Miniature Abstract Flower

I wanted to show you what one of the newer miniature paintings looks like that I give away each month. This one is my Abstract Flower, measures 5" by 7", and is done in watercolor and pen and ink. I usually give away paintings measuring 3" by 4" up to a 5" by 7". So, if you read my blog and visit my website, email me and I'll add your name to the pot. I would also love, love, love it if you would spread the word that I have this drawing monthly so others might visit my site and email me. In the meantime, my knee surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday, hooray! I'm excited because when I rehab this knee, my crunch will be gone and they have said that I can actually jog, eventually, which would be awesome. That is, if my foot drop and my arachnoiditis work along with me as well. Anyhow, the promise is exciting. I'll keep you posted as to how things go. In the meantime, I am trying to finish my painting to enter into the Eastern Shore Center art show in Fairhope, by Monday. Hope I can get this all done and keep my sanity, but as always, if it doesn't happen there is always the hope of tomorrow. Peace to all today! Ardith

Miniature paintings I have finished so far!

He Loves Me



Little Cabin





My Grandma's Pears




Converging Landscape II





Converging Landscape I






Mexican Sunrise







Alabama Angel





Rainbow Fish






Here are 8 of the miniature paintings I have finished so far. They are being sent to other participants in the art card exchange through wetcanvas.com and I wanted to share them with you. I have 18 more to do by June. Wish me luck!

Working on my ATC's

Greetings to all! It has been a slow few weeks here, recovering from a virus, or something akin to that, but seem to be on the mend. I have received 6 trading cards so far, one from Germany and Australia to name a few. They are each uniqe and beautiful, which makes me so glad I joinded the project through wetcanvas.com. I will send and receive 26 total, and so far it's like Christmas everytime I check my mailbox these days. The image above is a 2.5" by 3.5" minature watercolor painting using Holbein watercolors. My grandmother used to have these huge pear trees in her back yard, and gosh do I remember picking up those pears and eating a few. I named it "My Grandma's Pears" in honor of her. I hope the lady I'm sending it to enjoys it. I sent three paintings to Birmingham this past week to enter in the Magic City juried show by VSA Arts of Alabama. I won't know until April if they were accepted, but am pleased with what I sent. I'll keep you posted how that goes. I am still waiting to hear when my knee surgery will be, can you believe it? It was supposed to be the end of December, but the manufacturer has had problems, so I have had to be patient. I look forward to getting it over with and getting back almost full function of my knee, who knows I might even get to run again, at least a few steps. I must give a shout out to my Aunt Peggy and Uncle Lewis for putting me up for a night when I went to Birmingham. Every one needs aunts and uncles and fun and generous as mine, they make life simply delicious! My cousin, Lanie, has commissioned me to do a painting of her grandson, Brandon. It has been a challenge, because I don't do portriats, but this turned out to be as colorful and abstract, within reason, that a portriat could be so I am pleased. I will post it here after she receives it in March. Bravo to all portriat artists out there, it's takes a master craftsman to do it well and my hats of to you! This week is Mardi Gras for us. I'm not big on the holiday but am looking forward to school being out and getting together with my family. I hope to paint some as well, but we'll see. Peace and Paints to ya! Ardith

VSA Art in the Magic City entries

"Raymond's Marbles"




"I Wonder Why?"

"Purple Cottage by the Sea"


After much deliberation I have made my decision to put these three paintings into the VSA art show in Birmingham. I feel they repesent a broad range of my style and I am happy with them. I have had another crick in my neck/shoulder this past week which has made most things difficult, but I am carrying on and hopefully on the mend. I have a small rupture at C5/6 which causes problems, but I'm just praying God heals me of that because it affects my painting arm. Say a pray for me. If you have visited my site or left me a comment I have added your name to my monthly drawing and I soooo appreciate the support and feedback. Happy Painting! A

My frustrating marble painting!

Well, I was excited, at first about this painting, but am quite peeved at myself now that it's finished. I wasn't paying attention to the pencil I used to draw my grid and accidentally used my grey watercolor pencil. Now, you might think that was a good thing because the color would wash away, but no, that pencil loves to grab the paper and never erases off. I did my best to wash it, over and over, but to no avail. I was hoping the paint would cover it, but no, it's still visible and it's the pits! I used a photo by a member of WetCanvas, Mustcreate, and I thank them for allowing me to use it. I have had some suggestions of how to fix it such as adding checks to the background or tiles, but I'm too mad to mess with it now, maybe tomorrow. The marbles are swell, just not the background. I guess we all live and learn!

I got my first card today!

I received my first ACEO card, "Blooms Floating", today from Jeanne in California and it's just fab! It reminds me a lot of my own style and the colors are just perky and fun. Thanks Jeanne for taking the time out of your day to make this for me, can't wait to get the other 26. Peace! Ardith

My lovely red roses!

I must brag about my sweet husband, Bill. He knows I love roses, not the $50/dozen, but the Fresh Markets oh so gorgeous dozen for only $7.99. I photograph them often and they bring so much color to our house. So, the other morning he woke up early, snuck out, and came home with these gorgeous red ones, and I never buy red ones for myself. Thank you sweetie for taking time out of your day to make me feel special, I just love, love, love you! A

Painting Steps in creating an abstract!

Step One: Drawing in the image
I draw out the design using a grey, Derwent watercolor pencil. I then begin adding watercolor to the individual shapes, creating blends as I feel like.I prefer to use Holbein because of the intense colors, but also use
Van Goh and Winsor Newtons. I chose a 140lb. cold press paper and cut it to a 5" by 7" size.

Step Two: Adding in more color
I continue adding in more color, choosing colors that balance off one another and trying to place them in shapes opposite one another.



Step Three: Adding more color and depth
As the image evolves, I continue to add more color and work in glazes to give the shapes depth and contrast.


Step Four: Completion of adding watercolor
I add the final bit of watercolor, checking the composition for changes or additions that need to be made before the outlining step.




Step Five: Completion
I added a thin, black outline to give the painting a completed, graphic quality and make the shapes and colors pop off the page. All I have to do now is decide which direction it should hang!

ACEO Card Project

I have joined my first project at WetCanvas and it appears to be an exciting one. We will be creating 24 2.5" by 3.5" art cards to swap and send all over the world, which is simply too cool. I cut my cards today and cleaned off my table to get my ducks in a row, but I am not sure what I will paint. I'll try and keep you posted as to my progress here and you can also visit wetcanvas.com to see what others are painting as well. I feel a bit better today, but realize I can't spend as much time sitting in one position or looking down with my neck. Once again I have to adapt because of my body, but I just keep thinking about people who have lost limbs or are wheelchair bound for life. That keeps things in perspective for me. If you believe the news, then it's supposed to be the saddest day of the year for most people. It's not to me, too much to be thankful for I'd say. I've got the best husband in the world and a really phenonomal 15 year old son, so today, I am blessed, hope you are too! Peace, A

What a frustrating morning. I have attempted this past week to get some computer work done for my art stuff, load some songs on my ipod, and generally enjoy using my computer a bit more and oh my gosh have I paid a huge price! This morning I woke up with a severe spasm and pain in my neck and under my shoulder blade. It's so bad that I'm back in bed, after this quick post, and praying I haven't ruptured a disc, again. The nature of having body issues, have a blessed day and I'll keep you posted. Peace!