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.

Pastels in the Fall

Not realizing it, until I started blogging, I think I am more of a seasonal painter than I thought. Last Spring, I put away the oils and pulled out the acrylics. I loved the feel of the thick paint with water cleanup. Freedom to express quickly with large bold strokes. Like I was breaking free from the confines of Winter.
After Spring, in about the middle of June, the temperature started going up in the 90's. I put away the acrylics, and pulled out the watercolors. The freshness of the washes, the lightness of the paper, the flow of the paint. just screams Summer to me.
 Then, September rolls around, and I feel the first breezes of Fall coming. I put away the watercolors, anxious to get my hands on the feel of the pastels. No brush, just raw pigment between my fingers. There is nothing like it. I love picking out the different hues , deciding what shade or tinted stick to use.
 Fall has come to an end now, and I find myself putting away the pastels, and looking forward to the smoothness of the oil paints, the smells of the studio, and picking out canvases for each subject.
 Before I go digging into the oils, I would like to share with you some of the pieces I have completed these last couple of months.
"Fading Time" 12"x12"  This is the start of a new series I'll be putting together.

 "Morning Rays"-  9"x12" This is what I get to see each morning out my back window.

 "Golden Rod" - 9"x12" 

 "Miss Wadene's Drive" - 9"x12"

 "Ole Can,New Buds" - 9"x12"

 "Window boxes" - 18" x24"

Thanks for stopping in, please leave me a note or comment, what you have to say means a lot to me. I love to get to know visitors.

What a Summer!!

Finally, cooler weather has blown in. Last week it was 102F and today it only went to 72F. I have been waiting for summer to be over to sum it up for you.
I have decided, that watercolor is very seasonal for me. I love the anticipationof waiting for spring and summer, to get my watercolor palette and colors organized and packed for my first trip. I did get a few done, but not as many as I would have liked.
You see, artist do things that are rarely mentioned, because it is not what they market or want a lot of people to find out they do.
 I'm going to share some of the behind the scene art that I do, that most don't know about.
 I painted my granddaughter's softball helmet, then ended up painting about 12 of them for other little girls. I loved being the most popular grandma at the ballfield!
I also painted a backdrop for the women's ministry of a local church. They were having a special event and wanted a themed look to the event, as well as having a gift handout. I silkscreened and made the gift bags... 75 of them.
We had a disco b'day party for my now, 10 year old granddaughter. I handmade the invitations, made a mirror ball out of old cd's, and actually made costumes. I even made an extra large twister game with spinner board.
 I made all of my own charcoal, and actually got to get a few drawings finished.
 Whew...... with that being said, I'll let you see some of the pictures I took. Glad summer is over, so I can get a little rest, and focus on some new pieces I've been wanting to start. Time to put the watercolors away for the winter.

So, that wraps up most of the summer. Thank you for being patient, will have some new things coming soon.

. Please leave comment, and let me know you have been here. I love new friends!! For you oldie but goodie friends, tell me what you think or else. (just kidding) love you all!

Time flying by

Wow...I can't believe life is running so fast for me lately!! It seems like just a week ago I made my last post.

I have been working on several pieces, in watercolor, oil, pastel, and charcoal.
After so many teaching years, I can't really decide what medium I would like to stick with for awhile.
To say I might have to give up one, is like asking which limb I would like to have cut off.
I can say... I have made a decision to continue portrait and figurative work and study. It has always been my first love in subject.

These are the newest complitions; Richard, pastel
                                                   Pink Diva, oil
                                                  Macalynn. watercolor