Saturday, January 23, 2016

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Painting 30 in 30 - Day 13/Rose

"Singleton"
4" x 6"
pastel,watercolor ink and gouache
on sanded UArt board

Last year I was a resident at Loveland, Colorado's
Independence Gallery.  
Each year, the gallery owner, Billie Colson
sponsors an event that
highlights and benefits
Cystic Fibrosis research.

Here is a poster featuring this
year's annual event.
Thought I would take a day of my 30 in 30
to paint a rose and get it framed.
This rose will be headed to the gallery
as soon as I can cut the glass for
the frame and mat.
The source for this was from a photo
that my florist daughter supplied.

It will be in an 8" x 10" frame.


Monday, January 11, 2016

Painting 30 in 30 - Day 11/Sostenuto

"Sostenuto"
acrylic on wrapped canvas
18" x 24"

I see many things in this one, at first I saw birthday candles, 
then I saw piano hammers/striking the soundboard.
Thus - sostenuto - which means 'sustained' in Italian.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Painting 30 in 30 - Day 10/Grass

"Window Grass"
14" x 14"
mixed media on wrapped canvas

Finally, getting true to my goal making when I began.
Stepping WAYYY out of my comfort zone.
But I have to confess, this was just 
more fun to do, than anything
I have done in awhile.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Painting 30 in 30 - Day 9/Deer

"Innocence"
7" x 9"
mixed media
watercolor/colored pencil/gouache

Painted from a photo that I borrowed from my
friend - Danni.  I loved
the sweet look on this white-tail's face
as he obviously was aware that
something was going on.

Danni has an awesome blog
On the Way to Critter Farm.
You can visit it HERE.

Thanks Danni!


Friday, January 8, 2016

Painting 30 in 30 - Day 8/Doves

"Mourning Doves"
5" x 15"
mixed media
on Canson Colorline/Heather
pastel and gouache

These doves are actually a pair that I took several photos
of, on my brother and sister-in-law's deck awhile back.
I compiled two photos of each dove
to make this plethora of birds on the railing.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Painting 30 in 30 - Day 7/Trees

"Twisted"
5 1/2" x 10"
mixed media on Canson Colorline blue
pastel on gouache

I loved doing this one today. These are my dead trees in winter, minus many twiggy branches.  I loved how the light was filtering through them creating such great shadows.

I am very fond of this surface but will have to make a few minor changes when using it next time - like mount it on a board...as it warps a little when you seal it with clear gesso.  It's very papery, too, Tape on top is very hard to remove without tearing the surface.  I used gouache to paint the trees and pastel pencil on top.

Yes, it is for sale, just email me.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Painting 30 in 30 - Day 6/Trout


"Rainbows"
10" x 20"
mixed media (watercolor, gouache and acrylic)
on wrapped canvas
(SOLD)

I have tried to 'fish' from time to time..catching only a few fish in my entire life, however,
I have been around a lot of fishing addicts who LOVE to fish so this quote seems
to make sense to me.

"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, 
there'd be a shortage of fishing poles."
-Doug Larson

Rainbow Trout, seem to me - the most beautiful fish, if you think
a fish could be lovely.  To me, it is.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Painting 30 in 30 - Day 5/Cranes

"Passing Through"
16" x 20"
mixed media

Acrylic paint and Dr. Martin watercolor again today.
While in Michigan this fall, we saw the sandhill 
cranes out in a field. 
Long range lenses come in so handy.

Onto Day 6 tomorrow!

To see more art by others in the challenge, click on the Christmas tree 
in sidebar.


Monday, January 4, 2016

Painting 30 in 30 - Day 4/Abstract 3

Part Three of "Annual Checkup"
10" x 10"
mixed media

This is how they might look hanging on your wall, maybe not so much spacing between.

 Tomorrow, onto other things.  Almost didn't do this number 3 today and postpone it to another day.
Glad I did it - however, big dirty brush water container spill - 
all over everything at floor level.  Ugh...

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Painting 30 in 30 - Day 3/Abstract 2


 "Checkup ~ Part Deux"

10" x 10"
mixed media

Same drill as yesterday with a twist.
I have to always push myself to hold BACK on
the brush handle..as I often find
myself too detail'y' and too tight,
so I drew with black Sharpie
a line in the sand...don't cross it.
For the most part I didn't.

This one didn't take as long as the other one...but I imagine
number 3 will go even faster.
Palette is all set up,
steps were already figured out.
The only change was how to 
manipulate the image.

I had help as usual from Pye and Mika.
They are my studio cats.
They almost don't fit on the window ledge together anymore.

Here are number 1 and number 2 - 
challenge for tomorrow, make ONE more to go with them.












I noticed that the gold Sharpie 
paint pen didn't show up as well on
number 2.  I think it's because the
entire painting was still damp.

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Painting 30 in 30 - Day 2/Abstract 1


"Annual Checkup"
10" x 10"
mixed watermedia

This one really pushed me way out of my comfort zone.
I don't think I have done a serious ABSTRACT since college.
Back in those days, the heavy gel that is used today
was called 'impasto paste'.  I used a little on this one.
Steps follow next page:

Friday, January 1, 2016

Painting 30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 1/Tulips

Happy New Year!
So glad it's 2016 - to begin Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days!
Holding true to my plan (having fun with mixed media), this is number ONE!


"Bringing Spring Inside"
8 1/2" x 10"
pastel and watercolor on dusty rose Art Spectrum


This is the first thing I did to the surface, using Dr. Martin's
very vivid watercolors.

I began by drawing and painting a crude idea of where the 
main parts of the plant go. I used my own photo
of tulips I received several years ago.

I put it in an 11" x 14" mat to see the edges of 
what I wanted framed, if needed.


More NEW art pieces

  Lukki - watercolor 9" x 12" acrylic done from Unsplash ph ref, thanks C Deluvio!