30 in 30 Spin the Wheel – Day 10

Welcome Lady Luck, in more ways than one!  

Ladybugs – we all apparently love them and somehow know they bring us good luck.  Well today was my day for that – love the way this girl turned out.  Probably one of the most realistic paintings I’ve done.  I think that kinda happens when it’s a new object and I go into “paint what you see” mode. . . . but it had to be the ladybug that brought the luck. 

Did you know (per The Google) that the appearance of a Ladybug heralds a time of luck in which our wishes begin to be fulfilled, worries begin to dissipate and new happiness comes about? Just say, yes, make a wish, exclaim “Fly Away Home,” and trust in what happens next!   

Lady Luck

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Thanks to Mido Modi for her incredible photo, Ladybug on PMP, and the luck she shared!

Wishing you delight, happiness and good luck.  Enjoy - life is joy we make one moment at a time,

30 in 30 Crofter's Window – Day 9

Today’s painting is from photographer Margaret Battye of PaintMyPhoto.  She called it Crofters Window Decoration – I had no idea what a Crofter was so once again The Google to the rescue, this time with a “teaching moment.”

Crofting is a form of Scottish Highland farm residence created in the 1800s.  A pretty meager and dismal existence given the weather and poor growing conditions.   Lots of history behind this topic. 

Suffice it to say that even in difficult situations. . . 

Someone took the time to place a beautiful geranium on a windowsill.  

Someone took the time to make a stunning photograph and 

Someone decided to paint it for the rest of you!  

Art is everywhere. 

Crofter's Window

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

30 in 30 Open the Window – Day 8

Trying something new that has intrigued me for awhile – windows!  When I lived in Germany, I was told the windows were the “eyes of the house.”  It has always stuck with me, although I’ve not heard that phrase since.  Perhaps a European convention.  

The painting today is from a reference photo taken in Paris, France.  Actually the photo has two windows, but I decided to combine them into one.  I liked the left one that was partially open, but preferred the window box from the right.  Artistic license at it again!

Window in Paris

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Rose Herczeg Window Boxes In the Latin Quarter Paris France found on PaintMyPhoto.  Including it here so you can see the full reference.  Wish I had the time, patience and talent to paint both windows and the lovely stonework.  Perhaps I’ll try it again sometime. Definitely a first for wrought iron!

Finally, very pleased to report that Mid-Summer Night’s Gardenia is on the way to Germany.

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

30 in 30 Stick a Fork in It – Day 7

Pretty sure this is the first time I have painted every single day for a week!  Those daily painters with hundreds of paintings, make it seem so effortless – NOT, but I’m really happy I’m still in the game.  This challenge makes it easy to stay positive since the goal is to TRY to paint all 30.  The true goal is to keep practicing and experimenting.  I do know that it’s now way easier to remember how to mix colors!

When I saw this photo, I just had to give it a try.  Was a lot of fun and I know we’ve all had days where we’re on the edge of done and just need to laugh at ourselves and disconnect for a while.  Knowing I could “quit” at any time was just enough to keep me going!  No pun intended, but I had to take a couple of stabs at this one until I was satisfied with it.

Stick a Fork in It

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The photographer of the reference photo, Lillian Bell, has several exceptional photos on Paint My Photo.  She is an accomplished artist so her shots are very well composed, interesting and imaginative. 

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

30 in 30 On the Edge – Day 6

Last lily for a while.  I’ve enjoyed playing around with warm and cool greens.  The color of the water in lily ponds is always intense so got to do more playing around in that part too.  This one looked like it enjoyed being “on the edge” with plenty of room to spread out.    

On the Edge
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The reference for this painting is from Suzanne Reen.

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

30 in 30 What is Labor? Day 5

In a rush today because it’s Labor Day weekend! Doesn’t seem like painting should be considered labor, but after considering the amount of time, money and effort; I guess it has to start out that way.  Most artists will tell you they just have a powerful need to paint.  I’ll admit though that this Day 5 is kinda feeling more like labor. . . .   cross your fingers that Day 6 will happen as scheduled.  Deadlines, deadlines!

Waterlily in the Park

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Labor Day is to recognize the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of their country.  We have a lot to celebrate!

The photographer of the reference photo, Janina Suuronen is from a small town in Spain, which reinforces that beauty and artists are everywhere.  

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

30 in 30 Cool Down - Day 4

All those sunflowers caused me to look for someplace to cool off.  What could be better than a pond of waterlilies!  Love these scenes because they are so tranquil, serene and so wonderfully quiet.  

For some reason water lilies are quite challenging to paint. Perhaps because the mood is soft but all the edges seem to be so sharp and hard - even the shadows are darker than you’d expect coming through what appears to be translucent petals.  Hmmmm. . . .guess not.  Actually I think the petals are quite dense so maybe knowing that, I'll have a bit more luck.  My first art teacher kept saying “paint what you see, not what you think you see.”  A life-long journey that will be.   I will try another one tomorrow ‘cause it’s all about practice, practice, practice and I love water lilies and the amazing colors that follow them around!

I'm also super happy to mention that my Day 1 On the Fence and my Day 3 Yellow Coneflower were both selected as DailypPaintworks Auction picks! Not something that happens very often and then to have two so close together - yay.  Guess painting more really does help.

Sunlit Waterlily
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The reference for this painting is from Nichola B Sunlit Waterlily on PaintMyPhoto.

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

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
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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,