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 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 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 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

Dandelion Meadow

Most people will tell you that dandelions are weeds.  I guess I am just not most people.  Everything about a dandelion is pretty spectacular, in my opinion, from the cheerful yellow blossoms that herald in Spring to the delicate puffs that some people believe bring wishes.  Even the leaves and roots are edible or medicinal.  It is all in how you see things... This recent painting is of a nearby farmer's field that had an abundance of dandelion's in the foreground and a great line of silhouetted trees in the background.  I couldn't resist!

Dandelion Meadow, 11" x 14", oil on panel, $175.00

The Witch's Cottage

Here in historic Berks County, PA there is always the opportunity to find interesting, sometimes unknown little gems. This is one of them that I came across when out for a drive the other day.  This little 'cottage' sits on a property with a main house and several other out buildings.  The salt box design is appealing in itself for it's simplicity, but the thing that begged me to paint this little structure was the weather vane.  Look closely and you will see a witch...  The building appears unoccupied.... but the imagination of course makes you wonder what goes on in that mysterious little house...  I'll leave that up to you!

The Witch's Cottage, oil on panel, 8" x 10", $120

Lookin' Good

This is the last of 3 paintings of chickens that I am offering at DPW for a low starting bid of $25!  These 3 chickens really seemed to be posing for me when I took their pictures.  I love how they are all so different!  This painting is framed in a pickled white solid wood frame and is ready to hang and enjoy!

Lookin' Good, 6"x6", oil on panel, framed
To purchase or place a bid, click here

Elvis is in the building!

This is the 2nd of 3 chickens I will be offering at a special starting  bid of $25!  I named him Elvis after a character in a humorous children's book series called "Minnie and Moo".  In it there is a rooster named Elvis.  After I painted this guy, I just knew that was his name.  Doesn't he look like an Elvis to you?  :)  This painting is framed in a pickled, white solid wood frame and is ready to hang and enjoy!

Elvis, 6"x6", oil on panel, framed
click here to purchase this painting

Chicken Chat

I painted a series of chicken paintings after a family trip to an animal preserve out by Harrisburg, PA.  Of all the exotic animals, the chickens for some reason were the most interesting to paint... (hmmm.)  Several of this series have already found homes, but I still have a few favorites that are available!  I love Chicken Chat particularly because of the brushwork on white girl and their little chicken faces!  This painting comes framed in a white, pickled solid wood frame and is ready to hang and enjoy!

Chicken Chat, 6"x6", oil on panel, framed
Click here to buy

Thankful...

This is the 2nd of two birds I recently painted.  Birds are fun little creatures to paint.  I think their feathers lend themselves well to a slightly heavier paint application (which I like to do) and generally they have nice, plump, round little bodies.  So nice to be hearing them again when I open my door!  Have I mentioned how thankful I am it is Spring?  This painting is framed with a solid wood black frame and is ready to enjoy! 

Thankful, 6" x 6", oil on panel, framed
Click here to purchase

Little Chicky

Today was the first day that it truly felt like Spring for me.  I cooked dinner on the grill while listening to the joyful cacophony of bird song.  What are they talking about?  Sometimes it seems as if they are singing for the pure love of song.  This little one is my inspiration for Spring after the seemingly endless Winter!  I am really happy with the spontaneous feel of this guy and the quality of my brushstrokes...

Little Chicky, oil on panel, 4" x 4", framed
Click Here to bid on this painting in my DPW auction!  Starting bid is only $5.00!

Looking Up

Things are looking up for this kitty.... And that is how I am feeling about things in my life!  This picture is a positive affirmation that things can get better with a little hard work and perseverance!  This painting is framed in a solid wood black frame and it is ready to hang!

Looking Up, 6" x 6", oil on panel
click here to purchase

Teacup Kitty

I took part in an animal rescue benefit show the other weekend and painted a few kitties for the occasion.  This is an adorable little kitty who fits neatly into a bowl, but after I painted her, it looked to me like she was curled up in a teacup, hence the title, Teacup Kitty.  This painting is framed in a beautiful, solid wood, black and gold frame, adding about 5" total to each dimension.  She comes ready to hang.  Hope you like her!  If you are interested in giving this girl a forever home, click the link below the picture to go to my DPW page.. Thanks!

Teacup Kitty, oil on panel, 9" x 12", framed

The flower cow

I have been meaning to paint this little girl for a long time... She is actually meant to be a creamer, but looks pretty with a tiny bouquet of flowers from my yard.  Doesn't she welcome spring nicely?  You can purchase her through the Daily Paintworks link below.

The Flower Cow, 6" x 6", oil on panel
Click here to purchase

Terrence

This guy is a fine specimen.  He looks to me like he's been around the block once or twice and might just have some wisdom to share with us....if we spoke his language!

Terence, 6" x 6", oil on panel, sold