Nature

You’re Turning Violet, Violet!

Art, Gardening, watercolor, watercolor tutorials

If you’re in the northern hemisphere, zone 5 – 7, you may have noticed violets starting to emerge in March; their leaves first, followed by pale blue or purple flowers in the coming weeks. While some lawn enthusiasts may think of violets as weeds, it is important to note that these amazing plants host Fritillary butterflies. The beauty and ecological function of native violets always make them a welcome guest in my yard. They’re edible too!

Viola sororia – The Common Blue Violet

Inspired by violets, I’ve put together a watercolor tutorial on how to paint them! I hope you enjoy!

Winter is Still Here – So Let’s Paint Garden Pansies

Art, Gardening, plants, watercolor, watercolor tutorials

Usually, around February – I start dreaming of things that bloom! Which is why I thought it would be fitting to do a watercolor video tutorial about painting some of the most colorful members of the Viola family – the Garden Pansies!

This tutorial is all about staying loose…

So many people, myself included, tend to tighten up when we attempt to paint the most beautiful flowers. But, it seems the more we try to be perfect, the less appealing a painting turns out. I don’t know why, but perhaps what’s missing are the rogue and random brush strokes; they make no apologies, even though they don’t follow any specific rules or principles. Though the eye seems more attracted to the expressive and wild than the perfect, but boring.

So come join me and swing that brush around as you wish, as we try to create a free, airy, yet attractive floral watercolor painting in anticipation of early spring bloomers!

Thanks for watching!

Farm in the Off-season

Art, watercolor
11” x 14” watercolor

A cold, possibly windy scene, yet well-lit enough to include some warmth. the hills far off in the distance are catching light too for further illumination and interest. But dark shadows lurk in the foreground to suggest there is more going on here than meets the eye. The sky; stormy, but will it snow or rain or will we have wind gusts strong enough to knock over a backyard swing-set? Who knows, but hopefully you’ve enjoyed this painting and that it caused you to feel warm, cold, concerned, or something else.

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Art, lighthouses, watercolor

I was asked to paint a lighthouse, as a Christmas gift for someone. I didn’t know where the photo given to me, was taken, but I had a feeling this scene takes place somewhere in Maine. Shown below is the rough sketch I started with.

Lighthouse Sketch

Turns out, this is the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, and it is indeed located in Maine (Acadia National Park). Below are progress photos of the painting.

Sky painted and the rest being worked on
Most of the painting completed. Final details needed.

The recipient of the painting grew up in Maine and this painting had a lot of symbolic meaning for him. I am happy that he liked it. The final stage of the painting is shown below!

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse (18”x24” Watercolor)

Please visit Always Wandering Art on Etsy for more paintings.

Autumn Appreciation

Art, Life Balance, watercolor
Autumn Woodland 14”x20”

After an unexpected allergic reaction from a bald-faced hornet sting, I feel fortunate to experience another autumn season. As woodland creatures prepare for the winter by caching food and planning for shelter, I start to wonder if the old wives’ tales told to predict winter will prove true this time. If so, we might be in for a good one. And, by good I mean power outages and lots of shoveling. 

But now, the calm before the storm. A near autumn-peak woodland. Deciduous trees will soon lay down their leaves to reveal naked branches, as they curve and twist this way and that way. The decaying leaves will soon provide nourishment to the naked figures, and an insulated vessel for overwintering insects. The systems at work, even during what appears to be dormancy, are complex and wonderful.