MONDAY MANDALA -- The Color Wheel

A mandala is a circular pattern that has existed in nature and in many different cultures since the beginning of time.  Each Monday, I will be painting and posting a new mandala.

In this "Color Wheel", I was trying out each of the 24 different transparent pigments on my palette.

Sunday Collage of my Face-A-Day Project

These are the faces that I drew, from the first week in February.  This is my yearlong project -- a continuous contour line in ink, of a face a day, for a year.  I started in May of 2011, so I have a few months to go.

Watercolor Demonstration of a Floral Bouquet

For an Open Studios event at Sorrel Sky Gallery in Durango, Colorado.

I started with a quick color sketch of the bouquet, in my sketchbook.  Often, I like these quick sketches better than the finished paintings.

On the stretched watercolor paper, I did a wet-in-wet underpainting.  When that was dry, I began to paint the flowers, working my way from shape to shape.

Every now and then, I would turn the bouquet, to get another perspective -- not worrying about painting it exactly as it was.

Then, I did a little negative painting, added some darks, and signed it.

It's fun to paint in an un-planned way occasionally, and in this case, I was happy with the result.



Surprise Yourself! Rocky Mountain Creativity Retreat for Women

I'm excited to be planning another workshop! This one is a little different than my annual painting workshop but promises to be just as much fun. Check out this link: http://surpriseyourself.cottonwoodpress.com/ which will tell you all about it and hopefully get you excited, too. Please sign up if you're interested.

This will be a 3-day workshop in Durango, packed full of activities and lessons that will stretch your creativity in every direction. Every day will include a variety of focused but fun-to-do projects, to help you explore creative possibilities for yourself. No supplies to purchase. Just bring yourself and expect to learn, explore, and expand your talents, ideas, and creativity. In a supportive atmosphere, with lots of personal attention from me and from Cheryl Miller Thurston, a writer/lyricist/publisher/composer, you will have the freedom to step out of the old and try something new -- and surprise yourself!

June 10-13, 2010 (9 am - 6 pm); $350 for workshop; lodging is extra.

My 4th Annual Watercolor Workshop

3 days -- September 27, 28, 29, 2009 (you can sign up for 1, 2, or 3 days)
9am to 4pm daily, at my house/studio in Durango, Colorado

Price -- $250. (gourmet lunch & beverages included, all 3 days)

Lots of individual attention & instruction, with plenty of time for painting.

Friendly & positive atmosphere, with a different lesson & project each day, with critique & discussion of work-in-progress at the end of each day. Get ready to stretch, loosen up, & work hard, but still have laugh, have fun, & eat well at the same time!

See the slide show of last year's workshop, on your right. . .

Pat Howard Gallery: FIRST PLACE, Watermedia -- "White Lilies"

Pat Howard Gallery: FIRST PLACE, Watermedia -- "White Lilies"

FIRST PLACE, Watermedia -- "White Lilies"

"White Lilies", watercolor, 29x21 -- wins First Place in Richeson 75: Still Life & Floral 2009 competition.