Day 25/30: "No Jelly"

"No Jelly"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

$175

Now, THIS was fun to paint!  

It's Day 25 in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge!  I can't believe we are nearing the end.  I feel like I have learned a lot during the month and that was my goal....to exercise my painting muscles!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click this link to take you to my website:

http://barbaradavisart.com/works/1663306/no-jelly

Day 24/30: "PB"

"PB"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

$175

I can't believe it's the last week of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.  For this final week, I have something special planned.  Stay tuned!

Thank you as always for looking!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click this link to go to my website:

http://barbaradavis.fineartstudioonline.com/works/1662691/pb

Day 23/30: "Budding"

"Budding"

8"x8"

Oil on Panel

$300

Went painting with a sweet friend this morning and after about an hour it started raining again.  I did manage to get this much done, though, and I'm happy with it.  I want to do a variety of camellias while they are blooming.  Oh, I enjoy it SO much!!!

Thank you for looking!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click on this link to take you to my website:

http://barbaradavis.fineartstudioonline.com/works/1661857/budding

Day 22: "Meet Me On The Plains"

"Meet Me On The Plains"

10"x10"

Oil on Panel

$450

Fall, football, tailgating.  Some of our favorite things around here.

For some us, me included, that means Auburn football!

I had an idea during the fall to do a live event painting before a football game, but logistically....um, no idea how to pull that one off.  I'd have to walk a good way through lots and lots of people with painting gear, etc.  I'll figure it out one day, but in the meantime, the images just couldn't get out of my mind and now is as good a time as any to record what I'm visualizing.  I made this all up, but I wanted to paint the feeling of pre-game excitement and fun!  How many days till kick-off?!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click this link to take you to my website:

http://barbaradavis.fineartstudioonline.com/works/1660944/meet-me-on-the-plains

Day 21/30: "Play Time"

"Play Time"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

$175

For today's painting...the 21st in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge...I wanted to show my appreciation and love of the simple toys of childhood.  No electronic gadgets; nothing that talks back to us or that a has any sort of button to push.  

I bought these blocks for about $10 at Target many years ago to have on hand for nieces and nephews.  I never imagined that they would be the most popular toy in my 'toy closet'.  I thought they'd be boring.  We have stacked them, knocked them down, worked on our ABC's and spelling.  We've even hidden them in the yard like Easter eggs on many occasions! We had a little foot injury as they were strewn across the floor and they may or may not have been used a makeshift weapons by a kid or two.  

That little muslin bag in the closet holds more than a bunch of wooden cubes.  It holds a lot of memories for this aunt of sweet laughter and chubby fingers at work and play.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click this link to go to my website:

http://barbaradavis.fineartstudioonline.com/works/1660208/play-time

Day 20/30: "Fresh"

"Fresh"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

$175

Today is such a beautiful sunny day I wanted to paint something to match it.  Sunny yellow lemons and a blue & white dish remind me of the citrus fresh, mild, but cool and crisp days of January.  

10 more days to go in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge!

Thank you for looking!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click this link to take you to my website:

http://barbaradavis.fineartstudioonline.com/works/1659533/fresh

Day 19/30: The People of Alabama

"The People of Alabama"

20"x16"

Oil on Linen

Today was one of the most memorable days for me of the Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge!

I was commissioned to complete a live event painting during the inauguration and it was just so much fun and such an honor!  I was thrilled to be a part of the beautiful ceremony!  That painting is a surprise to be revealed later...although here is a photo of the work in progress early this morning:

The painting I'm posting for the daily challenge....even though I've done 2!!  Woo hoo!! .....is one I did after the inauguration painting was complete at Governor Robert Bentley's "Thank You, Alabama" party.  I painted in many of the people who were there and I love that I had a  Boy Scout, a baby, a National Guardsman, a beauty queen, old people, young people & all points in between (even my sweet husband made it into this one!).  A good representation of Alabamians.  So much fun to visit with people as I painted!  I was honored to be there with the Alabama State Council on the Arts. 

A lovely day all around!

Thank you looking!

Day 18/30: "The Beginning"

"The Beginning"

6"x6"

Oil on Panel

$175

Aren't crayons every artist's first love?  The start of our journey of drawing, color, creativity....and aspiring to purchase the great big box of 64?

A loosely formed "A" also symbolizing the first.

Thanks as always for looking!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please follow this link to my website:

http://barbaradavisart.com/works/1658164/the-beginning

Day 17/30: First Wedding Painting of 2015

16"x20"

Oil on Canvas

Commissioned - Private Collection

Today's daily painting was my evening's work completing a live event painting during a wedding reception here in Montgomery!  I do these most Saturday nights, but tonight's was the first one of the year!  What a beautiful day this couple had to get married!  Gorgeous and very mild for January today!  *Did you see me write about how cold it was yesterday morning?  Yes, they say if you don't like the weather in Alabama, stick around a few days.  It'll change.*

I had so much fun painting this tonight.  I really enjoy doing these and this one was no exception.  Saw lots of friends, it was a treat for the eyes to see the flowers and decorations, the band was great - couldn't be better! 

Here's the beginning of the process:

Also, I finally got to meet these kiddos tonight who I painted from photos last year as a surprise for their grandmother!   They are relatives of the bride!

Day 16/30: "Dreams on Dexter"

"Dreams on Dexter"

8"x8"

Oil on Panel

$300

This morning I was able to go paint en plein air with a good friend of mine who is a fabulous watercolor artist.  We chose to venture downtown and paint the historic Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church where Dr. Martin Luther King was pastor from 1954-1960. There is a lot of excitement in downtown Montgomery right now!  Inauguration Day is Monday and the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March is coming up in March. Could this be the most amazing street in the country?  On one end the telegraph was sent that began the Civil War and on the other Jefferson Davis took the oath of office as the first president of the Confederacy on same steps that Dr. Martin Luther King addressed those who marched from Selma.

As a side note, it was really cold this morning.  My friend is a native New Yorker.  

She said it was cold.  If she said it was cold, it was cold. ;)

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click this link to take you to my website:

http://barbaradavisart.com/works/1656615/dreams-on-dexter

Day 15/30: "Ode to June"

"Ode to June"

12"x12"

Oil on Board

$500

Oh, January.  I try to love you.  I really do.  

....but June.....you really are something else!

Cheering up a gloomy day (which has a beauty all its own, I know, I know!), with an ode to June.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click this link to go to my website:

http://barbaradavis.fineartstudioonline.com/works/1655658/ode-to-june

Day 14/30: "Lunch in the Gump"

"Lunch in the Gump"

12"x12"

Oil on Panel

$500

This one may take some explaining if you're not from around Montgomery.  I've painted today one of our most beloved restaurants, Chris' Hot Dogs.  Serving up hot dogs to hungry Montgomerians since 1917, this family-run restaurant is the oldest  in the city.  In the heart of downtown, it's a great lunch spot and you will find all walks of life there, elbow to elbow, greeted by some wonderful people!

What's "the Gump"?  Here you go:

Gump: N. (1) The center of Montgomery, Alabama, usually understood to be the land within the by-passes (boulevards) which encircle the inner city; (2) An affectionate self-deprecating term for the First Capitol of the Confederacy. "Let's go to the Gump tonight to see the Biscuits at Riverwalk." - from Lunch in the Gump's blog

(Further explanation:  "The Biscuits": Montgomery's baseball team; 

"Riverwalk": The stadium in which they play.)

Thank you as always for looking!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click here for a link to go to my website:

http://barbaradavisart.com/works/1654946/lunch-in-the-gump

Day 13/30: "Fleur-de-Lis"

"Fleur-de-Lis"

10"x10"

Oil on Panel

$450

I found the iris a difficult flower to paint, but I love a challenge, so while I have the blooms I will keep on trying.  I really want to have some variety in subject matter as I paint through the 30 Paintings in 30 Days series, but I don't want to be wasteful AND it is such a good learning experience to paint the same thing over and over.  I may do one or two more before I say good-bye to the iris.  

I am really interested in the fleur-de-lis and its symbolism, too, so I have that added factor in my painting choice.  

I love so many artists and varying styles of painting.  I see one and want to paint that way and then another and want to try his technique.  My goal is to have all of these loves come together to form my own style - without confusing myself.  That takes time.  I can be impatient with myself.  In the meantime, as I'm growing, I hope you enjoy watching the journey. 

Thanks for looking!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click this link to take you to my website:

http://barbaradavis.fineartstudioonline.com/works/1654348/fleur-de-lis

Day 12/30: "Pour la France"

"Pour la France" ("For France")

6"x6"

Oil on Board

The iris is the national flower of France and the basis for the stylized fleur-de-lis.  Its three petals are said to represent.wisdom, faith, and chivalry.

Praying for those three and for protection for our French friends and the whole world.

Thank you, as always, for looking. 

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click this link to take you to my website:

http://barbaradavisart.com/works/1653474/pour-la-france

Day 11/30: "Alabama Bloom"

"Alabama Bloom"

8"x8"

Oil on Panel

$300

Another go at the camellias!  Oh, boy, I really love painting them!  Waiting now for reds and pinks to bloom, so I can do some more!  

Thank you very much for looking!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click this link to go to my website:

http://barbaradavisart.com/works/1652663/alabama-bloom

Day 10/30: "Survivors"

"Survivors"

8"x8"

Oil on Panel

$300

There are several reasons the camellia is my favorite flower.  One is their obvious beauty.  With colors ranging from creamy white to vibrant pink to deep red and all shades in between contrasting with the deep dark green glossy leaves, I am completely taken them.  

Another reason, is their bloom time which is amazingly in the coldest and most dismal days of the year. That's why I gave them this name.  Scanning the brownish gray landscape for color, you can find these brilliant flowers popping up in yards all over the South.  I think of them as nature's Valentines because of their pinks, reds, and whites and the time they bloom.  

And last of all, they are the state flower of Alabama.  I'd say we made a good choice.

By the way, here's my very first camellia.  LOL!  From my 2nd grade Alabama History notebook:

Thank you, as always, for looking!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting (but not the drawing from my Alabama History notebook...HA HA!)  please click on this link to take you to my website:

http://barbaradavis.fineartstudioonline.com/works/1651227/survivors

Day 9/30: "Lean on Me"

"Lean on Me"

8"x8"

Oil on Panel

$300

Ahhh....the blessed peace of something to lean on.  That's what this still life said to me.  

I hope it says the same to you.

Thank you for looking, as always.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click on this link to take you to my website:

http://barbaradavisart.com/works/1650695/lean-on-me

Day 8/30: "Roses & Pears"

"Roses and Pears"

8"x8"

Oil on Panel

$300

I made it through the first week of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge!  A trip to the grocery store for more subject matter and a delivery of fresh canvases and I'm all stocked up and ready to tackle the next week.  

I fiddled with this one more than I wanted to, but I hope you like it and thank you, as always, for looking!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click on this link to go to my website:

http://barbaradavisart.com/works/1649468/roses-and-pears

Day 7/30: "Mississippi Autumn"

"Mississippi Autumn"

10"x10"

Oil on Panel

$450

I can't believe a full week has gone by already in 2015!  Day 7 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.  I decided to use another reference photo taken with my phone as we traveled through Mississippi in November.  It was so pretty.  For the longest stretches, there were sloping planes with vibrant trees and I was just a happy passenger!  

Thank you for looking!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click here to go to my website:

http://barbaradavisart.com/works/1648406/mississippi-autumn

Day 6/30: "Mississippi Woods"

"Mississippi Woods"

10"x10"

Oil on Panel

$450

Ever since I traveled through Mississippi in mid-November, I have been wanting to paint from the photos I took from the car window (I wasn't driving!).  The autumn landscape was just beautiful and it was the perfect time to see it.  In our neck of the woods, the peak color is just before Thanksgiving and it did not disappoint this year!  

At last! Time today to take a look at these photos, paint, and 

offer the 6th painting in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click the link below to go to my website:

http://barbaradavis.fineartstudioonline.com/works/1647323/mississippi-woods

Day 5/30: "Local Color"

"Local Color"

10"x10"

Oil on Panel

$450

Nothing warms up a winter day for me quite like painting scenes of summer and one of my very favorite things to paint is the Montgomery Curb Market full of summer's produce.  The colors, texture and people never fail to give me inspiration when inspiration is lacking.  

Here's another for Day 5 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge!

Thanks, as always, for looking!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click here to go to my website:

http://barbaradavisart.com/works/1646729/local-color

Day 4/30: "Downton Day"

"Downton Day"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

$175

It's the day I've been waiting for!!  Day 4 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge?  Nope, Downton Day!!  My obsession for the next few weeks begins tonight with the premiere of season five of Downton Abbey!  

This is the third year I've done the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge in January and it's become my habit to feature a cup of tea on Downton Day.  Pour yourself a cup and enjoy this evening!

Thanks for looking!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click on this link to go to my website:

http://barbaradavisart.com/works/1645835/downton-day

Day 3/30: "Two to Tango"

"Two to Tango"

4"x4"

Oil on Board

$125

Revisited the cherries again while I have them available!  I love doing a series like this, especially when the paintings are all the same size, because they really start looking great together.  

Thanks for looking!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click on this link to take you to my website:

http://barbaradavisart.com/works/1645314/two-to-tango

Day 2/30: "Étude de Cerise"

Étude de Cerise

4"x4"

Oil on Board

$125

For the second day of the daily painting challenge, I chose to go back to an old favorite since they were in the grocery store yesterday!  I love them and love to paint them so it's two for one!

It's always a challenge to try and paint the reflections and see what really isn't red at all in them; so much of the color is really almost a purple-black. 

You may see this subject again!

Thanks for looking!

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you can use this link which takes you to my website:

http://barbaradavisart.com/works/1644252/etude-de-cerise

Day 1/30: "Yuletide Camellia"

"Yuletide Camellia"

4"x4"

Oil on Board

$125

Here I go a-blogging again with a renewed commitment to doing so in the new year!

Honestly, I feel like I am talking to myself when I blog sometimes, so I just sort of gave up on it.  Anyone else feel that way?  Nevertheless, I have decided to do the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge again organized by artist Leslie Saeta.  It's such a great way to kick off the year; shake off the post-holiday inertia and get moving!  

I'll ponder over what to focus on as far as subject matter goes tonight since I just decided today to participate.  I have made a commitment to paint at the very least one landscape, one still life, one figurative work, and one small portrait every week, so that's a good place to start!  

Thankfully, I did this small painting this afternoon, so I'm not behind!  

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click this link to go to my website:

http://barbaradavisart.com/works/1643817/yuletide-camellia

Thank you for looking and reading!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!