Fairy in the Phlox

The first phlox burst forth in the garden this morning!  I love their heady fragrance, so like lilacs!  The hours rolled by on comfort on this cool day, as I worked on my beds.  With all of the rain, the flowers and weeds alike are flourishing, so I must get things in order.  Drawing from life, this tender phlox simply spilled onto the page and the fairy appeared!  Was it my eyes.... or too much gardening?  Painting number 1628 in 1628 days. 

Fairy Flight

Fairy Flight
Oil on panel, 6x5

This little flight of fancy is painted on a textured wood panel in an odd, small size.  It has been one of those days that I would love to "fly away" myself, with nothing but the wind in my face and my cares on the ground.  Even though my dad is improving, my mind is rather cluttered right now- and it makes the composing difficult.  I feel like I need some background down below, but can't decide quite what. So, if in doubt - don't!  One of the painting rules - so I have left it out. I had a heavy acrylic undercoating on this, which made the paint really slip around.  Maybe, I'll change things up tomorrow.  Painting number 414 in as many days.

Fairy House

Fairy House
Oil on glass, 9x12
print available here

Today I have tried something completely new - painting on glass!  I was brought an old 6 pane window to paint, each panel a part of a larger scene.  I drew out my sketch, keeping in mind the big picture, and started laying down paint.  It wouldn't stick!  It slid all around giving me a buttery mess.  I hadn't even thought about applying gesso first, but it was the only option I had.  So, I wiped the painting completely off, so I could prime the glass with gesso. It was so much easier to apply the paint.  There is no texture to work with, but at least the gessoed surface will pull the paint off my brush.  This subject matter is completely new as well!  I can't just go out in the field and paint this scene from life, thus my imagination has full reign now.  Once I get all 6 completed, I will probably need to adjust them, "marrying" the colors just a bit.  As the paint dries a bit, I will also go in and add a few strokes to define the faces better...or I may just leave them loose.  I'll cross that bridge when I get there!  Painting number 387 in 387 days and day 22 in the 30 day painting challenge.  It is harder to just pull this stuff out of my head!