30-30 #19

2"x4.5"

This was painted from a reference photo taken by Dale Waack who generously gave me permission to use some of his photos which he posts to facebook.  He is a wildlife photographer, a skill that takes a good eye and tons of patience.

30-30 17&18

each 2"x4.5"

I went nautical for these too and I am so excited to say I have caught up!  I am amazed at how much I have learned, how much fun I am having, and how cute a tiny painting can be!

30-30 14,15,16

I am heading out to a Randall Sexton workshop today at the landgrove Inn.  I chose his workshop because I fell in love with a painting he did of an industrial landscape.  I am hoping to pick his brain as we head out for 4 days of plein air painting.

30-30 Challenge #12 & #13

I am getting caught up but also need to paint ahead because I will be going to a Randall Sexton workshop and also one with Susan Abbott.  Life is good...but when it is so busy, time sure flies.  As I get older, I find I want to slow down my days and savor them.  Not sure that is possible yet.

30-30 Challenge #10&11

each 2"x4.5" acrylic

I am trying to get caught up because I am so far behind on my 30 paintings.  The top one is from a friend's photo which just captured my attention and the bottom one is of my favorite kayaking lake.

30-30 #8-9

30-30 challenge #8, #7

Trying to get caught up....I have finished through #7 but still need to post #6

#3 

These are #3 and #4 of my miniature series.  I actually have done 5 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge, but only 4 of them are miniatures.  I am selling these on facebook for $10 each to the first person who posts "sold" under it.

30-30 #4 day 12

2"x4.5"  sold  oil

I am learning so much from doing these miniatures.  Right now I am thinking about finding the balance between details and a loose brush effect.  I have found that liquid acrylics work better than tubes and I need to try some different brushes to get what I want.  I am selling these on facebook for $10 each to the first person who posts "sold" under it.  I got this idea from Crystal Cooke.  It is a lot of fun.  I have sold some that aren't done yet, which is fun!

30-30 #2 day 10

2"x4.5"  acrylic

Day 9 and I am only able to post #2!  I finally figured out what I am going to do.  I prepared 30 little 2"x 4 1/2" panels and decided I would do miniatures.  Of course I totally underestimated what that meant.  I thought it would make it easier to do little ones, but since I haven't ever done miniatures, it is a whole new process.  What I have learned:  it doesn't necessarily take less time than doing a larger painting; like all paintings, if you don't get the values right, forget it; edges, brushwork, composition and color mixing are the same, except brush size is completely different, so that makes all the difference.  Bottom line, I am going to complete these and based on the first one, I am going to learn a lot about painting.  Oh, yes, these are also acrylic instead of oil, which is a whole other can of worms for me! ...and then there is photographing it....believe me the original looks a lot more in focus!

30-30 #1 Day 8

9"x9" oil

I have been traveling a lot.  I just got back from 2 weeks of sand, sun, surf and family and it was wonderful, but I did not look at art, paint or draw.  I thought about it, but that is all.  I am suppose to be doing Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge and it is a great way to get myself motivated, but I am already 8 days and 7 paintings short!  So, now that our official family vacation is over, I am moving into fall mode.  I have a couple of commissions to finish, and really wanted to choose a theme to do for the month, but I think it will be a hodge-podge (hotchpotch) of subject matter.  I also was going to do images for a children's book I am thinking of illustrating, but I think I need more focus to attempt that.  I have called myself a daily painter for a few years, but I really need to get back to that to claim it.  Life is just so full of fun and sweet things to do!  This painting is for sale so contact me if you are interested.

On Top of the World

8"x10"  oil

This is a commission.  I think she epitomizes "happiness."  This portrait makes me want to smile.

For a Rainy Day

10"x12" original oil

It is raining buckets today..... dark and quiet, like the atmosphere is sucking all the sounds except the gentle drips of water.  It makes me feel like crawling back in bed after having a warm cup of cocoa!  So, these flowers are very cheerful on this soggy day.  They are a commission from my friend and stellar gardener, Rebecca Greenley.  She has that magic touch that makes all her flowers stand up and show off their best sides!

Naia

10"x10"  oil

Is she beautiful or what?  She is not my biological grandchild, but she is the daughter of my "almost daughter" so that makes Naia my "almost granddaughter."  Lucky me!  I also feel lucky to get to paint her.  I did the drawing below first because I have been really enjoying the process of drawing lately and it helps to get to know the subject a little better.  I then did the painting.  Since the reference photo was black and white, I had to make up the colors.  Rather than studying a bunch of other photos of her, I decided to just let the painting tell me what colors to use.  It looked rather bland to me (except the startling yellow jumper) until I mixed a little batch of paint with Rembrandt transparent red oxide and some cad yellow and white and got the punch I needed.  I love that color!  I also added purple to her hair which I think worked well.  It is hard to tell in this photo, but the purple just kind of works with the brown.  Anyway, I have been working so hard to get ready for an upcoming show (mostly framing, etc.) that it is so fun to do a painting I am pleased with.  I really hope her mom loves it too!

Skinny Dippin'

12"x18"  oil  Commission

What are you doing on this incredibly beautiful summer day?  I have been thinking about teaching a class on painting  kids/grandkids and this painting has reminded me how much fun it is to do that.  I like the combination of soft/hard edges, loose rendering and accurate drawing.  Actually my painter friend Heather Shay is the one who reminded me how much I love drawing.  She paints, but admits that it is the drawing part that really appeals to her.  Her painting style is very precise and is much like drawing itself.  Her subject matter is infused with color and fun material so it all comes together without looking too fussy.  I am including a painting of hers below.

by Heather Shay

The Climber

9"x9" oil

This is the second go on a previous acrylic painting, interpreting it in oil.  It is for a show in which I am participating in August.  I am showing 41 paintings of children.  The show is for my mentoring group of 9 artists who are diverse but all very accomplished.  It should be a great show.

Flying Acrobat

8"x8" oil

 I have been neglecting my blog and I feel bad about this.  It is my accountability partner...my assignment.  I don't like to not get my homework done because I think all my assignments are really good for me!  Can you tell I am the zealous teacher/student?  I have been painting but also teaching, and framing (and entertaining company, etc.).  Framing is a big deal.  If you pay more than you think you should for frames you probably aren't.  It is a lot of work to make a good frame and then finish it.  I have been working on 30+ frames.  This is my drying rack for them.  There is a lot of sanding and painting and repainting and then the whole process of putting them in the frame and finishing it off nicely.  It, like everything else in my life, is a learning process.  I am getting better.  My husband and framing partner, Carl, is a huge help!  He does the initial cutting and assembly.  I do the rest.  I am getting ready for a big show in August.  I am doing all kids for this show, but I included the flying acrobat above, because it is fun!

The Illusions of Youth

8"x8" oil

Honey, it is all an illusion...but enjoy when you can! I worked finishing my brick patio from 5am-8am, mostly moving sand.....they call it hard labor for a reason! And it feels good...really, but I look nothing like this little princess...and there was no one else to do my bidding! Now I can start my day...with a shower and then an hour of yoga.....ok...that even sounds crazy to me!

It's a Party

8"x8" oil

Another painting from my book that I have done in oil.  I hope your day is as magical as this little girl's is!

A Celebration Selfie!

It is my birthday...so I couldn't help myself...I had to post a celebration "selfie"