Where the Magic Is

This is something I started for my sister-in-law for her birthday, then decided to do something else for her.  I had all but the calligraphy done and finally finished it today.  I just love the quote... although I would maybe suggest that whatever it is we have inside ourselves IS magic.  Just something for you to chew on this morning :)

This is around 8x10 (I think?) watercolor and ink on 140 lb. paper and might be for sale at some point; I haven't decided.

Then I thought I'd work on a new acrylic henna impasto... I was dreaming about dragonflies last night so I decided that's what I'd do.

 I got the grass lines filled in but didn't feel like mixing a couple more cones of paint for the other colors I want to use.  The gel medium I'm using is opaque; I think I'd prefer a clear one for mixing with my Pearl-Ex powders.  This will have high-flow washes done over it when I'm finished with the lines.

And Now For Something Completely Different

... and completely sappy :)  What the heck, Valentine's Day is coming up, right?  This is watercolor and ink on 5 x 7 Strathmore 140 lb. paper.

I set out this morning to play with some Celtic knotwork, so I got out the graph paper and tinkered, using exercises in my awesome book Great Book of Celtic Patterns by Lora S. Irish.  What I ended up with was a heart knot.  The little doohickey on the inside was purely additive.

Next, I used graphite paper to transfer the design to my watercolor paper, and then I played with a watercolor wash in Cerulean and Ultramarine, darker around the edges and liberally salted.  I painted in the knot, let dry (again... this takes patience, why does it feel like it takes MORE patience than oils?  Maybe because I go into an oil painting knowing it's going to take days to dry, and I won't be able to work on it the same day).

Finally, I hunted for a quote while I was waiting for the paper to dry, and since knotwork symbolizes eternity, and it's a heart, I figured a love quote was appropriate... so this is for my love (love you hon!).  I practiced writing it a few times with a Schaeffer fountain pen and another awesome book (it's been a while since I.. calligraphed?) called The Art of Calligraphy by David Harris.  And... hours later, I'm done.

I'm quite pleased with it, actually.  Definitely my best calligraphy effort, and not a bad first go at watercolor, either.