Watercolor experiments and a challenge

So, I've been talking about taking risks, here are three more small ones. The top painting I did as part of a challenge over at the Daily Paintworks site. This is a blog of wonderful daily painters that I follow and they post challenges on occasion. Click here to see the "Stacked" challenge that I submitted my "One of Each" painting on the left. It's 12" square. SOLD
Below are a couple of watercolor efforts that are just practice pieces. I had bought a set of old watercolors at an estate sale in the cutest tin that I had to try out for fun. I'm now remembering why I haven't done more watercolor in my life. It is really hard! Any one else have war stories with watercolor painting?

Texas Peaches, Bing Cherries and Blue Willow original painting by Polly Jones

Texas Peaches SOLD.  Bing Cherries is sold. 8" square on canvas.

I know I sounded silly yesterday, posting about risk taking by using beige. I just feel I've gotten into some habits which I need to challenge more. Yesterday and today I worked on these blue willow pieces. Of course, when trying to get the right reds I had my usual old timer's rant about how alizaron crimson is not the same as it was thirty years ago. It's just not as rich as it used to be. The big challenge for myself here was not to draw my composition with vine charcoal on the canvas before beginning the painting. It was fun and felt surprisingly different. I also just threw out the idea of using collage with it. I've seen a lot of art lately using map and text in it and am doubting my use of it for now, trying a go of just simple painting again. Opinions?

Sleeping Flower original mixed media still life painting by Polly Jones

12" square original mixed media painting. SOLD

I know, this is rather radical for me to be using beige. I really had to step out of my comfort zone. It's recently occurred to me that I haven't been taking as many risks as I need to for my work to go forth. This was just a small risk for now. The title comes from an Emily Dickinson poem called "The Sleeping Flowers," here.

Strawberry Shimmer original mixed media painting by Polly Jones

5" by 7" acrylic and mixed media on canvas. SOLD

Well, we have had a major week with Marissa graduating and lots of family in for a lovely visit. It was a special time that we are so grateful for.

After finishing this painting today I stepped back and realized how much pink I've been using lately! I was happy with this one because it reflected an optical quality that was going on in my still life set up. For me there is a jump between the text and the paint that was similar to the shimmer of light on the strawberries and the restaurant china bowl.