30in30 – H 4 High Heel

So glad I was struggling with what to do for H.  Originally, I planned S 4 Shoe but just couldn’t wait and realized High Heel would qualify.  Had a lot of fun with this one.  Wanted to keep it simple and focus on the shadow almost more than the actual shoe.  

High Heel on Deck
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Click here for the artists participating in Leslie Saeta’s challenge (Day Seven). 

30in30 – F 4 Fork / G 4 Geranium

I guess a better title would be:  The big cheat, ‘er I mean catch-up painting!   Still recovering from a wonderful Labor Day family visit, plus the layover due to the flight cancellation, and digging out of emails / catching up with my regular schedule.  Whew!  I love painting every day, but it truly is quite a challenge making it a priority and doing it justice. 

In order to catch-up, decided to combine F and G.  Assuming I can get things smoothed out, I’ll add on at the end.    We’ll see how that goes.

So day 5 and day 6 are F for Fork and G for Geranium.  I loved this setup, but probably tackled a bit too much for one painting.  I am learning a lot, practicing a lot, and feeling pretty good!

Fork & Geranium
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Click here  for the artists participating in Leslie Saeta’s challenge (Day Six). 

30in30 – E 4 Egg

For Leslie Saeta’s 30in30 challenge I'm trying to paint things that are scary to me and hope for the best. At the Carol Marine workshop, she painted a raw egg and I guess she’s famous for doing so.  Many people have copied it and the idea is to get you to paint what you see ‘cause it’s pretty ridiculous to paint a raw egg!  I put it in one of those sous-chef bowls with the built-in thumb hold - another scary thing I've wanted to paint. By the time I got to the eggshell, it didn't seem so scary after all.  If you need a raw egg to stare at – you can click below to bid.  LOL . . . 

Egg Stare Down
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Click here  for the artists participating in Leslie Saeta’s challenge (Day Five). 

30in30 – D 4 Demitasse

Lots of ideas for the D-day, but didn’t get the artistic urge until I remembered I had a few Demitasse cups from my espresso era (late 80's) – still love a cup from time to time!  A demitasse is from a French word meaning "half cup."  This darling is from our honeymoon.  It features the Greenbrier Resort signature rhododendron. Last time I was there flowers everywhere – lobby, hallways, rooms, steps going in/out, you name it.  A gorgeous place known for having hosted distinguished guests (and us nearby locals) since 1778.  During the Cold War is was used as a secret safe-haven for American presidents and government officials – it was declassified around 1992 and now you can take a tour of The Bunker.

Enough history! Life is about making memories and this is one of them.  I try to purchase something small and useful during notable events to keep reminding me of great times past and to always look forward to new adventures. 

I’ve painted a few cups before, but this is a first trying to paint a pattern on it.  If that wasn't enough, decided to paint one of their beautiful gold spoons.  I doubt the Greenbrier still uses them, so now a priceless memory.  

Demitasse
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Click here for the artists participating in Leslie Saeta’s challenge (Day Four). 

30in30 Catch-Up

Quick note to say, not to worry - I will be posting day four and working to catch up from my mini-vacation over the Labor Day weekend.  Painted this evening, but these things just don't photo well until they've had a chance to dry a bit.  

p.s.  My flight home on Monday was delayed then cancelled late in the day, but the airline was quick to put me on an early flight the next day and paid for food, hotel, etc. Just nice to know that despite the circumstances, the major carriers still come though.  Too bad a flat tire was the cause! 

Before I forget, here are the two paintings that sold last week.   Special thanks to my buyers!

Lemon Party
San Antonio, Texas

Moonflower Madness
Herndon, Virginia

30in30 – C 4 Chili in Repose

What’s up with the produce these days?  Yesterday the banana had way too much attitude and now this chili wants to just lay there and bask in the super LED spotlight!  I love painting chilies and am hopelessly in love with the red ones.  Maybe they are like the middle-child, secretly saying “paint me, paint me.”   Finding the red ones this early in the season is difficult around here, so could not pass it up. . . Harris Teeter to the rescue again.  

I’d like to point out that this one had the cutest “toe” which seemed more like a chili-kick-stand or perhaps a red high heel peeking out.  LOL. . .   I love the way the light went under the "toe" and through to the shadow side.  I hope I captured that part – it is pretty subtle.

Chili in Repose
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Click here for all the artists participating in Leslie Saeta’s challenge. 

30in30 – B 4 Banana-tude!

In the spirit of the challenge, I’m trying to paint things I’ve never considered before.  Enter the banana.  This character didn’t look right laying down, refused to lean over, and insisted on sitting up for his all-about-me portrait!  Bananas are funny ‘cause they don’t have highlights, but they do make shadows and really pick up the color from their surroundings - so that’s what convinced me to let him have his banana-tude way!

Banana-tude!
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 click here for all the artists participating in Leslie Saeta’s September challenge.

Enjoy

30in30 – A 4 Artichoke

The 30in30 event has arrived!

Given I’m so stymied figuring out WHAT to paint, I decided to use the alphabet to focus my plan.  I’m sure I’m not the only one who wanders around, surfs the net, and gets lost in the “what am I going to paint” routine.  Leslie’s suggestion to pre-plan has been a huge help.  So I went to the store and got my subjects for A, B and C.  That was easy.  Harris Teeter (they have an amazing produce department) to the rescue!  

Kickoff painting - I have never seen a purple artichoke before, nor have I ever painted an artichoke, so doubly intrigued.  While painting, I kept thinking it looks like an elegant evening is ahead for this beautiful one in her nearly black, velvety attire. 

Artichoke Debut
click to bid

For the 30in30 challenge, I'm setting the starting bid at $33.

 click here for all the artists participating in Leslie Saeta’s September challenge.

Headed North

What a surprise!  Just a quick update to say that the painting, Mackerel Trio, was purchased and is now headed to Maine -- good thing, I bet they will love being up there.   I really appreciate my artist friend (CC) for buying them and helping me face down the challenge of painting fish from real life.  It was fun!

Mackerel Trio

p.s. Wow there are now 218 artists signed up for the September 30 in 30!  Click here to see them all.  

30 in 30 Challenge!

I can't believe I'm actually doing this, but what the heck . . .   You all know I love challenges and hope I can meet this one without too many "yucks."  Artist Leslie Saeta is running a September event to paint 30 paintings in 30 days.   Including me, 174 artists have already signed up.  Each thumbnail will take you to the artist's blog and gallery.  You can click here to see them all (scroll down a bit).   Leslie is an amazing artist and has quite a following so I'm sure you'll enjoy the virtual gallery she is creating with this challenge.

The hardest thing for me is figuring out what to paint.  Leslie has the great advice to plan everything out ahead of time, make a schedule, provision for contingencies / pitfalls, expect emergencies, get organized, commit, and just do it!!!.  Sounds like an artist Project Manager!

More to come. . . .   I plan to post most (if not all) to Daily Paintworks and put them on auction.  I am getting "out of the box" and painting things I'm not used to and just going-for-it in the spirit of the challenge.  Egads, 30 paintings - feel free to comment your "what to paint" ideas, I definitely need them!

Well in case you need a painting to motivate you (a blog always needs some sort of eye candy, don't you think?), here's one on auction that I cannot believe hasn't been gobbled up yet.  One of my favorites.  

Salsa Plan 
on auction

Okay get ready for daily blog emails for a while, Enjoy!