Honey Bunny

There’s something just a little too cute about this bunny with one white toe just out of the picture frame.  A pose with attitude.  Hope it looks okay in a painting.  Artists tell me if one thing goes out of the frame then something else should too just to balance it out.  Great advice.  Couldn't figure out what else should go off.  

Honey Bunny
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The Reference photo from webandi on Pixabay only had one eye and that looked strange - two eyes looks strange too. You decide.  Me, I think I'll stop painting bunnies.

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

Las Vegas

First, a special note – those of you who know me, know I believe “life is about making memories.”  Particularly thrilled that Summer Dreams is off to a new home in New Jersey to commemorate a very special memory.  The buyer sent me the following note.

“Your painting is stunning and will be a gift to my husband for our anniversary. We were married twenty-four years ago in France and ate lobster for dinner. Since that day, we eat lobster every year in celebration. I know your painting will be cherished along with that memory.”

Perhaps it was the small note I put on my gallery for the painting - The reference photo for this painting is from Luciole who is from Normandy France which just makes me wish for summer, the smell of the ocean, vacations, and daydreaming. How about you?

Hmmmm. . .  I guess the time taken to provide a story behind a painting is worth the effort.  All I know for sure, is this event made my day and definitely a new memory added to my life!

There are thousands of daffodil names, but felt like a winner when I discovered this one is called Las Vegas.  This simple daffodil has a ton of subtle shadows which looked great next to the white petals and deep yellow/orange center.   Naturally thought I could knock this one out, but it took quite a while to get it “right.”  

Las Vegas Daffodil
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Photo reference Nicole.Faulkner PMP-Art.com

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

Going Platinum!

What a beautiful fish – had to search for the meaning of an all-white Koi and found that they are described as platinum.  I guess the artistic license to paint the other one gold just pushed everything toward the meaning of wealth and business success.   Hah, we’ll see about that.  Love this one so hopefully someone else will too.   This was painted on a red panel which adds a lot of energy to the painting. 

Platinum Koi
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Photo reference PMP Debbie Cushing

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

Hot Pink Waterlily

I guess you can’t paint just one waterlily.  These flowers are both fun and frustrating to paint.  How can they look so simple yet get so complicated?  This is another great photo from Paint My Photo (PMP-Art.com) – not sure what I would do without these people and their free photos.

Hot Pink Waterlily
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Love the perspective and bright colors of this waterlily – just begging to be painted!

Photo reference: PMP Letty

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

Sweet Little Waterlily

Back from a great trip / family celebration in Texas.  Mom’s birthday, siblings, spouses, grand kids and great grand kids.  Wonderful having everyone in the same place. 

Despite getting back late Tuesday, the next few days just flew by.  Finally had a chance to paint, which means getting back into the groove.  Fingers crossed I can keep it going and finish the 30-in-30.  

Sweet Little Waterlily
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Photo reference: PMP Elena Malec taken near a mosque in Shanghai, China.

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

Spring is in the Air

Guess we all need early reminders of spring, I sure do!  I wonder if there’s ever been a count of which season is the most favorite.  Mine is definitely summer, but spring comes in at a very close second since it lets me know summer is on the way.

Spring is in the Air
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reference from Pixabay From StockSnap

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

p.s. off to Texas for a few days - will paint and blog when i return next week.

An Interesting Perspective

Top down view showcasing a few of my favorite ingredients.  Trust me, I will never look at a cut tomato the same way again - such depth and colors.  Come to think of it, this is the perspective I usually see these victims!

An Interesting Perspective
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Pixabay reference biancamentil

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

Pink Grapefruit

Reference photo is from an amazing photographer on Paint My Photo (PMP-Art.com).  Stunning work. Many of his photos look like paintings and are quite inspirational.  He definitely has an artist's eye for composition and lighting. This is one of my favorites.  A bit of artistic license getting it to fit into a 6 x 6 tho.

Pink Grapefruit
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Viacheslav's photo - registration required, but free.  

Update -  Thread the Needle has been updated to include a reflection under the thimble. Click here for the auction, it's much better now - thanks for the help (you know who you are).  

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

Summer Dreams

How fun is this guy?  Another first but another great time doing this painting.  Apparently my “artist friends” from yesterday think I can be challenged to do anything!  They are definitely great characters to have cheering me to new heights.

Summer Dreams
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Reference is PMP photographer Luciole who lives in Normandy France – photo is titled Le Homard For La Peinture... which literally means The Lobster For The Painting...  Just makes you wish for summer, the smell of the ocean, France, and day dreaming.

Happy Valentine's Day – Johnna

Afternoon Tea

Loved getting together with two artist friends catching up and painting the afternoon away.  Such a great positive space to be in.  This painting reference is from PMP Photographer Dale Cato.  PMP-Art.com is a great place to find photos to paint.  Must register, but it’s free. 

Afternoon Tea
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Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

Is It Hot Yet?

Painting forks with stuff on them is a blast – my new go-to-source Pixabay has some interesting ones.  This one is from Divily. 

Hot Chili Pepper
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Happy to report that Morning Smile sold and is staying in my Leesburg, VA neighborhood.  Seems there's always a delightful surprise when you least expect it! 

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

Morning Smile

Strawberries and blueberries – guess it's going to be a terrific morning!  Such luscious color.

Morning Sunshine
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One of the things I like about this challenge is learning new things.  Was curious why strawberries were called that when blueberries are just blue.   Short version according to Snopes - The word ‘strawberry’ has been part of the English language for at least a thousand years, well before strawberries were cultivated as garden or farm edibles. They grew in the wild of their own accord [therefore] the word’s precise origin cannot be determined.

Regardless, Google theories abound with all sorts of notions.    

Photo thanks to Pixabay JoannaTree 

Petulant Poppy

Fell in love because of the modern, somewhat-abstract look.  Thought a big splash of red would be perfect above a new hallway cabinet that’s black and white.  Imagined a huge painting maybe 30 x 30” - decided now was the time to do a test run.  

Well petulant isn’t the half of it.  Mixing reds is way harder than it should be.  Will have to rethink the décor plan or find a red that doesn’t lean so orange.  Fun painting the fuzzy stem!

Petulant Poppy
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Another great photo by Sanne who's from the Netherlands.

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

Red and Yellow Duo – Peppers

What a delight to paint these two super-bold peppers.  Love the dark background.  A recent class involved a lot of veggies and how to really capture the light vs. the shadow colors – hope that shows through in this painting.  

Red and Yellow Duo
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Photo reference from Pixabay - Pexels 

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

Yellow Surprise

Such a wonderful surprise each year when you’re pretty sure it will never be warm again, then a special daffodil pushes through and shows up to meet you.  That’s how these two seem to me.  Colorful, vibrant and ready to be noticed – even if their heads are still working their way up to the warmth of the sun.  

Yellow Surprise Daffodils
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Photo reference is from PMP-Art (Sanne)

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

Mandarin Selfie

Mandarins are always a treat to paint and to eat!  Love having a complementary background in turquoise to accentuate the main star of the painting.  

Mandarin Selfie

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If you have a few minutes and love looking at fresh art, check out some of the other painters in the challenge – click here – be sure and give it a minute to load all the images. As of last night there were 217 for the day (so far).   

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

Thread the Needle

This challenge helps get me to try all sorts of things, but I’ve learned there are some terrific photos that I just cannot render with paint.  Here’s an example.  I like how it turned out, but the photo has a mood that just doesn’t come through.  Makes me think - avoid crisp, hard lines or maybe over exaggerate rather than try to "paint a straight line."  Hmmmm. . . .

Photo - reference: Bec Bartel PMP-Art.com

Thread the Needle
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Too spooked to paint the needle, but love the definition of the phrase:  Thread the needle: to find harmony or strike a balance between conflicting forces, interests, etc.

Can't accomplish anything without first giving it a try – Johnna 

My Kind of Jewels!

This is my happiest painting place: familiar objects, bright colors, loose style, simple and small.  Even as early as day 5 the stress is building.  It was suggested that I paint something I love - this is what happened. . . . Suddenly painting "out of my head" worked some magic.  I only recall one other time I’ve painted that way and it was when a teacher “made us do it.”  Interestingly, turns out this teacher has had one of the most profound effects on my art journey that I realize even today.  Her class was 10 years ago!

Painting grapes is so much fun - literally look like polished gems.  Love how this turned out.

Pear Pizzazz - updated 9/4/2018

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Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna

Spring Tulips

Tulips ‘cause Spring is coming!  

Photo is from Pixabay Annca (Switzerland) – oh how I remember long walks through the Swiss mountains in summer and wonderful ski trips in winter.  Lucky to have grown up in multiple countries.  Hope this adds a bit of brightness to your day.  

Swiss Tulips
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Delighted that Peek A Boo #1 sold and is headed to Alabama!

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna

Peek A Boo II

Once I get all the kinks out of daily painting, blogging, etc. I’ll try and fill you in on what’s been going on around here since moving – nearly a year and a half ago!  Time to get in a groove, embrace being retired and "work" on enjoying all that life has to offer.

Loved the bear photos from Pixabay (free reference photos). These are by Bru-nO. I think I’ll check out their other work for more inspiration.  

Day #2 - Little bear peeking around the door to see if you'll their Valentine!

Peek A Boo II
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Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna

Restarting 2018

Trying a mini-kick-start by joining Leslie Saeta’s 2018 30 in 30.  Since it’s during February, I already have an advantage with fewer days!  The biggest challenges are getting back into the groove, painting a whole lot more and remembering how to blog, post and sync everything with Daily Paintworks.  Fingers crossed on all of the above.  So here we go. . . .

Peek A Boo
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Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna