Black Star Cameo

 

Sweet and sassy Beans is a Black Star beauty, and super fun to paint in my brand new Chicken Art Journal!!  I started this in ink, but when I tried to move that ink with water, it did not move at all!  Hardly any color deposited from my watercolor brush, so I moved to acrylics.  I had limited colors in my travel kit, and found I needed more.  They were not staying wet long enough to mix on the very porous paper.  This sketchbook is going to be an exploration of mediums for this specific elephant poo paper, lol! Painting number 4814 in 4814 days. 

Yellow Tabby

 

This kitty painting is on my easel tonight - and he is the sweetest, most affectionate half grown kitten! We have adopted siblings, a yellow tabby and a calico from a friend who's granddaughter found them and one other along the road.  It's funny how stars align and the perfect pets drop right into your lap.  Painting number 4803 in 4803 days. 

Calico Dreaming

 

It can be hard to paint a moving target - especially this affectionate new kitty!  She loves attention and winds around our legs as we walk. If we're still, she's in our laps and climbing to shoulders, which also makes for difficult painting, lol. So, I wait for her to settle, then start my process.  When I'm ready for a photo, she's on the move again, making it nearly impossible to get a pic.  She's a beauty and I look forward to painting her in the years ahead.  Painting number 4800 in 4800 days. 

Pensive Santa

 

He's making a list and checking it twice - and it's so fun to paint Santa for Christmas!  After a gathering of the Frank side at my cousin's today, it has only left a little time for painting and posting.  It's lovely to see cousins, aunts and my uncle with my brother's family and Mom, too.  And I remember all those that once joined us on this holiday, too. Painting number 4738 in 4738 days. 

Tinsel Santa

 

For several years now, I have explored Diamine's Inkvent Calendar as Christmas approaches.  It is a treat to use glass dip pens and sparkling new ink to create the magic of Christmas!  I've got the 2025 one on order, and I can't wait to open each little door containing the gift of a new ink!  Come see this miniature Santa Claus painting in person, now showing at Powell Gardens!  Painting number 4707 in 4707 days. 

Freya

 

I was working on this while introducing all my daughters to pastels!  It's been MANY moons since I've picked up a stick, and it sure was fun to explore the medium again.  I sketched my composition first with a pastel pencil, then a base layer with my pan pastels.  I followed with hard then soft pastels, and will hit just a couple more spots before framing.  I like the paper tortillions for blending, so far.  Who knows where this adventure leads? Painting number 5069 in 5069 days.

Michaela and Casper

I normally do this type of drawing in graphite on Bristol, but I've chosen ink and handmade paper instead.  I use ink so much now that it seems a natural choice, though it was a bit of a challenge.  I started this years ago, and did not feel it was complete, so I left it unfinished.  This is something I almost never do, and it felt brand new to return to it.  It was much easier to finish now,  and I could see what was needed.  I feel so happy to have finally finished this, and love that it will now have a new home.  Painting number 5052 in 5052 days. 

Santa Painting the Nutcracker

I love the vintage feel of black and white whether in ink, graphite or paint. I've been using many mediums lately, bouncing from one to another daily!  I've picked up acrylics for this one as I also work on a commission at the same time.  Santa is hard at work these last days before Christmas, and i love capturing it all in paint!  Merry Christmas Eve Eve!  Painting number 5047 in 5047 days. 

Thoughtful Santa

 

Santa Claus is on my easel tonight as I burn the midnight oil.  This day has been filled with side by side rides, outdoor and indoor fun as we gathered  with Danny and the boys on this last day in town.  So, I'm coming to my easel late and I'm also working on my Christmas cards - which I'm also getting to much later than ever.  This season has had me busy getting paintings out right up to the last minute!  Which is awesome, and has also set me back on getting my own work done.  I think Santa understands all about that.  Painting number 5045 in 5045 days.  

Tinsel Santa

 It's so fun to sneak in a quick Santa painting with pen and ink!  This is Surprise Murder Mystery Birthday Party day for our oldest daughter, and we've all been busy with preparations.  The glass dip pen and a little water are perfect to move this ink as I work.  There's always enough time for a miniature painting - even on a day like this!  Painting number 5038 in 5038 days. 

Santa Painting a Nutcracker

 

Santa is on my easel tonight, as he paints a nutcracker!  It's super fun to play with acrylics again - in between commissions.  I've been VERY busy this season, so it truly is a little bit of therapy time to work on something like this.  I've used a base of mars black, with ivory black on the final layers. The first is cool while the next is warm, allowing depth in the simple black and white.  Additionally, I use titanium along with white gesso for the same reason.  Painting number 5034 in 5034 days. 

Libby

 I love getting to paint special requests for others - especially when it is for one of my best friends from high school!  Commissioned by her husband, this portrait is of her horse, Libby, an equine therapy horse. This one was a bit of a challenge, as the reference photo had a lot going on in it.  I simplified the masses to bring the focus back to Libby, and painted this one in acrylic.  I've been doing acrylic paintings lately, stretching my boundaries again.  I use it full strength now with no water, almost in a dry brush technique way, and am enjoying that process. The best part is the quick dry time - allowing me to add layers the same day.  I hope this this painting will be a treasure for all the years to come. 

Jake

I love getting to paint a beloved pet portrait, to be cherished when they are no longer at one's side.  This sweetheart is striking a signature pose on this canvas, and was given as a Christmas gift.  I have lately painted a few of these in acrylic, after a pretty long separation from this media.  I do like it's layering and crisp lines, and the almost instant dry time is a big bonus.  I use a dry brush technique, never wetting those brushes until I am washing them out. Heavy body paint gives me strong pigment, even in the lightest areas.  I hope this painting will be cherished for many years to come. 

Keegan

Once in a while, I'm asked to paint something very special. I have a lifelong love of painting horses, and we had our own special foxtrotter when the kids were young.  Asked by a dear childhood friend to paint this special horse for it's owner, I loved the opportunity.  No longer on this earth, I wanted to breathe life into this painting, paying tribute to all this horse was to all those who were near. Painting number 3976 in 3976 days. 

Michaela and Kirby

Tonight I return to my old friend graphite, to capture this moment forever.  Our newest grandbaby, Kirby, was born last night to Michaela and Cooper.  It is very special to share the birth of a grandchild with my daughters.  This is the second birth I've shared with Michaela, and everything about it will forever be engraved in my mind.  Life is so fragile, and such strength is required to bring that life into the world, it is truly a miracle.  I found myself reliving my own experiences in the moment, knowing exactly what she was going through, and so proud of her strength, control and focus.  The pain fades away, soon replaced by the joy brought to us by little Kirby, and this sweet moment will live on forever. It feels good to return to my first beloved medium at such a time.  Painting number 4313 in 4313 days. 

Santa Portrait Inked

Diamine's Black Ivy ink is behind today's door on my Inkvent Calendar - and bleeds a lovely green and blue when wet.  The line work is pretty dark, and I expected it to be blacker, which would be lovely for a vintage Santa face.  This color would be very nice for a grove of cedars, though, and perhaps I should let down a heavy patch to see what it can do.  My husband has been off this week - and I am not getting nearly as much done in any day.  I sure hope I can finish a few more things before Christmas - time is growing short!  Painting number 3260 in 3260 days. 

Brandy

I really love painting animals, especially beloved pets.  This darling is a commission painting, with beautiful markings, and has been a joy to paint!  In the business of the season, it sure is nice to spend a little time with the paint and create something truly meaningful for a family.  This is the very best part of this artist life. Painting number 3256 in 3256 days.  So happy I can share this painting as we drive back from Michael's graduation from college, Cum Laude, at Missouri S & T.  What a busy wonderful day of celebration and moving him home! 

Hanging with the Boys

 It was so fun to paint these labs as they played!  They did not stand still, so I had to jump in and catch each while in a certain pose - returning each time they were in a similar pose!  I've never painted more than one dog at a time - and it was certainly a lot harder!  One dog will sit down comfortably, and stay long enough to be painted.  Five dogs do not do that!  So, this painting is loose and free, catching the spirit of each on the fly!  Painting number 3058 in 3058 days. 

Studious

I seem to have a cat theme on my easel this week!  This portrait makes my third cat painting of the week, and my fourth animal portrait. My winter goal of doing more portrait work has lately been on my mind, and perhaps that is pulling me into this work.  I've been revisiting old work to see how I could bring them to my current standards, or completely paint over them in an effort to recycle all my panels.  All part of lock down and spring cleaning, it clears my mind to organize and critique my work.  The more experience I gain, the more critical I become of my own work.  I am on a road to only leave the best work in my wake.  Painting number 2999 in 2999 days. 

Curious

It was a winter goal of mine to spend more time focusing on portrait work in oils. I envisioned months of continued study, honing my skills on every painting.  Real life has not quite worked out that way, filling my days with so many other things, and teasing me with landscapes I couldn't resist!  On my mind, I have continued to return to portrait work, people, cats, dogs, cows(!), painting more of them than usual, which is a win.  Perhaps slipping them into my schedule ever so often is a good way to keep the learning fresh.  I do learn so much with each painting, loving the process of it all!  Painting number 2998 in 2998 days.