New Watercolor Painting: Samantha Victoriana

We've had a round of sickness here that has been pretty wearying. In the last month we have seen 2 rounds of flu (8 cases total), two cases of conjunctivitis (pinkeye), and this last week has played host to the most vicious cold I've had in twelve years. The kids got it first, and Wade and I were both up at 3:00 a.m. every night for a week filling vaporizers and humidifiers (or sitting with coughing child in steamy bathroom), doling out cough syrup and rubbing Vicks on chests and feet. The last two nights have been uninterrupted, however, and so I think we're coming through this thing! It's been a long time since I've felt that low from a measly cold, and my blogging and painting has been on hold so I could spend my afternoons napping with the kids.

I am happy to report that I have finished my "Samantha Victoriana" painting. Such a fun, sunshiny arrangement and because I had no expectations for the piece, I just threw myself into it and splashed color around.

Since I so enjoyed "playing" with this latest painting, I have decided to ignore my "to-do" list of painting subject matter, and try to extend playtime a little. I found Daniel Sroka's photography web site inspiring today - he does these amazing extreme macro photos of natural objects, and his flower photos are incredible. I'm going to take my cue from him and look for a close up of a flower from among my reference photos...and then attempt a more abstract spin on the subject.