Viviva colorsheets

 Several weeks ago I received a new product to test and review, the Viviva color sheets and sketch book. Although I'm still recovering from cancer treatments and haven't returned to a full working schedule, I still didn't find the time to test them until today. I'm so glad I did! I'm having a fabulous time, playing with the pigments and filling up sketchbook pages! 

These new Viviva color sheets are perfect for traveling. They offer two palettes in book form, Original and Spring. The Spring includes a selection of metallic/iridescent colors. Each palette "book" contains 16 colors and includes a mixing area, yet it weighs almost nothing -- only a little more than an ounce -- which makes it an ideal choice for air travelers or just to keep in a pocket for painting anytime, anywhere. 

I was amazed at how saturated the pigments are on these sheets, there is easily enough paint to fill several sketchbooks with paintings! The company claims that one book of 16 colors is equal to a set of 16 half pans, and from my experience that would appear to be correct. I can't imagine some of these pigment being so intense, and I suspect there may be dyes involved as well as pigments. Whatever the case, the paint is formulated to quickly reconstitute with water which makes it easy to use. These have become a new favorite of mine, and will go with me everywhere. 

Paired with a small sketchbook (the 4x6 Viviva sketchbook is perfect!) and a water brush, it's everything I need for a day of colorful creativity. I highly recommend it!

The 4x6 Viviva sketchbook contains medium weight cold pressed paper and is perfect for water based media. The Viviva color sheet books fit nicely inside, making it a compact and very practical painting kit. 

UPDATE!! 

I'm going to be offering a special promotion of these in a few weeks, so be sure to check back!

more new paintings!

 Here's a few recent paintings from my studio... 

Cooling my Heels, 9x12 watercolor 

This is painted on the new Collections cold pressed watercolor paper from Hahnemuehle. The 140# paper is bright white and has wonderful texture.

Weary Traveler, 12 x 16 watercolor

I painted this one on the Hahnemuehle Cezanne 140# CP paper.

Staying close, 12x9 watercolor

Also painted on the Hahnemuehle Collections paper.

Get Well Soon, 12x9 watercolor

My students in New Jersey recently sent this wonderful bouquet of flowers to me. The blooms lasted several weeks, and it was fun to paint while I was recovering from the cancer treatments. This is also painted on the Hahnemuehle Collections paper, this time using the 140# Rough.

Out of the Darkness, 12x9 watercolor

This one is painted on the Hahnemuehle Leonardo paper, which is a luxurious 300# surface. Although more expensive, heavy weight papers are much easier to work on and I prefer them over 140# papers. 

Notice the pattern? Yep, all are painted on various watercolor papers from Hahnemuehle, my favorite paper manufacturer. All were also painted with my favorite watercolor paints from Sennelier, using my favorite Water Lily line of brushes from Dynasty Brush. 

I could use other materials. I could use ANY materials. But I only use the absolute best. 

Plein Air in New Jersey

 I had a great weekend of painting with friends in the Olde Stone Village Plein Air in Sewell, New Jersey this weekend. 

Annie Strack painting en plein air

The weather was lovely in the morning but a sudden rain after lunch shortened the event, so I only did one painting.

Smoke house, 8x10 oil

It was fun to hang out with friends again, and I always enjoy painting with my dear friend Yvonne Mucci, who lives in New Jersey. 

Annie Strack painting with Yvonne Mucci

I also finished another studio painting of koi, and I've already entered this one in a juried show. Wish me luck!

Le Grande Amore, 12x16 watercolor

May news

 

Toes in the Sand, Watercolor by Annie Strack

I'm thrilled to learn that my painting "Toes in the Sand" won the Ampersand Merit Award at the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society's 2021 International Juried Biennial Exhibit! 

Last week I was invited to paint en plein air at Winterthur as part of their Daffodils and Wine celebration. It was my first outing in over a year, and I had a marvelous time. 

It was a warm sunny day and I painted two watercolors while enjoying the weather. 

I also recently finished this pen and watercolor in my Hahnemuhle Carnet de Voyage sketchbook...

Kuerner Farmhouse, 6x9 ink and watercolor by Annie Strack

and I just got this certificate of Signature Status in the mail from the Western Colorado Watercolor Society -- this is my 20th Signature in an artist society! 

Later this month, I'll be going traveling over to Olde Stone Village in New Jersey for a plein air painting event. I'm also almost ready to start teaching again, and I'll be posting a new class and workshop schedule soon.