Hello Friends!
Welcome to Thursday's Art Date! Today's theme is EMOTION. What emotion inspired you?
The emotion that inspired me was WONDER. Oxford defines it this way:
"A feeling of amazement and admiration, caused by something beautiful, remarkable, or unfamiliar."
Bugs seems to be in absolute wonder-mode as he discovers Rabbit Heaven does exist! 😛
 |
| Aurora Borealis in Watercolour |
I decided to do something a little different this week. I was so inspired to paint...maybe it was the Full Moon, maybe I'm getting more MOJO back than I expected...but I painted the Aurora Borealis in oil, acrylic and watercolour. Watercolour has been the medium I've been using for years now because I'm finding canvas way too expensive and the paints really stretch out. Also, I'm out of wall space to hang big canvas paintings!!
Here is my acrylic version. This was SO MUCH FUN to do! I learned how to really blend the colours so that they were soft and you can't really see the brush strokes. I was out of canvas, so I took some tips online and used my 140lb watercolour paper. I applied 3 coats of white gesso on the paper, let it dry overnight, then weighted it under a bunch of books to flatten it out. It worked perfectly as a makeshift type of canvas.
Unfortunately the photos don't do justice to my paintings at all - boo! I need to figure out how to photograph paintings...any tips?
 |
| Aurora Borealis in Acrylic |
Here is my acrylic version. This was SO MUCH FUN to do! I learned how to really blend the colours so that they were soft and you can't really see the brush strokes. I was out of canvas, so I took some tips online and used my 140lb watercolour paper. I applied 3 coats of white gesso on the paper, let it dry overnight, then weighted it under a bunch of books to flatten it out. It worked perfectly as a makeshift type of canvas.
Unfortunately the photos don't do justice to my paintings at all - boo! I need to figure out how to photograph paintings...any tips?
 |
| Aurora Borealis in Oil |
Here is my oil painting of the Northern Lights. The way the paint blends is one of the reasons I love using them. I'm so happy I decided to try my oils again!
I started to paint after watching some Bob Ross videos back in 2013. Alex got me the entire series of The Joy of Painting, I learned so much from following his videos. If you ever want a simple and relaxing tutorial for painting, check out his You Tube Channel - all of his tv show episodes have been uploaded. I've applied his techniques to all of my paintings, not just the oil paintings!
I've never seen the Northern Lights in person, but one day I hope it happens. Until then, I'm in absolute wonder just seeing videos of this beautiful act of Nature!! Please enjoy this video from National Geographic!
All of that painting made me hungry! :) I've been craving this dinner for months. Homemade Macaroni and Cheese with corn on the cob. I finally found some fresh corn at the market. It's not the local corn, it came from the States, my gosh it was so sweet! I didn't have any macaroni noodles on hand, I used capellini, nothing was stopping me from making this dinner! :)
All of that painting made me hungry! :) I've been craving this dinner for months. Homemade Macaroni and Cheese with corn on the cob. I finally found some fresh corn at the market. It's not the local corn, it came from the States, my gosh it was so sweet! I didn't have any macaroni noodles on hand, I used capellini, nothing was stopping me from making this dinner! :)
We've been cutting down a lot on the meat lately, but were in the mood for burgers so I made some Veggie Burgers. They were pretty good and I'd definitely make them again! I served them with fries and some Coleslaw with Old Bay Seasoning. Yum! :)
I just had to show you guys a photo of the ridiculous amount of condiments we have...Alex pulled a pile of them all out and I had to snap a shot! This isn't all of them either....eek!
We decided to try and "catify" our porch a little more so the cats have places they can sneak up on and enjoy the summer with us. Alex put up two extra shelves and glued on the leftover fake grass rug we had in the basement. They all love it! Leo is always the first to jump up on the highest shelf each morning!
Best friends...Charlie and Oscar the Cat. :)
I just had to show you guys a photo of the ridiculous amount of condiments we have...Alex pulled a pile of them all out and I had to snap a shot! This isn't all of them either....eek!
We decided to try and "catify" our porch a little more so the cats have places they can sneak up on and enjoy the summer with us. Alex put up two extra shelves and glued on the leftover fake grass rug we had in the basement. They all love it! Leo is always the first to jump up on the highest shelf each morning!
Best friends...Charlie and Oscar the Cat. :)
********************
May 30th: Next Thursday's theme is Sea Creature. Click on the link for ideas and inspiration!
Thursday Art Date With Rain. Click on the link for a description of the art date as well as a list of upcoming themes.
Don't forget to add the URL link to you post (not your blog) to the link gadget below to share your wonderful creations!
********************
Rain,
ReplyDeleteWonder is a good emotion to sketch. I didn't think of that one, you clever girl! :) Your paintings of the Aurora Borealis are purrfect! Living to far south this is something I'll never see but I'd love to someday as soon as we win the lottery and I get over the fear of air travel. I'm not sure which painting I like the best but it's between the top two. Bob Ross would be proud of your artwork. I love watching him paint! We used to do that on the weekend when all the kids were still home. He's so inspiring to watch. Thanks for hosting the creative fun, my friend. You totally rock!!
Your paintings are lovely. Doing something you love feels so good and your joy comes thru in your work. Wonder is a wonderful subject.
ReplyDeleteCondiments fill up my refrigerator also and my spice cabinet overflows. I use most but usually only one spoonful at a time.
Good gosh, Ms. Rain! You are such a talented artist. You captured the colors AND movement of the Aurora Borealis so well in each of your three paintings. We do see them here, sometimes very faintly, but sometimes in full-blown color and movement. When that happens one tends to watch open-mouthed and speechless!
ReplyDeleteLove the way you make things as comfy and pleasant as possible for your furry critters. What cat wouldn't be happy with those "up high" perches.
Your food always looks so good! Learning to cook with less meat adds a whole new dimension to your plate, doesn't it? Yum.
Your paintings are beautiful!!! I'm not surprised by the number of condiments, you and Alex are such foodies!! I just made mac and cheese the other day too, I was craving it as well, and I served it with cole slaw AND I love it with Old Bay lol,, what a coincidence! The best friends on the couch is a heart melter!! Thank you for hosting again this week!
ReplyDeleteWonder...perfect, love this piece. Beautiful post today. I will check out those painting videos thanks.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post, Rain! Love your paintings! I do know about your cravings for Mac and Cheese... There are just times when that is the only thing that will do...lol... I love the perches for the kitty... I am going to work on some for our lazy felines, because I have been wanting to do that for awhile, and your post just pushed me to it... Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYour northern lights paintings are all spectacular! You work so well in all 3 media!
ReplyDeleteRain, your Aurora Borealis paintings are terrific. And I enjoyed watching the short video. I can only imagine how amazing it would be to live where one could see the Northern Lights easily.
ReplyDeletewow rain! those paintings are awesome. my favorite is the first one. i'm making mac and cheese topped with roasted tomatoes as one of my side dishes for monday. charlie and oscar are killer cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy :) I often wonder if I'll ever see the Auroras, Alex and I aren't much for travel either, we love to nest at home, and I also have a fear of flying! You'd have to knock me out to get me on a plane. I've come to terms with that though, any travel will be ON land!!! :) But we're so comfy at home, neither of us really have a desire to travel anyway. I had some neighbours who said that once in a while they can see the Auroras from this location, but I haven't yet! I loved Bob Ross so much! His documentary is on his You Tube channel, it's very interesting!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Arleen :) I'm very happy to be painting again. :) Oh the condiments...too many in this house, they take up almost one entire shelf in the fridge! Yes, I have the same situation with my spice rack too lol! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Mama Pea :) Oh you are SO lucky to be able to see the Auroras!!! I really hope one day we can see them. Actually at one point many moons ago, I even considered relocating to the Yukon JUST to experience the Northern Lights! But then my sense came back to me, realizing how cold it is up there lol! The cats LOVE those perches...they are safe and they can keep an eye on everything going on in the yard!! I'm gradually adapting to the less meat cooking. I'm finding it a little challenging but now that I have more time, I'm able to look up better recipes to try! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurie :) I was actually surprised by the condiments when we lined them all up! But it's true, we do love food! This was the first time I used Old Bay, mainly because we could never find it in Quebec oddly enough. I had to order it from Amazon and it's fantastic. Charlie and Oscar are so cute together! Charlie sometimes thinks she's a cat! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine :) The Bob Ross painting videos are great, he's fun to watch!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dino :) I could eat mac and cheese daily...my gosh it's good stuff!! :) Oh I'm glad I encouraged you for the cat shelves! Your kitties will love them!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debra :) I'm so glad I tried the oils and acrylics again, it was so much fun and I can see a lot of possibilities with those media now that I can make the "canvas" myself! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Becki :) I know...I can only imagine how beautiful they look in person!
ReplyDeleteThanks Joyce :) I really enjoyed painting them! Oooh that's a great idea with the roasted tomatoes on the mac and cheese! I'm going to try that next time! That would make it a healthy meal right? ;)
ReplyDeleteWow, Rain! You are really talented. I love the WONDER of your wonderful art. Have a really great Thursday! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThank you Diana :) It's so much fun to paint, the more I do it, the more I want to do! :) Enjoy your Thursday too! :) xx
ReplyDeleteIt is a dream of mine to see the Northern Lights!
ReplyDeleteThere is a place in Scandinavia where you can stay in an igloo and see them (if they show!) or maybe I dreamt that too...maybe it's a hotel.
Hi Sandi :) Oh that place in Scandinavia sounds amazing...maybe it's one of those ice hotels?
ReplyDeleteOh I love BUGS! Great job Rain. Like you ....I love working with OILS basically cause they do blend well and they are so much fun to feel under the brush as you move them around! Loving you did those in all the medium. You know I love dogs and cats together. ADORABLE. Yep. the car crap is ticking me off. I called again today and they finally have the report but the dude at the collision place did not send the pics! Pretty much over him and the insurance company.
ReplyDeleteYour art is beautiful!!! When we were in Alaska on the cruise we got to see the Northern Lights! Your painting depicts them so well!!!
ReplyDeleteThat food looks great! I love what you did for the cats. So creative too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam :) What is wrong with the collision dude??? My gosh! I hope you get that sorted out soon! The dogs and cats together are pricelessly adorable!!! :) I agree, oils are fantastic and now that I found a way to make my own "canvas"...I can paint with oils more often, I have to many tubes of paint and they are all in great shape!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda :) Oh how lucky! That must have been spectacular!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristina :) The cats run out to the porch first thing after they eat every morning now, I love it! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for visiting me!
ReplyDeleteYour art is lovely.
I am so glad you like my trailcam tales. I wonder if I bore people. There is so much happeing down at the pond. cheers from Ontario!
My hungry husband distracted me from writing a comment about this post yesterday evening. He's learned not to ask me "What's for dinner?" on Thursday evenings when I'm working on my Friday morning post. So he goes around opening and closing the pantry, cupboard, and fridge doors and mournfully munching on dried fruit or cheerios. I was reading your post while he was making his third circuit and sighing loudly. LOL So I'm back to say that your watercolor of the northern lights is glorious, and that's how I saw them many times on winter nights in Northern Canada. I enjoyed your acrylic and oil paintings too, but I think that the composition of your watercolor is much stronger because it sweeps your eyes upward and has a feeling of expansiveness. I really love art, and I should try it. My photography is the closest I come. All the best to you, Rain!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenn :) I really am envious of your pond...you live in such a beautiful area! And in no way are your trailcams boring!!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Louise :) LOL...passive-sneaky-thinking-we-don't-notice-husband-food technique...that's a good one lol! And thanks for your comments about my watercolour! Your photography is definitely art. I used to do a lot of photography, but I'm finding that painting for me is so soothing and a lot of fun. I really find my creativity with my paints! :)
ReplyDeletesis, the paintings are beautiful. all of them !!! I wish I could bring you over quickly when I see the northern lights here. We have them so often dancing in the sky over our barn.
ReplyDeleteI love the shelves for the cats ... I can totally see why they love them :)
believe it or not but I just finished writing a blog entry ... after almost 1.5 years...lol
hope u guys dont have as much rain as we are getting these days ... where is summer hiding ???
Sorry Rain, no time for commenting much as we leave for Ireland Tues.
ReplyDeleteMust tell you though, your watercolor of the Aurora B is awesome - well they all are - you never cease to amaze my dear.
More another time - stay well and happy.
Mary x
Two things you can certainly do is paint and cook. I don't know whether to admire your beautiful paintings or your excellent cooking more, so I will admire them equally!
ReplyDeleteYour cat looks exactly like our cat "Tom Tom MaCoot." Our cat colony and our two dogs get along fine, almost all the cats have grown up around ancient "Tuggy" and "Little Dog" doesn't bother cats.
Looks nice up there. Comfortable and quiet.
Thanks Nik :) I'm glad you mentioned a blog post because I don't get notifications anymore! I just left you a nice long comment! :) Summer seems to be peeking out a little today, though it's not getting higher than about 18 - at least it's sunny! Oh I'm so envious that you can see the Northern Lights!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary :) Nice to hear from you, enjoy your trip!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Harry :) Your comment made me smile!! You do have quite a cat colony, I think that's great! Most of the time all of ours get along. We just have one tabby named Dana, he can be a monster at times, going after the dogs and the other two cats, but we have him on some natural herb remedies and he seems to be less insane so fingers crossed it keeps working! The cats love the shelves, we have them all over the house actually, they all have their favourite spots. It's very comfy here, and most of the time quiet! But they are building condos (argh) about half a kilometer away...never thought I'd see that here in the village...the mayor is really pushing this village as a weekend getaway for snowmobiles, quads and boats...so different from how it was when we first moved here 4 years ago.
ReplyDeleteRain, I love all your artwork! And, of course, all the wonderful meals you make. Please adopt me! LOL
ReplyDeleteWe also have cut back a lot on meat, especially me. I just don't feel like eating meat lately. I checked out the veggie burger recipe and love its simplicity. I will have to make it!
Oh my gosh, I love that your cat and dog are such great buddies. That is adorable. And I love that you and Alex have created special places for them. Spoiled kitties...as they should be :)
Thanks Martha :)) That recipe for the veggie burgers is a good one, I chose it for the same reason. I'm just not interested in going out and buying ingredients that are unfamiliar to me. And a lot of those veggie recipes always include some kind of bean which neither of us can digest. I love this one. I hope you enjoy it! All pets should be spoiled!!! :)
ReplyDeleteOh dear Rain to be honest i envy Alex who eats this yummy meals made by you :)
ReplyDeletelooking at you auroras makes me wonder that how blessed and gifted you are !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
first auroras are MAGICALLY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
worth framing and hanging on wall and staring while thinking about your AMAZING TALENT!
i absolutely loved bugs amazement :)
we often watch 4k videos on our big screen t.v and they cast spell on our nerves
hope you will see them in future my friend !
i forgot to mention my wonder and joy about the love between these two adorable pets :))) so LOVELY!
keep uplifting our worlds with your wonderful blogging ear Rain!
hugs!
Hi Baili :) Thank you so much for your encouraging words! :) One day we want to get a big screen tv too, just to watch good movies, right now we watch on our computer, I can imagine how the auroras look on a big screen! :)
ReplyDeleteI love your art Rain! You can really create anything in all medias! I know for me, I only take photos outside. Make sure the sun is behind you. Usually, this shows the true colours of your art piece! Keep creating Rain! I do love your art! Your food looks so good!! Give your fur babies hugs from me! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stacy :) And thanks for the photography tip!
ReplyDeleteI like how you fit art every day into your life.
ReplyDeleteThanks Stefanie :) I love it too, it's really something I've missed a lot, I need to make it more of a priority!
ReplyDelete