Sunlight on the Huzzah

A painting friend and I attended the Steelville Missouri Plein air event in June.  One of the days
a free day to paint at a location of your choice, so we ended up setting up IN the Huzzah River
With the cool water on our feet, standing in the shallow rocky river.  It was so amazing. I started
With a alizarin underpainting to highlight the red rocks in the water, and captured the cool shadows on the water from the overhanging trees... a delightful experience...

Day 19

Day 19 of the 30/30 challenge

     I am really having fun with this month's challenge.   I get excited about my paintings, and have fun struggling with the next composition.  (It also gives me a perfect excuse to visit the thrift store across the street for more finds)   ha, although my husband accuses me laughingly of being a hoarder..... I am NOT.... ha...

     A close up of yesterdays bouquet... I must paint these quickly, because, being in the strong light of my set-up, the flowers open up while I am painting, and it makes it hard to get the shapes and values right.  quick is best, as a photo does little good in this situation.

Day 18

Day 18 of the 30/30 challenge

     Today's painting is my favorite subject (or one of my favorites)  Flowers...

     Trader Joe's has the best flowers, especially appreciated when spring seems so far away here in St. Louis.   I loved the color on these,  the outsides are a muted orange, but even when they were only buds I could see a brilliant red center.   Had to have 'em.

Day 16

Day 16 of the 30/30 challenge

     Here's a little different angle on these bad boys..... I wanted to rethink the background color, but almost got it exactly the same, without realizing it, so I at least added the orange to spice it up a bit.... 

     Backgrounds are SO crucial.... I didn't realize that until I started painting every day.

Day 12

Day 12 of the 30/30 challenge

     I went looking at the thrift store for some new stuff for my paintings and found this adorable pair of shoes, and couldn't resist the print on the inside.    I love painting the patent leather, with it's reflective surface and the cute straps to hold the shoes on with buckles.  I remember putting these on my daughter and granddaughters, as well.  They are so fun to paint.  

Day 7

Day 7 of the 30/30 challenge

     I love these little maryjane shoes.  My sister found these for me at the thrift store, and I love painting them..... The memories of my own daughter, or granddaughters are revisited.  

     I think maybe I'll try painting them again, only in a 30 minute format later today.... wish me luck !

(there is a lot going on in these little shoes, and if I shorten the time painting them I will have to limit the details... but then again, that's part of the challenge, and part of the fun)

Spikey mums #118

 

 

     We hosted a birthday bash for Bus (aka Paw Paw) last night with flowers I bought to paint.... Grace and Kate had special little bouquets on their placemats, along with the larger centerpieces.....  Thought I'd better paint them too !  These were so different, but so hard to paint.... all those spikes !

Crimson pear #116

 

     There was only one of these at the store.... It really grabbed me as I walked by it.  I've never seen a pear so red, or so shiny, and I had to have it.   It's lonely here, by itself, but it had to be painted... what can I say?