30/30 January Challenge #6

I was up early this morning so I could finish today's painting before we went off hunting and gathering (shopping) for the day.

#984 - Iris - 5 x 7 watercolour

Another monochrome to go with the B & W mats that I have. This is from a photo I took in a friend's garden so I don't know the name of the iris. I had a look on-line and only saw one that was similar - a Japanese Iris, so maybe that is what this is called.

A day shopping always tuckers me out so, once this is posted, I will spend the evening in slothful ease.

Make sure you check out some of the artists on Leslie's 30/30 page

30/30 January Challenge #5

I just never know where my art will take me. The other day, while searching for a mat for 'Train Coming', I found some precut mats that I scored from a frame shop that was going out of business. I decided I might as well use them during this challenge but they didn't fit with anything I had planned to paint, so I had to come up with some different ideas.

#983 - Oriental Poppy 5 x 7 watercolour

I think that flowers work well in an oval mat and the extra black line rectangle helps make it all pop. I had planned to do this in ink with nib and brush but I found that the only inks I have are blue and brown and they don't work well with a black and white mat. So, I mixed a black with my watercolours and it worked much the same way.

I have three more of these mats so guess what I will be doing for the next few days.

I'll get this posted on Leslie's 30/30 page and then I have to get ready for a new student who is coming this afternoon.

30/30 January Challenge #4

Another cold day but the air is crisp and clear; it would be a great day to get some good winter photos if, of course, I took good photos and wanted to go out in the cold - lol.

I did the basic drawing for my fourth piece early this morning then started on the painting at Art Club.

#982 - Beyond the Walls - 5 x 7 watercolour

I finished the painting this afternoon and I have to say that the bricks got a little boring. However, I like the concept of this piece; that beyond the walls, whether physical or mental, lies a wonderful world.

Now I just have to add my link to Leslie's 30/30 page - don't forget to check it out!

30/30 January Challenge #3

Brr, it is cold out today! A perfect day to stay inside and paint, except that our furnace is making horrible noises and we are afraid it will stop working before the part we ordered to fix it gets here - keeping our fingers crossed.

I have two pieces finished but I am going to keep one in reserve to use if I get behind.

#981 - Train Coming - 5 x 7 watercolour

When I was putting yesterday's reference photo away in my 'miscellaneous' file, I noticed a magazine clipping of this scene. I believe it was an ad for a technology company in one of Bob's computer magazines. Don't ask me how a train in a tunnel relates to technology but I liked the subject and filed it away.

I have filed away so many clippings and photos for reference that I have decided to use my Miscellaneous file while I do the challenge. So far I like what I have done and am going to go and look for tomorrow's subject.

Have a great day and don't forget to check out the other artists on Leslie's 30/30 page

30/30 January Challenge - Post #2

I enjoyed doing today's painting!

#979 - Weathered - 5 x 7 watercolour

I have had the reference photo for this for a few years; don't know where I got it but, as I didn't 'copy', it doesn't matter. I started with a piece of watercolour paper that had a grey paint streak and did the whole thing free-hand. I have painted wood lots of times but never peeling paint and am quite pleased with how this turned out.

Now that I am in the mood, I might just go and work on a painting for tomorrow.

Don't forget to check out some of the other paintings at Leslie's 30/30 Challenge

30/30 January Challenge 2017 - Post #1

Well, I did it again - signed up for Leslie's Painting Challenge.

What was I thinking of? There never seems to be enough time and my house is already full to bursting with paintings, but oh no, I have to sign on to do 30 paintings in 30 days. I think I need help!

Here is my piece for the first day of the 2017 challenge.

#978 - Yellow-rumped Warbler with Wisteria

I did a card for a Christmas card exchange and liked it so much I decided to do one a bit bigger and frame it. This is a combination of watercolour and paper quilling framed to 6 x 12.

Now I just have to post this and then it is back to housework - no rest for me on this first day of the new year. Oh well, better busy than bored!

Goodbye 2016

What a year this has been! There have been good things and bad things happen and much of the year is just a blur!

2016 started with Leslie Saeta's 30/30 challenge and I was very happy with most of my paintings.

February saw me giving a Quilling workshop to some of the members of the Creston Art Club.

I also tired selling my wares at a Pop-Up Mall in Creston but decided it wasn't the right venue for my art.

In April I shared a table at the Creston Trade Fair and promoted a new venture -  Watercolour Painting Parties. The response was great and I ended up doing 6 full parties, one private party and one party for two. They were so much fun I will be doing more in 2017.

Starting in May, I joined a number of Art Club members and set up a gallery in an empty store in town. We were only open on weekends and the venture was only mildly successful - good thing we didn't have to pay rent - lol

I attended our Art Club annual Paint-out where I didn't manage much of a painting - plein-air is just not my thing.

In between doing all these things I was spending time with my flowers; starting them in January, then thinning, transplanting, pruning, watering, planting them outside, then more watering and pruning. A lot of work but I love the show.

At the end of summer, the roof sort of fell in with Bob's heart attack. Things are okay now but the situation has certainly changed our eating habits and I am learning a new way of cooking with the focus on more vegetables, no salt and fewer meat dishes. We are learning to live!

In the fall I started teaching a few private students which is always a joy, especially when they are really pleased with their progress. I hope they will all come back in the new year.

When I look back I really think that the good has outweighed the bad in 2016. I did 62 paintings, about 25 handmade cards and over 20 quilled pieces. I think about 24 of my paintings sold at the various venues and a whole bunch of my photo cards sold too - not too shabby although I am glad I don't have to make my living at art - lol.

Wishing everyone a very Happy, Healthy and Successful 2017 - it is sure to be interesting!