"Not Quite Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days"

I registered for Leslie Saeta's online "Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days" challenge.  We were supposed to paint a painting every day in the month of September and post daily on Leslie's blog.  How generous of Leslie to give so many artists (about a thousand from all over the world!) exposure on her very popular blog.  I didn't make it to thirty.  In fact, after the first five posts I decided to work on some paintings that I was itching to do, and I have gone back to them, making corrections as I see the need.   My hat is off to those who actually painted, photographed, and posted thirty paintings. What a harrowing ride!

This is a work I started today.  24 x 24" oil on linen.  Wait 'til you see the little girl's expression!  I'm having fun with those waves, too.   Check back for the finished painting.

What a difference lighting makes!  I took the photo of Emma (painting is 10 x 8") inside by my dining room window, which faces north/northeast.  The photo of Jadeyn (14 x 11") was taken at the beach after the sun had slipped below the horizon.  Amazing how much light that is left even after the ball of fire disappears!  Jadeyn has beautiful olive toned skin that glowed in that light.  I still see some corrections I need to make before packing her up for her parents…  What a sweet face.   The sky above the horizon in the beach scene (top painting) looked violet next to the water, even though the sun seems to be high in the sky.

So…NINE paintings in thirty days…in various stages of completion.

"Baby Sunshine"

24x24" Oil on Stretched Linen
$1800

Another gift laid at my feet.  Rather, I kept my iPhone handy while watching this sweet cherub playing in the sunlight.  She never uttered a word, but the photographs said plenty.  Joy!

Stuck in Neutral

24x18" Oil on Stretched Linen
$1200

Recently, I walked into my bedroom and discovered Goldilocks...uh, I mean Anna, sleeping in my bed.  There was nothing unusual about finding my daughter napping in my bed.  As for the dog, Troy Boy, he was trying with all his might to blend into the bedcovers, as he knew very well that he was not supposed to be ON MY BED! See how his ears are flattened and his head is lowered as far as he can get it?  I love that dog.  Goldilocks, too.

The theme for the upcoming show at Quayside Gallery in Pensacola is "Stuck in Neutral."  It will be interesting to see how all the participating artists interpret that theme.  Running across a scene like this with its dramatic lighting and interesting lines, shapes and colors is...well, I count it as a gift for the taking.

Detail of a Work in Progress

Here are two detail shots of my current work-in-progress, which was interrupted by welcome guests. Both my model, Owen, and I had family visiting during the past two weeks, and we just got back to this painting today.  I will put Owen together and post the finished 20x16" painting in the next day or so...

Miss Molly

20x16" Oil on Stretched Linen
SOLD

Molly is thirteen years old.  She sat for this painting for three days, five hours at a time.  I told Molly to just get comfortable, and she fell into this pose.  I'm sure her parents have seen those feet intertwined and her fingers in her hair in this manner countless times.  I asked Molly if she would rather be painted holding a book or a purple iPad.  Silly question.  Lovely young lady, Miss Molly.

Wrapped In Love

10x8" Oil On Linen Panel
Not For Sale

My sisters and my great-niece (Sheila, Lorie, and Natalie, respectively).  Natalie is Lorie's granddaughter.  In an Episcopal Church Women's chapter meeting last fall, I expressed concerns about Sheila's impending surgery to my friends.  Immediately, a prayer shawl was offered.  In another ECW meeting, I shared my concerns for Natalie and Lorie, as Natalie's welfare was in a precarious state, and my sister was greatly troubled.   Again, a prayer shawls were offered.  Several weeks later, I was presented with three shawls which were made by two wonderful ladies, Dondy and Caroline.  Each stitch is knit with prayer for the receiver, and the shawls are blessed.  When the shawls are presented, the giver wraps the shawl around the receiver and reads a prayer or blessing.  I did just that, and snapped the photo depicted here in paint.  I am happy to report that Sheila's surgery went very well, Natalie and Lorie are healthy and happy.  There is a lot of love represented in this little painting -- the love of sisters, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, children, and friends...all wrapped in the love and light of God.

Smoke Break

18x24" Oil on Stretched Linen
SOLD

A re-post of last week's painting with many adjustments.  The painting was inspired by a photograph of the subject as he was leaning against a white wall, next to a flat white door.  This wall was in a breezeway, with indirect sunlight coming from two different directions, resulting in a flat appearance with little contrast in light and dark.  One strong source of light creates believable dimension.  Had to get creative here...

Smoke Break

18x24" Oil on Stretched Linen

SOLD

One of several of my paintings which will be in a show at The Craft Guild of Dallas in May.  The subject is Kip Maley, an artist who teaches at The Guild, creating beautiful art with molten glass.  Both of my sisters, Lorie and Sheila, will have pottery in the show. A few of their pieces are subjects in some of my still life paintings.  Lorie snapped this photo (one of several I used for this composition), and having met Kip, who is a joy to know, I knew I wanted to paint this scene.

Angel Nest

SOLD

6x6" Oil on Stretched Linen

Painting number three for Leslie Saeta's Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge.  What a wonderful motivator!  I thought this would take less time than my previous 9x12 and 11x14" paintings, due to the small size.  But, noooo...the setup was still pretty complicated.  I hope to take a better picture tomorrow without the glare.  I still love Christmas.

Angie's Beach 2

SOLD

11"x14"  Oil on linen board.

The sunset on Pensacola Beach was spectacular on this particular evening.  I have many photographs of my niece from her Thanksgiving visit in 2011.  

Moroccan Breadmaker

SOLD

11"x14"  Oil on stretched canvas.

 I have never been to Morocco, but my husband's daughter, Melanie, has.  She sent several beautiful photos to me.  Her perceptive eye caught the beauty of this quiet scene.  Ah, the color and light...begging to be painted!  I chose to leave the figure in the doorway as a design element. I could very well have painted him as the shadow of a pillar or a wall, but his Tommy Bahama T-shirt and jeans is quite a contrast to the woman, who is quietly tending her wares, covered from head to toe despite the blazing heat of the day.  Great shot, Melanie!

" Drawings"

I have not painted in a week or so. I am singing in a wedding on Saturday, and I'm avoiding the medium fumes, which have a toxic effect on my voice. So, I thought I would post these drawings.

The child is my daughter, Anna, at the age of two. She was watching "Beauty and the Beast". That's the only way I could be sure she would be still long enough to capture her in a drawing. I guess it took about 90 minutes or so. When the movie was over, she picked up a pen and came right at me to "help". If you look closely, you will see the pen mark coming right out of her forehead. Hence, the darkened background. Anna is now seventeen. She has long, thick curly hair. I hope to capture my beautiful girl in an oil painting before she leaves for college next fall.

The other drawing is of me and my beloved cocker spaniel, Sadie. I did this drawing in 1986 from a photograph.