Children with Sled

The days are filled with family activities as the hours race by.  So many details to keep track of, I find I'm dropping balls right and left.  I'm so thankful for those keeping me on track!  Perhaps I need a little more painting time..... my mind is ever so clear and focused when I'm in the paint.  The real world fades away and all that exists is the process.  Maybe tomorrow.  Painting number 2156 in 2156 days.

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Fun Run!

So crazy to see a gym full of children running laps at top speed around a course!  So enthusiastic, they knocked over cones and rushed around me like they might just run me down!  I was there to watch Alan and Alastair run their 36 laps - and it did not take them long!  There was a DJ and music and motivational announcements all along the way.  I sure wish we could have done this when I was young!  Sure beats track and field days.  This was like a running party - which also raised funds for the school.  Painting number 1876 in 1876 days.

Pulling the Sled

Pulling the Sled
Oil on canvas, 4x4 canvas with easel

Finally, after a few rather stressful days, dad is out of the hospital and steadily improving.  It was quite a wrench tossed in to the holiday fray, the worst part being just how scary Friday morning was.  I hope I will never again have to witness such a sight.  With so much of the country in a deep freeze, and we awoke to a temperature of -9, the sun which has been shining brightly all day is such a welcome sight!  It actually seems warm on the south facing front porch with the sun shining on my face as I remove a little snow.  I feel like a can actually breathe, the last few days behind me.  This painting makes 371 in 371 days and Day 6 of the current 30 day painting challenge.

Watching Bugs

Watching Bugs
Oil on panel, 14x11

I have never tried any figure work in oil, so I decided to paint these two little darlings down by the river behind my parent's house.  I used a photo I took last summer for reference - and started laying in my colors.  The push and pull between the figures and the landscape had me cooling off the background to bring the children to the foreground.  This painting took so much longer than usual - on a day I really needed a quick subject!  Out of town all day, I just returned to finish this one up.  The drawing is easy for me, but selecting the right colors takes so much time.  I think this is only the first of many figure explorations on my horizon.  This is day 25 of the 30 day challenge, and I think I'll paint the Flint Hills tomorrow :)