This is the first of the persimmon paintings. The were VERY red, as I said before, but I think they still 'worked' for me, especially using the complementary blue-green for contrast..... what do you think?
I love to paint persimmons now. The green tops are so distinctive. These 3 sort of changed colors, I think, because they sat in the studio in a plastic bag for a day or two over the holiday. I couldn't quite find the time to paint them, so they were very dark and red when I finally did. Day 3 of the challenge already !
Here is DAY TWO of the challenge. I had some fun reference photos, and wanted to paint them, but kept putting it off. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to 'make it happen', as my daughter likes to say. My darling, insightful co-worker (art teacher) used to say all the time, "The way to begin, is to begin." and sometimes it's just THAT simple. ! Inspiration comes from DOING, not just contemplating what to do.... ha ha
I love to observe the interaction of children and their parents. On this Saturday at Tower Grove park, I enjoyed watching this little boy and his dad. They were mostly in the shade, with hints of sunlight, as they sat and splashed in the big fountain.
30 Paintings in 30 Days starts today. I've enjoyed getting motivated by this challenge. Here's my first one.... check out the others on Leslie Saeta's blog: http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/
This is from a reference photo I took at the park this fall. There's a great farmer's market at Tower Grove Park in St. Louis, and while you're shopping you can listen to live music. Just on the other side of the pavillion there is this wonderful fountain that the little kids love to play in. Luckily I had my camera and got a few good shots.
It seems all I really need is a fire built under me to get me moving ! Ha !
I just finished the 3rd one, and it's a bit bigger than usual.... but you'll have to wait til the new year to see these. tee hee !
I really do enjoy painting sunflowers. They are now all gone from my favorite haunts, like Dierberg's floral shop, and Whole Foods, so I guess I will have to wait now til next summer or fall. This grouping I painted as my demo at a local gallery. I set up my still life and lots of my friends and family came to watch. They had wine and cheese at the gallery. They have an "Open House" once a month.... Fun !
I just joined this challenge, to paint 30 paintings in 30 days. It's been a while since I've done one daily, and I need to get back to that discipline. The new year is about as good a time as any, I figured. Leslie Saeta from Artists Helping Artists is sponsoring her challenge. Check it out, or JOIN it !! great way to get motivated, and back in the Studio !!
check it out here... http://artistshelpingartistsblog.blogspot.com/
This sweet pair of Mary Janes was given to me by my dear sister, when she found them at one of her thriftstore 'haunts'.... We used to have antique booths together, you see, and some habits die hard. I loved the pink on the insides of them, plus just the general look and feel of baby shoes, so they were a natural for paintings. I really do love painting them, and the red patent leather ones, too !! ha ha
I took a picture of this awhile back, but didn't get a good shot . I think this one is a better representative of the colors. I used to scan my dry paintings, but then I got to posting them before they were dry, so I couldn't put them in the scanner....ha ! Carol Marine's workshop gave us helpful hints on photographing paintings to post the pictures.... The key is to work outdoors, no direct light, presto... it works !
We used to wear oxfords when I was in school. Brown and white was as popular a combination as the black and white variety. These were the days LONG before velcro ! ha ! Mine were made by Spaulding, and they were expensive for mom to buy, so you were Very lucky when you were able to get a new pair... so proud !
My sis and I used to have booths at the antique mall right outside of St. Louis, and we had lots of fun buying, selling, painting furniture, and working together in this little business venture. We have since given that up... (in the hopes of having more time to paint) but, I still have a few items from my accumulation. I used to love to buy that old vintage stuff ! Well, this is a box from the old 'pin the tail on the donkey' game that we used to play at parties when I was little, back in the day. Thought it would make a good accompaniment for these classic red patent leather mary janes. Brings back memories of my daughter and grand-daughters tiny feet, too.
I'm chillin' out listening to my classic Billy Joel this morning, and finishing a painting..... so enjoyable being retired ! I hope all of you 'worker bees' get to experience this.... it's fun !
Which one do you like better? I changed this background, cause it's always bothered me. I guess it was too intense of a color, so I toned it down, and gave it more of a neutral feel.... what do you think?
Actually, he DID have a little help picking this out, but I was thrilled, just the same ! I can't wait for the weather to get warmer now, so I can try this. I've got it all 'stocked' and ready for Spring.
While at Carol's workshop in Fish Creek last year, several of us got together and ordered online these cool boxes, with straps, to carry wet paintings after an afternoon en plein air painting. It can adjusted to fit either 8 x 8, 6 x 8, or 6 x 6. Perfect !
Rainy Sunday afternoon.... no sunflowers at Whole Foods today, so went with these gerberas. The first batch I cut a little too short, so, combined them for a mixed bouquet. Fun, especially when I don't have to cook dinner, cause it's great leftovers from my birthday dinner last night at this cool Italian restaurant, Charlie Gitto's, on the "Hill" in St. Louis !! How many times do I get so lucky that my family flys in from Dallas to join in the birthday celebration?? Thanks Brad and Michael, for making my birthday sooo special !
I'll admit it.... Garage sales, and yard sales get my heart thumpin'... Just can't help it, I'm addicted. I used to have antique mall booths with my sister, and that gave me a perfect excuse to shop. Now I've given that up, because it took soooo very much time, but I still have to get out there every Sat. morning, in case there is some treasure that might get by me ! ha
I found this darling little tiny triangular vase, along with a couple of other little guys that had some unusual shapes, and I was so anxious to try painting them. Here's the first one.... It doesn't take much to make me happy, I guess. ha ha
The original variety of sunflower, with the dark center, is hard to beat..... I never knew there were so many kinds until I started painting them.....
Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween. I didn't paint a pumpkin this year (yet, anyway), and didn't carve one either.... too busy painting sunflowers, I guess.
Painted this the other day, and posted another one, so this one got moved and forgotten.... I know it's kinda 'busy', with lots going on, but I liked the color and brushstrokes.... ha !
