Water Lilly

It was my friends birthday so we took her out to eat dinner. I really enjoyed my Italian food good wine and friends. I even survived a big wind storm and rain we had here. It was so windy when got out side and the rain was just pouring down on us that I put up my umbrella and it turned inside out. I thought that only happens in the movies!

Koi Ribbons

5 by 7 watercolor on textured clay board. 40.00 plus s & h

This stuff is great to paint on, you have to remember two things, the paint doesn't sink in which causes it to sit on the surface and the second thing you need to remember is that the watercolor will not be fixed unless you spray it with a fixative. I use a universal artist grade fixative but I have been told by experts you can use Krylon fixative for arts and crafts which can be purchased in most hobby shops for about 75% less.

This Koi looks like he is at the bottom of the pond playing in the ribbons of pond grass.

Koi Circle ACEO a painting a day artist Shanti Marie

This 2.5 by 3.5 card is for sale for 14.00 plus 1.5 shipping and handling.

I hung a show today for the Guild of Charlotte artists and thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the local great art. There seemed to be a good turnout of all mediums except one…. There were oils, watercolor, pastel and photography. Most of it was realistic work but some abstract or semi abstract work which I also like to see.

It was rather sad that the drawing award could not be given out. No one entered a single drawing. No graphite, colored pencil, charcoal, or conte crayon. This seems to be the case, folks who draw don’t enter the shows as much as painters. Probably because they don’t think their work will hold up to the more colorful paintings. I would like to remind you, if you draw, there are lots of shows where you can display your work and possibly win a cash award. consider entering a show, even if you don’t like the idea of competicion its a great way to meet the artists in your community, and the networking is very beneficial to all.

ACEO "Fall path" a painting a day

This 2.5 by 3.5 is an artist collector’s card. its watercolor on paper and will sell for $13.00 plus 1.0 s& H
I’m reading a lot these days as I seem to be sitting around Dr.’s waiting rooms. I’m like a kid who has to stay inside, I look out the windows hoping for a glace of inspiration. A soft green grassy hill or maybe a beautiful fall tree. Nope, none of those things, just parking lots and cars, sick people and more sick people. Bad health can consume a person or even a person’s family. The appointments, errands and the prescriptions who knew… not me, I’ve always been pretty healthy. If your healthy, enjoy it, it could be taken away in a minute. My husband is getting better, it just takes a long time to heal from such a serious trauma as a motorcycle accident. He has stopped using the oxygen most of the day and only occasionally reaches for it. He even took out the trash last night. It was to me a milestone in his recovery.

Spirit tree a watercolor by Shanti Marie

This is a watercolor on illustration board with modeling paste. The modeling paste gives the painting an actual texture. It looks great and you can almost feel the roughness of the bark.
I like it in this format but also like it on its side.


You can decide which way it should go.

Wild Acres Workshop

This picture was taken at the Wild Acres Retreat in North Carolina. Its a wonderful place to take a group of friends to rest and paint.

This photo was taken at sunrise the first morning.

This phto was taken during the day, while the moon was still out.


This is one of the painting I did in the workshop with Billy Shellburn.

The technique is simple: you use heavy illustration board. You put on very thick paint in either a "y" "z" or "x" pattern. Then you put on white ink (using an eye dropper)and spritz it. This makes breaking waves over the darker colors. The sky is painted in gesso mixing in some of the wave color. This technique works for mountains too!

Children's toys

This small 4 by 6 was painted in watercolor on paper. I may go back over this now that I see it on the screen. I like it, I just think I can make it a bit better.

I think I'll make the shadows and relflected light a bit darker.

I'm going to be doing some larger pieces over the weekend, I'll post them here for you to see. I'm going to a workshop with Billy Shellburn at Wild Acres in NC.

Southern Koi ll An aceo by Shanti Marie

I love to paint these little paintings and I had a request for a companion piece for another koi painting I painted earlier this year...this one will go with "Southern Koi". check it out... ( there is a search box on the sidebar) and see if you agree.

Frosty night

11 by 7 60.00

I painted these trees using Friskit and waited for it to dry then painted the background, allowed that to dry, then pulled off the friskit and
dry-brushed the trees. Its a great way to paint tress at night or birch trees. The colors used in the background are ultramarine blue with some purple sometimes mixed with green. These colors are mixed in several puddles of color and painted on so that they merge together. The lighter areas of the background are lifted color, while still damp, use tissues to lift off color.

Lost Soul

I drew this woman and her image huanted me. I think it was her intense small eyes and the way she could looks right thru you. Someone said she looks like a ghoast or a spirit.

15 by 22 $200.0

Tiny Acorns

This little painting is 6 inches by nine inches and is for sale for 50.00

I loved the weather today, it is getting cooler 75 (F)and there was a slight breeze.

Butterfly Dance

3 inch by 3 inch $25.00

Deep Red Poppies

4 by 6 $50.00

I have been painting a larger painting... you can see it at... http://h20color.wordpress.com

This painting has influenced my daily painting choice. I painted this small 4 by 6 painting in a deeper red color.
p. s.
My husband is going to have another cat scan today. Maybe the Dr can figure out what is wrong with his right lung and why it is not healing correctly. Thanks for your cards and notes.

ACEO sunflowers go wild!

ACEO 2.5 by 3.5 watercolor on Matboard. 13.00 Free shipping!