Day 6 of my Holiday Painting Spree - "Dali"

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday! I am a bit turkeyed out, and ready to get back to the studio... Today's painting is 3rd in a mini series of roosters I painted, all named after a famous artist. This little guy is named Dali - he seems to me to be rushing into the room to make a statement... create a masterpiece perhaps.  He just needs that mustache.  

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Dali,  oil on panel, ready to hang
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Day 4 of my Holiday Painting Spree - "Rembrandt"

I have never owned chickens, but I predict that at some point, they will become an addition to my life.  I have painted countless chickens as an artist (how did this happen?) and I always seem to gravitate back to these interesting birds as subject.  They all have such character and the friends I know who do keep chickens simply adore them... for their eggs and their companionship believe it or not.  On another note, the titles for today's painting came to me as I was looking at the picture I took of the painting this morning.  I always inspect my images closely to make sure that the detail is intact and the colors are correct. As I was looking at the face of this one, the artist Rembrandt popped in my head.  I think it is partially the style and brushwork that I am developing.... but I also think I might be following the tradition of TMNT and naming my animals after famous artists... (yes I have kids and yes, one of them was obsessed with the Turtles!) I won't go into detail here, but if you don't know who the TMNT are, and if you want to find out more about this series of unlikely super heros, click here... :)

So this is my super hero chicken for the day, "Rembrandt".  I can picture this guy strutting his stuff in a pretty little kitchen, but suspect he would hang nicely most anywhere....

You can purchase Rembrandt (at 20% off my usual prices) at my DPW site.

Rembrandt, oil on panel, ready to hang, 6"x6"to purchase please click here

Below is an idea of how this painting could look in your home!

Day 2 of my Holiday Painting Spree - "That's What Friends are For"

Today's painting is 2nd in a series of 3 blackbirds I am working on.  As I said yesterday, I enjoy painting blackbirds. They are common, yet intelligent, simple yet pretty.  There are many varieties, and this one is just your common black bird coming to call. She looks like she might be visiting, just when you need her the most.. something friends do!

I used the same palette for the background as I did yesterday's painting, so if hung together, they would make a handsome pair.  See below for an idea of how to hang a pair of my small art.

That's What Friends are For, oil on panel, 6"x6", ready to hang
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Day 1 of my Holiday Painting Spree!

As I said in my previous post, my little paintings are popular with my followers.  I can see why! In the art world, a trend has been emerging toward personal, intimate, and small-scale paintings.  Not to mention, small paintings fit in difficult to design places and are more affordable than larger artwork.  I love painting in all different sizes, but I especially enjoy painting on small panels. It allows me to focus in on my subjects and paint alla prima - all in one sitting. So, I plan on focusing my paintbrush on these little guys through out the rest of November and into December.  

Today's painting is titled, "The Sentry".  I painted a series of little blackbirds a while back and sold most of them... Black birds mean many things to many people.  To me they can be pretty little birds that aren't flashy, but make a statement all the same.  And some of the species of black birds (crows and ravens for two) are quite intelligent. This guy is a young crow, keeping watch for you...  And stripes are back! I enjoy using the stripe motif in my backgrounds as they allow me to use interesting color combinations that I otherwise might not put together.

Remember, all my paintings are 20% off through December 17th, including this one!

To purchase this painting, please visit my daily paintworks gallery here

The Sentry, oil on panel, 6"x6",
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Day 30 (The last Day!) - Big Reds

Well, I did it, I finished the 30 in 30!  Now, to be fair, I didn't finish 30 paintings, but I was in my studio everyday painting... (oh, alright, I missed one day... that day that it snowed almost 3 feet of snow and I was helping shovel out... pass...)  But, otherwise, I was there, painting my face off... :)
Thanks so much if you came to my blog to read and follow my progress.  It means a lot that you are interested and I am grateful for everyone's comments and feedback both here and on my facebook page!  According to my flag counter, I had nearly 700 visits over the course of the month... So, thanks!

This last paintings was a 3 day event and I am not sure it is actually finished. But it is mostly done.  Its one of those things... you stare at a painting too long and your eyes start to cross and you cant even see it clearly anymore.  I needed to step away tonight, before I started making bad decisions and ruined the thing.  I will go back tomorrow and see whats what.  This one is a big one, exploring further the red shoes and the striped background.  Again, thanks for following me.  I am going to really try hard to post more regularly than I usually do between challenges!  It is just so easy to slack.  But rest assured, I will be making frames for the next week or so and painting, painting, painting...!

Big Reds, acrylic and oil on panel, 18" x 24"
nfs currently

Days 24 and 25 - "Cad Red" and "Vintage Thunderbird"

I just couldn't make it to my studio yesterday due to the immense amount of snow that I had to help deal with in my area of the world.  But, I made up for it today and painted 2 paintings!  The first one is in response to the last one I did, "Utrect Blue".  This one is titled "Cad. Red." Just look how that thin line of Cadmium red is screaming when it is juxtaposed next to Utrect Blue!

Cad Red, acrylic on panel, 4"x4"
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This Vintage Thunderbird is today's entry in the 30 in 30.. I was lovin how the red played off of the 2 different blues (ultramarine blue and this funky blue I have called "Utrect" blue) in my previous two little stripeys and decided to play with those colors using a representational subject...

Vintage cars are a theme I return to from time to time as I love their lines, shapes and details.  And I love painting chrome and headlights.  Go figure.  So, this experiment of painting my subjects on stripey backgrounds is proving to be a lot of fun for me.  I am loving being able to pick a finite number of colors for the background that will "talk" to the subject. 

Vintage Thunderbird, oil and acrylic on panel, 6"x6"
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Day 23 - Utrect Blue

So, this is a simplistic painting for y'all today.  Lots of snow shoveling and then subsequent sitting comatose at my kitchen table eating toast and cookies.... But, I did get myself to the studio, and after spotting a 4"x4" panel, I decided to do a simple stripey based on some colors that I have been pondering for a few days.  First let me say this.  Red is not always red.  And blue can be so many different  blues.  I enjoy seeing two of the most common reds found in paint playing against each other, the reds being Alizarin Crimson and Cadmium Red medium. When strait out of the tube and isolated, you would say, yes, that is definitely red.  But when you put them next to each other in a painting, they are so very different.  Add to that a strange color from my past, Utrect Blue.  Back in college days at Tyler (20 or so years ago) on of the colors required for a painting class I took was called Utrect Blue.  It is this electric blue that I haven't been able to find in any other brand.  And in fact, Utrect doesn't even make it anymore!  Luckily I still have some and it miraculously is still good!  I've been thinking of making a painting using these 3 colors, but wasn't thinking of going so simple.  But due to time and energy constraints, I had to go pretty basic today.  So, that is the story behind this little painting!

Utrect Blue, acrylic on panel, 4" x 4"
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Day 22 - The Moose is Loose

I painted a moose today! This was my first ever moose, so, it was an interesting challenge...  4 days of roosters (I almost typed moosters... funny..) and I was ready for something new... Although I really did enjoy painting all of the roosters.  My favorite was definitely the last one.  Something about the colors and composition.  Anyway, thanks to my cousin Jean for suggesting I paint a moose with a red background.  It was a fun painting to paint and I am getting ready to do another painting all about the color red, so it was a good precursor to this project.

The Moose is Loose, oil and acrylic on panel, 6" x 6"
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Day 21 - He's All That

So, I am lovin' the color palette for this painting (and yesterday's, matter o' fact..) I need to experiment with these colors on a larger scale.  I said I was going to paint 4 roosters, and I did!  There may be more, but I am not promising anything.  I really enjoy painting birds in general, and people seem to like them too which I am thankful for... but, I think there might be moose in the future, as my awesome cousin from Oxford, England plopped the idea into my head... I have been rolling it around, thinking it sounds pretty good... Stay tuned for possible moose..

He's All That, acrylic and oil on panel, 6" X 6"
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Day 20 - We Need to Talk

Today I am 2/3 of the way done this 30 in 30...  and let me tell you... I kind of secretly wish it would continue past 30 days.  It is a respite to think, "I HAVE to get up to my studio today", because of the challenge (even though there would be no repercussions if I didn't :)) I love doing the challenge even though it is a total juggling act... Anyway...
Rooster #3 in a series of (at least) 4.  This guy looks like he has something important to talk about, and now... I really like the head on shot of this one... enjoyed painting him!

We Need To Talk, acrylic and oil on panel, 6"x6",
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Day 19 - The Head Bird

Rooster #2 in a series of at least 4 that I am painting... This guy is the Head Bird, at least for now!  Maybe I named him this because I love the close up shot of the head... It is so much fun to see the brush work up close and personal... The texture.. colors... etc...

The Head Bird, oil on panel, 6" x 6"
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The Head Bird, head...

Day 18 - Batman

I decided today that I am going to paint a series of 4 roosters in a similar style as today's. The first in the series is titled Batman for no other reason than it popped into my head.  There must be some connection in some way.  Maybe the blue in the background.  Maybe tomorrow's will be Robin?  Anyway, I am continuing on with my experimentation with stripes as well and having a great time figuring out the properties of acrylic paint, which are frankly very alien to me.

Batman, acrylic and oil on panel, 6"x 6",
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Day 17 - Where Elephants Walk

Here is the final installment of this painting!  Today I went a bit outside my box and mixed it up a bit.... I am struggling to combine styles... to achieve a balance... Did I do it?  I don't know but I can tell you the work I did in the past few days has stretched my mind and knowledge of painting, maybe just a little, but enough to be inspiring!  Feel free to comment and give me your thoughts on the results!

Where Elephants Walk, acrylic and oil on panel, 20" x 20"
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Day 16 - Where Elephants Walk ~ 2nd installment

Good evening...
So, this painting will be a 3 day painting... I have decided that I need to not stress about getting a painting done, complete and finished every day.  Instead, for this one, I am taking my time and making sure things are right, so to speak.  Last 30 in 30 I was set on completing 30 paintings and in the end there were several that needed more work, if not an entire over haul.  Weekends are also difficult getting to the studio as there are more family things I am doing... so anyway, here is the 2nd installment of Where Elephants Walk.  She will be done tomorrow!

Day 15 - Where Elephants Walk

Today's painting is a continuation of some new techniques I have been developing through this 30 in 30 challenge.  Every time I have participated in the 30 in 30 I learn so many things... about technique...working habits, color mixing, how much my family supports me.... and much more...
On a serious note, elephants turn up in my consciousness rather often and I feel compelled to paint them from time to time.  I feel deeply saddened and angered about their treatment as show animals and about the stupidity and selfishness of the poachers who kill them for ivory.  This elephant is in response to the recent announcement that Ringling Bros. will be retiring their elephants early due to increased pressure and scrutiny of their cruel treatment.  I hope that some day, elephants will just be left to live their lives free from the dangers of man.

Well, also, this girl isn't finished yet.  The painting is 20"x 20", and I just really didn't want to rush it.  Believe it or not, painting stripes is time consuming... not to mention the design aspect of things.  So this entry will be a two part entry.  Tune in tomorrow for part deux!
Btw, thanks Marty Ressler for title idea...:)

Day 14 - My Red Chucks

I didn't get a chance to post this yesterday... With family, and framing and an art opening, I just ran out of time!  But I had a great time painting this one.. As the title implies, these are my own personal pair of Chucks... I love them and want to get several more pairs in different colors.  This, I think is one of the most appealing things about them!  All of the colors!  Anyway, this probably isn't my last painting of Chucks... I think I have a problem... :)

To talk shop a little bit, I painted this one with both acrylic and oil.  I started it with acrylic, painting the striped design in the background. (did this because it dries super fast)  I opted for neutral black, gray and white with just a bit of red and yellow ochre. I love that palette and love how it allows the red shoes to pop.

My Red Chucks, oil and acrylic on panel, 9" x 12"
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11 - Zebra, Elephant, Bug

This is a painting I am entering into Berks Art Council's contest called "Fast Lane Art".  It is a cool contest that, if your artwork wins, they blow it up to the size of a billboard and display it somewhere along a major highway for awhile... Very awesome!  I designed this just yesterday... the image just popped into my head and from what I could tell, it was passable.... :)  Hope the judges think it will look good as a billboard!
There are several things going into this design.  One main thing is the combination of my Stripey paintings and my impressionistic realist paintings.  This is a first for me.  It was only possible to complete today, because I painted the Stripey portion mostly in acrylic paint, which dries fast.  After that, I took a break to eat lunch and to make sure it was dry, then went back up and painted the animals (the bug is very animal-like to me...) Any touch up the stripes needed I was able to achieve with oil since the rule is you can paint oil over acrylic, but not the other way around.  I am quite happy with the results and I think I will definitely be experimenting with this idea!

Zebra, Elephant, Bug, oil and acrylic, 7" x 20",
not for sale currently

One other thing worth mentioning is that the colors of the stripes are from the Pantone 2016 Spring Palette as seen below... just for fun....

Day 7 - The West Side

I started this painting using a picture I snapped as a passenger driving West on 422 around sunset one day.  The colors the sky was offering were appealing and I decided to try to translate that into a Stripey.  I have been discovering that painting these things large is very different than painting them on a smaller scale.  There are a few aspects of this painting that I want to work on, but the paint is so thick and obviously quite wet that I can't work on it anymore tonight.  I am thinking I need to try these in acrylic.  It just so happens, my wonderful hubby bought me an entire set of professional acrylics for Christmas... Convenient....

West Side,  oil on canvas, 12" x 24",

Here is the painting with top lighting to show the texture

West Side, same painting, slightly different lighting

Day 4 - Layers 2

Today has been a looooong day... And consequently, this painting is not quite finished... I know, you are probably thinking, "but how can I tell?".  Well, lets just say that, I can.  I had planned on hanging this in the gallery with yesterday's post, but by last night, I realized that was not going to happen.  There is more to be done in the composition and general paint application.  But, I am posting it anyway, as I have no more time to be working on this today!  (a an aside, I will be on TV tonight talking about Art Plus Gallery and all of the new renovations, business plans and our brand... Should be interesting...)  So, below is Layers 2, in its almost finished state.  And below that is Layers 1 and Layers 2 photoshopped, as I imagined they would hang, in some one's beautiful home!  I will post this painting again, once it is complete...

Layers 2, oil and cold wax, 16" x 20"
nfs... yet

Layers 1 & 2 , as they could look in your home!

Day 3 - Layers 1

Today's painting is one of 2 that I designed to be hung as a pair, or separately.  The original idea came from a much smaller stripey I did awhile ago and posted on instagram. I got so much positive feedback on that one little stripey that I decided to try it bigger.  Due to the dimensions, however, I needed to re-think it on two canvases.
Stripeys evolved from end of the painting session excuses to use up all of the left over paint on my palette.  I often save my paint by freezing it (this keeps oil paint fresh for much longer than just covering it)  But eventually the paint that I have saved over and over just needs to go because I need to start afresh with clean colors.  Nothing wrong with the old paint... just ready to move on.... So, I would grab a small panel, take my palette knife and just start painting it on in a purely abstract way. Some of theses turn out to be pretty interesting!  I like using the palette knife because it frees me from thinking about subject and just lets me talk about paint, color and composition in a purely elements and principles kind of way...  And... it allows me to use paint like a millionaire! (that is, lots of it!)  My recent stripeys are layer upon layer of paint.... in essence paintings over paintings.... It is what makes them so appealing to me!
So, here is Layers 1.  Below it is a close up of some of the juiciness, and below that is what Layers 1 could look like in your house!  Both paintings are custom framed and will be in the new show at Art Plus Gallery, opening January 8th.  Click here for details.

Layers 1, oil and cold wax, 16" x 20", framed
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Layers 1  Closeup

Layers 1  ~ Could be in your house!