Contemporary Cat

Contemporary Cat
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 12x12

Goodness me - I have taken a trip to crazy town!!  Painting with such vivid color is exhilarating!  When approaching a painting in such a way, my biggest question is what color to choose.  I am letting my intuition guide me, as heaven knows I have not done anything like this before!  I start first with colors that are really there, the whites, the warm yellows, cool shadows - and then exaggerate those colors.  I pushed the yellow to cad orange and cad red light, the shadows to purple.  The landscape in the background has it’s roots in the true colors, the foliage is green - although I’ve pushed that to yellow green with cad yellow highlights.  The sky blues are also present - turquoise to violet blue.  As I block in the masses, I try to be mindful of how I use the warms and cools.  I’ve used the catalyst again here - and I am loving the variety of strokes that I can achieve.  I have more on the way - I can’t wait to take them out for a spin!  Painting number 1153 in 1153 days.

Surprise!  Another secret landscape underneath this first sketch of contemporary cat!! 

Thoroughly Modern Charlie

Thoroughly Modern Charlie
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 12x12

Oh my!  My wild side is showing on this painting!  I don’t think I’ve painted like this since I was 12 years old....so I must be channeling my inner 12-year-old!  The desire to get into some bold paint has been nagging at me for a couple of weeks.  Ideas for paintings will pop into my head - and they are not my normal stuff!  Unable to resist the urge any longer, I have painted over an old landscape on this gallery wrapped canvas, and my country cat is now a city cat!! I have used brushes and catalysts here, and some little used colors, yellow green, perm. rose pink, turquoise, and cad orange AT FULL STRENGTH!!  Super fun.....and crazy!  My youngest son affectionately refers to this as my “acid trip art”!  This crazy painting is my 1152nd in 1152 days.

first marks - surprise landscape underneath!!

in progress

Roses in Pink

Roses in Pink
Oil on canvas, 7x5

After a couple of weeks of little sleep, and a very busy Saturday, I arrived home so tired.  Normally full of energy - no matter what - my hours are taking their toll tonight.  I have been doing portraits, and had already planned out a James Dean portrait - but I no longer had the preferred panels primed!  Darn!  I will not settle for less, so I am resting in my safe zone, bright and energetic roses, using my new catalyst tool.  This is the first time I’ve used it on canvas, and the result is kind of cool.  I don’t normally like the woven texture of canvas or linen, but when this tool skims over the surface leaving dark little pockets under the pinks, it is very effective!  I will need to get some priming done before I return to those portraits......maybe tomorrow.  Painting number 1151 in 1151 days.

Audrey

Audrey
Oil on masonite, 6x6

I think Audrey Hepburn was one of the most beautiful women.  She had an inner beauty that simply radiated.  Using one of the primed panels from yesterday, I am using mainly my brushes to paint her likeness.  This was a conscious choice, it evolved as I painted.  The soft planes of her face did not call for the harsh lines of the palette knife.  I did use the knife and catalyst, but reservedly, even blending some of those strokes out with a brush.  I used one of my new brushes from myartspace.com, and it worked like a charm.  Since I am working in black, it did stain the bristles.  This doesn’t worry me, I do buy my brushes to work the heck out of them!  I’ve only used black and white here, no other tints.  I just let my heart guide me in these matters, no use to try to think it out, I’m using the right side of my brain here, not the left!  Painting number 1150 in 1150 days.

Ringo

Ringo
Oil on masonite, 6x8

in progress- texture

Today - I am painting on a crazy textured panel!!  Why?  Because when I reached for the surface I desired, I found that I was out!  For this series, I have gessoed masonite, then brushed over in a cross hatch fashion with gel gloss medium.  This results in a rougher than normal texture - perfect for cool stroke variations with the knife and catalyst.  This crazy panel I had primed so long ago - and I think I knifed on heavy gesso, already tinted in a pale yellow, and then pressed saran wrap over - lifting up to reveal the wonderful texture.  I never used it for anything!  I was scared, because it IS so different......but today, I needed texture, and so this had to be the day for jumping into the craziness!  I have used only ivory black paint.  I like the warm yellow surface of this panel, so I have reserved my “whites” - or “pale yellows” in this case!  I pulled the blade over this texture, which left the black on all the peaks.  I had to use a stiff bristle brush to get paint down into the valleys, and dry brushed to get the shading done.  It is a little bold - and I like it!!  Bold and crazy is invigorating!!  Painting number 1149 in 1149 days :)

Mick

Mick
Oil on masonite, 6x6

Another day, another icon!  The planes of Mick Jagger’s face are SO interesting, it made this portrait an adventure in pushing and pulling the paint!  I did sketch out his masses with my brush and thin, black paint.  I have been jumping in and painting all the masses, and letting the features develop, but I felt a more traditional route was important here.  Using mainly titanium white and ivory black, I have tinted those shades ever so slightly with naples yellow and ultramarine blue (just to bump up the cool and warm temperatures).  I love his expressive eyes - it is like looking into the soul of an artist!  I was asked today what inspires me.  Life inspires me.  The beauty of nature, the love I feel, even the people and music in my life, endlessly inspire me.  So many wonderful  things to capture, so little time to paint!  Painting number 1148 in 1148 days.

Norma Jean

Norma Jean
Oil on masonite, 6x6

This was the demo in painting class today, an oil painting in black and white of a young Marilyn Monroe.  To gain the likeness, I used a brush to mark out the features.  Next, I painted in the background and masses, using the largest brush possible.  The features gave me a little trouble - Marilyn was not cooperating!  As with all portrait work, I pushed the paint a little here and pulled it there, until I was happy.  I then went in with some thick, juicy paint and my knives and catalyst, making marks wherever the whim took me. I chose black and white, but I am now wondering how cool a color version might be..... This painting took brushes, knives and a catalyst to complete and is my 1147th painting in as many days.

Young Elvis

Young Elvis
Oil on masonite, 6x6

I started out this week painting flowers with my new Princeton Catalysts.  I have now gone from flowers to rock and roll with the last two paintings!  I have never painted in this theme before, and it is super fun!  It gives me a rush to jump into new methods and new subjects!  These last paintings have all been painted on rough finished panels, which I had intended for acrylic portraiture, but the top coat I gave them of gloss medium with a rough synthetic brush was just too rough for the acrylics, the paint simply did not flow over the deep nap. Now that I'm using oils and catalysts for these portraits, the heavy texture is a bonus - allowing the blades to pull over the top, leaving interesting marks!  SO FUN!  And, I am really enjoying the subject matter!  Who knew? Painting number 1146 in 1146 days :)

John

John
Oil on masonite, 6x6

Lately, I have been longing to paint portraits with my new catalysts, using strong contrast.  After pouring over photos to familiarize myself with the planes of John Lennon’s face, I then started laying paint.  I did use my brush to mark out the values, and then came in with the catalyst to drop in heavy strokes of paint.  The effect is rich and thick, and very expressive.  These catalysts have shapes similar to palette knives, with one big difference - they are crafted of flexible silicone.  They scrape off paint better than any other tool, and lay down strokes like a palette knife.  I really love the drama of the strong black and white - and I’ve tinted the brightest highlights with just a touch of naples yellow, to warm up the temperature.  SO FUN!  I want to jump right into a series in this theme!  Who knows where tomorrow will take me?  Painting number 1145 in 1145 days.

Peonies in Pink

Peonies in Pink
Oil on masonite, 6x6

Another day of playing with my new Princeton Catalysts - and the thick, textural strokes they make!  I find I am liking the #6 head the most, it seems to work in a natural way when making "palette knife" like strokes.  I have some others coming, too - and I can hardly wait to experiment with them!  These are exceptional to use with the thick, buttery oils.  It is a bit like spreading icing!!  I have so many peonies in the flower beds, and here I am working from last year’s photo reference.  Hard to believe these beauties will be bursting in just two months!  This painting makes 1144 in 1144 days.

Clouds Over the Road

Clouds Over the Road
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 4x4

Another warm, beautiful day!!  I was driving Michael to his guitar lesson recently, when this glorious scene spread out before us!  We are on high ground when we cross over the highway, and so often a glorious sky requires my immediate attention!  This sky scene is one of four I painted late one evening, when I was completely in the zone!  I simply MUST take advantage of such times!  I did tweak the road a bit after I thought I was finished, pushing in a slight curve for a better composition.   Artistic license is a wonderful thing! I was in such a hurry today, that I did not even stop to prime my canvas before painting!  That is what happens when I can't keep ahead of myself!  Painting number 1144 in 1144 days.

Palette Knife Peonies

Palette Knife Peonies
Oil on masonite, 6x4

With temperatures soaring in the 70’s, it seems that spring is unfolding around me!  I simply had to paint flowers today - and peonies are one of my favorites!  I am using my new Princeton Catalyst and painting this in palette knife fashion.  I love the flexible way this “knife” moves across the surface!   It has been so long since I’ve slathered on thick, juicy strokes - and it feels good!  Gamblin’s “radiant magenta” is a real stand out on these petals - the very opaque paint lays on top of the edges for petals that really come to life.  This painting makes 1143 in 1143 days!

Red Bandana

Red Bandana
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6

This man was dressed in period attire for the Buffalo Bill Days in Leavenworth, while I was attending the plein air event.  His face has so much character - I knew I would paint him!  He allowed me to take his profile shot, as well as a few others, and for today, he is my muse.  With limited time between the gym and picking up the boys, I jumped right into the color block in, using my acrylic palette.  Although I had taken these photos outside, I refrained from adding in the background color until all masses were in place.  I just wasn’t sure what color I would use ahead of time.  I ended up sticking with the true color of the landscape, as it went so well with the surrounding masses.  This study was finished in just over an hour, and I think I would like to paint him larger, and when I have more time.  I think he would make a very interesting portrait indeed!  Painting number 1142 in 1142 days.

Marceline

Marceline
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6

This little darling in another of my daughter’s cats - and she as a beauty!  So curious and active - she loves to climb inside of computer bags, purses and totes!  I chose her for my subject at today’s “paint in” for the Tri-County Art League.  These events are so fun!  Not only is it an opportunity for painting with other artists, it is great to catch up and visit, even sharing our latest tools and techniques as we work!  I am using my limited acrylic palette today, and am painting on gessoed masonite.  When I start a cat like this one, I start by blocking in the background first, until the shape emerges.  By working in this fashion, it makes it very easy to see where adjustments need to be made.  I then start blocking in all color masses, finishing with the face - which is almost the opposite of how I use to approach this painting!  It is amazing how much our techniques change as we progress!  Painting number 1141 in 1141 days.

Bejeweled

Bejeweled
Acrylicon masonite, 6x6

Mondays are SO very full!  Class in the morning, followed by class in the afternoon, and then a mad dash to the school to pick of the grandsons!  Today, I brought them back home, as I had so much left to catch up on.  However, I did not get hardly any of those things done - and instead, we played on the various exercise equipment I have!   After many new moves on the ever-so-fun foam rollers, I fed them, and before I knew it, Tiffany was here to get them.  Finally, I come to my easel with the latest episode of Downton Abbey on (which I love)!  I am painting this little darling, complete with Mardi Gras beads around his neck, in my limited palette in a small 6x6 size.  I already see a few tiny tweaks I would like to make, but I have already cleaned my brushes, and tomorrow is another very full day.  I will have to get to that later!  Painting number 1140 in 1140 days.

Kitten Nap

Kitten Nap
Pen and ink on paper, 6x6

This little darling is now a very large cat that lives at my oldest daughter's house - and is spoiled rotten by her husband!  He is lucky to have survived our giant puppy, Beau, and now he rules the roost over there!  This dark yellow and white darling has the most beautiful coloring, I really do need to paint him one day.  For today, pen and ink is my medium and paper is my substrate.  I didn't realize how much a would enjoy pen and ink, or I would have taken it up long ago.  I think I will start carrying a small journal in my purse with a pen or two, just in case I am caught our waiting somewhere.  No sense wasting time when I never have enough of it!  This drawing is the 1139th in 1139 days :)

Peppermint

Peppermint
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
sold

Some days paintings simply fall off the brush, and others, they do not!  This one was a bit of a struggle!  I’ve fallen far short on my sleep this week, the dogs have been waking me up causing havoc - and it takes me forever to get back to sleep!  My schedule has also been SUPER full, and I think because I’m so tired - I had to work a little harder for this painting.  This big cutie is my oldest daughter’s cat, and his wonderful coloring and form make him a purrrfect subject (I know, its corny)!  After extra concentration, this portrait is finished, and now I have to go get a shirt for my youngest son (for the dance tonight - yikes)!  Never a moment’s rest around this household!  Painting number 1138 in 1138 days.

Moody Skies

Moody Skies
Oil on masonite, 6x6

As I went about my busy day, this painting was floating around in my head!  The cold front was moving in, bringing with it such beautiful, dark clouds!  Seeing such beauty, and being unable to get right to it with my paints, stirs something up in my soul - like an urgency that simply must be met!  When I finally made it to my easel, I had already planned out the masses in my head.  It is like I had already painted it in my mind, and all the brush had to do was follow what was in my memory.  I’ve read how menial tasks and mindless chores really are supposed to heighten later artistic expression.......perhaps there is some truth to it?  Who knows, but I was in such a hurry, I didn’t even prime my panel as I normally do!  Painting number 1137 in 1137 days.

Crashing Wave

Crashing Wave
Oil on masonite, 6x6

Tonight was a the "After Hours" event at GOT Art Gallery for the members of the Lee's Summit Chamber of commerce.  It was a packed house - and the food and punch were wonderful!  So, once again, I come late to my easel to return to the study of sunrise color in sky and water.  I have seldom painted the waves, and have never painted them crashing - so this is a day of pushing paint with brush and palette knife to create that movement.  I really like the way the knife skims over the tops, leaving thick paint in it’s wake.  I would like to order those mini blades (Catalyst, by Princeton), and try them out on the clouds and waves.  Maybe, I'll even go crazy and get really thick with that paint! Painting number 1136 in 1136 days.

Sunrise Sailboat - palette knife

Sunrise Sailboat - palette knife
Oil on wood, 6x6

Well, I guess I should really begin by admitting that I didn’t really use a palette knife, I used a Princeton Catalyst, #6 in the 15mm size.  I LOVE how the flexible head pushed the paint into the texture of the wood panel!  This is one of those panels I primed, but ended up with too heavy a texture for the portrait work I intended them for.  I used only the catalyst for this seascape, and it was fun!  It does work differently than the normal knife, more fluid in it’s movement across the surface.  I can’t wait to experiment more with this tool and more like it!  Painting number 1135 in 1135 days.

Sails on the Horizon

Sails on the Horizon
Oil on wood, 6x4

I have been longing for the warm days of summer, looking out over the water toward the sailboats .....and painting from the beach, with the sand between my toes.  I’ve been studying the color shifts in the sunrise and sunset, and working to get those colors right.  I think they are so difficult to paint successfully!  So, I am hoping to give them more attention, and what better way than to reflect that color off the surface of water?  Practice makes perfect!  Painting number 1134 in 1134 days.

Billowing Clouds

Billowing Clouds
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 4x4

I started this painting in acrylics last week, and was quickly frustrated with the progress!  I almost never experience this - but when I did, I thought, “Why waste time working on this, when I can start something else more satisfying?”  Better to cut my losses than spend more of my valuable time in frustration.  So, after effortlessly dropping one skyscape off the brush, I returned to this one and topped it off with oils.  I really feel the creamy, rich, buttery oils are the perfect compliment to clouds and sky, and they add a texture to the masses that is hard to top. I have mainly used my brushes here, though I intended to use my knives. This painting makes 1133 in 1133 days.

Sailboats on Blue Water

Sailboats on Blue Water
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 4x4

I spent the morning lazily with Mike, then I went to my daughter’s house to get her help with a problem I’ve had with blogspot the last few days.  Returning home late afternoon, I then had chores to do before the Super Bowl, and next I spent all afternoon reading my 6th grade diary!!  I was SO goofy at 12 years old!  It looked like I’d frittered away my painting time.  A  moody sky was drawing me in, and so I began.  I was  very quickly in the zone, and moved from painting to painting - finishing 4, including one that had dodged me two days ago!  Perhaps, I was truly channeling my 12 year old self - and painting with the wild abandon of youth.  This painting makes 1132 in 1132 days.

Clouds Over the Water

Clouds Over Water
Oil on canvas, 4x4
sold

Thank you to everyone who attended my Artist Reception today at GOT Art Gallery!  What a fabulous turnout - and those strawberries were delicious in the chocolate fountain!  Thanks to Teresa for all of the hard work! This show runs until February 23rd, if you haven't made it out yet. Since I was too busy to finish my large landscape at the gallery, I am posting this tiny cloudscape, painted from reference photos I took while at Moonlight Bay in Door County, Wisconsin.  The clouds streaming across the sky were a vision, and what could be better than capturing them over the water of Lake Michigan?  It makes the perfect complement to a gorgeous sky.  This is rather loosely painted in purposeful strokes with brush and palette knife.  This painting makes 1131 in 1131 days.

Brother Cat II

Brother Cat
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6

Another busy day, and I am continuing on my cat theme for the week.  This cat and his sister were a pair that my youngest daughter talked me into, years ago.  He is no longer with us, but was a very mild and gentle cat, with very unique markings.  I am playing with another new Catalyst tool, from Princeton today.  This one has two flat edges that come together at an angle on top.  I love the flexibility of the silicone head, it bends with little pressure, and pulls easily over the surface.  I think I prefer the chisel edge, but these tools are awesome, and I am going to check out the other catalysts to add to my next supply list!  Painting number 1130 in 1130 days.

Cat Eyes

Cat Eyes
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6

It looks like this is turning into “cat week”!  I had an afternoon free of commitment, which is rare indeed!  So, I leisurely spent the afternoon getting things done - instead of my “lit on fire” normal pace! How refreshing!  I don’t even feel guilty about not painting large today, which I would do any other time that I had several uninterrupted hours at my disposal!  Today’s subject is one of our black cats, Soco, and boy, it was hard to zoom in so close!  I thought this would be a piece of cake, but the extreme close up made the composition and values difficult.   I need to do more of these, until they become second nature.  This painting makes 1129 in 1129 days.

Charlie Cat

Charlie Cat
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6

After two frustrating attempts at paintings, one a cloudscape and one a large, rainy evening scene, I am turning to something familiar - Charlie!  It is rare that I start a landscape - and dislike the progress. I will look at them both tomorrow, and see what needs to be done, but as for tonight - I just didn’t feel like working on them!  But this painting, I LOVE!  I love his expression, and the languid way he rests like royalty!  I am experimenting with a new tool tonight - the Princeton Catalyst.  It is a flexible, silicone like, thick palette knife head on a long brush handle - and it is awesome!  Not only can I pull it across the surface for normal palette knife marks, but it retains paint and allows me to “paint” with it, leaving textural marks (like the hair).  I bought two of these, and have only used the chisel edged one so far, and I am impressed!  Can’t wait to see what else this tool can do!  Painting number 1128 in 1128 days.

Chickadees in Ink

Chickadees in Ink
Ink on paper, 5x7

After getting a little frustrated with a large painting today, I am turning my attention to something cheerful!  These darling little birds are joyful creatures to watch.  They are quick, light, and hop along the branches cheerfully, as they wait for an opening at the bird feeders.  They are so abundant today!  It feels so like spring with the warm, balmy temps and calm breezes......even though the winds are due to change, and possibly bring us some snow!  Oh no!!  I am not a cold weather fan, and truly could not live any further north than Kansas City!  Give me the heat any day!  But, these birds are a staple, no matter the weather, and a joy to draw as they flit back and forth to feed.  These little chickadees make the 1127th piece in 1127 days.

At Attention

At Attention
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6

One day, while at my daughter’s house, this big boy was sitting in an alcove by the window, looking intently at the birds landing on the railing outside.  The afternoon light reflected beautifully off his fur - and I knew I must paint him!  For this square format, I zoomed in on him, to catch that bright, warm light on his face, neck and leg.  I used this reference for a demo done in painting class today, showing how I approach the subject and block in the color.  In this case, I painted all the background first, leaving the areas for the cat (negatively painting him).  I find this a great way to get my subject exactly where I want him, with no drawing or lines, just masses of color.  Next, I lay in his values and colors, add a little detail work with the brush, then hit those highlights with the palette knife.  I make sure and bounce all those colors around the painting a bit before finishing, to ensure good color harmony.  This big cutie makes painting number 1126 in 1126 days :)