I'm on schedule...

Four and a half of 32

The top panel is deep aqua marine blue with a black tree line at the bottom

Hi everyone,  I've had some quality painting time this past week.  In order to have my BIG painting ready for Art Walk, I need to finish four squares a month.  So far I'm on schedule even though I quit for a while to complete a painting for Valentine's day.  I used my new painting for my profile picture on face book and for the rest of you, I'll post it here in a couple days.  Stay tuned...

I hope everyone is enjoying the season.

Hugs to all.

Drawing practice...

I mentioned before that I've resumed my lessons on drawing.  It's a struggle.  Sometimes I think my perception is just plain out of whack.  I notice this all the time in my painting whenever I use a grid to check.  There is always one line that just doesn't line up like I thought it would.  Sigh...

They say practice makes perfect but sometimes I have my doubts.  In the meantime, I'm working on a self portrait... I didn't want to draw someone else because the final drawing would probably hurt their feelings.  I will keep drawing a few times a week but the most of my time will be spent putting paint to canvas and enjoying this wonderful life. Have a great day, everyone.

Self portrait practice

a long way from being finished

Boy, is it cold outside...

Brrrr... Our area is in a deep-freeze.  This is a great reason to stay home and paint.  Below are the first three panels toward the BIG one.  The top panel will be almost straight Ultra Marine Blue that's been darkened a bit.  I didn't show it because I ran out of that colour just before it was done.  If it warms up and I venture outside, I'll go to the store and pick up some more paint.  Then I'll post the whole first side of the 4 foot x 8 foot painting.  

Meanwhile I've also been working on a large painting of some Black-eyed Susan's. They're one of my favourite flowers. The trouble I'm having with this project is that I wanted to make it a little abstract with very pale colours.... I couldn't do it.  So now I'm busy painting over all the flowers in a more realistic colour...not exact but far from abstract.  I guess I'm an impressionist at heart.  I'll post it soon... I hope.

Have a great week.

Zip...

Zip... this week is gone. Wow.  The first half of January was great.  I finished the second panel in my BIG painting and started number three. I'm back on track with my drawing practice and I'm planning my next art challenge.

This week I held a birthday lunch for my brother, Art, who turned 48.  He is such a great guy, I love making a fuss over him.  The cake I made him was like a chocolate eclair in a pan.  Oh my goodness, it was delicious.  I sure would have like some of Myra's coffee to go with it.

I spent a lot of time experimenting with another painting I started last fall.  Nothing has worked yet to bring it out of it's dull boring state but I'll give you a peek at it next week and maybe ask for your help. For now, I'll just add a photo of the second panel and get back to the 30 more to go.

panel #2

30 to go

One down...31 to go...

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm working on a eight foot painting, one square foot at a time. The first of 32 square foot panels is below. If I can't finish it maybe I can sell each piece as an abstract. :)

One foot square

This is my photo reference for the complete painting.  I'm hoping to keep up a schedule of one square a week. Oh why do I do this to myself...   :D

The first painting finished in 2012.

Oh the fun... I've already finished a painting that I put aside last fall because I had other priorities.  It was nice working on this bright colourful fall scene and even more exciting to see it finished.

12"x12"x1.5" galley wrapped canvas with painted edges

oil

no title yet

My art class started up again and it reminded me how much I enjoy having other artists come to my home.  It's a great time of fellowship and painting together.

Last year I painted a 6'x4' piece, one square foot at a time.  This year I'm going to tackle a 4'x8' the same way.  The size is intimidating but I can do it...  I hope.  I'm almost finished the first square which I'll show you on my next post.  In the meantime, enjoy all your new beginnings.

Hugs.

Goals for 20012.

I love the start of the new year.  I deliberately slack off in December, partly to enjoy the holidays but mostly so that by January I'm itching to get back painting.  By the first, I have new paintings planned, canvas bought to last for several months and all sorts of ideas for my students to try on Wednesday mornings.

The fact that my sales doubled this year is very motivating but nervousness sets in quickly.  Can I do it again or will this year be a dud?  I take a deep breath and remind myself... I do it for the pleasure of it, sales are just a bonus. 

I always build some kind of self improvement into my new schedule.  This year I've returned to my books on drawing that I started working through last January.  I kept it up until May before it got dropped in the rush of busyness.   I can see by this first practice drawing that my skills have rusted since then... but I will persist.

It's supposed to be an onion.