Eagle Over Mountains – a birthday celebration

March 7, 2023March 7, 2023 | Gisele

My sweetheart just had a big birthday this past weekend, and I know how much he loves bald eagles – they are, unquestionably, his patronus. I know as a beginner painter I am likely to make big mistakes when trying to paint…well…basically anything, but I truly liked how this one turned out.

I love to gift my people with cards that are meaningful to them, and that bring some sort of reference or symbology to what we are celebrating.

What should I paint next? Any suggestions for Easter? That would be fun!

Have a wonderful week,

Gisele

Valentine’s Day Card – Sparkly Winter Color Hearts

February 15, 2023July 27, 2023 | Gisele

Hope you had a fun V-Day! I did, and also painted a small card for my sweetheart.

I love mixing up the bright cold tones with gold sparkly details. The contrast adds so much life to it!

@gisele.gallery
V-Day card 💙 #watercolor #watercolorpainting #watercolorcards
♬ Paradise – Ikson

You can follow me on TikTok for some video content as well: @gisele.gallery

See you soon!

Beija-Flores

February 3, 2023 | Gisele

I’m sipping on my coffee, thinking about how accomplished I feel after finishing one more painting today. I’m fantasizing that painting is my full-time job, and that living off my art is making me rich. Is that what all artists must dream of? Fortunately, I’m a little more realistic than most artistic souls…

Beija-Flores is the plural of the compound word ‘beijo-flor’, which in Portuguese means ‘hummingbird’.

This is another piece to celebrate the month of love! It’s just too cute.

My favorite part about this painting is the lack of hard lines. The aquarela really feels like water. I love how the paint dried up, so maaarblelous…

Have a wonderful weekend, all!

Caminito – A very special birthday card

January 30, 2023January 31, 2023 | Gisele

It was my father’s birthday this month and I decided to gift him with a card that would represent his roots. He was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and el Caminito is one of its most famous alleys located in La Boca, mostly a touristic neighborhood, yet one of the most popular sites for local artists to make and sell their art.

So I thought that painting el Caminito for my father’s birthday card would be special. He has some paintings of Buenos Aires at home, but none of them showing this specific place.

I started off by outlining the pictures, something I rarely do. But I thought it would be important to have guidelines for this one.

*¡Tango!*
I know a lot of local tango dancers perform in front of this building to entertain tourists and make some money with their art, too.

Here is my father holding the final work! I’m happy that he loved it and said he’s going to frame it… so sweet!

My father is a technology guru, so when I asked him to send me a picture of the card (because I forgot to take one of the finished product) he also sent me the scanned file, which I appreciate so much, you can really see all the details of the painting that way. Thanks dad!

So here’s my two cents for celebration cards, make it unique, make it in a way that makes sense to the person that will receive it, I’m sure that will make them feel very special!

Have a wonderful day,

Let The Love Bloom 💗

January 18, 2023January 31, 2023 | Gisele

While we’re still facing the cold weather here in the Midwest for the next few weeks – and we likely will live a cold February 14th – there is no excuse to keep the love from blooming up, after all, Valentine’s Day could be one of the hottest days of the year (for some…!).

I’m on a love wagon, you guys. Self-love, that as well. Even if you don’t think you’ll be sharing this V-Day with a romantic pair, don’t hesitate, not for one second, to celebrate life, friendship, family, and…art! Why not?!

Candy Flowers is a simple piece, also painted from an inspirational image I found online. My excitement was very much related to the challenge of freehand painting, especially the vase. I have a very hard time freehand painting circular objects, the symmetry never turns out good enough. But that’s okay.

Overall, this made me very happy. The painting process itself, and the final product.

I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day!

Mates For Life – A Delicate, Romantic Valentine’s Day Card Idea

January 17, 2023January 31, 2023 | Gisele

Happy 2023! I’ve been MIA from the blog but in real life I’ve been working on some cute pieces, including this lovely (and fairly easy) idea for a Valentine’s Day card:

I painted this one for my beloved parter, it was inspired by an image I found on Google.

Also, I’ve been taking an online watercolor course, I intend to share more information about it in the upcoming posts, so stay tuned!

Have a wonderful day,

Carnavale di Venezia

February 28, 2022January 31, 2023 | Gisele

I’ve been missing home, as I mentioned on my last post. This time of the year, for the last fifteen years, is always hard for me for two specific reasons. First being how cold and snowy it usually is. Second being… well, it’s Carnaval. Although I was never the one into all of the heavy partying situation while I was still living back home, I always enjoyed the days off (nobody works or goes to school for about a week during the celebration), summer, the beach, hanging out with my family and friends, all of those sweet moments I could never forget.

I was never into the parades, but I have always been intrigued by the other rituals that happen to celebrate carnival in other parts of the world. Most catholic countries have some variation of carnival. And this year my dear father reminded me of probably the most ludic party of all, the Venetian Carnival. We are Italian by blood, and that inspired me for today’s painting. ‘Carnavale di Venezia’.