My oh my, how time flies!

I've been gone from my blog way longer than planned but sometimes, life gets in the way. On May 24th-31 I went on a Stitch & Sail put together by Debbie Macomber (Author) and a group of her knitting friends from A Good Yarn Shop located in Port Orchard. Many of Debbie's novel's are written about this area. I cannot write what my husband said about going on an Alaska Cruise with about 325 knitters so story short, I went with my knitting buddies and had a wonderful time. With sketch book, watercolors and often a glass of red wine in hand I was in heaven. Yes, I took a few knitting workshops since that was the original intent.
Now sorting through paintings and paint and hopefully back to a schedule.
Many have asked about husband Roy who has had two of his four infusions for mastic melanoma. He is doing well, so far has tolerated the medication and we continue to look forward with a positive attitude.
I shall try, never to go this long between post in the future. If you're still following my blog and haven't given up on me, drop a line, I'd love to hear from you.

Lemon Zest

I'm beginning to love lemons. You really have to pay attention to their shape and subtle color. I was trying to paint shades of yellow which wasn't working so may this will be a series until I really get it right. So, how do I paint lemons? Let me count the ways...gee, that sounds familiar. Anyone else out there stealing lines from poetry?

The beginning

I'm doing a lot of things I haven't done in the past. Normally, you would never see an unfinished painting in my blog. They change and morph into other things or beings. This little guy is wearing a cookie tin as his hat so I thought you would like to the the first stage of this painting. Nothing is finished, just little blobs of color waiting to be reckon with. Have you stepped outside your comfort level recently? Sure, I want to hear about it!

Stepping out!

The title sounds like a song, but with all the sunshine, weather getting warmer, thought I would try a different direction and, just step out! This painting would certainly do with a little cleaning up but then I get all neat and tidy and would clean it up to death so, I'm leaving it and will do better on the next one. What say you?

It's March 1st.

It's March 1st and I am ready for flowers. This painting isn't nearly as bright as shown here but maybe you will think spring and getting out in the yard. At our house my husband goes out to the yard, I just paint the end product. So, what are you doing today? I do hope someone answers me soon, I feel as though I am talking to myself...ok, I do that also.

PAWA?

First, PAWA is Plein Air Washington. Our first paint-in for 2015 was in Edmonds at the Art Center. This was the kick off to the new year with a meeting, painting from still life set up and live models. We also have a wonderful pot luck. What better way to start outdoor painting, indoors I ask? This was my own little set up, it's not finished but with all the talking, visiting each others easels to see what was going and eating, well, it's a wonder anything was finished. Overall fun day with very talented artists.

Ideas from January

It's been a few days since my last post but I have been working on painting. After all the January paintings, I've had a few ideas for doing painting in a different way, for me anyway. Nothing is really new, just a variation. So, what's up with this you ask? I this, no drawing, just an idea of red pears with colors, one brush stroke next to another. No going back and forth with corrections. More experiments to come from my easel, warts and all. Yes, this one has lots more work that can be done but I shall build on this in my next one. Below, is my assistant who sometimes oversee's the photography.

Always curious

I must say when Julie Ford Oliver started talking about a limited palette of Ned Jacobs it was intriguing. After seeing Julie's work I became interested. Previous limited palette's seems dull by comparison  so after reading Julie's blog and seeing her output, (her work is beautiful, check it out) I thought, this I must try! As usual, I had to add my own twist. Couldn't find my viridian so used Phalo Green which I really like. These little dabs of paint won't mean much to most but I shall now work on a painting with just these colors. Ok, I think the original palette has less colors but this is my version.

Looking for spring

There are quite a few sprouting green things in our yard and spring can't be far behind. This is one of my favorite times of the year. A rebirth of the new year and I, for one am ready. Guess people in the mid-west and east are chomping at the bit more so. Anyone else ready to get out in the garden?

Flowers

Good morning, see, I'm back. I am showing this painting because I think it is leading me somewhere. Not sure yet but shall keep posting as I paint and see what direction I'm heading. Anyone else wandering around out there? Let me know and perhaps we shall cross one another's path. Now that would be fun.

Day 30 and we are done!

What an experience I've had. It didn't sound like much when I committed to 30 paintings in 30 days however, actually doing so really changed my schedule. I've spent more time painting, planning, creating and setting up objects than I've ever done in the past. I was hesitant in the beginning however as the days went on, it was a building from the day before in each work which made for more confidence. I've learned many things from other artists and most surprisingly from myself on what my paint and brushes would do for me. Who knew, I ask?

Day 29 and the error of rushing!

I know the drill, I have 28 days of posting to this blog under my belt and thought I'd whip through this post before dashing out of the door for an appointment. So doing, hit delete instead of enter and lost the post, picture and text. Please use the word of your choice of what you think I said and you're probably right, sigh. I'll do better tomorrow, promise. How was your day?

Day 28 and caught up.

Hello!

Days 26 and 27 are sharing a page since I failed to post them on my blog the last two days. We are now back in sinc and happy. Two more and we are done. As I mentioned in previous posts, what a learning experience that I never expected. All good, and I do hope these nuggets of information and inspirations will continue to show up in my work to make better paintings. See you tomorrow.

Days 26 & 27

No idea how I missed posting these two, I want to make sure all 30 paintings will be accounted for. Yikes, I almost get to the end and make a mistake. Make sure you don't also go on auto-pilot and not pay attention, I must confess this comes second nature to me. I shall now go on and post today's entry. See you in the next blog.

Day 25...winding down.

Can there be only 5 days left in this challenge? I've learned so much during this process about how my paints react to certain brushes, drying times, colors. By painting each day, you give more attention to your technique because you repeat it more often and retain information you can't get anywhere else except at your easel. I've learned some valuable lessons so this challenge has worked in many ways for me. So, what are you doing?

Day 23 and a treat.

In a week, January will be just about be gone. Did you start the year being productive? Getting out of your comfort zone and doing something a little different has so many benefits. I encourage everyone to try this, do something a little different. You can't fail unless you try and when you fail you learn something no one can teach you. I read a quote in the sports page the other day that said people want to be like the greats but no one wants to work that hard to get there. Just found this interesting, I have no message here. I'm going back to my painting, what are you going to do?

Day 22!

I must say, the journey is getting sweeter. Thinking day by day rather than looking towards a month of painting is the ticket. This has been a big leap for me by painting and enjoying the time I've put in thinking of new ideas. I do love workshops and this painting 30 in 30 days is right up there in that category. What's floating your boat this month?

Day 21 and again, wow!

Can't believe we have only nine days left in this challenge. It seems we were just getting started and I wondered if I would make it to the end, it seems like such a daunting task. Another lesson learned is don't try to figure out the entire thing, whatever it is. Small bits will get you through. Never thought I would complete 21 paintings and continue to look forward to another nine. Wow, indeed.

Day 20

This dish has a beautiful little story on it in pictures and I wasn't about to tackle it. I'm learning, just go down your own road, it will be okay. I've been nominated to also post 3 painting for five days in the latest artists movement on Facebook. So, here I go.

Day 19 and back to back blogs!

Yesterday was a great day fir football if you were in Seattle or just a fan living elsewhere. Just when you aren't sure things will turn out well you get a pleasant surprise. It's the same with paintingI think, I was ready to just do another wipe off but managed to salvage this little 5x7 or at least I hope I did. That said, here is today's offering.

Day 18, delayed post due to football game.

It's only  a game I tell myself and my husband and I won't become involved with frustration or excitement. Right! After all these years nothing changes when I watch football. I was ready to post earlier when my husband said "you better come down and watch this." So here I am, a happy but exhausted camper. I am now ready to finish tomorrow's painting or, I'm afraid another wipe off and repaint. That's ok, nothing can dampen my spirit today.

Day 17 and a "Duh" Moment.

I was sitting, having a mug of tea and pondering what to paint for the day and looked down at my hand. Duh, do the cup, it's righting your hand. It's funny how you sometimes miss the obvious and it has to smack you in the face to get noticed. I do have a huge window where I paint but not the blue background. I used that to compliment the cup. Is this too much information?

Day 16

Can't believe half of the month is gone but here we are on day 16 of our 30 paintings in 30 days. I've been asked where the idea's come from. Well, after my initial panic attack in the very beginning, asking the same question, it has been quite a surprise that you just open your mind. Years of painting, thousands of photo's and sketches bring back many memories for subjects. Another area is all the things I've accumulated for still life set ups. There you go! Many choices and many variations on any theme.

Can you believe we are half way through January? Day 15

Where is this? It's a combination of places just to make this painting work for me. A photo, sketch book and some of my memories from plein air painting. I enjoyed the combination of brush and palette knife in this one. What do you think?

This is Day 14

Some advise. If you are a morning person, don't correct, add paint, do anything you really want to preserve AT NIGHT!!!

Just before going to bed, I thought I would add a highlight then brighten the apple a little, see where I"m going? This tree is now growing a watermelon so just look at it upside down or as an abstract. I've learned my lesson, only sketch in the evening. What have you learned today?

Day 13 and looking gaudy!

Whoa, the colors on Facebook look a little more realistic. It's always a surprise to see the hue from one program to another. The unfortunate part is, it's posted.

I've done a lot of sketching and painting in and around LaConner and never tire of the beautiful scenery there. Since going through my sketch book has brought back many fond memories, I think a few more little paintings will come forth. Stay tuned.

Day 12 of our 30/30

There was some difficulty trying to get the colors to register correctly and I gave up after a while. This is as close as I could get to the dark blues, it is a lesson in sometimes just letting go when you can't control a situation or in my case, photoshop. That's my words of wisdom for the day, now if I could only follow them. Yes, I am still enjoying the challenge and finding a subject gets easier than when I first started out.

Wow, almost let Day 11 get away!

Can't believe I almost forgot to post to this blog. Got Facebook done and the blog site for 30/30 was completed so I am covered hopefully. How are you at multi-tasking? Seems it's not my strong suite.

Lemons are a little challenging, not round, square or completely oval. Hummm it's all about seeing and painting what, you see, not what you think you know. So, I think 30 paintings in 30 days have made me stop and really look at color, shapes and design. Painting is easier when you have a clear plan even if you deviate from it, it's still something you are working toward.

Day 10 and moving right along.

A suggestion to you all my friends. Practice does make perfect except in my case, makes improvement. As I face my little blank canvas, I am excited to just start in and try something, anything to get started knowing it can always be wiped off, (expert at that). Painting my little studies has become a fun project so far. So, instead of saying you can't do it, try a few hundred times and just maybe you will see positive results. I now repeat, try something, anything! Ready?

It's a green one...

If you don't like today's pear, don't worry, I have another one for tomorrow. Then, we are done with the pears for a while. I must say I truly enjoy all the feed back received and makes you want to pursue more and better paintings. Just think, after tomorrow only twenty, (that's 20) more paintings to do. Here I go...back to work.

Quiet Time

The red pears and red background seemed to be screaming, like a rock band. I thought between the next two days of pears (now you know what to expect) I would post onions, they are much more subdued in color. This is like coming out of the chaos of the holidays into your usual stable schedule of life. Geez, that was poetic!

It's Day 7

I'm beginning to wake up in the morning wondering what I'm going to paint today. Everything seems to have possibilities in the house. With tons of still life things in the studio, kitchen and elsewhere it's becoming a real treasure hunt around here. Thought I'd post this and be off to have a cup of tea and ponder my next work. Talk about exercise for the mind, wow. Who knew I ask!

Here we are at Day 6

I do enjoy the structure of trees, especially without leaves. We seldom think of all those beautiful branches underneath with their unique patterns. Hope you enjoy this one as much as I did painting it. This painting was also done with a palette knife. Looking forward to your comments.

Day 5 of our thirty days

We have lots of trees here in Lake Forest Park and they are one of my favorite things to sketch and paint. This painting was done with a palette knife and fun colors. I love the free spirit the knife gives you. Yes, I use my brushes most often, I have way to many to ignore them. What's your project for the day?

It's day 4 already

The biggest problem I see so far is how fast the days go by. Wow, felt like I just got started and I have to plan ahead for a few more thoughts to become creative. The up side is becoming more comfortable with color combination and stretching a little further rather than being safe with what I paint. So, have you stepped outside your comfort zone  lately? Let's hear about it.

May I present day 3!

I now spend my day looking around for a "what to paint next". This challenge puts your creative mind to work and it's fun thinking of the many possibilities that you hadn't given the least thought to before now. Painting subjects in two's three's or more seem to make the most sense so I shall try little series of things. What do you think? Yes, tell me.

Day 2 of the Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days

"Me AND My Shadow

That's what I thought of when painting this. Yesterday's and today's paintings were done 95% with the palette knife. Love the loose feeling and thick paint passages you can get with the knife vs. the brush. Your thoughts?

Happy New Year to you all!

Well here's some news for you...I entered the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge. Something entirely new for me. These will be small 5x7 up to 8x10 paintings. This will truly be a challenge for me and what a way to start the New Year I tell ya. Stay tuned, I might need a push or two mid month or who knows, could just steam roll through this whole process.

So, what are your plans for the new year? Of course I want to know, I've shared one of mine, I want to hear yours. Jennifer, Christine, are you listening?