Art In The Garden

Hi everyone. Hope everyone is having a nice week so far.

Last week I met up with an arty friend. My friend has recently rented studio space in an art cooperative. The cooperative was having a paint in the garden morning where us guests could set up shop and have some art time in the garden. A few members of the coop were there as well as their guests. We all set up in the garden and did whatever it was we were inclined to create. Unfortunately I forgot to take any photos until right at the end when I was cleaning up. But it was inspiring to be around some very talented women, mostly painters and to be inspired and even challenged to take my art up a notch.

But you can see in the top photo what I was working on. This abstract fireworks  page was actually completed before my garden morning.

And this night view page was my main focus that morning.

If you look you can see that is does look different here from in the top photo.

I was trying to paint a night tree scene and then add some fireflies. I have been watching them lately as this seems to be a good summer for them.

But painting fireflies at night was a double learning lesson for me. (I love that about art, figuring how to present something that is in your head, even if it doesn't come out anything like you see it in your head. )

First of all, painting trees at night was a challenge because of course the sky is black as are the trees. I I used shiny metallic black paint for the trees and a really dark blue for the sky. But then one of the talented ladies at the garden art time was painting with some purple, so I decided to try that to create the leaves. I really love how that worked.

And my second painting issue was to create the lighted effect of fireflies. I wanted the effect of the glow and the bright light those insects create when they flash. (Maybe you already know  the males flash to attract a mate.) So I played with yellow and some iridescent paint along with a baby wipe.

I think the colors here are a bit truer than the top.

But anyhow, it was a productive and fun morning, and even though I don't think I have fully mastered painting at night (not by a long shot), I learned a lot and am fairly happy with my journal page.

So I am going to link up my page to 2 challenges. First of all to Moo Mania and their latest Summer Holidays challenge.

And second of all to Chris' fun challenge at Art Journal Journey as We're All Going into the yard at night to watch the fireflies.

That's all for me today.

Thanks for visiting.