Oh my, yes, the reason for my big coral colored flower is the result of guiding students to paint their version of Georgia O’Keeffe’s flowers. I can’t use the word teach. I guide my students, but really, I provide them with the tools. They teach me. They make art and it is always beautiful. I always ask how did you do that. The answer is always I just did it!

Step 1. Observe Georgia’s Flowers

We observed the details of Georgia O’Keeffe’s flowers. Then we observed photos of large flowers.

Step 2. I mixed up bright colors, and we painted

We went with orange and pinks. I gave them some yellow and green.

Here’s My Flower

For my big mixed media flower, I wanted to take time and paint with all the inspiration that was calling my name. I had a leftover paint palette and a brush full of paint. I had to paint! Five minutes later, this beauty was before me. Five minutes and a room full of artists needing my help doesn’t leave lots of time to time. Five minures is all it takes.

I like Georgia’s words.

Nobody sees a flower really; it is so small. We haven’t time, and to see takes time – like to have a friend takes time.

Here are the supplies I used for painting my flower:

• thin sandpaper-like construction paper ( This is awful paper is all I had. The students didn’t, and that is a big lesson for every artist!)
• Dr. Ph Marten’s Wild Rose ink
• Neocolors
• tempera paint
• long, big, flat brush.

And yes, the feel of the paper is awful and thin, but I still painted a beautiful flower. I am adding my flower to my shop. I haven’t yet. Should I? I will.

Here are the techniques I used:

• using an ink eye dropper tool to scrape details on the petals
• blobbing color in the center
• using the handle of the brush to create the dot pattern
• using the brush to splatter dots on the petals and paper

Oh, right, I came home and added the details! I painted the flower petals in one session. Then, in another session, I painted the details. My freedom and sense of play kept saying these beautiful words. Go on, try your ideas. Put this paint to use!

When I let go of what art should be art becomes freedom. Art is freedom of expression; it prioritizes creativity and self-expression. My students always have this down.

If you are curious, here is what the artists painted.

Beautiful works in progress

If I should be so inclined to give advice, I say get out a random sheet of paper. Maybe a paper bag and paint on it. Or if you always paint on white paper, how about colored paper? Gather various tools. Find something random from around the house or on a trip to the store. It is in trying new techniques, making marks and just being you where magic happens. That is where your best work is! I am working on a what’s in my toolbox post.

Did you know my coloring book is for sale. Thank you for being here! There is only make.