My Secret Closet..only time can tell.

 A few weeks back, a good friend, Charlotte Evans, posted a quote by Robert Henri that I had never heard before.
I had read his book, "The Art Spirit", and used it as reference many times, but for the life of me, I couldn't remember seeing the quote... "Paint the flying spirit of the birds rather than it's feathers". 
When I saw that post, it struck a cord in me, and my mind went straight to what I call my "secret closet".
 The secret closet is where I store paintings, 44 to be exact, that I can't finish for one reason or another.  Most, or should I say, all of them are unfinished due to lack of knowledge. I put them in there til I can grow in some way or another, be it technical skills, emotionally, or spiritually.
 Over the last couple of weeks, I haven't posted a blog because, I opened the door to the closet, after reading that quote, and pulled out this painting I had started it in 1994. With fresh energy and renewed inspiration, thanks to Charlotte, I will be revisiting this work, along with a few others I came across.
 I wanted to share this painting with you, in it's beginning stages because, I may be getting back to my painting roots in the near future.
 I was heavily influenced by artist Audrey Flack, Rene' Magritte, and M.C. Escher, not necessarily by their technical skills, which were great, but mainly in their thinking process.

Thank you Char!!  Please visit Charlotte's website  http://charevansart.blogspot.com she has some beautiful paintings!

#41/60 Daily painting challenge

Over the years, I have spent many hours sitting on the bleachers watching the kids play ball... football ,softball, baseball, and soccer.
If you happen to be one of those bleacher sitters,like me, then you'll know what it's like to see those little kids play, or should I say, try to play.
I could watch them all day every day... run and throw the wrong way, then the coaches screaming and pointing to get them to go the other way.  I especially love to watch peewee football. Those little guys are sooooo funny, they look like little bobble head dolls running in every different direction.
This painting is done from a photo my dear friends, Connie and Tommy Hawkins took a few years back. They specialize in sports photography, and have a  talent for capturing that perfect moment, like this one.

I just couldn't resist painting it today, considering it's that time of year again. Yes, today was sign up day for the coming softball season.... so, I guess it's time to dust off the ole bleacher cushion.

#40/60 Daily painting challenge.

Painting a mountain stream, is the closest thing to meditation I can think of.
 I can get into the artist zone so quickly,  I can actually hear the water flowing through the trees.
 Having to be careful though, I can very easily overwork it, because, like a good book, I never want it to end.
There's not too much more to say about this painting, except,  I could feel the stress leave my body as soon as I started painting it.
I hope you can get the same feeling by viewing it!!

#39/60 Daily painting challenge.

There are times, when you just have to put your interest aside, and line up priorities in life.
When the best intentions get interrupted, you take a deep breath and move forward, knowing you can catch up later if need be.
For me, the last few days, have been one of those times. I have been involved with studying World War 1 history, helping to make a display of 3 types of communications used in the fields, writing a paper, and rehearsing a two minute speech.
Needless to say, I have gotten a little behind in my challenge, but well worth it, considering it will be 250 points of her grade...her, being my granddaughter.
 I will be posting a picture of our sculptor in a later post, but for right now, I'll be trying to get caught up on my painting.

With the color red being the inspiration for this painting, I want to wish you all, a very happy Valentine's Day!

#38/60 daily painting challenge.

If you have ever had a puppy, kitten, or basically any pet, I know you've experience the inquisitive head tilt. It always makes me smile and wonder if they really can understand, or do they understand, then tilt their little head because they are astonished that you are doing something odd. You know, such as talk in that baby talk we all do.
That's the main reason I chose to paint this guy, but when I finished, I got to thinking about other things it could mean.

 For one, I know that the wisest people always seem to question everything. I like to think that's the way I am, for you see, I happen to have been that obnoxious kid in school that had to question everything. I know the other kids would get furious when I would raise my hand. I could always here that dreaded moan coming from the other kids, then the teacher would stop the class and go into lengthy explanations for me.
 Then there's one other thing I thought about... when an artist picks something to paint, and at the end we step back,  all the questioning begins. Does it say anything, will people get it, did I accomplish what I set out to do, have I missed any of the technical problems...etc.
As a matter of fact, I think I might name this "Questionable" what do you think?

#37/60 daily painting challenge.

Today it happens to be a cold, rainy day here in the south. When it's like this during the winter, I like to do two things. First I make a big mug of hot chocolate, then settle in to enjoy a quiet time painting.
 Even though we don't get too much snow, I still like to think of the coziness of the house and studio, as if we had three feet of snow on the ground.
During the early 90"s, we traveled to upstate New York, to visit with my daughter, that was living there at the time. We were caught in a terrible blizzard, but I was able to take many photo's to work from.

Brrrr... it's now time to get another mug of hot chocolate!!!

#36/60 daily painting challenge

I have titled this painting, "Martha's Sunrise". It was inspired by a photo Martha Mills took the other morning as she was leaving for work.
This painting is one I said I'd never do...LOL   You know what "they" say...never say never.
What I'm really saying is, I knew it would always be a challenge to try to paint such glowing beauty. I don't think any paint has, or ever will match the brilliance of what God has made.

Here is about as close as I came come for right now.

#35/60 daily paingting challenge

I have chosen another flower picture to day. Think I must be anxious for spring, or I'm seeing too many flower commercials on the television.
I also had a lot of pink left over from yesterdays painting.
No matter what the reason, I think there is nothing prettier than when all the azaleas start to bloom.
I have plans to plant about 20 in my yard this year, and can't wait. Painting will have to do for now though. 

In this painting, I was drawn to these small delicate flowers, and how they seem to over power all that iron trying to hold them in.

#34/60 daily painting challenge

In every artist's life, there are aha moments. Moments of discovery, when you visit an art gallery, or museum, and there is that one or two paintings that jolt you creatively.
I had two of those moments growing up. My first moment is when I went to see my first Monet exhibit, in New Orleans. As I turned into the first room, there hung a painting the size of the wall. It was huge, and had all of these pink blobs all over it. Something that resembled a vine and nothing else but raw canvas. I was astonish, young, and just getting started on my life in the arts In my naive mind, I thought...what's so great about this, I could do that. As I took in more of the exhibit, I started to get more of an understanding of his work and his life, but ... then came the aha moment. We were across the room from the blob painting, then, I looked around at it from a distance. My mouth liked to have hit the floor, The most beautiful painting of roses just came to life. I could see every petal and leaf, even the background made sense.
Then, my second aha moment was visiting the Ringling museum, in Sarasota, Florida. Standing in front of a John Singer Sargent painting is something I'll never forget. I saw the same thing in the fabric he painted as I had seen in the Monet painting. How could they do such things with so few strokes. I was at awe with these paintings. If only someday I could paint like them.
There was also something else that I loved visiting at the Ringling museum....the beautiful rose gardens out in the back of the house. It is amazing, I would love to paint there all year round!

So, today's painting is reminiscent of those two aha moments.
If you have a large screen monitor, I ask you, please back away a few feet, or reduce the size and you'll get the idea of what distance can do when viewing a painting.

#33/60 daily paintings.

I have always loved the water, along with any of the water sports. Having learned to swim at an early age, in the fashion of being thrown in, then told to sink or swim.  It's pretty obvious that I swam... like a fish.
Some would say today that being done like that is child abuse. I say it probably saved  my life several time. Not just in knowing how to swim, but in managing those sinking times during life. 
This painting also serves to say something in regard to that theme.

No matter how big the rocks, the water always finds a way to get around them. Something to think about.

#32 of 60 paintings a day

Whew...today was crazy, but I was determined to get my painting done, no matter what. I had to paint this one standing at the kitchen while sink cooking.
I had gotten these beauties yesterday, to have those wonderful stuffed jalapeno peppers. That made for a no-brainer when it came to picking out what I wanted to paint.
Being in a crunch for time, I basically only did a quick study. I like when I paint in a hurry, it always looks so painterly and I like that in my work.

The way it's looking right now, I will be painting and cooking at the same again tomorrow.

#31 of my "60 in 60" challenge

Well, here we go. I'm trying for 60 paintings in 60 days. I just have too many paintings to do, to stop now.
 I was thinking of some kind of theme for this challenge, but I seem to want to paint my first thoughts of the day. Who knows where this might take us.
Today, you can probably tell what's on my mind, and I bet you're thinking football weekend. Yes, it's Super Bowl Sunday, but just as much as I love football, I have to confess, I'll use any excuse to eat snacks...yes, wonderful snacks.
I will plan for three days what I want to have for a three hour game. Chips are usually just the beginning.

Looks like I may be painting food for the next couple of days...lol.

Day 30 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge.

Let me start by saying, thank you for following along with me this month. It certainly encourages me to continue with a personal challenge, to keep painting every day.

I have decided to go for a "60 in 60" painting challenge, due to having too many painting ideas to stop now.
If you are a painting friend, and want to have a go at it with me, please let me know. I would love for us to cheer each other on.
As for this little painting, it is a painting just for me. I wanted to paint at least one rose for this challenge, but I can't think of a rose without thinking of  purple violets and the man I married 25 years ago.
For 25 years, every year, I have received four things for Valentine's Day.
1. chocolate
2. a card... that has gotten bigger every year
3. At least one rose, usually more
and,
4. my special poem he says to me.
So, you see, this painting represents that special poem.
                                                                                        Here goes...  Roses are red
                                                                                                             Violets are purple
                                                                                                             You're as sweet,
                                                                                                              as maple surple.
Now you can see why I had to paint a red rose with purple violets. Not something most artist would choose.

Day 29 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

Yesterday, I knocked your socks of with color, so, I thought I'd take it easy today. A nice quiet, peaceful day.

This scene seems to be calling me to grab the rod and reel, then throw a big ole worm in. Wouldn't need to catch anything, just want to sit there for awhile and dream.

Day 28 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

As this challenge comes to an end, in a couple of days, I thought it appropriate to do a setting sun.
Living on the water, every afternoon, you got to close your day with spectacular light shows. As a painter, I could feel the excitement to run and grab my paints, and paint as fast as I could. Sorry to say, that never happened. By the time you run to get your paints, it would be gone. Even if you had your equipment set up, I knew I would never be able to paint fast enough to capture it. It would change in a blink of an eye.
I would have to settle on taking pictures, but then, the camera could never catch the drama I would be seeing.

For years now, I have procrastinated, thinking one day I would give it a try... so here it is.
I must say, it feels good to finally paint the sunset I only once dreamed of doing.

Day 27 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

This was about the 5th day of this challenge, I had made up my mind to paint that rose. And again, I have been sidetrack by another inspiration.
This morning while brushing my teeth, I over heard someone on the television mention that it was Berry Appreciation Day.
I'll go ahead and admit, I think I may be somewhat of an impressionable sort. I like to think that I'm easily inspired.
Whatever the case, I did enjoy painting these blackberries.

Blackberries grow everywhere on this mountain, and I love the fact that I only have to step out the door to enjoy them. Free!!

Day 26 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge.

I am very fortunate to live on a mountain that also has two small lakes. Many afternoons, I take a walk down to the lake, sit and enjoy the water and all of the natural sounds. I take my sketchbook and do small sketches, while sitting on the bank.
My favorite time of the year, is when the cattails are just about to burst open. They grow so tall, I have to stand up to have a view of the water.
This is a small painting I did today from one of those sketches.

Day 25 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

Not being too big on hiking, well, hiking is okay, to be honest, I really don't want to be confronted by a Bigfoot.
I have always loved things that can't be explained, ghost, UFOs, Sasquatch, etc... I'm just not wild about encountering any of them.
So, when my husband wants to stop and take some time to enjoy a scene like this, I have very mixed emotions. I love to see all of these wooded areas, but, I can't help  looking around for something lurking around one of the trees.

I also have the dilemma of, do I look up for Bigfoot, or do I look down for snakes. I can see why rabbits are so twitchy, I can identify.

Day 24 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

This little painting pretty much explains itself.
I had great intention to paint a cute cupcake painting today. I had Richard, my husband, stop by the store to pick up one cupcake yesterday., so I could get it sketched out.
I have seen so many other artist paint cupcakes, I wanted to give it a go.
 I sat the cake in front of me, then thought, if I took a bite out of it, it would make for a more interesting painting. That was my downfall!! 
I was down to the last bite, still thinking it would make an even better painting....well, you can see where this went, or should I say, where "it" went.
I think I'll try it again, and have Richard pick up another one today!!!

Day 23 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

Not too much of a story for this painting, I just happen to love Blackeyed Susan's.  They grow in abundance here on the mountain, and every year I take many pictures of them.
For this challenge, I didn't really want to confine myself to a theme, I only wanted to get back in the habit of painting everyday. But, as you can see, a process of painting all of those accumulated reference photos I have taken over the years, has been the main theme.
I'm sad that this is the last week of this challenge.  I have learned so much about myself and my habits, good and bad, I wish that it could go for another month.
I have decided, as a personnel challenge, to continue to try to do a painting every day for as long as I can. Plus, take some of these small daily exercises and turn them into bigger paintings.
So, I'll see you tomorrow.... Thanks so much for taking the time to follow my blog!!

Day 22 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

The other nigh,t my husband came through the back door, carrying the old jug I have in this painting. I asked, "oh no, what's that for?"  and thinking to myself, great, something else I'll have to dust. Being the penny saver that he is, I watched as he exchanged his pennies from a coffee can to this jar.
He then asked, "where should I put it?" I'm thinking to myself, hmmmm... how about in the garage, but I decided to be nice and told him to put it in the window.  As I watched, I noticed the moisture on the window, then I mentioned to him that it looked like he was saving for a rainy day.
Not to change the subject, but have you ever had a song stuck in your head, and no matter what you do, you can't seem to get rid of it. I bet you can see where I'm going with this....yep, I couldn't get the image and that saying out of my head, so, I gave in and  decided to paint it today.
I had intended to paint a rose, maybe tomorrow...

Day 21 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

Being a native of Florida, and having raised my children there, seeing dramatic sunsets becomes a way of life. I can't remember ever seeing a sunset I didn't want to paint. The problem was more of, if I paint that, I could never paint it with the drama it actually had.
One of the benefits of these beautiful sunset, are the dramatic shadows that are cast on buildings, houses, walls, and everything else.
During the time, before digital, we lived there, I took thousands of pictures of these sunset and cast shadows. Now that I have committed to painting everyday, I have decided to go through all of those photos and finally paint some of them...if for no other reason, to paint small reminders, for my kids, of their childhood at the beach.

Day 20 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

Where we live, there are a lot of fields on top of our mountain. Some have hay, others grow tomatoes, and others have set up driving ranches to make extra money. It's not uncommon to try to avoid hitting an animal crossing your path.
We also have small tucked away golf courses, when I say small, I mean small... 9 holes or less, and let me mention, no one needs a cart.  If you engage in lengthy conversation, you could make the game last about two hours. Being somewhat of an impatient person, this suits me just fine.
This spring, I'm hoping to get out on some of those courses and do some painting.
 This painting was taken from a photo I took a couple of years back, when we took the kids up to work on some driving skills.

Day 19 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

I know a lot of people have tuxedo cats for their companions, but even though there are thousands of them, and artists paint hundreds of them, when you have one that lives and loves you, it's the only one that counts.

This is my Max, he passed away about a year ago, and I really miss his laidback attitude. He was so great at letting me take picture after picture of him. Sometimes I think he even posed for me. I wanted to paint one of those pictures today, in memory, and to show the world what a great model I had....Love ya Max!!

Day 18 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

Why a city girl paints a country scene... ???  Like I mentioned in an earlier post, traveling the back roads, you often see something that no one would believe if you just told them about it.
This is another picture we took traveling in beautiful Georgia farmland. We laughed about it for some time that day, then discussed a painting. I've never been too much on painting farm scenes, but I wanted to do this for my husband. He was raised in the country fashion and enjoys recalling memories of the cow they owned.

Of course we had to make up a story about this picture, what I came up with is ... "I will  paint a country scene when the cows come home"...so, here it is...LOL 

Day 17 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

We had our first snow yesterday afternoon, so inspiration came easy for this one.
Living in the south, we don't get too much snow, so when it happens I like to paint as fast as I can, knowing it won't last very long.
As beautiful as it is, I'm just not conditioned to the cold. I run out take some pictures, then run in as fast as possible.

I take my hat off to those plein air painters that can go out in freezing weather and paint. For me, a picture will have to do for now. Luckily we have a creek that runs behind our house.

Day 16 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge.

One of my dearest friends sent me this picture almost 15 yr.s ago. I have always had it in the back of my mind to do a painting, but until this challenge, I never took the time.

I hope she recognizes it, it's of her granddaughter at the age of about two yrs. old.

Day 15 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

In our travels, my husband and I, like to find the back roads to venture and take pictures. We have taken thousands of photo's, and when we see something as beautiful as this horse, with its shining coat in the bright sun, it takes our breath away. We just have to stop!!
One of the fun things we do, after our picture taking, is to think about what that horse might be thinking. We can come up with some really silly thoughts, such as, "why would they want a picture of my butt", or "do you think this is my good side". We can go on for hours, til we're laughing hysterically.

Even though I think this is a good subject for a painting, the memory of our fun time makes it a happy recall for me while painting it.

Day 14 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

Boat on a river, that's what I think about when I look at my yard these days. We have had so much rain, it's hard NOT to think of water.
Today it was a toss-up between this boat, or a duck. I chose the boat, but if this doesn't let up soon, you'll be seeing ducks and frogs next.
Rain, rain go away...

Day 13 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge.

In the midths of cleaning up from the weekend, I sat down to find renewed energy, and a subject  for today's painting. With my coffee cup in hand, my subject appeared right before my eyes. I couldn't think of anything better than to capture the remnants of a wonderful time playing with Chloe, my granddaughter, we call the little tornado.

Day 12 of the '30 in 30" painting challenge.

Having rained in our area for the past three weeks, I thought a rainy day picture would be appropriate today. Plus, I was listening to my husband tell my granddaughter how he had to walk ten miles, in the snow and rain, to school....lol.   I think he must have been just kidding, but I thought it was funny, considering he didn't live 10 miles from his grammar school.

I do remember meeting up with all the neighborhood kids, having a great time every morning, walking the few blocks to school. Wish my grand kids have the same experiences we once had.

Day 11 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

Up and at it early this morning. I don't think I have gotten up at 5 AM to paint in 30 yrs., but it felt good. I enjoyed hearing the birds singing while painting this little guy.
So, you say, why the early start? My 5 yr. old best friend is visiting this weekend, and from experience, I've learned that a 5 yr. old and oil paint don't mix!!!!
It's now 8 am, and I'm headed back to bed for a morning nap, before the little tornado wakes.

Thanks for stopping in.

Day 10 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

Living on top of a mountain in the middle of tomato country, it is very easy to get spoiled to having vine ripe tomatoes, at the picking, every spring and summer.
About this time of year, during winter, I start getting the urge for a good old tomato sandwich. Unfortunately, the store bought tomatoes just don't stand up to what I'm used to.
I do like thinking about the farmers that are starting their seeds right about now, and every year, I say I'm going to plant my own. Well, this year I'm going to do it! I have my seeds and seed starter containers ready. In the next couple of weeks, the growing will begin.

Day 9 of "30 in 30" painting challenge

I learned so much from doing this little painting today. The most important being, when rushed for time and only have an hour to paint, don't put so much in a painting!!! Sounds simple enough, but I sometimes thing I'm Wonder Woman and can do all things at the speed of light.

Day 8 of "30 in 30" paintin challenge

I don't know what to say about this painting, except that I found this lighter at a yard sale, and couldn't resist buying it to paint. Although I loved it sitting on the table with the lid closed, I thought it more romantic lit and glowing. I have no idea what to name it, so if you have a thought, please help me out.

Day 7 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge

I'm one of those people that think weeds are pretty.
Last year, when I got my new camera, I think I took pictures of every weed we had in our yard, while playing with the new zoom. I was like a kid with a new toy.

I'm not sure what this weed is called, so If you happen to know, would you mind letting me know in the comment section. I'd appreciate it.

Day 6 of "30 paintings in 30 days"

I took this picture last year, when visiting with friends, Nancy and Ray Fincher.
 They have some absolutely beautiful horses on their ranch, but this little fella stole my heart. While Nancy was showing me all the big horses, this little guy kept popping his head out of the barn. I could tell he was leery of what I was doing, and I'm not sure he liked my camera.
 It took several shots to get the picture, then he disappeared for the remainder of my visit. I have had the thought of doing this painting for quite awhile, thanks to this challenge, I finally got a chance to paint it.

Day 5 - "30 painitings in 30 days"

Day 5 of the 30 painting challenge. I had a fun time painting this little day lily today, but ran into problems taking a decent picture. Having put such a dark background, and it being such a beautiful sunny day, glares were almost impossible to get rid of. 
In my part of the world, it is always better to take a picture in the morning, but I didn't want to miss posting this on the proper day of the challenge.
Thank you for stopping by,  I invite you to please follow along on my blog

.

Day 4 of 30 day challege

Day 4, and I'm still painting. I think this is the best thing I have ever done to get myself painting again, after taking a break. I'm starting to get my grove back. Wish me luck, that I make through these next 26 days with no interruptions!! 

Day 3 of challenge.

I got a better start today, along with my speed increasing, I really enjoyed painting this little dolphin.

Now, off to find new inspiration for tomorrows session... hmmmm wonder what it will be?

2nd day of 30 day challenge

Day 2 of the  "30 paintings in 30 days" challenge. I had a late start today, but as they say, "better late than never". I also had to take the picture tonight, so not the best shot of it. I intend to take a better picture tomorrow in the natural light.

         

30 in 30

Bringing in the New Year with a new project, 30 paintings in 30 days.
 I have signed up and committed to this project, with  Leslie Seata, www.lesliesaeta.com, and over 200 artist.
This is day one painting, 4"x6" oil snow scene. 

I am working from the many reference photos I have taken over the years, this is a scene of my backyard last year when we had a beautiful snow. I'm gearing up to do more snow scenes this year. I have a feeling we in may be for a long snowy winter and I want to be ready.