Fantastic Art Found in 100 year old Building

News Flash! A fantastic collection of original art was discovered at the end of this mornings' Intermediate watercolor class in the Skylight Studio of the Kirkland Arts Center.

The results below are the collection of results at the end of today's watercolor lesson with Michele Cooper.

Ed note: I used pre designed magazine covers from an app called Moldiv to present these paintings.

I think they are amazing!

Inktober - Relax, Wet and Squeeze

Three more for Inktober. Still playing catch up!

I like to relax with my feet up, watching art "How To Watercolor" videos with cozy socks, a warm fire in the fireplace and popcorn.

This little girl didn't mind the wet rainy day at all. She was puddle jumping in the rain.

I will absolutely squeeze every last grain of pigment out of my watercolor tubes!

Okay, Just One More for Today

Here's the one I just finished for Inktober 2016 Day 13. Yeah, I'm way behind but no worries. I'll catch up. Maybe I will do 3 or 4 more tomorrow. 

This was for the prompt "scared". It was the scariest movie I've ever seen as a child. Especially the part where he played dolls with the little girl and then........the empty swing!

Watch the replay ink shading on periscope.tv/michelecoopart and the Hyperlapse drawing on IG at michelecooperart. 

Two More for Inktober Today on Periscope

Having fun in the studio today, drawing two more for Inktober, "Transport" and "Worried". The vintage streetcar that runs down the waterfront in Seattle and stocking up on groceries for the biggest storm that never was! Those weather reporters really had us worried!

Catching up on Inktober on Periscope today

I am waaaay behind on my Inktober "daily" drawing. So today I plan to catch up. Tune in after 12:30 pm. On periscope.tv/michelecoopart to watch and chat a little. Tell me what prompts you used and I will share a story or two as I draw.

By the way, this one is for "Jump". Can you guess what they are?

Inktober Big vs Little

You know me, I always like a little bit of a twist when I interpret the prompts for Inktober.

How about a baby elephant for the prompt "big" and an adult mouse for the prompt "little"!?
Inktober Day 21 and 22. 

Live on Periscope before the big storm

I did a quick live demonstration of a grove of autumn trees on Periscope today. Catch the replay to see it and a couple of other examples of fall color in watercolor. Periscope.tv/michelecoopart 

I wanted to get something in before the big storm comes and wipes out internet and electricity for who knows how long!

Stay safe out there everybody!

Announcing 2016 Studio Open House

"Snow Bird" Art Lesson on DVD

Our 22nd Annual Studio Open House takes place on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Hours: 10am-7pm

5-7pm: Wine, Cheese, Nibbles and a drawing for $100 worth of Art from Michele's NW Studio

We are excited to show new works and welcome artists, students and friends. Enjoy some nibbles, conversation and perhaps take home a painting, DVD or just the experience of visiting a real working art studio.

Save a spot on your calendar and come on over!
Contact me for map and directions. Send email to michelec12 at gmail dot com

North Cascades by Brush, Twig and Pin

Of our National Parks John Muir said, “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. 

The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”

It was my pleasure and privilege to teach a watercolor workshop at the North Cascades Learning Center this past weekend.

We made our own watercolor sketchbooks after dinner on Friday.

On Saturday, there was an epic rainstorm! The rain gauge registered almost 4" between 6 am. and 6pm.

We sketched under the shelter near the library, gathered specimens from the woods and brought them inside to paint. We used twigs from the forest to make ink drawings of local mushrooms gathered by the students in the class next door.

The rain finally stopped so that we could go out Sunday morning and paint the mountain views.

Inktober Day 9-Broken

A tree fell across the rocks and was carried down the waterfall, broken

Inktober Day 7 and 8

Day 7-Lost
Looking out the back door of our cabin and a sunbreak across the path reminded me that not all those who wander are lost.

Day 8-Rock
All the buildings at the North Cascades Institute are beautifully integrated into the landscape. Our front door had this huge rock for a natural privacy screen!

Inktober Day 6 - Hidden, a Live Periscope Demo

In case you wanted to see a demonstration of how I do my Inktober sketches, I did a live broadcast
on periscope.tv/michelecoopart this afternoon. If you missed it, you can still see the replay.

There's a birdbath in a hidden corner of my garden. A favorite bathing spot for birds.

Inktober Day 5--Sad

 

I don't know about you, but I find it a bit challenging to use the prompt "SAD" for today's Inktober sketch.

I am sure that when I look over the sketches with #inktober2016day5 on them I will find some very heart rending, touching, sorrowful images. Without minimizing the need for expression that generates these renditions, I personally don't feel like going there today. So I will take this opportunity to express  the lighter meaning of sad; actually two ways of interpreting it.

The parked cars at the top left and bottom of this page are from a small village in Yorkshire, which I was sad (regretful) to have had only part of a day to spend drawing and painting on location. I wish I could spend weeks and months there.

The single occupied vehicle above right illustrates the sad state of affairs during gridlock on my commute to Seattle each week. This car was "parked" directly in front of me in the middle lane of I-5, waiting with the rest of us in the same situation to move forward, inch by inch. I hate having to take over 2 hours on a trip that should only be 45 minutes.

Day 2--Noisy

The neighbor across the street considerately waited until after 9:00 this morning before mowing his lawn. It's day 2 of Inktober 2016 and the official prompt is NOISY.

I hid behind the living room blinds while sketching. Hehe. Oh no! I've become the urban sketchers' version of Mrs. Kravitz! (Retro TV-Bewitched)

Inktober Day 1-FAST

The official prompt for day one is "fast".

I set the microwave timer to three minutes, and had four seconds left by the time my ink sketch was done and my hot water was ready for tea.