Asking Myself "Why" ... Why Do I Tackle Such Complicated Subjects??? Iris Update

Since the past post, I have tweaked the foliage, added a w/w wash of quin. violet to the fall, and started working on the teeny, tiny shadows on the uprights. Right about now, when I am cross-eyed from trying to paint detail, I ask myself WHY I choose complicated subjects. But ... here it is, almost done ...

Thank you for dropping by! Your comments are always welcome.

Cat-Proofing Your Computer ... and Other Animal Stories ...

This is how I cat-proof my computer. Miss P. had developed a love of lying on the keyboard; she  [temporarily] deleted a few programs. So now when I leave for more than an hour, I put the keyboard out of reach of curious paws.

She also did this to the bathroom wall a few weeks  ago. Missy now has a scratch pad on which to vent her cattish frustrations. Up until two years ago, I would let the chinchillas loose for some time out of the cage. They DEMOLISHED the bathroom; I had to have it re-finished. So now free time for them is never unattended! They also did some decorative nibbling on my saddle. It was one I wasn't using at the time, and I couldn't bear to look at it after they did their handiwork. They are like a miniature army, chewing and nibbling their way through everything.
But, enough of the "useless mouths", as a friend calls them ...

I think I am done with this iris. I'm not wild about the colors, but it's done.

Buddy, in his Van Gogh look.

And dear Buddy is moving along slowly.

Country Moments

Just a neat, backlit tree. The dogs liked it, too.  

Abby, the black, and Shayna, the new kid.

Small stream running through the woods.

The sun was shining, and it was almost warm - quite a change from yesterday, when we were out slogging in the snow.

I think the iris is done.

I wanted to get a lot done outside today, as I'm working the next two days, and it was SUNNY! So Bruno and I played for a while; he is definitely becoming more "interesting" when ridden. I think I'll have to call my trainer in for some help. He is so tough on his right rein [manageable] and his left side [not so manageable]. I would not want to be on him somewhere, with a ditch on one side, and Himself totally disregarding my leg, and heading into the ditch!
I did some painting. The iris is done, and I will take it to work on Saturday to show Joscelyn.
Then Pat and I took the doggers out for a hoof in the nearby park. The newest addition, Shayna, is settling down as much as a young dog could be said to settle down. She comes when called. I taught her to "sit". And she is so loving and sweet-natured, Pat and her husband both love her. We ran into a neighbor while in the woods. He had three of the family dogs with him. John stopped to chat [he was jogging], and told us some stories about their dogs that made Shayna sound like an absolute angel in comparison. So all is good in this part of the countryside.
I almost forgot to mention - I am on "chick lib" duty for the next three days. My neighbor down the street called to ask if I could let her flock out in the morning. All I have to do is unlatch the door, and get out of the way of sixty birds in a big hurry to get out!! This should be interesting!!!
As ever, I love to hear from you, so please be welcome to leave your comments.

This Is Why I LOVE Watercolor ... and Dressage, for that Matter ...

I was here last night.

I've been blocking in the shadows on the iris wet-in-wet, with quin. pink and cobalt blue.

I truly love the spontaneity and fluidity and grace of  a w/w application.
And a horse ridden well, in harmony with the rider, is equally beautiful - the elegance, grace and power ...

Back to the painting. If I can maintain this ease and looseness, I'm in heaven. I thought I would lift some of the background to create the appearance of leaves. And I will do some color swatches to get just the right color for the iris.
As ever and always, please be welcome to leave any comments!

OK ... I Am Blaming the Chinchillas for This One!

This was getting a bit wild-looking for me.
The chinchillas pooh-poohed it!

The leaves were looking wubbly, and in using the hair-dryer, I  forced some staining green onto what was to be a pale yellow petal.

So, guess what ... I started again! What a fool for punishment!!!
I've done graded washes of aureolin, quin. pink and quin. burnt orange.

More graded washes - quin. pink and cobalt blue, and a bit of indanthrone blue.

It looked too flat and tame, so I placed the painting upright, and drizzled pink and blue on it, wet/wet. 

I may have gone too far - it's a little too strong for what I imagine Jos would like, but I like it!
I've started on the petals, again w/w with thin applications of quin. pink and cobalt blue, and let them mix on the paper.I may not be able to do the iris as pale yellow. Perhaps a yellow with thin coppery drizzles [hmmm ... the word of the day] on the stands; those are what the upright petals are called.
And I am slowly getting on with Buddy, too.
I have also been delegated the dog trainer for Shayna, the latest member of our extended family. She is young, full of piss and vinegar, and too much of a handful for Pat [my landlady]. She was almost taken back to the shelter. She has a week's reprieve, during which time I will work on her attention and manners. Wish us luck!!!

As ever and always, please feel welcome to leave comments or questions - love them!