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Watercolor Love

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Watercolors are my favorite medium to paint with. I’m always astonished by how each painter is unique in their process and execution of this medium. The following artists are some of my personal favorites. Notice how the use of watercolors change from artist to artist and celebrate the difference with me.

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Geninne’s Art Shop is full of intricate watercolor paintings. The artwork here makes me feel like I’m looking at beautifully illustrated scientific classification books. This particular painting, Crafty Bird, would be a cherished gift for your crafty friend or to yourself. I want one for my sewing room!

artwork from Lisa Kaser

Several months ago I was fortunate to win a print of Lisa Kaser’s work. I instantly fell in love with all of her quirky characters and the sense of storytelling portrayed in each piece. Her use of gentle colors and humorous scenes invites peace and conversation. You will love the high quality of her work.

artwork from CGalla Fine Art

I marked CGalla Fine Art as a favorite almost one year ago and I check in every couple of weeks to gaze into the melting colors and movement of the paintings. I can’t get over how much emotion is conveyed from the brush strokes. The up-close faces are my favorite but there are several landscapes and still life paintings as well. This is an exquisite gallery!

artwork from Be Happy Now

I just about fell over when I discovered Be Happy Now. You will be smiling from ear to ear each time you glance at the artwork found there. Calendars, prints, collages and originals are all waiting for you to dive into. I’m fascinated by the lighthearted portraits painted in brilliant color combinations.

artwork from Oh My Cavalier

Do you love a little mystery in your art? If so, skip on over to Oh My Cavalier. The drawings and prints will have you dreaming of forest adventures and make believe friends. There is a vintage feel to the artwork and the restrained use of color is fantastic. I’m captivated!

As you have seen, watercolors are an intense and quite intriguing medium. Aren’t the different uses and styles wonderful? I hope you found a few artists to add to your favorites and perhaps a piece or two of artwork to add to your ever expanding collection.

Leia Bell

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My husband and I have collected many pieces from one our favorite artists, Leia Bell. We are especially fond of her venue posters that she has designed over the past decade. It’s always thrilling when one of our favorite bands has been married to Leia’s fabulous art! The lines in her work remind me of block cut prints and her bold use of color is unique and happy.

Leia writes this about herself:

After graduating with a BFA in Printmaking in 2001, I really had no idea how I could ever use my fancy art degree until I started hanging out with Phil, the owner of the rock venue I frequented (it’s called Kilby Court, if you were wondering). He suggested that I screenprint posters for the venue– small, colorful, eye-catching pieces that would also be collectible to the townsfolk. The plan seemed to work beautifully, for not long after I would hang up my posters, I’d walk back by the same spot and they would already be swiped. So then it began.

Aside from being an artist, Leia is also a mother to three young children. I am always inspired when I read about artists who also manage a family and a business. I’m sure there is never a dull moment! You can read more about Leia here.

These featured pieces are some of the posters that I have in my personal collection. Leia has posters, art prints, paintings and drawing available over at her website. Go see what you can find!

Paola Zakimi

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I’m head over heels for this week’s artwork by Paola Zakimi. You know watercolors are my favorite painting medium but have I ever told you that when sketch lines show through in the work I simply melt into a puddle of happiness? I’m being a bit silly but seriously, isn’t the above piece fantastic? The yellow lifts my spirit and the humble use of fleshy pink on the girls face excites me to no end. For me, it’s all in the details.

I’m fond of this piece for several reasons. The entire painting is understated and free. The floating illustrations evoke a peaceful, dream-like emotion. Also, the little fox befriending the tree on the right is so sweet.

This bird must be the way to travel. Grab some friends and jump onto this feathered friend! Again, the details draw me in. The birds beak, string thin feet, spotted back and the girls hats with twigs and leaves all leave my eyes scurrying over each inch of this illustration. The textured background…don’t even get me started…there is so much to appreciate!

You will find not only the featured artwork in Paola’s shop but also some amazing art dolls. Prints and originals are available!

Happy Birthday, you spoiled rotten brat.

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I was recently visiting a friend of mine who is the mother-in-law to a very famous person. I’m not going to say who because they might write me out of the will, (not that I was in the will to begin with). photo by sofawned

Suffice it to say that this person is very very famous and his children are very very privileged. I was talking to my friend in her living room and I noticed the most darling little paper diorama of an undersea scape, complete with mermaid, housed in a glass dome. I was complimenting my friend on what a charming keepsake it was and she told me that it was her granddaughters birthday party invitation.

Now I’ve heard plenty of fantastical stories about the life this family leads. Personal jets for vacations. Dinner with the President. Shopping in Paris for the weekend. It never ends and I never tire of hearing about it. But this really took the cake. I stood there, first wondering just how much each “invitation” must have cost, and then wondering what in the world do you give a child that literally has everything?

What could you possibly show up with at a birthday party where the invitation was a small work of art, that wouldn’t look cheap and cliche’?

The answer is decidedly to go handmade.

The first thing that came to my mind was a tutu. I mean really. The kid is already essentially royalty, why not look the part?

Leslie is a mother to two little girls who creates the most fanciful tutus from her studio in Dover Ohio. You can buy her creations from her shop.

The truth of the matter is I have no idea just how spoiled these children really are. My friend is their grandmother so of course she thinks they are the most amazing kids ever. They stay at her house when their parents are jet setting around the globe and I have a sneaking suspicion that they get a healthy dose of real life when they are there. Then again you know how indulgent grandmothers tend to be.

Here’s another idea for that kid you know that has everything, but manners.

John Golden is a digital artist out of Wilmington, North Carolina. He has been making and selling his art since he was eleven years old. He has a large selection of prints on in his shop. He has a retro aesthetic that comes through in all his pieces.

The last thing that I thought might be fun for the privileged child to receive is some play food similar to the food they eat on daily basis. No hot dogs and french fries here my friends. These kids are growing up on salmon sashimi and spicy tuna rolls.

I found these little knitted sushi pieces at CurlyQOnline. I think they are so cute and any rich kid would be happy to have them in their play kitchen, which is probably nicer than my actual kitchen and which most assuredly has fancier food.

We didn’t receive our own invite to my friend’s granddaughter’s party. I wasn’t disappointed at all about not having to stress over the gift, I was, however, a little miffed not to get the invite itself.

I really just wanted my own diorama with a mermaid.