Day 30/30: "Safely Rest" *SOLD*

"Safely Rest" *SOLD*

6"x6"

Oil on Board

 

Well, here we are on the final day of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.  When Leslie Saeta first posted about this, I thought, "hmmmm, sounds fun, but no way I would commit to that!"  I thought a bit more and then decided it was a great way to start the new year!  Introduce some discipline!  Challenge myself!

 

I started the new year off sick, but still got a painting in every day.  It was a busy month, too, preparing for several shows and competitions, but like any commitment we make in life, there are easy days and hard days. You just stick to it and the results are always worth it. 

 

So, this nightscape symbolizes the end of this little journey.  I have always been totally enamored with the full moon.  The way you can see shadows at night is just amazing.  I love to go out to the country near my house when we have a full moon and look at the fields all lit up in the night.  So when a friend challenged me to do a nightscape for the final painting, I knew immediately the way I wanted it to look.  The title is from Taps....or as we called it in Girl Scouts, "Day is Done"!

 

Thanks for looking at my paintings!  I appreciate it so much and the comments, too!

 

Day 29/30: "Journey's End" *SOLD*

"Journey's End" *SOLD*

6"x6"

Oil on Board

 

The sun sets on January and also on the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge! 

This has been a really great experience and I do plan to keep it up as much as possible. 

 

 I've stretched my wings a bit and learned a lot over the last 30 days. I've done exercises I've always wanted to do, planned to do, but somehow never found time for.  Being a self-employed artist, I am the one who has to crack the whip and challenge myself.  Of course, I do that to a degree, but there's much more I can do to push myself and learn and become the best artist I can be.   There's so much to learn and I'm so thankful that my job is to learn it!

Day 28/30: "Deep Greens and Blues"

"Deep Greens and Blues"

10" x 10"

Oil on Canvas

 

Another skyscape demo painting from the workshop I taught this past weekend.  I'm so glad I painted ahead in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge, but I definitely want to paint something new tomorrow and come up with something special to paint or the last day.  Suggestions are welcome!

Thanks for looking!

Day 27/30: "Cloud Cover"

"Cloud Cover"

10"x10"

Oil on Canvas

 

This past weekend I had the pleasure of teaching a skyscape workshop at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.  What a wonderful bunch of artists!  They all did a great job on their paintings! 

 

I did three demos and this painting is one of them.  We worked with a limited palette of ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow lemon or light, cadmium red medium, transparent red earth or burnt sienna and titanium white.  It sure does help in getting those neutrals we see in clouds.

 

Thanks for looking!

Day 26/30: "Bowl of Berries"

"Bowl of Berries"

6" x 6"

Oil on Board

I can't believe there are only four more days in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge!  This has been such a good learning experience.  I definitely will be painting more small pieces along the way.  

I'll  certainly paint more strawberries as they are beautiful, very interesting and challenging to paint AND they smell great....don't you wish you had smell-a-vision?  

Thanks for looking!

Day 25/30: "Strawberry Fields Forever"

"Strawberry Fields Forever"

6" x 6"

Oil on Board

One of the reasons I really enjoyed painting these is because, under the hot lamp in my studio, they smelled so good!  It was a pleasure!  More strawberries to come I'm absolutely sure. 

Today and tomorrow I'm teaching a skyscape workshop at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and I have a wonderful group of students!  They did such a great job!  I did paint two demo's today, but they are still at the museum so I'm glad I had painted ahead to keep up with the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge posts.  So, I am ahead of the game now with a couple in the hopper.  I still will do at least one a day, though, until the end of the month!  

Day 24/30: "Three's A Crowd"

"Three's A Crowd"

10" x 10"

Oil on Canvas

I went to grocery store in search of some nice produce to paint a few days ago and came home with not just sunflowers, but also pears, apples, jalapenos and strawberries!  Learning a valuable artistic lesson ..... don't buy more than you have time to paint!  I could have painted several paintings of jalapenos, but I jumped to sunflowers, etc.    Now the jalapenos are, uh, unpaintable.  

My eyes weren't bigger than my stomach....just bigger than my calendar!

Thanks so much for looking and have a great weekend!

Day 23/30: "Sun Protection" *SOLD*

"Sun Protection" *SOLD*

12" x 6"

Oil on Canvas

Painting my sunflowers before they become a memory!  So....this included my glass challenge, my flower challenge....and, today, limited palette challenge!  I had the paints on my palette that I have asked my students to bring this weekend to the skyscape workshop I'm teaching (cadmium red medium, cadmium yellow lemon, ultramarine blue, transparent red earth and titanium white).  Since it was already on my palette, I thought I'd be lazy and give it a whirl!  

Thanks for looking!

Day 22/30: "Sitting in the Sun" *SOLD*

"Sitting in the Sun" *SOLD*

16" x 12"

Oil on Canvas

Since I am challenging myself with glass - and the new additional challenge of flowers - I thought I'd try this set up of primary colors.  I did something similar at a Qiang Huang workshop in the fall and I really liked it.  The canvas I used is Fredrix Dixie Cotton and I just love it!  When I felt it I thought, "Oh, no, this is going to tear up my brushes!"....it seems really rough....but I love the texture!  I'll be ordering more of this!

Thanks for looking!

Day 21/30: "Hot Stuff"

"Hot Stuff"

6" x 6"

Oil on Board

It's c-c-c-cold here today, so here's something warm to think about!  I put these peppers on a small beaded plate and as I painted it I thought it gave it a little "sombrero" feel.  Unintentional at the beginning, but it was neat the way that happened.  

Thanks for looking!

Day 20/30: "Tulip Toss"

"Tulip Toss"

14" x 11"

Oil on Canvas

It feels like early spring here today and it was a joyful thing to paint a bunch of beautiful tulips!  These are the tulips I mentioned in my last post - the ones that were on the chopping block at the grocery store.  About to be thrown out because they were too old.  Here's to aging gracefully!!  :)

Thanks for looking!

Day 19/30: "Pink Tulip"

"Pink Tulip"

6" x 8"

Oil on Board

I had a hard time coming up with a title for this. Now that I think a bit more, I probably should have named it "Tulip Toss" or "Redemption" because this beautiful bunch of tulips was on the cart to be tossed at the grocery store yesterday. The florist assured me that they had at least one day left, so I bought them and guess what? They still look great! I think I may be able to get another painting or two out of them this afternoon if I work hard!

Day 19 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Day Challenge is in the books.

Tomorrow may bring another tulip painting!

Day 18/30: "Hold My Hand"

"Hold My Hand"

6" x 6"

Oil on Board

 

Figure painting practice again today!  I can't wait for some sunny and warm days to take more photos of unsuspecting family members. ;)   I love seeing interesting shadow patterns and playing around with those in paint.  I've done these types of paintings mostly on a small scale, but I think I'll venture into something larger soon!

 

Have a great weekend & thanks for looking!

Day 17/30: "The First Cup"

"The First Cup"

6"x8"

Oil on Board

 

Coffee...wonderful coffee....helping to get me through the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge!

 

The still life brought a few challenges.   I had the usual reflective surfaces (the mug and the silver spoon) to work with, but also an almost totally white group of objects.  My students always freak out when I mention an all white still life.  It can be daunting, but it is a wonderful way to learn to see color temperature.  It is really fascinating to me to see all the variations of white.  The more you look at the objects, the more variations you see.  Fun stuff!

 

Thanks for looking and Happy Friday!

Day 16/30: "Kisses" *SOLD*

"Kisses" *SOLD*

4" x 4"

Oil on Board

 

Cute little kisses.  They look so harmless, don't they?  The little creatures are hard to paint!  That crumpled up foil....arggghh! 

 

The next time I will really try to simplify a lot more.  The problem is, I think, that you can divide light and shadow - as much as you can for a highly reflective surface - and try to eliminate detail, but it's the detail that gives "the kiss" its characteristic look. I'd love to hear what other artists have to say and how you may have tackled the problem.

 

I do have a WHOLE BAG of kisses now....paint 'em, eat 'em, love 'em!

 

Thanks for looking!

Day 15/30: "Black & White & Red All Over" *SOLD*

"Black & White & Red All Over" *SOLD*

8" x 6"

Oil on Board

 

Today is Day 15 in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge...we're at the halfway mark!  I'm not only surprised that I haven't run out of ideas for paintings, I'm also surprised that I have more than 30 ideas tossing around in my head!  Wow, maybe I'll keep this up!

 

So, the other day I posted a doughnut and mentioned the four food groups: sugar, butter, coffee & chocolate.  I've covered three of them in the last three paintings, so tomorrow is chocolate!  Gave me a great excuse to buy some!  Yeah, I think I'll keep this up! ;)

 

Thanks for looking!

Day 14/30: "Shugah"

"Shugah"

5" x 7"

Oil on Board

$175

 

Another glass & reflective surface painting!  It's always a challenge, but always so much fun!

 

Today while painting, I thought about my Daddy repeatedly.  I don't know how many of my blog readers/lookers are from the South, but down here you get called "shugah" a good bit.  Daddy usually ALWAYS added "shugah" to our names.  He has Alzheimer's now and can't always remember our names, but you can bet he still calls us "Shugah"! 

 

Thanks for looking!

Day 13/30: "Buttuh"

"Buttuh"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

$175

 

Today's painting really helped me with a few personal goals that I have during the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: painting glass and painting reflective surfaces.  Boy, silver things are really hard.  You really have to tell yourself over and over "it's not gray!", "it's reflecting stuff around it", "what color do you REALLY see?". 

 

Another challenge for today....simple things are very often hard to compose.

 

Onward....see you tomorrow and, as always, thanks for looking!

Day 12/30: "Resolution? What Resolution?"

"Resolution? What Resolution?"

6"x6" - Oil on Birch

$150

 

So, did you make any resolutions this year?  How's that working out for ya?  We only bought these so I could have one to paint....just so you'll know.....*fingers crossed behind back*

 

Thanks for looking!

Day 11/30: "George Glass"

"George Glass"

8"x6"

Oil on Board

 

There are a few things I shy away from painting because they are just so intimidating.  Glass is one of those things.  During this painting challenge (30 Paintings in 30 Days) one of my goals is to push myself into losing my fear of painting glass, reflective surfaces, figures, etc.  It's just paint!  What am I scared of??

 

Anyway, I ventured out to our huge local flea  market and antique store this week in search of colored glass.  I am inspired by Carol Marine who just knows exactly where to place those highlights and by my friend, Carrie Waller, a masterful watercolor artist who does glass like nobody's business! 

 

The title?  Inspired by a Brady Bunch episode.  Jan makes up a story about having a boyfriend named "George".  When pressed for a last name, she looks around the room and sees (you guessed it)...a glass.  George.  George Glass.  Yeah, that's his name, George Glass! ;)

Day 10/30: "For Savannah" *SOLD*

"For Savannah" *SOLD*

5"x7"

Oil on Board   $125

 

A few days into the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge, I was contacted by a blog follower.  Even though we live in cities close to each other, we've never met.  This sweet mother wrote about her daughter, Savannah, who suffers with Juvenile Arthritis.  She wrote that she was excited about following the 30/30 Challenge and wanted to know if I would consider painting a particular photo of her daughter.  She wrote:

 

Savannah was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid arthritis, at the age 8, which has now effected her feet. She is now 10 years old, and has given up things like soccer because of the extreme pain when she runs. She has a difficult time walking every morning when she first wakes up, but she manages the best she can with her every day struggles. The photo represents a "pain free" girl for me (though, she might have hurt, even then, and we did not know it).

 

I'm not a mom, but I can imagine that the only thing worse than losing a child would be seeing your child in pain and not be able to make it go away.  You can read about Savannah and follow her at www.hopeforsavannah.blogspot.com. 

 

This one's for you, Savannah!

 

Day 9/30: "Orange You Glad?"

"Orange You Glad?"

6"x8"

Oil on Board  $175

 

Orange you glad you got the daily painting done early this morning?  YES!

Orange you glad you're feeling better?  YES!

Orange you glad you get to paint for living?  YES!

 

Orange you glad there are so many things to be thankful for?  YES!

 

Have a great day!  Thanks for looking!

Day 8/30: "Becca's Bubbles"

"Becca's Bubbles"

7"x5"

Oil on Board  $150

 

I started painting this one and had to run out to a doctor's appointment this morning.  Going down one of the busiest roads in town, there were bubbles floating all around.  I could never determine their source...even though they were coming from the direction of my house! :)

 

 

Day 7/30: "Peaches & Hydrangeas" *SOLD*

"Peaches & Hydrangeas" *SOLD*

14"x11"

Oil on Board   $400

 

 

Today completes the first week of the 30 Paintings Challenge.  It has truly been motivating...especially when you add being sick with a cold? flu? in the mix!  

I'm really enjoying it and it has been fun at the end of the day to visit Leslie Saeta's blog, "Slices of Life", and check out what all the other participating artists have done.  I imagine them all working away in their studios just like me.  I wonder if they are having the same issues with 'blogger' that I am.  Still having issues with uploading photos...that's one reason this one is so BIG! 

 

Today's painting was done from photos I took this past summer at the Montgomery Curb Market, one of my favorite subjects.  Although I usually paint figures perusing the farmers' wares, sometimes I like to paint the produce and flowers.  Next month, I'll have work in the Trinity School Spotlight on Art in Atlanta and thought peaches might be a good subject for this event.

 

Looking forward to what the next few weeks bring to the easel!

Day 6/30: "Hearts & Flowers"

"Hearts & Flowers"

6"x8"

Oil on Board   $175

 

Back in the fall, I took a workshop with Peggi Kroll-Roberts and it was - in one word - amazing!  She is an incredible teacher and I learned so much from her.  Right after the workshop, I did several paintings of figures in sunlight to put into practice the techniques I learned.  Then Christmas was upon us and I was busy with commissions, etc., so this week I've tried to get back in the swing of things and do some more. 

 

This is my niece and her little friend drawing with chalk on the sidewalk.  Favorite subject matter, of course, hearts and flowers!

Day 5/30: A Capitol Day

"A Capitol Day"

7"x5"

Oil on Board   $150

 

In preparation for a show I'm participating in next month at Stonehenge Gallery here in Montgomery, I've done this painting for Day 5 of the painting challenge.  The show will feature people and places of Montgomery and I am really excited about it because I love painting my town!  We have some beautiful spots, interesting landmarks and great people!

 

 

Day 4/30: "Spot of Tea" *SOLD*

"Spot of Tea" *SOLD*

7"x5"

Oil on Board   $150

 

Day 4 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge and I decided to paint a cup of tea because tomorrow Downton Abbey returns and I can hardly wait!  I watch the news, The Weather Channel, a little Food Network and Downton Abbey...that's about it!  Not much to get excited about on tv if you ask me except this!  I have been wanting to paint more reflective surfaces, too, because they are hard and I really want to push myself, so this month I hope to do more of those as well.  I know one thing: I need some new brushes.  My little flats are now little brooms, so it was hard to get in those little reflections that just skim the edge. 

And I have to say that blogger is driving me nuts!  It won't let me upload an image, so I'm trying to figure out a backdoor way to make it work and in doing so, this HUGE image was posted and it's cropping it!  Oh, well!  That's the best I can do today!

Day 3/30: "Coloring"

 

"Coloring" 

6"x6"

Oil on Board   $150

 

I was inspired to paint these crayons after watching a series of great demos by Daniel Keys on You Tube.  He is so young and so incredibly talented!  If you're an artist, check it out.  I'm sure you would love watching! 

 

At first, I just painted the crayons and then, feeling like it needed more color spread around, I decided to put in markings as if a little one had just left.  Is there anything like a box of Crayolas?  Most artists I know give credit to Crayola for giving them their start.  I still have a huge stash!

Choosy *SOLD*

 

"Choosy" *SOLD*



7"x5"

$150

 

Day No. 2 of the 30-day painting challenge produced this painting this morning.  I was drawn to the use of primary colors and, well,....peanut butter!  I didn't eat breakfast.  I wonder now how much will be revealed about me in this 30-day challenge.....like a diary!  Don't read too much into these paintings, okay? 

 

Dedicated to my family and friends in Dothan, Alabama, (Home of the National Peanut Festival) where peanuts rule!  Thanks for looking!!

 

 

First Up!

"Cousins"  8"x8"

 

 

Today is the the first day of Leslie Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge" and here's my first daily painting.  Five figures in a few hours on an 8"x8" canvas was probably biting off a little much for the first day, but I've been wanting to paint this since Thanksgiving when this picture was taken of 5 of my nieces! 

 

In that small space, it's impossible for me to capture Sara Beth's beautiful smile; Laura's gorgeous brown eyes; Rebecca B.'s thick, incredible blond curls; Rebecca S.'s sweet little rosebud lips; or Kat's soft brown curls framing her lovely heart-shaped face....but I hope I've been able to capture their gesture which is so much a part of who we are and what we look like. 

 

I love my girls!  I know their parents just love it when I call them "my girls" when I didn't birth them or raise them.....but, boy, do I love them as much as any aunt can!  They are beautiful inside and out!