Peaceful Pond

Peaceful Pond
Oil on panel, 6x8

This quiet little spot is a wonderful escape from the daily grind.  Peaceful and still, the water is hardly moving.  The dead grasses of winter have turned gold and reddish - the perfect compliment to a clear blue sky.  I have been playing with different blue paints this last week, and today I find myself reaching for my trusted ultramarine blue.  The pigment strength is so much better than the others I have been playing with.  I simply can't mix the darks I want with these other colors.  This is day 10 of the 30 day painting challenge - 1/3 of the way through!  I am finding that my life is just too full to easily finish a painting every day.  Yesterday, I did not even find time to eat until 7:30 at night - but I got my painting posted!  By sheer will alone I will see this through - trying new techniques and learning from each panel painted.  I am also working on a large piece - which is still not ready.  Each night, I think it is finished, and in the cold light of day - I see that it is not.  I will let it rest for a day or two - and look again with fresh eyes.

Morning Light on the Hay Field

Morning Light on the Hay Field
Oil on panel, 14x11

It is a misty, rainy day out - one of my favorite days for painting in the studio!  I had big plans.....hours of uninterrupted painting, glorious experimenting with my new oils.....and then life started in with it's little tricks.  A husband home sick with the flu, a grandbaby who wanted my undivided attention, and so many interruptions I can not even think straight!  I only have 15 minutes before I must get my youngest to her guitar lesson - so here goes.  Day 9 of the painting challenge - and by some miracle I have finished this painting - I think!  I had started this in plein air and completed it in little spurts of time today.  I hope tomorrow is a better painting day.......

Morning Mockingbird

Morning Mockingbird
Oil on panel, 10x8

This is the first mockingbird to come to the feeders in all these years!  He showed up on the first day of snowfall, and perches on the same branches of the rose of sharon  each morning.  A bit fluffed up from the cold, he keeps looking over his shoulder at me, to see just what I am up to!  I was half way through this painting before I remembered I prefer painting wildlife in acrylic!  Too late for that - so it is oils all the way!  I did use a bit of the walnut oil alkyd to sharpen some of my lines here - and it worked just great.  This is day 8 of the painting challenge - and I am off to get a jump start on the next one :)

January Morning

January Morning
Oil on panel, 10x8

I started this one when the snow was still on, finishing it just today.  I used a heavily textured surface before laying paint, and the paint was rather thick in the cold as well.  The early morning light throwing shadows on the snow drew me to this scene.  This is day 7 of the painting challenge - and it is getting harder and harder to meet this challenge as school activities and sports resume for the kids.........but I am determined to give it my best and just let the chips fall where they may!

Path Through the Snow

Path Through the Snow
Oil on panel, 8x6

Day 6 of the painting challenge - and boy am I glad I had time to paint 2 one day last week!  With a tightly packed schedule today - there has been no time for my oils!  Not far from home, this little path is really a dried up creek bed - now filled in with snow.   The day was overcast, a little moody, and the wind was kicking up.  Painting from my car, I quickly blocked this one in.  I am using another new color - venetian red in the Maimeri oils.  I think this image shows the red as being stronger than it truly is - and I will try to get a new image when I have the time.  The paint was smooth and ultra creamy.  This was a fast paint, so I may go back and make a few adjustments.......A tip I picked up from another plein air "car" painter in Maine - gorilla tape is great for attaching your panel to the steering wheel.  She says it is good from 0 - 90 degrees, but under 10 below - it doesn't stick to anything!

Stream in Winter

The Stream in Winter
oil on panel, 6x12
sold

Sticking close to home, this stream leads to an old railroad bridge.  I drive by it almost every day - and have always wanted to paint this location.  I chose this tall panel size to emphasize the turns of the water, and because I am almost out of surfaces to paint on!  I used my new Capri Blue by Maimeri - the colori grezzi del Mediterraneo -for this landscape.  I love the super creamy consistency, but found it hard to get the darker shades I can get with ultramarine.  The pigment is not as strong, and the color fades quickly when adding white or any color.  I did like the way I could pull the paint through the water, for reflections.  I suspect it would be very good for portrait work - as the paint is not even tacky on the second day, allowing a larger window of workable time.  I also tried the santorini white, but I could not build up texture at all with it and it seemed transparent upon application.  So, I had to go back to the fastmatte white for the snow, finishing with a palette knife.  I was hoping this white would tide me over for a while, but it looks like I will be heading to Utrecht's this week!  This is Day 5 of the painting challenge - and now I must get to taking down the Christmas decorations :)

Snow on the Hedgeapple Tree

Snow on the Hedgeapple Tree
Oil on Panel, 8x6

I love the twisted forms of old hedgeapple trees - and we have lots of them on the property!  This is Day 4 of the painting challenge - and I actually painted two today.  I used two new italian classico oils by Maimeri.  They are VERY creamy.  They are so creamy, that it was difficult for me to lay other colors into it - for building up the tree bark and the snow layers.  No medium used at all - it would have made these paints too thin.  It is so fun to experiment - and I have 3 colors yet untouched!

Frosty Morning - Day 3 of the 30 day challenge....

Frosty Morning
Oil on panel, 11x14

So, this is day 3 of the 30 day painting challenge - and so far, so good.  I find this commitment pushes me to make sure I have time for painting!  I already have the next week's worth of places picked out to paint.  The snow is melting, but there is a chance of some more in the next week.  I have again used the fastmatte white for painting.  I like the way I can build up the texture easily, but I do like a shine to my oils - so I am missing that.  I must get more supports and another white tube of paint today.  This scene is also close to home, and is really little more than a ravine.  The clearing skies were fun to capture.  I am thinking of trying a new color of blue.  I use a limited palette, and I have used ultramarine forever.......I am just wondering what else is out there.  Maybe something wonderful just begging to squeeze out on my palette.  I am definitely going to the art store today.....

Snow in the Creek Bed

Snow in the Creek Bed
Oil on panel - 8x6

Had it not been for the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge, I would not have painted today.  I am almost out of panels - and could only find 8x6's on hand.  I watched the grandbabies for most of the day, one of whom is coming down sick.  I am officially out of all white tubes of paint - except for one, Gamblin's Fastmatte white - which I used here (only because I had to).  It has a thicker texture, which I like for the snow.  I am also trying a new medium - walnut oil alkyd.  I don't use mediums most of the time, so the jury is still out on this one.  I painted this from photos I just took close to home.  No painting out with a 3 and 5 year old in the snow!

Winter Woodpeckers

Winter Woodpeckers
Acrylic on Panel - 8x10
sold

The last of my family (in for the holidays) just left - and now it is time to turn my attentions back to painting - well, after the sledding.....  So many birds are coming to the feeders with the snow on - it is the perfect opportunity for painting them!  I used my acrylics and gel mediums to build this one up.  I love the detail I can get with my acrylics - and Golden is my favorite brand.  The pigment is truly artist grade - and I can achieve sharp detail that just isn't possible with my oils.  Starting today, I am going to enter a thirty day painting challenge for the month of January on Leslie Saeta's Slices of Life blog.  My paintings will be posted on this site, as well as the work of all other artists participating.  As of Day one - I am the 63rd artist to accept the challenge.   It will be so fun and inspirational to see what others are completing.  What a great way to start the new year :)

Baby Max

Baby Max
graphite on bristol
14x11 - sold

Just in time for Christmas - a beautiful baby boy!  I finished laying in the shading, blending more on the skin, and let this one rest overnight.  With fresh eyes this morning, I added a bit of eye highlight, deepened a couple of shadows, and blended just a bit more.  This baby is ready for delivery!

New Work - Day 2

New Work - Day 2
Graphite on Bristol

Here, I have started to fill in the shading on the clothing using the side of my graphite lightly.  I will next use a pressed blending tool to smooth out the fabric.  I never touch the paper with my hands.  I lay clean paper over the area I have already worked to ensure that the oils from my hands don't get onto the paper.  If this does happen, it changes the way the paper accepts the graphite - making it very hard to get even coloration.  Though, I started out by smudging with my fingers - I haven't done that now for years.  This way is much cleaner, and the end product is much nicer.

First Day of New Work :)

Max - Day 1
Graphite on Bristol

I started this little darling last night, after the countless Christmas duties.  I worked into the wee hours - simply because I love the feel of my pencils in my hand.  It is so relaxing - like a little mini-vacation in the midst of a busy season.....So far, I have only drawn in the base lines with a mechanical pencil, and started in on the facial features with my favorite 8b graphite.  I have only started to add shading to the hands, and I will try to fill out the line work today.  This is the perfect day for it - since we are snowed in!!

Nestled in the Pine

Nestled in the Pine
Acrylic on Panel

I have several bird feeders right outside the bay window in my kitchen.  Birds constantly fly from feeder to tree and back again.  Sometimes they line up in a holding pattern on the Rose of Sharon, awaiting an opening to dine.  When it is just too cold to go out and paint, or if I simply prefer to be warmly tucked in with hot tea, I paint from life at this window.  I have always loved birds, and I have quite an assortment to choose from.  This little blue jay is a frequent visitor, along with a few others in his family.  When I paint birds, I prefer the acrylics - by far.  I can paint exact lines and feathers that I just can't get with the creamy oils.  The acrylics lend an airy quality these little creatures.  My mother also loves these bird paintings - and I always think of her when I paint them :)

View From the Terrace

View From the Terrace
Oil on panel - 14x11
Sold at "Parkville in Art Auction"

I painted this beautiful garden from the upper terrace of Frank's Italian Restaurant in Parkville.  The morning soon warmed up so much - no jackets were needed.  Wafting all around me was the delightful smell of garlic bread and italian sauces!  A few of the staff greeted me as I worked - and I was given a lovely tour of an upper room with a mural painted inside (by dear friend Cathy Kline).  Some plein air days are a magical painting adventure - and this was one of those days.  Everyone should enjoy such a day in the picturesque town of Parkville, MO.

Jacob Shoveling Snow

Jacob Shoveling Snow
Watercolor on paper

Jacob is my brother's oldest son, and they live in Florida.  Two years ago we had a beautiful snow for Christmas for them to enjoy!  He and Ethan shoveled and helped build an igloo with my youngest two children.  To commemorate the occasion, I chose this subject for a little watercolor exploration.  I seldom use watercolor, and have very little experience with it, but have been told by many artists that my painting style is well suited to it.  It is like a vacation to take on a new medium for a bit.  Art is all about pushing the boundaries and getting out of our comfort zones.  The more I explore, the more I learn, and all of that I apply to the next painting.  Each one is the sum of all that I have learned to that point.  My brother's family is coming back again this Christmas, I sure hope we have another wonderful snow for my Florida boys :)

Old Tree in the Snow

Old Tree in the Snow
Oil on panel, 6x8

Today I am posting a quick work-up on a tree study.  Its a little loose and free, just trying to get an idea of where I want to go with it.  Many times, the main painting ideas will unfold right in front of me, pushing or pulling the values and colors to a new place.  I am working small - as I have SO MUCH on my plate right now!  I think I'll let this one rest today, and see what calls to me tomorrow.  I like the value depth in the trunk of the tree, and already feel a pull to sprinkle in a few more darks in the background to the right - for balance.  Fresh eyes tomorrow will tell me more :)

Church by the Snowy Creek

Church by the Snowy Creek
Oil on panel - 6x8

This piece was inspired by the Ouachita National Forest and it's gorgeous telephone pole pines.  We drove 71 Hwy through Arkansas as we traveled to Louisiana.  Spotted throughout were all of these old buildings - untouched by time, looking as they must have decades ago.  I used a little artistic license to lay down the blanket of snow, and widened the creek a bit to reflect back the colors in the sky with a peaceful calm.  I have been using safflower oil to wash my brushes in, and sometimes to thin paint down for signing pieces.  It is very effective - and no fumes or harmful chemicals to inhale.  I will not ever go back to using turps again - just not worth the health risks.  I will use this painting as one of four for my Christmas cards this year - and yes, I am a little behind schedule.........so, back to work!

Warm Winter Morning

Warm Winter Morning
Oil on Panel

I just love the reflection of the sun off the snowy ground!  This one is another painting done from reference work on location back in the woods.  I first textured my surface a bit before sketching in the composition.  I then painted with my oils - heavy in places, and topped it all off with a little palette knife work.  As Christmas approaches - I find less and less time to paint,  which means I must now paint smaller and faster - if I am going to get my paint fix in!

January Beckons

January Beckons
Oil on panel
Private Collection

One frosty morning in January, I found myself strolling through the woods.  The light softly glistened off the snow reflecting this beautiful peachy pink glow.  Too cold to set up, I simply sketched out my composition and put down a little color reference with a few colored pencils I carry in a small kit.  I keep this in the car - just in case I find a scene that I absolutely must capture on the spot.  It is also ideal for those freezing cold days that I just can't make myself paint outdoors!  Although, this winter I will be packing heat packs for my hands and feet - it is hard to paint when my hands are shivering and I keep dropping my brushes :)