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. 

Kitten Duo

 

This is my first sketch of these cuties, who just joined our family!  Teddy's granddaughter picked them up on the side of the road, along with their brother, and found them homes.  It's been almost 12 years since my oldest daughter had to take our two young kittens, because our new lab (Beau) was too rough with them.  Those two were also a calico and a yellow tabby.  What a coincidence.  Already fixed and socialized by her 6 great-grandchildren, they are the perfect additions to our family. I only had time for a sketch tonight, but I hope to commit them to oils one day soon!  Painting number 4762 in 4762 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.

Old Farm Truck

Old Farm Truck
Oil on panel, 10x8

While out shopping with my oldest daughter, we drove by the old barn north of the Dean Farm - and the light was perfect!  Golden light hit the old truck parked within - and had me turning on a dime to capture the moment with my camera!  My kids are used to me seeing absolutely gorgeous shots - and having to stop immediately.  They may even think that every mom behaves in such a way!  The bonus here is the calico cat that was parked on the tire.  This painting was complicated as I tried to work all the reflective colors into the whole.  I first started with the main block in, fighting against my normal inclination to keep every line sharp and straight.  I wanted it to be more painterly than that.  Softening edges, I worked in complimentary colors to give it life.  After pushing and pulling the paints, I feel like this is a good representation of the place.  I gave this a lot of time today, more than I really had - but it demanded my time.  Sometimes I am at the mercy of the work, it simply will not let me go.  I'm not quite sure if I am finished yet, but I am going to let it rest for tonight.  I'll look again with fresh eyes in the morning, to see if anything jumps out at me.  This one makes the 380th painting in as many days and Day 15 in the 30 day painting challenge.

Kitten Perch

Kitten Perch
Colored Pencil on paper, 12x9

This is one of the darling little kittens in the crotch of our Bradford Pear tree!  I almost never use those waxy colored pencils - but here is another drawing done with just that!  I started this with tinted graphite, but the color just wasn't strong enough.  So, switching to the waxy pencils - there is no going back.  The wax would resist the graphites completely.  The bark on this tree was challenging - but I am happy with how it turned out.  I have seen some amazing artwork done solely with colored pencils, so I am willing to keep giving them chances - but I think it is far more time consuming than just stroking on some paint!  This artwork is the 201st one in a row :)