Tag: Ajax Ontario

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The endless waiting for spring: flowers of my dreams

Floral watercolor paintings by Inese Poga

Waiting for spring and creating flowers of my dreams

It’s still chilly and nasty out here in Ontario. The rain is just pouring down in cold streams tonight. Not a good background for happy thoughts. Although, we should appreciate the fact that it is at least not that cold anymore. One step at a time towards the warmth and spring.

I remember my first spring in Canada: it was so sunny, so overwhelmingly warm, everything blossoming; and insanely uplifting green was everywhere. I had already all the garden planted and coming up around this time. That was 10 years ago. We have experienced quite bad weather conditions since then, and, no, I do not assume anymore that Ontario weather is any better than Latvian.

Floral watercolor paintings by Inese Poga

Soothing colors for spring mood

Floral painting to cheer up upset minds

It is no secret that we are already desperately hoping the weather forecast will have some good news for us, too. I recently looked at some of my paintings, and I don’t think I am going to paint or draw winter again any time soon. Instead, I am about to do way more florals, I worked out some nice flowers on the hill concepts, and when it is November I will paint autumn trees, distant skies and fog.

Since all my thoughts are in spring, with spring and about spring, my sketches, drawings and watercolors reflect that. These sketches or pen and watercolor images were all started as demonstrations. Since they are all in soft, soothing colors, they are flowers of my dreams. I am aware I have too many demo works on the go, and most of them get never finished, but that’s just the way I am. I cannot have one single class without demonstrating something. This something gets developed, and later it seems: it’s probably worth putting in more work.

I thought these could be perfectly used as images for greeting cards.

Watercolor and pen, rose painting

The spring rose, pen and watercolor painting in very attractive and soothing colors

Pen and watercolor paintings by Inese Poga

Spring lilies on white, very beautiful watercolor painting

Watercolor painting, pink tulips

For soft and gentle flowers, all shades of pink is probably my favorite choice

Spring daffodils by Inese Poga

Pen and watercolor, Spring daffodils painting 12 x 12 in or 30.5 x 30.5 cm

It’s been also mostly dark, so it’s hard to catch a good day with a normal daylight to get proper colors on my photos because any type of electric light does not allow to have them as in reality. I hope you love what I have created, and maybe I have inspired you to do some floral painting, as well!

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Try something different: painting with sponge

Spring forest, sponge painting in watercolor

Have you tried painting watercolor with sponge? I decided that adding some new technique wouldn’t disturb. Let’s give it a try.

This time it was application of watercolor using a sea grass sponge. It worked well with acrylic (I will post these pictures separately), it seemed it could work nicely with watercolor, as well.

I could see after the first attempts that it is advisable to test colors first. There are lots of brands, many types of paints, it’s hard to know whether the chosen colors will or won’t mix well. It is important not to overdo right at the beginning. Sponging takes one away easily, and in no time we can lose focus and forget where exactly we intended to place any particular color.

I did not plan these paintings. They are very spontaneous, and I just got straight to sponging. I would advise anybody who is trying this technique to plan a small bit ahead. Sponge allows to create beautiful watercolor backgrounds, like distant trees or forests, it is amazing how quickly some spots get textures, and it is a fantastic way of layering watercolor. Simply don’t forget to test your paint colors.

It seemed that Hooker’s green light and dark in combination with French ultramarine, Cobalt blue, Payne’s grey, Lemon yellow and Burnt sienna or Burnt umber worked better than Sap green in any combination unless I mixed only 2 or 3 colors in all layers.

Seagrass sponges are inexpensive and available at any art store, that’s at least where I got them. Every sponge is slightly different, so will be textures created using these sponges. I cut my sponge in smaller parts, and used every time that part which seemed to be the most fitting. Sponge has to be made wet at first, and we should squeeze out all excess water before picking up the paint with it.

Sponge painting in watercolor, trillium forest

Sponge works on wet paper well (wet in wet application), and we can create nice distant backgrounds this way. It creates thicker layers and attractive irregular shapes when applied on dry paper. It is possible to create the entire painting this way, and it looks especially great when we combine different techniques.

Generally speaking, application of a sponge helps loosen up, and sponge is a good tool to vary paint application techniques.

Painting with sponge in watercolor, forest creek

Forest creek, I used sponge for background.

Layering quite a few colors with sponge is interesting: we never know how it will look at the end! Using just a few colors is beneficial with sponge painting. If you test them before and see that mix well without causing muddy look, just go ahead.

Sunny forest path, watercolor with sponge

Spring forest: watercolor painting using sponge, it is quite large, 18 x 24 inches

I did these paintings during private painting classes sitting next to my student. That allowed me seeing immediately what they did correctly and what needed extra adjustment. These paintings are perfect for any beginner in watercolor painting. There is hardly any need for drawing, just some areas need that. Painting with sponge in watercolor will make it simple for any beginner and help loosen up.

And finally, large watercolor painting Spring forest: watercolor painting using sponge, 18 x 24 inches or 46 x 61 cm.

Spring forest, sponge painting in watercolor

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Original watercolor paintings for sale

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Art classes: a worthwhile activity

Art classes for adults, still life

Participating in art classes way to express yourself

What is the best way to never feel bored again?

How to give one’s life a new meaning?

How to make long winter nights shorter not wasting time in front of TV?

It is very simple, indeed: by doing something pleasurable and rewarding.

Art classes and painting lessons fit in this type of activities just perfectly. Not everybody feels like dancing or exercising every weeknight. Not everybody has a good company on his/her own. That’s where I come in with my art classes for beginners and people who simply enjoy colors, shapes and images.

Acrylic painting secrets

Art classes can lead to a new career or lovely hobby

Some students will continue painting, some will have art only as a hobby, and some students will enjoy time spent in a nice atmosphere. Whatever way it is done, it is worth it. It is amazing to hear after a class how surprised and satisfied students are that they were able to create something on their own, not to mention the value of art created in these art classes.

Worthiness of participating in art classes

Wednesday acrylic painting group started to work on fall maple images

Just get started, everything will happen

Many of potential students are asking if they need to be good at drawing or painting before enrolling in art classes. The answer is no, they do not. It is enough that somebody has found time, and this is a good way to spend it. You can enjoy art classes whether you are willing to purchase your own supplies (in that case you can keep working at home, as well), or you just want to use the provided art supplies for the moment.

The new art activity resolves problems

People who feel they depend on their mobile devices, phones, laptops and computers should give this some consideration, as well. We are learning how not to use any devices, printouts or digital references. Once you learn live without a device, even though it is just a few hours, you will see that it is possible and you will learn how to take a break from devices.

Art cures

Art is a fantastic cure for any addiction since it takes us away from troublesome thoughts and cravings. Challenging our brain and drawing or painting new subject every time will improve the cognitive function, memory and brain flexibility.

Adult acrylic painting classes for beginners, valuable activity

Thursday acrylic painting class for adults enjoyed drawing, sketching and painting still life. The first part is done, and results look very promising.

Real subject, individualized art

If you use a real subject and do not trace photo, you will get to your personal style much faster. Drawing and painting style is your individual handwriting, and as you improve and develop it, you enjoy a very individualized approach to any part of painting.

Drawing and painting is done observing and re-creating objects on canvas or paper. It may be challenging at first, but this approach is the most natural one and provides with real artistic freedom.

Sign up for art classes: Application for art classes

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Autumn silver and gold: large textured acrylic painting

Gold and silver of fall, large acrylic painting by Inese Poga

Textured autumn silver and gold painting

I finally got time to finish a very large (48 in x 32 in or 1 meter 22 cm x 81 cm) semi-abstract very textured autumn scene. It is  Autumn silver and gold acrylic painting. I applied very visible textures at first and built layers of acrylic paint on top of textured background. This painting will be exhibited at my gallery entrance greeting all visitors and students.

Gold and silver of fall, large acrylic painting by Inese Poga

Autumn silver and gold, a very large (48 in x 32″ or 1 meter 22 cm x 81 cm) acrylic painting with textured layers under paint

Late fall autumn trees, acrylic painting

The other texture-rich painting is smaller: 24 x 20 inches, but it also looks great on the wall. I kept colors quiet and subtle.

However, such painting technique is very time-consuming. I’d love to do many more acrylic paintings using rich texture since it adds to the impression tremendously, but it’;s a fairly slow process. The painting must be left to dry between each step until the final brushstrokes can be applied. The look is very three-dimensional. Colors shift and change also depending on the light source.

Fall art, textures, autumn leaves

The smaller fall and maple leave paintings are sold.

Art is the most space enhancing feature which there only can be. Just removing a few paintings from the wall, makes it look virtually empty, and my personal experience shows that there simply cannot be too much art around us. Seasonal art is the best decoration.

Shop here: Original paintings by Inese Poga

I love textures, and I have created numerous large paintings in this technique.

Art prints: Art collections by Inese Poga

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Original art for Christmas and crafted gifts

Christmas art, home page

Many people are stopping by, and my sales are actually better than I expected. I decided to extend the sale until almost Christmas.

I noticed also that many visitors really liked the traditional colors: red, white, green and gold.

Since the previous traditional Christmas decorations were sold, I created new ones in similar style. This time, I used some baskets and more greens.

You might like these ideas, as well. So, get to work.

All you need can be found in the backyard and craft store. I used some dry tree branches and painted cedar branches look great. Add some glitter, make use of hot glue and glue gun, apply tissue paper in your favorite colors, as well as some pine cones and/or fir cones. I am also using a base (for live flowers or for dry flowers), that makes it easier to arrange all parts of Christmas decoration. Arrange your composition in a basket, plate or jar, and nothing moves away from its place.

I start with arrangement of greens, after that, I’m attaching fir cones, pine cones and tissue paper roses wherever they look fitting.

Creating Christmas crafts is a great way to make your home look very festive and welcoming.

Christmas art and Christmas decorations

Nature materials for beautiful Christmas decorations: what could be more attractive?

Small Christmas decorations can look as good as the large ones.

Christmas paintings, Red poinsettia acrylic painting

And paintings look great, too. Original paintings give the special flare and dress walls in an amazing way.

Christmas decorations

Christmas gift or decoration: bottles rolled in acrylic medium and white paint, oats and then again covered with acrylic medium.

Christmas candlelight, acrylic painting

I hope you enjoyed and you are already looking for materials.

Inese’s art prints: Art collections by Inese Poga