Nutcracker Drummers

Meeting at Crown Center with Mom and artist friends, I couldn't resist these three nutcrackers in the window of the Occasions shop!  With ink I sketched them, and filled them in with watercolor.  Mom browsed the shops while I finished, then we joined the others to share our work before heading to Spin Pizza for lunch.  Love spending the day at Crown Center!  Painting number 4120 in 4120 days. 

Nutcracker Tree

It's not often that I put a full day's work into the yard in December, but that is just what I did.  Love the 60s, little wind, and ground soft enough to dig in - so I moved a couple of structures, digging them in.  Deciding against weaving fabric through the wire to create a wind break, I instead cut cedar boughs and tied them on.  I had two large cedars in need of some shaping, so this worked out perfectly! Working after dark, I stayed out to enjoy the Christmas Star (conjunction) on this clear night. How beautiful to see!  We're having a family "Outdoor Christmas" this Friday, so my tasks are many and time grows short.  My quick sketch tonight is of my Nutcracker tree, and the hall was just too dark to get a good photo.  This is another postcard painting that will be heading to someone special tomorrow!  Painting number 2907 in 2907 days. 

Four Nutcrackers in Ink

Three of these nutcrackers I found in antique shops, while the policeman was new last year.  He is writing a ticket, and has handcuffs, too!  I am drawing them in ink, and though this paper is super amazing, I am leaving it without paint.  At least for now!  This day has been spent entirely with family, and it is only as we sit visiting that I can do a little drawing of the nutcrackers on the table.  On this Christmas Eve Eve, this painting is number 1443 in 1443 days :)

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Geppetto and his Boy

acrylic on canvas, 4x4
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After a family birthday dinner out, I am coming to my easel late once again!  This charming pair if nutcrackers is Geppetto and Pinocchio.  Geppetto is even holding a wooden mallet, creating his masterpiece. I love the expression on his face, very animated for a nutcracker!  If only my body did not require sleep, I would keep painting all night long!  This painting makes 1434 in 1434 days. 

Nutcracker Family!

What a super fun painting to do!  Each nutcracker of this nutcracker ensemble represents a member of a family, and together, this is really a family portrait unlike all others!  I must say, the artist complete with his palette, paintbrush and easel is my favorite - but each is full of so much character!  It is a wonderful idea to find nutcrackers that take on the personalities of family members!  I think I will be on the lookout for my own "family" gathering!  This painting makes 1430 in 1430 days, and now back to work!

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Geppetto and Pinocchio Nutctackers!

When I first started painting nutcrackers, I had no idea how many different nutcrackers there truly are!   It's incredible!   What started with the painting of my son's nutcracker has turned into many paintings of nutcrackers, shared with me from all over the world.  What an adventure!   I find myself scanning the shelves for these little darlings every time I enter an antique shop or Christmas store, and so our collection grows!  This pair today, is one of my very favorites!  Painting number 1427 in 1427 days.

acrylic on panel, 5x7
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Nutcracker Pair

This is turning in to "nutcracker week"!   As we celebrate the holiday with family and friends, I am sneaking in paintings where I can!   I primed several of these wonderful, deep gallery wraps for special holiday paintings, and now I am painting small on canvas.   The weave grabs the paint of the brush in high spots, while resisting it in the grooves.  I now realize why some of my "acrylic" friends thin down their paint so much - you have to or the canvas color will totally show through!  Once coverage is achieved, I can then dry brush over as usual.  These will be cool for my upcoming show, but they certainly take longer than my normal masonite!   Painting number 1415 in 1415 days :)

Acrylic on canvas, 4x4
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Skier and Soldier

Thanksgiving begins early around here - with the arrival of Michaela, home from college!  I try to have all the chores finished, so I can spend more time on the fun stuff!  Tonight, I go no farther than Michael's nutcracker collection for my still life set up.   These are large nutcrackers, one antique, the other more modern.   I didn't realize until tonight that the old one has real fur for hair and beard, and carved eyes!   I will be looking more closely as I shop the antique stores this season!   I really do love painting these charming characters!   Painting number 1409 in 1409 days, now it's time for more family fun :)

Acrylic on panel, 5x7
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Flag Bearing Nutcrackers

What started as a pen and ink sketch at Thursday's Art Mob event, is now an acrylic painting.   I picked two of the three I had sketched, and out them down by negatively painting them with the background color on the panel.  During this phase, the shapes of the nutcrackers emerge.  When I use acrylics, I use them straight (with no water added) with an almost dry brush technique.  This allows me to layer the strokes, creating a depth with the rich pigment.  My favorite acrylic paint?  Well, right now it is Liquitex heavy body, but it was Golden for many years.  I have so much paint - I  wonder if I will ever be able to use up all the tubes of acrylic in my cabinet!  This painting is the 1403rd painting in 1403 days  :)

Acrylic on panel  5x7
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Mission Nutcrackers

I found some wonderful nutcrackers at the antique mall the other day - and in my tiny window of painting time today, I am painting them.   I pulled out the acrylics for this one.   Anytime I switch it up to another medium, there is a little "reaquainting time" that has to occur.  It had been months since I've been in the acrylics  - and it took me longer than usual to warm up to my old friend, acrylic!  I'm in the swing now, and an already contemplating another rendezvous!  Painting number 1402 in 1402 days :)

acrylic on panel, 5x7
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Nutcrackers for Sale

I am "drawn" to nutcrackers!  These are the first I've seen for the season - and they demanded my attention!   I found these three lined up on a shelf, and I took out my favorite fine Pitt pen and got to work.   With only 30 minutes to draw before meeting the others in the cafe for lunch, I worked fast.  As I finished my sketch, I checked my watch for the time before grabbing my watercolors.  Darn!   It was time to go, no time for adding color today!   Now I'm wondering if I should add color or not?  Maybe I should just do one in oils, or acrylics?   This handmade sketchbook is SO special!   I may never go back to ordinary again......!  This painting is the 1401st in 1401 days :)

Chiefs & Hunter

Chiefs & Hunter
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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I know I was going to stop painting nutcrackers until the next Christmas season.....but this is a Chiefs Nutcracker - and the KC Chiefs are playing a big game today!  Sending good luck to our boys is red, this little nutcracker and his hunter companion will watch over the day’s games!   My school friend, Julie has sent me the newest nutcracker pics in her collection - and I may be unable to resist painting them all this month!  I will try to show some restraint....but no promises!  Painting number 1097 in 1097 days  :)

Skier & the Drummer

Skier & the Drummer
Acrylic on masonite, 4x6
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Today was our Frank side family Christmas, this year hosted by my cousin, Carla.  It is always so nice to get together with aunts, uncle, cousins and their families - which are growing!  In our busy times, I don't see these families nearly enough!  It is fun to have so many little ones running around - and next year we add one more!  I remember the days when I was one of those little ones running around!  As the oldest grandchild, I loved having my cousins under my care!  I wish they lived closer, and we could see more of them.  Once we were home from the gathering, I was at a loss for what to paint.  Pouring over some of the recent reference work, I decided on these two nutcrackers (thanks once again to Candy).  I am still using the limited palette, and blocking the whole painting in quickly with a 10 minute color study before adding dimension to those masses.  Sometimes, I feel I could use a little cad yellow light on my palette - but so far, I have done without - and don't ever think about it after the initial block-in.  This painting makes 1090 in 1090 days....and the days of painting nutcrackers are almost up until next December!

Clara's Nutcracker Hero & the Mouse King

Clara's Nutcracker Hero & the Mouse King
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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Thanks to Candy Kultgen, I have even more wonderful nutcrackers to paint from!  Settling on this wonderful pair from the Nutcracker Suite, I am laying paint just as the last of our guests have left.  We celebrated our first Christmas with Tiffany's family early, as they are leaving for Scotland on Wednesday.  The boys were super excited - and had a blast opening up all of their presents, spending the rest of the day trying them all out!  I bet they will sleep tonight, and probably be pretty tired in school tomorrow with their last two days!  It is so much fun to see all of the wonderful variations in these nutcrackers!  Painting them like I have the last couple of weeks has really opened my eyes to them - and all of their character and charm!  Painting number 1083 in 1083 days!

Golden Knight & Drummer

Golden Knight & Drummer
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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I sure wish I was ahead on my paintings as Christmas begins!  As I am not, I find the only time I can get to my easel is at the end of the day when the rest of the household is tucked tight into their beds.  Perhaps, I should set up my easel in their rooms for a little nocturne painting........!  Instead, I return once again to my quiet friends, the nutcrackers, for my daily art therapy.  For the second time this month, I have completely finished and photographed a painting, only to realize that I forgot to paint in the sword!  Why do I do this?  I had to open back up my palette, retrieve my brush from the sink - and put that baby in, then get another image from the finished painting.  I am probably just too tired for my own good.  Maybe I’ll stay late in bed tomorrow and let somebody else do the cooking!  Painting number 1082 in 1082 days.  :)

Mouse King and the Boys

Mouse King and the Boys
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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This Mouse King is special - he has wonderful, silky gray fur around his face and ears!  His fancy gilded cape and bejeweled crown are spectacular!  On either side, are the boys - one a baseball player and the other a football player.  A couple of all American nutcrackers here, complete with baseball, bat, football and face mask!  As Christmas nears, the house is slowly getting back to order.  Living room is painted,  the historic woodwork is up on three of the four windows, and furniture is returning to their places. Anyone who knows me, knows how hard it is for me to have things out of order.  It is hard to focus on anything, as every little thing out of place "screams" at me as I see it.  So, I am looking towards the light at the end of the tunnel.....and I see peace on the horizon!  Painting number 1081 in 1081 days :)

Soccer and Elf Nutcrackers

Soccer and Elf Nutcrackers
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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I just don't know how I seem to get busier and busier with each new day!  I always bite off more than I can chew, knowing that it will all work out......and it does......making me crazy in the meantime! Both of these nutcrackers are more unusual, with the elf having ears that protrude, and the other posing with his soccer ball!  So cool!  Thank goodness my friend has kept me supplied with these little guys, because I have had zero time to go in search for them myself!  Painting number 1080 in 1080 days..........and Christmas is almost here!

Fab Four

Fab Four
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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Julie Imhoff has kept me supplied with wonderful nutcrackers to feed my newest addiction!  I have run out of 4x7 panels, and when I originally picked these guys out, I planned on only two in a long, thin format. Well, it was square or nothing, so I changed it up a bit, varying their sizes.  Another fun little trial for these, I painted them at my daughter's house in very low light (once the sun went down).  With the shortening of the days, if I need to be there with the boys - I will be bringing a good light with me!  As my only chance to paint today - I had to make it work. This painting makes 1079 in 1079 days :)

Knight and Drummer Nutcrackers

Knight and Drummer Nutcrackers
Acrylic on masonite, 6x4
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Tonight's nutcracker pair in a fancy pants knight and an equally fancy drummer!  Complete with sword, drum and drumsticks - these two put those common nutcrackers to shame!  I have layered these guys up with acrylics in short, impressionistic strokes, until their forms emerge.  It is so cool to capture all of the different styles of mustaches, eyebrows, and clothing!  I had no idea how varied these all were until my friend started sharing her collection with me!  I will never look at Nutcrackers the same!  In fact, I feel a new interest coming on! Painting number 1078 in 1078 days!

Nutcrackers Royal

Nutcrackers Royal
Acrylic on masonite, 4x6
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With a small painting class today, I was able to paint during class for the first time!  Getting a jump on my daily painting was SO refreshing, as it seems that I never get to my easel before 10:30pm these busy days.  Working again from the fabulous photos my school friend sent me, today I have chosen a royal theme (and no, not as in our Kansas City Royals baseball team, but in actual royalty).  These kings both had velvet capes and golden crowns - and wonderful accent pieces!   And, the best part is that I am finished painting and posting before 8:00pm!  So, now it is time to get back to work!  Painting number 1077 in 1077 days.