5/15/11

Water Paper Paint


This weekend I spent some time exploring
Water Paper Paint.
It's a charming book written by the artist
Heather Smith Jones.
click to order Water Paper Paint cover artwork by Heather Smith Jones
I actually came across her blog a while ago and got a sneak peek at the book while it was in the works.  I'm always looking for creative ways to play with paint and Water Paper Paint is full of wonderful ideas!
photo by Rachel Saldana for Water Paper Paint by Heather Smith Jones
photo by Rachel Saldana for Water Paper Paint
It's written for all creative types, whether your background is mixed-media, textile art, journaling, or papercraft.  It's a grown-up book full of inspiration and each exercise is written and beautifully photographed entirely from the artist's perspective.
This botanical by the author is what caught my eye.  I love botanicals but I've never tried to paint one.  Until now!
artwork by Heather Smith Jones from Water Paper Paint
artwork by Heather Smith Jones
My garden is full of bulbs that gave quite a show earlier this spring and now have laid down to rest.  So I thought I'd give it a try.
The Lisa Porter Collection May 14, 2011 003
photo Lisa Porter
I went to the back of the garden and pulled up an assortment. 
The Lisa Porter Collection May 14, 2011 027
photo Lisa Porter
I'll admit that up until now, I had never really thought of bulbs & roots covered in dirt as being all that interesting.
Ahemmmm...Helllloooooo...
Gracie's Garden Study 2 May 14, 2011
photo Lisa Porter
I started photographing them and suddenly Mother Nature had my full attention.  Here's one of many examples that I'll choose from to paint. 
The Lisa Porter Collection May 14, 2011 025
photo Lisa Porter
In the meantime, If you're the creative type, and I know you are, stop by the blog Heather Smith Jones and say hello to the artist & author of Water Paper Paint.
click to visit Heather Smith Jones 
The other project in the garden this weekend was to create a place near the potting bench to clean up!
The Lisa Porter Collection May 14, 2011 022 
photo Lisa Porter
We've had an old galvanized feed bin for years and Gracie has always loved it full of cool water for jumping into on hot summer days. I used the water at the end of the day for cleaning up garden tools & muddy boots.
The Lisa Porter Collection May 14, 2011 019
photo Lisa Porter
Gracie's not so fond of jumping in & out of it anymore and I'm not so fond of bending over and cleaning up anything at the end of the day so using old fieldstone that Collier & I gathered, we built a base to raise it up. We added a spigot & now we have a garden sink!
The Lisa Porter Collection May 14, 2011 020
photo Lisa Porter
The Lisa Porter Collection May 14, 2011 023
photo Lisa Porter
She'll be sure and let you know when she gets a new pool.
Gracie's Garden Study 1 May 14, 2011
photo Lisa Porter
And I'll be sure and let you know how the botanical turns out!
School is out & it's officially summer, painting & blogging time!
I've missed you all,
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9 comments:

  1. KarenaMay 15, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    Lisa this book sounds just wonderful!! Thank you so much for sharing and I will visit her site!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    Come and enter my New Giveaway from Serena & Lily

    ReplyDelete
  2. Renée FinbergMay 15, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    man oh man....
    you are really good with the camera.
    these shots remind me of the old song by simon and garfunkel - 'Kodachrome'
    the colors are beautiful.
    ...and of course the subject matter as well.
    xx

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  3. Linda@ Lime in the CoconutMay 16, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    Oh poor Gracie! But what you built is gorgeous! Already! Wow!!

    Can't wait to see your bulbs painted!

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  4. Renae MooreMay 16, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    Wowsers! I love your field stone base that you built and how clever! I can just see Gracie jumping in and out of the tub when she was a pup! Loving your completed project! I can't wait to see your botanicals. Do a series and make notecards out of them, I'll be first in line for a set or two!
    xo

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  5. Splendid SassMay 16, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Wow, Lisa! Thank you for sharing. Can't wait to see your painting. ANother great post.
    Hope that your week is off to a great start.
    Teresa
    xoox

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  6. Celine HenkeMay 16, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    Wow so simple yet obscure! It's lovely!

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  7. Town and Country HouseMay 17, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    I am adding this book to my list--sounds wonderful! I love your outdoor sink, brilliantly well done. So glad you'll be posting more frequently--I always leave inspired!

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  8. Styling Down Under...Coty FarquharMay 17, 2011 at 2:29 AM

    These shots are fabulous Lisa!!
    and.....yes!! Mother Earth and Mother Nature is amazing,
    I love the way you have photographed the bulbs and I can't wait to see how you paint them.
    Thanks for introducing us to Heather, what a lovely book to have.

    Happy holidays and happy blogging..my dear and gorgeous friend, I will talk with you soon.
    xxxxx Coty
    PS....don't forget to wish away tonight on the full moon... it's Wesak, one of the most sacred moons in the year. They say that a tiny little hole to heaven opens tonight and we can have a direct link to the heavens and all the holy beings....and you can wish for what ever you want. (A trip to Australia???) or me (A trip to the USA)

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMay 19, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    Such a lovely sink you made there, wanna have it too!

    mimilovesmimi.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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