Friday May 29

This week's class, outdoor stillife, was taken indoors because of weather.. again.. sooo.. we had out "set ups" by the window. All the light came through the window. I again used a pallete knife instead of brushes. My instructor, Margaret, likes to challenge me on color mixing and painting my lights and darks. The class really liked my painting.

I am seeing my progress. The pics were both taken inside I will post 2.. maybe if the sun is out over the weekend I will try to take a better pic.

Tuesday May 19

Here's another painting from my class. This was a set up from last week, the tulips were just about ready to go to the big garden in the sky.. or landfill. They were looking pretty sad but I thought i would try to enjoy one last moment before the petals fell off. I used a pallete knife. It was fun and yes I used lots of paint. A friend asked "were you frosting a cake"? But again, my current challenge is the amount of paint I use.

Monday May 18

This weekend I sat in on Franny's class at the gallery. Her challenge to me was to use more paint. This has been a big struggle for me. I tend not to use enough paint, or mix enough color. I am trying to get myself to a place of confidence with my paint, technique, size that I am painting etc. Who knew there would be soooo many decisions???

The "Pear" is 12x12 on canvas. I painted it in a dark corner of the gallery with light on the "pear" I like where it is. I am actually going to bring it to a local "condo community" that holds fundraisers in the models. One of the organizers contacted the gallery for "Art" to hang and have available for "sale"... we shall see if it makes the cut....

Tuesday, May 5

I am back! After some bad paintings, 1/2 done paintings etc.

I painted with a couple of friends at the gallery today, Oceanside 17, Franny, Jeanne, and Margaret. I decided to hide in the corner and do my own thing. I like where things went. It was interesting to see how things were coming together and discovered the things that I struggle with. But, at the end, I am happy with the outcome.

I start my "outdoor" stillife class tomorrow, it should be interesting! The forcast is for rain tomorrow... ahhh...

It was very nice to get into a painting today... Lots of paint, although I need to use more, big and small brushes.

Thursday, April 17

Plein Air! Today I did it, went out with a couple of friends and did my first plein air painting. Got all my info down and laid in. It is an amazing day here. Sunny and warm. I still have to spend some time on it, it is 12x16 oil on canvas. It was fun!

Can't wait to get back out there. I will also post another pic when I get it finished up. There is a pic of my painting and one of my painting on my easel at the side of the dirt road looking back towards the summer houses. There are some cool old houses out here to paint, these ones like most are still boarded up and waiting for the return of summer.

Wednesday April 15

Yesterday was painting day with some Artist friends. I did a couple of quick paintings we paint for a few hours, most of the time is spent laughing.

I worked on oranges and strawberries. This "slice" is pretty simple. I am finding that when I stay basic, I feel better about my results. Looking at it this morning, I see things that I should "pick" at. But, It is staying the way it is. It is a lesson, I really do learn something with every painting. Doesn't matter how the painting turns out, it is all a learning experience.

I am also signing up for an "Outdoor Still Life" class that starts in a couple of weeks. It should be fun.

Thursday April 9

Ok, So I went back to a Pear! I feel better. Did it fast and after posting it I went back and picked it for a couple of minutes.

Thursday,April 9

Ok, bit off more than I could chew. I attempted 3x all 3 ended in chalk and mess. Sooo... later or tomorrow, maybe I will return to something Fruity.

It is a great day here today, Sunny and Warm-ish(60degrees)... I thought I would attempt something plein air... so out onto the porch I went. The next time I work on this, I will have an artist friend safety net close by to talk me through.

Thanks for checking in, check back later you never know what I might post. The picture is from the porch, I was trying to attempt painting Boston Light. Off to enjoy the afternoon and clear my head.

Wednesday,April 8

Today, on my way to crash my friends Margaret's class, I stopped and explored my local produce dept. I stumbled across the Strawberries... They sat all lined up and ready to go. I of course like sooooo many other painters started to examine all the packages to decide which ones would be the nicest to paint.

After checking out and trying not to be over protective of my "fresh berries" I protected them in the car and off to class I went. They were a big hit amongst the others in class some were even adpoted my loving painters and the subjects in many paintings. I had to leave before others were finished painting, I would have like to take some pics of the others....

Here's today's painting. Fresh Berries... I feel good about it, it was quick and somewhat easy. Thanks to Margaret for letting me crash her class and her help, support and encouragement. I spent about 90 min. painting it. I was reading in one of my books, the author was challenging artists to paint in a specific amount of time. He suggested planning an hour a day for 3 months. Number your paintings, paint everyday for one hour and stop after the 60min. When your 3 months is up you will see how you were able to get from a point of not being able to get your info onto a canvas in 60min to a point where you are now finishing your little painting in an hour or less.

Monday, April 6

Today, well actually this weekend, I started working on a couple of green apples. I was painting over another painting and having some "issues" with the old "poking" through. Then felt like I was making mud. I finally got things cleaned up. I do have some more to do, finish it up. But this is where I am today, right now.

I will get back to it, and finish.

April 2, Thursday

Here ya go, been a frustrated Artist as of late. Did this one in a "class" a friend gives at a local Art Center. She let me crash. Learned alot. It didn't translate into my painting, but I "knew" what I was trying to do(does this make any sense?).

It has been an interesting journey. Learning lots and know now that I have to get focused, concentrate, keep it simple, and keep moving.

Thanks for looking.

Monday, March 23

Here is today's painting. I wiped it off and redid it twice. So, this is it. I also decided tonight to paint in the dark, or somewhat dark. Trying to look at my object and not looking at my painting as much. Was an interesting exercise for me. This is also much bigger than what I have been doing, this is 10x12 on canvas. The others I have been working on are 6x8 on panel.

Thanks for looking.

Friday,March 20

It's Friday, it has been a week of learning for me. I have learned lots as I continue to explore oil paint. One of the biggest lessons of the week was yesterday. I have been struggling with not using enough paint so yesterday I was using lots of paint, lots. I walked away for a minute and when I returned, yup, there was my painting face down on the floor. Lesson #1 when a painting is still wet and falls, it lands face down. Lesson #2, when you use lots and lots of paint and said painting falls on the floor it sticks. Kinda had to peal it off, which was ok.

So here is todays painting. It's ok. I have also learned that I am better, more focused if I paint in the morning vs. afternoon or night.

Wednesday, March 18

Worked on a green apple today. I am understanding oils a bit better than before. I need to work on my color mixing etc... but am liking where my work is heading.

Tuesday, March 17

Today, I attempted 2 pears. I am thinking about changing fruit, these are starting to become a little more ripe than they should be for a still life. Thanks for taking a look. Tommorrow, maybe an apple or 2....

Tuesday, March 17

Here's the Birthday Gnome! I gave this to one of the local artist's for her birthday, may the luck of the gnome shine upon you when you are stumped! !

Monday, March 16

It's Monday morning and attempted to paint this weekend. I started twice and wiped them off... needless to say... It's a new day and will get something posted this afternoon. While I was "blocked" this weekend, I did take some time to set up my "space".. here's a picture of my new space.. check back later for today's painting...

Friday, March 13

Here ya go! Another pear, maybe tomorrow I will do a pair of pears.. I am exploring Oils this week, it is interesting and I am beginning to understand them and explore what I can do with them. I did this today while hanging with Franny, she thinks that I am doing well with my new medium. Thanks for taking a look, please come back and see my progress. I am enjoying playing with my new medium and trying some of the things that I learned at my workshop.

March 12

This is what I worked on this morning, quick and fast, it is also my first oil. Just thought I should just jump in. I know it needs more attention, i put it aside for now, may or may not go back to it.

Wednesday, March 11

Here you go! I did it, took sometime this afternoon and put something on a canvas. It's a start, looking forward to new and exciting paintings in my future!