Daily Journal with Tea

I painted this today for the ATC/ACEO Enthusiasts challenge theme: JOURNAL

ACEO 2.5x3/5 inches.

J. Elaine Hays (Lanie)

Watercolor on Yupo

(c) M Pruitt 2008

Yupo is a synthetic paper - and watercolor floats on top. As it the water dries, the pigment swirls and settles in very unique patterns.

After applying a variety of colors - including gold I let the it dry flat. After a lot of time studying the results, I decided it looked a like an abstract river bottom.

Paint removes very easily on Yupo - so I began to follow the patterns I saw and with a wet brush, removed areas of paint to create the ripples and bubbling water, swirling around rocks on the bottom of a creek.

Yupo has to be sealed - so I sprayed it with a Krylon sealant and this is the final result. An abstract watercolor!

It's 9"x11" and available in my store.

~Melanie

Boy with Lilies ACEO

2.5 x 3.5 inches, watercolor and gouache, 2008.

A young man in with white lilies behind him , the lilies symbolising purity.

www.marksatchwill.com

Anne Of Cleves

4 x 6 inches, watercolour, gouache and gold ink, 2008.

The fourth wife of Henry VIII.

www.marksatchwill.com

Open Door Cottage

ACEO 2.5 x 3/5 inches. A cozy little cottage with an open red door, inviting you to come inside. Have a little chat over a cup of tea!
J. Elaine Hays (Lanie)

Beach Boy ACEO

ACEO, 2.5 x 3.5 inches, watercolor and gouache, 2008.

Palm trees, white sand, blue skies and bleached blond boys on the beach...

Blythe Goes Joyriding

5 x 7 inches, watercolour and gouache, 2008.

This is the first of my entries in this year's EBSQ Ripped Off show. The idea is to pair up with another artist from EBSQ and each do a work based on a piece of the other's work. This painting was based on Noelle Hunt's "Chicken To Ride". It's a Blythe doll - these dolls were originally made in the early 70's and had big eyes that changed colour when you pulled a string in the back of her head . I know because I had one! I was given it and if only I had realised then what a collectors item it would be now, as they were only made originally for a year, 1972. A Japanese company started making them again a few years ago and a whole cult has grown up around them. Anyway, my painting takes the Blythe and chicken-riding theme of Noelle's original and mixes it up to make something even more kitsch with a rude joke in there if you have a dirty mind!

www.marksatchwill.com

Horse Mama & Child

Here's my second animal piece this week. Next I hope to do a mama cat & kitten.
ACEO
2.5 x 3.5
J. Elaine Hays

Paisley Fairy Cat

ACEO, Watercolor, ink and gouache. Another paisley theme. Now on ebay.

View my ebay auctions

Polar Bear Mama & Baby

ACEO 2.5 x 3.5
Lately I've taken a break from landscapes and am focusing on animals & wildlife. It was challenging to paint a subject that is white on white.

Pale Pink English Climbing Roses Watercolor Painting

These are pale powder pink climbing roses, inspired by the beautiful rose creations of David Austin. I painted them on some Sennelier hot-pressed watercolor paper that a friend gave me (Thank you, Lee). A new kind of paper, for me, and I like it! I used Graham, Winsor & Newton, and Grumbacher watercolor paints. I love climbing roses - such an interesting combination of the casual and the elegant.

http://billingsleyrose.tripod.com

http://paintinginwatercolor.blogspot.com