Iris – watercolor on 140# Arches Coldpress – approx. 9″x12″
There were two days this past weekend when the sky was blue and the sun was shining and it was a balmy 50 degrees. I felt my SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) a/k/a winter blues slowly melt away with the warmer weather. And my BAD returned (Bad Attitude Disorder). While BAD is not recognized by the AMA or the Mayo clinic or even WebMD, I can assure you that most people in big cities have it at one time or another. Suddenly the warm weather and the sunshine dissipated, the Polar Vortex returned as did the snow and so did my SAD combined with my usual BAD which can be a dangerous combination.
My remedy was to paint some flowers. I found this blog called The Painted Prism which had a workshop so I went to town. I didn’t have the exact colors she called for, nor did I use the salt for texture, but I am very happy with the result. Can tulips and daffodils be far behind?
Carol King: drawing, painting, complaining 
38 comments
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February 27, 2014 at 11:37 am
northpenninegallery
Love the flowers Carol. SAD gone here.
March 2, 2014 at 9:54 pm
Carol King
Thanks Keith. Glad to hear your SAD has gone.
February 27, 2014 at 12:43 pm
doronart
Carol they look great well executed workshop, who needs the exact colours?!
March 2, 2014 at 9:54 pm
Carol King
Yes, Doron, who needs the exact colors. It worked out well with the colors I had.
March 6, 2014 at 3:57 pm
doronart
🙂
February 27, 2014 at 1:12 pm
Beth Parker
Wow, this is wonderful, Carol! Perfect cure for NYCBADSAD.
March 2, 2014 at 9:55 pm
Carol King
LOL! NYCBADSAD. Thanks for commenting.
February 27, 2014 at 1:32 pm
designsweet
My favourite flowers – beautifully done! Hopefully they cheered you up!
March 2, 2014 at 9:55 pm
Carol King
Thanks Sweet. They did indeed cheer me up.
February 27, 2014 at 1:39 pm
elenacaravela
An excellent remedy:) Gorgeous color!
March 2, 2014 at 9:56 pm
Carol King
Appreciate it Elena.
February 27, 2014 at 4:27 pm
Joan T
Lovely job and the touch of spring is somewhat what I need…but more of it. lol I love irises. You made the petals look nicely translucent!!!
March 2, 2014 at 9:56 pm
Carol King
Hi Joan. I loved doing this and was very careful to only use a wash or two on the petals so that they stayed translucent.
February 27, 2014 at 5:07 pm
napabelle
Stunning! WOW!
March 2, 2014 at 10:01 pm
Carol King
Thanks Isabelle.
February 27, 2014 at 5:29 pm
Sharon K.
I love irises! This is lovely. 🙂
Spring is coming in two weeks, so they say. But they often lie. 😉
March 2, 2014 at 10:01 pm
Carol King
🙂 Sharon, they never get the weather right. Spring is coming but we are getting more snow. Thanks for the visit and comment.
February 28, 2014 at 2:19 am
padmaja
Fabulous! I love the way the blue and the pink have melted in to each other against the vibrant yellow backdrop.
March 2, 2014 at 10:06 pm
Carol King
Padmaja, I loved all the colors in this painting. I changed the yellow a little from the workshop sample and didn’t use salt, but I think it still worked.
February 28, 2014 at 7:17 am
Nuno
Nice flowers Carol!
March 2, 2014 at 10:06 pm
Carol King
Thanks Nuno.
February 28, 2014 at 11:40 am
RHCarpenter
Love your take on the irises, Carol! And did pop over to see her version and the steps she used. I never think of using alcohol on my watercolors – will have to try to remember that another time (yeah, right!! ha ha Like I can remember anything longer than a day or two!!)
March 2, 2014 at 10:08 pm
Carol King
Hi Rhonda. I never used alcohol and didn’t have any with me, so I had to skip that step. Still I was happy with the result.
February 28, 2014 at 12:56 pm
lesliepaints
Just like you said, SAD to BAD, and back again, Carol. I’m not saying too much because I wonder what spring and summer are going to be like…more bizarre weather, too? Beautiful painting of irises. Wonderful color!
March 2, 2014 at 10:09 pm
Carol King
Hi Leslie, I hear you. Complaining now about the snow, but will Spring bring flooding rains and summer scorching heat? Who knows. Thanks for your comment on the Irises. Iri?
March 1, 2014 at 1:20 pm
cathy
Well the painting is neither bad nor sad;which makes me glad. I suffered from bad when I worked now I am mainly glad, polar vortex and all:) love the iris
March 2, 2014 at 10:10 pm
Carol King
Hahaha. Loved your comment. I am still working which also makes me sad. Maybe one day I will retire like you and then I will be glad.
March 2, 2014 at 3:24 pm
hw (hallie) farber
SAD and BAD can’t be all bad if you created this.
March 2, 2014 at 10:10 pm
Carol King
I guess you’re right Hallie. Thanks!
March 2, 2014 at 8:12 pm
Cindy D.
Pretty irises! I believe I have experienced both SAD and MAD. I hope yours improved, at least while painting!
March 2, 2014 at 10:14 pm
Carol King
My mood improved tremendously while painting, thanks.
March 3, 2014 at 3:44 pm
nicsearth
Oh Carol you do make me laugh! I’m sorry your SAD had returned-your winter really seems never ending this year. Your painting is gorgeous though and very summery and bright-maybe starting at that will help. Apparently yellow cheers folk up!
March 4, 2014 at 9:13 am
violetski
This is so beautiful Carol! What a beautiful colors❤️
Beautiful , colorful spring and warm, greeeen summer will come to you soon❤️
xxxx
March 4, 2014 at 11:37 am
Cathyann Burgess
I like! keep painting the bad and sad away!
March 11, 2014 at 1:37 pm
Palmira G.Q.
Beautiful watercolor with lovely combination of colors!!Very cheerful!!
March 15, 2014 at 3:31 pm
Irina
Thank you so much for making mу laugh. Beautiful flowers.
Now back to Alzheimer’s test.
March 15, 2014 at 3:36 pm
Irina
Ooops, I am back from you link. I did not realize it was again about peanut butter. Sounds like I am on my way to Alz’s. And where can I find peanut butter here in Moscow???
March 22, 2014 at 6:56 pm
candy7
Carol, first of all, I think this painting is great! I also love, love, love your painting of Frankee! (I’m sure I would love the real Frankee, too!) I read about SAD, peanut butter, blowing it out your straw and I laughed out loud. He Who Thinks I’m Slightly Nuts Anyway wonders what the heck I’m up to.