A Big December Post

Ok, this blog has been abandoned lately, and it's one of my New Year's resolutions to be consistent with postings. Also, I wish everyone a very happy Holiday Season and a peaceful and prosperous New Year! Here are some of my December paintings - they're all about winter and snow.

"Hey, guys, leave something for me!"


Slowly painting these mittens was some sort of meditation to me:)

This birdie is flying to the new home tomorrow!

Everything cozy: coffee, cookies and Teddy bears:)

Love the Farmers' Market!

Once our local Farmers' Market starts, the summer season is officially open for me. Walking in the realm of fresh produce and dazzling flowers, carrying my favorite straw bag - that's what makes my summer Saturdays truly enjoyable!

Rainier cherries

One of my summer sketches for those who miss the time of sweet cherries like I do.
Btw, a few months ago I started a photo blog on Instagram under the nickname cmwatercolors. It is filled with some of the nice things that come across my eyes. New paintings in progress also show up at times. So come visit me there!

A new journal

A new piece for my collection! Amazing handmade journal came to me from the Punjab region of India. The first time a saw that beautifully textured watercolor paper with deckle edges, it completely blew my mind. And no need to say that painting in this journal is even more excitement!

Bell pepper and artichoke

Whenever I find myself running out of good themes to paint, all I have to do is take a trip to the nearest grocery store. Inspiration comes from everywhere! Even something as simple as a vegetable aisle can provide a bunch of sketching ideas. This time my eyes were caught by the juicy bell peppers and ripe artichokes, so I brought them home and painted in my brand new W&N Cotman sketchbook.

The journal

I think I've mentioned my obsession with rare journals before. To be honest, some of my journals are still sitting on a shelf with no paint ever touching their pages. But how in the world could I possibly resist getting another one, If it has such beautiful deckle edge paper, a burlap cover and a lovely button on the end of attached bookmark?!

Poppy heads

Recently, I have added a new painting to my handcrafted journal from Nepal. Made of Himalayan Lokta plant using the traditional eco-friendly process of ancient paper making, this piece of art features unique, rich texture paper sheets. Personally, I find this journal to be one of the most inspiring things in the world :)



P.S. You can find me on Facebook now, let's make friends!

Plein air sketch

It's not January I am used to. The weather is warm and sunny, and thanks to that, I had a wonderful Sunday afternoon in a local park filled with pleasant scent of pine needles. This colorful tree branch carrying the leaves of the last year was literally begging to be painted. As you can imagine, I just happened to have a sketchbook with me. And not only the sketch, I have also taken photos of the park's beautiful dry flowers. Blended together, the pine's magical scent and the colors of the sleeping flowers created truly charming and mystical atmosphere that turned the weekend into unique artistic experience.

Tropical fish

I had so much fun working on these journal pages! In case you wonder, the background cracks is a result of inserting crackle medium between two layers of acrylic paint: champagne gold and white. I let that "sandwich" dry and then used watercolors to paint the fish on top of it.

Holiday Season

I wish all of us a very happy Holiday Season and a New Year filled with inspiration and creativity!
Thank you so much for reading my blog and for all your warm comments. There are no words to say how much I appreciate your encouragement. Looking forward to keep communicating with you in the year to come. May peace, love and prosperity follow you and your loved ones always!

Iris

I am totally obsessed with journals and sketchbooks. It happens so that I buy new one having no idea of what to do with it. It just can't be helped!:) As a result, several lovely virgin sketchbooks decorate my cabinet, awaiting their hour. One of my favorites is the beautiful rose petals and grass inlaid journal. It is said to be handmade by native Himalayan artisans. Could anyone possibly resist it? And this is a little painting I added to the journal yesterday

Sketching in the park

Yesterday I had wonderful time with my husband in Rancho San Rafael Regional Park here in Reno. The park was such an eye-candy: fall has painted the trees in beautiful bright colors and the air was crisp and clear. It was a perfect chance to enjoy the moment with a sketchbook in my hands. To my utter joy, there happened to be a lot of canada geese pasturing on autumn grass. I felt so great walking close to the wild nature! Finally, I was lucky enough to have one of geese posing for me long enough to make a sketch :)




My husband took this picture as I was sketching some scene

Sketches

A couple of sketches I recently added to my Arches travel book. Made during my last visit to Chicago.
Chicago is totally amazing. The skyscrapers are grand and gorgeous as they stand in front of the scenic Michigan lake, sail boats, green parks and beautiful fountains.

Letters from Provence

Letters about summer, vast expanses and lavender fields, about sun and southern wind, about heady smell of grass and small houses bathed in warm sunshine...
I've never been to Provence but I dream about that wonderful place often and like to paint the pictures that I imagine.