Day 30 of the 30 in 30 challenge - Blue Suede Shoes

Today is the last day of the 30 in 30 challenge I have been taking part in... I am a little sad because I work really well when I have an 'assignment'... But on the other hand, I do have assignments awaiting.   I have 4 commissions waiting in the wings that I will be getting on (starting tomorrow!) and many, many frames to make for myself and people who have ordered from me.  But, painting everyday in my studio this month has been a lot of fun and I learned so much about so many things!  I love sharing my work regularly like this, and I plan on continuing to post, whether I am painting or framing...  So, anyway, if you have followed me through September, I thank you for your support and interest, as well as your comments!  I hope you continue to tune into my blog to see what I am up to because I have some plans for the paintings I made during the challenge and will post my plans here!

Today's painting is called "Blue Suede Shoes".  Does anyone remember having to draw a shoe in high school art class?  I was reminded of that when I started this painting today.  It is almost a right of passage in H.S. art!  I like the style of these very blue shoes and thought they would make a nice painting...

Blue Suede Shoes, oil on panel, 6"x6"
to purchase, please click here

Day 29 of the 30 in 30 - Thankfulness

The day before the last day of this challenge.... I can't believe it!  I am so happy that I have painted almost every day.... and so thankful that I have been able to do it.  That is the origin of my painting for today.  While perusing the morgue files, I came across a picture of this awesome stone Buddha who looks very thankful and very happy.  Had to paint him...

Thankfulness, oil on panel, 6"x6"
To purchase, please click here

Day 28 of the 30 in 30 - Kind of cheating....

So, I am going to ask for a little bit of leeway here today.... I threw a sweet sixteen birthday party for my daughter today and, well, didn't get anywhere near my studio.... So in honor of my beautiful daughter, I am posting this painting I did of her a year or so ago.  I still really like the painting, and am so happy that I caught the expression that I did.  Can't believe my little girl is 16....  

Meilea, Oil on canvas, 18" x 24", nfs

Day 27 of the 30 in 30 - Invitation

I love days like this painting depicts... Big, dominating, white fluffy clouds.  I call this one invitation because I hope when you look at the painting you feel invited to take a stroll down the road to see where it might take you.  May you enjoy your day!

Invitation, oil on panel, 6"x8"
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Day 26 - Nanny's Phone

Today's painting is what I consider an iconic part of... well, humanity in general....  Just like the Volkswagen Beetle, I love the look and style of old phones like this.  As soon as I showed my husband, he said..."Now that takes me back to my grandmothers house and the telephone table..." and the story went on from there.  I think it is so cool how an image can transport you to a place and time that holds strong memories.

Nanny's Phone, oil on panel, 6"x6"
to purchase, click here

Day 25 of the 30 in 30 - Legs

Shortly after I painted the painting "Yellow Bug", it sold... and then I was commissioned to paint this painting... The person who commissioned me wanted it to have some things that hold meaning to the person he is giving it to.  The horse in particular was a dear friend apparently.  I hope the painting will do her memories of theses things justice!

Legs, 8"x8", oil on panel, sold

Day 24 of the 30 in 30 - Luv Bug

I spent the day gallery sitting today at Art Plus... always a nice day.   I can bring my painting supplies to paint while I'm there and I often do, as I did today.  A few paintings ago, I painted a VW bug and happily, it sold!  Shortly there-after I was commissioned to paint another Beetle painting with some other things going on it the painting.  While designing the image for the commission, I decided I needed to paint a 3rd one... because good things should happen in 3's, don't you think?  So here's today's 24th painting in this challenge and it is titled Luv Bug.

Luv Bug, oil on panel, 6" x 6"
to purchase please click here

Day 23 of the 30 in 30 - Plein Air Painting

Well, I finally went and did it! I went plein air painting today with two of my good artist friends.  We ended up in Leesport, a central location to all of us.  I am so thankful for the amazingly designed easel that my husband made for me... it made today so much better than had I used my cumbersome french easel... Anyway. I painted 2 paintings today.  Don't know if they are any good, but I am not sure I was expecting any masterpieces today.  Just getting the hang of painting outdoors...  Check back later and I will post some pictures that I took of the day.

Everything's coming together, oil on panel, 6"x6"

I took a quick snapshot on my phone of the scene I was painting to look at when I got home.  the colors were definitely brighter than the photo shows...

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Red House, oil on panel, 6"x6"

Day 22 of the 30 in 30 challenge - Everything's fine

I spent a lot of time today preparing for tomorrow as I am going on my first ever plein air painting expedition with some artist friends of mine.  Plein air simply means that I will be painting outside in nature, instead of in my studio.   I have been planning and studying all about plein air painting for some time now and over the past month or so, with the help of my husband and many online examples, I have designed a plein air easel to take with me tomorrow.  I was going for simplicity, light weight and usability.  I finished things off today by cutting my pallet so it will hang nicely on the tripod (which you can see in the picture below) and making some wet panel holders for easy transportation of finished paintings.  When I finished with all of that, I didn't have a lot of time left to actually paint a painting.  I had originally wanted to try the system out outside.  But it got too late, so I tried it out in my studio, using a reference photo, instead of the real McCoy... (a.k.a. nature...)  I used a photo I took awhile back of a many layered landscape with some pretty interesting color shifts.  Below my painting I included a picture of the easel.  

Everything's Fine, oil on panel, 6"x6",
to purchase please click here

Amazing plein air easel system my husband and I designed
Love how everything came together...

Just want to say, I love the easel as it fits all of the requirements I was going for, and more! And I want to thank my awesome husband for doing almost all of the work to design and build it!

Close up of inside paint storage area.. Can also see how the pallet attaches to the tripod.

Day 21 of the 30 in 30 painting challenge - Custom Job

It is hard for me to get to my studio on the weekends, that's for darn sure...  But I did it, by gosh.  I must say however, that one down side to this challenge is I really haven't been spending as much time with my kids... and Rowan let me know it the other night by telling me he missed me and wanted to have a whole entire Mommy day together.  Well.  I am a pretty sentimental person (which may not be evident)  and my heart strings were definitely yanked on.  So, for Rowan, today's painting is of one of his Lego characters that he put together from random parts he has, hence the name "Custom Job".  Rowan is definitely a master builder (see the Lego Movie...).  This is just a small example of his many creations.

Custom Job, oil on panel, NFS
click here to see other paintings that are for sale...

Day 20 of the 30 in 30 - Celebration Roses

Today's painting is of some roses that were part of my daughter's 16th birthday bouquet... I can honestly say, roses are not my thing to paint.  Such a challenge with all of layers and delicate shading.  I have watched countless you-tube videos of people painting roses who make it seem effortless.  I assure you, it is not... Celebration Roses is my take on such a common, yet difficult subject to paint.. Enjoy!

Celebration Roses, oil on panel, 6"x6"
to purchase, please click here

Day 19 of the 30 in 30 - Blue Marble

Today's painting is a miniature... harder to paint than you might think, especially if you are like me and like using big brushes.  The panel measures 4"x4", however, I will be offering this one framed and ready to place in your home... :) So why did I choose a miniature painting?  Well, I had to paint 2 paintings today due to the fact that I have a very busy schedule tomorrow and don't think I will have time to paint... ugh.   But that's o.k., because I did get 2 done today!  I am out of breath (figuratively) and feel like I spent the better part of the day in the studio.  Oh well... not many other things I can think of I'd rather do!  Today's painting is of a marble... Glass orbs are fantastic to paint.  More detail in this tiny object than most other things...

Blue Marble, oil on panel, framed, 4"x4"
to purchase, please click here

Day 18 - Janies Frog

Don't have too much time to post now and will elaborate later... Todays painting in the 30 in 30 challenge is a frog  that my aunt in law sent a pic of last night.  Love this guy!  Thanks Janie!

Update... a word about photographing my artwork-
I posted the bottom image last night and had to do it quickly as I needed to leave for work.  Consequently, I snapped a picture in my studio under my studio lights, which happen to be LED daylight bulbs.  I knew then that the colors weren't quite right and I would have to re-take the picture today outside.  Artwork is best photographed in natural light. That being said, it is not always easy finding the perfect spot with just the right light.  Sometimes the light is dappled by shadows. Direct sunlight is too harsh.  Shade sometimes alters the color of the painting by what ever is causing the shade (i.e. a green tree).  I have found the the perfect spot to photograph my paintings is in a west facing corner of my house that has a white wall and white gravel on the ground.  But, as I found this morning, it also is best in the late afternoon... Although the colors are correct in the top photo this one shows quite a bit of glare, which I couldn't seem to avoid, no matter how I turned my painting.  Yes, the painting is still wet, but in the late afternoon, it is as if there is a sweet spot of perfect lighting to photograph my paintings.  Maybe I'll take another one later today and post that to compare!

Janie's Frog, oil on panel, 6"x6",
to purchase, please click here
Photographed in natural light

Janie's Frog, photographed under LED lighting

Day 17 of the 30 in 30 - This Little Piggy

I started out today thinking I was going to paint a bunny... and mid-way through sketching it on my panel, this pig called out to me to be painted instead.  That happens sometimes, and you just have to go with your gut.  This guy was painted from an image I got from a website called morguefile.com which I just discovered.  It has free stock photos for use by all creatives in the world... check it out!
Anyway, This little piggy just looks so happy and seems like he is begging for a pat!  Won't you stop and say hello?

This Little Piggy, oil on panel, 6"x6"
to purchase, please click here

Day 16 of the 30 in 30 - Happy Birthday! (Almost...)

16 years ago today, I was in major labor...  and had been for over 24 hours.  It was a long, tiring birth, but she came out healthy and strong, and still is to this day.  Yes, my beautiful, talented, amazing daughter is turning 16 at around 2 a.m. on September 17th.  16 years old!  Such a big milestone...  I wanted to paint her something special because she is one of my biggest fans and I love her so much!  So, this cupcake is for you, Meilea!  Happy almost birthday!

Happy Birthday!, oil on panel, 6"x6"
Not for Sale

Day 15 of th 30 in 30 - Yellow Bug

If someone offered me an old VW Beetle... I wouldn't turn it down.  I am sure that by today's standards it would be pretty uncomfortable and, well, not very safe.  But I think they are one of the best looking cars ever made.  So, yeah.  I'd drive it...here and there.  :)

Yellow Bug, oil on panel, 6" x 6"
to purchase, please click here

I love to paint impasto (really thick paint).. The secret is in the brush... 

Yellow Bug Juice

Day 14 of the 30 in 30... The Fish Head

Today's painting was inspired by a Daily Paintworks weekly challenge.  The DPW website (one of the places I sell my artwork though) has a weekly painting challenge.  It could be anything from stormy weather (last weeks challenge) to painting a fish (one from the end of May).  I've never done one before, but I was perusing them last night and liked the look of this guy.  Thought he would be fun to try. So, here is my entry for the 30 in 30 painting challenge I am participating in with Leslie Saeta (and over 2000 other artist worldwide) and for the paint a fish DPW challenge.  I must say, blending the colors on this fish was definitely a challenge.  You may notice that the picture uses a complementary color scheme of blue and orange.  Great challenge for me today.   But anyway, lets get down to business.... Anyone want a fish head to hang on their wall?  ;)

The Fish Head, oil on panel, 6"x6"
to purchase, please click here

Day 13 - Somewhere in the Cosmos

Another thing I did this year was to dedicate a raised bed to wild flowers that apparently attract butterflies and hummingbirds.  The headliner in this patch of flowers is definitely the Cosmos.  I love cosmos for its bold awesomeness...  Today's painting is just one of the hundreds blooming in the bed right now.  Enjoy!

Cosmos, oil on panel, 6"x6"
to purchase, please click here

Day 12 in the 30 in 30 - A touch of Fall

I took the reference pic for this painting as a passenger during a drive (I think to Hershey Park).  I am including the photo here so you can see the original compared to what I ended up with.  Sometimes I stick pretty close to the photo, sometimes I change a lot...like in this one!  I wanted a red barn in this one, and I really warmed the foreground up. I also cropped it to fit into a square composition. I can't believe I am almost 1/2 way done this challenge! So happy I am able to actually complete one a day!

Reference Photo

A touch of Fall, oil on panel, 10.5x10.5
to purchase please click here

Day 11 - Lady Liberty

In response to the posts I was reading earlier today concerning 9/11 I chose to paint the Statue of Liberty... The meaning of the statue is inherently good and I wanted to put some good energy out there and paint a little bit of hope.  I painted this one very differently than any I can ever remember painting.  I laid it out as usual, but by the time I got to the actual painting, I had about 1 1/2 hours until I had to go to work.  The painting style is therefore very loose and I think has some pretty nice brush work going on.  There are some minor things I want to tweak here and there, but all in all I am happy with the expressiveness in this one.  I will post an updated picture if I decide to change anything.

Lady Liberty, oil on panel, 9"x12" 

Day 10 of the 30 in 30 - Heads above the rest

I decided on another sunflower for today.... had a conversation with my Mom and Dad and they both commented on the first one I painted,  saying how much they liked it... I thought it would be nice to do a different composition and size.  This one is painted on a stretched canvas, which is a little different from painting on panel.  Can't decide which one I like better... well, o.k., I like painting on panels better - just feels different.  But canvas has it's benefits.  This one is titled "Heads above the rest" because...it just looks like it, but also, because both of my Grandmothers, (whom I planted the sunflowers in honor of) were heads above the rest.... Both were strong, liberal minded women who loved to live life to the fullest! Hope you enjoy...Viva la Sunflowers!

Heads above the Rest, oil on canvas, 8"x10"
Please click here to purchase

Day 9 of the 30 in 30 - The Orange Lifesaver

I have these new paintbrushes that I am just loving... I have been slowly trying different brands, hair types and styles and think I have hit upon a definite winner.  They are made by Grumbacher are the Degas line and are a size 6 flat and a size 6 filbert and they are just great at laying down paint....

O.K., so, about Day 9...
I went for a less complicated composition today and decided on painting a scene I wouldn't mind being in right about now...  Boats and their reflections are endlessly fascinating to look at and to paint.  I also love the orange lifesavers and bumpers!

The Orange Lifesaver, oil on panel, 9" x 12"
Click here to purchase

Day 8 - Winter Street in China town

I decided to challenge myself with a more complex composition today... and just finished!  Still have an hour to spare.... I am really enjoying this challenge and am learning a lot about my process... also learning how to leave things alone and not mess around too much with the paint.  It also makes me consider each brush stroke and the color and value of paint I am applying more carefully too.  Well, this one is from a picture I took in Chinatown, Philadelphia over the summer.  I was interested in the building in the background and repeating shapes.  I also enjoyed painting the two figures as it is not often that I include a figure in my paintings. I must do this more.

Winter Street in Chinatown, oil on panel, 9" x 12"
to purchase this painting, please click here

Day 7 of the 30 in 30 - Chickens on my mind

It is never easy getting into my studio on the weekend....my kids and hubby are home, and I want to be spending time with them!  But I finally made it up there this evening and got this guy finished just in time.  I actually sketched him onto the panel yesterday during the art fair, but we had to pack everything up early when the rain came.  I haven't painted a chicken in a while and had fun with this subject once again.  Besides, my chicken painting inventory is getting kind of low!  Tomorrow I start laying out a commission I am working on of someone's house, an American Foursquare, (which happens to be one of my favorite styles of houses) It will be interesting dividing my day up into painting for the 30 in 30 challenge (quicker) and working on the commission (slower).... Will let you know how it goes! Thanks, as always for looking!

Day 6 of the 30 in 30!

Today I took part in a local art fair and had a blast.  I love small fairs like this because to me, this is "keeping it real" as it were...  Anyway, I started a painting, but didn't quite finish it, so I am posting a painting that I completed last week, which is kind of cheating,. but, well, Who cares!!!  This is a night time, city-scape, which is very different for me,. but alas, I love it... and want to paint more night scenes from inner cities!  I love the contrasting purples and yellows and the interesting glow from the unnatural lighting.  Hope you enjoy, and if you are interested in this one, it is currently hanging in Art Plus Gallery in
West Reading.  Thanks always for looking!

Domo, 6"x6", oil on panel, $85.00

Do you know this local (to me) landmark?

If you live anywhere near Reading, PA, you should recognize this familiar landmark.  It is called the Pagoda and was built in 1908.  It has a rambling history which you can read here if you are interested. It is visible from all over the surrounding area and I have a few more reference pics that just might end up as paintings. The  pic I took for this was taken on my kids last day of school in June.... (seems like yesterday!).  I also tried a few new techniques out for this painting including using the palette knife exclusively for the sky and several new paintbrushes that arrived at my doorstep yesterday! (Christmas in September...)  I am not putting this one up for sale just yet... have plans for it!

The Pagoda in June, oil on panel, 6"x6", 

Close up of the impasto juiciness

Sometimes you think its done, but the next morning...

I knew when I posted Mt. Penn sunset last night that there was something not quite right. Upon looking at it today, I saw what it was.  The values in the foreground were too dark behind the trees... So, I simply lightened things up a bit and now I feel better about the whole thing... :)
The great thing about being a painter is that you can do that!  So here it is with it's subtle changes...

Mt. Penn Sunset, oil on panel, 6"x6", $75
click here to purchase

Day 4 of the 30 in 30 - Mt. Penn sunset

Day 4

I'll post more later about this.... it is a 'nocturne' which is different for me.  Enjoy!

Mt. Penn Sunset, oil on panel, 6 x6"

Day 3 - 30 in 30 challenge

When I started collecting ideas for the 30 in 30 challenge I am taking part in I thought about possible themes for my 30 paintings to fall under. (It can make it easier to come up with ideas if you choose a theme...) I had a few that seemed likely, but never really settled on an idea.  Well, so far, the general theme seems to be....."Summer stuff"... I know, really esoteric..... Can't help it!  I took lots of pics this summer whenever I went places and low and behold....those are the images I am looking at now.... so, yeah.  

The 3rd installment in my 30 in 30 set is a beach scene taken on the oh so short beach vacation I took with the kids in July (when the water was a chilly 52 degrees)  Just happened to catch this pretty little girl and her
Dad.  Glad I did!

At the Beach with Dad, Oil on panel, 6"x6", $75, unframed

Day 2, 30 in 30 challenge

 If you live near me, you know I decided to plant a stand of mammoth sunflowers this year.  What you may not know is that they are in honor of both my Grandmothers, Laila and Ella.  I have fond memories of sunflowers with both of them and I wanted to have a little bit of them in my back yard this year.  This painting is of one of the many huge sunflowers populating my garden right now.  I snapped the reference pic just as a bumblebee was flying away after pollinating.  I particularly love the juiciness of the paint in this one...
If you are interested in purchasing this painting, I will be posting it on my DPW gallery.

Onward to better things, oil on panel, 6"x6", $75

Close up of juicy paint...

Day 1 of Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 painting challenge

I am taking part in a challenge to paint a painting a day for 30 days straight hosted by Leslie Saeta a California artist I follow.  The challenge started today..... and by gosh, I finished a painting on time!  (I was also framing all day in preparation for hanging the new show at my gallery tomorrow morning!)  I am tired, but, as part of the challenge, I am posting my daily painting on my blog, facebook, website etc...and this is day 1's post.  I hope you enjoy following me through the next 30 days!  I may not paint a masterpiece every day (I am sure I won't) but I do plan on gaining insight into planning and organizing my time better so I actually make it to my studio every day.  :)  As always, thanks for looking!

5th and Penn, oil on hardboard, 5" x 7"
To purchase, please click here to go to my DPW gallery