Red Tipped Roses

These unique roses literally jumped into my cart at a local shop - and it has taken me a week to finally get them painted!  Where does the time go?  My daughter was home for a long weekend - and has already headed back to college in the blink of an eye.  I began this painting by marking the yellow areas first.  Squinting, I add the red loosely.  Next, I work on that background light, following with the darks of the leaves.  From this very loose "map", I bring the edges together.   Pulling out a palette knife for all those finish strokes, I add depth and texture.  Perhaps tomorrow I'll do them in ink and watercolor- before they fade.  Painting number 1885 in 1885 days.

Unfurling Impressions

My red roses are unfurling beautifully, their many petals beginning to separate.  Although the warm countryside and a gorgeous sunset fought for my attention, these roses hooked me.  I first begin by loosely brushing in a bowl, the shape of each rose, facing as they face.  To this, I add stems, loose shaped leaves, and fill in the negative space.  I do all of this first layer quickly, and with a light touch.  Next, I pull out various palette knives and begin the first marks, starting at the back of shapes and overlapping the front petals.  The idea is to shape each petal, leaf and mass with the strokes.  I continue to look at my roses to determine where to place my marks.  I do this loosely, as I'm for the mood of the roses more than photographic likeness.  If I want a photo, I'll simply take one, after all.  Once my areas are filled in, I check for color harmony.  I think this one is finished - an hour well spent!  Painting number 1864 in 1864 days.

Sunset in the Ridge

These trees and I have a connection.  Often, I stare out at them while lunging with weights, or doing jumping jacks, or the myriad of other moves completed during my daily visits to the gym for classes.   Once in a while, I even run up and down this ridge multiple times as part of circuit training.  When the weather is not freezing, I run on the path that parallels this ridge of trees.  It is peaceful and nourishing to the soul, and sometimes I smell the donuts baking from the other side!  If I must run indoors, I look down on these trees from the second level, always noting the light and the shadows, the way the atmosphere changes it all.  Every day it's different, and each time it calls to me.  Just studying them somehow takes me away from my workout, as I am painting in my mind.  I will never tire of painting sunsets.  Painting number 1788 in 1788 days.

Glass Ball Reflections

Oh my, what a busy day!  With three Christmas parties in the last 24 hours, my world has been a whirlwind of activity!  Nothing clears the chaos in my mind like a quick and loose painting, feeling my way through the colors rather than thinking it.  Going into "auto pilot" allows me to mentally unwind and recharge at the same time.  New ideas surface as the reflected colors find their spots on my canvas.  I love the dynamic play of the brushstrokes.  The process is just so stinking fun!  I'm thinking of painting a really large canvas of these Christmas balls.....do I dare?  Painting number 1791 in 1791.

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Allium in the Garden

The morning was cool and rain threatened.  With a few free hours for painting,  Michaela and I headed to the arboretum. This is the scene I picked out for the quick paint, and today I painted it! These blooms are among my favorites,  and I love capturing them in oils!  In fact,  I'm thinking of getting experimental with them later in the week!  Perhaps some acrylics with a little molding paste!  Before I had gotten the surface covered wth paint - the clouds broke open!  I picked my easel up and walked to the front porch of a shed for cover.  Once I got that paint down,  I could return to my spot with no worries.  The rain had let up,  and I was able to finish and head to my painting class.  Michaela finished a beautiful pen and ink climbing rose and filled it in with watercolor.  So nice to share my painting adventure with my daughter!  Painting number 1594 in 1594 days.

Allium in the Garden
oil on panel, 14x11
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Step into my Garden

The day's paint out theme was "trees", and we artists were combing the streets of Washington,  in search of the perfect painting.  The third painting of this day,  we had arrived a little late.  With a simple subject matter,  a composition should have been easy to find.  Nope!  We traveled all sides of town before stumbling on this beautiful garden, and once found - it had to be painted!  I set my easel up street side,  under the shade of a Japanese maple,  and started painting.  I completed an ink drawing first,  so the guess work was gone.  The way the reds and greens played off one another was fabulous!  This garden was definitely planted with an artist's eye.  All I had to do was record the color with paint!  Painting number 1572 in 1572 days 🎨

Potted Blooms

The rain was really coming down as we reached Frisella's Nursery.  I pulled together a few favorite flowers and started to sketch.  As I worked in the masses,  I tried to keep the visual pathway of darks flowing through the painting.  One of my friends came to visit me as I worked, and the time passed quickly.  Before I knew it,  my painting was finished and it was time to dash off to the next location!  Painting number 1570 in 1570 days :)

April Lilacs

I scouted for painting locations while out shopping this afternoon,  always ready to pull over and paint!   Nothing grabbed me, and the dinner hour grew near,  so I headed home to fulfill my duties.  I've got some beautiful tulips that were calling me,  but as I rounded a bed I was grabbed by these old lilacs!  I am seldom in town when they bloom,  but the season is so early - I am still here to capture their beauty!   And just to mix things up a little,  I have zoomed in on these babies,  catching the sky light behind them.  I brought some into the house,  and my,  how fragrant they are!!  Painting number 1556 in 1556 days :)

Little Mackinleigh

Today, I'm switching gears to the soft, impressionistic brushwork of sweet baby flesh!  I am using the limited palette yellow oxide, red oxide, cad red light, cad red medium, indanthrene blue, ivory black and titanium white - all Liquitez heavy body.  I start by laying in the background, allowing the baby to emerge.  In this case, I had all masses in before I even started the flesh tones.  Not my normal method, but I always let the process happen organically.  After a little push and pull, I am going to let this one rest.  I'll take a look tomorrow with fresh eyes, and decide if I need a little tweaking!  Painting number 1453 in 1453 days and day 3 in the current 30 day painting challenge!  :)

Autumn at Eagle Point

My first trip to Eagle Point park was so enjoyable!  Autumn is beginning to show some color on the trees, and the gray day was the perfect atmosphere to show it off.  This park overlooks the Mississippi River, with fabulous views of the surrounding vistas.  I wish I had more time in Dubuque to paint!   There are so many wonderful paintings waiting to happen here!  Painting number 1394 in 1394 days.

Oil on panel, 12x9
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Wine Bar

Arriving a few minutes late to the quick paint (due to a long line of trucks backed up and stopped), Teddy and I first headed to the bar for a glass of wine.  It was a cold and drizzly day, so a good merlot was necessary to help keep me warm!  This old building is so charming!   I love the great lines and color, and that color popped with the rainy backdrop.  I seem to get loose and a little free with my color when in such a setting, and I'm not sure why.  I just feel it to my core, and go with it.  The rain held off, and I really like the way the strokes came together.  I can't wait to tackle more urban stuff, I just heard about a new urban show in February, and I feel something large coming on!  Painting number 1379 in 1379 days :)

Sunflower Song

Oh how I love sunflowers!!  Their cheerful, radiant heads beaming sunshine bring a smile to my face each time I see them!  Today, I have layed in the underpainting with a large brush, and have followed up with palette knife work.  My favorite knife was in my paintbox in the trunk, so I pulled out my favorite alternate knife - the Princeton catalyst.  I love the marks it makes!  And, when I loaded my palette, I pulled out an old tube of liquitex oil paint - cad yellow light, and it is super rich and opaque!  It is the perfect petal highlight for these sunny blooms!  So glad I grabbed it!  Painting number 1350 on 1350 days :)

Blooms of Sunshine

This has been one of those golden days where everything has been perfect.  My team won twice today at "tug of war" - at the gym, which was super fun!  I haven't played that since elementary school!  My housework was finished before I knew it, and I had some special time just for me.  To follow that up, my painting literally fell off my brush.  All of the charm of today popped forth on my panel, and I have certainly made a splash with color!  Nothing shy of bright and sunny blooms would suffice for this day's painting!  This painting makes 1345 in 1345 days.  I hope tomorrow is just as bright and shiny :)

Flowing into East Creek

Oh!  What a busy day!  This morning's classes at the gym were grueling - but always totally worth it.  I followed that with four hours of hard labor in the yard (with a few plantings :).  After Mike and Michael left for a little shopping, I grabbed my paints and headed to the closest creek!  I checked two before deciding this light would last the longest.  It was late enough, there was little traffic.  One small dirt bike came by three times - to check my progress!  One little boy was exclaiming to his dad as they drove by, "She is painting!  She is!"  The weather could not have been nicer for painting - and the bugs just weren't out!  Unexpected so close to the creek.  The hoot owls were calling to each other, and lulling me right into the zone with their conversation.  I love being totally enveloped by the beautiful place I am painting.  Its just a little mini vacation, minutes from home.  Painting number 1338 in 1338 days.....I think.....!

Garden Phlox Illusion

The first downpour was just starting when I arrived home from the gym.  I couldn't go inside,  the rain beckoned to me.  Sitting in a rocker on our covered front porch, I soaked in the atmosphere.  "Paint me, paint me...", came it's siren call.  I had chores to do, children to feed, a shower to take (for crying out loud!), and yet the brushes called.  I could not walk away.  I set up on the porch, sheltered from the rain, and worked while the grandsons ran in and out of the rain, splashing all the way.  Just a little slice of sanity in a crazy,  busy day.  Painting number 1288 in 1288 days.

Garden Phlox Illusion
Oil on panel, 6x6
purchase here

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

Going Home

Going Home
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5

I had limited time to work on this painting, in between the busy appointments of my day.  I worked quickly to block in the color, and I put a little more finish into those masses - as I was thinking ahead without realizing it.  I must say, these figures grow more natural by the day!  This is another painting from my reenactment photo treasure trove, and I am having so much fun painting these!  As I look at this now, I may have put a little more polish on the horse than necessary, and perhaps I need a little more definition in the foreground.  As it is already getting late, I will let it rest for the night, and look again with fresh eyes in the morning.  This painting makes 1168 in 1168 days.

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After the Ride

After the Ride
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5

Oh, what a very busy Monday this has been!  I’ve squeezed so much into this day, my head is spinning!  Coming to my easel late (once again), I resist the urge to paint something easy and fast.  Staying on track, I choose another of my reenactment photos, this one with three figures - a man and two horses.  I start with a color block in of the forms, but in my haste I forgot to take a photo of the block in!  The values are always the most important part, so I work them into this first step, making all else that comes after a breeze.  The forms unfold naturally as I dry brush on the acrylics.  I am using a limited palette, and no medium or water to thin down the heavy body paints - which is what makes these paintings so rich with color.  My palette is almost to the stage of replacing the paper layer in my sta-wet palette......but I always stretch this out as long as possible!  Painting number 1167 in 1167 days.

Unpacking the Horses

Unpacking the Horses
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5

Yesterday’s block in was the hardest one yet, but today I’ve turned a corner.  This block in seemed to unfold in such a natural way.  It was another complicated composition, and this time, I started with the mass of the dark horse and rider, and treated them as one.  As their angles came together, I connected the masses of the other two white horses.  I considered changing the color of the right one, since white is a questionable color to have going off the edge, but I liked the color - and kept it.  I simply grayed it down, so the bright white would not lead the eye right off the panel.  The landscapes were also a little awkward in acrylic at first (since I always use oils en plein air), but I am also getting more comfortable with them.  I am trying to paint multiple figures each day, all month long, and then see how far I’ve come by month’s end.  Just imagine if I can squeeze in 100 figures this month - what a long was that will go towards improving my skills!  Painting number 1166 in 1166 days.

block in