Hot and Prickly

Every now and then you just have to switch things up and try something new.  How about this sun drenched scene from the southwest?  Reminds me of New Mexico, but guess it could be anywhere from Texas to California.  Probably a desperate sign that somebody on the east coast is ready for some warm weather!

Hot and Prickly
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The reference PMP photographer Alicia Elliott is from British Columbia the title Travel-USA. 

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

Another Perspective

A different vantage point of lemons and a knife – this time the knife is the star of the show.  Fun painting the blade turned up and hanging off the cutting board.  Also, love how the lavender highlights add to the overall feel. 

Another Perspective
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Trying to keep the momentum going by painting every day.  Also have a group challenge in progress to learn about glazing - that "little" effort requires a bunch of research, lots of time for each layer to dry, and getting out of your comfort zone.  Fingers crossed!  Goal is to finish by March 29th.  

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

Lemon, The End

The reference photographer, who lives half-way around the world from here in Northern Virginia, chose the name "The End of the Lemon" which makes me chuckle at the double meaning - I wonder if that was his intent? Always suspicious when knives are involved!

Thought it would be fun to paint the shadows at such an unexpected angle.  Spent more time trying to get this right than I’m willing to admit.  Yellow is a tricky color to shadow because blue is normally used, but that just makes it green – so the recommendation is to use purple, but that makes for a pretty yucky brown, so --- maybe a combination is the answer.  

Lemon, The End
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Reference Viacheslav PMP-Art.com 

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

Understated Elegance

Beautiful, pure-white calla lily.  Showy but not a show-off, vibrant yet understated, dazzling but oh so elegant.  I love growing them too.

Understated Elegance
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Reference from Swiss photographer Systrella White Calla 1

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

Top of the Hill

A wonderful day catching up and painting with artist friends.  Always learn a few things and love being up in the nearby foothills.  Fun pitcher to paint with the beautiful peony - fabulous color with a perfectly complementary background.

Top of the Hill
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For my artist friends, Williamsburg Persian Rose is a unique warm pink. Love it. 

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

Turn Me On

Delighted when I find a faucet that intrigues me enough to paint it.  Not sure why, but love the architectural aspect, the temperature it seems to radiate, the simplicity, the necessity and of course that it’s a “shiny object.”   The reference photo is from a person located in Brixham, Devon, UK which appears to be a coastal area.  Wish I knew what it’s used for - maybe boat water tanks, cleaning fish, kids playing on a hot day . . . .   

Turn Me On
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PMP photographer, Ruth UK Old Brass Tap Old Brass Tap

On Sunday, What’s for Dinner, was selected as a Daily Paintworks Facebook pick of the day. There were almost 200 paintings submitted and they picked mine.  Big Smile!

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

Hard to Believe

WOW it's been over a year since posting and creating these small paintings.  I knew I needed a big kick-start, but had no idea how far astray I’ve been.  I loved doing the 30 in 30 February challenge and believe I’m back in the groove.  So happy!  Just looking at the collage generates a sense of accomplishment which apparently is important to this moderate Type A personality!  Not bad considering a few days celebrating in Texas.  

See all the paintings at:  Daily Paintworks Gallery

BTW – it might look easy, but it really is a challenge painting every day.  At the end there is an exhaustion that is hard to describe.  Reminds me of completing big work projects, everyone had to just putter around for a week or so before even thinking of starting the next project.  Painting with friends tomorrow so no stopping now. . . .

Thanks so much for hanging in there with me.  Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – 

Johnna

What’s for Dinner?

You hungry yet?  Enjoyed painting these veggies especially after a class emphasizing warm and cool (light and shadow) colors to create a stronger painting.  Wasn’t sure about getting so many items in such a small frame, but glad that part seemed to work out okay.   

What's for Dinner?
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Thanks to Pixabay Jill111 who's from Michigan

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

Purple Power

Another wonderful photo from Sanne (PMP-Art.com).  Great perspective, lighting and striking position – love being drawn right into the very center.   Sanne's title is "I Love Anemone" and it shows.  I think the leaves were the most fun to paint - wild compared to the softness and elegance of the bloom. 

Love these plants even tho they apparently don't have any fragrance.  Who knew?

Purple Power - Anemone
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Delighted to report that Hot Pink Waterlily  is headed to Indiana.  Especially great when it's a repeat buyer. Might have to wait for the crazy wind to die down before it can get out of here tho!

Photo  – Sanne

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

Eyes of a House

No doubt a German window since the photographer is from a town not far from where I lived as a teenager (Wiesbaden, near Frankfurt).  Houses in Germany are built with thick stone, bricks or most likely poured concrete.  Helps keep things cool without air conditioning.  I recall our German landlady saying that windows are the eyes of a house and that’s why you’ll see people cleaning them so often.  Guess they also need a bright splash of color!  Great memories and still consider myself exceptionally fortunate for the chance to have lived there.   

German Window
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Geranium window by matthiasboeckel Klingenmünster/Deutschland 

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