    I hope you will be encouraged here.

    .........aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands.......................... 1 Thessalonians 4:11
    ​

    Archives

    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    September 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    January 2021
    July 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    May 2019
    January 2019
    September 2018
    March 2018
    September 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Home

About

Gallery

Contact

Copyright © 2023
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Blog