Watercolors by Celia Blanco

I am honored  to have been invited  by my friend, Debbie Nolan, to take part in a Blog Hop Around the World . We share many common interests: watercolors and sketching foremost. I love visiting her blog, View from Harmony Hills ,  where she shares her thoughts and photos of her beautiful country life.  I love the sense of peace I get when reading her posts and am constantly inspired by her photos and words. Please pay her a visit, if you haven't already. She will surely give you the warmest of welcomes! I have chosen to tag my friend and watercolor artist Carmella Tuliszewski from the blog Watercolor Works . She paints beautifully vibrant paintings with an incredible eye for detail and composition. She is currently participating in Leslie Saeta's 30 day challenge, recently having been nominated a signature member of the Philadelphia Watercolor Society. There is no doubt she is a particularly talented lady, please do make her acquaintance.   Here are the answers to the &qu

 Yellow Peppers watercolor on paper 28 x 20 cm./ 11" x 8 " I hope everyone had a nice summer/ winter (for those of you in the southern hemisphere). I have worked a lot in my sketchbook despite not sharing much of what is in it. The sketches led me to paint these peppers. I was attracted by the varying cold and warm yellows in the peppers and the plate itself makes for an interesting play of light with the colors. I love to paint what surrounds me. Thanks for taking interest in my work!

I have been very busy these past two weeks. I've tried to organize myself in a way to still find time to sketch. If I have my sketching supplies at hand, I try to put something down even if I finish it later. I spent an hour waiting at the health office just to pick up some paper work... by luck I had brought my sketching supplies!  I painted the fruit stand across the street. The first one I  first drew out, then added the black ink.The second page was drawn immediately with marker. When I went home, I added the watercolor. Cars are not my forte... People waiting do not stay still, constantly looking left then right, it is a challenge to get a likeness. I try to fix one side then hope to catch them again when they are in the same position. One of these days I will go up and ask them to...please stop moving!!!  I love the long roots of these fresh white onions. I would like to incorporate some calligraphy but feel rather shy about it, hence the small

"Monte Prena and Monte Camicia" "Wildflowers" "Alpine Geraniums" waiting it out  in the car  wild flowers I love this dramatic picture my husband took The most incredible bowl of beans on earth! Gran Sasso National Park is situated in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is off the beaten path as far as mass tourism is concerned but a beautiful place worth visiting. It is one of the largest protected areas in Europe, the majestic mountain massif dominates the landscape and is the highest mountain in continental Italy south of the Alps. (information taken from Wikipedia) We stayed there last week and savored the wonders Mother Nature offers. I painted a few paintings in my sketchbook, but I mostly enjoyed the overall beauty of this incredible place. In any case, a trip anywhere in Italy is always a wonderful gastronomic experience. This region is particularly well endowed. It has superlative wines, meat and dairy pro

 sketch of a copper pitcher and plant on Cartiera Magnani hot press paper I am more into the summer feeling now with the present month. Days are busy, my girls are home, out of school, there is much activity at home. I love the longer days summer brings even if I feel like I have a difficult time getting into the mindset for painting. Working in my sketchbook is offering me with a great alternative. I feel like it is an easy thing to grab my sketchbook and set up my supplies. I don't have a formal work space at home, this way I am not in anyone's way. I have also organized a dedicated art supply pouch just for my sketchbook. Like this I will always have everything I need at hand.  I love the immediacy and free feeling of working in a sketchbook. If a painting doesn't work or if I don't manage to finish it, I just turn the page. Enjoy your long summer days! Who's eating the last cupcake? Green tea brewing Sandwhich  on fancy plate

Spaghetti Sketch  watercolor on Garza Papel paper  20x14 cm.  180 grs The inspiration for this sketch came from last night's dinner. I thought it would be a fun way to practice my negative painting technique. This particular dish is with capers and anchovies...quick, easy and delicious... I worked from a photograph I took before eating my dinner, my memory isn't that good. I wish everyone a nice and creative week!

Shady Business watercolor on Fabriano paper 23 x 30.5cm / 9" x 12" Available  The inspiration for this painting came from a photograph I took last summer as I waited for a bus. A striking character came along with a stack of colorful cowboy style hats for sale. He plopped them on the ground in front of him, naturally yelling out "Due euro" ( two euros) every few seconds. I couldn't help but watch him as he provided a little comical relief from my endless waiting. I discreetly snapped a photo as he looked the other way, he seemed rather impatient to sell his hats and did not stop looking around nervously. I love the long shadows the sun makes at that early hour, I wished to portray the sense of chaos of the busy street corner. ********* I was very happy to hear your sketchbook stories! In case any one is interested, I would like to share the link I found helpful in making my Coptic sketchbook . I find her instructions very clear and I sub