30 in 30 For Real, Yellow Coneflowers? Day 3

The Google (I love that phrase) tells me that yes, indeed yellow coneflowers exist – botanical name, Echinacea Paradoxa.  A paradox because they are usually purple/pink.  Okay then, nothing better than a paradox to set your imagination free. Learned that the definition of paradox includes “vicious circularity,” Google it if inclined.  I point this out because the photographer and I both live in towns called Vienna – hers is in Europe and mine is in Virginia.  What are the chances of that happening? Not to mention I visited her beautiful city many years ago . Circular, for sure. I just love the coincidence and learning that comes from doing something outside your “normal.”

One of my absolute favorite summer flowers so had to go for it - thrilled to find out they also come in yellow!

Yellow Coneflower
Click here to purchase - Daily Paintworks

The reference for this painting is from Gerlinde Lehner Summerflower on the new PaintMyPhoto website. 

Thanks for sharing the journey.  Enjoy - life is joy we make one moment at a time,

30 in 30 From the Side - Day 2

I love summer – the longer days, the warmer weather, the clear skies and lush landscape – everything is so colorful!

Today’s painting is a sunflower from a different angle. A fun painting given the side perspective of the sunflower.  Adding more drama to the petals by using a palette knife and thicker paint to draw the eye to the left.  Wielding a knife is scary, but rather effective.  Scary because it’s like stabbing the painting and hoping you don’t hit anything vital.  En garde Sunflower!   Good thing it’s not facing me. . .

From the Side
Click here to purchase this painting at Dalily Paintworks

The Daily Paintworks gallery (link above) has a great zoom feature - give it a go. 

The reference for this painting is from Dorene Currier's Behind the Sun on the new PaintMyPhoto website.  It is free to register, donations appreciated.  

Thanks for sharing the journey.  Enjoy - life is joy we make one moment at a time,

30 in 30 On the Fence Day 1

Here we go on this crazy adventure.  Not sure if I’ve really come up with a theme for the month, but inspired with an “I love summer” motif.  Sunflowers are high on the list of favorites - don’t they just make you smile?

This challenge is about exploring artistic horizons, taking risks, and trying something new.  Although I’ve painted more than a few sunflowers, I’ve recently learned more about how to get the center to really recede.  One technique is to use thicker paint and bolder strokes to accentuate the foreground.

On the Fence
Click here to purchase this painting at Daily Paintworks

The Daily Paintworks gallery (link above) has a great zoom feature - give it a go. 

Reference for this painting is from Janina Suuronen’s The Last Sunflower on the new PaintMyPhoto website.

Thanks for sharing the journey.  Enjoy - life is joy we make one moment at a time,

Can She Do It? 30-in-30!

Two years ago I attempted my first 30-in-30 which is to paint 30 paintings in 30 days.  Each day you paint, photo, blog and post to the group website where hundreds of artists have joined in the challenge.  It is a ton of work, but made slightly easier by getting organized ahead of time (okay thinking about it does NOT count).  The challenge starts on September 1st so a good time to wrap up the summer and get energized for the next season.  Hopefully just what I need to get back into painting more frequently and consistently.   It is a ton of work, frustrating at times, but quite fulfilling.  The hardest part is deciding what to paint, so that's where most of my prep work has been focused.   

As karma would have it, one of the paintings I did for the earlier challenge suddenly sold last Friday!  I love it when someone strolls through my gallery looking for something to have as their own.  Feels like they were destined for each other, just waiting for the right time and circumstance.

So, I’m taking that as a sign to get it together and step up to the challenge.  I also just noticed that the last painting in this blog was the 100th one I posted on DailyPaintworks.  Not in a million years would I have thought that was possible.  Wish me luck.  Below is the collage of the paintings from two years ago.  The last one in the third row, Pretty in Pink, is headed off to Meeteetse, Wyoming! 

September 2013 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days
More details on the challenge can be found here

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

Johnna

Mid-Summer Night’s Gardenia

This month’s Art club challenge was to paint a “night” painting – think Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. Well the art hostess knocked out an amazing version of it!  Beautiful painting.  Again, I say to myself, "why didn't I think to take a photo of it?"  GL said she had a great time and really got her out of her usual routine.  That’s always a good thing for an artist.  A bit too much of a challenge for me this week, but led me to searching for various night scenes until I found another awe-inspiring photo (from Eddie G PaintMyPhoto).  Can't you just sense the coolness of the evening, the wonderful gardenia aroma, and feel the anticipation of the bloom about to open at any minute?   I hope my version conveys all that ambiance!  

Mid-Summer Night's Gardenia
6"x6"
Click Here to Bid

For my DC area locals, the 8 Chains North winery gallery will be up for a few more weeks. Please stop by and take a look! I'm hoping to be out there on Sunday August 30th.

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

Johnna

Reception and More

The artist reception at 8 Chains North winery was great – lots of friends attended.  It was extra special because I haven’t seen a few of them in quite a while.  There were several dogs happy to be part of the festivities despite how crazy hot it was that day! Delighted that one of my paintings sold – see bottom right At the Lake.   Two other paintings sold as well.  The four of us were quite pleased with the show, the promotion by the winery, and the overall event.

Gallery Wall at the Artist's Reception (Barbara, Caroline, Louie and Johnna)
8 Chains North - Waterford, VA

Wrapped up a class I’ve been taking - finally finishing a large (for me) painting.   It’s a great class which I have taken before (and will again this fall).  The artist/instructor puts together multiple set ups and somehow recreates them two weeks in a row – in this case, we worked on our paintings for three weeks and only the apples looked slightly “aged.”  Amazing given it’s painting from life yet the setup is literally the same the next week.  Hoping to finish the other ones started. . . . 

The main subject in this painting is called a Dallah (thank you Google images). It is a traditional Middle Eastern coffee pot.  I guess it goes without saying that I kept referring to the spout as a beak!  That thing is HUGE.  Not sure why a peacock had to wander by, but enjoyed that challenge as much as I did painting a mixed-metal pot.  The instructor sure knows how to “echo” colors and complements (orange in pot and peacock feather – bronze/reds with green).  I hope you like how it turned out too!

Ancient Dallah
14" x 18" 

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

Johnna

It's a Go - Gallery Reception

Quick posting, much to do today!

My art club will be exhibiting paintings celebrating the love of dogs and wine at a winery located in Waterford Virginia. We each have about 10 paintings on the gallery wall in the tasting room.  All of us will be attending the reception on Sunday July 19th 2-5 pm.  Not in a million years did I expect to be doing something like this, but it is happening and I'm excited. 

The owners of the winery are doing a lot of media and have included us on their website landing page.  See here 8 Chains North

Love that 20% of the sale price is being donated to three local animal welfare organizations.

Wish us luck and stop by!

Barbara Quast

Caroline Helmly

Louie Dobson

Apologies for the photos - had to boost them off the 8 chains website.

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

Chuffed (Happy Face) Which Way to the Pond?

Wow – I haven’t blogged or painted in several months, but interest and excitement still seem to be lurking out there – quietly waiting and ready to pounce for the love of art.  After putting Kitchen Sink on auction last week, I was asked if I would be willing to ship to the UK. It’s quite expensive, but they were okay with the extra cost.   I am beside myself with delight as this art adventure now takes “part of me” to Bristol, Avon UK!

Chuffed - British slang for very pleased. . . . Cool word, don't you think?

If you’re really into this blog, maybe you’re thinking what I’m thinking. . . that the painting is just trying to make its way back to Russia where the photographer known as Viacheslav (PaintMyPhoto) created the reference photo.  He solves so many of my sticking points – what to paint, artistic composition, interesting perspective, dramatic lighting, etc.  Of course it takes time and effort to find the perfect match, but the photos inspire me to try new things and keep the adventure going.

Seriously, have you ever thought a sink of “dirty dishes” could be art - not just by one, but three different people????  How fun.

'cause we gotta have a pretty picture in every blog, here's one more headed to the show in Waterford VA that I painted a few years ago.  An amazing artist allowed me to use his work as a reference and was delighted to help me.  Rare for that to happen. Check out Michael Naples.

Seeing these side by side after learning so much, is teaching me even more!

MINE -

Wine Night
20 x 16"

HIS - 

Wine Night (Challenge Painting) - Michael Naples artist

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

Wine and Wags

Last March my art club meeting was at the 8 Chains North winery (Waterford, VA) that artist GB brought to life – a truly gifted interior designer!  It was also GB’s inspiration to create an art gallery wall where various artists are invited to show their work.  She proposed that our club be the featured “artist” this summer.  We all agreed and got busy - lucky for us, the monthly challenges since then have been “more paintings for the show!”

We’re calling it “Wine and Wags” since the owners are very dog friendly and encourage people to bring their pets to the wine tastings.  There must have been 15 dogs in the tasting room the day we were out there checking out the beautiful space. Small dogs, big dogs – all very well behaved.   If you need a place to host a reception, you should go take a look (link above).  If you need an amazing interior designer – leave a comment and I’ll put you in touch.

Here are my show entries – a little grape inspiration and a few puppies.  I loved painting the dogs – will have to do more of those!

Still Life with Grapes 9x12

On the Board 9x12
ref: Viacheslav photo PMP

Grapes on the Loose 6x6

Green Grapes 12x9
ref: Viacheslav photo PMP

The Barn Door 6x6

Shotgun Sailor 6x6

Fruit Titanic 10x10

At the Lake 8x10
ref: D.Currier PMP

 For the locals, I'll let you know when the gallery opening will be held -- planning early July.  The other art club members (GB, GL and GC) are hard at work too and have great paintings for the show.

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

Catching Up - She's Back

Hard to believe it’s been five months since my last blog!  All is good, but haven’t painted too much.   I did attend a weekend workshop with artist Robert Thoren in early February.  It was held at a studio in Purcellville which I am still raving about to anyone who will listen. A fantastic venue, wonderful space, and the most delightful owner-artist-hostess, Francie.  Great group of people and the perfect space-to-attendee-ratio.  Small pic of the painting I did there is below.  Also finally getting my workspace back to normal now that the painters (er, the other kind) finished several rooms as we’re planning to put the house on the market early next year. Have a to-do list a mile long, but who doesn’t!   

Besides the workshop, my art club is my mainstay – it always gets me going with the challenges. My turn to host was in January and my challenge was to paint something that started with the letter “K” (I’ll spare you the details on the overall lame challenge I came up with).  Kitchen Sink was indeed quite a challenge.  It is from another one of Viacheslav’s PaintMyPhoto entries.  Metal, water, soap bubbles – oh my!  Had a blast doing it.  

Kitchen Sink
6x6"Click Here to bid - starts Saturday 6/10/15

Thoren Workshop
16x20"

I am going to try and get back into the swing of things by challenging myself to blog weekly and paint a lot more often!  If you enjoyed this blog, please add your email to the list above (top right) to automatically receive new blog postings in your inbox. 

Already have a surprise in the works for next week – stay tuned. 

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