Sea View - 7 of 30

Sea View, 10x10" Pastel on acrylic under painting
7 of 30

 I chose to enliven an existing acrylic painting for this day's work.  I had done this earlier on gessoed arches watercolor paper and was not happy with the results. It seemed flat & dead, not the effect I was going for.  Once again, dipping into my pastel collection I set to work.

The broad strokes of toned gesso provided enough texture for the pastels to stick to the paper nicely. I do plan to add a spray or two of Sennelier fixative before framing this.  I am thinking about the beach especially this week because in years past we went to Tybee Island, Georgia, for several days before dropping our daughter off for another year at Savannah College of Art & Design. (SCAD) Alas, she graduated last May.  Actually, YAHOO! No more trips to Target to set up her apartment...

I am really pleased with how adding pastels jazzed this on up!

I am grateful for the many blessings of my life as it is today. 

Start where you are

Love what you have

Do what you can

3 for the Road - 6 of 30

3 for the Road, 8x8 pastel on Wallis paper
6 of 30

I am keeping up with painting but lagging on posting the images. This piece came from my discovery of a 9x12" piece of white Wallis sanded paper in my flat file.  I had purchased a case of pears at Costco and wanted to capture the blush before they became overly ripened.  I set them on a piece of glass to capture the reflection as well.  My goal was to explore my new box of Terry Ludwig pastels  & paint loose and juicy color.

Underpainting with opposite colors

My set up - Terry Ludwigs in front, Heilman box on the right.

I will probably develop the dark background a bit more but I am happy with this.  Framing pastels is a bit more complicated than oils but I do love the immediacy of the colors.

I am grateful for the many blessings of my life as it is today. 

Start where you are

Love what you have

Do what you can

French Fields - 5 of 30

French Fields, Acrylic on paper

Whew! Caught up with this post. It's not enough to paint every day, I also want to photograph the painting and get it posted here and on the 30/30 site. It's fun to see all the other paintings being created. Some folks are creating big paintings each day. I tend to work small, although I do plan a couple of 12x12's before this challenge ends.

The inspiration for this painting was born in the fields of southern France. Last summer I was blessed to be able to spend a week at www.hautbaran.com, painting with Bill Farnsworth.  It was a dream come true to wander around the Quercy region of France & have time to take lots of images as well as paint.  I know I will go back to those shots again & again.  There is something hypnotic about the poppies in the fields of France, followed closely by sunflowers & lavender...

Being able to travel with my husband at this time in our lives is a huge blessing.  Our health is holding steady & we have the luxury of having the time to go. I do not take it for granted.

I am grateful for the many blessings of my life as it is today. 

Start where you are

Love what you have

Do what you can

Bartlett - 4 of 30

Bartlett, 3x5", acrylic on gesso board
5 of 30

I had a lot of fun with this one since I found a big box of pears at Costco for inspiration.  I took some other reference images for future paintings, then ate one!  If you look around your local art supply store you will probably see these 3x5" samples of Ampersand Gesso Board.  I really like to paint on this surface in oils and found that it worked equally well for acrylics.  I had smooshed left over paint on the surface earlier this week, then added the pear. It was interesting to play around with layering colors using Golden glazing medium. I learned my set up for acrylics from Robert Burridge. I cover the surface of the table with heavy duty plastic sheeting, then squeeze out the paints right onto the plastic.  It's way more chaotic than how I paint with oils, enabling me to loosen up more easily. I highly recommend his workshops, especially when the supplies are included...

Here's a peek at my set up.  I have my tubes of acrylic paint separated into ziplock bags by color family.  It helps manage the happy chaos.  The fluid acrylics are grouped together in a box.

Model with painting...

I am grateful for the many blessings of my life as it is today. 

Start where you are

Love what you have

Do what you can

Rush Hour - 3 of 30

Rush Hour, 6x12", oil on panel

Rush Hour photo reference shot by Ginny Roush McKinney

I am keeping up with the daily painting but falling behind on the daily posting. I did upload this image to FaceBook on time though.  It seemed proper to do so since I got my reference image from my friend Ginny of Marshmallow Ranch.  She shot this in South Dakota while she was out there RVing with "Sisters on the Fly".  Ginny says this is a terrific outdoor adventure group for women & it sure sounds like she is having a blast.  She hasn't gone the tiny home route but she has traded her 4 bedroom house for a big RV & truck.  I still wonder how she gets her mail.  Ginny & I went to highschool together in Parkersburg, WV. (PHS, class of 1971)  I love reading her postings on Facebook and look forward to her visit here in Cincinnati next month.

As you can see, this is a loose interpretation of her image.  I cropped the image for a closer view & especially love how the trees turned out, as well as those darn buffalo.  One of these days I'm gonna go out there to see this for myself.I really haven't explored Mountain Time much. I usually head to the beach...

I am grateful for the many blessings of my life as it is today. 

Start where you are

Love what you have

Do what you can

Olympic View - 2 of 30

Olympic View, 7x5", Acrylic
2 of 30

Today's image is based on a shot I took at the Washington Lavender Farm in Sequim, Washington last month.  As you can see, the Olympic Mountains are "peaking" out in the distance.  This farm features breath taking views of both mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca - the route from the Puget Sound to the Pacific Ocean that all the cruise ships take, whether from Seattle or Vancouver.

Once again I wanted to capture the essence of the scene & acrylics offer an immediacy of color.  It was very fun.  I like to add birds to my landscapes to allow the eye to see something breathing. This area features ravens, crows, stellar and grey jays among other wonderful wildlife.

We were lucky enough to arrive the Monday before the annual Lavender Festival. There are many, many lavender farms in this area (as well as pot farms - both medicinal & recreational marijuana is legal in Washington.)  We visited two lavender farms but alas, no dispensaries or pot farms. Legalizing marijuana has not resulted in a crime uptick but I am sure the pizza sales are up...

Sequim is in the rain shadow of the Olympic mountains and features weather similar to Provence, FR. Its a popular retirement area as well.  I hope to return and take more photos one day.

I am grateful for the many blessings of my life as it is today. 

Start where you are

Love what you have

Do what you can

Here we go again - the September Painting Challenge

Sweet Peas & Sea View
6x9", Acrylic on Paper
1 of 30

The goal is "30 Paintings in 30 Days" I already know this will be particularly difficult because of our travel schedule this month but what the heck?  The ultimate goal is to paint more.  Try new things. This month I am experimenting with acrylic painting rather than oil AND I anticipate working in oils, watercolors and pastels as the mood strikes. I know watercolors are way more manageable while on the road.  The last week of September will feature a plein air workshop with Lori Putnam so I anticipate some really new work then.

I did not take "process" shots this time. I was having too much fun playing with paint. This image is from our trip to the Pacific North West in July.
We started in Seattle then took a 7 day cruise to Alaska and finished with a bit of exploration of the Olympic Penninsula.  Stay tuned for more paintings! I love the big trees and wonderful light of the PNW. Years ago we thought we would move there to join some friends but alas that never happened.

I am grateful for the many blessings of my life as it is today. 

Start where you are

Love what you have

Do what you can