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.