Blue Mountain Bend

If you followed me through my last 30 in 30 challenge, you know that I developed a penchant for google street view.  I am not in a place or position where I can travel the world right now, but love seeing new locales and painting my impressions of them.  This view is from somewhere in the Western U.S. where the mountains are plentiful and the colors are amazing...

Blue Mountain Bend, oil on panel, 6" x 6"
SOLD

Day 13 - A River Runs Through It

Good evening....
So today was a busy, busy day.... Putting on a pot roast to slow cook for the day, a few hours of frame making in my basement and then out to the mall to dress shop with my beautiful daughter.. Finally to my studio and,  I actually got today'a painting done!  Another landscape..  I am thinking about finishing this challenge with just landscapes because I am having so much fun with them... And this just happens to be one of my favorites of this challenge so far.  We'll see if I can keep up the landscape momentum...  Because it is so late, I am cutting this post short and sweet.  Hope you have a wonderful night!

A River Runs Through It, oil on panel, 6"x6"
to purchase, please click here

Day 12 - Somewhere in Goias

Where?  Well, this here is another Google Street view inspired painting.  I can't travel the world right now, in the physical sense.  If I could, however, I most definitely would.  I guess street view is the best I can do at the moment.  So, this is, as the title says, somewhere in the state of Goias, Brazil, which, I had never even heard of before.  Pretty sad that my geography is so poor, but, alas, there it is.  I was attracted particularly to the beautiful, deep blue sky with the large clouds receding to tiny little puffs way back at the horizon.  Today in PA, incidentally, is nothing like this at all... rainy, gloomy, cold and freezing... Probably also why I was inspired to paint this one today!

Surprise! I am offering this little gem as an auction at my Daily Paintworks Page!  If you are interested in bidding on this painting, please click here to visit my DPW friendly auction page

Somewhere in Goias, oil on panel, 6"x6"
to bid on this, please click here

Day 10 - A Spectacular End to the Day

Good evening... Can't believe I am a third of the way there in completing this 30 in 30.  I have to say, this challenge is a bit more challenging than the first one I took part in for a variety of reasons, one of them being the extreme cold.  My studio probably doesn't get above 55 degrees, and I am learning that oil paint does not care for cold, dry air... at all.  I have been learning and adjusting to this atmosphere and it definitely has been a process.  Anyway, there is always something new to learn as an artist... always.  And that is why I continue to chip away at being one!
Today's painting came from a photo I found on the Morguefiles but I have definitely seen skies just as amazing in my life!  The sky provides endless ideas and material for paintings and I could probably paint a sky a day and not get bored... (hey.... that's not a bad idea!)

A Spectacular End to the Day, oil on panel, 6"x6",
to purchase, please click here

Day 5 - Glass Planets

Who doesn't like marbles?  (I guess there is someone who is a marble hater out there but....) I have always had a certain attraction to marbles.. As a child they seemed magical.. as an adult they are beautiful little objects that sometimes seem to hold a universe in them... Today's entry into the 30 in 30 are of some marbles that I came across the other day and knew then that I would paint them sometime during this challenge... well here they are!  I love that deep indigo color in the background.... one of my favorite colors...

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

Day 4 of the 30 in 30 - Together

Today's entry into the 30 in 30 is of 2 sweet birds... I have posted today's entry on my Daily Paintworks site as an auction (like yesterday's), and this auction starts today! Click here to check it out and place a bid.  Thanks for looking!

Together, 6" x 6", oil on panel
Click here to place a bid

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"
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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"
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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 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 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 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 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

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