Did you know that seeing recognizable figures in otherwise random or unrelated objects or patterns is called pareidolia? An example of this is when we perceive images of animals in cloud formations. In his notebooks, Leonardo da Vinci wrote of pareidolia as a device for painters: “if you look at any walls spotted with various stains or … Read more
This is a collage of highlights based on the Doors and Windows prompt presented on Instagram on January 1, 2017. @sillyoldmum • @thesamuraibun • @meg_t_justice_art @rhinesticknickknacks • @woollythistle • @_anyabebe @mbwooly • @gracerajendran • @smilingcatstudio One of my assignments as co-host is to highlight nine pictures from all entries based on this prompt, and post them on my IG feed @Leyla_Torres_Watercolors. It’s quite difficult … Read more
Are we ready to open it? To walk through it? Look through it? Are we looking out from the inside, or looking in from the outside? Then again maybe we just admire a special door or window for it’s colorful beauty. My second prompt as co-host for @Ifdrawaweek weekly painting challenge is ‘Doors and Windows’ and is open … Read more
Would you like to have a weekly prompt as a springboard to create art pieces for your portfolio or personal enjoyment? Last week I stepped in as a four-week co-host for @Ifdrawaweek, a weekly illustration challenge posted through Instagram, which is open to artists and illustrators of all levels. Everyone can join in and have some … Read more
“The art of love… is largely the art of persistence.” ~Albert Ellis.An insistent bronchitis has been keeping my ninety-year-old father in the hospital. On Christmas eve, when it was time for my mother and brothers to leave, he got up and offered everyone a hug. It was an unusual gesture coming from him, but very … Read more
Everything has a story and anything can be a subject for art. The nine paintings in this post are a highlight of watercolors I’ve made during this year soon past, all of which were shared on Instagram. Each of these watercolors represents my response to various painting challenges named by a fellow Instagramer; or is the personal expression of my … Read more
New artists often feel afraid to paint with watercolor. Usually, the perception is that watercolor is difficult and unforgiving. Even more experienced artists feel intimidated too. But, with some basic easily mastered techniques, watercolor painting is accessible to anyone. In addition to knowing watercolor technique, being open to practice and having a willingness to learn … Read more
Have you ever been told that watercolor is difficult? Well, like almost anything worth doing it isn’t easy to get the results you want on the first try.But success with watercolor can be had by investing some time and a little effort. Planning your piece and a willingness to practice some basic technique, will produce … Read more
Have you been told that something is not what it appears to your eyes? Since I was a girl, in spite of Marisol, my first grade teacher, I have had a passion for color, art and creativity. One day Marisol asked the class to paint any thing we wanted. I painted some mountains and colored them … Read more
Since the weather has been so humid, the salt shaker performance leaves much to be desired. So, we have kept the table salt in a small black clay bowl I brought back from Colombia. While having scrambled eggs this morning I thought of painting it in watercolor and doing some kitchen art after breakfast. In … Read more