Photogaphs and permissions

OK, I forget about the blog when I get busy. The painting I started before our family came to visit is finished. And the photographer who so kindly allowed me to use his work to paint from has seen the painting.
I'm pretty sure he was happy with the outcome.

Yes, I work from photographs, more now then ever before. Sometimes one photo catches my interest so much that I paint from a single photo, sometimes I use a number of photos as reference, sometimes the photo just triggers an idea and I run with it. I use to take all my own photos for reference, but getting out to shoot isn't always that easy these days. While I have a vast photo library, some are old news, everyone has painted them or they just don't interest me like they use too. I needed fresh inspiration.

Thanks to our lovely social networking systems on the Internet, I have recently caught up with a lot of my old friends. One of whom is a professional photographer and photography teacher.
After seeing some of his photographs on line I came upon one that I drew my attention. Over the next 2 weeks I caught myself planning the painting, making rough sketches, debating on the size of the painting. But one key factor here was missing. The photographers permission.

Forgoing copyright, which by the way is very important, for the personal side of things, I know what it is like to see something I've created being copied or out right used without permission.
NEVER, I repeat, NEVER use anyone else's work for reference or otherwise without permission. It will come back to haunt you.........

After contacting Kenny, and receiving his permission to use the photo as reference, the rest is in the picture! "Autumn leaf on a cabin roof"
My photo reference was compliments of Kenny McKeithan, of Kenny McKeithan Photography
http://www.kennymckeithanphotography.com/ . Stop by and check out some of his work!

Time to Paint

It's been a wonderful 2 weeks with family from out of town. But, it's time to get back to painting!!!! Right before they arrived, I started a new painting, however my studio and guest bedroom are one-in-the-same so painting stopped. I found time for sketches for upcoming paintings, all the while the watercolor I started has been calling my name.

Our visitors had a 12 hour drive when they left us Monday morning and we had things that needed to be done, in between travel progress calls. By Monday late afternoon, things had slowed down and something started calling my name again. PAINTING has begun and family is now home safe. Teasing has begun, my husband said he could hear the painting calling my name and wondered how long it would take for me to start.

I have spent the day catching up on emails, housework and my PAINTING!! While waiting for the large areas to dry, new paper has been stretched for my next 2 paintings. The sketches I worked over the past 2 weeks will become paintings now. I will be painting a new palm similar to Sunlit and I'm still trying to decide on the 2nd one, but the paper is ready!!!!

Time to slow down!!!

Sea and Sand Festival at Folly Beach is over. The mad rush has slowed down. Family coming in from out of town to stay with us for a week. But best of all a new painting is started. This time it's going to be large 18x24. A friend of mine is a photographer and he has some beautiful work. I have been inspired by a few of his photographs and he has graciously agreed to allow me to use them as referance material.

So deep breaths, my new painting is started, I may not be able to work on it much for a week, but it's started. Plenty of time for sketches, though. The wheels are turning and the ideas are flowing. Now just to get them sketched out so I will have them when this one is done.

I have been busy in my studio, with watercolors! I put them down several years ago, frustrated and agrivated. At the time I was working 40 plus hours a week and couldn't invest the time I needed into them.

I took an online class, found that some of my supplies were the biggest

cause of my frustrations. With the supply issue under control, a better understanding of the medium and more time to invest in painting. I have been busy, painting and playing with this "new" venture.

When the painting and learning slow down, I will post more. I hope to have more photos of some paintings to show soon.

The Bird of Paridise was my class picture, the Hybiscus Flower is one that I have tried many times in the past, They NEVER turned out like this!!!!!!!!!!!!! yea!!!

Crazy week

This week has been a little out of sorts, toward the crazy side. Trying to finish projects I've started and get a few things ready for a last minute show opportunity. Well at least most of what I set out to do is done.
My son has some of my prints in the "Tides of March" on Folly Beach this weekend, a half way decent business card, my first ACEO's are done, (willl be posted on Facebook, then Etsy). I still have 2 originals I am working on, maybe I can get back to them now that the "maddness" is done.

For those who are in the Charleston, SC area, The "Tides of March" event is taking place at the Folly River Park on Folly Beach March 13-14, Satuday 10-4, Sunday 1-4. See my Facebook fan page, become a fan and get the special offer Good only for the "Tides of March". http://www.facebook.com/dksartstudio.

The Shutters

This picture is of a house front in Downtown Charleston, SC. It was done in watercolor paper with color pencil. The original size of this picture is 18"x24". While the original is in a private collection, a limited edition of 500 prints were made. I also have prints in 8"X10", 5"X7", and frameable note cards.