Linda Young Watercolors and Fine Art Blog

Lemons Red Flower and Bowl

2012-01-20T21:42:00.002-05:00

This is a painting of a still life photo from Paint and DrawTogether blogspot from last year which I never got time to do until now. It was drawn freehand and impressionistically. I started this painting with the students in my third Watercolor class to show them how to apply glazes, starting light, saving whites and make even brush stokes in the beginning of their paintings. I decided to finish it to show it to them in our next class this coming Tuesday. They saw the beginning stages and had the look on their faces like: "um...it's nice". I hope they see there's hope for them if only they persevere. I'm looking forward to see what they accomplish this week.

Linda Young Watercolors P O Box 941 Carlisle, Pa. 17013

ATC for the Hen House

2012-01-16T21:43:00.000-05:00

2012 copyright Linda Young
Fred's College-educated offspring
"Ellery"
ATC

Artist Trading Card created just for Jennifer Neslund's chicken painting (Fred) at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center, 19 N Hanover St. Carlisle, Pa. Jennifer challenged artists to pick up a card, create something on it to add to the chicken Hen House clutch of eggs. This is "Fred's" college-educated offspring teacher his grand chic's about life's hazards and arithmetic.
I'll be delivering it to the Hen-House at the Art Center tomorrow evening.

Linda Young Watercolors P O Box 941 Carlisle, Pa. 17013

Too busy to paint? Finding the time; but WHEN?

2012-01-11T22:54:00.003-05:00

What happened? My appointment book is filled! There's no time remaining that isn't consumed by a current or pending project! Why am I sitting here blogging when I could be painting?

Looming over me are two commissioned pieces which are already drawn and ready to start painting; I'm awaiting the two clients deposits to commit to their projects. Then there's teaching a watercolor class for six weeks; finishing two paintings for an upcoming "Blues" themed exhibit at the local art Center (CALC) due in February; working my full time job of owner/operator of my own hair salon for 36 hours a week or more. Singing in choir one hour a week and attending a board meeting in another week and plus another three hour meeting of American Business Women's Association!...just writing it all out here in the blog proves to me why I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and getting nowhere with my paintings.

For the longest time, I'd say a over a month now, I've had no desire to paint anything really challenging at all and what I did accomplish was just a few artist trading cards just to say I painted something that didn't take much time to finish! Too many projects are pulling at me in opposite directions.

But, what I really love is: Painting with watercolor. I love to teach what I know about watercolor painting and drawing to others; but I have had no formal education in teaching. It is with every class I find more to learn and change and make adjustments to my six week planner for the class. I'm trying out and researching ideas and videos just to share with my students in the upcoming weeks. I love to create paintings of my own design and of my own interests and concepts. I love the challenge of a difficult piece and find getting back to real structured painting gets me back on track again.

There! I think I figured it out. I've got to get a better structure to my daily life and schedule and I've got to say no more often. I sure wish I could win the lottery; I'd pay off my home and then consider the wonderful option of retirement from my current profession just to paint full time. Ah! What a joy that would be...

But....ya gotta buy a lottery ticket to even take that chance!

Sorry for the rambling on; but thanks for stopping by to listen.

Starting into second week of Watercolor 101

2012-01-11T00:02:00.004-05:00

Watercolor 101, Winter 2012

Carlisle Arts Learning Center
19 North Hanover Street, Carlisle, Pa.

Learning to paint in monochrome, students painted a church window, rocks, barn and shed with mountain scene and more practice at home. Plans for next weeks lesson involves creating a color chart and the introduction of the second color to the monochrome painting gaining control of the water and medium.
Class members are Taylor Andrews, Sandra Kipp, Patricia Andrews, Jennifer Neslund, George Edwards, Haley Houston, and Louise Young. I was unable to upload a photo of the class tonight; but will try again in the morning. It seems the isp, or my computer is having issues tonight.
Please note! I am still accepting entries for winning the artist trading card for the "Emporer penguin Shouting in the New Year" which you can click that title to get to it. All you have to do is say you want to be entered by posting your comment on that blog post. I'll draw the winning name the third week of January.

I appreciate your comments.

Frustration applies to new techniques.

2012-01-04T23:54:00.001-05:00

I've attempted to do a painting like I did with the boer goats; in fact three times I've tried to accomplish it and get confused in the process. It uses a lot of compliments next to each other, underpaintings and through it all, my mind gets to a certain point and I go blank. I can't remember which color goes on top or what my underpainting color is to work the compliments correctly. The result is three very ugly projects I don't even want to post to show you and me becoming very frustrated with it all.

It is a new technique which I was shown at a workshop and I love the way the paintings looked on the artist's work who instructed the class; but I just don't get it! I've even obtained a book written by the teacher and still get lost. The only thing that works is the drawing of the horses. The colors are just a mess.

I think I'll put this learning challenge aside for awhile because the more I try to paint, the worse mess I feel I make of things. Hopefully, one of these days my brain gets in gear I will be able to make something of this.---if that's possible.

©Linda Young 2012

Practice painting the painted Horses

Shouting in the New Year, The Emporer (ATC Giveaway)

2011-12-20T09:13:00.000-05:00

This little emporer penguin looks like it might be shouting in the New Year and since we usually have snow here in January, I thought it would be appropriate to have this be the January Artist Trading Card giveaway.

This artist trading card will be given away to the lucky person whose name is drawn sometime during the month of January. Please indicate your desire to be put on the list by commenting on this blog post.

Westie Kaysi goes to Pet Church Service in Carlisle

2011-12-19T13:22:00.001-05:00

Last evening my church had a special Christmas Pet blessing service for any pet and their owners that wanted to attend. Held at a member's farm, our pastor Marla shared words about what animals might have been present at the manger even though nothing was ever written down about what exactly they could have been. All that was mentioned was that the baby Jesus was born in a manger; a manger is the place a cow, donkey or sheep could have been bedded down to rest.

Amid the moo's of the young cattle that stood behind pens and the occasional one from the bull and other cows inside the barn, we sang Christmas carols and listened to the stories she told of those days long ago. After the service was over, I walked Kaysi over to the calves that were standing listening to the story too. Kaysi and a particular light colored calf made an impression on each other because the cow's very long tongue came out and took a big lick alongside Kaysi's face. Kaysi didn't care too much for that..."grrrr'd" a little and backed up very quickly. She then inched forward only to be captured by another huge sloppy kiss! Talk about an odd couple!

Here is the picture the local newspaper reporter took of Kaysi and I. Kaysi sat on my lap the whole time during the service and listened to Pastor Marla speaking; it was as if she understood every word that was said.

The church is Carlisle Church of the Brethren located on Forge Road in Carlisle, Pa. right next to the York road exit ramp.

And the angels sang

2011-12-14T18:36:00.000-05:00

When I was painting the dark sky in, I began at the lightest area and worked outward. Mixing the paint and applying it with my brush, an angel mysteriously appeared at the brightest point near the bottom left side of the star. This was not planned and was one of those happy accidents we, as artists get from time to time. The song " Glory to God in the Highest" came to mind at that moment and I wanted to give the angel a few more celestial bodies around it to join in their singing.

Light a candle in the window, toss the tinsel on the tree, go to church on Christmas morning and sing this song for me.

If you would like to see more of my work, please visit my website.

And the winner of the Artist Trading Card is...

2011-12-10T15:31:00.000-05:00

Thank you to all who entered the Artist Trading Card giveaway here on my blog and on facebook. The giveaway was in celebration of two years of blogging. There were 16 names that were placed into the "hat" and my husband pulled the winner's name a few minutes ago. The winner of the Windmill Creek Bouquet ATC is:

Michelle DeRose

Watch for another one in January.

http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

Boer Goats by Linda Young

2011-11-29T15:55:00.001-05:00

"I am not a boer (bore) says the goat"

Because of a recent workshop I took with Judi Betts, it inspired me to look through my photo references to locate some goat and other domestic animal photos. This is a drawing of a doe, or nanny goat and the little kids around her. This will be an experimental piece in an attempt to practice what I was taught in her workshop. Here's my goats sketch for today. (The actual painting is posted beneath it)

This is the finished piece; painted with many layers upon layers of color. Complimentary colors on top of complimentaries in and around each other; every brush stroke an experiment and play in freedom and the will to push a little farther. I've loved painting this style so much, I'm planning more as time allows.
I want to say thank you to Judi Betts for teaching from your heart, Your new friend, Linda

It's a way to get out of the Box

2011-11-20T20:51:00.001-05:00

How I got out of the Box I found myself in.

Thanks to several artist's suggestions on Facebook, this blog and from my email lists. Your suggestions ranged from painting a small trading card, going through all the photo references I had on the computer and creating a new file for subjects to paint this Winter. I found my photo reference of the flower most people love to look at: The Sunflower. It's a reminder of the warmer days of summers past and of that yet to come when this flower flourishes and fields blaze with their color.

One friend told me she thought it was going to be a long Winter and with that in mind, I copied many different subjects to the new file I'm calling "out of the winter blues box".

Here is an artist's trading card sized painting of a bouquet of sunflowers that sat on the table at Windmill Creek Farms back porch. It was a day to sit and sip iced tea and look around at the beautiful landscape that adorned the farm. Seeing the photo brought back wonderful memories of that day, including the same day of the earthquake that I felt standing in the field painting en plein air.

I think I'll have a drawing to celebrate my two year anniversary on blogger and this will be the prize. If you'd like to enter the contest, please let me know. I'll draw the winner's name sometime the first week of December.

Being a new blogger compared to many of you, I'd really like to increase my followers by 50% by December, 1 2012. Time will tell.

Two year blogger anniversary coming December 1

2011-11-19T12:55:00.001-05:00

I'm taking it to heart this day to break this artist's block I have and begin painting an ACEO. Thanks to the suggestion of Carol Blackburn. Watch for the post of the item which I will be giving away.

Artist loathes creative block, needs advice from experienced artists

2011-11-18T20:57:00.000-05:00

Last month it seems I did so many items donating my artwork for so many people, events, charities and the like I have nothing left for me now. I mean, I'm drained of creativity and can't seem to get the brush back to the paper at all. I'm frustrated.

I wanted to help those in need by donating to the good and worthy causes and I really do feel good about doing it; the only bad thing that has come from it is the question I ask myself...

"Now where do I go from here?"

Have you ever had this happen to you? I'm really blocked and don't know what to do to get out of it. I stretched some watercolor paper last night and stood and stared at the blank sheet of paper as it lay there stapled to my gatorboard. No ideas, no impulses; nothing, and I loathe this artist's block I'm going through.

Can you offer your advice? Does anyone care to share?

A Peaceful place

2011-11-08T16:14:00.001-05:00

©Linda Young 2011

4 x 6" watercolor

Title: A peaceful place

A small painting just to get back into the swing of things. After a week of work and travel to Philadelphia, I needed to find a quiet place to rest my brain. I found it and put it to a painting titled "A peaceful place'. An image of this painting was donated to Carlisle C.A.R.E.S. for greeting cards. The C.A.R.E.S. organization will sell the cards and proceeds will go toward making a difference to many homeless individuals, including children who come through their doors seeking help. Carlisle is my hometown, and homelessness hits even the smallest of communities like mine. With government cutting funding, the task becomes even more daunting to find enough resources to do the work that is needed. Please support them through your generous tax deductible donation on their website via the PayPal logo. Help us help the homeless.

Tent city at the Court House in Philly on 05 Nov 2011

2011-11-07T01:11:00.001-05:00

©John Pitman 2011

These are some of the accomodations of the individuals who are sleeping on the Court House Square.

©John Pitman 2011

Protest to the Federal Reserve among other issues. I'm showing you only a snippet of what the entire area looked like; but you can imagine hundreds of tents, makeshift lean-to's and other sleeping arrangements.

Alyson Stanfield Rocks

2011-11-05T11:26:00.000-04:00

In class right now with Alyson! Great workshop so far. So much stuff to learn. Gotta go; get back to class.

Check it out right here: artbizcoach.com

If you'd like to see more of my work, please visit my website.

A gray day for ferries...

2011-10-26T23:56:00.001-04:00

©Linda Young
Titled: Grey Day at Harper's Ferry
Watercolor 9 x 12

I had to make a steep walk down the hill with all my heavy gear to sit and paint this scene recently. I was able to lay in the first washes of color while on location and today, I put the details in from the photograph. We probably would have stayed longer but the bugs were getting so bad we had to leave. Next time, I'll lighten my load and take the bare minimum to work with.

http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

Two Mile House mixed media

2011-10-25T23:50:00.000-04:00

©Linda Young

Two Mile House #3

8 x 10

Watercolor and water media

This is a watercolor painting with mixed media. The watercolor paper was placed over a foam core board, stretched and tacked to stretcher bars and dried completely. When the paper had dried, the painting was created in watercolor with touches of acrylic to pop the color of the flowers. A fixative was sprayed over the painting that had dried completely. A satin varnish will be the final step before the framing process. The benefit of this procedure is glass and matting are not needed and the painting can be framed as if were an oil painting on canvas.

This painting will be available for sale at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center's "Local Scenes exhibit" during Art for the Holidays. The opening reception will be on November 27 at 19 N Hanover Street, Carlisle, Pa.

If you'd like to see more of my work, please visit my website.

Pictures from the Judi Betts Workshop at Cheap Joes

2011-10-23T18:30:00.002-04:00

Here's a few photos from the week during a recent workshop I took with Judi Betts at Cheap Joes in Boone, North Carolina. The weather was warm to start the week off; but got progressively colder, windy and downright miserable as the week went on.

The landmark Silo at the entrance to the KOA campground. Note
the beautiful changing colors of Fall.

John and I stayed at the KOA campground just outside of Boone off of Rt 194; I traveled 4 miles to and from class every day to Cheap Joes.

yikes! chubby cheeks eats red velvet cake! I can see my pullover is too big
and John said his shirt is too small. Let them eat cake!

The group gathered to eat at Dan'l Boone Inn Restaurant for a home-cooking style meal. There was so much food to eat and they kept bringing more of it in as the bowls were being passed and emptied. Country style ham and biscuits, salisbury steak and brown gravy, southern fried chicken, mashed potatoes with "tan" gravy, corn, green beans, cole slaw, sweet (and I mean) "sweet" tea, and several different desserts. If you left hungry, it was your fault. Here's a picture of John and I at our table with Judi Betts (far left) and Ruth Jones an artist from Atlanta, Georgia, John is in the middle of Ruth and I. Some of the workshoppers are also shown here to our backs.

Jan Greene, Anna C. Grace and Mary David Morris at the lunch table.
Lunch was prepared by Bandana's restaurant in Boone.
Today's menu was pulled pork barbeque, cole slaw and banana cream dessert. Yumm.
A different lunch was brought in every day except the
last day of class on Friday.

"Cheap Joe" Joe Miller and me the last day in the classroom.

Judi Betts and me in my "Save the Tatas" Tee shirt for
Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Kaysi and Hannah scope out and plan their attack on the chicken coop.
I'm glad there was a fence between them and the chickens and goats.

a painting I was working on

Judi Betts is a very good educator and I highly recommend her to anyone interested in her watercolor style.

It was well worth the long drive and I'd do it all over again if I could.

Judi Betts Workshop

2011-10-18T22:27:00.003-04:00

Judi Betts (center) had us all take our sketchbooks and paint our dinner or something in the room
LtoR: Kay Lessig, Anna C Grace, next is the guest of Jan Greene who is on her left side.
Ruth Jones and John Pitman

L to R: Mary David Morris, Bonnie Everhart, Edwina (workshop coordinator for Cheap Joes)
Elsie Lewis Fogle, Mary Rose Gathman, next person is a guest of Shirley Phillips to her left
and Shirley's mother Betty Phillips. The two men of our class didn't attend the dinner. Not shown
are Carl Asp and Jim Cobren.

Here's the Judi Betts workshop photo of the attendees tonight at dinner at the Dan'l Boone Inn In Boone, NC. I don't have all of their names but will try to get that information tomorrow. I'm taking this picture and of course I didn't get the white balance right; my camera is acting up again and I think it's on it's way out to the bone-yard.

Love this workshop! My husband was invited to dinner tonight and also to stop by the workshop any time. What did I draw tonight? The view from inside the dining room where I sat looking out the window to the street and another drawing of a saucer of lemons and a glass of iced tea. I had taken one pencil with me to draw tonight and when I exited my car, the pencil fell out of the sketch book and got smashed in two pieces as I closed the car door! Luckily, John had a knife to make a nice point for me.

He must have been a boy scout!

Stay tuned for more information to come!

Harpers Ferry bugs, steep steps and an amateur painter wannabe

2011-10-11T11:32:00.001-04:00

Claire and I arrived around 10:30 or so at the visitor's center and met Deb there. From there, we traveled to the graveyard where we would find the walking trail to the spot where Jefferson stood describing the scenic view high above the two rivers. It is a well-known spot on the historic registry called "Jefferson Rock".

Today, the skies were gray and the atmosphere was heavy. Not much color at this time in the morning; but the weather forecast was for sunny and warm today although not much sun ever came out. There really were no defined shadows!

The view from where I stood was wonderful with the two rivers melting together below the steeple of the church. Kayakers and rafters floated alround the jutting rocks below us. The leaves on the oaks were beginning to turn colors; but we were a little too early this day for the beautiful blush of color that was to follow in a few days. Here in Carlisle where I live, it seems every day provides more depth and colorization in the maple trees.

Arriving at the rock, I thought I had found the perfect spot to paint; but many tourists kept walking in front of me. I realized I was really in their way and decided to see if there was a spot available where my fellow painters were. Lucky for me, I was able to squat down on the rock in between the two of them to paint.

My bright green sweater seemed to be attracting the attention of some dropping bugs which plummeted from the scrub pine we were sitting under. Claire, Deb and I swatted away the "stink bugs". Thinking one of the oil painters paints was having quite a yukky odor that drifted into the air once in awhile I commented that one of my watercolors has a strange smell too. Well, that strange smell I thought was from their oil paints and mine was actually from the millions of stink bugs around us and that my sweater was beginning to attract.

Claire had one of those amateur stink bug artists try his "skillfull feet" in some white paint and quickly got covered in the goo. She flicked it away and soon it was to return on my leg more dry this time. Flicking it away again, it returned to Deb's paint box. It had dried off completely and was struggling to get back to it's home via our paintings. After a final flick and a sudden inslaught of mosquitoes and "no see-em's" biting us, five hours later, we had had enough and packed up our supplies.

This man thought he should be in the picture too.
This shows the altitude from where I stood to Claire and Deb.

The trek back up the steep rock stairs were a challenge. Everytime I go to paint plein air I take less along; this time I wished I had only taken a brush, my paper, pallet and water. Not ever being at Harpers Ferry before, the 40# bag I lugged down the hill nearly prooved to do me in going back up. It was another learning experience.

When I go again, I know I'll be packing a lot lighter and I won't be wearing sandals to walk on the slippery rocks!

If you'd like to see more of my work, please visit my website.

The beautiful day at the lake painting is finished

2011-10-09T21:05:00.002-04:00

I finished it with another beautiful day today.

©Linda Young
Fall Afternoon at Boiling Springs Lake
6" x9" watercolor

Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th of October were beautiful days to paint plein air. Boiling Springs Lake was alive with children, dogs, walkers and runners; even a young couple were posing for their photographer for their wedding portrait at the nearby gazebo. Ducks were being fed by young and old alike. The frenzy when they tossed the corn created quite a raucous among the feathered residents and made ripple upon ripple on the water's surface.

Tomorrow, I'll be going to Harpers Ferry; it's a place I've heard of but never have been before. I don't know much about the history there so tonight I'll try to get a little bit of education about it. I am meeting fellow plein air artist Claire B Carnell in the morning to travel there and meet another artist. I'm looking forward to another plein air adventure and so far, it looks like it's going to be another beautiful day.

If you'd like to see more of my work, please visit my website.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

2011-10-08T21:02:00.001-04:00

©Linda Young

Boiling Springs Lake watercolor painting

photo by John Pitman

After working a half day today; I was looking forward to getting outside and find a place to paint plein air. Driving into Carlisle, I rode around through the streets that I knew were colorful and had some character to them. Unfortunately, every place I drove and went by, the light was not right and everything was in so much shadow there was no contrast at all. Continuing on, I drove to another destination; the Boiling Springs Lake which is one of my favorite spots and also the place my husband and I got our first wedding portrait taken together.

It was a warm enough afternoon and I knew I didn't need a jacket or sweater to paint at the lake; I hoped the breezes wouldn't be too cool. Setting up my easel I began looking around creating a picture frame shape with my hands to find the view I wanted and came up with this one. The trees are turning colors, the sky was blue and the ducks created a trailing ripple on the surface of the smooth water. Children and parents and dogs walked along the pathway.

When I began, nobody was around; but after an hour, people would walk by, talk and ask questions. I liked answering questions and especially talking with the little children asking them the leading question "Do you like to color?" It was a great opener to get them to talk about what they like to do.

After awhile of painting the people began gathering in front of me and started feeding the ducks. So much for smooth water surface; with all those ducks diving after corn the water's surface was far from smooth and created quite a feeding frenzy!

Here's my painting done today at Boiling Springs Lake, Boiling Springs, Pa. Painted today October 8 at 3:00 to 5:00 pm. There's a few shadows and details to do to finish this up; I hope tomorrow is just a beautiful so I can return to finish it on site.
If you'd like to see more of my work, please visit my website.

A Night for the dogs

2011-10-05T23:51:00.002-04:00

©Linda Young Journal

Kaysi at Midnight

October 5, 12:40am. I looked at my little 11 year old Westie sleeping so peacefully I wanted to save this image by putting it into my drawing journal. Kaysi, you see, was diagnosed last Monday with diabetes and now I have to inject her twice a day with insulin. Her glucose level was extremely high then and after giving a week of insulin, it had come down only 15 points. So, two more units were prescribed each day. Physically and mentally it seems, she is more perky and her eyes are even brighter and alert with what I've given her so far. We go back next Monday to check the levels again. I feel like such a meanie doing this to her; but I have to realize I am doing it FOR her own good. I just give her a hug and a kiss on her head telling her what a good girl she is when I finish with the injection. I'm praying the levels come down a lot until Monday and that we can get everything stabilized.

Then, as I finished drawing Kaysi, I looked to my left side and saw our rescue Westie Hannah all tucked way down inside the down comforter and wedge up against my husband. I looked to see where I was going to lay down; but there wasn't any room for me. I picked up the pencil again and drew her wedged in body to show you just how comfortable she was in "Mom and Dad's" bed. (I included my hands and the journal too) Scoot over Hannah, you're really hogging the covers! Now, off to you're own bed you go girl; it's 1:30 am. and I gotta work tomorrow!

©Linda Young Journal

Hannah Hogging the Covers

Signed, your "Midnight Artist"
http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

"Percussion" accepted into juried exhibit

2011-10-04T17:45:00.001-04:00

©Linda Young

Titled: "Percussion" 15 x 20

Crescent Watercolor Board

This painting was accepted into the 41st Annual Juried Exhibit at the York Art Associaiton. Considered a premier regional exhibit of over 100 works chosen from over 300 entries. October 9 - November 6, 2011. Opening Reception is Sunday, October 9, 2011 from 2pm to 5pm.

If you'd like to see more of my work, please visit my website.

Not everything is art related, or is it?

2011-09-29T10:16:00.000-04:00

©Linda Young

I woke up with a lazy feeling this morning. Some days I just can't get out the paint and brush; I guess it's a painter's block similar to what those writers get, huh? On these kinds of days, cleaning the house is the farthest thing from my mind too. This morning, the skies are gray and there's a big chance of a lot of rain today so it seems the only thing left to do is work in the salon doing two perms, two hair colorings, and three haircuts. Gotta make money to help pay for paint.

But then, I looked out the window to see something a little more stuck in a rut than I am. There it sat on top of the trailer's tire just sitting...and sitting...and sitting...for a very long time. So, the photographer artist in me saw a perfect photo opportunity since it was just going to sit there,. I ran to get the camera waited for the right moment for the squirrel's eyes to see me and "Click" "Click". I managed to get off two shots before a rabbit jumped between my legs and scared both the squirrel and me!

There's art everywhere you turn if you just open your eyes and really see; this squirrel was my canvas for today.

This photograph is titled "One Tired Squirrel". (Sorry for the pun!...well, not)

Linda Young Watercolors website

Painting donated to CALC 19th annual Martini Auction fundraiser

2011-09-27T18:11:00.000-04:00

©Linda Young
Under the Arbor at Two Mile House
12 x 16 Watercolor

I have donated this framed painting to the Carlisle Arts Learning Center's 19th Annual Martini Auction to be held on Saturday, October 15 at the Depot at Dickinson College. It was painted at the Two Mile House during the McClain Celtic Festival. It can be seen at 19 North Hanover beginning October 1 until auction date. If you'd like a chance to win this painting through the auction, you may place your top bid at the Art Center or call 717-249-8325
Tickets sold out early last year so if you are planning to attend, order yours early. $75 per ticket

If you'd like to see more of my work, please visit my website.

WIP nearing completion Horse Jump

2011-09-26T10:57:00.000-04:00

©Linda Young

Horse and rider over double oxer jump

This commission is nearing completion and the photo I took shows one of the fence holders (standards?) on the right to be tipped inward; it really isn't. I just didn't get it square when I took it this morning.

I was asked me to put the young woman's dog peeking over the fence if possible; so I located the dog on the back left side. I didn't want to take away from the main subject which is the horse and rider. When the subject (dog) is in the distance, details are not possible so the suggestion and coloring are all that can be done. The dog is standing on hind legs looking in.

Increased values all around, shadows added and gestures of facial details improved.

What do you think?

If you'd like to see more of my work, please visit my website.click Here

For my dear groupie girlfriends

2011-09-20T12:06:00.004-04:00

©Linda Young

These are playing card sized watercolor paintings

This weekend I was at my husband's hillclimb races and three of my friends Darlene, Molly and Liz were there with their significant others watching them race and recording the times for their guy drivers. We have affectionately named ourselves "The Groupie Girls" ever since the Giant's Despair Hillclimb last year.

We have a lot of fun and very lively conversations together; they came up to me this past weekend while I was painting saying "we were wondering where you've been". I couldn't tell them I was working on something for them. So, I had to hide these three little paintings from them; I'm mailing one for each person today. Each painting is a little different from the other but similar in theme.

In the distance are rocky cliffs and the beacon from the lighthouse to guide a traveler's way. Though the four of us are all miles apart from each other (one lives in North Carolina another in Mifflinburg and another in York), the light at my door will welcome them if they're ever traveling through.

I'm glad to have such funny and hilarious friends as these girls are; I hope at least one of them becomes a Mrs. one of these days! (@#$%^&* ???) Their guys really have a gem in each of these Groupie Girls and shouldn't let them get away.

If you'd like to see more of my work, please visit my website.

Plein air at the Weatherly Hillclimb

2011-09-19T13:44:00.000-04:00

©Linda Young Painting Journal

Start Line at the Weatherly Hillclimb

I did this drawing of the start line where the timing and announcing take place. I watched the two individuals shown on the left side take care of announcing the event. This older couple, Joe and Dee Wilkie have been married a long time and have been doing this same thing for many, many years together. She sees the numbers on the car then locates names of the car and drivers, points them out to her husband on the sheet of paper and he in turn tells the crowd who the drivers are. He talks about their car and sponsors and other profile information about the driver.

Before any time went on, I wanted to put these two forever into my painting journal and into history on the internet. They don't have the internet; but maybe someday a relative of theirs will see their names and know just what an important part Joe and Dee were to the Weatherly Hillclimb Association and to the Pennsylvania Hillclimb Association.

Thanks Joe and Dee and Nelson Kase for keeping the "records" straight in timing and posting the results.

How was the weather? Well, it was a very cold weekend at the Weatherly Hillclimb. It was my husband's last race of the year and he finished second. We've both decided if he's going to do better next year and hopefully win a first place, we are both going to have to get into better physical condition.

No resolutions to be made; just the plan to get it started before year end.

If you'd like to see more of my work, please visit my website.

Jumping Horse W.I.P. ~ Sept 13 2011 (earth,sky and treeline)©Linda Young

2011-09-11T13:12:00.027-04:00

The work in progress is from the beginning of painting and when I work until the wee hours of the morning. That's why I made the tagline of my blog "midnight splashes in watercolor".

THE REFERENCE PHOTO

Fence and rails

Underpainting started

Layering color in blue tones was started first to define the muscle conformation, adding brown tones to begin the color process. Still, a long way to go with limited amount of time at the end of a work day. I'll just keep plugging along.

This horse, I was told is a sorrel; but the problem is the reference photo was taken on a very cloudy day and makes her look like a chestnut coloring. I'm really glad I've had experience with horses in my lifetime, otherwise I might question what exactly sorrel means. The color tone of the horse will deepen a whole lot from this point forward. The bonnet is as dark as it will be and perhaps some lifting of color will be in store for highlighting.
My goal at this point is to make this appear as if it occurred on a more sunny day.

Working on values

Nothing has been done to the rails to make it appear lighter; it was the bright light coming in from the window that made this happen. My husband says it looks like a ghost rider is on it now! ;)

Horse with rider added increasing values (worked until 1:15am on just this portion)

Use of Cerulean blue, burnt umber, burnt sienna, quinacridone gold, quinacridone red,cobalt and Fr.UM Blue

Cerulean blue, um blue, viridian, sap green, aureolin, new gamboge, burnt umber, raw umber, burnt sienna

©Linda Young

First washes of arena and tree line were put in. Work will be done to increase depth to the background and bring up darks somewhat. Then, foreground and shadows to the actual jump, rider and other things. Detailing will follow. Next, the treeline will have a small fence put in to show the boundary of the arena.

If you'd like to see more of my work, please visit my website.

http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

Two Mile House Grape Arbor ©Linda Young

2011-09-08T10:05:00.001-04:00

Title: Under the Arbor, 9 x 12 watercolor

The day was overcast and cloudy with rain threatening to dampen our plein air painting at Two Mile House and for the McClain Celtic Festival. The rains never came, artists continued to arrive and music from the bagpipes and singers entertained us all.

I painted underneath the grape arbor near the back door of the historic Two-Mile House. This location was chosen because of the darkness underneath the arbor and hints of yellow greens that glowed through it. The purple-blue grapes were ripening and mixed among them were dots of green and red from the grapes that were still to mature.

If you would like more information about this painting or any work, please contact me at this link.

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Linda Young Watercolors
P O Box 941
Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307
website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

While at Summit Point, I painted ©Linda Young

2011-09-06T08:26:00.001-04:00

The Jefferson Lily,

©Linda Young

7 x 10" Watercolor

Linda Young

While my husband was driving his race car around one of the Summit Point Race way track, I sat and painted this lily. Usually, I'm the one checking the air in his tires, etc.; but he had plenty of extra help this weekend and didn't need my assistance. Good for me! The night before this, I drew the main flower of the lily to be able to paint it at the races.

Sitting under the canopy and with drivers and friends walking in and out to see what I was doing; I painted, conversed, walked the dogs, and returned to paint some more. I used only a black and white photo copy of this painting because I didn't want to limit myself to the actual colors of the original photo; I wanted to use imagination--still using reds in mine.

This painting was done at the Jefferson Circuit of Summit Point Raceway. Therefore, the painting just has to be tited "The Jefferson Lily".

If you'd like to see more of my work visit my website

Linda Young Watercolors
P O Box 941
Carlisle, Pa 17013

Summit Point race way

2011-09-05T16:16:00.002-04:00

Summit Point, WVa. Sept 5, 2011

I spent the morning at Summit Point West Virginia's race track today, Sept 5. With the rain from the night before and the occasional spritz of rain now and the threat of a pending storm, driving was made a little treacherous for any novice and one of exercised caution to even the more experienced driver. Still, the track was fast and the leads for the four classes of cars were constantly being exchanged.

I'm keeping this a larger sized file so you can take a look around and see all the people that make a race like this possible. This is a sketch of the race track from where I was sitting in the bleachers between turns 7 and 8. Coming down from the upper right side of the track the drivers travel downhill at a pretty high rate of speed and must downshift before the get to turn five and into the "Carousel" at turns 6a and 6b. If they don't keep it under control, they spin out into the grass and close to the porta-pottie". That really makes for a crappy return back onto the course and one that the "C.W.'s" (Corner Workers) really have to watch out for!

Staying on the track and coming around the carousel, the drivers shift into a higher gear to make the turn in the road at turn 8. The road goes back up an incline to the next turn which is over the hill and out of sight from where I am. A lot of passing occurs at the top of the hill on the upper left side of my drawing.

Going into turn eight, the number seven car spun out turning around several times in the wet grass maintaining forward motion somewhat and eventually took the car back out onto the road when it was safe to do so.

A list of the winning cars in the first race are shown at the upper left hand side. Class winners were: #00 Datsun (I think a 240); #88 Volkswagon Golf; #14 Volkswagon Rabbit and #75 a Honda (Civic?) These cars were going by so quickly even when they drove around with the checkered flag I was unsure of the car "types". My car-enthusiast friends helped me name them. Thanks to Rich Rock, John and Thor Pitman.

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

A not-so sunny-day for plein air

2011-09-03T07:45:00.001-04:00

Today is the Celtic Festival at Two Mile House but there's a chance of thunderstorms today later on. I'm going to go this morning and hope I can get some plein air painting well on the way before the rain comes.

There's grapes ripening on their arbor and beautiful flowers adorning the pathway that I'm interested in doing. This is the Carlisle Historical Society's biggest fundraiser of the year. I've never been to this festival before and I'm looking forward to it.

Rain or not, I don't have to be in the salon working on others today; it's totally a "ME" day and that's a good thing. It's nice to have a day off just to paint with friends.

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Actual painting on the commission piece begins today

2011-08-30T17:02:00.003-04:00

I spent 4 hours just laying in color on the rails and supports for this jump commission. It was very tedious work, to say the least. ...and to think photo realism was how I started out painting with watercolor! In the original photo, the rail nearest the horse was not visible due to the photographer's position at the jump. I was asked to put a rail in there and only did so with just a bit of a suggestion of one.

The jump will probably get more done to it but not until I get the horse and rider a little farther along. So I am stopping for today; I can't do another brush stroke.

I need some "good ol', plein air" to recover.

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Midnight sunflower by Linda Young

2011-08-28T22:46:00.002-04:00

While the rains came down from Hurricane Irene, there was only one thing left to do while the lights remained on...paint. Before me, sat a wilting bouquet of sunflowers that needed some attention! What started out to be a painting of a sunlit sunflower in a field of them became a sunflower field at midnight. In the background is the barn that stands in the corner of the field and the mountains that line the evening sky.

Although scanning this little painting came out a lot lighter than the actual painting because of my use of cerulean blue. Cerulean blue appears as "light" on the paper, which is what I wanted; but I wish it didn't light up so much in the reproduction of it. The scanner light didn't do any justice to the painting.

I can only imagine what a field of sunflowers looks like at midnight under a moonlit sky. They are probably more blue-toned than I have made them in this one; but what the heck...maybe one day, I will try a plein air painting at the stroke of midnight under a harvest moon. I'll use my sunflowers as models that are growing in my garden...

I'll just need a little bug spray and a tiny flashlight just to be able to "see" what I'm painting.

Midnight on the sunflower field

4 x 6

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

How I spent my Lunch time at the Yard Sale

2011-08-26T17:58:00.000-04:00

While I was working today, my husband tended to the business of the yard sale; when it came time for me to have lunch, he "allowed" me to watch the booth for him. Wasn't I the lucky one?

In between sales and before John came back, I thought I'd do a quick sketch of the big event today. Here's the yard sale at my home which had five people working their individual tables. I live on the corner of two busy streets and is a great location for a yard sale.

Linda Young Watercolors P O Box 941 Carlisle, Pa 17013 facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307 website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Sunflowers at Windmill Creek Studios

2011-08-24T22:53:00.000-04:00

Titled: Sunflower Dreams

9 x 12

Watercolor

There are many pleasures in this life if you just look around and really see what we have been given by our Creator. August twenty-third was a day at Windmill Creek Studio Farms I'd call my personal "Field of Dreams" day for many reasons.

I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to be a part of nature here. The sunflower fields were filled with sights, sounds and scents; butterflies of different varieties sipped nectar from the phlox and red-tailed hawk flew high above me. I heard the buzz and saw an assortment of bees--tiny and large ones and the hard-working honey bees flying from flower to flower pollinating as they went on their way.

All of it was a sensory feast for me. Even the feeling of vertigo I had when the earthquake rolled through added to the memories I will keep in my heart of that day. It was simply a plein air pleasure to paint here with my friends in this beautiful place.

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Plein Air Painters at Windmill Creek Studios Farm near Port Royal

2011-08-23T19:59:00.003-04:00

It was a glorious day for all the artists who gathered to paint the sunflowers in the four acre field (L to R) Clare Klaum, MaryBeth Brath, host Eric Olson, Jane Ramsey, Claire Beadon Carnell, Linda Young

Clare

Watercolor Work in progress of Linda Young

Claire amid the Dream Field

The apprentice plein air painter

The field of dreams, oh yes...it really Was!

artists entering "Bottini Woods"

Seven Lively artist Robert L. Hughes

Joan, a friend of the Olson's

Windmill Creek Studios. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful day than today; blue skies, yellow fields of sunflowers and the field alive with the sound of the buzzing bees. All of us were quietly painting away when suddenly, each of us "felt a little strange".

After family members called Claire Carnell and Mary Beth, we were told that feeling was the 5.9 earthquake we all had just experienced. I recall Mary Beth saying she thought someone was behind her shaking her chair; I had a feeling of wobbly legs similar to getting off a boat onto land.

Thank you to our hosts Nancy and Eric Olson for their wonderful hospitality. We all want to come back again to your lovely farm and painterly Heaven. The sunflowers really were amid a field of dreams.

Photographer, Linda Young

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Blue striped towel at Heron Hideaway.

2011-08-22T23:15:00.001-04:00

The pencil drawing--I didn't have the camera with me today...

Title: The Blue Striped Towel 4 x 6"

Watercolor

This scene is from a place called Heron Hideaway that we rented in Key West, Florida. It had a small pool and a private hot tub and lovely greenery all around the rental. The sun was going down and I looked out of the sliding glass door to see the towel draped across a plastic chair; I had forgotten to bring it inside with me after swimming that day. The colors at that time of day were deep and rich.

Heron Hideaway was a great place to stay and one we want to go back to again.

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Life IN my garden pond, as you will see in this video

2011-08-19T21:32:00.000-04:00

My stepson does scuba diving in Florida and is here visiting; he brought with him his underwater camera and helped me get set up for this short video. I thought the camera would just sit on the bottom of the pond at first until he told me "it floats".

Goldfish are beautiful from the top of the pond; but I've been wondering lately what they look like under water. I always wondered just what my goldfish do in the pond all day, how they move...how their tails swoop too. Now I know; there's quite a little feeding frenzy at one point when I fed them their pellets; but I can see I will be working on a watercolor painting someday from this. It's just a neat way to show you the action underneath the lily pads. Hope you like it.

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Hauser Estate Winery

2011-08-15T00:04:00.001-04:00

Hauser Estate Winery

8-1/2" x 11"

Watercolor

This is a view from the grassy field overlooking the vineyard. I sat next to a dirt road that led to the old barn where palettes were sitting underneath the overhang of the barn. The equipment on the left of center I believe is some type of smoker; I'm just not sure. I wrestled with putting it, in moving it, taking it out and finally decided to put it into that part of the field for something else to look at. Right decision or not; it's there now.

The day was very warm and there were storm clouds in the distance and a lot of wind. The mountain was in shadow and only the vineyard had traces of sunlight touching the vines. Sunlight was sporatic at best. Some orchard type trees were on the far hill and appeared to be uprooted. Maybe that disease that attacks pit-type fruits got to them.

This is the last of the plein air sketches from the Gettysburg Plein Air Paint Out. I wasn't able to complete this one on site because of the limited amount of time I had to get the drawing and painting done the day I got there. Only one hour! So, I drew what I could as fast as possible, took some photos of the location I was drawing and completed it this evening.

Before the winery closed for the day, my husband brought me a glass of their Chardonnay. Yumm! We ended up buying a bottle!

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

The start of a commissioned painting

2011-08-12T00:30:00.002-04:00

Here is a drawing of my next commissioned painting. Compositionally, I would have liked to position the horse and rider to the right side more and left out much of the fences on that side; but the fences, flags and gates were important to the client and that is what will be put in. When finished the painting will be around 11 x 14 and framed as a 16 x 20. The actual painting will have to wait a little while until I finish two paintings that are in the works for an upcoming juried exhibit. I wanted to get the drawing underway at least.

I used to ride and train horses when I lived in Wyoming; but they were used in western pleasure riding and mountain trail riding. --the jumping was never something I wanted to get into! Running at a gallop was as fast and as far off the ground I wanted to go.

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

On the gentler side

2011-08-07T14:43:00.000-04:00

She sat there, watching as I carried a few spent petals from the hibiscus flower to the compost bin. I didn't make eye contact with her, afraid she would take off and not finish the feast that was on the flowers where she sat. As I walked near her, she hopped into a patch of green leaves and blended in her surroundings.

As I walked away, I turned to see she had returned to the flower's seeds to continue nibbling on the gold and orange treasure. She's less exciteable than her mate who would only eat if I sat very still.

Maybe it's because not too much gets her feathers ruffled having sat on a nest to hatch her young. Maybe it's the fact she has managed to survive the heat, torrential rains and winds; whatever it was she's content to stay in place and eat to her heart's content.

I think that's the characteristic of the female gender in the world. We're just sisters on the gentler side of life.

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

My art journal thought for today August 6, 2011

2011-08-06T18:11:00.000-04:00

If I could go back to another day, I'd study art; but time has allowed me to get my art education by "the seat of my pants". I am consumed by all it has to offer; I grow in it more every day.

from my journal

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Just outside my crooked gate

2011-08-04T00:53:00.000-04:00

Title: Just outside my crooked gate

9 x 12 Watercolor en plein air

Every day, during the month of July, the large pink and white Dinner Plate Hibiscus nod their heads in greeting to everyone who enters or exits my home. They are quite the conversation piece. The season for the Red Minarda bee balm are nearly over but Gladiolas are just beginning to bloom. The sweet scent of the Oriental Lilies will make you turn your head to find out where that wonderful aroma is coming from.

For many years, the Japanese Beetles have munched their way all over these Hibiscus; but this year I haven't seen any. This year has been the best and most abundant flush of the “Dinner Plate” flowers. Perhaps it’s because of the hot days we have been having they love so much. Lasting only one day and into the night, the blossoms will have wilted by morning and will fall all day long. The next buds will be opening too and there will be another beautiful sight to see “just outside my crooked gate” by morning.

Linda Young

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa. 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Around the back side

2011-08-01T23:56:00.000-04:00

Entry into the painting journal

Around the back side of our home is a goldfish pond which I've wanted to sketch. Someday, I may get around to doing something else with this; but before summer ends it needed to get into the journal.

My husband and I are coordinating a large banquet for his Hill climb racing group. We decided it was so nice today, we'd put the top down on the convertible and drive to meet with the banquet coordinator of the Holiday Inn in Grantville. Returning back home, the skies began to darken and it looked like it might rain on us.

...and rain on us, it did! We got soaked and traffic was so heavy we had no place to stop. The roof of the car was a hard top and was stored in a place that made it too hard to get out and secure it in place. It rained such huge raindrops and had such a wind we never noticed the visor on the driver's side was missing. Either someone stole the visor in the parking lot of the hotel, or it flew off the car with that wind taking with it our garage door opener! We never knew it until we got home and he reached up for it. It was a lesson learned for us and maybe you too if you put your garage door opener in the place we did. It won't be put in the open like that again.

The rain continued coming down and I returned to paint from my kitchen window. Here's the goldfish pond around the back side of our home.

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Sunday afternoon and The Three "B's"

2011-07-31T14:14:00.003-04:00

This spring, I planted sunflower seeds to be able to paint them when they bloomed. I have been given much more than just seeing them in all the multitude of colors they've produced...

I had just opened the door and let my dogs back into the house and was about the close the door when a sudden flash of yellow and black caught my eye. A male goldfinch had just flown in to take a seed morsel from one of the sunflowers and quickly flew away. It clung to the orangish colored flower.

the beauty

I grabbed my camera hoping to catch another glimpse of the little bird. I waited...and waited...and waited for it to return. I grew impatient and focused my lens on the largest sunflower; there were little tiny bees, honey bees and a bumble bee feasting on the nectar.

the bees

I waited ten minutes for the little goldfinch to return and I decided to pull back on the zoom preparing to shut it down. All of a sudden, a green hummingbird flew toward the large sunflower; I quickly shot a picture of it but was unable to zoom in to get a closer look. Arghh! Rats! (can you see it?)

Where the hummingbird is located. Top right sunflower, middle-right edge.

For me, I will try to be more patient and wait on nature to take it's course. Nature can't be hurried; it is what it is. Life; it is slow moving, a gentle breeze moving a branch or rains that soak the earth. It is a butterfly floating along and beauty that comes in the form of a bee or bird. A baby's soft skin or an elder's wrinkled hand.

I really must take time to find peace from the hurried world we all live in. Sunday for me is the day to take time to just sit and be still. You never know what unexpected gift will present itself.

3:30pm an hour later, I sat on the step and prepared to wait again; but this time, to my surprise the goldfinch was eating again and didn't fly away. Here's what I was rewarded with for being patient.

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Black Eyed Susans

2011-07-28T22:54:00.001-04:00

Black eyed Susans 9 x 12

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

The black eyed susan daisy in my back yard is so full of blossoms this year! In years past, it was nice and I took photos of it; but this year it is absolutely gorgeous and a painting just had to be done. This is a plein air from Tuesday. At least the daisies love the hot weather we've been having!

Today, (Friday) two artists brought their materials and began to paint a portion of the goldfish pond. I was painting at the front entrance where the "dinner plate" hibiscus and other assorted flowers (oriental lilies and gladiolas) were having a show of their own. I'll post that plein air soon.

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com contact

http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

My Mother's Poppies selected for 2011 Keystone National Juried Exhibition for works on paper

2011-07-24T00:19:00.002-04:00

My Mother's Poppies

11 x 21"

watercolor

The year these poppies bloomed was the best year our family had ever seen them bloom. The buds were so plentiful and the red-orange color was so vibrant. The following spring, my brother was using the weed-eater and thinking the new shoots were weeds, he completely cut them off at the ground. The plant never recovered from the shock and died.

Lucky for me, I got a picture of them the last year of their life. This is how I've brought "My Mother's Poppies" back to life once more.

This painting was selected by jury for 2011 Keystone National Juried works on paper. The opening reception will be on September 25, 2011 from 2 to 4pm and can be seen at:

Mechanicsburg Art Center

18 Artcraft Drive

Mechanicsburg, PA 17050-4501

(717) 697-2072

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941

Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Hydrangeas and flying birds, oh my!

2011-07-23T21:08:00.003-04:00

Tonight, when I was painting the blue/pink hydrangea in my back yard, I heard a mother Robin chirping to her baby. This conversation was going on for quite some time.

The sun had already gone down behind the mountain leaving just enough light to see. I was trying to finish "just a little more" when all of a sudden, the baby Robin flew right onto the palette that I was holding in my hand! It's tiny feet had plopped right into the wet paint.

"Well, just look at you!" I said. It's tiny body was about 16 inches from my face. The baby looked up at me cocking it's head and sat for about fifteen seconds. Hearing it's mother chirp again it flew away.

That's what I call getting into your work. Well, getting into MY work.

Hydrangea 6 x 9 watercolor

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941 Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Stone Harbor afternoon, plein air

2011-07-20T21:30:00.000-04:00

This was painted one afternoon while watching the grandchildren play together

at the beach at Stone Harbor. A distant boat passed on the horizon as waves crept toward the lifeguard boat.

Stone Harbor afternoon

Watercolor, 6 x 9"

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941 Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Morning Light at Two Mile House

2011-07-19T20:43:00.001-04:00

July 2011, Here is the finished plein air piece from the Two Mile House in Carlisle. I know one thing for sure; I'll be going back there to paint again, real soon.

Morning Light at Two Mile House

9 x 12

watercolor

Linda Young Watercolors

P O Box 941 Carlisle, Pa 17013

facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Young-Watercolors/187943081218307

website http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Three days away from home...

2011-07-19T00:31:00.001-04:00

We attended a friends wedding this weekend and my husband and his son did their photography of the wedding. It was a beautiful weekend with really nice, warm weather.

We enjoyed being with our family and the grandkids were terrific. What wonderful little jewels they all are. Love them all

I missed my great niece Allie's first birthday party this weekend too which was in Virginia; but I am trying to figure out a good time to visit them very soon. Allie looks like my sister, Rita when she was a baby.

I asked my sister to take the painting of my great niece Lauren titled "The Peekaboo Ballerina" to my nephew and his wife. I had given that one to them for a Christmas present; I couldn't give it to them sooner than this. It was entered into an exhibit and was accepted.

Just as soon as I could, I picked it up from the exhibit so they could have it.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Intent on painting plein air

2011-07-12T23:36:00.001-04:00

This coming Thursday, I've got plans to get up early and go to the Two Mile House to paint for a few hours with my plein air friends. I have to return to my salon to work on my client's hair at noon. I figure I'll try to get to T.M.H. around 8am and paint until 11 at which time I'll drive back to the salon to work.

But, for the most part I haven't had any time to paint plein air since getting back from Gettysburg. It seems everything around my home needs either mowed, raked, picked up, dug up, pruned or drained. Yesterday and today, I totally cleaning our goldfish pond--separated and planted water lilies. The goldfish seem to be pretty happy in their nice environment.

Then, I dug up a few new potatoes and pulled weeds in another garden area. While I did that, something happened that felt like a sting on my ankle but I thought it was just a thorn from a jaggy plant. I continued to pull weeds and felt it again; then a bunch of bumble-bees came flying out of the ground toward me and chased me out. So, it really was a bee that managed to sting my ankle. I can't remember the last time I was ever stung.

On to another garden spot where I've got beautiful sunflowers blooming now and expect several paintings from that part of the garden. The goldfinches love hanging on the flower cluster eating the seeds! In another area, two hydrangea bushes have produced a beautiful range of color from periwinkle blue to light purple. a pale pink and white with tips of blue. I know there are paintings waiting to happen there!

If I only had more time to paint instead of working behind the chair; but for now, that's what I have to do~ ~ ~

I just looked at my work schedule for tomorrow... Looks like I can get outside around 11 for a few hours to do just that! I can hardly wait!

Here's a little glimpse of the flowers from my garden spot. Plein air, here I come!

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

A daily journal newsletter and photos of the Gettysburg Plein Air Paint Out

2011-07-04T23:24:00.000-04:00

The newsletter will open when you click on the Title of this blog post. Thank you for following me via my blog.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Scenes from Reading Pennsylvania at the Pagoda Hill Climb

2011-06-26T23:33:00.000-04:00

This weekend, my husband was racing at the Pagoda Hill Climb in his Formula Vee racecar. This race is located at Reading, Pennsylvania. I sat on the side of a hill underneath a nice shade tree and sketched the group of Volkswagons that were racing against each other at their "pit area" They have fondly called it their "Vee Hive". John finished first, the #172 finished second and the #119 was third.

Later in the day today, I went to the actual Pagoda and waited for my husband's group to arrive in the turn-around area there. While I waited, I did a pencil drawing and ink of a corner of the Pagoda with the hills in the distance. I was sitting next to the rock wall that protects the Pagoda on two sides.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Plein air at Little Round Top and Monument by Linda Young

2011-06-19T20:12:00.001-04:00

Little Round Top and Monument

9 x 12

watercolor

This is the scanned painting which I did of Little Round Top. You can see more color in the sky and there is no blue tint as in the photograph on the first post. This one shows the true colors and for me, I think it's my favorite of all the plein air paintings I've done.

I didn't know if I should update the picture on the first post, or put the updated one here; so, decided to put it on the DPP blog in a new post.

It was great to see everyone's work at the Train Station today. Many gorgeous works! Congratulations to everyone who was successful with sales of their art today. (Me included! great!)

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Plein air experience at Little Round Top, by Linda Young Watercolors

2011-06-18T16:21:00.000-04:00

Little Round Top, watercolor

9 x 12 (unframed)

(photographed by John Pitman)

When I finally arrived at Little Round Top to paint, Claire B Carnell already had a beautiful landscape well on it's way to completion. (I loved the colors she used and that dear little building in the background captured my attention.) At a recommendation from her, from the day before, she reminded me to keep in mind when I paint--"it's plein air". Asking for an explanation of what that meant to her she told me the original artists from "long ago" just painted sketches which showed the colors in them. There wasn't a lot of detail, just the values of what were before me. Here is my interpretation of the plein air day at Little Round Top. The open and unpainted areas on this painting are actually white; unfortunately, the photo shows more blue than the painting really has.

To tell you the truth, I think I'm falling in love with plein air painting!

Linda Young watercolor paintings website

http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Plum Run View, plein air watercolor Gettysburg Paint Out

2011-06-18T15:55:00.002-04:00

Plum Run View

framed 11 x 14

Watercolor

Another gorgeous day at the Gettysburg Battlefield. This is my painting of Plum Run with a view of Big Round Top in the distance. This painting will be shown at the reception on Sunday, the 19th of June at the Train Station in Gettysburg along with many other artists who were associated with the Plein Air Paint Out and Artist's colony.

Reception is from 1 to 4 pm.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Day three Beech Spring Farms potting shed garden

2011-06-17T00:38:00.001-04:00

This is the painting from the Beech Spring Farms. There were so many flowers in the potting shed garden, I was overwhelmed by them all being the "newkid on the block" plein air artist as I am. Looking back at this one, less would have been better in the foreground, I think. I will probably do this one again only on a larger, looser scale in the future.

The potting shed garden
7 x 10 Watercolor

Which do you like better? The one above, or this cropped one?

The potting shed garden (cropped)

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

The Eisenhower Rose Garden, plein air watercolor by Linda Young

2011-06-16T16:02:00.002-04:00

"Mamie's Joy"

8-1/2" x 10'1/2"

Watercolor

I actually felt as if I had Ike's thoughts running through my head when I painted this scene. I could imagine him standing in the very place I was standing and gazing out on Mamie's and his rose garden. Looking out over the grassy meadow and hearing the moo of the cows. His putting green sits right in the yard; but after many years from lack of use, the green was in a poor state now.

Here, the roses weren't in bloom now either and most of the flowers had lost many of their petals; but the color that remained hinted to me their true colors or as I imagined them to be...

As I painted, a tour guide walked by and said to me, "How did you know Ike painted from that spot? ...it even looks like you are using his easel".

I guess Ike was really with me after all.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Plein air at Plum Run

2011-06-15T18:02:00.000-04:00

Claire Carnell and I painted together again today at Plum Run. It's a lot of fun painting and talking to someone whom you admire and appreciate...it's a whole lot of fun!

We walked along the horse trail and took several reference photos during that time. Many future paintings are in the sd card of my camers; I can hardly wait to go through them when there's more time.

It took awhile to find the right spot and with me following Claire around who had the most experience at painting plein air, I painted beside her. She said she didn't mind and I hope she didn't. It was nice to share the experience with her there.

Here is my work in progress, which after I post this, have GOT TO GO FINISH some works that are just waiting for me. (I am posting this while sitting at the campground in the laundry room. It's the only place the signal is strong enough to get online...and now my posterior is getting quite tired by now!) More posts on another day Claire Carnell and I painted together again today at Plum Run. It's a lot of fun painting and talking to someone whom you admire and appreciate...it's a whole lot of fun!

Plum Run work in progress

Claire, enjoying what she loves to do

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Plein Air at Devil's Den

2011-06-15T17:40:00.002-04:00

Work in Progress at The Devil's Den

The labryrinth of boulders and crevices in front of me was known to the local residents as "Devil's Den", a name that would become famous in the history of the Civil War. The rocky gorge to the left of me and behind earned the name "slaughter pen" for the great number of Confederates killed there.

The battlefield was littered with bodies, blood ran down the rocks as soldiers breathed their last breath. Fathers and sons cried out for help but none was to come. Their place in history and life as they knew it stopped with the bayonnet or bullet from the opponent's rifle. Before I began to paint, I thought about those things and I visualized just what these rocks must have looked like with man's blood covering them on that fateful day!

The Devil's Den

Watercolor and ink

Within the underpainting of this work, I used a light wash of quinacridone red as a reminder of the blood shed there. The edges of the rocks were outlined with permanent ink for the harshness and brutality of lives lost in war. I wanted the edges to appear exact and immovable as those huge bolders are. Gouache was used sporatically on the tops and crevaces. For me, it represents the softness of the men who were able to rise up from this place and return to go home to their loved ones.

This painting was completed underneath the awning of our motorhome where we are camping for the week. I'll be going back home to mat and frame the completed paintings for exhibit at the reception on Sunday.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Day five plein air at the Beautiful Beech Spring Farm

2011-06-15T16:46:00.001-04:00

Friends Amy Lindenberger and Claire Carnell also painted with me today at the Beech Spring Farms. We set up our easels and got into the drawing and painting about an hour when all of a sudden the skies turned black and the owner of the property told us a severe storm was fast approaching with 6o mile and hour winds, hail and torrential rain. This picture shows us standing out of the pending rain underneath the barn overhang until the storm would later pass.

About twenty minutes later, the blue sky reappeared and the flowers in the garden were awash with a fresh and colorful display for us now to paint.

I just checked my camera's card and I don't have a picture of the painting I have started for this. Hopefully, Claire has one and I can post it here. Regardless, here's the photo reference, which as of this writing to the blog I have every intention of finishing the painting tonight.

The potting shed garden.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

I got a late start on day three plein air

2011-06-15T16:19:00.001-04:00

Taken at 5:00 pm. The shed and smoker (I think that's what that thing is)
Day three, my husband and I organized everything we both would need for the week. We were on our way to the Gettysburg Campground to stay and it took us quite awhile to arrive in Gettysburg and set up the site in the campground.

I took my husband along with me to the Hauser Winery because I knew he'd find a few glasses of wine to try out. Me, I picked up the camera and walked to the vineyard. The photo I am showing you now will probably be the painting I will do; I have it drawn and ready to go on the watercolor paper. I only had an hour to do this part. John did walk to the field where I was drawing and handed me a glass of the Hauser Winery's Chardonnay which won second place in the State's wine competition. Let me tell you IT IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.

John purchased a bottle of it to take home or drink here at the campground if a special occasion warrants it. Oh, I received an email from one of the coordinators of the Gettysburg Festival which stated I had sold one of the three paintings I brought to put on display at the Train Station.

I think that's a good reason to pop the cork!
Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Day two at the Eisenhower Farm, Gettysburg Fringe Festival Paint Out

2011-06-13T07:49:00.001-04:00

The Not-so-rosey-Rose Garden. watercolor WIP

This is at the end of the day and is still a work in progress. Much more to do in detailing and adding background for depth. Will post the completed painting soon (I hope).

While I painted and took a break for lunch...

I was also fortunate to hear the park guide tell the visitors to the farm a little bit about Ike's golfing adventures, his relationship to the Secret Service, Mamie's fondness of the SS she called her "boys" and other interesting tidbits. Did you know, Mamie's code name was "Springtime?"

And here's the completed painting:

Eisenhower Rose Garden

watercolor

8-1/2" x 10-1/2"

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Lutheran Seminary plein air, Gettysburg Fringe Festival June 10

2011-06-12T22:05:00.002-04:00

The Lutheran Seminary

9 x 12

Watercolor

This was my first day of painting plein air with several other artists at the Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg. I painted as a member of the Gettysburg Fringe Festival plein air painters where about six or so painted at this location. Those I knew who painted with me were Sue Gray, Claire Carnell, Mary Beth Brath, Mark Brown (I think) and me. There were more; but I don't know their names.

It was a hot day and right away before I even got my easel set up, my home made stake to hold up a larger umbrella broke on the pegs designed to push the "invention" into the ground. Note to self: If the ground is really hard...don't try to stomp it into the ground on one big heave! Easy does it and it might have worked. Oh, also...getting on higher ground might also mean the ground is solid as a rock. Go for the shade of the trees, which was a lesson quickly learned!

I realize some of the perspective is off a little on this steeple; but maybe that's what the joy of plein air painting is...it's the feel and the presence of the moment and you project that emotion through brush and color onto the watercolor paper waiting in front of you.

One painting down, eight more to go....

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

King's Gap Garden, plein air by Linda Young

2011-06-07T14:40:00.000-04:00

7 x 11 Watercolor

King's Gap Garden, plein air

On June 5, 2011, there was a Bluegrass concert on the Mountain at the Mansion at King's Gap. John took his camera and I my paints, etc. The day was warm, people and children milled around everywhere; but mostly, the garden was unattended except for the few ladies who were tending, pruning and cleaning up the individual gardens.

I painted this while sitting next to the shade garden looking outward to the pink roses, peony bushes and ornamental grasses. The sunlight poked through the spaces in the branches and leaves of the trees and cast their shadows upon the grass in front of me. In the distance, the green leaved trees were dappled with sunlight and shadows as children played a small game of kickball with their grandmother.

It was a beautiful day.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

A Work in Progress for "Art on the Farm"

2011-06-06T20:10:00.000-04:00

Here's the announcement for Art on the Farm and the work in progress I will be donating follows after the paragraph below.

Art on the Farm is a special event being held on June 11 starting at 6pm. A group of 13 artists, including many plein air artists will create their individual works on the area of the farm they are interested in. We will donate the piece to this fundraiser for the Carlisle Arts Learning Center. It is being held at the Dickinson College Farm at 553 Park Drive in Boiling Springs, Pa; there will be entertainment with music, food and beverage. Then, an auction will be held around 8:15pm for all the artwork that is created at the farm; the proceeds will benefit C.A.L.C.

We looked over the farm for a particular setting that appealed to each of us. Some chose to paint the fields, other's the sheep in the meadow; but I decided I liked the colors of the strawberries and the basket of greens they had set out for sale in the lower area of the barn...The blackboard with the produce and notes on their tables also interested me. I did leave out some things; but added a few boxes of blueberries which weren't on the display at all.

Here's the work in progress that I will be finishing up on Saturday.

Now, to name this piece. Do you have any suggestions? Let me know your thoughts.

7 x 10

matted to 11 x 14 and sealed in protective film.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Problems posting comments

2011-06-04T00:06:00.000-04:00

Does anyone else have problems posting to another bloggers blogspot. I haven't been able to post for two days.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

The Jefferson Deck at Summit Point, West Virginia (plein air)

2011-05-30T13:58:00.001-04:00

I'm glad I started recording adventures in my painting journal; a picture sometimes tells a thousand words. Sometimes, not a word.

While my husband prepared to race around the Jefferson Circuit track in his Formula Vee racecar (see that off to the left side of the gazebo), I did a little plein air painting while I drank some coffee on the deck. It was a very warm morning; the sunlight just peeked through the trees onto the deck and into the gazebo. The sweet scent and sight of honeysuckle was all around me.

It was a fun weekend with friends and racers. For about five minutes, dear husb. set a new track record until the younger guys took control! (Oh the joys and fearlessness of youth!) Still, John recorded the fastest time ever since he started racing on that track. We are proud of that accomplishment.

Congrats John and Thanks be to God, for a beautiful weekend and safe trip home.

Linda Young Watercolors: http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/

My Mother's Poppies

2011-05-24T19:10:00.001-04:00

My Mother's Poppies

14 x 21 Watercolor

140# Arches CP WC Paper

This painting was born from a small work I had completed last May (see 2010 blog) when the hail storm hit our area of town. My intentions were always to create a larger painting from it and after many hours struggling to fill in the spaces below the poppies and throughout the painting; I've gone as far as I want to go. I wrestled with cropping it but removing the weight at the bottom made it feel too much like it was floating and not "grounded".

Mother's poppies were growing until someone got the weed trimmer too close to the plant and the poppies met their demise. They never returned but I was fortunate to take a picture of them before the "deed" was done. Painted here in watercolor is the celebration of my mother's poppies for flower lovers everywhere.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Before I ate the "tomato"

2011-05-23T23:47:00.000-04:00

It's just a do, do, doodlin' day today... and in need of something to draw and noticed these tomatoes on my countertop. Before I ate one of the tomatoes in this bunch, I found a pen and a piece of printer paper and drew them with little detail. To preserve the now eaten tomato (upper right corner) I took their picture. This will be a section of a painting in the future. I'm going to add it to a growing long list of things to paint someday. More veggies to come.

Thank you God for the food you put on our tables, the friends across the world and those whom we have yet to meet. May love find it's way into the hearts of those who know only hatred. Amen

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Plein air at Cape May Courthouse, New Jersey 'Mrs Lightey's Garden"

2011-05-17T16:22:00.000-04:00

Mrs Lightey's Garden

watercolor and ink in sketchbook

This is only a portion of Mrs. Lightey's secret garden; she had a multitude of flowers and a beautifully manicured lawn to go with them. Everything was in its place. It's a secret garden because she doesn't let many people in to it.

Later in the day, I walked my two granddaughters down the road where I had painted this one; Mrs. Lightey came out to the end of the road to greet us. She had seen me painting earlier and invited us in to take a closer look at her flower and vegetable gardens and raised beds. She gave each of the girls their choices of colored stones from around the beds. I'm sure by now they are on the floor of their bedrooms and far from sight.

Lucky for me, I took along some primary watercolors to paint plein air. I love painting with watercolors rather than the pencils!

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Plein air Sketches from Outer Banks NC

2011-05-17T15:53:00.000-04:00

My sister's birthday was May 1 and her boss rented a house for her; she invited my husband and her best friend from kindergarten to stay with her for a few days We went to the Outer Banks of North Carolina on the first of May to the 4th. I was sorry I only took colored pencils with me instead of watercolors. The sketches could be more colorful; but they are what they are.

I ate breakfast at the glass topped table; it reflected everything from the outside of the window.

and dolphin swam in the surf while sand pipers and plovers searched for their food. Our two Westies loved the beach and the waves,
(Arggh! those pencils need to find a home in the circular file drawer!!!)

Later, I was the only person to go swimming in the pool. It WAS quite breezy and the air wasn't very warm; but going from the cold pool into the hot tub was great!

I watched my sister's friend Janie as she repositioned herself several times in the hot sun one day. I made notes of Janie reading; Janie thinking about getting up because it was hot...and Janie gone.

I doodled the waves and the Currituck Lighthouse from memory. We drove by it the night before but didn't get to stop because it was closed. Here are some CURRITUCK LIGHTHOUSE FACTS:

Number of steps: 214
Height to focal plane of lens: 158 feet
Height to top of roof: 162 feet
Number of bricks: approximately one million
Thickness of wall at base: 5 feet 8 inches
Thickness of wall at parapet: 3 feet

Position: 34 miles south of the Cape Henry (Virginia) Lighthouse 32 1/2 miles north-northwest of Bodie Island Lighthouse

While on vacation at Corolla, I covered up with sunscreen everyday and took time to draw in the sketchbook rather than try to get a tan. Tanning isn't important to me today; but having a nice time with family and friends was.

I hated to go back to work!

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Dogwood tree en Plein Air

2011-05-10T12:48:00.000-04:00

Dogwood tree en Plein Air

10-1/2" x 7" Watercolor

I had to sit down to paint this tree before the blossoms fell from it. The tree is in front of my home and used to be seen from the road; but the maple trees have grown so tall and out of control, it's hard to see this beautiful tree. I tried to paint the airiness and delicate petals but it just wasn't the cards today. Still practicing plein air painting...

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Red Azaleas in Plein air

2011-05-08T19:29:00.001-04:00

Red Azaleas en Plein Air

Watercolor 10-1/2 x 7

I usually paint from photographs; but today was so beautiful, sunny and nice I thought I'd try to paint my azalea bush that is just now blooming. I've photographed it for several years now planning always with the intention to paint it; but it just didn't happen. Until today.

Today was a perfect day and the azaleas invited me to sit awhile as they posed for me.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Java Downtime

2011-04-27T23:41:00.005-04:00

Java Downtime

6" x 9" Watercolor

This painting started out as a simple still life with just the flowers sitting by the window; considered, done. Not!

a candlestick was added to the right side of it... that looked really odd so I took the candle out
and put a leaf and blossom on the window sill. Now, the right side was still so empty looking!
I erased part of the window sill and painted in the coffee mug.
A pair of glasses? The glasses were painted in and removed --didn't like them--- then repainted them ...twice!! ---
later an addition of the People Magazine was put in. Oh dear, I was really trying to make this work!

I wanted the most beautiful woman in the world to be a blonde on the cover of MY People magazine; not a brunette as in this month's "real" People magazine cover of Jennifer Lopez! So, there she is: A REAL heart throb who bears no name.

I'm exhausted! I wish I had a cup of java to perk me up right about now.

...now where did I put that Magic Eraser???

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Playtime at Laurel Lake

2011-04-25T18:41:00.003-04:00

Playtime at Laurel Lake

14 x 18

Watercolor on 140# Arches CP

The painting was done of two young girls playing in the watery sand at Laurel Lake as the sun was setting one evening last Fall. I remember how the wet sand felt in my own hands when I played with my grandkids and other youngsters, they told me just how to make those sand pies..."Just make it squishy"; so I did.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Oriental Lily bouquet

2011-04-21T10:30:00.000-04:00

Oriental Lily Bouquet

Watercolor, 14 x 21

The rains have been steady here and outdoor gardening can't be done; so the next best thing is to stay indoors and have fun painting. I began this painting three weeks ago when the aroma from them was really strong; unfortunately I'm allergic to their scent and had to move them out of my studio. Challenging to paint without the subject in front of me, I still enjoyed their beauty.

Artist website Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/
contact http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

WIP Reposted

2011-04-17T17:09:00.000-04:00

Reposting the photo of the painting taken in daylight. Note the difference in white balance from the previous post to this one. The color of the water near the girls is pretty close to being accurate here; in addition this one isn't cropped.

Sand and girls skin tones are slightly warmer than this shows but I would appreciate a critique again, if you will. Thanks!

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

WIP Laurel Lake Lassies

2011-04-16T22:57:00.000-04:00

Watercolor 14 x 18

Enjoyment for me is: Children at play using their imaginations, painting water and completing a painting. This one, for me, is a combination and a happy blend of the first two. Nearing completion, it'll be put it aside for a few days to evaluate it more and wait for a response from you.

Until then, I'd like your input. I've got two questions about this painting for those who check out my blog. I'm wondering if the water in the foreground should be smoother in appearance or left alone with the texture as it is now. Does the current texture distract from the figures?

I welcome your critique.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

WIP Childs Play or Bad Dog?

2011-04-15T20:43:00.003-04:00

Child's Play, Watercolor half sheet 140# Arches

reminder of what it used to look like

There's a story that goes along with this painting which I had once considered "finished" a few posts ago(see "reminder photo above). Since that time, however, my husband and I have adopted a Westie Rescue female who is two years old. She's always getting into things chewing a new #8 kolinsky sable brush :( and is curious about everything, and I mean everything...including this painting! :O

This afternoon, our new dog "Hannah" decided to taste some of the colors on "Child's Play while I was finishing the day's bookkeeping. I yelled "off!" when I saw her licking the painting and down she jumped away from it. She had managed to remove the hair in one area which made the little girl look like she was balding. Not nice! I'm glad Hannah didn't lick more than she did otherwise (which was enough); this could have been a bigger disaster.

I was able to repair her "tongue-lifting" of color and am considering renting her tongue out if anyone needs some color removed. Hey! There's an idea: Tongue color lifter for hire! Even better than a magic eraser!

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Shaun the Sheep Still Life (A video you'll enjoy)

2011-04-10T22:06:00.000-04:00

Here's a link to a cute little video about Shaun the Sheep Still Life. I think you'll enjoy it

Shaun the Sheep Still Life

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Janet Walsh Workshop

2011-04-09T17:45:00.003-04:00

I enrolled in a workshop with Janet Walsh at the Mechanicsburg Art Center last winter and could hardly wait until this class date had arrived. Janet Walsh is a past president of the American Watercolor Society in New York Cityand is the author of "Watercolor Made Easy" available at Amazon.

Janet Walsh demonstration (Friday)

For two days, I had the honor of learning many new watercolor techniques taught by a skilled artist. With only three attending the workshop, I had as close to a private lesson as you could imagine!

Her loose style and wonderful blending of colors made every shape interesting to watch the flow of color. The end result is a painting style full of fun and subtle happenings...if you just llow it to happen.

Hard at work with the teacher over both of our shoulders. Talk about pressure!

"It's a painting; not a photograph", per Janet Walsh

My style is more tight and controlled; but learning her style was difficult for me. I promise, Janet, I'll be making every effort to loosen up and lose control. Janet's teaching style was casual these two days; we were a casual group who had a lot of fun together. No stuffed shirts in this class!

One of the students, Gloria, left class early and I didn't get her picture in the group photo; but here is (L to R) Janet Walsh, John Hassler and Linda Young.

My palette

I've written that statement over my table in the studio to be a constant reminder "It's a painting; not a photograph; it just doesn't have to be PERFECT"

Thank you Janet, for sharing your knowledge with me. Thanks for your critique of paintings I've done, the practice sessions on Friday and Saturday and for the paintings I will do in the future which one day will fulfill my dream: to have my work hanging in the gallery of the Salmagundi Club, 47 5th Avenue, New York City.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Work in Progress

2011-04-05T21:17:00.001-04:00

Here is another section of a work in progress of two little girls; working on just one of the girls today. Obviously, the white of the watercolor paper is showing blue so it's not true to the correct color on the rest of her. The highlights on her even appear blue. You get the idea though; feel free to comment, the problem with my email has been fixed.

Not much to report today; so much has happened in the past week, I'm weary just thinking about it. To say the least, I didn't have much fun trying to get things straightened out.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Mom's Poppies WIP

2011-03-21T19:42:00.001-04:00

Mom's Poppies

half sheet 140# Arches CP Watercolor paper

This is a work in progress; but I'm putting is aside for awhile to get a fresh look at it when I come back. These are poppies that grow in my mother's garden every year. I had done one of her poppies as a small study last year and wanted to try them again.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Full moon March 19

2011-03-19T22:31:00.001-04:00

Early moon rising 8:15pm

twenty minutes later

The moon was low in the sky and lit up the branches on the tree.

Full moon rising 9:35pm

Notice the moon is not perfectly round; it looks to me like on the upper left edge of the moon there appears to be craters visible there and around its perimeter. (this photo courtesy of my photographer husband)

I was told this moon will never be as close to the Earth as it is tonight for another 18 years. If you are unable to see the moon in your part of the world because of weather or clouds, I wanted to share it with you from mine.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Crocus along the walk

2011-03-18T23:06:00.000-04:00

Today was a really nice day, the temperature was 70 degrees and warm for this time in the month of March. The crocus are now blooming beside the walk as you enter my home. The yellow and purple together, those complimentary colors, were admired by all who walked by. For several years, I've walked by them and admired their colors, taking pictures of them and storing them on my computer to paint at a later time, which I never had.

until today when they finally grabbed my attention and said... "Hey, you! paint us....NOW!"

I had a few minutes between clients today and tried my hand at plein air painting. Painting outdoors with watercolor is really difficult and has to be done quickly, especially in a windy condition like today. All I wanted to do was capture the essence of their intermingling colors where they grew. This was painted in my journal on paper; not on watercolor paper.

What lies beneath the earth or within the budding branches? What's next? Tulips, varigated wegela, the flowering dogwood? I can hardly wait until the next volunteer flowers burst forth.

I can almost hear them now... "Hey you! what are you waiting for? We've bloomed just for you. Now, get busy."

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Correction to an earlier post

2011-03-16T21:27:00.003-04:00

This painting has been accepted into the 83rd International Juried Exhibition.

Sea Studies, watercolor

on illustration board

14-1/2 x 20"

TODAY, I received an email from the curator at Art Association of Harrisburg with this painting sent as an attachment. She asked if this was painting was labeled correctly as "Percussion". Apparently, when the image was copied onto the CD, the computer changed the order from what was written on the front of the cd and the entry form. She wanted to clarify the title for the catalog for the 83rd International Juried Exhibition. This was the one the juror accepted for the show and is titled "Sea Studies".

They had sent my entry back to me with one accepted the other declined; but what they didn't get right was the correct name of the accepted painting. It was not "Percussion" but "Sea Studies".

I just wanted to clarify with my readers, with this post, the actual painting that will be in the exhibit. I hope the explanation above is adequate for you to understand.

So, as a reminder to you when you enter two paintings into an exhibit to be sure how they appear on the actual cd. I labeled the paintings correctly on the cd; but somehow when they viewed them for jurying, they wrote the incorrect title.

R U Confused yet?

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Work in progress

2011-03-13T08:52:00.000-04:00

Detail photo

Progressing along with the lake girls. Insert shows the photo I'm working from and the one on the left the painting detail. Mask was removed, glazed over and more mask applied.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Abstract painting accepted in International Juried Exhibition

2011-03-11T21:30:00.000-05:00

Percussion 15 x 20

abstract watercolor on illustration board

Today, I received notice that "Percussion", my abstract watercolor painting was accepted into the Art Association of Harrisburg's 83 Annual Juried Exhibition. The show runs from May 13th through June 16th.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Work in progress

2011-03-10T09:13:00.000-05:00

Some mask was removed, some remains. Next step: figures...

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Work In Progress

2011-03-09T22:37:00.000-05:00

This is my drawing of two little girls playing in the sand at one of our local lakes on a warm fall day. They were oblivious to anyone else around them. While their mother watched over them, they tossed sand into the water and made mud pies.
It's my next work in progress on a half sheet of watercolor paper.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Challenges and reflecting back on a Harvest Moon

2011-03-05T22:34:00.002-05:00

Harvest Moon

Watercolor

Challenge:

This painting is the result of doing a negative painting with a few positive shapes. I really liked the colors in this when I painted it; I loved the soft moon and dark sky and the colorful fruits ripening in the summer night. This is not the whole story, though; it is the beginning of the negative thoughts that crept into my head later about it.

I began to doubt the painting’s value at all. The perfectionist in me had taken over all rational reasoning and it all changed. I began to not like it; I criticized different aspects of it. So, I did something drastic!

I cut it up into pieces and decided to make signed bookmarks out of this entire painting. I wrapped each one in a protective plastic cover and put them out for sale. Several were purchased by my salon clients, some by patrons at Mt. Gretna and a few remain still for sale. Some of these were even given as stocking stuffers for Christmas.

Reflection:
As I looked through photographs tonight on something different to post, I stumbled across the photo of the "uncut" painting of "Harvest Moon". It wasn't until I saw it again after many months, I regretted what I had done. I should have waited and put it aside for awhile; but I was too impulsive and didn’t. What’s done, is done and I learned a valuable lesson!

There is a bright side, though. Cutting up the painting has enabled someone to purchase and take home an original, signed watercolor painting that they otherwise might not be able to do. It made me happy knowing that even though it wasn't a whole painting anymore, the Harvest Moon might be enhancing someone's life. As a bookmark, a token and in a small way they have taken a part of me with them. To that, I am blessed.

If you would like to have a FREE bookmark, I have seven colorful bookmarks remaining to the first seven people who contact me. I’ll send you instructions (my mailing address) when you contact me at the following link. I’ll need you to provide a self addressed stamped envelope so I can send one to you. Please contact me via this BOOKMARK link

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com

Grown in Pennsylvania

2011-03-05T21:22:00.000-05:00

Still life Watercolor

9-1/2" x 13"

Everything in this painting grew and came from my garden last summer, except the skinny hot peppers in the foreground. Today's temperatures in the 50's tells me spring is really on the way. It will soon be time to plant the potatoes, then the cold day crops next like broccoli, cabbage and lettuce.

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Untitled Quick Study

2011-03-03T16:26:00.001-05:00

Untitled study
This is a scene from last summer at a nearby lake called Laurel Lake. It will probably be a larger painting one of these days.
Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact

Just Bananas

2011-03-02T18:08:00.000-05:00

5 x 7 Watercolor

The simple still life you see waited for me to paint it's picture then graciously offered one of the participating resident bananas as a sacrifice for my breakfast. Yum!

Artist Linda Young http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.com/ http://lindayoung.fineartstudioonline.com/contact