This little birdie expresses my sentiments exactly. Just as little time creating at my sewing machine puts me in my happy place–something I haven’t had time to do a lot of lately.
As with my last post, I’ve playing with the color on the computer. The above painting is the original. Below is the computer enhanced version. I do kind of like the brighter colors which I can’t seem to create as well with watercolor. 
Which do you like best?
Here’s the drawing I made a couple of weeks ago. I painted it with watercolors and then played around with the exposure, and added some boarders on the computer.
The Flowers that Be by pamelajeannestudio.com
Got up before dawn this morning to the sound of rain. Kind of unusual for Las Vegas. After studying for tomorrow’s Sunday School lesson, I was in the mood to paint. So while listening to a quilting podcast and downing a few Girl Scout cookies ( the lemon ones are surprisingly good!), I got to work. Life is good.
This little drawing is based on antique needlework patterns. I added a fabric texture in Ipiccy–don’t know if you can tell. Though my brushwork is a little messy, I like how it turned out. And it was much faster than needle-turn applique!
This one needed some sprucing up. Special effects via PicMonkey.
Before I ventured into art, I taught elementary music. I am a proponent of the “Orff” method of music education which combines movement, percussion instruments, speech and song. I completed my 3rd level of Orff training (named for Carl Orff, a German composer) last summer and now I am Orff certified! Making music with kids is quite fun.
I made this little poster for music teachers who are also into “Orff”. You can find it in my Teachers Pay Teachers store, “Classroom Doodles”, here.
For you Orff teachers out there.
I have often read about Copic markers on various art blogs. So when I was in an art supply store recently, I decided to make the investment in a new media to see what they were all about. I love the saturated color.
Original Art by Pam Schoessow. 11×14 on paper
I’m in Las Vegas for a few weeks helping out my Mom. I have a lot of down time so I have been filling up a sketchbook with doodles. Thought I would finally try out some gel pens I got for Christmas. Having fun with color. Adding words to my doodles seems to be my favorite thing lately.
This cat duo looks surprised to be interrupted during their jam session. Despite that, they make beautiful music together!
original watercolor 4 x4 mini art by Pam Schoessow
The collages are so fun, I had to make more than one!
Making Music Collage by Pam Schoessow
Just Cats Collage
Just Cats Collage by Pam Schoessow
Red Sax Collage
Red Sax Collage by Pam Schoessow
I was going to title this “Yay! I’m done!” , but this title is probably more appropriate. I painted this quickly, and unfortunately, it shows. But I am off to a three day quilt retreat this morning! Fun! I have put my paints away for another day. So now I have completed 5 of Leslie’s 30 paintings in 30 day’s challenges, and I have been able to complete each one. Granted, I am not doing fine art–so it’s much easier. I have enjoyed all the other art, especially from Karin, Sandy, Sheila, Sea, Cindy, Susan and so many others. And all the positive comments I received really kept me going, especially when I didn’t feel much like an artist at all. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your support.
So today’s painting is really a doodle that I added some song lyrics to. Sing was popularized by Karen Carpenter back in the 70’s, but I guess it’s really a Sesame Street song. Though I was too old to have ever watched Sesame Street as a kid, I did acquire a SS songbook. I love this song and especially the lyrics. I truly believe there is joy to be had in the very act of singing. It really doesn’t matter if you think you have a good voice or not. Just SING!
Sing a Song watercolor on paper 7″ x 7″ by Pam Schoessow
These birds want to sing, but there’s no one to play!
Acappella Birdies by Pam Schoessow watercolor on paper
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Something different today. I needed to take a little break from the animals, but we are still making music!
Sax Serenade 8″ x 8″ watercolor on board by Pam Schoessow
Even a skunk can make sweet sounds!
original watercolor on paper by Pam Schoessow
The clarinet was my first real instrument (I did dabble a little on piano and recorder before that, but does that count?) Anyway, when I joined band in 4th grade (age 9) I originally wanted to play the trumpet, but that only lasted a couple of weeks. I was highly discouraged by the band director. This was the 60’s and I guess girls did NOT play brass instruments! So I took the trumpet back to the music store and they suggested a clarinet, so that’s was I learned to play.
I quite enjoyed the clarinet, but my 3 older brothers, for some reason, didn’t appreciate the “beautiful” sounds I was making. They insisted that whenever I practiced, I had to go into my parents room and shut the door, go into their bathroom, shut the door and turn on the fan. Then I was allowed to practice–sitting on the toilet! But I stuck with it despite all that and played clarinet through elementary school, high school and college.
I still pull it out occasionally. I even played a solo a couple of years ago in church. Those things you begin in childhood just stick with you.
Today, Kenneth is playing one of the coolest drums in the percussion family. Kettledrum is another name for Timpani . Today they are commonly used in orchestras and concert bands . It consists of a skin called a head stretched over a large bowl traditionally made of copper. Besides making a cool deep sound, these drums are special because they are pitched–meaning they can play different notes!
The kettledrum apparently originated in the Middle East, but its age is not known with certainty. The earliest known pictures of large, deep kettledrums date from 12th-century Mesopotamia.
Kettledrums spread with Islamic culture through Africa, Central and South Asia, and Europe. In these areas they are often associated with trumpets as symbols of royal power and status. They are usually played in pairs, with the two drums tuned to different pitches.
Now you know!
original watercolor by Pam Schoessow
Violet is back, but now she has a backup band! The Cat Fraternity Percussion Ensemble is pleased to perform with her. That’s Tori on triangle, Milo on maracas, Connor on cowbell, Sheldon on soprano xylophone, and new comer Bob on bass. They are having a great time playing this gig.
Violet Plays with the Boys original watercolor on paper by Pam Schoessow
original watercolor on paper by Pam Schoessow Making Music Series
original watercolor on paper 3″ x 5″ by Pam Schoessow Making Music Series
original watercolor on paper by Pam Schoessow Making Music Series
Owls are quite adept at a number of instruments.
original watercolor by Pam Schoessow
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