Break

I won't be painting or posting for a couple days as I sit with a dear friend who is in her last days.

Thinking of a Friend

SOLD
4" x 6"

These beautiful irises remind me of a dear friend. Good friendships are hard to come by so when you find a kindred spirit, it is treasured all the more.

Pink Sky

SOLD
4" x 6"

Pictures like this remind me of home. I love the excitement and busyness of a big city, but I also like the peace and quiet of rural areas like this one.

The sky (blue and pink) is a little more vibrant in the painting. I wasn't able to get a better image of it; however, monitors can vary also. I think all the other colors look pretty close.

Green Grass Cafe

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4" x 6"

Green Grass Cafe--only the freshest of greens served here!

Inviting Entrances

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4" x 6"

I started this painting yesterday and really wanted to be able to post it but I just ran out of time to finish it. I loved the ornate cut work over the porch--however it was quite a challenge to do since it is all negatively painted.

SOLD
4" x 6"

I saw this home in December and fell in love with it! I like lots of windows and would love to have a porch like this one. Looks like a great place to paint!

Stately Southern Entry

4" x 6"

This beautiful entry leads into a small Southern home. I believe the home is about 100 years old. The door is extra wide and showcases a large brass knob in the center. It leads into a home rich with wide-planked wood floors and artful woodwork throughout. A true Greenville, SC treasure.

I won't be posting this one to eBay until Monday, January 25.

Hey! No Peeking!!

4" x 6"

I thought this photo I got of the donkeys was very funny. The one totally hid his eyes while the other lowered his head to check out what was going on. Can't you just hear the first one saying "Hey! No peeking!"?

This will be my last miniature donkey painting for a bit. Going back to a few florals and some landscapes. Hope you enjoy!

White Oleander

SOLD
3.5" x 5.75"

I love painting white flowers--the clean whites contrasted with the shadows. This beautiful white oleander's home is the coast of South Carolina . . . oh to be so lucky! :-)

Still not feeling so hot . . . but hope to be up and painting again tomorrow as I have no more back-up paintings!

Hope you will enjoy!

White Magnolia

4" x 6"

Not feeling the greatest today so I'm taking a break from painting. It won't be long here in SC before these beautiful magnolias will be blooming again! I'm ready for Spring!

Grazing

Into each life a little criticism must fall . . . and it is always best when it falls into someone else's life! Wait! Did I really write that??!! Just kidding!

Today I received some criticism about a recent painting. Some of the things commented on I am going to try to improve upon. Others I think I am limited by the paper I am using. While it is a reputable brand of watercolor paper it really isn't one I would choose to use due to the surface texture that often makes it difficult to keep the paint/water where you want it to go. However, the paper was given to me and since watercolor paper is quite expensive I am going to use every last sheet! :-) It just makes my job more challenging--and I just remind myself that I do like a good challenge! The remaining comments I think would have been averted if the person had seen the photo I was working from. Anyway, although it is somewhat discouraging to receive such comments, I am thankful for criticism (in small doses!) as that is how I will improve. And being members of the human race, we all have room to improve! :-)

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Today's painting is another one of the miniature donkey farm. It really is quite peaceful to watch them slowly move from spot to spot. I hope I was able to capture that peacefulness.

SOLD

4" x 6"

Quietness

4" x 6"

There is a certain quiet, gentleness that can be seen in the eye of this miniature donkey. It drew me to him.

Again, all the white in this painting is the white of the paper. The white eyelashes were negatively painted--I don't use any type of resist material.

Hope you enjoy!!

Those Nosy Neighbors!

SOLD
4"x 6"

I loved the photo I was able to get of the miniature donkeys! While some of the donkeys lingered out of reach these three couldn't get enough attention!

If you look closely you can see the eye lashes and whiskers. I do not use any type of resist material so all the white is the white of the paper that was negatively painted.

Uncertainty

SOLD

4" x 6"

This little pair of miniature donkeys live on a farm in Ohio. While some of the other donkeys came right up to the fence this pair of siblings were a little suspicious and kept their distance.

Beach Walk

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4" x 6"

I wasn't sure I would get a painting finished today. I worked for a bit in the yard, did the usual three loads of laundry, and enjoyed a high school basketball game. But I was able to squeeze in some painting time and decided to take a break from flowers for a bit.

This beautiful pair of Weimaraners were taking their owners for a walk on the beach when another dog running on the beach caught their eye. The male was definitely ready to follow suit but obediently just continued his stroll on the beach.

Red and Yellow Tulips

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4" x 6"
"Yellow Flow"

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4" x 6"
"Red Flow"

Here are some more tulips from Falls Park, Greenville, SC. Watercolorist Ed Whitney said "Purple and green is a love affair." I think I would have to agree--they are my two favorite colors to put together! Hope you will enjoy these two paintings!

Tulip Patch

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4" x 6"

The Reedy River runs through Downtown Greenville, SC. There is a large waterfall with a beautiful park surrounding it and a suspension bridge overlooking it. Throughout the park there is a lot of stone walls and paths with garden areas. In the spring there are many tulips and pansies. If you have never been to Greenville you will have to take a look at the following web site, and then you'll have to plan a trip! (http://www.greenvillesc.gov/) Anyway, this is where I found this tulip patch. Tomorrow I am going to do another painting or 2 of tulips from there as well.

Hope you enjoy!!!

(The painting does not contain the gray edge . . . just there so you can see the edge of the painting.)

Spring's Sunshine

SOLD
4" x 6"

Here in the South it won't be long before the daffodils start poking through the hardened soil of winter. Their soft, delicate faces are in sharp contrast to the cold, dark days of winter. They bring a sunny warmth to the still cool temperatures and with it the promise of summer.

Christabel Iris

SOLD
4" x 6"

This beautiful iris is somewhat popular here in Upstate South Carolina. I have done a little research and believe it is called "Christabel." A couple years ago I made the mistake of planting them temporarily between a rose garden and some shrubbery. Apparently there wasn't enough air circulation, and they are now succumbing to a fungus. I have been battling it for over a year now, and hope that it doesn't wipe out all my irises!

But for now the beauty lives on in this painting. Because I left much of the paper white I scanned it with a black card behind so the edges of the paper can be seen (I did not paint an edge around the painting!). :-)

Hope you enjoy!

Sunny Faces

SOLD
4" x 6"

Most years I plant mammoth sunflowers in my garden. I love their sunny faces and large, floppy leaves which remind me of elephant ears! After they have put on their show I gather what seeds I can steal away from the squirrels and put them aside for the birds during the winter months.

The year I took this photo the flowers didn't quite reach mammoth size due to a drought in the area, but they still brought some sunshine to the garden! Hopefully they will bring some sunshine to your home or office!

Painting available for purchase on eBay--just search "JSConn"!

Window Reflections

SOLD
4.5" x 6"

This home sits at the crest of a small hill, but it is just high enough that this window over a garage is quite elevated adding to the architectural impact. The deep shadows give it a little extra punch. Behind the window is an art studio belonging to a friend of mine. From the window you can see a well-manicured lawn, flower and water garden, as well as a tree-lined alley with neighboring rooftops.

Pear Pair

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4" x 6"

Hmm . . . it has been a very long day so this is going to be quite short!

Today I offer you a pair of pears. I do love pears. One of my favorite desserts is one my husband came across--warm gingerbread with raspberry-pear sauce! YUM!!

So if you share my affection for this fruit--this painting is for you! Hope you enjoy!

Show of Red

SOLD

4" x 6"

For today's subject matter I chose a vibrant red rose. I love pretty much all flowers--especially wild flowers, but I do have a small rose garden with about a dozen roses. I have found that when you use the right products growing roses can be quite easy and so very rewarding. I enjoy making arrangements for others, and that little rose garden has supplied me with many a bouquet. While I do have two beautiful red rose bushes this particular painting is from a rose that was grown by my mother-in-law. It was so brilliant in the warm summer sun that I had to take the photo knowing that one day it would be a painting! I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did looking at it while painting it!

Brrr! It's cold outside!

SOLD

4" x 6"

Living in South Carolina means that you really don't get any snow to speak of. If it does happen to snow it usually melts within 24 hours; however, it can get pretty cold! Having grown up in an area that was solidly white for a couple months of the year, I can say emphatically "I miss snow!!" (I have family that still live in an area like that, and I'm sure their thoughts of snow aren't as positive as mine!)

For me, snow is what makes the cold worthwhile. But alas all I have right now is cold, so I had to make my own snow in a painting!

This home is nestled in Ohio's rich farmland. The corn stubble has yet to be plowed under, but the dusting of snow gives a quiet, peaceful feel.

A Bit of History

SOLD
4" x 6"

I love old doors. They hold a bit of mystery--you want to know what is behind them, who has passed over their threshold, what secrets they could tell . . . . This particular door could tell quite a story I'm sure. The home it is part of was built in 1838--much has passed its way before. Apparently it survived the destruction of the Civil War . . . perhaps important people, famous people have found their way inside, but it stands quietly there never to reveal its secrets.

Beach Breezes

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I love the soft warm breeze of the beach, the rustle of the grasses, the calling of the seagulls, the slow steady rhythm of the ocean. Always a peaceful place to be . . .

January 1, 2010 New Endeavor

SOLD

I decided to start my Painting a Day career with a personal favorite--tulips. It seems that no matter how difficult your circumstances may be tulips can bring a smile to your face!

I will be posting all my paintings on eBay--just search "JSConn"!

Hope your day has been a good beginning for a new year!