Category Archives: watercolor

Aug 17 2015
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abstract, calla fogarty, calm, Calm, challenge update, Emotion, illumination, painting, quiet, small imagery, Uncategorized, watercolor

3″ x 3″ Color Study

3" x 3" - image 7

© 2015 Calla Grace Fogarty

This hiatus from painting, which originally seemed like a good idea has left me feeling somewhat lost. It seems like I forgot how to mix color or create and image. The images I created this weekend were studies done primarily to work on the issue of color and a looser hand

I love the highlights and range of color. This piece seems to really help me see more possibilities. I would like to push the darks much farther since this piece has so much room for a bigger range.

Even though there was no intended image or reference this picture reminds me of the times you spend outside in the rain at night. When the reflections create a glow and the water causes the continued repetition of light to flicker all the way down the street. Its calming.

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Aug 14 2015
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abstract, challenge update, drawing, painting, pen, small imagery, Uncategorized, watercolor

3″ x 3″ an evening at the kitchen table

Calla Grace - 3x3 Challenge Image 6

© 2015 Calla Grace Fogarty

When I paint, I typically situate myself at the table. Initially trying to be polite and only using one 1/4 of the table but somehow after about 20 minutes I’ve spread my shit out everywhere. Luckily, my husband doesn’t seem to mind so I keep repeating this process nightly. Anyway, I initially laid down some color on this piece about 3 days ago and decided to try and develop something from it. These images feel like color studies to me. The element I love most though is the tubular like structure in the lower left corner. For some reason I am drawn to this and would like to push this forward. Lets see whats next…. Enjoy and see you next time!

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Aug 13 2015
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abstract, animals, calla fogarty, challenge update, Critters, drawing, Emotion, gouache, happy, lighthearted, marker, Nature, painting, small imagery, squirrel, Uncategorized, watercolor

3″ x 3″ – POST #2

 

It’s weird what you end up painting when  you don’t really have direction. Your mind just jumps around between things you know, techniques you are familiar with, imagery that surrounds you and on occasion that brilliant moment of true creativity. The images below are examples of one or more of those ideas listed above. Fury critters wrapped in bold statements and color washes defined by a few hard lines.

IMG_7693

© 2015 Calla Grace Fogarty

 

The Orb – color washes pushed this image into a more defined image. Still abstract and loose the solidity of the orb brings a really nice contract to the background

 

IMG_7692

© 2015 Calla Grace Fogarty

 

Oh Look it’s a Squirrel – No one should ever be surprised when a fury critter makes it into my imagery. I wont lie that hook arm makes me mental but these are just small paintings that are meant for me and who ever stumbles upon them. So in that light I will embrace the hook arm and move on.

Enjoy and see you next time!

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Aug 10 2015
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abstract, animals, calla fogarty, Critters, drawing, graphite, Nature, organic, painting, rabbit, small imagery, Uncategorized, watercolor

The 3″ x 3″ Challenge – 1st Post – A fall breeze on a summer day….

A fall breeze on a summer day, probably the most ideal kind of day in my mind. On days like these you can enjoy every moment outside, the early morning peace accompanied by the tweets of birds, the mid day rush of passersby-ers trying to finish up their errands while you sip on a cup of tea and the cool evenings wrapped up in a cozy blanket on the back porch.

When your mind is at peace I actually find it very hard to paint but it is one of the few times I have the time to. I decided a few weeks ago to start painting again. For those who don’t already know there was a serious lull in production but I needed a break after my last challenge. I haven’t decided on all the parameters but currently we have the following…

  • 3″ x 3″ square  image size
  • 7″ x 7″ square canvas size
  • mixed media
  • one day per image

I have not decided on a number of total images or a time frame but maybe I will figure that out eventually. Below are a few of the images I have created thus far.

3" x 3" image 1

© 2015 Calla Grace Fogarty

Backyard Bunnies – inspired by the baby bunnies that took up shelter in my flower bed. I was happy to finally have an opportunity to utilize my own reference photos!

3" x 3" image 2

© 2015 Calla Grace Fogarty

Science/planetary – This was nothing to begin with just a few random shapes. It got a little muddy but at least I got it done.

3" x 3" image 3

© 2015 Calla Grace Fogarty

 Succulents are my favorite! – I know that succulents are only a minor part of this image but its what inspired the piece. Succulents are fantastic. They have the best shape, need hardly any maintenance and have wonderfully vibrant color.

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Apr 01 2015
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abstract, animals, calla fogarty, challenge update, Critters, easter, Emotion, events, inspired, mouse, painting, rabbit, Story Telling, Uncategorized, watercolor

Three Hundred and Sixty-Five!

OMG, I finished and with 2 hours to spare! I finished the revised challenge that is, 365 images in 3 years time! We’ll it is the last post of the challenge and as I was scrambling to finish up the images I did have the opportunity to finish a couple pieces I felt really strongly about, this one included. It completed my panel piece which I will post in full at a later time. I love the critters in contrast with the designs on the eggs. I realize the two aspects don’t blend well but I love the juxtaposition. These little critters were initially born from  this challenge so it seemed fitting to end with a group of them. Also, as Easter is only a few days away why not celebrate! I’ll be doing a recap post this week so I won’t babble on here but always Enjoy and see you next time!

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Apr 01 2015
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Architecture, calla fogarty, calm, Calm, Cityscape, Emotion, inspired, painting, quiet, Uncategorized, watercolor

Three Hundred and Sixty-Four!

The pattern and overlay really interested me after I did the first iteration of this image. This is a second version which offers its own special qualities. I really enjoy the color, it seems so soft and quiet which reminds me of the mood every day I see this. Enjoy and see you next time!

IMG_6887

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Apr 01 2015
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abstract, animals, calla fogarty, collage, distortion, dog, Emotion, Flowers, fungus, Nature, organic, Overwhelmed, painting, Story Telling, uneasy, watercolor

Three Hundred and Sixty-Three!

This image looks as if Lady Boo Boo (my dog) did Shrooms. Just for all the animal lovers out there I did not give my dog drugs, I just painted her in a landscape that is somewhat hallucinogenic. I started this image a while ago and have been slowly developing it. It still feels unfinished but unfortunately for me I have a deadline and you do what you can. I can always rework it later. Enjoy and see you next time!

IMG_6894

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Apr 01 2015
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abstract, calla fogarty, Calm, distortion, drawing, Emotion, environment, Flowers, marker, Nature, organic, painting, petals, rooted, Uncategorized, water, watercolor, web

Three Hundred and Sixty-Two!

It’s like a Petri dish. I have been sick for the past few days and as an attempt to ease the sinus pressure I utilized this chamomile mixture that you put into a bowl with boiling water then cover you head with a towel and breathe in. I was sitting there breathing and realized that the flowers, petals and grass that made up the mixture was actually quite interesting. That is what inspired this piece but this is not a replica of what I saw by any means! Enjoy and see you next time!

IMG_6886

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Apr 01 2015
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animals, calla fogarty, Critters, grass, illumination, Nature, painting, raccoon, Story Telling, tree, Uncategorized, watercolor

Three Hundred and Sixty-One!

Sometimes you start an image with one character and suddenly the image calls for another. That’s exactly what happened in this image. The hand gestures of the male Raccoon indicated he was telling a story. Naturally he needed a date and once I started painting her I was forced to address the background. The painting was totally responsive which is why the formatting is somewhat off. Typically my layout is better. Enjoy and see you next time!

IMG_6817

 

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Apr 01 2015
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Architecture, calla fogarty, Calm, Cityscape, Emotion, illumination, inspired, painting, quiet, Uncategorized, watercolor

Three Hundred and Sixty!

I’ve been looking at windows recently, particularly those of old warehouses near my work. They always seem interesting at night/early morning because they are illuminated but not evenly. They are aged and show wear. Even the color that emits though the panes of glass changes from panel to panel. The whole image has nice a quiet vibe to it. It’s not nearly as dark as it should be but that is somewhat hard for me still. I’ll get there eventually. Enjoy and see you next time!

IMG_6820

 

 

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