The falling leaves

This is my first blog post.

"The falling leaves drift past my window, the falling leaves of red and gold."- Lyrics by Johnny Mercer

Modern Geisha

The Modern Geisha poster was created in Adobe Illustrator. The fan was modeled after a Chinese brush painting given to me by Mrs. Kao. The model is peeking from behind her fan, the palm fronds and the black border to add to the mystery of the scene.

The Blue-jay and the Pine

The sketch is done with a ballpoint pen. The tree is as alive as the blue jay. It's branches have rhythm. They are reminiscent of human limbs and hands. The bird and tree sing together in the breeze.

The Bridge at CU Boulder

The campus at CU Boulder is so beautiful. This watercolor was done en plein air.The water mirrors the beauty above it. The reflections represent our emotions or spirit. It represents a bridge between ephemeral and physical.

A Few of My Favorite Things

This is an unfinished watercolor of some jam jars, candles, chocolate bars, spices, cake decorating topping, tea, an enamel heart box, and an iron antelope sculpture. The heart box was a gift from my mother. The sculpture was a gift from my brother John. Most of these were bought at the World Market In Boulder, Colorado. I love the beautifully designed labels and packaging.

Watercolor Brushes

Watercolor Brushes
Brushes are are an extension of your hand.
They glide across the page, distributing the paint.
Color blooms in the water.

The Art of Joseph Archer

My grandfather, Joseph Alexander Archer studied art at the Sorbonne in France around 1917. He lived for a while in California, where he met my grandmother. He married her and moved to a farm in Raleigh, Indiana. He raised five children.They are from oldest to youngest: Rozza, Joseph, Arabella, Jacquelin and Dorcas (Duckie). He moved to Rushville, Indiana and worked as a sign painter and artist for the rest of his life. He was a talented artist and a superb draftsman. He painted in oil, watercolor, and gauche. He also carved in wood, sculpted in clay and created mosaics. He died in 1968. The farm is still in the family. It is owned and run by his son Joseph Graves Archer.