The Gypsy Caravan 2023

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Postcards from the Lake: World Watercolor Month

July has been World Watercolor Month and while I haven't been able to paint every day, I've been working on a few things and figured I'd best share before it's August!


Most of my work is from my photographs and nothing gives me more pleasure to work on than those from England and the Cotswolds. Here's yet another in a series of Cotswold windows.


This is from the town of Bibury. I did it as a horizontal.


But then I also photographed it as a vertical. Now I'm polling people as to which is better. FB led me to exactly 50/50. What do you prefer?


Of course, Paris is a favorite too. I had lovely memories of sitting with Rick in Parc Vert Galant, at the very tip of Ile de la Citie. This was such a pretty little building.


I showed this before, a view of the Seine. I'm still not happy with it. But that's what learning is for.


Notre Dame and the Seine. Sigh. Back when it had a roof.


You might think Harry the Heron would be my favorite painting subject, but this is the first I have done of him! I'm rather pleased but more practice required!


Back this winter I painted this one of Morgan's Forge, the house we stayed in while we were in Bath. Compare it with the one below.


 This one was done this week. Which do you think is the best keeper? I'm torn.


And I felt very good about this one -- a portrait of our Little Little Guy, now one! (Unfortunately, the portrait of his brother made him look like demon child from Hell and since he's anything but, that will not see the light of day, though I may save it in my work file!)


A little bloom. Not from a photo, but my take on a book illustration.



I did a few cards this week, too. An upcoming birthday...


A sympathy card for dear friends whose sweet boy went up to the Heavyside Layer. I think I will do this as a larger painting for the Gypsy Caravan, which I have to upgrade soon!


And this for our most recent Birthday Boy!


The inside says it all!


I leave you with my favorite daily vision.


And a favorite subject!

50 comments:

  1. Your paintings are beautiful and happy!Made me smile!Have a lovely day,hugs!

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  2. Just beautiful, every one. We bought a watercolor print when we were in Key West and I love it so much.

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  3. I love your watercolors. I vote for the vertical Cotswold cottage. I also vote for the first Morgan's Forge painting.

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  4. I love all your paintings! When you do 2 versions of the same scene, I often feel as if they offer two ways to look at something, not that they should be judged as better/worse.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  5. Hello,

    Wow Jeanie you are great! I love all of your watercolors. Harry the heron has a mouthful, well done. The Paris paintings are just beautiful.

    Wishing you a happy day and week ahead!

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  6. Jeanie, I love your art work. So many nice things. Especially the cat. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie

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  7. I love all your art. As for the 2 versions of the cottage - why can't you keep both? Some artists do a place or person multiple times. I like them both. Each has something that draws my eye. Hope everyone in your neck of the woods is well and happy today!

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  8. You are truly talented!
    I liked the hotizontal Bibury better.
    Harry came out beautiful, too.
    Morgan's Forge... I´m sorry, I just cannot decide, each one has it´s own beauty and style. You made me laugh with the "demon child from Hell" :-)
    If a sad reason, the cat is beautiful. Or rather, are, the black sure is, too! And Lizzie, of course!

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  9. Fantastic paintings, my faves are the Cotswolds ones. Love the portraits, too. Have fun, hugs, Valerie

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  10. Your he3ron is spot-on perfect!! As for the 2 comparisons ~ in the first one, I like the vertical version best. It is just more focused on the place's charm. In the second, I like the one you drew this week best. More detailed, and certain parts are more 'readable'.
    thanks for sharing all your pretties!

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  11. I love Harry the best. I can't believe you haven't done him before. Also love what you wrote inside Rick's card. You live such a creative life, I'm jealous.

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  12. I prefer horizontal on that gorgeous piece. I love the first Morgan's Forge. It has a more tranquil vibe to me. Harry is my overall favorite here. What a cutie. How funny that one of you little guy paintings turned out devilish!

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  13. They are all most wonderful. I was trying to decide which rendition of the building, but I like things about each one. And of course Lizzie is a good subject to paint. Each and everyone is special. In the Cotswolds I think I would choose the horizontal one, but again both are good. Each time I see your watercolors I tell myself why are you not doing this and then I go on my merry way. Ugh!!! I really must do it!!

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  14. These are all amazing. You have the touch.

    I love the Cotswold paintings and Bath. I like the first snow and cottage. Something about the contrast of snow and background catch me.

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  15. I envy your painting talent. Your paintings, ll of them, are a feast to the eyes.

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  16. Fantastic Jeanie. Harry's portrait is amazing as is Lizzie. What a great set of watercolors! I can tell you are enjoying your lake time. Hugs-Erika

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  17. Love all of these. Great job. The house you did this week, I prefer the second one. Janice

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  18. I like the second winter scene. It is "quieter". Does that make sense?

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  19. You are an extremely talented artist! Love the paintings. They are fabulous!

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  20. Beautiful postcards! For some of them I remember the actual photos. Wonderful conversions. So this will be the last Paris in July post for 2019. Time to gather new memories now, until next year. Will you visit Paris again soon?

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  21. First, I have to remember the questions on which paintings I prefer, Jeanie. Here are my choices, the horizontal painting and the more recent one of the house in Bath. And, I liked all of the watercolors in this post. They really gave me a sense of the places you visited.

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  22. How gorgeous! You are so talented. It is too difficult to chose one over the other with the ones you asked about.

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  23. Very beautiful painting, Jeanie. I wish I could paint.

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  24. Your watercolors are beautiful Jeanie. Such vibrant and happy colours.

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  25. KUDOS!!!Love seeing your work..so you! I love the first of Bath best I think..Torn too:) LOL

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  26. Your creative juices have been overflowing, Jeanie. I think I would opt for the horizontal Cotswold cottage, but this is one of those instances where the first choice rates 100 and the second 99.99. You will not be surprised that I am happy that you attempted a portrait of Harry the Heron. I am sure that by the end of the year you will have a portfolio of interesting poses showing Harry in all aspects of his life, and will be hosting a show in a posh local gallery! Have you ever even considered that Harry may be Harriet?

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  27. Whimsical and lovely, a few remind me quite sweetly of Bemelmans, of which I am very fond.

    Love how you foster your creative side.

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  28. Jeannie, you are so very talented! I am in awe of all the paintings you have created. I really love your cottage ones. You have captured them beautifully! You are amazing! xoxo

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  29. Dang you are very talented, Jeanie! Fort the Cotswold cottage, both are beautiful but I prefer the horizontal one. I can't pick between the 2 Morgan's Forge painting, though. The first one is a bit darker/gloomier but there's beauty in that. The 2nd one feels like a bright winter day. Both are gorgeous!

    Thanks for sharing your works of art!!

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  30. You are so talented Jeanie, they are all fabulous.
    I prefer the horizontal one of Bibury, and the second one of the Bath house.

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  31. Jeanie, your paintings just keep getting better. I would be so pleased if I were you. Two different versions are wonderful. Shading, etc. just gets a little more clear but you wouldn't miss any of it from one to the other, if that makes sense. Love them all. I would be so proud if I could do any little bit of them..Happy Thursday..xxoJudy

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  32. I always love to see your paintings, Jeanie. You get better with each time. My favorites were the ones of Morgan's Forge. And I like the second one better, cause you can see the blue door more vividly, and I like the contrast of the blue door and all the white snow. Your grandson is adorable too. Keep it up, Jeanie. You are creating wonderful art pieces.

    ~Sheri

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  33. I always love seeing your art, crafts and especially the Cotswold paintings. I like the first one of the Morgan's Forge. Both are lovely but I love the outline of the house and the muted color of the door. Both are lovely, hard call. And, love the grand portrait and Rick on his bike. What a great way to capture all things you love! Happy August.....

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  34. Jeannie, you are blessed with an amazing talent … I love all of your paintings.

    Now since you asked, I prefer the horizontal one of Bibury, and the second one of the Bath house... but if you're not sure why not keep them both!

    Loved Ricks card.

    Happy August Wishes.

    All the best Jan

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  35. Please don't ask me to choose. I can't draw ANYTHING, so anything you draw and paint makes me smile. Everything is so well done, and so colorful. Even the snow scene is colorful. And Harry! Wow. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this beholder is more than a little impressed.

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  36. Hi Jeannie, I like them all - and I LOVE Harry! :-)

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  37. Jeanie you are truly talented!! Love seeing your lovely original work. It's all great. I like the second Bath house best, it's lighter or something? My FAVORITE IS THE WHITE KITTY CAT with the flowers!! Love that one!

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  38. Jeanie, your watercolors are beautiful. I love all of them, but my favorite has to be of your little, little guy! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  39. Jeannie!!!
    OMG!! How talented you are , my friend!!!
    Each one of these are more beautiful than the last! I particularly loved the Winter scenes...Maybe it is wishful thinking on my part since it is so darn HOT!!!!!!
    Thanks for taking the time to stop by!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  40. Great works, Jeanie. I love the first Bath watercolor. The pun in Rick's is great. Baby Grand is adorable.

    I packed my watercolor postcard of our former home in a safe place for the downsize, thinking I would frame it once the dust settled. Well, the dust is settled, but I haven't uncovered the safe place yet! Soon, soon.....

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  41. It may be our weather, but I found both of the winter scenes utterly appealing. I always enjoy seeing Lizzie, but I thought your rendering of Rick on the bicycle was just perfect. I do hope there's no black and blue in the coming year for him -- or in any year, for that matter!

    I'm surprised you haven't taken on Harry before, but you certainly did a creditable job. He ought to provide a wealth of poses for you to practice on in the days to come.

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  42. All of them are so beautifully done.. As for the two (a choice of a favorite) I think I go with the top one (or first one) which ever you say it. The second seems a little overwhite.. is that a word?

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  43. WOW....amazing job on the water colors. I love them all.

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  44. Jeanie, your paintings are wonderful. Love them all, but I have 2 favorites. One is of your sweet little boy and the other is the 2nd photo of Morgan's Forge. To me, it has a lighter appearance, which I like very much.

    Wishing you a great weekend.

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  45. Such talent . . .
    I went back and forth of the house in Bath . . .
    They are both wonderful . . .
    Maybe the one where you can see the windows best in the side house . . . I like best.
    Do you paint on the same size paper each time.
    I liked the one of your little young birthday boy . . . until you said he looked like a demon child.
    But the painting is very good.
    Jeanie the artist . . . for sure and the cottage must be your perfect studio.

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  46. I love your art! I would like to try to do a bike watercolor of my youngest son. He loves to ride! And I like the watercolor with less on the windows. The one you put up first! Happy weekend!

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  47. That's very clever wording on Rick's birthday card! Love the colourful spokes on the bike. I am enjoying seeing the Cotswolds through your paintings. You have captured the richness of the Cotswold stone buildings so well and the English country gardens. Here's to more happy days painting!
    Wren x

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  48. Jeanie, these are wonderful! Very inspiring to me. Love the last photo--you really captured the cat-ness of your subject, and the background is perfect. Both Morgan's Forge paintings are "keepers," but I favor the second one because it feels even more wintry than the first. Harry the Heron is marvelous! I love them all.

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  49. You've made such an amazing paintings!
    I think the house with the Winter scenery - the second one looks better than the 1st one :) More details and it looks like a photo a bit :)

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