The full video of the Oregon Blueberries painting on this introductory page is included in the fully narrated video later in this post while we have a chat about this 12 year journey!
Sometimes it’s hard to even believe it’s been this long. 12 years ago today I left my last office to start my own art business. And I was told they wouldn’t hold my job for me - which gave me such motivation to make a success of this new life!
Before I go any further, let me say a big THANK YOU.
To all of you, from those who just found me, to those who have been with me since the start. And by the start, I mean especially those who were there for my very first blog post in 2007! Or my first incredibly blurry video tutorial in 2009.
Patrons who joined my family when that site first launched when Jack created Patreon.
The first ones who bought a hex chart, or some of those “test” classes I ran on my blog by creating manual password logins for every student one by one. (Oh my, the humble beginnings!
People who came to coloring classes when I did the traveling teacher gig for a few years.
And all those who have been with me for years, taking one or more of my 150+ online art classes.
Folks who bought my books, purchased a piece of art for your home, and fundraised for all kinds of charities over the years.
In this video while I work on the inside cover of my phenology wheel book, I’ll celebrate some snippets of history because if we don’t celebrate what we’ve been through, who will? And I’ll tell you about some things that are coming. And a sale that’s on this weekend to celebrate.
Before you watch…
The thumbnail image for this video isn't AI. It's me and my mad photoshop skillz combining another hand for 2 extra fingers. I nearly just added one finger to each of my normal hands, but thought AI might actually LIKE it. ha!
(If you prefer to watch on YouTube directly, click here):
Supplies may be affiliate links - supporting my work with a percentage paid to me at no cost to you: Arches Bright White CP 22x30 sheet (BLICK JACKSONS) Brushes: Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Sable Round 4 (BLICK AMZ JACKSONS) Escoda Joseph Zbucovic #16 mop JACKSONS) House of Hoffman Signature Series Palette Daniel Smith Watercolors: Hansa Yellow Light (BLICK AMZ JACKSONS Quinacridone Rose (BLICK AMZ JACKSONS) French Ultramarine (BLICK AMZ JACKSONS) Hookers Green (BLICK AMZ JACKSONS) Paynes Blue Gray (BLICK AMZ JACKSONS)
Negative painting isn’t nearly as difficult as you’d think, once you get your brain to see things in values. (Remember that lesson recently? It’s all about lights and darks!) The darker values, in a painting like this, are below the leaves up on top in the light. So once the overall light color is set, start pushing some of the leaves down lower to be able to let the light pop on the top leaves. (Later in this post, there’s another video using this technique that is fully narrated.)
ANNIVERSARY SALE
In my gratitude to you, I offer you a discount this weekend on any adult class…12% off using coupon DOZEN!
Topics in the remainder of this post -
Fall leaves tutorial mentioned above. And some happy mail I could use your advice on!
Why serve others?
Art for my sister and a little about Camino de Santiago
If this were a regular post, the content below this would be for paid subscribers only.
Fall leaves, and some happy mail
Digging into the archives
Since today’s video didn’t explain the technique except a few moments at the end - I have another one that details fall leaves using the very same process as the Oregon Blueberries. Watch the video here.
And for the happy mail: I just received a new Sketchaday in the mail! Crystal and I have kept in touch during her hiatus from Lake Michigan Book Press, and when she started up again a few weeks ago, I jumped on the chance to get another of these made. I had completed mine a while back and was waiting for the chance to get another - you can see the flip through from January 2024 here. Watch that one and then tell me, what should I paint first in the new one??
Why serve others?
Storytelling
Since I was a kid, I was always volunteering. I loved helping others, offering especially my art skills if I could. I remember many an argument with my mom about why I was staying after school yet again to work on the backdrop for the school play. I don’t think I ever appreciated what she had to do to organize to get me home since I wouldn’t be on the bus - but I thanked her in the last few years before she passed away.
My life has always felt more full from helping others. It wasn’t about social clout in any way - but when I could see a result in someone else’s life when I had done some task to help them or given a little money to make a difference, it just filled my heart with purpose! I don’t understand how people can live their lives without giving back, though I know many who hold back on generosity, fearing for their own well-being.
One interesting thing about serving - I didn’t think of it as a spiritual practice when I was young, even though I remember hearing Bible stories about how we must care for others. Perhaps I just hadn’t paid attention back then; but a pastor of a church I’d attended in my 40s put words to what service does for a person that brought so much more meaning to the help I was already giving others:
When you give, you’re giving to God, but also to His children.
When you serve, you’re serving God, but by blessing His children.
A parent has deep gratitude to someone who goes out of their way to serve your child; you might even cry when you grasp that someone cares for your kid that much.
God loves it that way and more when we care for each other. It’s why our hearts feel more connected to Him when we serve and give to others.
It’s been our season of giving during World Watercolor Month - as we celebrated the medium of watercolor, we fundraised together! I promised a report of our giving:
From classes purchased, we raised $620
From a single donor’s check mailed in, $500
From the Robot Bookmarks Printables, $70
From the Animal Artist Printables, $105
From the Watercolor Bookmarks class, a 100% fundraiser, $550
The grand total: $1845!!!! I’m going add 155 to round it up to $2000. Because round numbers make me happy! Many thanks to all of you who gave, who bought, who helped - and who are still sending in bookmarks for the kiddos by August 31st!
Seashell for my sister
Study of the day
Earlier this year, my sister and niece went on the Camino de Santiago for several weeks, and when my sis returned she was just so inspired by the experience! We had a zoom call for her birthday earlier this month in which she showed us all her pics that she had put into a powerpoint. I know how much she wants to show it to more people.
For her birthday gift I wanted to make her a little something to put on her desk (she’s started a new job at the top of the org she works at! so proud of her!) that others would see and wonder… “What’s up with that?” If they ask, she can show the powerpoint, right? Isn’t that The Rule?
Since she’d told us all the connections with a simple seashell and the Camino, I painted one; the origins were that pilgrims walking to the tomb of St James would take lightweight shells with them to use as cups or bowls. And the lines on the shell leading to one spot were a reflection of all the different paths you could walk to get to the final destination….so the shells became a symbol. My sister said they were everywhere and indicated when you were on the right road!
Online versions I found had a cross painted on them in red, but I didn’t want to make this look like those - so I created a cross-shaped hole in the shell instead. And added sparkly watercolor on the sand so it twinkles in the light.
Pop into the comments
Two topics to pick from this time -
Have you done anything for 12 years running? Aside from living in my house, art is my only consistency I can think of!
What would you LIKE to do for the next 12 years? What step could you take today to move toward that?
Above I mentioned I have a new Sketchaday you can see the flip through from January 2024 here. Watch that one and then tell me, what should I paint first in the new one??
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