I have started looking at the Anne Bagby workshop DVD and I must say it wonderful and thought provoking.  Just look at the portrait on the cover, isn’t it intriguing?   Anne makes things look “easy”.   Oh, here’s a little teaser.  She likes to use words she clips from newspapers, and one newspaper in particular.  It’s amusing to see the words she chooses!  Creative, fun and definitely of our times!

As usual, the production quality of the Anne Bagby DVD is superb.  I have other workshop DVDs from Creative Catalyst Productions and have found them to be excellent.

It was a surprise to win the DVD and I appreciate it very much!  Thank you!  And, if you’ve never checked out Creative Catalyst Productions, take a look at the wonderful art workshops they’ve produced!   Plus, they have great newsletter, blog and paint out!

I still enjoy doing these small still life studies.  I experiment with the paint and my brush stroke.  I practice drawing from life.  For me, it’s all about learning and keeping my hand on the brush!  Enjoy!

Leap Frog #3, Graphite 2.5x3 Margaret Stermer-Cox

I find it fun and instructive to draw from different angles.  The challenge is go get the foreshortening correct.  My frog is a tropical poison dart species.  As I draw, I can’t help but think about the anatomy.  I took a zoology class in animal anatomy about 32 years ago.  It’s fun trying to visualize the bones.

This frog series was inspired by Creative Catalyst Productions‘ word prompt of the month:  leap!  I always enjoy an excuse to draw the frog!

Thank you and happy President’s Day.

Leap! Frog! (2) Graphite 3.5x3 Margaret Stermer-Cox

Still waiting for the frog to leap; thought I’d show it from a different angle, just for fun!  Thank you!

Leap! Ink over Graphite 3x3.5 Margaret Stermer-Cox

Since its leap month during a leap year and Creative Catalyst Production‘s challenge for the month is leap, well, guess who I thought of?  My leap frog!  He’s getting ready…will he leap?  Is he up to the challenge?  Leaping right into things, I have a few more frog drawings leaping off the page…in days to come!

Speaking of leaping, my husband and I have leaped right into a life style change that includes a vegan diet.  Feeling great and having fun, we started a blog “Vegan Wrinklies“.  There is a lot to learn and that is why I haven’t posted very frequently.  BUT! I still draw and paint when I can.  It’s worth the leap!

Have a wonderful leap month!

Lighthouse 11: "Still Life with Lighthouse, Espresso Cup, Shells and Napkin

Think of having an espresso at the beach!  Enjoy!

Lighthouse Design 10, graphite, 7x3.75, ©Margaret Stermer-Cox

Back at the start of 2012, I was full of optimism.  I laid out some little projects I planned to work on for the year.  It seemed like a reasonable plan, after all, I had a entire year’s worth of time.

Well, by about mid January, reality hit.  It has become increasingly clear that my goals were out of whack.  At first, I thought I was being too ambitious; I probably was.  But, now I think I had not narrowed my focus.  Plus, I need to allow room for life.

So, for 2012, I’m going to focus on my lighthouse project.  I have done this sort of thing before.  It is how I develop some of my favorite Toy Pony and Ms. Kitty designs.  It’s how I learned to tap into my own creative resources.  So, here’s lighthouse #10.  More to come, including paintings!

If you’d like to know more about painting in series, I suggest Myrna Wacknov’s blog or Mike Bailey’s blog.   These two fine artists have been my inspiration for working is series.

Still Life Study: Teapot and Hedgehog, Watercolor, 6x4 ©Margaret Stermer-Cox

Lately, different demands on my personal life has made it difficult to create as much as I like to.  My sense is that this situation happens to many (if not all) of us from time to time.  To keep my hand on the brush, I continue to work my small studies a little at a time.  The time will come again when I can paint more, and I’ll be ready!

Thank you!

"Bold & Complicated" Watercolor 7x5 ©M.Stermer-Cox

I’ve been working on this little watercolor all month!  Working small can still be challenging!

“Bold” is the theme for this month’s “Paint Out” with Creative Catalyst Productions.  Being “bold” in color, design and value (relative light and dark) is something I’ve been working on.

Thank you and enjoy!

"Seashell Study" Digital Finger Painting (Brushes app) M.Stermer-Cox

This digital finger painting is just way too much fun!  For this little shell, I’m using the Brushes application for the iPad.  I have been watching several artists do exciting work with the iPad.  With Brushes, you can create a video.  On her blog “Making a Mark” Katherine Tyrrell explains how to create the video.  I just may have to try it!  What better thing to do on a rainy Sunday evening?