Happy Happy New Year and a New Year's Snowman

New Year's Snowman

Pastel   5x7

I always have some sadness when the holiday season comes to a close, but we must move on to the possibilities of a new year and all that it might bring.  So I've painted this little snowman to wish you the very best in this brand new year and to announce that I have once again thrown my hat (or brush) into the ring to participate in Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.  This is my second time around.  Already the 2014 is shaping up to be a busy one, so wish me luck as I launch into this journey. 

As you notice under the title, this painting was done with pastels.  I've described these a bit in the past for my non painter friends and followers.  They are pigment which has just enough binder to press the paint into sticks and is much like chalk.  It glides on smoothly and is a fun and challenging medium to paint with, especially someone who is inexperienced in this medium--that would be me.   







Happy New Year's Eve

Savage Barn

Oil  5x7

 

This barn was located just across the highway from my house. However, it disappeared from the landscape a few years ago.  Thankfully, I took several photos for future reference and finally decided to paint it.  The barn was owned by Mr. Savage.  Since the saying is "out with the old--in with the new", I thought it appropriate to end the year with a painting of something old. 

 

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to each of you for traveling on this journey with me for the past 11 months--since I started my blog.  I was so hesitant to start a blog, but it has truly been a blessing as I have made so many new friends both near and far, and I feel that I have grown in my art endeavors.  I have received around 5,000 visits during this time and am humbled by the response!  Your support, encouragement and friendship have inspired me to try harder, to believe in myself and reach for higher goals.  Thank you so very much!!!

 

Wishing you a Very Happy New Year!





Red Poinsettia

Red Poinsettia

Oil   8x8

 

I know you are all gearing up for dear ole Santa, and before you get too involved, I wanted to send this Red Poinsettia your way with a Very Merry Christmas wish.  I wish you peace, joy and happiness this Christmas season and for the coming year and beyond. 

 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Five Cherries

Five Cherries

Oil    5x7

 

I've been a bit too busy enjoying all the holiday festivities to find time to paint.  However, from the art blogs that I follow, looks as if a lot of you artist are managing to paint quite often and several are still painting every day.  My hat is off to you! 

 

I will confess that this one was painted in the early part of the year when I purchased some cherries and had lots of fun arranging them many different ways and photographing for future reference.  These are the same cherries that were painted with the silver gravy boat which was posted a while back.  I just thought we needed another pop of red for the holidays. 

 

Have a wonderful last shopping weekend before Jolly Ole St. Nick makes his way down your chimney!

Stargazer II

Stargazer II

 

Obviously, I didn't get enough of the 30 Day Paintings and after it was over, I just kept right on painting close up flower portraits on a dark background.  This one was so interesting with the way it curls and turns, so I just had to give it a try.  I have more paintings dancing around in my head as I prepare for the holidays.  So post-holidays, I should have plenty of material to draw from. 

 

One of my friends told me that she created a folder on the computer just for my paintings.  That really made my day.  I love all my new followers, friends and family and appreciate each and every comment that you so generously share. 

 

Thank you for your time and visits!

Here's Lookin' At You

Here's Lookin' At You

Oil    8x8

 

Another rooster in my rooster series, and I think he's my favorite.  I love that look as he's walking away and taking a last look back.  I've always had a fascination with painting rooster--don't ask my why.  I also collect them (or I did)--ceramic ones, that is.  I've never been an avid collector of anything.  I get a few and then I'm done, but I have enough--all I need--to enjoy their pretty shapes and colors.  This painting was done with a palette knife, and I like the textures I was able to achieve using the knife as opposed to a brush. 

 

I don't know about all of you, but I'm busy as a bee cleaning and decorating and getting ready for the holidays and enjoying every minute of it.  About to start some baking and getting ready for a few longtime friends to come over this weekend and share some sweet treats. 

 

Wishing all of you a joyous holiday season!

Tennessee River

Tenneessee River

Oil   9x12

 

I thought I would share with you a couple more paintings from my class with Roger Dale Brown that I discussed in my last post.  This is from another photo that Roger took in Tennessee.  We did some painting in class and some on location.  It was a great landscape class. 

 

The Chestatee on Frog Hollow (Series)

Oil    9x12

 

This painting was done on location in Roger's class--just another view of the Chestatee with its rapids and rocks.  I showed more of the trees in this painting than I have in previous ones, but think I like it better when I focus more on the water and rocks and minimize the trees. 

 

We have our annual gingerbread house decorating party tonight.  We have dinner and then the grandchildren start on their creations.  It's a fun evening that we all look forward to.  Maybe I'll get some photos posted. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving Week!  I'm thankful for all of you!!!





Fall on the River

Fall on the River

Oil   8x10

 

This is a painting I did in a class I was taking from Roger Dale Brown earlier this year.  Roger is a nationally and internationally known artist--is a member of the Oil Painters of America and published in several magazines.  It was a privilege to study with him.  This was done from one of his photos that he had taken in his hometown of Franklin, Tennessee.  It was taken at the beginning of fall so there were still quite a bit of green in the trees. 

 

The Rock on the Chestatee River

Oil   8x10

 

This painting was done in the same class except that it was painted on location "en plein aire".  Painting on location is a bit more challenging as you have so much information in front of you and you have to condense it down to an 8x10 or whatever size canvas you working on.  Roger did a demonstration first and focused on the huge rock that was in the river.  I chose to do the same painting as my purpose in taking the class was to learn his technique and apply it while I had the opportunity to ask for advice from him.  I've painted this section of the river about a half dozen times and hope to paint it again in the future.  Such a beautiful location.

 

Have a great weekend!  

 





Yellow Boat and more . . . 

Yellow Boat

Oil   5x7

 

Another boat painting that I enjoy so much.  This painting was done exclusively with a palette knife.  Last year, I painted almost entirely with a palette knife for about 9 months.  The reason I went back to brush painting is because I was about to take a class and wasn't even sure if I knew how to paint with a brush and decided I'd better do some practicing.  After that, I've painted almost entirely with a brush.  It is fun to have both at my disposal.  I do still sometimes now do an entire painting with the knife and it's also great to lay in fresh pops of pure color and for highlights.  If I find I am "fiddling" with the painting too much, I will get out my knife and add some fresh color and leave it without working it to death.  See below for more . . .

 

 

My Studio

and a few of my favorite things

 

Thought you might be interested in seeing my little corner of the world.  This is where I spend a lot of time and strive to spend more.  I will admit that I've spent very little the last few weeks and probably not much the remainder of the year as we gear up for the holidays.  Don't want to miss any holiday activities.  I was also trying to capture the fall color out the window.  This was last week--now the leaves are pretty much gone.  One day they were just raining leaves--slowly floating to the ground.  It was so beautiful and peaceful to watch.  See below for more . . .

 

My Palette Knives or Painting Knives

 

Several of you have asked what is a palette knife, so here they are.  They look like little offset spatulas, or for you guys, putty knives.  Just pick up some paint on the edge and pretend you are frosting a cake.  I use the one at the bottom of the photo the most--#44.  They are fun to use.  Give them a try.  See below for more . . .

 

A few of my favorite paints

 

Love these colors--um, that might be a painting.   Hope you've enjoyed a little glimpse into my painting world.  I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have any time. 

 

Have a wonderful week!  Thank you for hanging in with me even though I abandon you at times.  My apologies for that.  The best part of art is sharing it with friends and family who have a love and appreciation for it.  That would be you!  I sincerely appreciate your interest!



 

 





 





Autumn on the Marsh

Autumn on the Marsh

Oil  8x10

 

Another marsh painting--something I love to paint.  When we go to beach, I take as many photos as possible so that I have plenty of inspiration until I return.  I like the fall colors and even the sky has those wonderful soft oranges. 

 

The leaves are just beginning to get colorful here, and as I crossed over the lake this morning, the colors were reflecting so beautifully in the water.  I see "paintings" everywhere I look.  Hope you, too, are enjoying this beautiful season.

 

Come back and visit and bring a friend!