What I’m watching – Page 3 – Katie Jeanne Wood

Winter stars – revising a portrait painting

Katie Jeanne Wood - Anita oil portraits

I was looking through old photo folders, and found this picture of the oil portraits I painted of my daughter in law back in 2016. Aww..I love this girl soooo much. I remember being incredibly nervous giving the portraits to her because I knew I didn’t capture how beautiful she truly is – inside and out. But, she liked them, and that’s all that counts. Aww..

Katie Jeanne Wood - Winter Stars portrait painting

Seeing those paintings again inspired me to revise this painting called Winter Stars. I wanted to give this girl an “Anita” vibe by making her prettier & younger. I wasn’t using a reference photo while painting.

Katie Jeanne Wood - Winter Stars portrait painting

These are all the different colors I ended up using in this portrait. Kinda crazy to think about it. I tend to go for a more limited palette, but not for this one.

Katie Jeanne Wood - Winter Stars portrait painting

I’m not sure if she’s finished yet or not. I painted this one in acrylics, but since I bought some Gamblin odorless gel medium, I’m thinking of glazing some oil paint layers on her face to give it more depth.

I’ll let you know what I decide, and when she’s available for purchase.

What I’ve been watching lately: Painting With John on HBO – Semi-watched 3 episodes last night, and by that I mean I slept through some of each episode because I was bored. Wasn’t my cup of tea, and I won’t watch more.

Windfall on Netflix – I liked it. Kinda scary and too gory for my taste, but it was good.

Bad Vegan on Netflix – I was wondering why so many people on Twitter were angry while watching this documentary, and now I know. I feel like we were all scammed by watching it. I won’t say more, and spoil it for those who haven’t seen it yet, but arrrgggh..I want to voice my opinion so badly. lol

What I’m listening to: Sneakyart Podcast part one with artist Sandi Hester. I’ve posted about my love for Sandi’s work many times, and I won’t ever stop. I played a little bit of the podcast here and there throughout last week. I didn’t want to rush because part 2 wasn’t out yet, but now it is, and I’m looking forward to listening to the rest. Yay!

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Lots of new items are available in my Etsy shop, and more are being added daily – coffee mugs, postcards, notebooks, iPhone cases, tote bags, throw pillows and blankets.

Although I mostly hang out here on my own website, there are other places to find me online.

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Revising a floral painting

Katie Jeanne Wood - 9x12 Bowl of cherries & cherry blossoms painting No 88

BEFORE

I think this is the third or fourth time I’ve revised this painting. The listing recently expired on Etsy, so I figured it was the perfect time to bring it back to my work table and fix it.

At first, I thought all I was going to change was the pink background. As much as I like the color pink, I didn’t think it went well with this painting. Turns out, I changed everything about the painting, including the flowers.

I started with the background, and made it light green, which I liked but it needed something more. I ended up using the green paint on the table, which I like better than the b&w in the before pic. As I was working on the background, the skinny vase started to bug me, so that also had to go.

The new larger vase went through a few color changes – bright blue, black, then white, and finally back to black again. As I’m looking at these photos, I like the white vase better, but yesterday, the white vase didn’t appeal to me. hm..I might have to change it back, and take another look.

The cherries mostly stayed the same, other than adding a few more to the bowl. I decided to keep the wonky shaped bowl after trying to “fix” it, and not liking the results.

This is as far as I got yesterday, and it took me most of the day. It felt good to work on a larger painting for a change. It’s been a while since I’ve done anything except work in my art journals lately, which is a post I need to write about soon. Stay tuned.

Hope you have a peaceful, happy weekend. I’ll see you next week.

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Lots of new items are available in my Etsy shop, and more are being added daily – coffee mugs, postcards, notebooks, iPhone cases, tote bags, throw pillows and blankets.

Although I mostly hang out here on my own website, there are other places to find me online.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Making friends with purple

Katie Jeanne Wood
yellow & purple art journal page

I continue to explore new paint palettes by using Bob Burridge’s color wheel. Yellow, purple, and teal was what I picked for these pages, and tbh, it’s not my favorite. I’m not sure what I could do to make it better..maybe add some white?

For now, I’m just going to keep moving on. I realized when I started doing this project that I wasn’t going to love all my pages because I’m working with some colors that don’t exactly strike my fancy, and that’s okay. The whole point of painting every day for me right now is to experiment, and try new things.

I’m still trying to make friends with purple, and the color wheel called for blue-purple, and red-purple. It was a challenge. I found out I prefer a pastel shade of purple. I recently created a yellow abstract with light violet in it that I’m going to be offering for sale soon, and I absolutely adore it.

I’m considering this exercise a success because I was using different colors, even though I don’t care for the outcome. You’ll never know unless you try..and I did, and now I know.

And hey, I’m filling up art journals fast by painting every day. Three books are completely finished, and three more are almost finished. I’m going to need a new book soon.

Did you know Five Below has watercolor books and mixed media books for only $5? They also sell a pack of 18 brushes for the same price. I haven’t tried these yet, but I’m going to order some soon. I’ll let you know if I like them.

What I’m watching: Fantastic Fungi – I don’t like mushrooms, but this documentary was pretty amazing.

Escape reading

Chickadee Bird Painting No 188
Palette knife painting
Available here

My goal for January was to work in my art journal and make a tiny handmade book. I’m going to continue making art journal pages this month, and I have a tiny book started.

Abstract Painting No 140
Available here

I have a few other things in mind that I want to do, but I have to get other work done first. I don’t know if there will be time this month to do it all. I’m going to keep a lid on my other ideas for now, and just let it simmer inside my head.

6×6 Flower Series No 303
Pink Roses with yellow background
Palette knife painting
Available here

Ever since I created 28 pages in my art journal in one sitting, I’ve felt like I’m struggling with a low energy level when it comes to creating. I’m feeling a resistance every time I go into my studio, and a pull in another direction. If I’m being honest, all I want to do is escape read, and it’s a good thing because I’m still reading The Secret History, by Donna Tartt. It’s an extremely long book..Amazon says 600 pages, but my library app says 500. Either way..IT IS SO GOOD!!

I have another book on hold that I’m looking forward to reading just as soon as I’m finished with this one. I’m just gonna give myself permission to read, and to work on stuff I have to get done this month..that’s the plan. Blog posts might be fewer because the artwork I need to do for other companies/clients isn’t something I share.

Hello, February. I hope you’re kind and gentle to all of us. Please? Thank you.

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Artist I’m admiring: Geri deGruy

What I’m watching:

I’m so glad this sweet, funny girl is feeling better, and back posting on youtube again. I suffer with Raynaud’s also, and know how difficult and painful some days can be. xo

Surviving Death – I made it to the part (ep 3) where a man starts talking in a high pitched baby voice that was supposed to be the voice of a man ghost coming through him. I had to shut it off. I’m sorry if I offend anyone with my opinion here, but omgosh..seriously???? I found it all extremely difficult to believe.

Today’s mood

Maudie is upset because Chewy keeps growling at her
when all she wants to do is snuggle with him.
Poor wittle angry girl.
Chewy’s like, “whut, mum?
Meeze notz do nuffing.”

Sweet Pea & Harold using their social distancing skills like all beings should

I needed to read this today, and maybe you do, too?
xo

Chewy: Whew, Maudez gone. I canz snugglez wif blankie now.

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What I’m reading: The Secret History – yup, I’m (perhaps stupidly) attempting another extremely long book written by Donna Tartt. This is my third time around with this author, and I’m up to my neck in words words words. Too many words, even for a book. lol

I’m not convinced I’ll get through this one yet, but the setting is Vermont, and I have a special place in my heart for the state. I grew up visiting Vermont often. My grandmother liked an ice cream shop in St Johnsbury, so we’d all pile into her big green station wagon, and off we’d go in the summer. It’s also where my Mom took me to teach me to drive a stick shift. When I got older I spent some time in Burlington & Rutland <– had a friend there (hi, Julie), and I’ve stayed at some lovely bed & breakfast inns in other parts of the state. Oh, those lovely old creaky farmhouses that you can only get to by traveling on extremely narrow winding mountain roads, like this..

source

Hope your Monday is going okay. I’ll see you tomorrow. xo

Art, new book, Hulu show, and wine

Maggie Mae

These are older paintings that I’ve had off to the side in my studio. I had planned on revising them all, but decided to go ahead and mark them down in the clearance sale in my Etsy shop instead. If you haven’t checked out my sale, you should. I have some paintings marked down 75%, which is a huge savings for you. These 6x6s are priced to sell at only $45 and $60. Normally I sell them for $100 each.

Lots of Love To Give

Waiting Since Last Tuesday

Are You Okay?

I also have paintings in my eBay store at really cheap prices and/or low starting bids.

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What I’m watching: A Teacher on Hulu – my cousin told me about this one when I talked to her a couple days ago. It was a real mind you-know-what.

Reading: Ready Player One – didn’t expect to like this one as much as I do. Although I was seriously addicted to D&D back in the day, I’ve never been a big gamer. I’m intrigued with this story, nonetheless. Lots of 80s references, which most people love, but that part falls flat with me. I’m not sure yet if I’m committed enough to the story to read the second book, which was released a few weeks ago. It might be game over for me once I finish this one. I’ll let you know.

*****

Hope you have a nice weekend. Hey, if you’re looking for a great way to chill out at home next week treat yourself to some wine from Bright Cellars. They were nice to give me a referral to share, so you can enjoy 60% off your first order. One surprising thing I found out during this pandemic is that I love me some white wine (who knew?), especially when it’s delivered right to my doorstep. Shipping is fast, and the wine is super tasty. I hope you give it a try, and let me know how you like it. Just don’t drunk call me if you have my number. haha!

On that note, I need to get work done for a licensing company, so I will be taking a few days off from blogging next week. Happy inauguration day to those who voted for Biden/Harris. I’ll see you when I return. xo

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To reach the fairy’s house before dark, run

To Reach a Fairy’s House Before Dark, Run
Acrylic mixed media
4×4 mini painting on canvas

I just wrote about the original fairy house painting, and then I discovered this one in a box in my storage closet. I had forgotten I made a few of these. I just sold one a couple weeks ago, and I think this is the only one I have left. It’s now available on Etsy.

Listening to: Perfume Genius on NPR

Hold On Tight – girl & bird painting

Hold on Tight
Oil portrait painting
Available here

What I’m watching: Dina – this is a sweet documentary about love and marriage between an autistic man and a woman with Asperger’s syndrome.

What I’m reading: Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi

Covid numbers are surging in my county, up over 17% in a week..seems like I write the same thing every few days. Up, uP, UP. I sound like a broken record. My local news claims this is one of the worst counties in the US. I don’t know if that’s true or if all local news is saying the same thing because the numbers are bad everywhere.

Between covid and the election, I’m in desperate need of a distraction. I wanted something I could really sink my teeth into, so I picked one of my favorite books on my shelf to re-read. It’s a 1000+ page series of 4 books, so it will keep me busy for a while.

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