JANNA VANDERVEEN
Fiction Author & Artist
Archives
Glazing washes of watercolor (the art of grisaille) involves layering translucent colors to create a range of values that glow. If that sounds easy, guess again. There are days that I feel blind, like a child trying to make sense of letters on a page while learning to read. In truth, I am training my brain to see beyond the obvious, in hopes of interpreting the shadows and tones to enhance the light. Oh to attend a watercolor class by… Read More
Watercolor Painting of Roses in Vase Dabbling with roses With love and with light This paintbrush of prose Births color and life. ~ Janna Vanderveen
Grander earth has quaked beforeMoved by the sound of His voiceSeas that are shaken and stirredCan be calmed and broken for my regard Through it all, through it allMy eyes are on You LordThrough it all, through it allIt is well with me. ~ Kristene DiMarco Reference Photo Inspiration: Heidi from One Girl Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/onegirlphoto/4525231113/in/album-72157623382989087
Our desire to create is fueled by the power of our imagination. We only need to observe a child playing to see that this is true. Take my daughter’s artwork as an example. Within this picture exists a story that only she can explain. If she’d sit still long enough, I’d pick her brain and unravel it, just to share it with you all. But she’s only five and wants to play outside. As a fantasy writer, I… Read More
Watercolor Window and Roses “One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our window today.” ~ Dale Carnegie Reference Photo Inspiration : Larissa O’Duffy: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lariod/3551184572
A Tonal Watercolor Study: Farmhouse in the Dell Fingers of fog, Desecrate lightly The farmhouse in the dell Where silence walks And stone walls talk And darker stories dwell. ~ Janna Vanderveen This watercolor painting of an English cottage is my second assignment in Peter Woolley’s Watercolor For Beginners DVD: Tone and Composition.
A Poem of Thankfulness Your love is everlastingYour arms reach far and wideYou carry me in splendorYou never leave my side Upon your winds of favorYou lift me up to flyYour wings, beloved saviorA shelter in the sky. Your gifts, they fall like raindrops,Your water soothes my soulYou fill my heart with plentyYour grace, it makes me whole ~ Janna Vanderveen
The Robin The north wind doth blow, And we shall have snow, And what will poor robin do then, Poor thing? He’ll sit in a barn, And keep himself warm, And hide his head under his wing, Poor thing! ~ Mother Goose (Click on thumbnail for high-resolution image) Watercolor: Robin in Snow
Craft day is always fun, especially when Grandma is involved. She researched ways to create cabochon/pendant necklaces, purchased all the supplies, and set up the creative day for her grandchildren to attend. I suggested that my kids draw a picture which I’d watercolor. Of all the necklaces they created, these were my favorites! My daughter drew a doghouse with her puppy basking in the son. She also drew a self-portrait. My son drew a hero character with… Read More
“Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13: 12
Sailing somber seas Soft skies encroach muted trees Heavy with sorrow Striving, always striving… Tear drops driving A repeat of tomorrow. ~ Janna Vanderveen
The beauty of the Lord is like a Matryoshka doll. At first glance it is stunning, but a closer look reveals a magnificent multi-layered gift, full of even greater splendor.
Blue shutters and bright red geraniums…I can envision this window along the busy streets of Paris or perhaps the narrow streets of old Quebec. To make this watercolor painting, I followed a watercolor tutorial by John Lovett and used my new birthday present, a paper stretching board by Ken Bromley, to ensure an unbubbled surface. Both the board and the tutorial worked well. I am happy.
MY COMMUNITY
Sweetheart by Janna Etsy Shop
JANNA VANDERVEEN 