What's Going on BEHIND the Painting?

Not sure I've shown you this particular painting but I thought you'd like to see what I painted onto the BACK of my translucent Yupo.  (You DO KNOW that I paint onto the back, don't you??)

I paint sort of random marks on the back.
Then I flip it over and paint on the front.
Then I might flip it back and forth some more till I'm happy with the outcome.

"Backlit Moment II" by Helen K Beacham Fine Art
Watercolor on Yupo - In a Private Collection.

You might also like this related post:

"I paint on both sides...do you?"

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I like breakfast in bed...how about you!?

Those of you that follow my work know that I'm not much of an animal (or bird) painter.  In reality, what caught my eye in this scene were the colors I saw in the water's ripples.  I just LOVE reflections!

"Breakfast" (watercolor on Yupo) - this bird is an Ibis
by Helen K. Beacham Fine Art
Framed size approx. 16"h x 25"w
$750 Available from the artist.

www.helenKbeacham.com

Come paint with me! 

In 2015, we're going to Venice, Niagara Falls, and so on!!!  
Find details HERE

The Artist's Garden

This little painting is the back yard of my artist-friend's gallery in Charleston, SC.  The gallery is called the East Bay Garden Gallery and it's owned by Bill Brand.  One reviewer says: "Great little Charleston gallery! The owner is highly knowledgeable on the history of Charleston and he uses remnants from old buildings and architecture to create his work. Pretty cool :)"

Next time you're in Charleston, stop by and tell Bill I sent you!  And check out his garden...you never know what treasures he's got hiding out there!

p.s.  When I first moved to Charleston 9 years ago, Bill was the first gallery owner to show my work!  My thanks forever.

"The Artist's Garden".  Watercolor on Yupo with pen & ink
by Helen K. Beacham Fine Art
Framed size:  Approx 17"h x 17"w.
Available for $575.

www.helenKbeacham.com

Come paint with me! 

In 2015, we're going to Venice, Niagara Falls, Montreal and so on!!!  
Find details HERE

Colorful Maine in October!

Now that summer's here (!), it's time to think Fall...and what better place to be in the Fall than with me in Maine when I teach you how to capture her glorious, magical colors in Watercolor on Translucent Yupo!

Hiking Trail in Acadia National Park (photo credit: www.AcadiaMagic.com)

I'm teaching a 5-day Translucent Yupo workshop ("TRANSLUCENT MAGIC")  , hosted by Acadia Workshop Center in Bernard, Maine (near Bar Harbor) from October 6-10, 2014.  (Details HERE).

Fishing in Bar Harbor, ME  (photo credit: www.AcadiaMagic.com)

Bass Harbor.  Photo credit: www.AcadiaMagic.com

Every afternoon, when the sun is just right, we'll explore the outdoors, taking lots of good research photos for our paintings.  During the day, we'll paint indoors where we can take advantage of all that the translucent Yupo has to offer.  Want to learn how I paint on both sides of the Yupo?  You won't believe the stunning glow you can achieve by using this technique!

"Spring" (watercolor on Translucent Yupo) by Helen K. Beacham Fine Art (available for purchase).
This is a scene here in Charleston, SC, but imagine using the same technique for Maine's colors!!!

Sign up today and let's make some MAGIC happen!  Once again, details can be found HERE.

Now for more Maine pictures to tease your senses!  Kudos to Greg A. Hartford with www.AcadiaMagic.com for the magical photographs of Bar Harbor, Bernard and Acadia National Park!

Bar Harbor, ME (photo credit: www.AcadiaMagic.com)

Bar Harbor Fog.  Photo credit: www.AcadiaMagic.com.

Bar Harbor Street.  Photo credit: www.AcadiaMagic.com

Cadillac Mountain.  Photo credit: www.AcadiaMagic.com

Cadillac Mountain Sunrise.  Photo credit: www.AcadiaMagic.com

www.helenKbeacham.com

Come paint Montreal, Maine, and Charleston with me in 2014!  

In May 2015, we go back to Venice!!!  Find details HERE.

SEE MY LATEST POST HERE.   

SOLD!

As soon as I posted the painting I was working on (now called "The Doge's Columns), I received an email from one of my collectors saying that she had to have it!  So grateful for my collectors who choose to give my babies new homes!  Here's the finished piece although it's not yet been professionally photographed (so please excuse the quality).  Will get that task done next week.

"The Doge's Columns" by Helen K Beacham - SOLD
Watercolor on Yupo - Unframed size:  12" x 21"

www.helenKbeacham.com

Come paint Maine with me in October 2014.

For details, click HERE.

See my latest post HERE.

From Canada, To Canada!

Want to see one of my all-time favorite paintings!?  I photographed my model while visiting Montreal, Canada a few years back.  She's a friend of my niece's, and they both were good sports when I asked them to either pose or move or emote, while I shot away!  This is not exactly a step-by-step (because I forgot to take pictures along the way), but it does show you the reference photo. 
p.s.  It's ironic (yet fitting) that the reference photo came from Montreal, Canada, and it was a Canadian couple (from the other end of Canada) that ended up buying it at my gallery in Charleston, SC and shipping it all the way back home!

This shows the first layer of paint.  It's watercolor on Yupo.
You may see the finished painting below.

"Pajama Dance" by Helen K Beacham.  SOLD.

Come with me (Helen K. Beacham) and Kelly Medford to paint Venice this October...

Click HERE for details!

SEE MY LATEST POST HERE.

Tippette #22 - Different Surfaces - Different Results

Tippette = Snippet of a Tip (in watercolor).  One per day...during April...right here!  Tell a friend!

Different Surfaces - Different Results

Do you feel stagnant?  Forgive my impertinence, but maybe you need to freshen up!  

If you're always painting on the same watercolor surface, why not challenge yourself to explore what's out there for us watercolor painters to use!?

Here are some of the materials I've painted on, along with examples of my work.

1)  Arches 300# rough paper (cold pressed).  This is my go-to paper.  

"Oak Majesty IV" (watercolor) by Helen K. Beacham - Sold.

2)  Ampersand Aquabord:  I enlarged a section below so you can see the texture you can achieve.  Aquabord is lovely because it's a hard board (you can buy it in various ways including cradled), with the surface treated for watercolor, and you can lift out color very easily with a damp brush.  If I use this surface, I spray it with varnish and frame it without glass.  It IS more expensive than traditional paper.

           
3) Watercolor Canvas - You can easily lift out color from this surface as well.  I spray varnish this canvas and frame it w/o glass.  The drawback is that it comes in standard sizes as for oil painters, which to me is restrictive.  I sometimes like to crop my paintings for extra strength in my composition.

Close Up of unfinished painting (on watercolor canvas) by Helen K Beacham
Can you see the canvas texture in this enlarged version?

4)  Yupo - This is a synthetic material so your paint cannot soak INTO the surface.  The water evaporates, leaving paint on top of the material.  You end up with lots of visible marks and harder edges.  I personally love it, but many artists shy away from it.

"At the End of the Day" (watercolor on Yupo) by Helen K Beacham - Sold.

 5) Rice Paper:  Depending on the type of rice paper, you can get various results.  I love that it always looks so drastically different from traditional papers.  

" Beach Grasses II" by Helen K. Beacham - Available.

Come with Helen K. Beacham and Kelly Medford to paint Venice this October...
TWO Spots Left!
click HERE for details!
www.helenKbeacham.com 

READ MY LATEST POST HERE.

  

"Azalea Impressions"

My newest watercolor on translucent Yupo just got accepted into the 2013 Biennale sponsored by the ART LEAGUE OF HILTON HEAD!  Sweet!

"Azalea Impressions" (watercolor on translucent Yupo) by Helen K. Beacham

Come with Helen K. Beacham and Kelly Medford to paint Venice this October...

click HERE for details!

www.helenKbeacham.com

READ MY LATEST POST HERE

Considering doing an Open House?

www.helenKbeacham.com

Holding a Studio Open House is not for the feint of heart!  I've held them on and off for 25 years so I've got lots (and lots!) of experience.

First and foremost (goes without saying), unclutter and reorganize your studio space (start early!).  Every time I put this much effort into cleaning up my studio, I uncover "surprises" I had forgotten about.  I came across a painting I had started and tucked away, unfinished.  The smile that crossed my face makes me think that one's gonna get finished now!

I have 4 grandchildren who each have a corner of my cottage as their own.  I share my studio with my  1.5 yr old who has a portable crib up there, along with all the other paraphernalia that comes with a young one.  (Don't worry...I don't use solvents, only water-based pigments, so no dangerous fumes to contend with.)  But all of his "things" had to be removed/hidden (then it all has to be pulled back out, of course).  Maybe I should have left the crib set up, with a painting or two displayed in it!

This is what greeted my guests as they came onto the front porch.  I invited MARIGOLDS (for the Home, Garden & Soul) to sprinkle my house with their many beautiful treasures that add such character and warmth to a home..perfect for gift-giving.  It made the event that much more special!  Thanks, Marigolds!

"The Reveal" (acrylic by moi) along with treasures from Marigolds.

One corner of my studio was set up to show all of my various works-in-progress.  I was able to discuss traditional 300# ARCHES PAPER versus WATERCOLOR CANVAS versus YUPO.  I also love AMPERSAND AQUABORD.

Another work-in-progress.  This time, an acrylic on canvas (Tuscany).  I was excited to see one of my collectors light up when she saw this one.  I agreed to let her have "first right of refusal"!  I imagine this one will get my earliest painting attention now!

Anne Peterson (left) 

I've been mentoring Anne Peterson (in watercolor painting) for the last several months.  When she started as my student a couple of years ago, I knew she was someone special.  While holding a full time job, she dedicates precious time to her art, always striving to improve.  I invited Anne to show two of her paintings at my Open House...we got such good feedback about her work!  Here's a closeup of one of her paintings:

"Around the Bend" by Anne Peterson.
Available for purchase by contacting me!

Lastly, while cleaning out my studio, I set aside a large amount of art instruction books that I've enjoyed over the years but was now willing to part with.  Artists who visited the Open House had a chance to add them to their library.

All in all, a lot of work goes into setting up such an event.  But, boy, it was well worth it!  (and my house is now already cleaned and ready for the rest of the holidays!!!)  Mark your calendars for next year!

See you at next year's Studio Open House!  Happy Holidays, everyone!

www.helenKbeacham.com

Read my latest post!

Entering Contests

Every now and then (and not often enough), I slow down and take the time to enter contests.  I'm too used to taking my work to my galleries and showing them for sale.  Lately, I'm trying to make myself do some inner reflections, and narrow down my work to my very best pieces.  Then I take professional images of them and send them off into cyberspace where they will be juried and judged by "often-unknown" judges.  You "offer them up" and then you wait...and wait...and wait.  And just when you've forgotten all about this episode in your life, you get "the call" (or the email) that lets you know it was all worth it!  And, if you never get the call, you've already forgotten about the whole thing anyway!  Until next time, when you once again slow down your life to start the whole process again.  This time, I'm entering "Pajama Dance".  I took the painting to a show recently and, based on strong reactions from both women AND men, I'm giving this one a shot!  Hurry up, December results! (And for those of you in the Summerville, SC area, I will display this piece during Art Central Gallery's 13th Anniversary Party on Third Thursday - Oct 20).

"Pajama Dance" (watercolor on Yupo) by Helen K. Beacham