Open Studio Weekend Successful

"Laughing Gremlins" in watercolor.

Open Studio weekend is done. We had a great time and I think it was successful! I started a new series of small watercolors (11"x11") that are extreme close up views of natural objects. Its kind of fun trying to figure out what they actually are. And I am giving them fun titles that don't give it away.

If you weren't able to stop in, or are interested in seeing any of my art in person, please contact me (email llknoll@gmail.com)! I'm happy to show it any time. Now, and into the summer, I have a bunch of new ideas that I'm going to be working on. So, I'm off to get started!

A guest checking out my paintings.

Paintings in the studio.

Guests enjoying my dad's spread of food.

Some more of my paintings.

Open Studio Invitation

I hope you can join me at my garden studio April 6th and 7th between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. I will have original works for sale, as well as prints, cards, and copies of my books. There will also be demonstrations, live music and refreshments. 

The Oak Path, Watercolor, 2012 by Linda Knoll

I'm part of this year's Stanislaus Artist Open Studio Tour, a county-wide event featuring 57 artists at 35 studios across the county. One of my paintings, The Oak Path, will be a prize in a drawing to be held after the tour. It won 1st place in the landscape category at last year's CCAA Spring Show. Entry forms are available with your tour ticket purchase. For more information on the tour, visit www.stanislausaos.wordpress.com. Tickets are available online or at several galleries in Modesto, Turlock and Oakdale. I will also have tickets available at my studio.

50 Years, 50 Paintings

Part of an illustration from my upcoming (2014)
picture book, Patient for Pumpkins.

I turned 50 yesterday. Its not a BIG deal. But I thought I should do something to celebrate? Commemorate? Well, recognize, anyway. So I'm going to try to do 50 paintings over the course of this year. Not little sketchy stuff, but real paintings.

The illustrations for my upcoming picture book are going to have to count, though. Over the next month and a half, I have to complete 9 more spreads. I finished the bouquet above a few days ago, and have started the next one. If you want to follow more about my progress on the book, check out my Facebook page, Linda Knoll, author.

I want to try some new mediums and styles this year too. I might actually get out the oil paints I keep saying I'm going to try... we'll see how that goes.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Snow Bird, Watercolor by Linda Knoll, 2010

Getting in the Holiday Mood

Holiday Pears, Watercolor by Linda Knoll

I did this little picture for my personal holiday cards, but you can order some too! (See my Etsy shop at the right)

Picture for a Stormy Day

Ancient Bristlecone, watercolor by Linda Knoll. The original is sold, prints are available.

Art of Justice

The Art of Justice is a fundraising project for the Stanislaus County Family Justice Center, an organization that provides coordinated services to victims and survivors of domestic violence. Somewhere around 50 local artists, including myself, created art works inspired by, or actually including art produced by children in the Center's ARK (Art Restores Kids) program. All the pieces will be for sale to benefit the Center. 

My inspiration was provided by 7-year-old Savanna. I picked this piece because I liked the colors, and I had hope that the mom truly did get out of the violent situation.

One of my favorite subjects to paint is plants and flowers, and these ferocious looking fly traps had some fabulous colors -- just right to go with my butterfly fairy mom. I thought it would be appropriate for mom to be escaping this  dangerous landscape. No matter how pretty or sweet they look, these spiky fiends are dangerous.

I started with a quick marker sketch to work out the basic composition of my painting. 

Then, using additional reference of "carnivorous" plants, I sketched out the plants in more detail. Then, I transferred the sketch onto my final watercolor paper.

I started painting the fairy first to establish the color palette. My greens are mainly created by mixing two of my favorite colors, quinacridone gold and cerulean blue. When I got this far, I realized I had a little problem with her leg, which I fixed before going much further. Later I added a little more detail to her facial features.

I debated whether to just start in painting, or work with a lot of masking fluid right off. After getting this far and realizing how difficult it would be to get around all those spikes, I decided to go with the masking fluid.

The little plant I added here is called  "sundew." Its another plant that attracts insects with its sweet, sticky juice.

I worked detail from front to back, except for the sky. And I should have left it for last. Cerulean is a "sedimentary" color, and can sometimes appear blotchy, which it definitely did here. 

Instead of trying to even out the whole sky, I opted to add some more greenery in the background. I think it added a little more depth, so I was happy with the change.

The rest of the sky was evened out somewhat. I added final details to the foliage. Lastly, I added a painted border because I didn't want to mat over her wingtip.