This observational piece is of a simple clove of garlic beginning to sprout. I turned the garlic in various directions before deciding on the angle I preferred and then  produced a  rough pencil sketch. I began the watercolor step of the artwork with a very light pencil outline, then added the lightest shades of browns and golds, returning several times to add layers and deeper saturations, to both the bulb and the shadow.  I tried to stay with the purple and yellows for most of the painting, just adding green for the sprouts. I washed the background lightly and returned a few more times to increase the depth and value of color to increase the dimension of the subject. 

This project was a fun challenge. Inspired by peony type floral on a yoga matte which employed the separation of each petal, it seemed perfect for the project. I did not do any pencil sketching for this piece. Each flower petal and leaf was started with a wet into wet technique using various shades of pale violets and purples, followed by dry time. I returned several times to add soft transitions and depth of color to each petal. Lastly I added faint lines or veining and stamen to the center of each flower. The overall subject began with two flowers and a few leaves and grew into vines, leaves and three more flowers to balance the whole composition. 

This piece was accomplished through a wet wash beginning with the colors of a night sky and moving through to a colorful sunrise. Top to bottom. I allowed the colors to move within each vignette returning once dried to add more color and edges to clouds, the tree, rocks and grass. 

I enjoyed the prompt  idea of working on several pieces at once. 

I was a bit challenged with think of subject matter, so I chose a place I walk by daily on my property and the night sky. The paper is heavier than I’ve ever worked with so I’m learning how much water to add to accomplish the various techniques 

This is a fairly open grassy space, scattered with mossy rocks. I discovered this rock is a Native grinding stone. This last year the concept of reciprocity finally clicked for me. I did not understand how to be reciprocal with the Earth ( a core Native practice). We take from her, water and plant foods- but what can I can create to give back in exchange?
Walking past this stone with honor opened my heart to scatter petals from my garden bouquets and feathers I find on my walks. It’s a peaceful place to practice gratitude and humbly giving back beauty. 

This piece was accomplished using various hues and combinations of  both cool and warm reds and greens.  A detailed pencil study of mushroom specimens from Biology  class was accomplished first, concentrating on negative space. Multiple layers of varying saturations, finalized with several  layers of dark hues for the details created the depth in the mushroom scales. Dry time was important for each layer. Three layers of wet into wet accomplished the shadows.

Queen Liliuokalani 

" Never cease to act because you fear you may fail, the true secret is to   know your own worth it will carry you through many dangers "