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!

Happy Fourth!

In honor all #WorldWatercolorMonth and all things red, white a blue, Bella's Porch Pup!

And for those of you wanting a look at the Declaration of Independence, at this LINK you can listen to NPR hosts and reporters read the complete document or read the text itself. It's well worth it and timely during these days in general and July 4 in particular.

Have a great and safe July 4 weekend! (And remember, animals freak with fireworks and so do people when they go off after 11! Same with super loud music. Neighbors down the way were playing full tilt super loud music till 3 a.m. last night. It's probably good Rick didn't know who it was because he might have been down there giving a piece of mind about peace!)

(Due to blogger grief and lack of internet for a bit, I won't be replying to comments unless a direct question is asked. Please know how much I love your visits and value being in touch but for a few days things are a little complicated! I might be slow visiting too, but will do my best to keep up!)

July Is World Watercolor Month!

July is World World Watercolor Month -- a worldwide event featuring the ultimate challenge of 31 Watercolors is 31 Days!

The idea is to paint every day (or as many as you can) and post your work on various platforms to bring awareness for arts education to get art supplies for kids who need them via The Dreaming Zebra Foundation.

So join me! Grab your art supplies and paint often, post often! Use the hashtag #WorldWatercolorMonth when posting your art and use it to meet other watercolor artists around the globe!

Since I just arrived at the lake this week for the first time, I thought I'd share one from last year that might never have made it to the blog! Once there, I plan to paint every day! (I may not POST every day -- that makes me a little crazy! But I will share all I do, the good, bad and ugly!)