"Swan Creek at Dawn" oil - 16 x 20 SOLD

Monday, February 28, 2011

Emily


Emily  oil - 6 x 6

This is the the latest DPW Challenge, The One Stroke per Color Challenge. I chose to paint a portrait since I have been on this portrait kick for my daily paintings. Emily is a fellow artist and a very good friend. She has encouraged me in art with amazing enthusiasm. Emily is quite a beautiful and colorful lady. I know I have not done her justice but all the colors painted with one stroke each, in this painting, suits her. This was really fun to paint.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Madeline


Madeline  oil - 6 x 6

My niece, Madeline had her birthday this week. She is two years old. I did this painting of her from an older photograph that my brother took and sent to me. She looks very serious here but she is a very lovely happy child. This makes two portraits in two days. How long can I keep this up?

Friday, February 25, 2011

Laura Lynn


Laura Lynn  oil - 6 x 6

On February 5, 1986 Laura Lynn, our first born, was brought into the world. She has brought sunshine into our lives ever since. This is the first portrait I have painted as a daily painting for posting on my blog. I want to do these often, then maybe, I will get much better at them. This summer I will be taking photographs of people to collect and later paint. If you don't want your picture taken and you see me with a camera you better hide because I plan on taking hundreds of photos. This way I will have a lot to choose from.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Zippo Lighter Challenge


This weeks Daily Paint Works Challenge is to paint from a photo of a zippo lighter, supplied by DPW, but the catch is, you could only use a limited palette of Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, and Titanium White.


Need a Light?  oil - 6 x 6

This exercise reminded me of the advantages of a limited palette. For one thing, the painting can't help but have color harmony. Also, there wasn't as much need for color mixing and therefore values become the focus, as they always should be anyway. I am looking forward to seeing what DPW comes up with for a challenge next week. 

Monday, February 21, 2011

Add a Twist


Add a Twist  oil - 6 x 6

This is a little still life I set up on a piece of granite. I liked how the shadows and the reflections all intersect while the granite colors still can be seen through the reflections on it's shinny surface. 

Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentine's Day Rose Challenge


Yours Forever  oil - 7 x 5

Daily Paint Works' weekly challenge is to paint a rose using the supplied photo or another rose. I used the photo but changed it slightly to show hints of leaves in the background. This was the first time I have ever painted a rose in oil. Roses are challenging to paint but very appropriate for Valentines Day. I hope everyone has a day full of love.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

My Companion, Tug


Tug  oil - 10 x 10

I painted Tug over the last two days from a photo off my computer. Tug has been the best pal for me, except that she would rather be outside sniffing for birds, squirrels and geckos, instead of watching me paint. She will take naps some of the time but a one year old dog needs to play.

I have gotten a lot of wonderful complimentary responses to the study Do Over here on this blog and by e-mails. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the comments. Thank you! A Thank you also goes out to the artist in New Mexico who bought Do Over, Thanks.

Monday, February 7, 2011

10 Minute Challenge

Each week the Daily Paint Works is posting a challenge for artists to help them improve their skills. This is a very cool and wonderful thing they are doing for artists and it's free! I painted last week's old car challenge that I posted here as my painting for last week but this weeks DPW is to paint an object four or more times and each time paint for only 10 minutes. This has been a terrific exercise in simplifying and painting what you see the first time. There is just no time to redo or over work and area. I am posting my attempt at the 10 minute studies of a tomato, in hopes my artist friends will be inspired to try their own studies. I survived to tell you it wasn't so bad! Try it. You can learn a lot about how you paint and what to do to improve. I will be posting later this week another painting as my weekly painting. To see the DPW Challenge web site and to view the other artist's 10 minute studies go here.


Do Over  oil - 10 x 10

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Old Car in Florida Challange


Imperial in Florida  oil - 6 x 6

 I am posting late in the week, this week, since I have been traveling. Funny that I am in Florida and this weeks challenge on the Daily Paint Works Challenge is a photograph, taken by Carol Marine, of an old car in Florida. This challenge was open to anyone and you can view the submitted paintings, including mine, on the web site:
This was very cool to paint with all the reflections. I think I will get my camera out and look for other objects with as much reflection.