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. 

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. 

Birdwatching

This beautiful boy was one a little kitten running around here, trying to avoid our new puppy at the time.  My oldest daughter scooped him up to live like a king at her house, where he reigns supreme!  Today I am getting in a small oil painting as he looks out the kitchen window, to all the feathered friends he'd like to meet!  I included my colorful palette and three workhorse brushes - Grey Matters and Princeton Catalysts.  I literally use these every day for months, and they still look great. I love a sturdy brush for my oils!  Not pictured - the knife I used for those heavy marks. Painting number 2993 in 2993 days. 

Catnap

I'm working on a few gallery pieces this week, and this is one for an upcoming animal show.  I am working from an old photo of a favorite cat who is no longer with us, so the work is bittersweet.  First I paint in the masses using a brush, coming in with thicker paint on a palette knife.  I really do love painting animals, and the knife is perfect for adding texture to the fur.  I like the mood of this, I think I'll let it rest for the night, and look with fresh eyes in the morning.  Painting number 2970 in 2970 days. 

Sweet Kitty

Oh, I love drawing a sweet kitty face after such a busy day!  I've been making and writing cards for hours, so unwinding with a little drawing is so relaxing!  Graphite is my first art love, the first thing my little hands picked up from a child's desk my Grandma Frank had loaded with supplies at a north window in her kitchen.  I remember the color of the light, the smell of the old pencils when I sharpened them, and the way their marks spread across a paper.  I remember the tactile feel of the lead on that thick, yellowed paper.  That desk was tiny and I wasn't in school yet, and those memories are embedded in my soul. I even remember a black and red diamond checkered box that all the writing supplies and antique child's scissors were kept in, inside the desk.  I haven't thought of these things for years, but drawing takes me right back to that joyful time.  Painting number 2901 in 2901 days. 

Early to Bed

I've been wanting to paint this little beauty for some time, and I finally got to it today.  After a busy day of the gym, shipping paintings, visiting my daughter - the biting cold winds were less than appealing to this painter!  Taking care of those necessary computer chores, I turned my attention to the easel.  Oh, it felt good to pull my brush through my paint, even if some of that paint needs to be scraped.  I'll clean that palette another day, when I'm not chomping at the bit to paint.  I primed this panel in a different color - a grayed down plum shade.  I've been wanting to try it under my winter landscapes, but I just happened to grab it for tonight as well.  I like it.  I think the orange I use in the summer months is just too strong for the subtle colors of winter.  I also brought my favorite palette knife out to play!  I love the fresh marks this knife leaves in it's wake!  With this old cat's beautiful coloring, I will definitely be painting her again!  Painting number 1838 in 1838 days.

Ophelia

This sweet little kitten has certainly been a challenge!  I have babied her like no other kitten, just to get her healthy.   She has finally turned a corner and is improving every day, so, today I paint her!   Once skittish, she now revels in attention and is constantly too close to paint!   As she settled down, I "ignored" her, so that she would stay at a distance that I could actually paint her from!  This quick painting is loose and rather wild, and is my 1397th painting in 1397 days :)

Oil on panel, 7x5
purchase here

Waiting for Dinner

Michaela wanted a new cat, and so we went down to a friend's farm and brought this beauty home with us.  Her markings are unlike any other cat I've seen, and finally, I have time to paint her tonight!  I am using my new poly tips on this one,  but I'm reaching for my connoisseurs to blend.  I think the poly tips may be great work horses,  but for finishing, my old favs are easier to maneuver. The polys just seem to grip the paint a little tighter, and they aren't releasing with the same flow as my brushes. This is only my fourth painting to use them, so maybe this is still my learning curve.  After arriving home from dinner, I passed by this painting on the easel, and thought it was actually my cat!  Whoa, now that's crazy.   Painting number 1295 in 1295 days :)

Looking Out

This little guy was one of our kittens that went to live at my daughter's house.  He is gorgeous - and a wonderful painting subject!!  With the family coming over shortly to celebrate the 4th of July,  I am painting small and fast,  using those impressionistic strokes.  I started by negatively painting his whole shape,  before adding the colors in his fur.  I used the edge of my catalyst for those bright highlights.  That tool does not fit in my new easel, so I bought another one to cut down.  I really miss it when I have to use my plain old palette knife!   This painting is 1278 in 1278 days. 

Looking Out
Oil on panel, 6x6
purchase here

Impressions of Charlie

Finally, a quiet day with family!   While everyone was sleeping, I took advantage of this surprise free time and picked up my brushes!  Oh - what sweet release to feel the painting roll off my brushes again!   My plate has been very full, and my mind pulled in every direction, that a little at therapy was sorely needed.  Our beloved Charlie is no longer with us,  so this painting is a special little memory of a sweet and loving soul.  Painting number ?  I really need to get all my posts logged.   With the scattered Internet, a few are still waiting to be uploaded.  Silly Internet.   Whatever happened to every person in America having high speed access?   Just another forgotten campaign promise,  I'm afraid.

Impressions of Charlie
Oil on panel, 6x6
purchase here

Charlie in Ink

Charlie in Ink
Pen and ink on paper, 6x5

I have a personal pet theme started in the last couple of days!  After a busy, busy day - my birthday - with the boys helping me plant countless summer bulbs, I am very tired as I finally slow down tonight!  I have commissions, I need to paint, but all I want to do tonight is draw.  So, I pick up my Pitt pens and start with loose, sketchy strokes.  I play in my journal with a few borders, and then settle on painting one of our favorite cats, Charlie.  He is getting older, and this spring he seems to be showing his age just a bit.  His long, glorious fur is perfect for paintings and drawings alike, and his royal carriage makes his every pose a work of art!  Such a sweetheart is my subject du jour!  This pen and ink drawing makes 1190 pieces in 1190 days, and some days it seems like a miracle that I can keep this roll going :)

On the Perch

On the Perch
Pen & Ink on paper, 5x6

Today is Mike’s birthday, and after dinner and cake, I finally get to my easel.  I am working in pen and ink tonight, and the change from bold, vivid oils to pen and paper is a drastic one.  It is a bit of a struggle to go from such loose, free brushwork to the very linear work here.  I have slipped a bit in keeping up with my sketch journal, but I am determined to catch up.    I really need to get faster to be able to squeeze one more thing into my daily routine!  I will be doing figure painting this month, and I sat down to my journal to sketch out some figures......but the pen went where it would, and I have ended up with a couple of sweet cat drawings - in preparation for paintings to come.  This pen and ink piece is number 1156 in 1156 days.  Perhaps I’ll get to those figures tomorrow!

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

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.