ArtByAnna

Painting and Drawing

In the fall of 2013 I attended a drawing class at a local community college. Several years later I created the very first piece of art I was confident enough with to gift to my Granddaughter.
My most recently completed projects appear first.  

Roseman Bridge
Madison County IA

The painting based on a photo we took in the summer of 2021 on the way to the Mississippi River is now complete.  Roseman Bridge was made famous in the movie Bridges of Madison County.

Completed 11/14/2022. 
In progress 11/2/2022.

Roseman Bridge
Madison County IA

The painting is progressing.

In progress 11/2/2022.

Roseman Bridge
Madison County IA

This sketch is based on a photo taken in the summer of 2021 of the Roseman Bridge made famous in the movie Bridges of Madison County.
 
In progress 11/2/2022.

Roseman Bridge
Madison County IA

In the summer of 2021 we took a road trip to the Mississippi River.  Along the way we stopped at the covered bridges in Madison County, Iowa. 

In progress 11/2/2022.

And, We Said To Ourselves, What a Wonderful Life 

Completed 11/5/2022.
In progress 10/27/2022.


And, We Said To Ourselves, What a Wonderful Life 

My next project taking shape.    

In progress 10/27/2022.


And We Said To Ourselves, What a Wonderful Life 

My next painting will be based on this photo of Black Lake.   We had just ridden our bikes to this spot at Vail Pass and this gorgeous lake was there to welcome us.

In progress 10/272022.

The Watcher 

We were skiing in Taos NM with our friend Vivian in February of 2022.

As we swooshed down one of the runs a resort photographer yelled out Number 7. He had captured Vivian in full motion and form. And, there I was in the corner of the photo.

For the remainder of our trip I was known as The Watcher.

Updated 10/20/2022.
In progress 10/09/2022.

The Watcher 

The painting has begun.  

Updated 10/10/2022.
In progress 10/09/2022.

The Watcher 

This sketch is completed. 

Updated 10/10/2022.
In progress 10/09/2022.

The Watcher 

This next painting will be based on this photo taken in Taos NM on 2/8/2022 of me and my friend Vivian.

In progress 10/09/2022.

Cousins

We undertook a road trip to visit grandchildren and other family members in the summer of 2022. This painting is based on a photo taken at dinner one evening during our visit.

Completed 10/9/2022.  
In progress 9/28/2022.  

Cousins

The painting (rough start) has begun.       
Updated 10/3/2022.
In progress 9/28/2022.  

Cousins

The sketch is completed!   

Updated 10/1/2022  
In progress 9/28/2022.  

Cousins

This sketch is based on a photo taken during a family gathering in the summer of 2022.      

In progress 9/28/2022.  

Cousins

We undertook a road trip to visit grandchildren and other family members in the summer of 2022.  This photo was taken at dinner one evening.  This photo will be the basis of a painting entitled Cousins.      

In progress 9/28/2022.  

Her First Greenhouse

This painting was inspired by a photo taken in May of 2021 of my daughter's first greenhouse.  She has always loved plants and had always wanted a greenhouse.  This is her first greenhouse but not her last. 

Number Three in my Peace in the Garden Collection.  

In progress 12/31/2021.
Completed 1/6/2022.  

Her First Greenhouse

In progress 12/31/2021.
Updated 1/3/2022. 

Her First Greenhouse

In progress 12/31/2021.
Updated 1/1/2022. 

Her First Greenhouse

In progress 12/31/2021. 

Her First Greenhouse

This photo is of my daughter's first (but not last) greenhouse.  She has always loved plants and has always wanted a greenhouse.  My next painting in my Peace in the Garden Collection will be based on this photo taken in May of 2021.  

In progress 12/31/2021. 

French Countryside  

What is more quintessentially French than an easel strapped onto a bike in the French Countryside!  This painting is based on a photo taken on September 4, 2011 while we were on a barging trip on a canal in France.  

Acrylic paint and ink on canvas panel.  

In progress 12/21/2021
Completed 12/28/2021

French Countryside  


In progress 12/21/2021
Updated - almost done 12/28/2021


French Countryside  


In progress 12/21/2021
Updated 12/26/2021


French Countryside  


In progress 12/21/2021


French Countryside

This photo was taken on September 4, 2011 while on a barging trip on a canal in France.  What is more quintessentially French than an easel strapped onto a bike in the French Countryside!

This will be my next painting.  

In progress 12/21/2021


Maine Colors

Who doesn't love the changing colors of leaves?    This painting is based upon a photo taken in Maine while there in October of 2018.  

Acrylic paint on canvas board.  

In progress 1/20/2022.
Completed 1/31/2022. 

Maine Colors

Who doesn't love the changing colors of leaves?    

In progress 1/20/2022.
Updated 1/23/2022. 

Maine Colors

Who doesn't love the changing colors of leaves?    

In progress 1/20/2022.
Updated 1/21/2022. 

Maine Colors

In progress 1/20/2022. 

Maine Colors

Who doesn't love the changing colors of leaves?    My next painting will be based on this photo was taken in Maine in October of 2018.  

In progress 1/20/2022.

Migrating Monarch
Golden, Colorado

This painting is based upon a photo taken in October of 2021.  We were biking in the town of Golden and spotted this migrating Monarch butterfly.

Number Two in my Peace in the Garden Collection.  
Acrylic paint on canvas panel.  
In progress 11/14/2021
Completed 12/11/2021

Migrating Monarch Golden, Colorado

In progress 11/14/2021
Updated 12/10/2021

Migrating Monarch Golden, Colorado

In progress 11/14/2021
Updated 12/2/2021

Migrating Monarch Golden, Colorado

In progress 11/14/2021

Migrating Monarch Golden, Colorado

This photo was taken in October of 2021 while biking in the town of Golden and stumbling upon migrating Monarch butterflies. 

Maine
October 2018

This painting is based upon a photo taken in Maine during October of 2018. There is nothing better to refresh the mind and soul than to drive through Maine in the fall when the leaves are changing colors.

This painting is Number Six in my Trees That Speak to Me Collection. 

Completed 09/03/2021.
Acrylic paints on canvas board.  

Maine
October 2018

In Progress 8/26/2021.  

Maine
October 2018

This photo was taken in Maine during October of 2018 and is my inspiration for Number Six in my Collection Trees That Speak to Me.  

In Progress 8/26/2021.  

Highline Canal Trail
May 2021

This painting is based upon a photo taken while riding bikes along the Highline Canal Trail in May of 2021. On this particular day my husband and I were celebrating our upcoming anniversary with a bike ride to one of our favorite restaurants from the "before times".

Number Five in my Trees That Speak to Me Collection.

Completed 08/24/2021 
Acrylic paints on canvas board.  

Highline Canal Trail
May 2021

Inspiration struck after a quick bike ride today along the canal. 
 
In Progress 8/15/2021

Highline Canal Trail Photo

This photo was taken along the Highline Canal Trail in May of 2021. 

My Brother's Back Yard

The last time I visited my brother’s home was in 2019. I recall that when I walked into his backyard I was immediately transported into a peaceful calm. He and his wife have created a sanctuary best viewed from their screened in back porch. This painting is based upon photos sent to me from my brother in May of 2021.

My Brother’s Backyard has inspired me to create a collection of paintings called “Peace In The Garden”.

Completed 5/30/2021.  

My Brother's Back Yard

Painting in Progress May 2021. 

My Brother's Back Yard

Photos from my brother of his back yard in May 2021.  

Borghese Gallery April 2017

In April 2017 we took a Road Scholar led trip to Italy. This painting is based upon a photo taken in Rome at the Borghese Gardens. I love the look of the the fruit trees in pots.

Number Four in my Trees That Speak to Me Collection. 

Completed 5/19/2021.  

Borghese Gallery April 2017

Painting in progress 5/2/2021 and updated 5/9/2021.  

Borghese Gallery Photo

This photo was taken in Rome at the Borghese Gardens in April of 2017.  I love the look of the the fruit trees in pots.    
  

Iceland
April 2011 

This painting is based upon a photo taken on vacation in Iceland in April 2011. We were told by locals that the country lost most of its trees more than a thousand years ago, when Viking settlers took their axes to the forests to build boats, houses and use trees for fuel. At that time trees covered one-quarter of the countryside

Painting Three in my Trees That Speak To Me Collection. 

Acrylic paint and markers on canvas board.

Completed 5/4/2021.  

Iceland
April 2011 

Painting in progress 4/28/2021 and updated 5/2/2021.   

Iceland 

This photo was taken on vacation in Iceland in April 2011.  

Painting in progress 4/28/2021. 

Whidbey Island
May 2016

This painting is based upon a photo taken at the Bayview Farm and Garden shop on Whidbey Island in Washington state in May of 2016. We were on vacation to visit my childhood friend Tammy whom I had not seen in 20+ years and to visit a B&B owned by a former work colleague of my husband. We happened upon this garden shop and were shocked and amazed at the beauty of this arbor.

Painting Two in my Trees That Speak To Me Collection.

Acrylic paint on canvas board.

Completed 4/20/2021.  

Whidbey Island
May 2016

Painting in progress 4/14/2021. 

Laburnum Tree Arbor  

This arbor photo was taken at the Bayview Farm and Garden shop on Whidbey Island in Washington state in May of 2016.  

 Williamsburg
July 2017


This line drawing is based on a photo I took during a family vacation to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia in July of 2017.

Can you even imagine the stories this tree has to tell?

Painting One in my Trees That Speak to Me Collection.

Line drawing on card stock.  
 
Completed 03/26/2021.  

Colonial Williamsburg Photo

I love this tree!  This photo was taken during a family vacation to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia in July of 2017.  


David and Nell

Final framed for gifting.

Completed 12/2020 using acrylic paint and art markers on canvas panel. 

In Progess 

Sanity check before I finish!

In Progess 

I am not very happy with the shirts and may change the color...stay tuned.
12/2020 Update

In Progress

It is starting to take shape!

In Progress

The sketch has been re-drawn onto a canvas panel.  I will be using acrylic paints and probably art markers for the small areas such as eyes. Wish me luck on the eyes - eyes are hard.   


 In Progress 

So, IF you know this couple, please don't tell them they are going to get a painting for a Christmas present this year!

Christmas Present in Progress 

I still need to work a little on the tilt of her head.  For portraits it helps me to place the photo I am working from next to my drawing to see if I have captured the essence of the individual.  

Creation started 10/2020 using pencil on sketchpad paper.  


No Show 2020 

Using the concept in my original sketch, I created this 9x12 painting on canvas.  

This original is proudly hanging in my art nook / studio.  

Created 08/2020 using acrylic paints and art markers on a canvas panel.  

No Show 2020 Print

An 18x24 print is matted and framed in a place of honor in our home beside prior year film festival posters.  The frame was purchased from webpictureframes.com and the matted print was ordered from nationsphotolab.com.   

NoShow 2020 Refrigerator Magnet

On my refrigerator there is a magnet for each year that we have attended the film festival.  My No Show 2020 painting obviously needed to be made into a magnet and added to the collection.  Bayphoto.com did a fabulous job!


Telluride Film Festival
No Show 2020

For many years my husband and I (and sometimes friends) have attended the annual film festival in Telluride Colorado. Due to COVID the show did not go on in 2020. Missing the annual tradition that is so dear to our hearts, I created this sketch based upon our photos of prior year Telluride Film Festivals.

Created 8/2020 using pencil on sketchpad paper.    

Telluride Film Festival Photos

This prior year photo was used as a basis for the No Show 2020 sketch.  

Telluride Film Festival Photos

This prior year photo of the front of the Chuck Jones Cinema in Telluride was used as a basis for the No Show 2020 sketch. 

 

RBG

Created on 9/18/2020 (the date of Ruth's death) using acrylic paint on a wood panel.  

Tree 

I love trees, especially old trees.  The stories they could tell!

Created 8/2020 using acrylic paints on canvas paper.  

Inside Looking Out

This painting was intended to be a Plein Air Painting.  But on the day I planned to set up outside to paint, wildfire smoke from the fires burning in the west was wafting through the air.  So I set up my easel in the living room and painted this inside looking out.  

Created 08/2020 using acrylic paints on canvas paper.  

Barn Quilt Block 

Each of our unique blocks are displayed on our homes (since we do not have barns). My block is shown above and proudly hangs on my front porch.

Created 06/2019 using acrylic paints on wood block. 

Creation started 10/2020 using pencil and sketch pad.  

And,

the Quilt Block complements the tiered plate wall hanging I created which is also on my porch.  Funny story - one day the doorbell rang and the FedEx delivery person just wanted to let me know that the wall hanging reminded her of her grandmother who used to have this same Jewel Tea dish collection.  She left the porch with a smile on her face!  

Barn Quilt Block 

My Quilt Group decided we would each paint a Barn Quilt Block to create a Quilt Trail in our neighborhood.  Kinda as a subtle "secret society" thing.  

I knew my block would be a Log Cabin Block but it took me some doodling to decide on design and colors.  

The first official quilt trail was begun in 2001 in Adams County, Ohio. Donna Sue Groves wanted to honor her mother, Maxine, a noted quilter, with a painted quilt square on the family's barn in Manchester, Ohio.  


Barn Quilt Block

I settled on painting the Hall Jewel Tea Autumn Leaf Pattern for my block.  This pattern is dear to my heart and you will see the pattern in some of my other art projects.    

Botanic Gardens 

A pop of color was added to highlight the flowers.  And the sketch is still a work in progress.  

Created 03/2018 using pencil on sketchpad paper.  

Botanic Gardens 

The sketch continued to evolve and her features became more realistic.  

Created 03/2018 using pencil on sketchpad paper.   

Botanic Gardens 

I love this photo of my granddaughter at a botanic gardens visit.  The sketches never quite captured the essence of the moment. 

Created 03/2018 using pencil on sketchpad paper.  

Tulips

This is the finished product including vase and table.

Created 02/2018 using watercolors on sketchpad paper.    

Tulips

I began to experiment with watercolors.  The real tulip is on the right and my painted tulip is on the left.  This was not too bad for my first attempt with watercolors.

Created 02/2018 using watercolors on sketchpad paper.  

Succulents in Window

This watercolor was freehand without a photo or prop to guide me.  I was attempting to work on perspective and then decided to include plants in the window.  

Created 02/2018 using watercolors on sketchpad paper.  

Tree

My first attempt to paint a tree did not get as realistic of a look as I would like.  But it was a start. 

Created 02/2018 using watercolors on sketchpad paper.    

Butterfly

This butterfly was created using Corel Painter software.  The program has huge potential and I need to find time to explore the capabilities more fully.  

Created 02/2018 with Corel Painter.  

Tree

The tree painting was created using Corel Painter software.  I really liked the effect I achieved for the leaves and bark.  

Created 02/2018 with Corel Painter.  

Fairy Granddaughter


The drawing was completed and gifted to her in January of 2016.  


Fairy Granddaughter 

The photo at the top of this sketch is of my granddaughter and was taken during an outing to the zoo.  The look on her face in this photo just spoke to me.  This was my first real painting attempt. 

Created 01/2016 using colored pencils on sketchpad paper.        

Mother and Son 

This is the final version of Mother and Son which was gifted to them.  Although the drawing shows the love I put into it, I feel it did not fully capture their essence.  I am finding that it takes a lot of time to capture facial features.  

Created 01/2016 using pencils and sketchpad paper.    

Mother and Son 

The photo to the right is of my grandson and his mother.  The start of the sketch showed promise but a baby's face for me was very difficult to capture.  

Created 01/2016 using pencils and sketchpad paper.  

Oh That Face! 

It is such a treat when I receive text photos of my children and grandchildren.  How could I not try to draw that face!  

Created 02/2015 using pencil on sketchpad paper.  

Breadbox

Here is a full view of the breadbox.  

Breadbox

The result gave me confidence to continue in my painting endeavors.  

Breadbox 

I had a spot in my kitchen that called out for a breadbox.  My endeavor to buy one on eBay with the Jewel Tea Autumn Leaf pattern was not successful.  Most of the ones listed were rusted and in poor condition.  So I did the next best thing.  I purchased a metal breadbox from an antique store, spray painted it and hand painted the pattern.  

Created 11/2015 using acrylics.  

Pitcher 

The sketch progressed with some added color.  

Pitcher

After taking a drawing class in 2013, I began to play with sketching items in my home.  

Created 2013 using pencil on sketchpad paper.  

Tea Pitcher 

I have many pieces of the Hall China Jewel Tea Autumn Leaf collection.  Some pieces I purchased at estate sales and some of my favorite pieces were gifts to me over the years.

This pattern is dear to me.  I first saw a pitcher like this many, many years ago in the kitchen of a family member.  Helen's was an original and she used it to brew tea.  In my mind I can still see it sitting on her kitchen counter.       

Still

Created 2013 using pencil and sketchpad paper.  

Miniature Pumpkins

Created 2013 using pencil and sketchpad paper.  

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