Friday, June 20, 2014

Journal 52, week 25: Nature

This week at Journal 52, Chelle asked us to show some nature inspired art.  Originally, I started digging in my paltry supply of pressed flowers, saved from last year, then decided, after seeing Chelle's entry,

I would also use some watercolors.  So I dug out my Twinkling H2Os that I haven't used in a long time and spritzed them with distilled water, since I don't want mold getting into the watercolors.  I allowed them to sit a decent amount of time (about 10 minutes) to activate them, and fiddled around with a design I had in mind.  As always, my substrate is a file folder cut in half lengthwise.

Silly me, thinking I could actually draw even simple trees.  But I gave it a good try.  I still needed to add the purple to the yellow trunk, since I don't have any brown.

Here is my silly nature inspired piece for all to laugh at.  Like Chelle said, it doesn't have to be a masterpiece, and I assure you, mine is NOT.  Have I not said on at least 4,673,284 occasions I can't draw?

A few detail shots add credence to that point.   I stamped the 2 and 5 on birds I painted and punched out before they were dry.

I do like how these colors blend together.

I needed one tree to be different from the rest, for depth (I KNOW WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO, I JUST CAN'T SEEM TO GET MY HANDS TO DO IT).  That's when I decided it was time to introduce a dying tree in the mix.  BTW, although these are quite small birds, when paired with the trees, became  really big birds.  Perspective and scale were apparently not a priority here, either.

Please continue rolling on the floor laughing, while I remind you the only place you'll see this nature inspired art farce is on my blog.   Have another good laugh today and enjoy.


16 thoughtful remarks:

Christine said...

Love your nature inspired art, it is delightful!

Helen said...

you had a go - that's what counts! I can't draw or paint either, so good for you. I think your trees are ok personally!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Watercolors have a mind of their own sometimes which is a good thing! I really love how your trees are shaded and the colors blend into each other. At first I thought you painted the birds!

Silly thought...the top of the tree with the two birds looks like a bird's head itself with a beak==do you see it? "Are you talking to me?!" Sorry, been smelling too much paint :)

Karla B said...

Elizabeth, my friend, this is awesome!

Krisha said...

"How will you know if you don't TRY" (J52, week 24....my blog)
Actually, I really do like your watercolor page, NO I am NOT laughing!

I have mine finished, but not posted yet........and believe it , or not, I did a tree too!

Monica said...

A fun and angst free day creating.

Nan G said...

Love H2Os. Bet it has a nice shimmer to it. Very nice landscape, Elizabeth.

Jo Murray said...

That's just lovely....well done you.

Carol said...

I love it!!!! Water colors are bet when loose and free and yours are perfect for this challenge. The little birds are adorable and I'm not laughing either ♥

Cindy McMath said...

Elizabeth, I am not laughing on the floor or anywhere else - I think your nature page is delightful and whimsical! I wish the sparkle would come through on the photo - but because I use those paints sometimes I can use my imagination. I think it's lovely and won't be talked out of it.

dawn said...

Elizabeth, I LOOOOOOVE your trees so much!! No way am I laughing, they make me so happy and am smiling!! Please be kind to yourself, take another look at this beautiful painting. Those trees are gorgeous and the paints blended so well together and should be just like this. I cannot do this, mine would be a big blob but yours are good.

Guess what??!! Now that you've done this drawing I hope you will do MORE!! It shows that you have some drawing abilities and nature is your thing. More trees and some flowers would be so nice to see from you.

I read the comments above and hope that shows how much your trees were enjoyed. No laughing here dear friend!!

My prompt this week on my IG was TREES so this made me especially happy to see.

Thank you so much for sharing this with us!!

~*~Patty S said...

OK I am going to do some plain talking here because I have been working on reversing the negative mantra in my head all the years growing up when I told myself I could not draw. I have come to understand that negative thoughts and words can have real power...
sooo I now catch myself every time I am about to say that...still working hard to like what I try and draw...
That said I find your trees wonderful and very painterly Elizabeth!
I have a suggestion for you to play with which is something I try now and then when I don't want to risk messing up a piece...
I would make a copy of your lovely trees and birds and try adding a few black outlines...not too much doodling but just a few touches...
So there you have my two cents...hope you did not mind my unsolicited opinion offered here ♥
oxo
p.s. You are an artist...You can draw and paint and more!!!

Anonymous said...

No farce to me, I love the simple trees and sweet birds. Don't let Bleubeard out though, might be some hunting going on. xox

Ohhh Snap said...

I was totally laughing WITH you when you described adding a dying tree and the big birds : ). I admire your willingness to tackle these new projects! Aren't H2Os wonderful? I need to put mine somewhere more convenient. Love your project : D.

Dianne said...

well I like it...it is fun, and very free-style! and I like the birds too...regardless of 'proportion'!

pearshapedcrafting said...

I'm laughing at your words but the piece you have created is a happy creation and I love it! Your 'big' birds remind of the crows that come and pull the bird feeders to the ground (no matter how I try to attach them to the hedge!) Brilliant Elizabeth! Chrisxx