Three Blue Feathers

Original Watercolor Blue Bird Feather: growcreativeblog

The inspiration for these three little feathers came from a real feather, but the paintings look nothing like it.  Oh well.  Looking at real objects while painting helps me get better shapes and forms, even if I ignore the actual colors and insert my own.

So here are my nearly-identical versions of the feather in gorgeous blues!

Original Watercolor Blue Bird Feathers: growcreativeblog
Original Watercolor Blue Bird Feathers: growcreativeblog

Mini Abstracts

mini abstract watercolors by Elise Engh

Painting abstracts can be addicting.  

These are like my other abstract watercolors- just in miniature.
I can't get enough of watching colors wash into each other and mix on the paper to create something beautiful and unpredictable.

mini abstract watercolors by Elise Engh
mini abstract watercolors by Elise Engh
mini abstract watercolors by Elise Engh

The success of my paintings usually depends on the mood I'm in- that's why I need music so badly!  It helps me get in the zone.  This time I had some Sam Smith playing and it was perfect.  What's your favorite painting music?

Exploring with Watercolors

abstract arrow chevron watercolors: grow creative
abstract arrow chevron watercolors: grow creative
purple heart watercolors: grow creative
abstract arrow chevron watercolors: grow creative

This time, I didn't really try to paint anything specific, just went with the flow and painted what I felt like painting.  Sometimes this works out, sometimes not.  I didn't come up with any masterpieces, but hey, it was good to dip my brushes in some water and paint and go at it!

I've learned that so much of being an artist is about exploring.  Not everything has to be a final product and that's ok and actually good for you :)

Photos of the Week


Our last camping trip of the summer was in the high desert of Nevada.  It's a rough place.  I don't last more than 24 hours and I always come home with a headache, but it's about family so we go.  

I was getting into the rustic shots this trip.  Something about the barbed wire, old wood, and sage brush got my attention.  And the colors in the evenings were gorgeous.  The yellows against the blues made me happy :)

Photos of the Week

Some photos from one of my walks:

purple flowers: growcreative
pink flowers: growcreative

Now that I'm taking more time (and energy) to exercise, I find that I don't blog as much.  hummm. It's what I need to do right now, but I miss all the making and creating.  I'm still painting, but I'm lacking the space to photograph it nicely.  I think once I get into my house it'll come back.  Only one month left till I have my own home again!!!!!  I really can't wait.  This will be the first time we will have our very own master bath- so heavenly :)