Day 30 - The last day of the 30 in 30... can't even believe it... "Sunlit Calico"

So the last few days of this challenge have been the most challenging for me.. the painting has gone well... getting up into my studio to actually do the painting is another story.  So, alas, I have fallen behind, and I think I have only completed 28 paintings for the month... but, I will tell you, I am thrilled with this!  I really, really, really learned a lot about my technique, painting on different grounds, color mixing, time management... how great my family is.... what else?.... So much more...
And I have already sold several of the paintings from this series!
Today's painting was completed over 2 days (yesterday and today) and it was truly a challenge trying to capture the sunlight.  I definitely worked more in an impasto style (very thick paint) on this painting... it just evolved that way.  And the cobblestone floor was also a great challenge with all of the subtle color variations. Overall, I am happy with it and can't wait to see it framed!
If you have followed my progress through this 30 in 30, I thank you so much!  Your support and comments mean everything to me! It may not be a big number for some people, but throughout the challenge, I had over 800 visitors to my blog!  Thank you!  I promise I am not done... In the first few weeks of October, I will be very busy in my frame shop in the basement (dungeon) of my house.  I will post my progress on those frames. Some of these paintings will be at the Wine and Cheese Fundraiser for Art Plus Gallery on October 11th! (for more info on the fundraiser, or if you'd like to go, please go here so stay tuned for that also.  Anyway, here is the last painting for the 30 in 30...

Sunlit Calico, oil on panel, 10.5" x 10.5"
to purchase, please click here

Day 28 - Sunlit Tabby (sketch)

I am sure that for all of you who actually come to my blog to read about my paintings, you can relate... Life sometimes just does not allow for all of your best laid plans.  We all lead very busy lives and I am certainly no exception.  Creating a painting a day is just plain hard on a good day.  Today it was impossible....again.. :(  I know you probably don't care, but I must, for my own purposes review with you all the schedule of my day...
Got up at 6 and got the kids off to school (by 8:45)
Finished framing a painting (9:25)
Took super rambunctious dog for a walk (10:10)
Flew (practically) to W. Reading for a business planning meeting (-12:00)
Went to W. Reading Tavern to hang a new show (-1:30)
Got home and ate lunch.  While doing this I sketch out my painting on a panel (2:30)
Daughter comes home and tells me all about her great day - also have nice conversation with my mom :) (3:30)
Go get Son from bus (4:15)
Hubby comes home and fills me in on his day (5:00)
And here I am at 5:30 needing to plan dinner.

So, there it is... I have now explained myself. :) But really, the life of an artist/mother/wife/gallery member is just like any other busy person.  It's all about juggling and priorities.  So please don't think that I am complaining, 'cause, I love my life!  It just doesn't always go the way I planned...  Here is the beginning of the painting, which I will hopefully paint tomorrow!  (but in the words of my late Grandmother... one day at a time.... you never know what to expect from day to day..) And by the way, if you did actually take the time out of your day to read my ranting... I am eternally grateful... Thank you for caring... :)

Sunlit Tabby Sketch

27 Cardinal Smile

I love the subtlety of colors in female cardinals.  No, they don't have the impact and punch of a bright red male, but the female's colors are just as beautiful, if not even more so... to me anyway!  This little girl looked happy to me, so I enhanced her smile a bit from the original reference photo.... just to add a little happiness to your day.  Have a nice rest of the weekend!

Cardinal Smile, oil on panel, 6" x 6"
to purchase, please click here

Day 26 - Frame making

Weekends are always a challenge for me to get up into my studio.  First of all, I would rather be with my family, who I don't get to see as much during the week!  And there just seems to be a lot of other things that are calling for my attention.    I just didn't make it to the studio to paint today although I sketched everything out onto the panel.  But that is as far as I got.  I did, however, start making frames today, which was a big necessity, as I need a finished one for Monday!! (nothing like last minute...) (If you haven't been here before, in addition to painting, I make ALL of my own frames.  I enjoy woodworking, and it is also kinder on my budget.)   So, that is what I am posting for today. These two frames are both 12" x 24" floater frames for two of my 30 in 30 paintings!  I just finished gluing and air nailing them together and now they are drying, clamped with my awesome frame strap clamps... Tomorrow I will be applying the finish and then putting the paintings in them!
To make up for things, I am going to try to be a super painter tomorrow and paint two pictures.  We will see how that goes.  I can't guarantee anything.,.. :)

Two 12" x 24" frames for day 11 and day 14 paintings
To see day 11's painting again, click here
To see day 14, click here

Day 25 - As Above, So Below

Today I wanted to uber challenge myself and paint a big one... I painted an 18" x 24" landscape, again, from Idaho.. The contrasts and colors out West are just incredible.  Why is that?
Anyway, being that it is a bigger one, I am not sure if I am actually finished.  I think I need to go back in and fix some details up here and there.  Other than that, I am happy with the contrasts and the composition.  Being that it was bigger, I also had to work very differently than I usually do -  I used only big brushes and spent less time on the sketch and more time on the values and colors... This one isn't for sale just yet.  Stay posted as it will be eventually!  I'll have a better picture of it too.. this one was done in my studio under lights... not my preferred way of photographing. Oh well.  It's Friday.  I'm beat!

As Above, So Below, oil on panel, 18" x 24"
not for sale...

Day 24 - How We Roll

I said the other day that I like cute cars... Well, I like big trucks too... My husband is a truck driver, and I think about just how much our world depends on tractor trailers for just about everything...  This is how we roll, so I salute truckers out there just doing their job, helping things to keep on rolling.  :) In addition, I really enjoy finding interesting compositions in mundane pictures.  This was one of them!  While hiking around Google street view in Hailey, Idaho again, I came upon this little parking lot with a semi in it.. It caught my eye and after cropping it I really liked the contrasts and general balance of everything.  Anyway, here it is...

How We Roll, oil on panel, 6" x 6",
To purchase please click here

Day 23 - Jerome, Idaho

I was attracted to this scene because of its intense contrasts and the dramatic composition.  It is another scene I captured by travelling around in Google street view.  It is the only way I can see the world right now.. but it is a satisfactory substitute for now... I guess.. ;)  Anyway, as I was painting, I struggled with the mountains in the background, which were of course an important part of the picture.  I scraped it off no less than two times, then decided to paint it using a palette knife.  I love the way they turned out!  It is a lesson I need to remember... when the painting is not going the way I want... Scrape it off!  It almost always turns out better....

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

Day 22 - The Valley

There are some places that exist in the world that look like a fairy tale... this is surely one of those places.  I don't know what goes on here in this little glade, but I have many images of what life might be like.  One thing I think is... that car I painted yesterday must be parked somewhere behind those trees... :)

The Valley,  oil on panel, 9" x 12"
to purchase please click here

Day 21 - "Red Fiat"

I am a sucker for cute cars... and classic, little Fiats are just about the cutest car there is.  I am wondering, is this the car that was featured in one of the Pink Panther movies with a gorilla driving it around and around?  Anyway, I think there will be (at least) one more red car in my painting future... can't seem to get enough...

Red Fiat, oil on panel, 6" x 6",
to purchase, please click here

Day 20 - Blue Bird

Today's painting... another fluff of a blue bird.. This guy isn't quite as vibrant as the one from 2 day's ago... he is softer and a bit more subtle....  I wish I knew how to attract these cute birds to my bird feeder.  I get chickadees and finches.... but never a blue bird. Oh well. I painted 2 birds today to catch up since I didn't paint yesterday.  Will probably paint something different tomorrow!

"Blue Bird" oil on panel, 6" x 6",
to purchase please click here

Day19 of the 30 in 30 - Evening Crane

I am posting this one a day late (but not a dollar short... :)) because I was busy partying down at my daughter's 17th birthday bash yesterday... but, I painted TWO today and will be posting both... This one is called Evening Crane because there is the last hints of the sunset glinting off of this crane's back.  My first crane painting.... will have to paint more!

Evening Crane, oil on panel, 6" x 6"
to purchase, please click here

Day 18 September Bird

I love it when a painting comes out better than you'd hoped... Today's bird was this way.. I have been so busy today preparing for my opening tonight that I thought, oh well, I may have to skip today's painting.  But then I got done with all the prep, and was faced with an 1 1/2 hours of extra time... I slipped up to my studio and this guy came out onto the panel... Gotta be thankful for small favors!

September Bird, oil on panel, 6" X 6",
to purchase please click here

Day 17 - Leaf Abstraction

I went for a beautiful walk this morning and enjoyed the semi fairy tale quality of bright leaves fluttering to the ground.  I intended for this leaf to come out closer to my usual style, but sometimes my usual style is not what wants to happen.  The leaf started to take on a more abstract, flowing quality, so I just went with it!

Leaf Abstraction, oil on panel, 6" x 6"
to place a bid, please click here

Day 16 - In the Road

I am doing birds for the next few days as they are fun and generally quick... I have daughter's birthday coming up, an art opening Friday and a party to throw on Saturday, so it is necessary!  This guy is the same rooster as yesterday, just in a different position.  I like everything about how this one turned out... like it even better than yesterdays rooster.   He looked to me to be standing on a road somewhere... I just hope he made it across!

In The Road, oil on panel, 6"x6"
to purchase please  click here

Day 15 - Rooster Time

Day 15... Yay!  1/2 way there!
I did a series of chickens about a year ago and sold most of them.... I thought it might be time to do a few more feathered friends... This guy struck me mainly because of his pose and the striking contrast between him and the back ground.  I pushed the colors a bit to make it a complementary color scheme... I think I will paint another of this same rooster in a different pose... Enjoy!

Rooster Time, oil on panel, 6" x 6",
to place a bid, please click here

14 - Zahaira

Today I revisited yesterday's theme.. but focused on just the one woman... She was my favorite part of yesterday's painting (Leaving the Beach) and I just wanted to explore her some more.  I decided to use a triad color scheme of red orange - blue green - and red violet but I started it  by painting an under painting of largely complementary colors... I included pictures of the different stages of the painting below... I have done something similar to this on several other paintings... and then leave some of the underpainting showing through in the final painting.  I like the effect of this technique, and think I need to experiment more with it!  Btw... look up the meaning of the name Zahaira... (you can find it here) it just popped in my head when thinking of a title for this one... I like what it means...

Zahaira, oil on canvas, 12" x 24"
to purchase this painting, please click here

Day 13 - Leaving the Beach

I took this photo down the beach this summer.. It was late afternoon and these ladies were packing up, getting ready to go.  As an artist, you have to pick and choose what to include in your painting.  You certainly don't have to, and probably don't even want to include everything in the scene you are looking at.  There are reasons for this.  Not everything makes a nice composition, for one, and some things just aren't necessary to convey what it is you want to convey.  I highly edited this one, because all I cared about in this scene were the beautiful ladies!  The one putting her hair up was dancing a little dance and they all were dressed in beachy wraps.  I will include the original reference shot so you can see just how much I took away, and changed.  Enjoy!

Leaving the Beach, oil on panel, 6" x 6", to place a bid click here

Reference picture for painting

Day 12 - Montana Daydream

Wow... today was the rainiest day I have seen in a long time in Eastern PA... I thought it would be nice to paint a sunny day landscape with warm hues to brighten things up a bit.  I have to say, though, there are those days in the studio when you think a painting is going to be simple, there is no good reason why it shouldn't be straight forward.... but for some reason, it doesn't work that way.  Today's painting was exactly that way.  This one fought me tooth and nail and I am not convinced it shows just how much effort I put into it.  But, that's o.k.  You learn something from every painting, good or bad.  So this one is called Montana Daydream... maybe because I was daydreaming of a sunnier day...

Montana Daydream, oil on panel, 6" x 6",
to purchase, please click here

 Here is a closeup of one section to show off the texture...

Day 11 - Expecting

Good evening!  Today's painting is a bigger one... consequently, I am actually not sure if it is quite finished yet... I took the reference picture for this when my family and I went to the shore this summer.  Actually I took about 10 pictures of this woman, pretty sure I would be painting her some day... Today was the day.  I may need to do some touching up/adjusting... but for now, I must stop and post her, as I have a gallery opening to get to! In addition, the photo I took of the painting is bleached out on top!  Will definitely re post a new and better picture of it tomorrow.  Hope you have a great Friday night!

Expecting, oil on canvas, 12" x 24"
Not for sale... yet

Day 10 of the 30 in 30 - Little Red Car

Well, life keeps marching on, whether you are determined to paint a painting a day or not... And I just have to say, I am damn lucky to have an understanding and hardworking husband who will cook dinner for the family, take the daughter to work and feed the dogs after delivering beer all day to thirsty Americans...  Thank you Kevin..

So, I posted earlier on facebook that todays painting was going to have to be a quick one... but in reality, I spent a normal amount of time on this one (I'd say about 4 hours total..) but it was just broken up.  I had to do my planning and sketching at the gallery, as well as mix my paints (I was working there today)... then, family things took precedent for a few hours. But around 5:30 I was able to make it up to the studio to start laying the paint in... I know...it looks like a VW beetle in a way, but it isn't!   I am not sure what kind of car it is, but I think it might be French...  Anyway, here is today's painting... Little Red Car, for lack of a better title..
If you think you know what kind of car this is, let me know!

Little Red Buggy, oil on panel, 6" x 6", to purchase, please click here

Day 9 - Late Afternoon Golden

I knew I'd paint another of these sunlit pups after I painted the first one for Day 4's painting.  I do enjoy painting dogs from behind also!... I have done it for quite a few commissions and one of my own doggies too.. Something about their personality can be seen in the way they stand and how they walk from behind... In any case, this one is an older girl out for a late, hazy afternoon stroll... Going for a walk with the dog.... good for the soul...

Late Afternoon Golden, oil on panel, 11" x 14", to purchase, please click here

Just for fun, here is one I did in 2012 of my two doggies.. 

interesting to see how much my style has changed!

Ali and Scooter, 11" x 14", oil on canvas, private collection

Day 8 of the 30 in 30 - Blue Roof

Life never stops, even if you have to paint a painting every day..... So, after helping to hang the new gallery show this morning and going to finalize plans on an upcoming solo exhibition I am having, I had just over 1 hour to complete a painting before having to get my son from the bus and take my daughter to work!  But, I got it done....
Today's image was found on Morguefile, the royalty free image site.  I was struck by the rich contrasts and strange colors.  I am including the original image here so you can see how sometimes I push the colors to be more of my liking. This one is very fauve, in my opinion!
If you would like to purchase this painting, please visit my Daily Paint works page here.

Thanks for looking!

Blue Roof, oil on panel, 6" x 6", click here to purchase

Day 7 of the 30 in 30 - Twin Barks sign 2

Happy Labor day! (to those of us who live in the U.S...)  Hope you are enjoying the day and perhaps picnicking with friends and family...

Today's post is the 2nd sign I was commissioned to paint for a cottage in Mt. Gretna, PA.  As I said yesterday, this was such a fun commission to do, as I love to paint dogs and landscapes, plus there is something about painting text that I also enjoy!  So, wow, all three of those elements went into creating these signs, making it a completely satisfying project.  The second sign feature 2 different poses for the dogs, plus different scenery.  My client asked for a landscape that had fall colors in it, as Mt. Gretna is particularly beautiful in the fall.  I am posting another before picture today as well, purely for your viewing pleasure.  I had to strip the original paint off of the signs and restore some areas of the wood as the signs are quite old and had some damage.  After wood puttying, applying a wood hardener and painting on 2-3 coats of primer and gesso, they were finally ready to paint!  Hope you enjoyed this installment of the 30 in 30.... See you tomorrow!

Twin Barks Sign 2, oil on wood, 5" x 23", private collection

Close up of Bouvier

Signs after stripping original finish and restoring the wood

Day 6 - Twin Barks Commission

I am so thankful and humbled that people come to me sometimes, and request that I paint them a custom painting... Getting to know the client, and working together to come up with the perfect painting is a challenge that often results in me learning about something or some place that I never knew about before!  I was recently commissioned by a gentleman from Washington DC to paint signs for his summer cottage in Mt. Gretna that bears the name "Twin Barks".  In his youth he had two dogs, a Standard black poodle and a Bouvier des flandres and they always greeted visitors, both barking... hence the name Twin Barks... He had the original signs (both quite old) that he wanted restored and painted with a more artistic flair.  With his input and through several editing renditions using different backgrounds and dog poses, I designed 2 unique signs for him. They were finally completely dry after 3 final coats of exterior polyurethane and I delivered them earlier this morning! Below is the before and after pics of one of the signs. Stay tuned to see the second sign in another of my 30 in 30 posts!  Thanks for looking!

Twin Barks, sign 1, oil on wood, 5" x 23", private collection

Day 5 - Vintage Phone

I am drawn to the lines and style of vintage phones...I have painted a few in the past year and today's entry is another great old phone that has such wonderful contours..  Present day cell phones will never compare...
To purchase this painting, please click here 
Thanks!

Vintage Phone, oil on panel, 6" x 6"
click here to purchase

Day 4 - Waiting

I posted this pic earlier on Facebook today, but thought I'd include it on my blog also...  Almost all of my paintings start with a grid and an initial sketch.  Today's was painted on a black ground.. I use a white pencil for sketching on black for ease of seeing.

I was all ready to paint a flower from my garden when at the last moment, I decided to paint this dog instead.  I found this image on Morguefile, an online collection of royalty free photos that is updated probably by the second, and you can find just about anything.  Great if you don't know what to paint.  I certainly don't have a lack of ideas... but this guy (or gal) just struck me and I felt I needed to paint him.  If you've ever had a dog, you probably have admired him from behind, with the sunlight making them glow like an angel... which as we all know, most dogs are... This painting is titled "Waiting", but it could have been "Golden" instead.. You choose...

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

Day 3 - Biker on Penn Street

Whew... I got this one done by the skin of my teeth.  And in reality, I still probably have some tweaking to do on it.  I could lie and say I don't know what I was thinking when I chose to do a 16" x 20" painting today.  But, I do know.  I really like painting big, and yesterday's 6"x6" was frustrating using such small brushes... Plus, I need to learn how to paint bigger, faster...
Anyway, another experiment.  I painted on a gold ground today (not metallic, but yellow-gold), which was a first for me.  This was a picture I took the same day I took the reference pic for day 2's picture. Was sitting at a traffic light and there was this biker guy waiting for the light also.  Snapped the pic and off we went in opposite directions... I liked the challenge of the image because there was soooo much red in the picture.  I wanted to paint it with all that red, and still make it engaging... Hopefully it is!

Biker on Penn St., oil, 16" x 20",  to purchase this painting, please click here

Day 2 of September 30 in 30 - Crossing Penn St. Bridge

One of the hardest aspects of being is an artist is... shifting gears.   Today, I worked on Art Plus Gallery's website, typed up the minutes of last nights member meeting and put a final coat of poly urethane on a commission that is almost ready for delivery.... And then, I had to get into the studio to paint today's painting.  How to change the brain to get into painting mode?  Some days work better than others. Today was a challenge..... But....
I live near this small city, Reading, PA.  Back when my Grandmother was young (in the 30's), Reading was the place to go... shopping, dancing, working... but through the 20th century, it suffered the fate of many small towns across the U.S.  It fell to the wayside and started becoming a not so great place to go anymore.  But... in the past 10 years or so, Reading is making a comeback... the art scene is huge (and growing fast!)  and great things are happening every day.  This is just one scene of Reading, (with it's iconic Pagoda Peeking in the distance) that I see on a regular basis and it beckons me to paint it, every time I see it from just this spot.  I had my camera with me the other day, and (yes, it's true) I was snapping pictures of this as I passed over Penn Street Bridge. I promise, I was paying attention to the road...

If you would like to purchase this painting, please visit my Daily Paintworks site here  

Thanks for looking!

Crossing Penn Street Bridge, oil on panel, 6" x 6", click here to bid

Day 1 of September 30 in 30

Long time no post.... Geeze.. this summer was a busy, busy summer and I just kind of slacked off with my posting during July and especially August!  I am so sorry to those of you who loyally follow me through all of my paintings and challenges I take part in .  But good news!  I am doing Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge!  I have considered what I could do for a theme... but haven't really come up with anything.  I enjoy figurative work, and perhaps will focus on this...

Today's painting is of my daughter, a favorite subject of mine. The reference shot was taken the last time we went to the shore, at sunset.  She had just gotten a new hair pin and was putting her long tresses up in a bun, holding the pin in her mouth... The way the sun glinted off her hair and made her skin glow was captivating to me... but challenging to paint!  I also opted to paint on a RED ground just for something different.  I was thinking it would help impart an inner glow to the whole scene.  Red is such a strong color, I am not sure if it overwhelms the whole thing or not.  Something else to explore. So, thanks for coming here to read more about my paintings.  Come back tomorrow, as there WILL be a new painting to see!  If you are interested in purchasing this painting, I have it up for auction at my Dailypaintworks site.  Click here to go to my DPW site.

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