The Creative Life - Barbara Trovillo

Do you like to read?

I have been an avid reader since a small child. I read anything I could get my hands on, whatever was lying around. My mother subscribed to the Readers' Digest Condensed Book Club. I read them all......"Mommy, what is a concubine?" .......Asked, after reading The Good Earth, by Pearl Buck, at the ripe age of maybe 7? 

One of the joys in life is reading to children. I read mountains of books to my kids and now, have the pleasure, on occasion, to read to our grandchildren. I love these books and the illustrations they contain that help to bring the story alive!

What does all this have to do with anything? The watercolor featured here makes me think of children's books and illustration. Watercolor is often the medium of choice for illustration. 

One of the first things you must learn when starting out with watercolor is how to stretch paper. Water is applied to the paper and it is then taped to a board. When it dries, it will be taut and ready to receive the wet paint without buckling. Some people use a very heavy weighted paper, 300 lbs, which is  almost like board. This does not require stretching. It is expensive, though. I prefer the use of watercolor block. This is watercolor paper that has been glued together on the edges, keeping the paper taut. Normally, I use a cold pressed paper which has a medium rough surface. Many artists like it as it allows the paint to flow in interesting ways. Recently, I made the mistake of ordering a watercolor block of hot pressed paper. Hot pressed paper has a very smooth surface. Initially, I was intimidated and considered sending it back. (Hey, art supplies are not cheap!) Instead, I decided to give it a try. What a fortuitous discovery! I like the control the smooth surface allows and the colors are jewel like!  I'm glad I took a chance.

The Red Ball was inspired by an abandoned garden plot on our property. The pedestal base of a birdbath sits among the weeds. I painted the scene pretty much as it appears, but added the red ball and cardinal at the end. I imagine a little boy amusing himself by tossing the ball in the air. Something catches his eye and he drops it. When his grandfather calls, he runs to him, leaving the ball behind. I wonder what happens next? I guess we will have to wait until the next illustration is done!

Happy Creating! Stay well, Barbara

The earth is waking up! Breathe deeply and listen for the peepers.