Day 16 Slate - Tufted Titmouse

11"x14" acrylic on slate

Another frequent flier that has layovers at my bird feeder.

Day 15 Slate - Dark Eyed Juncos

11"x14"  acrylic on slate

This is a sweet little bird familiar to residents all over America.  While the chickadees and nuthatches flit among the trees, the Mourning Doves and Juncos can be found under the bird feeders on the ground.  The Mourning Doves walk and the Juncos hop.

Day 14 Slate - Mourning Doves

11"x14" acrylic on slate

Mourning doves have such an interesting shape with their round little heads and plump bodies.  The dots on their wings remind me of Lady Bugs.  In England Lady Bugs are called Lady Birds, but I think Mourning Doves could comfortably embrace that monicker.

Day 13 - nuthatches

11"x14" acrylic on slate

Onward and upward with the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.  I have been painting the birds I see outside my window, like these interesting nuthatches, painted slightly more blue than they appear in R.L. (real life) so that they contrast with the gray background slate.

Day 12 Slate - Chickadees

11"x14" acrylic on slate

Chickadees are the sweetest little song birds.  They have the perfect "cute" shape are sociable and don't descend in frantic hoards.  They also have lovely markings and are one of my absolute favorites at the bird feeder.

Day 11 Slate - Ballerina

11"x14" acrylic on slate 

Some of the things I have figured out about painting on slate:
     I like painting sweet things that contrast with the rough stone
     The grey background is fabulous and really makes me think about values
     I love the texture and if I keep the layers thin and rub them in, it gives a nice effect
     Using a variety of shades within a shape helps give it volume
      It is much easier than painting with oils on a canvas or panel.
Also, and this applies to my painting in general, I love painting kids!

day 10 Slate a walk in the woods11"x14

11"x14" acrylic on slate SOLD

This is a little different.  Firstly, it is a remembered landscape, meaning that I took a drive with my sister-in-law on a back road and decided to study a spot and later paint it from memory.  Two ladies in black with red mittens caught my attention.  To get the feel for a deep forest I dribbled black paint onto the slate first, blowing it around and dripping it until I thought it resembled trees.  Then I painted in the background, path, people and underbrush.  I am experimenting, trying to find the best subject and techniques to use on the slate.  I think I am beginning to come up with a plan that pleases me.  The next few I do will be quite different, so stay tuned in!

Day 9 Slate -

11"x14' acrylic on slate

How fun...pulling the little one on a sled and then coming home to hot chocolate and the promise of mom-time while the babe sleeps.  But, alas too tired to think, mom falls asleep in the chair by the fire and wakes just in time to start dinner.

Day 8 slate - Grandkids Are A Gift

11"x14" acrylic on slate

I painted this in honor of 3 of my grandkids.  They live across the country from me and since I haven't been able to travel, I am really missing them.  Each of them has an animal image they use to label things in their home.  The oldest is a blue bird, the middle one is a hedgehog and the baby is a Lady Bug.  The gift is my symbol for how I feel about them.  Cute and sweet I think.

Day 7 slate - Easter Bunny

11"x14" acrylic on Vermont Slate

My friend Heather Shay and I painted slate the day before she took off for Costa Rica and then on to Guatemala.  I won't see her again until June because she lives an adventuresome life of the explorer. We had a great time.  I was feeling whimsical so I did the Easter Bunny skiing and she did Santa on skiis.  I am having fun...can you tell?

Day 6 - Killington Ski Resort

8"x8" acrylic on slate

This photo makes the slate look really dark and the subtle colors are lost.  It is an image of Killington Ski Resort with a happy full moon overlooking it.  The moon was inspired by the talking moon from the BBC comedy The Mighty Boosh which is a very bizarre show created by two very talented guys.

Day 5 Slate 11"x14" - Skiing

11"x14" acrylic on slate

I live in ski country so inevitably all local artists end up doing at least a few ski paintings.  Like any other subject, it helps if you actually ski and have an idea of how people use their bodies, even if it isn't the "correct" posture or ski position.  I am a very mediocre skier, but I know how much fun it is to get out on the slopes with incredible vistas and just glide down the mountain as fast as you safely can (I am very slow).  It will be fun to see if these are popular at the gallery on the mountain.  People like to take a piece of the local scene home with them.  I hope some take home a skier painted on slate.

Day 4 Slate - X-Country Skiing

11x14"  Acrylic on slate

This is inspired by a photo posted by Penny Kipley from a Cross Country Ski day, I believe in Colorado.  I painted it on slate, as I am doing this entire month for the 30 in 30 challenge sponsored by Leslie Saeta.  I loved the original photo which told a story and had all the lovely elements of value contrast between the snow and trees, and the zooming distance implied by the trail.  I, of course, used it as inspiration and then did what I thought was necessary to make it a fun painting.  Photography and painting are two different art forms and need to be respected as such.  Thank you Penny!

Day 3 Slate Piece - Cedar Waxwing

acrylic on Vermont slate   11"x14"

Fun things about painting on slate include the background texture and colors.  I like how the paint grips the surface, which is so different from painting with oils on a slick panel.  I don't even consider painting the background, rather, it is about painting objects on the surface.  This Cedar Waxwing, displaying it's full colors in all their glory, was a great subject.

Day 1 and 2

Slate Day 2

Slate day 1

I am participating in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge. I decided to paint on Vermont slate which is really fun and something different to do.  I am approaching these more decoratively and graphically which is also a nice change.  I drill holes in them and attach ribbons to hang them and they are quite lovely.  This is day 1 and 2 because I started it yesterday.

3 Pear

8"x8" oil

This has been an incredibly difficult year for me, but being able, when I can, to paint and more importantly, being able to see beauty moment to moment has been the vehicle which has carried me through these trying times.  I am so excited about 2016 and the wonderful things it will bring into our lives. It is my hope that 2016 is the best year yet for you.  In the past I always made New Year's resolutions and printed them out to remind me through the year.  It has been a good goal setting exercise for me but this year I just hope I can continue to see and experience joy and beauty and live so that my life reflects the gratitude I feel.

Wading In Gold

8"x8" Acrylic SOLD

This was a commission I did in acrylic so it would dry quickly and I could varnish it and frame it.  I did something different by painting in thin layers with a small paintbrush.  Mostly it was an experiment and I really like some of the affects that created.  This as well, was of necessity because I am somewhat home bound and have limited supplies available.  Most importantly the person who bought it was really happy with the results.

Not Photo Realistic

7"x7" oil

This is loosely based on a lovely photo by Lowell Klock who is a member of the art group I am in.  She graciously offered several photos for our group to interpret with paint.  I loved the photo she took, and I also saw in it a way to paint it quite differently from the source photo.

Seeking the Destination

5"x7" oil

I can't help but wonder what makes couples attracted to each other.  Beautiful looking people often pair with beautiful people and their attraction, which could be much deeper, may also just be based on that, but what attracts people who seem so different from each other?  What made me want to paint this one was the interesting texture of  their hair.  Both of them had big hair that was kind of fuzzy.  I wonder if that was their first point of attraction?  Could be.

Loosley Geraniums

5"x7" oil on archival paper

This painting came from a challenge the art group I am in decided to do.  We voted on a group of photos and the geraniums were the winner (I didn't vote for geraniums).  So I decided to do it abstractly, experiment with shapes and tools and to do it on a surface I have been wondering about, archival watercolor paper.  I prepped the front of the paper with acrylic medium and later decided to do the back side too, then painted with oils on it.  I love the results.  I used a variety of mixed reds that don't show their subtle differences so well in the photo I took, but it is rich and fun. 

Feeding the Deer

6"x6" oil

I passed this guy picking apples for the deer and immediately saw a painting.  The background was originally a cool blue of a house, but it just didn't work so I warmed it up with yellow and really liked that.

Everything Happens In 3's

12"x12" oil

These are huge, but they look great framed!

Alexander, Graham and Bell

 6"x6" oil

I loved painting this...and then eating them!

Heart of the Matter

6"x6" oil

It kind of looks like an orange heart....even has the heart symbol shape...and it is good for your heart too if you eat it...which I did!

Leaf Showers

11"x14" oil

We had a spectacular fall in the NE and then had a huge wind storm.  One day I looked out the window and saw the leaves blowing across the back yard and wanted to capture what I saw from memory.  I spend a few moments studying the big pieces of composition and note the values and colors.  The blue of the sky and water are much less colorful in the painting...more of a whitish gray with a tint of blue.

Top Hat and His Tomato

6"x6"  oil

OK the title probably isn't very P.C. but I couldn't help myself.  Forgive me.

Bottles and Balls

6"x6" oil

3 Pears of Wishes For All that You Want

8"x10"  oil 

 "3 Pears of Wishes For All that You Want"
I named it after lyrics in a Dwight Yoakum song.

Good Health

6"x6" oil

Roses are given meanings by their colors.  Yellow roses stand for friendship and good health.  I am trying to stack the cards on the side of good health so I decided to add a yellow rose to my bouquet.

Falling Lemons

8"x10" oil

You know that phrase about "when life gives you lemons make lemonade"?  Well I have been given lemons this year so this painting is about lemons falling.  When my lemon situation corrects itself I will paint a glass of lemonade!

Little Cabin In the Woods

8"x12"  oil

Three Barns and a View

6"x6" oil

I tried this for a 3 color challenge for Daily Paintworks.  I used blue, yellow and red.  It really was a challenge for me and I so wanted to throw in some other colors or even more shades of the three I chose.  You could also use white and black and I did use white but not black.  I like it better after coming back to it.  There is a lot of texture.  It is a grouping of barns near where I live  A couple of years ago they painted the traditional red barn a deep yellow.  Actually it is more of an ochre color but I chose cad. yellow light, so it is a brighter tone than the real barn.  I love that you can make up your own world when painting and sincee we can't compete with the real one, we might as well!

The Visitor

6"x6" oil 

In the summer I frequently have visitors that are not of the human species because mu studio has garage doors I open.  Hummingbirds have made numerous visits and chipmunks seems to love my work as well!

Facing the Stage

7"x7" oil

Nature plays out her drama in vivid colors in this early fall foliage pageant.  I was going to call it "Dressed In Red" but really this is one of those perfectly staged scenes put together by naturally occurring elements plus a few chairs!

Washed Up

8"x10" oil 

First some complaining...I had a really hard time getting good photos today as everything has a glare.  I am re-doing, fixing up, or repainting some things I have previously done.  Although I don't necessarily solve all the problems, I am learning a ton from the exercise and am much happier with the results.  Some artists just stop when it isn't working and start a new painting, but I tend to prefer to work on it until I apply enough of what I know to make it work out satisfactorily, at least to my current standards.  Hopefully the bar will go up in my expectations over time.  This is from one of our gorgeous lakes in a state park and now I don't think it is all washed up! 

Mia Loves Maizie

This is a watercolor sketch for an illustration for a children's book.

My art group went to Peter Huntoon's studio today for a demo.  It was so much fun to see how he loosely begins his work and turns a scene which may not be particularly exciting into an athletic and stunning work of art.  Peter has recently added oil painting to his repertoire of watermedia and he approaches it very similarly as he would a watercolor painting, with lots of drips and splashes and interesting tools.  He is one of the quintessential Vermont painters.

Autumn Crossroads

7"x7" oil

This was a challenge for our art group for this month.  We are having a meeting later this month and will share our results.  It is from the center of the crossroads in Chittendon, VT.  Like so many Vermont towns, it is a lovely community made up of crossroads and various  roads winding through the mountains.  One of the coolest PK-8 community schools is located here.  It is an old school built in 1933 that has been added to in an architecturally consistent way, maintaining its charm.  It has a fabulous playground that has a premier view of the surrounding mountains.  I think the kids must adore playing in this environment. 

Lost and Found

11"x11"  oil 

I called this one "Lost and Found" because it is another resurrected painting from my box of failures.  I do think that failures or wipe-outs are good educational tools but it is also fun when I can salvage them.  I originally painted this plein air but it didn't have any punch which was so disappointing because it was such a lovely place to paint on a cool, but sunny day.  This has a nice play of tight and loose which is nice.  I am not very good at painting architectural features accurately and also with a fresh looseness mainly because I can't draw a straight line.  Have you ever heard that phrase?

Resurrection

8"x10" oil

I decided I needed to thin out my loser box.  That is where I put paintings that just aren't right and make me uncomfortable.  Using a razor blade I scraped off edges of the brushwork that showed.  I did this instead of sanding to reduce dust, and breathing toxic chemicals.  Then I painted a solid color over them.  A few of the paintings I decided had good enough starts to try and resurrect them, and this was one. Originally I painted it plein air (outside on the spot) but I finished it in the studio letting the painting tell me what to do, instead of looking at a reference photo.  I am pretty happy actually with the results.  It is a small church in a beautiful and picturesque town in southern Vermont. It is for sale by auction on Daily Paintworks.  Click to bid on the button under the image.

Panorama

4"x10" oil

After not painting for days, I did a complete wipe-out painting. It may also have had to do with the fact that I have been doing only watercolors for the last 5 weeks. So I had to get back on the horse and I did this little "Panorama" with limited brushwork, to warm up, and I really liked the muted foreground. Not something I would normally do.

Remembered Landscape #4 Going Over the Pass

                                                                         4"x6" oil
Almost everyday I drive these mountains and am filled with their beauty, but I am also busy driving, so, although simplified, this is the impression on a cloudy day of the autumn colors changing the landscape. But beyond the heavy layer of clouds is a blue sky.

Remembered Landscape #3- The Creek

6"x4" oil

I am just getting over the flu so haven't painted for a week.
This was harder to do because there were several days between actually seeing it and then painting it from memory and it was kind of complicated. I think the key is to keep it loose and not too detailed. I may have to rethink this one.

Remembered Landscape #1 The Meadow

4"x6" oil  Price $45

 I have several projects going at once right now (not my favorite way to work) but I am happy that I am inspired and able to do this.  This project is to do small oil paintings of remembered landscapes.  I drive to the gym every morning and am so fortunate to have so many beautiful things to look at along the way.  I study what I see and then when I have time, I recall what I saw and paint it.  I think it is a wonderful way to train myself to quickly record an idea made of shapes and color and then when I think about it later, the key features are what comes out.  I started very simply for this 1st one.  They will get more complicated as I go, I think, although that is not my intention.

Butterfly Zentangle

5"x10" watercolor and ink

I have been wanting to try zentangle so here it is. I know I didn't follow "the rules" but then, I never do. It was fun, but very time consuming. It is meditative, but I think most of creating art can be that way. Not always, but frequently.

Laundry Day

This was just for fun. I made it for an online card about my high school reunion which is coming up.  Below is the card.  It is just kind of silly, but I am still counting it toward my 30 paintings in 30 days.