Aquarelle!

~Just wanted to share a couple of little discoveries. A few months ago I found these KOI BRUSH pens for value sketching.  OH MY. They are the coolest ever, do not bleed through regular sketchbook paper like every other pen I have tried, and are less messy than charcoal or pencil. I was immediately  hooked.

(birthday girl)

~So that discovery led me to seek out their pocket field study sets in watercolor. Below you can see how small they are (pocket or purse size, for sure) but my favorite feature is the brush-pen that holds water - surprisingly enough water to complete the three studies below with plenty of water to spare!  Admittedly it has been years since I played with watercolor, so this is probably old news to most - but I wanted to share in case anyone else is looking. They may just be the perfect exercise in zen for children of all ages! And perfect for traveling light! 

~And...years ago when I painted in watercolor,  I studied with artist Judi Betts (Click on her name to see her work and read an interview) who approaches life as one wonderful discovery after another, seeing creative possibility in all situations. I thought of her when I bought the little watercolor set because she keeps The Most Inspiring Sketchbooks that are beautifully rendered diaries of her thoughts, her day, her travels, even her dinner! In fact her creative spirit and sketchbooks were my original inspiration to start collecting quotes. The personification of joy, she is an excellent teacher who generously shares her energy and spirit. 

~And below are a few watercolor sketches inspired by beloved family photos (my latest obsession).

"A photograph to me is always a reminder of how the person was on a certain day

 in that certain light fixed. 

When I look at a watercolor of that same person, it seems to me alive, 

more open than a photograph."

Francesco Clemente