End of Day

End of Day
Oil on wood panel, 10x8
purchase here

The idea for this painting came from a dear friend today - just when I couldn't decide whether to go grocery shopping or paint!  Well, I never did get those groceries - so I'm hoping the snow isn't too bad tomorrow!  This painting was a study in values and "marrying" the colors of cool and warm by sprinkling them around the scene.  I brought the composition together with reference I had from the civil war reenactment and my vast supply of barn photos.  I rarely do this, I normally just paint from reference, all the parts already in the shot.  This painting is good practice for the next one I have started in the same theme!  Painting number 763 in 763 days :)

January at a Glance!

Highlights from the last 30 days!

I did a collage like this one last January for the 30 day painting challenge - and loved the whole idea of it!  How wonderful it was to see all of the artist's works during the 30 day period.  I determined to post one every month, it was such a good idea!  Well, I did not get that done - just that one little extra thing at the end of the month did not get squeezed in.  I hope to do better this year, and that is all I can commit to!  Now, I have to get busy on today's painting, since I have already spent as much time as finishing a painting on putting this little collage together :)

In the Saddle

In the Saddle
Oil on wood panel, 12x9
purchase here

Tonight my husband and I had the honor of walking our younger daughter, Michaela across the basketball court at halftime.  She has been nominated for Winter Warming Queen.  The game was super exciting - with our team winning at the very end!  To top it all off, much of the family went out to dinner afterwards.  Super fun!!  Earlier in the day, I barely got this painted before having to head out to Michael's basketball games - which we had to leave early to make it to Michaela's event - we actually RAN through the parking lot in our formal clothes!  I'm sure we looked ridiculous!  I pulled out some reference photos from our civil war reenactment of August 2013 to work from, only I changed the pasture to how it looks today with it's winter color on.  The pensive pose of both rider and horse has attracted me since I first took the photo, and it feels SO good to finally get it down in oils!  This is painting number 762 in 762 days :)

Milk Barn in January

Milk Barn in January
Oil on wood panel, 10x8
purchase here

Today, I am going no further than the pasture for my subject matter.  I should have done this yesterday - when it was sunny and 72 degrees, instead of windy and in the 40's!  We are expecting snow on Saturday, so I will hopefully have some snowy scenes from the barn lot to paint in the coming days.  The paint is rather thick on this one, and the more I use my palette knife, the more I want to explore other blade options.  I think a small squared edge would be ideal to pay in those doors and windows with a stroke.  With the rounded edges - as nearly all of mine are - these sharp edges are so much harder to achieve, involving some wiggling of the knife edge.  Silly!  I will look for something new the very next time I am at the art supply store!  This painting makes 761 in 761 days, and Day 30 of the 30 Day painting Challenge!  Now for a little shopping with my daughter, who has been nominated for "Winter Warming" Royalty :)

A Walk in Belfort

A Walk in Belfort
Oil on panel, 8x10
purchase here

I've just arrived home from a very frustrating basketball at William Chrisman High School for the 9th grade team that Michael plays for.  I can not remember being SO mad at a game in a VERY long time!  Anyone who knows me will know that I don't get mad about anything - ever, but tonight did it.  The refs were unbelievably biased, and it has left me too mad to finish this painting tonight.  I simply did not leave myself enough time earlier to finish this painting, and I don't know what I'll get if I paint angry!   I tried to get it in before leaving for a basketball game - but alas, I just had to go.  I know I'll see it tomorrow with different eyes, and then I'll make adjustments.  This street scene is located in Belfort, France and is a wonderful medieval village.  I have used the palette knife throughout, but still have some work  to do.  I hadn't decided whether to add foliage or not, but I think I will, and a few people walking the streets too.  If I did it now, they would be angry, fighting people :)  This is painting number 760 in 760 days, Day 29 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.  Now, I think it is time for a nice, large glass of wine!

Stormy

Stormy
Oil on panel, 7x5
bid here

Hooray!  Mike finally cut some hardboard up into 7x5 panels for me to paint on!  I had a 4'x8' sheet of birch cut the other day at Home Depot, and for the first time ever - not a single panel was the correct dimensions to fit into any frame!  This poor young guy did not have a clue how to measure and make a cut!  SO, my husband gets to correct all of this guy's mistakes - thank goodness he will do it for me!  After priming roughly 30 panels with tinted gesso, I then started painting one of our old cats, Stormy.  It was bliss to paint on the smooth surface after so many days of canvas!  The paint bends totally to my will when there is no toothy cloth to grab at it!  I will need to take another photo in good light tomorrow, as there is a little "slide" mark on this one to the right - where it slid behind another wet painting!  Ah, the perils of having so many paintings in the drying stage!  This is painting number 759 in 759 days and Day 28 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge :)

Marblehead Lighthouse

Marblehead Lighthouse
Oil on canvas panel, 6x8
bid here

There is a majestic beauty to a lighthouse.  Not only are they a beacon of hope on a dark night, they stand tall and proud against nature's wrath.  This one is in Marblehead, a place we visit almost annually, whenever we are up to see my parents near Lake Erie.  The vintage town is so full of charm!  I love to pour through the galleries and shops unique to the area.  From the other side of this lighthouse, you can look across the water and see the amusement park, Cedar Point way off in the distance - another favorite with the family!  I think this is only the second time I have painted this lighthouse, the first time an autumn scene done in acrylics.  I have taken photos of several different lighthouses through the years.  I really need to find them to use for reference material in more paintings.  This is painting number 758 in 758 days, Day 27 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

All Sail and No Anchor

All Sail and No Anchor
Oil on canvas panel, 7x5
original sold - print available here

Today finds me switching gears and looking towards the open water for my subject matter.  I have only painted a sprinkling of boat/ship seascapes, but they always call to me.  There is something very special about being on the open water, sailing fast and quiet with the wind in your hair.  This feeling of freedom is alluring, and calls to be painted.  This is the smallest seascape I have done - only 7x5 inches.  I like how the tooth of the canvas captures spots of paint in the water - like the sparkle on the surface.  This is painting number 757 in 757 days and Day 26 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge :)

Saundra and Grandbaby

Saundra and Grandbaby
Graphite on bristol, 11x14
sold

Some pieces of artwork are sheer joy to complete, and this is one of those pieces.  During the very hectic holiday rush, picking up my pencils is like escaping from reality.  Deadlines loom, family heads my way, and the graphites are there to offer sweet release from real life.  Drawing this for a very special friend, it made the joy all the sweeter.  The love between grandmother and baby is so special, and with wisdom comes the knowledge of how short this time truly is.  It was a little tricky to get this drawing finished and delivered - without Saundra's knowledge!  But, the stars were aligned, and all worked out perfectly!  Using my favorite 8B watersoluable graphite, all is sketched, and filled in with just this one pencil.  Being watersoluable, I can take a gently wet brush and darken the areas I want. Once this is done, it is very hard to erase, so one must make sure you use this tool sparingly and with a steady hand.  Pressed paper tortillions are the finishing touch for smooth blending of all skin areas.  This drawing makes 756 in as many days, and Day 25 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Watching

Watching
Oil on canvas panel, 5x7
purchase here

Yesterday, I stopped by daughter's house with my grandson for a quick change after the morning at the gym.  In the corner window of her kitchen, this beautiful cat perched - overlooking all that was taking place in the yard beyond the glass.  So striking was his color and the light, that I took a few quick photos - knowing I would want to paint him immediately!  He is the brother to our cat, Captain - and he is far more snooty and bossy than his brother.  He is in fact, the king of his domain - and he knows it.  My first chance to paint him was this afternoon.  A brief painting window opened up after watching Alastair for a while.  New on the palette today - indian yellow and indian red.  These gorgeous Gamblin colors are used in the darker areas of the yellow fur, and the translucency is luscious!  I am going to have fun exploring this color in all sorts of compositions.  In the background, I have been pretty free and liberal with the ultramarine violet, which is also very translucent.  I have used the Gamblin grays in this painting, too.  I love that the very use of them speeds up the drying time on any painting - plus the ease of cutting right to the bones of a gray, where I can then easily tint in the direction I want it to go.  A real short cut in painting!  This is painting number 755 in 755 days, and Day 24 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Winter Beckons

Winter Beckons
Oil on canvas panel, 5x7
purchase here

I did something I have never done before!  I set my brushes down last night, with the intent of immediately starting another painting.  One thing after another popped up before me, and I did not go back to my brushes - until this morning!  I have never left them full of paint before!  The colors of this painting - already sketched out - were so similar, that I didn't even wipe them out!  I just broke a major rule of artists everywhere!  With a little safflower oil, I was able to coax the drying oil paint out of my beloved brushes - not my "work horses", but those I save for the finish work.  Every minute of every day is so full for me, that sometimes the slightest shift in the schedule can bring about my downfall - or in this case, the downfall of my brushes!  Relieved to have brought them back to life, I had this one half painted before Pilates and Kettlebell classes this morning.  I have only now returned home to finish - before going to another couple of basketball games for Michael.  This painting is very much like one I have hanging in the upstairs bathroom - I love the soothing and warm colors in this winter landscape.  Painting number 754 in 754 days, and Day 23 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge :)

January Warmth

January Warmth
Oil on canvas panel, 7x5
purchase here

I live in the country on 25 acres with ponds, pastures and wooded areas.  It is absolutely the perfect place for an artist to live!  I am surrounded by natural beauty which has been in my family for seven decades.  I am never at a loss of something to paint, I can simply walk the grounds and be inspired.  I am lately being pulled towards the barn and outbuildings, so these will no doubt pop up in my daily paintings one day soon!  This is painting number 753 in 753 days, and Day 22 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Schoolhouse in Winter

Schoolhouse in Winter
Oil on canvas panel, 7x5
original sold - print available here

I have added a new color to my palette!  Running low on one of my favs, ultramarine blue, I started digging through my tubes.  I found ultramarine violet first, and thought, hmmmmmm - I wonder what this will do!  Using it for my blue in this scene, it lends a clear, icy color to the scene.  Pushing the whites towards pink, these colors work well together - and it is SO fun to mix up the same old colors for a change!  I will be using it for a while - since I accidently squirted too much onto my palette!  I will be mixing it with all kinds of things in the coming days!  Painting number 752 in 752 days, and Day 21 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Soco Cat

Soco Cat
Oil on canvas panel, 5x7
buy here

On this warm and balmy January day (63 degrees while I was outside) - the cats are posing and prancing!  They love a warm day as much as I do, and while the giant puppy is put up, they can frolic in peace!  When I first sketched this out, the cat was much smaller in the composition, and the steps below him were part of the scene.  I just didn't like it.  It seemed contrived, more about the shapes than about the life and spirit of the animal.  The brushwork tight, and rather harsh - I even thought of just starting new on a fresh canvas.  Instead, I simply brushed out the lines and added more paint, enlarging as I went.  The blend of colors added so much to his fur, and the loose brushwork more accurately portrays his personality.  Dropping bits of color here and there, the whole painting came together with a flush of life.  A little crazy, but a fun way to capture this adventurous boy who has been in our family for twelve years now.  This painting is number 751 in 751 days, and Day 20 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Snow at Water's Edge

Snow at Water's Edge
Oil on canvas panel, 7x5
bid here

Using a looser, more impressionistic stroke with brush and knife today, I am also pushing the color to the blue and violet.  I am again negatively painting the trees, and then going in with the actual tree color.  For the last week or so, I have not been using primed, pre-tinted panels.  I miss the toned surface,  but since I don't use turps or any solvents, I can't use the paint thinned down to do it.  Safflower oil in a wash simply makes the paint too thin, and I then can't get the full body and thickness of later strokes that I prefer.  This painting makes 750 paintings in 750 days, Day 19 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Sir Pounce

Sir Pounce
Oil on canvas panel, 5x7
original sold - print available here

Switching gears today, I am capturing one of our beautiful cats in oils.    When I awake in the morning, one of the first things I am thinking is, "where is my painting window today.......and what do I feel like painting?"  I always have a list of things I'd like to improve my skills on, and sometimes I will let this be my guide.  But today, I really just felt like capturing a little cat beauty!  Sir Pounce is one of our sweet, mild mannered cats, so like his mom.  No misbehaving from this little guy, ever - and I think this is the first time I have painted him.  Thinking this painting would just drop off the brush, I tried to squeeze it into a "too small" slot of time.  Leaving it undone, I picked up my son from a friend's house to return to it later.  The momentum broken with even more distractions, it took more effort to bring it to completion.  Just another day in my life of painting.  How sweet it would be to just come to my easel with no interruptions for as long as I wished.  Well, that is certainly not real life!  So, I roll with all those distractions, almost always starting and stopping a painting multiple times before calling it done.  This is painting number 749 in 749 days, and Day 18 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Sunlit Winter Farm

Sunlit Winter Farm
Oil on canvas panel, 7x5
bid here

Today was bright and beautiful - warming up to 61 degrees!  Crazy for January!  Taking today's lighting and applying it to last week's snow, brought me to the warm turquoise blues in this scene. I have also used my old fav, ultramarine.  Using a limited palette today, I add warmth throughout the landscape with yellow ochre and burnt sienna.  I am painting on canvas again, and after a few days of painting on the smooth surfaces of wood, the shift to a woven texture is a challenge.  The tooth grabs the paint in interesting ways, but a smooth surface allows me to be in control.  Both have advantages.  This painting makes 748 in 748 days, and Day 17 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Bubble Baby

Bubble Baby
Oil on panel, 8x10
sold

This beautiful baby is my pure joy to paint on this day!  The grand-daughter of a dear friend, this little darling is captured while in the bath - with bubbles gathered around her like a garment!  First sketching her out with pastels on a wood panel, I then started laying in the paint.  Warming the background to contrast with the bubbles, and also create harmony with the skin tones, I then started with the eyes.  I do this in almost all portraits.  Eyes first, then I work out from there to the nose, forehead, mouth and shape of face.  Pushing and pulling the paint, finally the portrait emerges as the sweet likeness I chase.  I love doing portrait work, and don't do nearly enough of it - perhaps that will be one of my New Year's resolutions........this painting is painting number 747 in 747 days, and Day 16 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Snowy Creek Barn

Snowy Creek Barn
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 5x5
bid here

I am running out of painting surfaces!  For a daily painter - this is not good at all!  I much prefer having 12 in each size I may want to paint in, so I can simply pick up what I want, when I want it.  I am getting so low, that now my surfaces are dictating to me how I should compose them!  Yikes!  One more thing to squeeze into my super full schedule!  This peaceful, winding creek and barn are my chosen art therapy of the day.  With family over all day, I have come to the easel late indeed.  Without a plan in my mind's eye, I let this painting unfold naturally.  Colors guided me, working from the background forward, and finishing with the palette knife.  This painting makes 746 in 746 days, Day 15 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.  I still have much to do before bedtime.........

Snow on the Creek Bank

Snow on the Creek Bank
Oil on panel, 7x5
original sold - print available here

Missouri is full of winding creeks like this one.  I have to cross creek beds on each road to my house, no matter what direction I approach from.  Ever looking for subject matter, I look up and down these beauties with each crossing.  The light and color of each day and season is so unique, that the paintings of the same place seldom look the same.  In fact, the way I choose to crop in or out, completely changes the composition of the exact place.  I think I will paint another of this in a large size for my own house!  Painting number 745 in 745 days and Day 14 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Little Church by Winter Creek

Little Church by Winter Creek
Oil over acrylic on wood panel, 8x6
original sold - print available

I am playing with technique today - namely, negatively painting the trees.  I first start with an acrylic underpainting, with the tree mass and sky darker than it will ultimately be.  Going in with a brush, I start with the true sky colors, negatively painting the trees as I go.  I really like the effect!  What is left is energetic, and much more lifelike than painting each branch and twig.  Plus, the edges are softer, working well with the distance and mood of this painting. I have only used a little palette knife on this one, layering the oils over acrylics added all of the depth I desired.  Painting number 744 in 744 days, and Day 13 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Cabin by the Winter Stream

Cabin by the Winter Stream
Oil on panel, 8x6
sold

The first layer of this painting was done with heat set oils.  This kind of paint does not dry, ever.  It must be set with a heat gun or in the oven.  If you get too close with that heat, the paint can bubble up in a strange fashion, which can not be corrected.  It is a cool, and expensive medium which does not mix with other mediums.  Once completely dry, I painted the final layer with traditional oils.  I used both brush and palette knife, and switched my blue from ultramarine to prussian.  Perhaps I am just biased towards my oils.......This painting makes 743 in 743 days, and Day 12 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Winter Whisper

Winter Whisper
Oil on wood panel, 7x5
sold

This painting has a secret behind it - another landscape in acrylics!  Running low on primed painting surfaces, I went through a few older paintings.  A spring landscape from 2010 is no more, but this is SO much better!  All of the colors from the first painting only enhance what is put on over it - and today I am embracing a brooding atmosphere before sunrise.  I love the very early light before the sun when it starts to illuminate the planes.  I am having so much fun painting winter!  Painting number 742 in 742 days and Day 11 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Sunset Winter Glow

Sunset Winter Glow
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 5x5
sold

Each day, when I am thinking of a painting subject, I first decide what medium I feel like using.  All paints have their specific merits, and it definitely affects the chosen subject matter.  With a gentle sunset theme in mind, I am pushing and pulling the oils with brush and palette knife.  Starting in rather a muted way, I continue to bump up the color as I progress.  I want the feel to be moody, introspective, so I am still keeping the strokes impressionistic and the background soft - which is something the oils do SO well!  Where the watercolors are sharp and clean, and translucent, the oils revel in buttery softness and structure beneath each brushstroke.  This one is painted on gallery wrapped canvas, so that means I have painted the landscape right around the sides!  Painting number 741 in 741 days, and Day 10 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Winter Snow

Winter Snow
Watercolor on 100% rag paper, 7x5
bid here

This painting is only 7 inches by 5 inches in size.  As I sketched this one out, I strived to capture a lot of information on the small space.  I first used drawing gum as a resist, then came in with most of the color after that was dry.  I did go back in with a second layer to increase the contrast as the watercolors lightened on drying.  After removing the resist, the whites were so stark that I took some soft plum shades to them, warming them up and softening the edges. What shall I work on tomorrow?  Hmmmmm.  This painting makes 740 in 740 days, and Day 9 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Into the Winter Woods

Into the Winter Woods
Oil on canvas, 7x5
sold

Today, I was really feeling a pull towards my oils.  I was able to get a couple of watercolor paintings half finished, and had to wait for the paint to dry before removing the resist.  I detest any kind of down time - since I seem to be squeezing every second from every minute!  So, I painted this small landscape while I waited.  Loving the buttery softness of the oils, it is such a contrast to the hard lines of the watercolors.  There are lots of soft edges here, and the muted grays and blues of the dark winter day.  The palette knife was my finishing touch.  This painting is number 739 in as many days, and Day 8 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Pondering - Grisaille

Pondering - Grisaille
Oil on wood panel, 9x12
sold

Inspired by another artist, I am switching gears today and painting a grisaille.  Using transparent red oxide as my only paint, I sketch on with my brush, thinning down with only safflower oil.  Wiping away for lighter areas, adding paint for the darker ones, the image emerges.  I am very tempted to add a warm, pale yellow to these highlights, but I resist temptation.  Trying to stay loose with my strokes, I really do just blend out unconsciously!  All those years of graphite work, I guess!  I had every intention of leaving unpainted areas where the strokes clearly marked the wood, but alas....my brush would not cooperate.  Perhaps I'll do a couple others this month, after all, practice makes perfect - or so I have heard all my life.  I really like the red oxide, it is so earthy and moody, as if the only lighting is candlelight.  I already see areas that I would touch again with the brush, but as I have two basketballs games tonight, and a meeting following. I must let this rest for now.  Painting number 738 in 738 days, and Day 7 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Warmth on Winter Snow

Warmth on Winter Snow
Watercolor on paper, 9x6
purchase here

I'm not sure whether or not I have used this watercolor block before, but after painting - I find it very difficult to remove the sheet from the block!  This is Aquarelle Arches 300lb, cold pressed, 100% cotton.  I have two paintings on the single sheet, and now I can only hope that I don't ruin either one in the removal process.  I used drawing gum as a resist in the sketching stage, then quickly and loosely dropped in color.  The sun was just showing through, giving a warm brown light to woods and water.  Painting number 737 in 737 days, and Day 6 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge :)

Tree by Winter Creek

Tree by Winter Creek
Watercolor on paper, 6x9
purchase here

Finally - we have snow on the ground!  It should be cold for the next week, so perhaps the light blanket of snow will remain!  Choosing a favorite spot,  I love the moody blues and grays of the sky, as the day looms on.  With such an atmosphere, I have worked completely wet into wet.  I know very little about layering in watercolors, and when I have experimented with it - I have been disappointed.  I prefer the loose way the paint moves when applied to the wet surface.  When I layer, I feel it is too easy to appear overworked.  When all is painted while wet - the painting is fresh and free flowing.  I have added a little warmth to the foreground trunks with sienna, and very little permanent rose to various snowy patches for added interest.  My favorite go to color these days is indigo, which is a wonderful winter shadow shade.  It is rich and warm, and fabulous mixed with a little blue-violet.  It is fun to be playing in the watercolors again, after nearly a month of oils and acrylics.  This painting makes 736 in 736 days and Day 5 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

January Blue Jay

January Blue Jay
Watercolor on 300lb paper, 9x6
purchase here

I have many watercolor paints that I have not yet used, so today, I tried a new one.  The color is Daniel Smith's Carbazole Violet, which I mixed here with indigo to get some wonderful winter shades.  I don't have any violets on my palette - but  this one just might make the cut!  Working on my favorite weight of paper - 300lb, I am using a block to paint on.  Once the paper is dry, I slip in a flat palette knife and separate the top sheet from the others.  Looking forward to tonight's snow - painting number 735 in 735 days, Day 4 of this January's 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Winter Wonder

Winter Wonder
Watercolor on paper, 7x10
purchase here

This month begins another 30 paintings in 30 days challenge, my fifth since January 2013.  In fact, it was that first challenge two years ago that started me on this daily painting adventure!  Through the many challenges of my everyday hectic life, I have been able to complete one painting each and every day.  Sometimes, I even get ahead.  And sometimes, I do not finish until nearly midnight - which is my self-imposed deadline for each painting.  I have tried many different mediums, found some I truly love, and have ever kept exploring in art.  Here is to another fabulous year of daily painting!  Painting number 734 in 734 days, and Day 3 of the current 30 Day Challenge.

Blues of Winter

Blues of Winter
Oil on canvas, 7x5
purchase here

With the last days of snowy landscapes, I am calling the snow to Missouri!  My brother's family left this morning, so our household is tonight down to eleven for gathering.  After dinner, I set my tiny easel up in the kitchen, and painted this sunlit scene while visiting.  I am working with blues, pinks and whites, with yellows and a bit of cad orange for pops of highlight.  Using my palette knife for those thick, juicy snow drifts, I also used it to cut in with the shadow colors.  My new color tonight is ultramarine blue deep by Rembrandt.  Painting number 733 in 733 days, and Day 2 of the newest 30 Day Painting Challenge.