Pink!

This is the day six painting in the 30-n-30.  Unfortunately I don't have more to follow this one right now, but still hoping to get going again.  I don't know if it's the weather, the move, life crazies, retiring early, or what - just finding it difficult to get back into a routine.  The studio in our new home is fabulous so it must be something else. . . . We are still pinching ourselves with how wonderful life is in our new home and embracing all the changes that come with moving: logistics, finding our new favorite restaurants/shops, paring down, and dare I say right-sizing!  

This painting was more complicated than most but exciting as it all came together.  I love using PaintMyPhoto for reference because it's all focused on photos for ARTISTS to paint. Certainly helps with my composition-challenged-brain.  Rosalind Amorin offers really delightful setups.

Pretty in Pink
click to zoom / purchase

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

Daisy

Another great find, PMP photographer Sanne Madeliefje, Daisy.  You can’t really tell, but this is a lone flower emerging from a crack in a sea of asphalt.  Beautiful and confident despite being mired in what appears to be a hard, unforgiving environment.  Reminds me that we’re all just trying to thrive in the world around us and hopefully working to make it a better, happier place.  This is a personal favorite!

Apologies for re-doing the blog posts, but using new photos and adding auction links for those who may be interested.  

Recent attempts have been wipe offs which used to hardly happen to me.  Maybe that will go away once I get back into the rhythm of painting and posting every day! Fingers-crossed.

Street Daisy
click to zoom / purchase

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

The Bear

The bear from day 10 of the 30-n-30.  Finally, the professional photo vs. me with an iPhone at the end of the day in a dark studio!   Love the way he turned out and I have to repeat the little poem we used to say as kids about my sister's favorite bear - the one so loved he was a bit tattered. The good old days when things were loved despite how they looked.  

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair, Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't fuzzy, was he?

Fuzzy Wuzzy
click to zoom / purchase

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

Looking Forward

Valentine's Day cup inspired by Daily Paintworks' The Cuppa Challenge. Bought this cup for my husband a few years ago, he seemed to like it.  The challenge suggested the cup should be painted with something hot inside it.  Taking artistic license to the max, decided that this cup is filled with love . . .  'nff said.  What would you fill it with?

Valentine's Cup
click to zoom / bid

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

Puddle Challenge

A fun challenge from the Paint My Photo website to paint something with an obvious puddle. Cardinal reflected on an icy road.  I also painted it for my art club since that challenge was to paint something different - as in try new things.  Since I usually focus on still-lifes, there's not many opportunities to paint reflections. It was indeed a challenge.

Reflections
click here to zoom / purchase

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

Honey Bear

Trying to get a jump on Valentine's Day - well either that or wishing it was already mid-February!  Actually the weather in northern Virginia has been quite mild this year.  Hard to believe some still doubt climate change. . . . 

New glam shot for the cutest Teddy Bear ever.  Act fast, three day auction!

Honey Bear
click here to zoom or bid

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

30-n-30 Auctions

Quick update - been sick for the last few weeks which has really impacted painting every day.  Hoping to get things going this weekend.  Meanwhile way better photos completed and will load all for auction on DPW.  Forgot how much work it is besides the painting part. Feels good though to be back into the swing of things!  

First up is below - modified to give it a bit more balance.  The best part of this one is the thick paint on the berries and the lost edges.  

Holly with White Pine
zoom or bid here

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time.   Happy New Year too!

30-n-30 - Day 12 What a Bear!

A day of constant floor sanding (think dentist for er. . . 6 hours straight!).  Oh well, the outcome is worth the pain.   These guys do incredible work if you need refinished floors in the DC metro area, let me know.  We’ve discovered a word-of-mouth network.  They don’t advertise ‘cause they don’t have to.

Today’s painting was a bear, literally.   Found it on Pixabay (new for me).  Great stuff, free photos.  This one looked a little battered and I think I battered it a bit more.  Wasn’t your favorite childhood toy the most abused and tattered?  Okay, well this one certainly seemed quite loved!  Reminds me of my sister's fave - Fuzzy Wuzzy.

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear,  Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair, Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't fuzzy, was he?

Long establish nursery rhyme, Author unknown.

Fuzzy Wuzzy

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

30-n-30 - Day 10 Stuck, but Trying

Another great find, PMP photographer Sanne Madeliefje, Daisy.  You can’t really tell, but this is a lone flower emerging from a crack in a sea of asphalt.  Beautiful and confident despite being mired in what appears to be a hard, unforgiving environment.  Reminds me that we’re all just trying to thrive in the world around us and hopefully working to make it a better, happier place.  

Trying to get back on track with painting every day.  Stairs being refinished, so at least I'll be up at the crack of dawn. . . .  

Street Daisy

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

30-n-30 - Day 6 Pretty in Pink

What a wonderful reference photo to find on PMP by Rosalind Amorin, Flowers For Klaus.  I’m not sure who Klaus is, but one lucky person.  It was definitely challenging, but also quite a bit of fun!   I guess this one was motivated by the light dusting of snow today and uh, oh the threat of more to come.  Everyone stay warm AND safe!

Pretty in Pink

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

p.s. for the above PaintMyPhoto (PMP) link to work, you need to register (free).  It's a great source for reference photos.  Please abide by their posting rules :-)

30-n-30 - Day 5 Ahead or Behind?

Well if I can’t keep up with the January challenge, maybe I can get ahead of next month’s game.  Ha, ha.  I’ve wanted to paint some stuffed animals for a while (terrifying territory).  When I saw this cutie had to go for it.  DailyPaintworks always has a “gift” challenge in December so that’s what inspired me.  Okay, now why do I suddenly feel I’m a month behind!  

Honey Bear

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

30-n-30 - Day 2

Not too inspired today – rainy, wintry, late getting started.  The good news is the powder room is operational after the new fixtures were installed today! 

Used a photo reference from Paint My Photo – photographer Pinwheel.  Painting background is a lot more icy blue, but couldn’t capture that with my iPhone.  I added a bit of texture to the berries and like that part of the painting.  Better photo to come.

Holly with White Pine

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

Happy New Year!

Decided at the last minute to join Leslie Saeta's 30-in-30 challenge.   This event is quite an ordeal and requires a lot of upfront preparation.  Oh well.  Short version, studio floors were refinished last week so only the easel has been set up.  Scavenger hunt today to find everything hastily boxed up before traveling & the holidays.  Need to get the rest of the furniture moved back – desk, computer, supplies, etc. 

I’m thinking that my “theme” will be going through the Daily Paintworks Challenges to come up with ideas of things to paint – they usually have some interesting subjects and the 30-in-30 is all about doing things you’ve not tried before. Hmmmm. . . she says cleverly to herself, “how about a New Year’s resolution to try new things.”  Hard to believe my last blog was in May – that’s practically a whole year.  House sold, moved and now fixing up the new place.  Kitchen renovated - check!

Must be time to jump start 2017! Fingers crossed. 

Today's painting is of a Valentine's Day cup.  Inspired by The Cuppa Challenge.

Valentine's Cup

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

p.s. once I catch up, I'll get better photos and start uploads and auctions.