Bouquet #128

 

 

Here's a conglomeration of flowers from Trader Joes... They have good selections sometimes.  I liked these because they had ranunculus in them. 

Rose #127

 

 

     Still struggling with roses... they are hard to paint !  I somehow think I might have an easier time with an apricot or yellow one.   That's next, if I can find one ! ha !    Thanks for the helpful critique from my talented sis on this painting.... when she came over this week for her birthday dinner... love you, Lin !

Erica and Chalonda #126

 

 

     I started this with a painted all over surface, and then started to work on it with mineral spirits and q-tips... It was challenging, but fun.... By subtracting and then adding, over and over, it started to take shape.  I wasn't that concerned with whether or not it got a likeness, but only with being loose.....  I also decided to only use colors that were left on my palette from yesterday.  
     The sweet face belongs to Erica, who works for my Doctor, and takes such good care of me !

The second portrait is Chalonda, who took the exray of my foot when I left the Drs office on Tuesday....

Strange ancestor....

 

 

     Does anyone remember these old (red) piggybanks?  This one is from my antique booth and has an advertisement for a bank on the other side.  I know they came in blue, too.  I really like this little guy and thought it would be fitting to paint him with my current purchase of a bank for my granddaughter.  "A penny saved......etc."

Sunflowers #125

     So happy I found some sunflowers at Trader Joes...  Spring can't be too far behind, right???

Ranunculus and Delphinium #124

 

 

Delphinium is another flower I was unable to grow.  I spent 60. on 6 plants several years ago, but they all died.. so sad.  These are such a wonderful color.  I think it's either too hot or too dry in St. Louis for these. I do like the combination of colors here.  The periwinkle brings out the yellow-orange.

Ready for spring #123

 

 

     I love these beautiful flowers, here's another version of them.   Something about the tight buds, so compacted with vibrant colored petals and amazing contrast.   Wish I could grown them.  But.... Spring will soon be here, if that's any consolation !

Ranunculus #122

This truly is my favorite flower... I can't really explain why... Peony runs a close second...

Big Brush #121

 

    Still determined to conquer this rose.... ha ha

Dueling roses #120

      I found this at the grocery store today and decided I needed to challenge myself.   I was not happy with my attempt at them about 2 or 3 months ago.
    The rose is definitely the most difficult of all flowers for me to paint.  I'm gonna keep trying til I get it, though.    Bigger and bigger brushes are something I'm working on !
     As you can see, I did give it 2 tries !! ha ha

Girls bouquets #119

 

 

Here are both the little arrangements the girls had on their placemats at dinner last night...  such a fun family get together... Di made the lasagna and birthday cake, chocolate, of course... she did a fantastic job !

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 with plate #117

 

 

An arrangement, once more, with my crimson pear.  The color is so fantastic. 

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?

Dolly with mary janes #115

     This is an old school doll.  She's similar to one my sister had ( I wasn't big on dolls back in the day)  Anyway, I rescued her from the basement at an estate sale a month ago.  She looked pretty ragged, with a filthy dress (homemade, which I love) and grimey skin.   I cleaned her up ( that part was fun, cause I kinda talked to her the whole time, ha !)  and decided to paint her... Very big challenge to get her right and still keep a sort of looseness to the painting...   Well, I think it turned out, even though it got a bit more complicated that I had thought.... maybe I need to think ahead before I get into this kind of detail... Oh well, she's finished and maybe I'll do something simpler today... especially since it's Superbowl Sunday !!!

February Fun.....

     Since the 30/30 challenge is over, I've decided to work on a little bit bigger painting.  Actually 11x14 seems big to me, ha !  Here's a start on my latest.  I love painting baby shoes, especially little mary janes..... I thought the antique doll I found at a recent estate sale might be fun... I knew it would be challenging to get all those angles right !

Whew... It's been a busy January

     I've learned a lot during this challenge.  Several things stand out in my mind:
           1. Have fun with what you do.  It is always more enjoyable if you can make it light, and not get too stressed  about the task at hand.
           2. Mix it up a bit.  You don't have to have hard and fast rules for yourself. 
           3. Just the act of painting daily give a sort of rhythm to your work.  It frees up your technique.
           4. Try something new.  I've always wanted to try doing a palette knife painting, and even though I wasn't too impressed with the outcome, I'm glad I wasn't afraid to get out of my comfort zone.
           5. Even if you've not had much time to paint, get a painting started ANYWAY. ! (I mean, even if it's 10:00 at night )  It's surprising how just getting an idea down on the canvas can spark some energy in the artist... ha !
           6. Be kind to yourself... Every painting is not going to be a masterpiece, and that's alright !  You may just 'hit the ball out of the park' when you least expect it !
           7. Be diligent.  If you WANT something, MAKE IT HAPPEN.  You are the only one who can really discipline yourself...
           8. Think about marketing.  I've decided that 2013 will be the year I finally take that seriously.
           9. Enjoy the camaraderie of other like minded people.   Being part of this challenge has connected me with tons of wonderful artists on the blog and facebook.  It's so fun to see what they are doing and sharing my work with them.
          10. Let the people around you (i.e.family, etc.) see your passion for what you are doing, by making it a priority in your life.  People always spend time on things that are truly important to them.

p.s.  Remember to always say 'thank you' to those who are supportive !

Red-orange with hydrangea #114

     Just couldn't resist getting one more out of these flowers.... also, I couldn't resist this vibrant red-orange to go with them !!  Thanks to Leslie Saeta for hosting this wonderful challenge.....

Palette knife hydrangea #113

 

 

     Thanks to Leslie Saeta for her sponsorship of the great 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge !  Also for my confidence to complete at least one palette knife painting during the challenge.!  I've been wanting to do one, but never got around to doing it. This seemed like the perfect time to try it.Thanks for the inspiration, Leslie !

Cropped JCS #112

     Changed the background to try these again.   A little different perspective and use of negative space.....
     They had a photographer at the Gala event the other night,.  Here is one of the 2 photos they took.....