Wednesday, March 30, 2011

weekend watercolors

On a leisurely Saturday a few weeks ago I sat down with the remainder of a pad of watercolor paper and got out my watercolors and a couple bottles of acrylic paint and sat down on the floor in front of the paper cutter. I had this idea floating around in my head that I wanted to experiment with mixing some very watered-down acrylic paint with my watercolor pigment and see what happened. You know, there's a first time for everything.

I also finally got around to watching "Shutter" from the OnDemand menu. "Shutter" was one of those movies that when I saw the preview commercials on tv — I was like "oh, I want to see! that" Of course, I never get around to actually going to the movies. So, either I'll see it 5 years later at 2am sometime on cable, or maybe I'll find the dvd bin at Walmart. So, yes, there it was on the OnDemand menu, beckoning me. I like horror movies and well, I watch Joshua Jackson as Peter on"Fringe" (which is an awesome tv series).

So, I sat down in front of the papercutter with my paints and began experimenting. For the most part, I kept the two types of pigment completely separate from one another until I had them on the paper. Most of the acrylic paint I was using was either white or a milky sage green color. So, there was a sort of pastel / spring feel to all the paintings. Plus the other colors I was using were blue / periwinkle / purple / rose colored, so there wasn't like red or orange or anything dark or citrusy. The colors are saturated, and yet the tones are muted... at least — that's what I think of as "muted."

I suppose it's kind of strange to know that I make such colorful springy paintings while watching scary movies...

As usual, I sat down and named them. And generally, this is when I realize there are a couple of them that I can just never part with... and those end up is a special pile.
And sometimes when some time has passed and I'm sitting there listing them I think "really, this didn't end up in the keep pile?"

This is one of the ones that I'd probably rather keep. Of course, purple is my favorite color : )

“midnight plum phantasmagoria”


21 comments:

Laurie said...

I can see why you put that in your keep pile Sarah, it's beautiful!
How did the movie rate?

Nancy said...

I would have to keep all of them! They are so beautiful. :)

Out on the prairie said...

Some lovely colors.

Kelly said...

...I'd rather keep it too--very cool...the colors feel good.

Sueann said...

Beautiful!!!
I watch action/adventure and suspense on TV while I am working. Ha!
So I totally relate!!
Hugs
SueAnn

Signe said...

Purple is my favorite as well :)
Stunning work!

Bob Bushell said...

This painting mauves me!!!!!!!

Samantha said...

Love them all!
I watch horror while I knit..it's a good balance ;)

Montanagirl said...

Just decided to pop over and see your blog. I like it! I really like your post today. Beautiful colors too.

Glenda said...

Love the colors . . . wish I had your talent!!

Virginia said...

Oooh I'd keep this one too! It's so funny, because I just wrote about purple (and blue) in one of my daily journal page postings! Purple beckons, that's for sure. And, I love Fringe too it's so quirky...so I'm going to put Shutter on my to-watch list!

Krystal Lee said...

i love the colours you have used, beautiful :)

i am also a huge fan of horror movies, and think 'shutter' is a good one, i love the ending.

krystal x

Dave said...

Mixed media can give some interesting results. Take crayon and watercolours - Dave

Frannie said...

Lovely paintings. Yes, I like the purple the best too.
I hate scary movies! But that is just me.

Anna said...

Lov'in the colors! Makes me want to break out my paints :)

S. Etole said...

looks like spring happening ...

Sunny said...

beautiful and mysterious, i wish i could walk into your paintings~

Holly said...

This turned out beautifully! The colors are fantastic, and I enjoy hearing your inspiration.

Catherine said...

Well clearly watching scary movies gets your creative juices going Sarah! Such beautiful colors! I am thinking your 'keep' pile must get pretty big as it would be hard to part with all your beautiful art! Fantastic!

Hope you are keeping warm!
xo Catherine

Pranavam Ravikumar said...

Lovely ones...!

koralee said...

Oh I love purple too...this one is stunning. happy week to you. xoxo