The Beauty of Watercolor
Hello Friends!
Well, it has been a while since I last blogged. In fact, it has been months! I used to love to write, years and years ago. You know, it was one of the many creative things that I was once in love with! I REALLY used to love to write! I wrote poetry, stories, lyrics to songs, etc. So, my goal this year is to post at least one blog per month, but I would really love to do it weekly! We will see how it goes! I would love to know more about what you would like to hear from me, so please comment below and let me know!
Lately, I feel that I am having a hard time finding inspiration, and then I fell upon Ali Cavanaugh's Instagram account! Holy Mackerel!!! She is incredibly talented, and I was totally inspired by her work! I am not a watercolor artist, at least NOT YET, but I am totally inspired by her style, and also the creativity that she uses in her pieces! I mean, when I stumbled upon her sock series, I was blown away! How completely, and utterly, brilliant!!! I have create a Pinterest Board so that you can view more of her artworks! You will be totally WOWED and INSPIRED!
Okay, so honestly, she is amazing right!? Then, I discovered that she has a BRAND NEW book coming out and we can preorder it now for a discounted price! I cannot wait to get mine! If you do not feel inspired after viewing her paintings, then something is seriously wrong with you.....just kidding! I just really feel that she is clever in her work, and I can't wait to have her book sitting on my coffee table! Here is a picture of the book, with a link to purchase if you are interested! Please let me know if you get one, too, so we can FAN GIRL over Ali's work together!!!
Because I understand how challenging it can be to stay inspired, I am giving away two FREE copies of this book! I will preorder it for the two that win!! You can enter the give away below! In the mean time, please comment below and share any other artists that you are inspired by at the moment! I find that we often are able to inspire one another by sharing new artists with each other! List your current inspiration below!
Can't wait for my book!! See you all soon!
Kara
JOIN US FOR THE GIVE AWAY!
Just enter your name and email address below and you will be entered to win one of the two FREE books, Ali Cavanaugh - Modern Fresco Paintings!
Good Luck Everyone!
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***Give away winners will be announced on February 14th!***
Join LAUREN RUDOLPH in her brand new course PUSHING THE VALUES - Learn to Create Depth with Pencil. Lauren is such an incredible teacher, and her students will certainly tell you the same! If you are looking for a refresher course on graphite, or are interested in learning more about how this simple and easy to travel with tool, can become your best friend, then this is the course for you! Course opens February 20th and is completely downloadable!
Connect with other creatives TODAY in our private Facebook Artist Community! It is full of inspiration, support and encouragement....what every artist needs! Silence your inner critic with the support of other artists!
I can't wait to hear from you in our Artist Community or here about who is your latest inspiration! Who are you fan-girling or fan-boying over!? Let's get inspired!!! Comment below!
Hugs,
Kara
I have loved Ali Cavanaugh’s work for like ever! I started my art journey as a watercolorist, but was never happy with the results of my efforts. I cannot wait to see her book. . . I’ve always wanted to “crawl inside” her artist’s brain!
I’m a huge scroller of the art on Instagram! Recently, I have discovered there the work of Anna Matykiewicz, and I am enthralled. Coincidentally, most of her work, portraiture, features watercolor. . . in the most sumptuous colors, usually complementary and quite vibrant. And her ladies’ eyes are alive! Kara, I think you will also enjoy the line work she embellishes with!
Yes, I first saw the socks series in the Artists Magazine a few years ago – incredible! Watercolor is my thing, so I have many artists I’m in love with. But I think people, I think Mary Whyte.
Mary Whyte is outstanding and I love her subject matter.
I have loved Ali Cavanaugh’s work ! I started my art journey as a watercolorist, but was never happy with the results of my efforts. I cannot wait to see her book. . . Thank you so much for these great opportunity ???
I haven’t seen this medium used in this way, portraits and still life. It is surprising that the detail and shading can be done with watercolour. Thank you for sharing and opening my mind.
I’m so grateful for this opportunity! Watercolor was my original medium, but it’s been a long time since I’ve used it often, and I’ve been wanting to get back into it. I’ve just discovered an awesome mosaic artist, Susan Wechsler in Denver. Hopepfully will take a class with her soon 🙂
I am loving Jess Franks art lately. Her brushwork has an almost geometric quality to it. I have been a fan of Ali Cavanaughs for sometime. Thank you Kara for a chance at an awesome book!
Thanks for your introduction to Ali. I have difficulty with watercolor and would love the book and excited to give it a try and learn❤️
What eye candy!!! Here are some current favorites of mine: Veronique Paquereau, Richard Burnett, and Francoise de Felice. They are all swoon worthy!!!
I would love to learn more of Steve Huston and Zin Lim’s charcoal drawing style. Their arts are always natural and amazing. 🙂
Love it! I share Ali’s work with my students all the time, she is amazing!!
One of my biggest inspirations in an artist name SWOON. She began as a Brooklyn street artist, she is now world famous and she transcends all boundaries and media. Check out SWOON CANYON images online. I was super lucky to be able to zip up to Cincinnati with a friend to see this massive art installation which filled most of the museum!! It stands out as one of the most amazing and moving and inspiring art experiences of my life along with The Dali museum in Figueres, Spain and the Uffizi etc…., THAT is how amazing it was! Check her out! I also adore Hung Lui!
I love the portrait on the cover. Oh, to be talented enough to paint like that!
Elaine, anything is possible with a lot of hard work and dedication. I was just having this conversation with my son!!
Thanks so much for the chance to win. Not much practice in watercolor, but would love to try. Ive never seen Ali C’s work until now! Wow!
Kimberly, I do not work in watercolor, but am still super inspired by her work!!
Wow, her work is amazing!
Thank you so much for this opportunity.
Two other figure artists I adore currently are Magdalena Morey and Karen Darling, both on IG.
One of my most inspiring artists is Joan Dumouchell❤️. I marvel at her mesmerizing circus themed beauties. Her mix of warm and cool and the white faces and the hairstyles and her backgrounds. I could go on and on:) Love, love, love her work!!
Ali’s work is AMAZING!!! And I love watercolor so much!! But I’m just an amateur. Would love to win her new book and improve my work! I check Pinterest and IG for inspiration as well. I have been admiring Wladyslaw Theodor Bender’s work recently but oh, there are so many fabulous artists, it’s hard to pick just one.
Bobbie Russon and Cesar Santos are artists I am inspired by at the moment. Both have completely different styles however I love the emotion in Bobbie Russons art and Cesar Santos’s art is simply incredible. I have been following Ali’s work on Pinterest for some time and love her style.
Thank you for introducing me to this artist! I love her work. Another artist that has an entirely different vibe but who is brilliant is Heather Tracy. Check her out: https://thicketworks.com/
Girl! You know how much I am into watercolor right now! I would love to see inside this book to marvel at the wonders of her work!
Kara you are such an inspiration. As an artist and as a business woman! Thank you for sharing all of this with us!! I love love love this book!
Thank you for the giveaway. Recently I’ve been admiring the soft art of Francoise de Felice. I’m hoping to use inspiration from him to create my own soft figures. ???
Thank you for yet another great share Kara, I love watercolor portraiture and even though I am not good at yet I admire their craftmanship. As I am a fan of Hannah Adamaszek, Ali Cavanaugh is no different both phenomenal talent and such beautiful people. I can understand that sometimes inspiration requires thought, dedication and sometimes even chasing.
So in advance congratulations to all the winners of this giveaway. s
I love Stanka Kordic’s work! Thanks for this opportunity Kara! ❤️
Kara, thank you so much for introducing me to this amazing artist. Ali’s use of water colors is just breathtaking; so fluid with movement in each of her compositions.
I have already signed up for Lauren’s class. I am a retired educator. I was in the classroom for 22 years and then as a principal for eight before my diagnosis of Lupus and I had to step down from my position which was my dream job. During those years, I made sure that art was part of my students curriculum. I always paid out of my pocket that my students had the best paper and authentic art supplies.
Now, I am home bound because my Lupus destroys my brain and causes memory loss, seizures, and TIA’s (small strokes). My art seems to be the one thing that I hope to hold on to and to retain.
I am so blessed to be able to be part of your community for company and inspiration.
This is a new artist for me. Thank you for introducing her. I would love to win a give away of her book!
Thank you for sharing this artist with all of us! Just love the effect of her watercolors. I am inspired by artist friends… Irene Rafael, Josie Hamilton and Linda Yoder! Each one of them are not afraid to try different mediums, they are bold and so committed to practicing daily. Thank you for this opportunity!
Thank to be a continuos sourse of inspirations Kara!! Love watercolours and didn’t know this brilliant artist. Hope to win !! <3
I’m just starting out and i feel like a kid in a candy store….so it was Pam carriers book that started me going then renata loree work that inspired me then it is endless all this incredible talent
Thank you, for this opportunity to win this amazing watercolor book and introducing us to Ali! During The 100 Day Project I committed to learning Danielle Donaldson’s watercolor book – Creative Watercolour!
A book I go back to over and over is Nita Leland’s Exploring Color. I learn something new each time I use it. Two inspiring artists for learning techniques and skills are: Charles Reid – watercolor and Bet Borgeson – colored pencil.
She is really great and inspiring, have followed her work a while. An other watercolor-artist i find hives me a lot is the Danish Ole Aakjaer.
Thanksfor the giveaway!
There has been/is a pause in my art journey and I haven’t been able to sign up for the classes I’ve been apart of and love, including yours. This has been a season of “ pruning” for me. I am slowly emerging from this season and inspiring artists like yourself and like Ali have me pushing through this time to create again. Thank you for being an inspiration!
I love the architectural work of Christopher Peet! Thanks for the chance to win this book.
Shine on!
Kelley
what amazing work she does! thank you for sharing her with us. I love finding new-to-me artists with a style can relate to!
I have many artists I love, but I have recently found Jay Kelly and Lynn Adamson Adrian. they both do incredible work that I admire.
again, thank you for all the work you do for the artist community!
Jenny
Ali’s work is inspirational, as is yours, Kara…
I absolutely adore her work. She is amazing!