Wrapping Up January

Enjoying a little lull after the January "10 paintings in two weeks" challenge - charging up for a February workshop with Monica Linares - The Happy Habit (how great is that?). The workshop is one day a week, but I suspect there's going to be LOTS of homework. Stay tuned. Did someone say d-a-i-l-y? yikes

It has been a great month: an awesome challenge, a couple of paintings sold, daily blogging, and a lot more painting enthusiasm than I've had in a long time. Happy Girl, bring it on 2021!

What's new

Sweet thoughts (macarons anyone?) and perfect Valentine gifts - Perhaps a toast to romance later in the day with this painting that says so much without a word. ;-)

Valentine's Day - Memory
click to zoom / purchase

Long time since I've painted birds - added a feeder upstairs so I could watch their happy frolicking while getting ready for the day. Perhaps the theme now should be Outside My Window. Geez this pandemic thing has gone on too long, but hanging in there and staying safe. At least I can see others fly. . . .

Say What?
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Wet and Wild
click to zoom - but sold way fast?

Enjoy, Life is joy we make one moment at a time,

2021 8 - 9 - 10 Challenge Finale

Whew - forgot how much focus is needed to do a daily challenge - this one was so much better as we took the weekend off and painted five days, break and five more days.  Blogging, posting and all the other work takes a back-seat so catching up for the last three days.  Where does the time go?  Anyway a couple up for sale and one quick pic to close things out for now.

Just love the boldness of these flowers that take center stage, but still leave room for a cup of coffee, fruit and the famous croissants!  #8

Peonies in Paris
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A little break to explore the idea of "too close" literally eye-level, face-to-face still life. Loved painting this one. Wine, cheese and globe grapes - perfect for the transition from work to play.  Now looking for more inspiration reference photos. #9

Too Close
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Photo reference - Viacheslav (Russian photographer) pmp-art.com 

One more balcony - just finished and working on a title - any ideas?  Lovely view.  This reference had a balcony with wrought iron - but it just seemed like a time to skip the "inside-out" feel and just be open to the Parisian rooftops across the way.  Quick pic #10.  Official photo & links coming soon.

??? I Need a Title.

Lastly, feeling geared up for next month's The Happy Habit of Daily Painting Workshop.  I hope this challenge and refocus will make the class doubly worthwhile.  More to come. 

This one has a new home.

Poppy and Bud - Northern AL

Enjoy, Life is joy we make one moment at a time,

2021 7 of 10 In a Fog

New day perspective when everything seems a bit off and the sky is filled with heavy mist, but the sun is up and shining. You know the blue sky will be there after your first cup of coffee. If only you could just wait.  

The tall / little pastry is called Canelés de Bordeaux. A small cake flavored with rum and vanilla with a soft and tender custard center and a dark, thick caramelized crust. Yum!

Morning Perspective in Paris
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Not quite as dark in person, but so much fun painting a different pastry, but who can pass up a croissant?  Captivated by this bold wrought iron and the perspective as it leads you from left to right. 

Nightfall official - zoom/purchase link

Enjoy, Life is joy we make one moment at a time,

2021 Oops 6 of 10 - Crazy Day & Too Close

Painting is one thing, but success involves social media which is somewhat time consuming and frankly I'm out of practice!  So this painting is actually # 6 of 10 with the official photo and links.  The last blog was catching up with more of the same, updated links.  

Week two of the painting challenge  -- All excited, prepped the next three paintings over the weekend, and so relaxed -- but then the day got way ahead of me and had to "punt" to the less complicated one.  Had the idea that a series called "Too Close" might be interesting as the quarantine continues and the four-walls (are definitely) getting closer. . .   This reference photo just begged me to go for it, so consider the new series launched! Not to worry tho two balconies are on deck.

Blue Bowl with Tangerine
click to zoom / purchase

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

photo reference Viacheslav (Russian Photographer) - free registration Paint My Photo

2021 6 of 10 More

Weekend to rejuvenate and get ready for another five.  Feel a bit more organized, but also have a list of to-dos this week.  Hopefully all will go smoothly.  Love being back in the groove and have to thank Kate Williams for providing the incentive.  

Recent postings - professional photos, purchase info, and available . . . .

Good Morning 

click to zoom / purchase

En Terrasse with Tea
click to zoom / purchase

Breakfast on the Avenue
click to zoom / purchase

Sold two over the weekend. Nothing creates incentive like having a few sales.  

Late Afternoon - NC

Summer Heat - VA to NC lake house

Life is joy we make one moment at a time,

2021 5 of 10 Nightfall

Sunset on the balcony - pink sky and dark shadows at the foot of the Eiffel tower.  Someday I will try to get the nerve to actually paint the tower.   This is from a reference photo I love because it is in the late sunset / early evening.  Challenging colors, but fun.  Got a really late start today and realized the blog is out of sync with the five painting days.  Guess it will catch up too.

Nightfall

Happy to say the first painting of 2021 has sold and on the way to North Carolina.  A sweet memory shared between artist and patron.  Funny how favorites sometimes linger and others don't.  I may have to start painting windows again!

German Window

Life is joy we make one moment at a time,

2021 4 of 10 Quirky

Not sure what to say about this one - other than I really need to find simpler subjects!  But I just loved this quirky ironwork.  Asymmetrical, curves, lines - oh my!  Shiny objects too . . . .  

Anyway what a challenge and that's what this 10 in 2 is all about.  Have learned that I need to set up the idea for the next day otherwise it turns into a day of reference photo surfing.  Will just have to cross my fingers for tomorrow.  TGIF!

Terrasse Petit Déjeuner

Life is joy we make one moment at a time,

2021 3 of 10 January 6th

What a day. Speechless.  Living near DC has it's "front-row seat" challenges - both good and not so good. Such an incredibly sad day. 

Luckily started this one yesterday evening and managed to get through it somehow today.  No Words, Only Hope for Tomorrow.

Tea time with OJ in one of those deep-cut-crystal glasses.  Super fun making that happen, but not sure it looks like a breakfast drink (mimosa in disguise?).  Anyway, can you see yourself lounging snug-as-a-bug on this patio with a pot of tea?  

Quick pic - A different kind of ironwork. I have one of these cast iron teapots and used it for years.  A delightful Zen moment no matter what the day brings.

How fun was it painting a pillow - i may have to find more. . . .  

Life is joy we make one moment at a time,

2021 2 of 10 Late Afternoon

Okay getting back into the groove.  Forgot how wonderful it is to paint, despite all the hurdles between desire and final product.  Life's a journey tho, so let's get on with it.  

Paris rooftops are amazing - their own form of art.  I think they are made of zinc and take on all sorts of interesting blues in the sun, shade, age, weather, morning, evening, etc.  Impossible to render, but maybe a glass of champagne will fix that!

Again, quick snapshot, real photo and posting for purchase to come in a day or two.

Late Afternoon - Salut!

Life is joy we make one moment at a time

2021 Rough Start 1 of 10

Kicking off the 2021 daily painting/blogging for two weeks project.  Apparently not painting since August is having quite an impact - why did I think I could just start where I left off?  Feels like I've forgotten everything!  Note to self, let's pick something much simpler going forward. . . . 

Regardless, I'm still in love with French balconies and wrought iron. I love how this one looks like a heart - each one inspires something different.  It's quite a challenge as now I have to merge references for the background, the wrought iron, and the "still life" since I've run out of inspiration photos. Always worth the extra effort.  

Here's the result - quick snapshot, real photo and posting for purchase to come in a day or two.  Loving this challenge despite the initial frustration.  

Good Morning 2021

In all honesty, I started last night. Total mess.  So today I decided to finish it rather than do something simple. So glad!  

Life is joy we make one moment at a time

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