Flower Power

I started this drawing last summer when someone suggested that I submit a jpg for a fabric contest.  I drew this out with the intent to copy my Floral Paisley drawing (see below).  Then I went on vacation and promptly forgot about it.



With the deadline to the contest way behind me, I thought I’d just have some fun with my watercolor pencils and markers for these flowers.  Plus, it’s just a great way to play!



As you can see I have some all-time favorite stencils that I’ve used many times for these flowers.



I added some words behind the flowers to add interest.



The words read “Just Do What Makes You Happy”….simple as that.



This is my Floral Paisley that I referred to in the opening paragraph.  Markers are pretty cool for this because the colors are so darn vibrant.  The watercolor pencils just don’t have this much punch.



Above is the second Floral drawing I’ve drawn with my stencils….just doesn’t appeal to me like that first one….Maybe it’s just too busy or just my personal opinion.

Water Doodle….Numero Uno

It all started when I showed my daughter’s friend my Flickr Favorites while on vacation.  This young lady was so cute, she liked so many pictures she saw on my Flickr Favorite Photostream.  She has seen all.of.my.work, so she’s got a good sense of what I can do and what I like.  She spotted this picture from Margaret Storer-Roche and turned to me and said, “Wow, you should do something like this”.  I looked at it and thought “Yeah, I should….that’d be fun”.

So, I grabbed my favorite floral stencils.  Then picked out some primary colors from my watercolor pencil stash and went to work.



I like the look of watercolors with black and white uniform patterns included. 



Referred to my Doodle Directory many times for ideas while filling in this part.



Had an idea to zentangle up the inside of the Rainbow rings…..but I’ve since scratched that thought.



Must practice more with those watercolor pencils….wanted to have a lot of blue in that lower-right flower,
this isn’t exactly the look I was after.  Ahhh well!



This was a blast to make!!  A bLaSt!!  Free-handed the leaves and the lower blue flowers.  I have to admit, I am more drawn to the precise-ness of the stencils though.

To make one for yourself all you need is:

• A compass
• Good Black fine point permanent marker
• Watercolor pencils
• A stencil or two
• Your Imagination

Kokopelli Dancers

Used a couple stencils here and had some fun coloring them in. These are the Kokopelli Dancers, don’t you just want to hear their music? To start dancing along with them? I’ve done a little research about these guys, and found various stories. Some about fertility, others about agriculture and a belief that he’s thought to represent the season change from winter to spring. So, we can take our pick on what we want to believe. The following definition was found HERE.

Who Was Kokopelli?

Known as a fertility god, prankster, healer and story teller, Kokopelli has been a source of wonder throughout the country for centuries. Kokopelli embodies the true American Southwest, and dates back over 3,000 years ago, when the first petroglyphs were carved. Although his true origins are unknown, this traveling, flute-playing Casanova is a sacred figure to many Southwestern Native Americans. Carvings of this hunch-backed flute-playing figure have been found painted and carved into rock walls and boulders throughout the Southwest.

To journal or not to journal? That is the question. I tend to struggle with this question when I’m drawing for the fun of it. Should I journal something in all that white space, or let it be? Well, the journaling won out on this one. I like it when a piece says something to me then, I get to write out my thoughts, otherwise it’s a no-go.

Journaling:

Kokopelli Dancers- I think of these guys as Life! As Spirit! They come dancing in and dare me to get up and dance, to express myself! I used to be like the Black & White one with a bit of Attitude (the RED). But lately I’m embracing the more colorful sides of my personality. I’m realizing just how opinionated I am. After all, I think people are much more interesting when they can express themselves freely. Not in a whiney or mean way. Just being real, this sure gets the dialogue started. Don’t you think?