Color Complements

I am working on understanding color.  Specifically Stephen Quiller's color wheel.  Last week in Monteagle, a friend brought a Stephen Quiller video for us all to watch.   He stressed that by mixing the exact complement of a color you will avoid mixing a muddy color.  I have only a few minutes today to play around.  This is my beginning of mixing true complements.  I am using some of the brands he suggested and some that I already had in my collection.  Colors vary by manufacturers but I think I have a good start.  The colors in the middle should produce a grey.  You can see some warm and some cool greys.  I remember doing this exercise in college but I didn't have quite the appreciation for it then as I do now.  

An Artist's Studio

This studio belongs to my friend Inez.  She invited me to lunch today.  She wanted to share some of her fabrics with me because she knows I love to sew and she doesn't see well enough to sew anymore.  She showed me around her house pointing out paintings and remembering paintings she had obtained at workshops she attended around the world. Oh, did I mention that Inez is 90?  The photos are from her studio.  I loved the jars of paintbrushes each standing tall and stoic.  Notice her winning ribbons behind on the wall - not flashy or bragging.   All four walls are full of framed paintings with a story behind each one.  What happy memories! 

Clutch for my niece

Front and Back

I've just finished a new little clutch I made for my niece.  She is graduating with her Master's Degree and I'm sure she will need something to keep all of that money in that she will be making!  We are very proud of her and hope the best for her!  Congrats Cel!  The clutch is about 8" x 5", zippered top with contrasting lining with a pocket.  The fabrics are from Anna Maria Horner "Drawing Room" fabrics, all seams are finished and it is lined with quilting batting.  Now I need to make one for myself!

Mother's Day Flowers

Oh My!  I just looked over at my kitchen table and saw the flowers that my husband had given me for Mother's Day bathed in light.  My kitchen faces the west and I get to see the most beautiful sunsets.  Aren't they beautiful set against the dark background and outlined in the splendid sunlight? Enjoy!!!

Finished Mother's Day Tote

Just finished my Mother's Day Tote for my mom! Kelly and I had fun sewing together and here she is modeling the finished product.  I used Anna Maria Horner fabrics from her Drawing Room collection.  I made the straps a little shorter and think it turned out really cute!

Mother's Day Tote

My daughter and I had a great day first going to the Apple Store at Perimeter and then sewing a tote for my mom.  We used an Anna Maria Horner pattern and fabrics. 

More pictures from Monteagle

There was a small bed of irises in the Assembly.  We stopped and painted them the first day that we were there.  We set up our easels around the irises.  It was interesting to see all of the different versions.  Each night we critiqued the paintings.

Above is my friend Inez who is 90 years young!  She is an inspiration to all.

Here we all are with our easels and umbrellas set up around the patch of irises.

One of the cottage gardens we painted in the Assembly.

Love the name of this cabin!

I'd love to do a painting of the Monteagle water tower. 

Painting in Monteagle

This week I have been on an artists retreat in Monteagle, TN painting with 9 other artists.  Each day we paint in the mornings and then go back out in the afternoons to paint.  This week it rained everyday.  We painted everyday either in our rooms or under a gazebo at the Assembly in Monteagle.  We were leaving today and of course it was a beautiful day.  After we checked out of our rooms we decided to stay and paint for a few hours.  Above is my painting of the cottage "Thistle Dew" in watercolor.  This weekend was Sawanee graduation so the Assembly was packed with parents, graduates and their friends.  We met so many nice people I can't wait to go back in the Fall.  Enjoy!

Silent Auction Clutch

I made this clutch out of Anna Maria Horner fabrics.  It was made specifically for a fundraising event scheduled for May 12th by the International Special Events Society.  The event will be held at Twelve Atlantic Station and will feature wonderful cocktails and entertainment.  

Pink and Tangerine

  Isn't this the most beautiful color combination - pink and tangerine?  Look around and see the beauty that God gives to us everyday! 

  Below is a new watercolor I started with adding the color all over the page, dropping in the darkest dark and now I will go back in to add the middle value and details.  This is from a photo I took on our painting trip this past Friday in Canton.

  Next week I will be going to Monteagle, TN to paint with some good friends from my outdoor painting group.  Countdown!