"Coming About"

 "A Quiet Day"
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
5"x7"    (Price:  $60 including S&H)

This is the small painting that inspired "Dream of Sailing" and the one below, "Coming About".

They are all inspired by countless trips to the San Juan Islands and memorable sailing experiences.

(Left) "Coming About"
Original Watercolor ATC by Michele Cooper
3.5"x2.5"  (traded)

Two in a Triptych of Plums

"Without the Pit"  sold
Second  in a triptych of plums.

So when you feel like painting a series and you have only one plum, what do you do?

One Ripe Plum

"Red Plum"    Sold
Original ACEO by Michele Cooper
2.5"x3.5"
Watercolor

I had saved two red plums as still life prospects, but only one survived.

I truly enjoyed spending as much time on this tiny painting as I would have for a larger version. You still have to compose, observe, interpret and execute with the same techniques as always.

Dream of Sailing ATC

Dream of Sailing
Original ATC by Michele Cooper
2.5 x 3.5"
Watercolor

This is a recent ATC of mine that I traded to a friend. It makes me think of the atmosphere and the experience of being in the San Juan Islands.

ATC Swap 3 and 4

 What a lot of fun! First, making the ATCs, then swapping them with my students.

Here are two "first swap" collections. They are true pieces of art, though tiny.

Click the images for a closer look.

Choosing a Still Life Composition

 With my one little red plum, I started investigating the possibilities of composition.

I already painted it whole, so I cut it in half. No turning back now!

Each half is different: with and without the pit still in. The hollow half shows a different set of shadows inside. I could choose a variety of viewpoints....looking from above or different side angles. One way, it would show both the inside and outside of the plum.

Turn it this way and that, shine the light just so, and soon I realize how much like a jewel this little red fruit could appear.

Winter River

 Winter River
Original Watercolor 5x7"
by Michele Cooper

The Stillaguamish River is only a bit down the road from our house and provides endless possibilities, painting included. I hear the brown trout are running, but it's cold out there!

Sketchbook page with Value Study and Ink Sketch

Here's a page out of one of my sketchbooks. I have two sketches, room for one more and a haiku that I wrote about the experience of being in the high mountain atmosphere of Colorado.

The value study is done with 3 pens, a 30% warm grey, a 60% cool grey and a black Micron pen. The same Micron pen was used for the ink sketch.

There was no opportunity to do this on location as I took this photo from the bus on the way to Silverton. We rode the old mining train back.

Studio Open House Winner

"Sunset on the Stilly" Sold
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper

Congratulations to Bonney L. for winning this framed original at Michele's NW Studio Open House.


For all who attended: It was a wonderful day of meeting you, your friends and family members. Thank you, everyone, for coming, visiting, signing the guestbook and becoming collectors of my work.

Even though they didn't have to, some brought flowers, wine, and goodies. Thank you. They are very much appreciated.

 At 5:30 pm, Bonney's name was the one drawn from the entries of those present. She chose to use her gallery credit of $100 on this painting. Then we proceeded to enjoy the great wine, cheese, fruit, meatballs, and more, prepared by my fabulous Andrea and Ashley.

ATC class swap

Michele's ATC card  

We had an ATC swap at the end of class today. It was a review of everything covered this quarter: color, composition, value, line and wash, etc. cleverly disguised as a fun project. Here's the one I put in the bowl.  See below for the one I got (the very stylish cowboy boots, yahoo!) and the others in the batch. We missed you, Karen and Kim.   Open House at the studio tomorrow!

Home Sweet Home

Original Watercolor, Line and Wash
by Michele Cooper

I coveted this house on a beautiful view lot in Anacortes for more than a decade. No one ever bought it and it's falling down now.

Pike Place Market Line and Wash

"Pink at Pike Place"  Sold
Original Watercolor Line and Wash
8"x10"

This was a class demonstration. As usual, I used no preliminary drawing. I started with the head, using my Micron Pigma pen.
 
 Once I finished with the line work, I used watercolor, selectively, to complete the composition.

A lot was left out and a few things changed from my photo reference.

Fun with ACEOs

A set of Three Leaves and a Seed Pod
Original Watercolor ACEOs
3.5x2.5"
$30 each (Free Shipping)

Having a little fun in the studio tonight.....when I probably should be sorting out things for the open house next weekend. Can't help it. Gotta paint!

Buy the Set or Purchase Individually

Red Leaf $30.00 USD Yellow Leaf $30.00 USD Brown Leaf & Pod $30.00 USD Set of Three ACEOs $90.00 USD

BMW, Parked in the Shade

Parked in the Shade
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
Part of my Limited Edition Sketchbook Project

This 5x7" line and wash painting is in the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Art Library, Brooklyn, NY.

Autumn Leaves, Last of the Collections

Here's the final page in our album of student work on leaves.

Great work everyone! Thank you for sharing them with us.
(I posted a few minutes ago, but the photo was a bit blurry. This one is better and you can click it to zoom in.)

Hurricane Sandy delays Sketchbook Tour

I am pleased to announce that my sketchbook has been selected from thousands of others in the collection to go out on tour with "A Landmark and a Mission", curated by Christopher Jobson over at Colossal. He describes his blog as a place that explores the intersection of art, design, and physical craft.

The tour was scheduled to start in Pittsburg, PA, on Nov 6, but has been delayed due to Hurricane Sandy. I am happy to relay that all the people at Arthouse, the sketchbooks and the Brooklyn Art Library are safe and sound.