Remember When 8X6 oil

This was one of those paintings I thought I could do in a relatively short time.  Well, you can see it has been awhile since I posted, so quick was not meant to be.  It was great fun to do, but what was I thinking with all those circles?!  It was a first for using a black primed canvas (which I loved!) and for doing a "recent" figurative piece of my kids.  I am usually motivated by drawing my kids when they were young, but when I saw this little girl next to my teenage daughter, I realized that I draw them young because I still think of them as young.  I have a hard time believing my daughter is a teenager (although I do have the gray hair to prove it).  I learned alot with this piece (try black primed canvas more but NO more circles!!) and that is very important to me as I want to improve with composition and painting skills each time.

oil 6X8

This was completed in one day (Yeah me!!).  From a picture I took while on vacation for my wedding anniversary a few years ago.  Had a wonderful trip even with the cloud cover.

Ivory and Zaharrah 15x12 mixed media

I got to spend an enjoyable Saturday at the Zoo participating in a Plein Air Painting Day.  15 artists were selected to participate in this fundraiser . The artwork was completed on location at the zoo and then donated for an auction.  Proceeds from the auction go to the Zoo's Educational Programs.  Great opportunity for my FIRST attempt at Plein Air painting.  Such a challenge to paint animals that DO NOT stand still!!  I was able to meet lots of kids and answer lots of questions - hope it inspired some new artists... I chose to paint elephants since I have done them before, but not with watercolor.  I did add detail with colored pencil for a mixed media approach.  Still need help with compositional aspects, but I learned alot while doing it.

Follow the Leader 5X7 oil

I got back to painting and this is the result of my weekend.  I basically finished this in one day, but immediately started a larger painting so did not take the time to stop the flow and take pics to post.  Larger painting is coming along nicely, cannot wait to see it finished.  I'm trying different techniques and tools to see what fits my me best and find a "style" of painting.  I also have some more colored pencils in the beginning stages so stay tuned for those!!

Ellie 4X6 colored pencil

I tried to post this last night, but things didn't go my way so here I am attempting again.  This is a companion piece to the Baby Ed drawing a few weeks ago.  I'm not sure this is a mother, but it is definitely an adult elephant.  Less brown "fur" than Baby Ed and more wrinkles!  Was very fun to do.  I am hoping to spend time in the studio today, painting.  I have an "urge" to do more oils - and I have to work while the mood is there!  Hope to have more to post soon....

Polo Match 14X20 oil

This piece was completed for a charity polo event auction.  As you can tell, it is a variation of my "standard" detail oriented pieces.  I really admire impressionistic art and thought I would attempt a piece.  I am very happy with the way some of it turned out and learned alot about the parts I'm not as happy with.  I hope someone likes it enough to bid - but regardless I'm glad I attempted this and will incorporate techniques into other paintings in the future.

Baby Ed 6X4 colored pencil

Baby Ed is my next zoo animal in a series.  I enjoyed the fact that he was not just "gray" but baby elephants have alot of brown in the skin.  I have another reference photo of an adult elephant (I think his mother) that I will be doing as well.  The small size and colored pencil medium make this a great "take along" project for when we travel or am waiting for kids to finish a practice. 

I know it has been a long time since I have posted, but have been very busy getting ready for my show at Beanzie's coffee (see events tab)... I have also discovered trying to get a painting done in a DAY may not fit my profile.  My goal is to WORK on a painting (or drawing) everyday - although I may or may not finish it.  I hope this doesn't discount the process, but I do find there are days that it is hard to find the time to sit down and work on art - this might be just as motivating as trying to complete something each day (since I found I would convince myself not to sit down to work if I didn't have enough time to finish something for this blog)...

oil 6x6

 I will have to wait to post the pic for this till tomorrow as I discovered I do not like the coloring I get when using artificial light (even though I have "daylight" bulbs in the studio).  I got a new canvas for my birthday and have fallen in LOVE with the smooth finish and therefore the control I have with oils.  I am thinking I might have to try to gesso some masonite and see if that gives the same texture/finish.  I have always tried using Frederix canvas or canvas panels in the past and was never pleased with the amount of weave and how I had to work the paint in.....  again, that is why I love this daily painting.  Makes me use new materials and practice, practice, practice.

pencil 8x6

 this is another daily painting.  After doing this piece in color a few weeks ago, I decided to do it in black/white to study values.  Maybe I should have done black/white first?  Oh well, anyone who knows me knows I don't do things in the "normal" manner....