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

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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.