The Rita's Art Blog

Trophy Puppy and Siblings

2012-01-27T19:22:00.000-05:00

Trophy Puppy (on the left) visits his sister (in the middle) and his big brother (on the right). Although he was the smallest and last to be born in the litter, he has now grown bigger than his sister. His big brother is still the biggest.

I love the floppy ear! I think if he keeps it floppy, he can get away with doing silly puppy things a lot longer. Once that ear stays up, he's gonna have to start acting like a big dog.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2012-01-24T20:15:00.000-05:00

Stuck Watercolor Paint Tube Caps

Haven't painted in a while?

Haven't opened that tube of paint to fill up your palette?

Finding you've got yourself a well stuck cap?

I lay the tube of paint on my table top and squeeze all the paint towards the cap with my fingers. If you have one of those fancy little paint tube gadgets you can use that too. With all the paint towards the top of the tube, you have a sturdier tube of paint to grasp and you won't be twisting the tube into a pretzel. Try now to twist off the cap.

If that does not help. Soak the top of the watercolor tube of paint in a little dish of warm water. This may loosen up and soften some of the dried up paint that is keeping the cap in place. Using a painting rag to dry and hold the tube, again try to twist off the cap.

I rarely get a stuck cap, but these methods have always helped me.

Some people have had to use a small plier to twist off the cap after soaking. Just remember to squeeze all the paint close to the cap so you have a greater mass to hold onto.

Recently Read

2012-01-19T17:10:00.000-05:00

Remember Me?

by Sophie Kinsella

I love her shopaholic series! And I love this book too. It's light and funny. I enjoy her style of writing and humor.

Tuesdays Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2012-01-17T16:52:00.000-05:00

Tuesday's Tips & Techniques for watercolor painting is back!

The Brushes are Ready & Waiting!

First tip of the new year ... just paint!

It's about time you start painting again or perhaps it's time to start painting period. Winter is a great time to paint.

Get out your brushes, paper, watercolor paint, a bowl of water. Find a comfy place to sit and spread out your supplies. Dip those brushes in water, then load the brushes up with paint and swash it all across your paper.

Paint with no abandon!

A New Year

2012-01-11T16:19:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday to Me!

A new year, another birthday, a new beginning ...

My birthday was last wednesday.

Today our puppy turns 8 months old.

I baked a batch of cupcakes this afternoon and tried to take a photo of him with one cupcake and of course ... he bit it!

I've got new plans for my blog this year.

I want to add posts of jewelry people have created using my torch fired enameled beads. I want to bring back the Tuesday's Tips & Techniques for Watercolor Painting. Keep it going regularly again. I've done a few posts on recently read books, I want to do more of that as well.

Other new plans for the new year ... I'd like to create step by step tutorials for watercolor painting and have them available for sale.

Before the bite.

If I shake your hand, can I have another bite? Please?

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-24T07:06:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas!

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday.

-----

For this year's Christmas card, I hand painted japanese paper with watercolor paint. For the tree I used a variety of greens, blues and purple. While wet, I splattered in some yellows and verzino violet. When dry, I splattered on some gold gauche. For the trunk I used various shades of brown.

After the very thin and fragile japanese paper was completely dry. I trimmed the paper into strips. My husband cut the strips of green into triangles while I sliced the trunks into squares. I adhered each trunk and tree onto watercolor note cards and allowed them all to dry overnight.

The next day, I signed the cards and hand wrote little notes inside each and every card. I hand addressed all the envelopes as well. I simply love a handwritten Christmas card and envelope. It's a little gift in itself.

Acrylic on Canvas

2011-12-08T18:25:00.001-05:00

I am contemplating painting more of this type of seascape.

I love it!

Acrylic on Canvas

24" x 36"

What do you think?

Beading Joy

2011-11-30T16:10:00.000-05:00

I was finally able to break out the torch again yesterday and created a bunch of amazing beads. Today, I photographed a bunch of those beads and the photos came out fantastic if I do say so myself.

I absolutely love this trio of beads ... almost kept them for myself.

These torch fired metal beads coated in glass enamel are so unbelievably lightweight. Perfect for creating a statement necklace! Or use one as the focal point of a necklace and create a matching pair of earrings.

I turned a set of these same beads, same colors into a pair of earrings and I love them! They really are lightweight. I wear them a lot.

You can find these Mission Lavender Pinks in my Squier Etsy Shop.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T13:08:00.003-05:00

Thank you!

Etsy Front Page

2011-11-07T09:36:00.003-05:00

It's so exciting to find out one of my paintings was featured on the front page of Etsy.com. A wonderful Etsy jewelry designer, Kelsey, alerted me of this delight.

Take a peek at Kelsey's Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kelseysimmen

Thank you Kelsey!

Handmade Cigar Box Guitar

2011-10-05T12:41:00.001-04:00

Cigar Box Guitar No. 34

Padron 4000 Blonde Cigar Box

It's one of my favorites!

My husband, Michael does an awesome job building these cigar box guitars. He hand carves the neck from a fallen black walnut tree that used to stand in his parents' backyard. He carves the neck with vintage tools. The necks are fretless and the markers are burned in. This helps to create an usual and unique playing experience.

The cigar box guitars have three strings. It can be played acoustically or plugged into an amp.

This would make an awesome gift to yourself or someone special!

Find this one and more in the Cigar Box Guitar and Amp section of our Etsy Shop:

http://squier.etsy.com

You can hear a sound clip of one of his cigar box guitars:

http://squierdesign.com/country_boy_guitars.html

You will even find a music video at the bottom of this page where one of his CBGs is played!

First Place Baby Puppy Class

2011-09-26T15:59:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, we took our little 4 1/2 month old puppy to his first German Shepherd Dog Show. To our surprise our little Boo won the First Place Trophy in the 3 to 6 Month Old Baby Puppy Class.

Will this be his one and only dog show?

We haven't decided that yet.

I wish he could stay this size!

A Few Favorites

2011-09-23T14:40:00.000-04:00

A few of my favorite beads that I have saved for myself to create something special just for me. I need to find the time and the inspiration to turn them into something fun and unique.

The Woven Bead Board

2011-09-19T19:14:00.000-04:00

This was a fun way to display some of the torch fired enamel beads I have to offer in the large holed woven pattern. Almost houndstooth like. My customers can choose the exact bead by number.

A piece of foam core with a 1/4 inch hole punched in a grid to keep the beads from rolling away. I added the numbers in photoshop.

Let's hope Daisy kitty doesn't find it fun!

Fancy any beads?

Baking Soda Shaker

2011-09-19T17:15:00.000-04:00

One of many uses of baking soda is to sprinkle it on your carpets to freshen them up. Helps to deodorize them. After a rather humid summer and a new puppy, I figure it's a good time to freshen up all the carpets before we close up the windows for the season.

I took a clean mason jar, filled it with baking soda, screwed on the lid. Found a little hammer and a large nail. I tapped a few holes in the top, making sure to stay away from the outer edge, don't want to hit the glass. Voila! A baking soda shaker!

I spent my Sunday afternoon sprinkling baking soda on all the carpets and cloth covered furniture. You can wait a few hours or even a day or two and then vacuum it all up.

Favorite Bead of the Day

2011-09-15T19:07:00.000-04:00

Red Tiger Loopy Bead

I've been editing photographs I have taken of my torch fired glass enamel covered metal beads. The stunning close up detail of this one bead fascinated me. This bead is approximately 18mm round and super lightweight.

A set of five red tiger loopy beads will be available soon in my Squier Etsy shop.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-09-13T17:42:00.000-04:00

MaimeriBlu's Sap Green is back!

Cheap Joe's Fall Sales Event flyer has Sap Green listed in the catalog. So exciting!

I love MaimeriBlu's Sap Green. It's my favorite shade of green. I have yet to order a new tube. Pictured here is my very last tube of sap green next to my second choice of sap green made by M. Graham. I have tried many other brands and many other shades of green and these two are the best.

MaimeriBlu stopped producing the color for awhile. I found it listed for sale once again. Let's hope it is as good as ever and here to stay!

MaimeriBlu Sap Green is my best recommendation for green. The hue, the transparency ... love it!

Recently Read

2011-09-12T21:26:00.000-04:00

Summer at Tiffany

by Marjorie Hart

I found this book at one of the book sales I went to earlier this year. I just recently read it this past weekend. It is a delightful book. A memoir about two college girls who get jobs at Tiffany for the summer of 1945. Love it.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-09-06T19:06:00.000-04:00

Ironing Your Watercolors

A repeat from June 2009 - An excellent reminder!

Ever paint a very wet watercolor painting on 140 lb. paper only to end up with a warped wobbly painting? There is a very simple cure to this problem. Iron the painting! This works well with paintings done on quality 100% cotton rag watercolor paper. That is 100% cotton rag ... cotton ... yes, you can iron cotton. Just iron on the back.

1. Starting with a wavy watercolor painting, place it on the ironing board, or multi-folded smooth cotton material on top of art table. Preheat your iron, NO steam.

2. Flip the painting upside down and iron.

3. Allow painting to cool and you will have a flat painting ready to frame!

Give it a try!

If you're nervous about it, test it on a practice painting.

Dew Drops Meet Fine Art Prints

2011-09-01T18:10:00.000-04:00

The new series of Dew Drop watercolors as 8x10 inch prints are available in my Squier Etsy Shop.

Shown here are:

Peachy Keen Drops

Aquamarine Drops

The 8x10 Dew Drops are only available as affordable fine art giclee prints. They are printed on luxurious somerset velvet paper and have a 1 inch border for ease of matting and framing.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-08-30T18:10:00.000-04:00

Labor Day Weekend is Almost Here

Are you venturing off for a mini weekend vacation?

Pack up your travel palette, a few brushes and some paper and add it to your luggage.

If you're staying home, take a little time and head to the beach, the park, a scenic spot and bring along your travel palette, a few brushes and some paper.

Take a little time to enjoy watercolor painting.

Put your travel palette to good use over the weekend!

Have fun painting!

Spicy Hot Color

2011-08-29T18:36:00.000-04:00

Spicy Hot Paisley Beads

I love torch firing metal beads.

Adding coats of glass enamel.

Playing with colors, blending, mixing, torching.

These paisley beads are surprisingly ultra lightweight and rather big at 20mm.

I love them!

On a Mission

2011-08-27T11:48:00.001-04:00

Mission Khaki is the last pair of beads I torched.

Yesterday and today, we have been on a mission to secure all things outdoors and prepare for the impending hurricane Irene. At least she's visiting here on a Sunday.

Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. This phrase has been repeated over and over the past few days.

All things movable outdoors have been taken care of and today we're making sure the generator runs. We've got sand bags, actually mulch bags incase we need to sand bag our driveway due to flooding. Hey, it's useable afterwards. What would we do with all that sand?

This morning, I'm baking cookies and cooking up some chicken. If the power goes out for a few days, let's hope not, we've got plenty of cold things to eat.

Enjoy your day and stay safe if you're in Irene's path!

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-08-23T07:50:00.000-04:00

Clean Your Palette!

It is best to clean your palette when you're done painting for the day.

If you've finished your painting, there is no reason to save the slop on your palette.

It is best to start with a clean fresh palette every time you sit down to create a new painting.

Taking the time to clean your palette at the start of a new painting, may spoil your enthusiasm to paint. You may end up loosing your muse if you have to clean up the leftover slop.

When you're done painting, clean your palette!

Luxury Shopping

2011-08-20T11:00:00.001-04:00

A cigar box guitar from our Squier Etsy Shop was featured in Saturday's Etsy Finds in the Luxury Shopping Section.

Check out the guitar:

Cigar Box Guitar No. 32 - Americana

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-08-16T19:36:00.000-04:00

Side Load Your Flat Brush

Here I have used a flat one stroke brush. First I wet the brush with clean water. Then I load one side of the brush with indian yellow, then carefully dip the opposite side of the brush into a small pool of crimson lake.

With one quick circular swash of the brush, I have created a multicolor flower petal. The yellow and red blend together on the paper.

This is an excellent technique for quick, fresh multicolored flower petals. Works great for leaves too.

Another Fab Feature

2011-08-12T17:15:00.001-04:00

My husband got a feature yesterday in the newsletter, today a set of my torch fired enamel beads made it to the front page of Etsy.

Singed Cambridge Blue Torch Fired Enamel Beads

Set of 6

I just happened to be checking my emails, when I received a note from Bacon Square Farm saying I looked fab on the FP. When you get a chance check out their awesome bird houses!

So of course I quickly opened up Etsy.com and grabbed a screen shot to share with you all right here.

Music Lover's Gear Guide

2011-08-11T12:05:00.000-04:00

An Etsy Finds Feature

My husband's Cigar Box Guitar No. 31 is featured in today's Etsy Finds - Summer of Love in the Music Lover's Gear Guide section: http://bit.ly/qLCreA

Check out the cigar box guitar right here:

Cigar Box Guitar No. 31

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78756111

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-08-09T15:56:00.001-04:00

Flat Brush Shapes

A flat watercolor brush isn't just for making square swashes of color. Learn to really use your brush.

• You can make the standard rectangular swash with a quick simple stroke using the wide flat part of the brush.

• You can also make a thin vertical or horizontal line with the tip of the brush and not too much pressure. Excellent for line work.

• Use the corner of the brush and vary the pressure as you swash your brush in an irregular pattern. Start with the corner of the brush and light pressure, applying more pressure and more of the bristles to the paper and then lighten up again. Good for creating leaves.

• Use the corner of the brush, by holding the brush at an angle.

• Vary the pressure as you're creating a swash to make the swash.

• With sticky paint, not so much water, spread the bristles apart, stroke the brush upward to make clumps of grass.

Having Fun

2011-08-08T11:42:00.001-04:00

My blog has been a bit quiet lately.

Been spending time enjoying the summer.

I love the weather in July.

I have lots of new ideas for various artistic projects and will be filling you on some of them soon enough.

Have fun and enjoy the summertime!

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-08-02T14:34:00.009-04:00

Creating Long Smooth Fine Lines

Work your brush back into shape to create a fine line with watercolor paint using a round brush. Mix a puddle of paint in a smooth milky consistency, fully load your brush with the paint mixture. Work the paint into the bristles, you want a fully loaded brush. Then roll the round brush through the puddle of paint and pull backwards across the palette to form the bristles back into a round point. This will help you create a more consistent fine line to do fine line work in watercolor.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-08-02T14:34:00.006-04:00

Creating Long Smooth Fine Lines

Tuesday's Tips & Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-07-26T21:04:00.000-04:00

A Repeat Tuesday's Tip from 2009

Clean your brushes!

It's a good idea to clean your brushes ... oh at least once or twice a year. :)

Check out this old post:

http://ritasquier.blogspot.com/2009/07/tuesdays-tips-and-techniques-for_21.html

I'm on a brush roll aren't I? :)

Use them and take care of them!

Etsy Front Page

2011-07-24T19:58:00.000-04:00

My Bakers Dozen Torch Fired Enamel Beads made it to the Etsy Front Page on Sunday, July 24th at around 1 pm eastern time!

The Bakers Dozen set did not sell, but a few other sets of beads have sold, which does make me happy.

Check out more of my beads for sale in the Boho Chic Beads section of my Squier Etsy Shop.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-07-19T09:02:00.000-04:00

The Fan Brush

Along the same lines as last week's post. The fan brush is yet another brush I purchased and rarely use. I haven't used it in years.

A fan brush is great for creating clumps of grass in one swoop.

For me, I find it easy enough to fan apart the bristles of a round brush or even a flat brush wet with sticky watercolor paints to create a similar effect, the clumps of grass blades.

Let's turn the table ...

How do you use a fan brush in watercolor painting?

8x10 Print

2011-07-18T12:45:00.000-04:00

Purple Passion Drops

Print Size: 8x10 inches

Paper Size: 10x12 inches

A fine art giclee print of my original watercolor paintings from my popular Dew Drop Series.

My new prints are professionally printed on somerset velvet paper with epson ultrachrome archival inks.

It is hard to tell it from the original!

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-07-12T14:18:00.000-04:00

Second Chance to the New Brush

My favorite brushes are all made by Winsor &Newton.

My two most favorite flat brushes are the 3/4 inch One Stroke and the 1 1/2 inch Wash Brush with the short house painter style handle.

I do plan on giving the 1 1/2 inch Series 680 red handled brush another go this summer. I have recommended it to my students as a lesser expensive alternative to the slightly pricier wash brush. As you may be able to tell by the photo, I haven't used the red brush all too much. The bristles are still practically white.

I do have my favorite standby brushes, but now is the time to set aside the old favorites and perhaps give the newer ones a chance.

I bet you are like me, you have a few brushes you've purchased but do not use all too much. You keep reaching for the old faithfuls. You bought new brushes, maybe you have never used them. Perhaps there's a special technique or flick of the wrist the new brush may perform better or differently than the old brush. You won't know if you don't give it a go.

Let's pull them out and get those new brushes wet and sticky with paint!

Long Awaited Product

2011-07-10T13:50:00.000-04:00

You've chanted, "We want prints!" over and over.

The long awaited product is here! Now available in my Squier Etsy Shop is a special set of prints from my Dew Drop Series.

This time around, I'm keeping all the originals for myself and making the prints available to you for purchase.

Currently there are five different images available.

Peach Keen Drops

Aquamarine Drops

Irish Spring Drops

Cool Blue Drops

Purple Passion Drops

Print Size: 8x10 inches

Paper Size: 10x12 inches

Mix and match to your heart's delight!

They will look awesome matted and framed and grouped together.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-07-05T15:51:00.000-04:00

The Pitt Pen

For my pen and ink watercolors, I always use a Faber Castell's Pitt Artist Pen. It is an india ink pen which is also waterproof.

Waterproof is important when drawing with ink and then painting in watercolor over the top. If your ink is not waterproof when dry it will bleed and look messy.

The Pitt Pens can be purchased as a set or purchased individually. They also come in different sized pen nibs:

S - Super Fine

F - Fine

M - Medium

B - Brush Tip

Etsy Front Page at Midnight

2011-07-03T14:55:00.001-04:00

Foggy Blue Too

My torch fired beads were featured on the Etsy front page at midnight on July 3rd in this awesome treasury.

The beads sold on Friday, July 8th.

Double yay!

Thai Watermelon Carving

2011-07-02T09:12:00.000-04:00

Watermelon Rose Baskets

Every summer picnic or party should have a nicely carved watermelon fruit basket.

This is the start of one I carved for my nieces graduation party last weekend. I ended up carving two that were pretty much the same. I forgot to take pictures of both and pictures of the finished basket. The fruit salad was delicious!

Time to head to the grocery store and carve one for the Fourth of July.

Yes, I carved it myself!

Summer Holiday

2011-07-01T22:39:00.002-04:00

Summer Color

Have a fun and colorful Fourth of July Weekend!

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-06-28T21:14:00.000-04:00

10 Steps to Mask and Pour

Mask out your main subject of your painting and pour on the background.

1. Apply masking fluid to the main subject of your painting. In this project, I masked all the flowers.

2. Choose your colors. It's best to start with 2 or 3 analogous colors, colors next to each other on the color wheel. Here I used green, blue and purple.

3. Using a small cup, mix a small amount of the paint with water to easy pouring consistency. Do this for each color.

4. Wet you entire page with clear water.

5. Pour on each color, one at a time. Tilt the board to blend.

6. Optional: Add kosher salt just as the shine goes off the paper.

7. Allow to dry completely.

8. Wipe away salt, if used.

9. Remove masking fluid with a rubber cement pick up.

10. Paint your main subject.

Personalize Printing Source

2011-06-27T12:57:00.002-04:00

DIY Online Print Shop

Today's design project was revamping Squier Design's Click Print website. An awesome little site where you can go to order Labels, Mailing Labels, Rubber Stamps, Business Cards, Post-It Notes and more.

Design your own layout using the templates online or upload a completed design. Fun and easy to use!

Plus excellent prices!

http://squierdesign.clickprint.com

Boho Chic Beads

2011-06-24T10:37:00.000-04:00

Rosie Fog

Torch fired beads, each with unique color. I enamel each bead one at a time, by hand using a torch. Each metal bead is heated until glowing orange at about 1500 degrees, dipped into powdered glass enamel and heated again. This process is repeated several times using both opaque and transparent colors until the desired effect is achieved. The reaction of the metal beads and enamel in the torch, each bead is somewhat unique.

Can't you see yourself creating your own fabulous jewelry with these bohemian beads?

These beads and more can be found in my Squier Etsy Shop: http://squier.etsy.com

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-06-21T21:45:00.000-04:00

Peeling Tape

When peeling the tape off your watercolor painting, peel at an angle away from the painting.

By doing this, you lesson the chance of tearing off a layer of paper with part of the painting that goes with it.

Once you remove the tape from the edges it really brings the finished painting to life. No more tape, no more messy edges, no more messy board to which the painting is mounted. That little white paper edge virtually frames the piece for the first time.

Yay! Etsy FP!

2011-06-18T17:03:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Etsy!

Just found out my Squier Etsy Shop made the front page of Etsy.com with my husband's handmade Cigar Box Guitar No. 29 La Gloria Cubana in a fantastic Happy Birthday Etsy Treasury. It can be played as either an acoustic guitar or plugged into an amp and played as an electric guitar.

Pair it up with our portable battery operated cigar box amp and rock out by the camp fire!

Chocolate Roses

2011-06-18T16:49:00.000-04:00

What I did today ...

I baked a half dozen chocolate rose cakes and 11 cupcakes.

Then I poured a dark cocoa glaze over the top and topped them all off with red sprinkles. Love the sprinkles!

I baked them for Father's Day, but I think we're gonna have to test one tonight. Make sure it's good. :)

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-06-14T18:31:00.001-04:00

So you've tried landscapes, seascapes, still lifes, florals and abstracts, what's next?

Portraits!

Don't be afraid to give portrait painting a try in watercolor.

A few little tips and you'll be on your way.

Use transparent colors. You can create endless skin tones with a warm red, a cool red, a warm yellow and a cool yellow. Burnt sienna is an excellent choice for skin tones that are warmer and darker. Okay, burnt sienna is not a transparent color, it's sedimentary and kinda semi-transparent, but it's still perfect.

Use LOTS of water. Whether you're mixing up your colors with red and yellow or using straight burnt sienna, lots of water is key.

Layer up the colors to achieve shape, form, texture, depth.

Use hard and soft edges. You will need to define shapes and shadows with lost and found edges. To define the jaw and the ear, start by painting a hard edge under the jaw and behind the ear and then blend away the top edge so it fades upwards. This will also give shape to the head.

Start by keeping it simple and work from a photograph. Choose a photograph where the person's eyes are closed or looking down or maybe they're looking away. A profile. Eyes are tough. Choose your subject matter wisely. If you think you can't paint a portrait you can if you choose a simpler subject. A toddler, a baby, a bald headed person. Don't laugh. Eyes can be tough and so can hair. So don't let that stop you from trying to paint a portrait.

Study the photo. Look for shapes and textures. Simplify. Don't think of a nose as a nose, look for geometric shapes, organic shapes. A nostril can be a quarter of an oval with a hard edge at the top and a soft faded edge to the bottom.

Take your time. You can do it.

Prints or No Prints

2011-06-13T21:08:00.003-04:00

I've been trying to decide do I make prints or just keep making originals. I'd love to turn some of my dew drops into prints. I've got a bunch of favorites from my Painting A Day Challenge that would make great miniature prints. ACEO sized.

But I've also been toying with the idea of starting a few new larger dew drop paintings.

What do you think? Leave a comment and let me know. Thank you!

One Single Bead

2011-06-11T09:12:00.001-04:00

One of the 101 beads.

Love it!

March of the Bead Groups

2011-06-10T18:19:00.000-04:00

I have been busy this afternoon organizing, sorting and photographing my beads.

This week I have created 101 torch fired beads. I am doing a test to see how many beads I can create with one bottle of map gas. So far, 101 and the bottle is not empty yet.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-06-07T19:52:00.004-04:00

Cool Effects with Waxed Paper

Enjoy creating abstracts? Want to try your hand at an abstract watercolor but don't know where to start? Grab a roll of waxed paper, tear off a few strips. Trim it into whatever shapes you feel like creating.

Start by creating a wet into wet watercolor background. While the paint is still wet, lay down pieces of waxed paper. Allow to dry. Peel off the waxed paper to reveal the cool texture left behind.

Use this as a base for your abstract painting. I added a few circles and a rectangle using lost and found edges. Experiment and have fun with it!

Use your imagination ... I'd love to see how your experiment turns out.

More for My Dew Drop Series

2011-06-02T08:18:00.002-04:00

Two Raindrops

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

Size 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Miniature Art

ACEO - Art Card

I love the dew drop series!

SOLD :)

Recently Read

2011-06-01T09:54:00.001-04:00

Handling Sin

by Michael Malone

Last Fall, I went to a fund raising book sale for the Spencertown Academy. While I was there searching through all the fabulous books, a man next to me picked up this book and said "I have to recommend this book to someone, it is so funny." He was so enthusiastic about the book. He was hoping someone would take it home.

I read the little blurb about the book and decided to add it to my pile of books to take home. He was right. It is a good book.

My husband and I read aloud to each other. While one is cooking a meal, the other reads aloud. We often read to each other instead of watching tv. It's fun and we can enjoy the same book at the same time.

If you ever get a chance, read this book. I highly recommend it to anyone with aging parents.

Tuesday's Tips & Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-05-31T16:09:00.000-04:00

Color Recommendation Tip

MaimeriBlu's Permanent Violet Bluish is an awesome color to have in your palette. It is a color I would not do without.

It is a transparent watercolor that has a HUGE value range. Add a ton of water and it will be very pale, not so much water and it will go very dark.

It mixes well and plays nicely with other colors.

Mix a little Permanent Violet Bluish with almost any yellow, water it down and you have the perfect shade of sand.

Get ready to paint those beach scenes!

Memorial Day Weekend

2011-05-30T09:05:00.001-04:00

Enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend!

We will be visiting puppies!

XiXi taking care of her 6 puppies, 15 days old. She's waiting with them in a playpen while her kennel is being cleaned. Dutch watches happily from the outside.

Hot Hot Pink

2011-05-26T14:53:00.000-04:00

Verzino Dew Drop

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

ACEO - Art Card

A sneak peek at one of my most recent dew drop paintings.

Last Class Project

2011-05-26T14:45:00.000-04:00

The Lily Pond

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

Size: 11 x 15 inches

Last night was the last Wednesday night watercolor painting class for this session. We painted lily ponds.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-05-24T18:21:00.001-04:00

Draw Ink Erase

When creating a pen & ink watercolor painting, I like to draw the image first lightly in pencil on my watercolor paper. Then I will use an india ink pen to trace over my pencil lines. When I have the inked drawing just the way I want it, I will erase all the extra pencil lines.

The kneaded eraser is perfect for this step because it does not leave behind a lot of eraser dust, it doesn't smudge the graphite or ink and it doesn't leave behind the color of the eraser.

I even erase over the ink lines incase there is a little bit of pencil line hiding along the edges of the ink.

Now my pen & ink drawing is ready for watercolor paint.

1. Sketch out drawing lightly in pencil

2. Ink over drawing with a waterproof, bleed proof ink.

3. Erase pencil lines with a kneaded eraser.

4. Paint away!

Dew Drop Series is Back

2011-05-21T11:34:00.000-04:00

Blue Meets Yellow Dew Drop

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

ACEO - Art Card

Looks like the dew drop series is back! I've begum adding to it again. I do love painting these tiny little dew drop paintings.

Click "Like" on Facebook today!

http://www.facebook.com/rasquier

Teacup Sized Art

2011-05-20T18:06:00.000-04:00

Gloomy Day Drops

by Rita A. Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

ACEO Art Card

What is an ATC & ACEO?

Artist Trading Cards (ATC) - Traded amongst artists.

Art Cards, Editions & Originals (ACEO) - Sold to artists and collectors.

Artist Trading Cards and Art Cards are one in the same.

They are referred to as Artist Trading Cards when traded and Art Cards when sold.

The only requirement is the size. The size is 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. The same size as other themed trading cards. They fit perfectly into the sleeves and sheets that are created for regular trading cards.

Artists from all over the world create these little works of art in a variety of different mediums and subject matter. Artists trade them with other artists.

Artists sell them to those who love small art and to those who would love to collect art but cannot really afford to buy the larger pieces the artist is selling. This also allows people to collect a larger variety of art since they are only buying little pieces. The art cards are meant to be sold at lower prices and to reach a wider audience.

They can be framed in little frames. They can be matted and framed singly in an 8x10 inch frame for a very contemporary look. Mat them in groups in a single mat to fill a larger or longer frame.

The Art Cards I have created have all been original watercolor paintings. I store them in a 3 ring binder filled with sheets of trading card sleeves. I sell my original watercolor Art Cards through my Squier Etsy Shop.

Collecting Art Cards or Artist Trading Cards is a fabulous way to create your own art collection.

Start your art collection today if you haven't already!

Hope for a New Lawn

2011-05-20T15:56:00.001-04:00

We've been tilling up the land ... well, parts of it.

Started with a small patch two weeks ago, in the backyard behind the magnolia tree. Then decided to do half the front yard. It has been tilled a few times, then raked and has had stones removed.

We reshaped a garden. Planted grass seed. Watered it for two days. Then it's been raining everyday since then. Little bits of sunshine here and there.

I was worried the rain would wash all the seeds away. To our surprise we have little bits of 1/4 inch high grass growing!

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-05-17T11:53:00.002-04:00

Try a New Color: Neutral Tint

Every now and then I love to try a new color. This one has me curious ... neutral tint. Interesting title and interesting purpose. A color to make other colors darker without going warmer or cooler in hue.

How dark can it go? How light will it be?

To find out, I made a little value chart for this tube of paint.

Next I will mix this color with my existing palette colors to see how it blends with and tints the colors.

This tube of Neutral Tint is made by M. Graham & Co., an excellent quality American made watercolor paint.

Stuck in a rut? Try a new color. Create a value chart to see how deep and dark it will go. Create or add to your color mixing chart to see how this new color mixes with your existing colors.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-05-10T14:36:00.000-04:00

Analogous Colors

Using analogous colors in a painting will help tie it together.

Analogous colors are those that are next to each other on the color wheel.

Creating a simple background of analogous colors for a still life, a portrait, a floral painting is a great way to create a background with interest and texture without having to establish a lot of detail.

Choose a complimentary color to that of the main subject and use its analogous colors to create a mottled background. This will make the subject matter pop. For example, red watermelon slices the complementary color is green. Create a background of green with its analogous colors yellow and blue.

My Magnolia

2011-05-09T19:08:00.001-04:00

Absolutely breath taking this year!

Even after a hard, snowy, cold and icy winter, the blossoms on my magnolia tree were gorgeous. And now, they have fallen and have sprinkled the lawn with a dusting of pink and white petals. The pink petals now on the ground even look beautiful.

Enamel Chart

2011-05-05T18:58:00.000-04:00

My Painting With Fire Chart

I have a variety of watercolor painting color charts and encourage my students to create them as homework projects. So I decided to make a similar chart for my beads.

I created myself a nifty little chart of colors to use as a guide when I create torch fired beads. I still need three more washers to finish this chart.

The color combinations are almost endless. I'm starting to wonder what various layers of transparent colors can create.

The colors remind me a lot of watercolors. The quill is neither transparent or opaque. It kinda falls under the semi-transparent, semi-opaque or more so the sedimentary category.

Recently Read

2011-05-04T10:53:00.002-04:00

The Chocolate Lovers' Club

by Carole Mattews

This book was a fun, quick read. I picked it up at a bookstore basically because of the title. Never judge a book by its cover? Sometimes, why not? You may surprise yourself. A cute little illustration and a fun title got me hooked. I enjoyed the book.

After reading the book, I found out she has a website too:

The Chocolate Lovers Club

http://thechocolateloversclub.com/

And a sequel:

The Chocolate Lovers' Diet

I just might have to keep my eye out for this book too!

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-05-03T16:43:00.000-04:00

The Wash Brush

My all time favorite and coveted watercolor wash brush is the Winsor & Newton Series 965 Wash Brush - 1 1/2". The bristles are a blend of natural hair and synthetic fibers. It holds a lush amount of paint and water. Perfect for creating gorgeous skies!

Glides across the watercolor paper, twisting and turning helping me to create wonderful paintings. I can and have done entire watercolors with this brush. I have three!

It's simply fantastic!

Book Sale Finds

2011-05-02T12:18:00.004-04:00

This past Friday, I went to a book sale at a somewhat local library. I was very happy to find six books to add to my stack of not yet read books. I only have two maybe three left from book sales I went to last fall. Somehow, I did not get through my entire stack of winter books.

Saturday, on my way to check on my in-laws' new dog which will be having puppies any day now, we stopped at a tag sale. There I found two fun Sophie Kinsella books.

Eight books for a total of $7 not bad at all. They're all in really good shape too. They look to have been read only once.

I had three books on my hope to find list, but I did not find them at the book sale. I definitely have a few books to keep me busy until I find them.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-04-26T08:45:00.002-04:00

Using Masking Fluid

Things you will need:

- Masking Fluid

- Old Brush

- Bar of Soap

- Small Water Container

- Stir Stick

- Damp Paper Towel

- Watercolor Paper - maybe with a drawing on it

Upon opening my bottle of masking fluid, I stir it with the handle of a kid's paint brush, until it is smooth. If you shake the bottle, you have to wait a long time for the bubbles to settle. Stirring is better.

I have a brush I use only with masking fluid, I even put a little piece of tape on it to label it. You can use an old watercolor brush or an inexpensive one. Mine has nylon bristles.

I always dip the brush in a small separate water container. You don't want to contaminate your painting water with soap and masking fluid.

Dip the brush in the water, then swirl it across the top of a bar of soap. The soap is the key to keeping the masking fluid from sticking to the bristles. Use a damp paper towel to gently squeeze most of the soap off the brush.

Dip the brush into the masking fluid container and "paint" it onto your watercolor paper in the areas where you would like to save the white of the paper.

Rinse your brush and re-soap it several times when using masking fluid to cover small, medium to large areas.

Rinse and re-soap your brush when you're done.

When you are done using the masking fluid, use a damp paper towel to wipe the top of the bottle and the inside of the lid. Make sure it is nice and clean. Then screw the top back on. This will extend the life of your masking fluid.

Happy Easter

2011-04-25T21:14:00.000-04:00

The easter bunny poured his paints all over my delicious pound cake. It turned out to be a big hit.

Hope you had a wonderful Easter.

Weekend Baking

2011-04-20T12:35:00.000-04:00

Homemade Honey Bread

I've been editing photos for upcoming posts and class projects and I came across this photo. On Sunday, I decided I wanted to bake a loaf of bread. I scoured my cookbooks, found recipes I have tried before and then decided I would make a recipe I have not yet tried. This proved to be a little bit of a challenge, my pantry is not well stocked at the moment. I found a recipe for honey wheat bread. I'm all out of whole wheat flour. I altered the recipe and used all unbleached flour.

It's fantastic!

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-04-19T15:53:00.000-04:00

Plastic Wrap as a Technique

Here's a creatively, fun way to create water in a watercolor painting.

Paint a wet juicy swash of turquoise or blue green in an area on your paper where you would like to simulate water. While the paint is still wet, lay a piece of plastic wrap over top of the wet paint. Pinch and pull the plastic around.

Where the plastic is pressed down against the paper, the color will be the darkest.

You must leave the plastic wrap on the paper until the paint is dry. Once you set it down, do not lift it off of the paper. Simply work the shapes until you are satisfied you have some interesting shapes. If you try to create horizontal crevices, it will look more like water. You're manipulating the plastic almost like finger painting.

Leave the plastic wrap in place until the paint is dry. When dry, remove the plastic wrap and you will be left with a unique texture resembling shimmering water.

A Beginner Project

2011-04-14T10:11:00.000-04:00

Tuesday's Sheep

Watercolor Painting

Size: 11 x 15 inches

A watercolor landscape we painted in the beginner class a few weeks ago. By learning a few basic techniques, you can create wonderful watercolor paintings.

Last Beginner Class

2011-04-13T11:11:00.001-04:00

Tuesday's Barn

Watercolor Painting

Size: 11 x 15 inches

This was Tuesday Night's Beginner Class project. I tried to taylor the colors to those in the palettes of my beginners.

A watercolor project with a twist taken from "Watercolor Techniques" a workbook by Tony Couch.

I love using a variety of projects in my beginner & advanced classes. A few taken from workbooks and many I have developed on my own. This shows them they can learn outside of class with the help of step by step workbooks.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-04-12T13:44:00.001-04:00

Color Pop

Scooter kitty helped me with this week's Tuesday's Tip. He decided the paint palette should not be on the table covering the water container. So he pushed it to the floor. Two colors popped out of the palette. The crashing palette scared him and he ran out of the room. Hopefully, he will not try to drink the water again. Luckily, that batch of water was clean and fresh. Note to sell, do not leave bowls of water on table overnight.

1. Dried color has popped out of the palette.

2. Use a wet brush to clean out the well.

3. Get the bottom of the dried paint chip nice and wet.

4. Press firmly back into place and allow to dry.

No need to worry or waste a good dried chip of watercolor paint!

Etsy Front Page Again!

2011-04-11T21:57:00.000-04:00

This time my Speckled Eggs torch fired enamel beads made it to the front page of Etsy.com at 7 pm eastern ... so very exciting!

Find the beads right here:

Speckled Eggs

Even more beads in the bead section of my

Squier Etsy Shop

I need more mapp gas so I can create more beads!

Etsy Front Page Hurray!

2011-04-08T09:37:00.000-04:00

My Squier Etsy Shop made it to the front page of Etsy.com this morning at 5 am. So exciting! Here's a screenshot showing my husband's Padron 3000 Cigar Box Guitar.

This Padron 3000 CBG has a nice bright, almost banjo like sound.

You can find it for sale here:

Padron 3000 Cigar Box Guitar No. 25

Beginner Lily

2011-04-06T17:59:00.001-04:00

Tuesday Nights Beginner Watercolor Class Project:

The Water Lily

Last night I taught my beginner watercolor students how to paint a water lily. We went for bright and colorful. A cheery little project with a fun plastic wrap technique for the water.

Simple. Colorful. Fun.

Tonight's advance class will be painting a barn.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-04-05T13:31:00.001-04:00

Block vs Sheets

I prefer to buy my watercolor paper by the sheet. Actually packages of sheets 10, 50, 100 sheets to a package. I can then paint really large or trim the sheets down to the exact size I would like to use. It is very economical too.

But I do see the allure of blocks. Blocks of watercolor paper are excellent for travels and painting outdoors. The sheets are always the exact same size and ready to go.

If your watercolor painting style is rather wet, you are better off with sheets. Otherwise, I recommend slicing off one sheet from the block and mounting it on a board before painting.

Watercolor blocks usually come with around 20 sheet to a block when they're made up of 140 lb. paper. They are sealed around all four sides with a gum to keep water from getting to the other sheets. There is a small space usually at the top where there is no gum. That is where you slide in your palette knife and draw it all the way around the edges to remove the top sheet.

One thing I found with blocks is if you paint really wet, the sheet below also gets wet. After awhile, the gum either wears away or you get a little slit forming in the side and water seeps in. If the paper gets wet too many times, it begins to lose its sizing. If this happens, you'll notice an odd pattern around the edges of your painting. A weird texture appears in what should be a flat wash.

Blocks do have their benefits. Perfect for those who don't paint too wet. Great for traveling and painting outdoors. Another pro to the block, no watermarks or embossings.

Wild Tiger Beads

2011-04-04T23:11:00.001-04:00

Spent the day doing tax prep work. I'm done and ready to hand over my paperwork to my accountant.

Just wanted to share an awesome set of beads created by my husband Michael.

This is what happens when you share your new hobby with your spouse, he becomes really good at it too.

Love the orange, grey and tan combo on this set of beads.

This set and more are available in our Squier Etsy Shop.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

2011-03-29T13:06:00.002-04:00

Tuesday’s Tips & Techniques is Back!

I have gone through so many tips already having done this little column for over two years. I have received lots of compliments and lots of feedback from those who wish that I continue my Tuesday’s Tips. I think I chose to stop doing it because I no longer have my faithful furry friend Chloe sitting next to my desk as I type or under my art table as I created the little samples for photos. I’m thinking she’d probably nudge me now to keep it going. You’re not gonna believe this but as I’m typing this my little pal Scooter has hopped his paws up on me and is meowing. It must be a sign.

I love coming up with a new tip each week. Although now I have a feeling I may be repeating a few but hopefully giving them a new sparkle or perhaps you missed it the first time around. Refreshers and reminders are always good too. So here goes ...

Watercolor Paper

One of the important key features to a watercolor painting is the watercolor paper. You want to use quality paper that will stand the test of time. If you’re just learning to paint, many of the techniques are so much easier to learn if you’re using decent paper. The colors of the pigments and how they react with each other and react with the amount of water you’re using are also effected by the quality of paper you are using. You don’t want paper that will buckle and ripple if you use a technique that calls for small amounts of water or excessive amounts of water. You don’t want thin flimsy paper. Watercolor is a challenging medium to learn and you want paper that will stand up to the challenge.

I recommend using 140 lb., 100% cotton, cold pressed, acid free, neutral pH, watercolor paper. The brand choice is up to you.

My favorite paper is still Saunders Waterford. It’s manufactured by St. Cuthberts Mill in Somerset England. At the site of the earliest paper making mills in England. The quality is excellent and consistent. It is a mouldmade paper of 100% cotton and it is sized internally and on the surface with gelatin. It is acid free. Two edges of a full sheet are regular deckled edges. I’m guessing they make them in super long lengths and the other two edges are a torn edge. Of course it would be long in order to create the rolls. It is available as sheets, rolls and blocks. On the sheets, one corner has a watermark and the opposite corner has an embossed trademark. One of the things I love about this brand of paper is the watermarks and embossings are not huge. This paper is excellent, it stands up to a lot of abuse, aggressive painting techniques, lifting, scrubbing. It is an excellent choice for watercolor paper.

And yes, Scooter is still here by my side. He’s a cat who sometimes acts like a dog.

Cigar Box Guitars

2011-03-25T15:49:00.001-04:00

Country Boy Guitars

Macanudo Portofino Cafe Cigar Box Guitar No. 30

Handmade by Michael Squier

These CBGs are amazing musical instruments. Michael hand carves each neck, which is made from a fallen black walnut tree. The fretless necks have burned in markers, which produces a very unique sound. His guitars have open tuning and can be played with a slide or by fretting with your fingers.

Each guitar has its very own unique sound. The different cigar boxes give them a slightly different sound. They can be played as an acoustic or electric guitar. A piezo pick up is mounted inside the bridge, you can hook it up to your own amplifier.

To hear a sound clip of one of Michael's CBGs being played, click here:

http://squierdesign.com/country_boy_guitars

Michael creates each of his Country Boy Guitar Cigar Box Guitars using vintage tools. They are definitely an awesome conversation piece, however, they are made to be played!

You can find several of Michael's ready made cigar box guitars in the Cigar Box Guitar section of our Squier Etsy Shop. You can also find a custom order guitar there as well, you can choose the cigar box you would like and choose whether you want it left or right handed.

Folk, rock, delta blues ... you can play anything on these wonderful instruments.

http://squier.etsy.com

Busy Beader

2011-03-19T17:43:00.001-04:00

I've been busy playing with my torch and creating lots of gorgeous beads. Only thing is, I'm not sure what to do with all of them. So I decided I would add sets of beads to a special section in my Squier Etsy Shop.

Others too can create wonderful and inspirational pieces of art jewelry from my beads.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Squier?section_id=7942170

Wednesday Watercolor Class

2011-03-16T17:23:00.000-04:00

Seascape

by Artist Rita Squier

Size: 11 x 15 inches

This Spring's Wednesday Night Watercolor Painting Classes start tonight. This is the step by step painting I will be teaching my students to paint.

Smile

2011-03-11T11:37:00.002-05:00

Heading to a woman's club meeting today, I was asked to bring a cake. They are collecting donations for Operation Smile and holding an Arts & Crafts Contest for club women and the local high school students. I have judged this competition in the past, there's a lot of local talented kids out there!

Like my smile cake? It's a Lazy Daisy Cake from the Fannie Farmer Cookbook. It's delicious! And I hope it's a big hit today.

First Bracelet

2011-02-24T16:32:00.002-05:00

Today while doggy-sitting for Chloe's two best friends Dutch and Ashley, I created my first bracelet with my torch fired beads. It was great having big furry friends in the house for the day. Recently we found out Ashley too has cancer. She has leukemia, different from Chloe, but still cancer. She's just started her chemo treatments this week.

The hardest part about making the bracelet is choosing which beads to use. I chose a few special beads, one from the very first day we torch fired beads, which was Christmas morning. I love santa, thank you for the kit! A bead that was made on my birthday and took forever to find driving all over creation to find an open bead store. Don't think I'll be going back to the stores, I found great sources online. A few beads my husband made. I raided his stash! He won't mind since I am keeping the bracelet for myself. Two beads Michael made for me on Valentine's Day. Plus a couple of beads I torched myself. I used the twisty copper links I created a few weeks ago and head pins my husband made. I fabricated my own clasp too.

I now have a funky, dangly bracelet.

I love it!

Wishes for Spring

2011-02-16T09:11:00.000-05:00

Spring Paisley

One of my torch fired enamel beads.

Just fall in love with the simplicity of a single large bead on a slim leather cord.

My Painting A Day Challenge

2011-02-09T10:04:00.000-05:00

Here's a snapshot of all 420 little watercolors I painted in my Painting A Day Challenge. All grouped together.

What a colorful collection!

http://rasquier.com

My Enameled Beads

2011-02-04T16:17:00.000-05:00

Check out these beads I have made. I love enameling beads with a torch. I love a challenge and I love unpredictable results. Working with the torch, you never know exactly what you will end up with. Out of all the beads I've made so far, I think I've only ended up with 3 total rejects.

I've found another little hobby I'm really good at and it's fun!

Torch fired beads!

Celebrating My Year in Watercolor

2011-02-02T15:28:00.001-05:00

As you may know by now, I have been painting at least one miniature watercolor painting each and everyday from February 1, 2010 through January 31, 2011. I am so pleased and excited with this accomplishment.

I have decided to offer to you a special Mystery Painting Sale!

For a limited time, you may purchase a randomly selected by me original watercolor painting from my Painting A Day Challenge collection for only $15 each plus $1 shipping.

Take a look at the entire Painting A Day Challenge Collection:

http://rasquier.com/painting_a_day_year.html

Purchase your Mystery Painting through email & I will send you a PayPal invoice or you can purchase a Mystery Painting through my Squier Etsy Shop Mystery Painting Sale section.

Don't you just love a surprise?

January's Painting A Day Challenge

2011-02-01T17:27:00.001-05:00

Painting A Day for the Month of January has been posted to my website: http://rasquier.com

I still cannot believe I made at least one painting everyday of the past year. Somedays, I made more than one. I'll have to count them up on my website to see what the final total of paintings were. They're all there, shown month by month.

This was an awesome project!

My Year in Watercolor

2011-01-31T15:09:00.003-05:00

Deep Blue Water Drop

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

ACEO - ATC

I Just Reached One Complete Year of My Painting A Day Challenge!

I painted at least one little original watercolor painting, everyday for an entire year. This is a fantastic and fun milestone for me. I began my Painting A Day Challenge on February 1, 2010. At first it was just going to be for one month. One month turned into two, then three and I figured I gotta keep it going for an entire year. I made it!

View December's Painting A Day Challenge on my website here: http://rasquier.com/painting_a_day_december.html

You can find a bunch of my little watercolors for sale in my Squier Etsy Shop: http://squier.etsy.com

I'm dreaming up something special to celebrate my year in watercolor, so stay tuned!

Girl with a Torch

2011-01-21T14:34:00.003-05:00

I'm a girl with a torch!

Have you seen my new torch fired beads?

I will slowly add them to my Squier Etsy Shop in the Torch Fired Jewelry section.

The beads are so much fun to create.

What do you think of my new beads?

January Watercolors

2011-01-20T11:23:00.000-05:00

Sneak Peak

Here's a sneak peak at some of January's Painting A Day paintings. A colorful variety of snowy landscapes, a few dew drops and the thought of spring flowers.

Today, I am working on editing the photos from December and January to get my website up to date.

http://rasquier.com

Icicles

2011-01-19T16:11:00.001-05:00

Icicles, icicles everywhere!

The ones over the door are kind of scary.

Even the bird feeder is frozen shut.

A few inches of snow on top of a few inches of ice on top of a foot and half of snow.

Just lovely.

Painting A Day Continues

2011-01-19T15:31:00.003-05:00

Let It Snow - January 19, 2011

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

ACEO - ATC

My Painting A Day Challenge continues, pretty soon actually in less than 2 weeks I will have a complete year of miniature watercolors paintings. At least one painting, painted everyday of the year. Somedays, more than one was done.

Funny Little Friend

2011-01-10T18:42:00.000-05:00

Ahhh ... my funny little furry friend Chloe.

I found this picture on my computer and I just had to share it. She loved posing for pictures.

I miss her so much, I cannot believe she's been gone two weeks now. She'll be able to play in the snow for eternity now.

Last Saturday Night

2011-01-10T18:36:00.000-05:00

More beading fun on Saturday night!

His and Her beads.

My husband Michael torch fired the beads on the left and I made the beads on the right.

Yes, yes, I know ... I need to start showing off my Painting A Day Challenge again. I will get to it soon!