Little Winter Studies: Da Birch

Watercolors • Hot Press Paper • 4" x 6"

My Watercolor Class is creating cards this week!
We are working on both cold and hot press paper, with the understanding these small images are to be done loose and fast, you know, sketches. I did these four in about 2 1/2 hrs, watching the Lions win (barely) yesterday. The theme or subject is birches.
I'm hoping to get everyone (including myself) to do a lot more of these, improving our compositions and color palette, with the bonus of creating a great watercolor journal or awesome mini gifts like cards or small paintings for friends and families. Hey, my classes are through Saline Community Ed,
Thursdays, 10am - 1:15pm, at Liberty School. And you can sign up on line, www.salineonline.org!

Third in the Tree Huggers Series

Titmouse • Watercolor • 5"x 7"

Titmouse Puffed • Watercolor • 5"x 7"

Haven't decided yet which of the two Titmouses, ah, Titmice, er, Titmoui will be part of the set, but the reason I chose it was because I've never seen one on the ground, same with chickadees.
Hmmm, they may be next.

Sea Turtle in Flight

Sea Turtle in Flight • Watercolor • 11" x 17"

I was having a little trouble finishing this one, when my good friend Holly Losee reminded me I had a deeper background color on the turtle I made for her. Waited a couple a days, kept looking at it, and agreed it needed a little more color. Thanks Holly. Its always nice to get another persons perspective.

A Lovely Bunch...

Title: Lovely Bunch • Watercolor • 11" x 14"

I was bragging how I had completed 5 or 6 paintings in a row, well I then proceeded to screw up just about as many, at least I'm still pushing 50-50. I'm trying to create some works for Florida, this is the first attempt at coconuts in many years, and I enjoyed the hell out of it! I'm starting another right away! I've created a few other paintings, and will post them over the next couple days. Keep watching friends!!

Yuki and the 9 Flying Pigs

Well after 35 or so years of watercolor painting, I've finally done it, I drank out of the paint water. Now it wasn't too
"flavored" but I decided I could use a break. So I jazzed up an illustration created in one of my kids drawing classes.
  I got a cute story line and and some great visual ideas. Who knows, book?

ETSY shop now open for business

Well I’ve gone and done it, I created an ETSY shop under the name McGuiresArtSpot, Its only got my originals right now but will soon have prints and cards too!

Second Time

Kingfisher the 2nd
6" x 8" Watercolor

  I did this one once before as a trade, I liked it enough to try it again. This is not a part of the Tree Huggers Series,
just wanted to sneak it in!
Six in a row, the streak continues!

Straight out of the Backyard

Hidden Gem
11"x 14" Watercolor

I've tried this image three times,
finally got what I wanted, a little depth! I shot this image in Robert &
Justine Bykowski's little backyard pond. It's small and I liked how the
lilly pads stacked up with the flower just visible. I don't know if it's me
but i think it has a 1940's Florida illustrative feel. Let me know what you think.
 Anyway I needed a break from the
birdies!

Watercolor classes at Liberty School

2nd in the series "Tree Huggers"

One of my favorite birds, the Nuthatch.
5" x 7" Watercolor

Alright that's 2 of four, I believe my next  will be a Downy Woodpecker. I'm
doing all the little fellers that visit my feeder.

A "Certified" Great Celebration

This was the poster I created for my buddy Paul's 25th anniversary.  I hope you can read the bottom two lines. His
sister Anne suggested the tag line!
We gave it to the printer and he called back saying he didn't feel comfortable picking two for us, we all fell over laughing! Anyway the party was a huge success, of which I am not surprised because of all the people they
have touched in their lives.
Here's to the next 25, I'm telling you right now, I'm not helping with the 50th, just way to much work!!
Love you guys. Peace Out.

First of the "tree huggers"

Flicker
Watercolor_8.75" x 5.75"

First of a new series of four or five. I want to create a gift card set of "tree huggers", birds that do a lot of clinging to the trunks of trees. Used to be afraid of spots and stripes, not anymore. Next up a new nuthatch.

One of my favorite subjects!

Green Heron in the Mangroves
7" x 10"
Watercolor
I think the coolest thing about this bird is that it lives up here in Michigan,
I thought it was a southern bird.
He's for sale, I'm setting up an Etsy site, so I'll announce it, when it's up!

Pre-Game Painting

Ha! Finished it before the game! Now I can prepare
some promotional materials for my new watercolor class.

Title:
Wading Through the Lilypads
11" x 14 " Watercolor

Collage Football & Watercolors

Nice way to spend a Saturday,
I'm gonna finish up tomorrow during the Lions game, that way if they lose again, I haven't wasted
three and a half hours!

New Look

Putting the emphasis on Indoor Market, rather than just Winter Market. It's time for the Market to head over to Liberty School and if you were there last week, you should be cheering. It was COLD!!

Honoring Good Friends

Commissioned by the Saline District Library to honor our wonderful Friends. Their hard
work provides many great programs and services at our
library.