Carol Ann Conners Art Journal

The View from the Kabuki

My husband and I celebrated our 24th anniversary in San Francisco. This was the view from our hotel in Japantown in my watercolor sketchbook.

Daphne Goes to Aspect Framing Studio

Chloe (left) and Daphne (right)

My daughter Andrea and her husband Matt are San Francisco business owners of Aspect Framing Studio and Art Gallery. Daphne was guest designer one afternoon while my husband Greg and I went to San Francisco Museum of Modern Art for our 24th wedding anniversary.

Daphne with her sister from a different litter, Chloe

Daphne cried while we were gone, and Andrea had to hold her.

All was well when we returned to the shop.

Winter Sunrise

Thanks to Aspect Framing Studio and Art Gallery for Winter Sunrise (2017) – Wenge wood veneer

Original post:

9″ x 12″ Watercolor on Canvas

Watercolor Ground Titanium White

Hansa Yellow

Quinacridone Red

Rhodonite Genuine

Royal Blue

Ultramarine Blue

Winter Sunrise on the River

Thanks to Aspect Framing Studio and Art Gallery Winter Sunrise (2017) now has a frame – Wenge wood veneer.

Original Post from 2017

Watercolor on Canvas 9″x 12″

Artist Loft Heavy Duty Canvas

Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground

Quinacridone Rose

Quinacridone Red

Rose of Ultramarine

Rodonite Genuine

Quinacridone Gold

Goethite (Brown Ochre)

Cobalt Blue

Royal Blue

Moonglow

This was an another experimental project inspired by my Repurposing Perfectly Good Cosmetic Boxes Project.

The first step was gathering the materials.

After shaking and stirring the Watercolor Ground, I used a small disposable brush and a small roller to apply it to the canvas.

This was a bit messy. There was lint on the roller, so I used lots of paper towels to wipe off the lint.

After the Watercolor Ground was applied, it dried and cured for 72 hours.

Applying the watercolor paint began by first blocking in the colors.

Unlike painting on Cotton where the paper absorbs the paint, the watercolor paint can be moved around and even lifted from the surface of the prepped canvas. The painting was constantly changing. To get the rich colors, many applications of paint were applied then wiped off to get the effects and intensity.

Eventually, I was satisfied with the results. I sprayed one coat of Shellac on the project and allowed it to dry. I painted a black band of paint along the outside of the frame followed by gold paint for trim.

When dry, I applied two more coats of Shellac.

Cedar Waxwing and Morning Glories

Cedar Waxwing and Morning Glories

7” x 10”

Watercolor, Copic Multiliner on Lanaquarelle

It has been a few months since I have completed a painting. For a model I used a ceramic Cedar Waxwing that my father had given to my mother many years ago. I also grew morning glories in the garden.

Artist Statement

I have always lived by the sea. From splashing in the waves of the Atlantic to listening to the songs of the Pacific breezes, I am so grateful for these many blessings.

I love to paint and draw the beautiful pastoral scenery that surrounds our home in Loleta, California. I enjoy painting the flowers grown from seed in our gardens. Painting allows me to slow down. Painting keeps me from working too hard in the yard. I love color. I love to study the way light and shadow change throughout the day. I love painting with acrylic paint, and I especially love the spontaneity of watercolor painting.

I love how good it feels to create a painting. A subject inspired by nature is planted in my imagination. I think about choices of what materials I will use and how I will express myself in the painting What will my palette be? Will I choose watercolor or acrylic paint? What will my surface be? Each painting that I create is a journey.