LCKC Tower

LCKC Tower

Oil  8x10

 

This is the viewing/judging tower at the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club in Gainesville, Georgia--the site of the 1996 Olympic Canoe and Kayak venue.  We were fortunate enough to host the world right here in our little corner of the world.  From that event, many other competitions are held here each year.  As an added bonus, our children and adults are involved in many water sports and have won regional and national competitions.  Our grandson received both gold and silver in national competition in flat water kayaking this summer.  All of our grandchildren have participated in kayaking.  It's also a fun sport to watch.  With all that being said, it is only natural that I would paint the local landmark above.  As an added bonus, I loved the reflections cast in the water. 

 

Have a great week and thank you for each and every visit to my blog.  Don't each too much candy!

 

Sunset Canoe

Sunset Canoe

Oil   5x7

 

As you know, I love painting boats and I'm really liking this little canoe in the sunset.  We've had some really beautiful sunsets and they make such wonderful colors and reflections in the lake. 

 

Have a great Monday and week!  Thank you for your visit!

Cherries in Silver Gravy Boat

Cherries in Silver Gravy Boat

Pastel   5x7

 

I thought I would throw in a pastel painting today. For those of you who are not familiar, pastels are sticks of pigment that are held together with a binder.  They are similar to chalk but almost pure pigment.  They have a velvet like texture and are a lot of fun to use.  It's is totally different from painting in oils, but variety feeds the inspirational spirit.

 

You can see from the edges that I painted this on tinted paper and let bits of the paper show through around the painting.  Cherries are always a fun subject matter and, of course, the silver reflections kept me engaged.  Had a great time painting this one.  Hope you enjoy.

 

Have a wonderful week! 

Struttin'

Struttin'

Oil  8x8

#7 in Rooster Series

 

 

I do enjoy painting roosters.  Most are so colorful with great profiles.  This ones seems to be so proud and knows he's the handsomest one in the barnyard.  I think I would never tire of painting roosters and have a few ceramics ones in my kitchen and dining area--one that is about 3 feet tall--my favorite.  There were lots of double takes as we were carrying that one through the mall.  I knew I was going to take him home even if I had to buy a little red wagon to cart him out the door.  He was heavy!

 

Have a wonderful weekend!



 

Collage of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Collage 30 Day Challenge

 

If you are counting, there are only 25 paintings in this collage.  The reason--this is my first attempt at creating a collage and I took the coward's way out and chose the preset layout.  I thought that was going to be the easy part, but turns out that saving it to my computer (which should have only been a click away) took forever.  I saved it over and over but then it didn't show up in my files until I had almost given up.  Now I have at least 8 of them.  After a little foot stomping and hair pulling . . . anyway, all's well that ends well--so they say.  Oh yes, and they are not in order.  I let PicMonkey fill in the squares and the little monkey put them in randomly instead of the way I had loaded them. 

 

In spite of my minor problems, I'm very pleased with the collage and hope you enjoy it too.  Have a wonderful evening!

Orange Tiger Lily

Orange Tiger Lily

Oil  6x6

 

I fooled you!  Another flower painting.  Had this one on the drawing board and I'm sure, more will crop up from time to time.  I promise I will eventually post something different--don't give up.

 

Have a great Tuesday!

The Last Day -- Day 30 -- 30 Day Challenge

Orchid

Oil   6x6

 

For the Last Day of the Challenge, we have the elegant, regal orchid.  I thought it only appropriate to end this journey with a special flower (of course, all flowers are special). 

 

This has been a very rewarding journey for me in so many ways. First, I exceeded my own expectations in that I did paint every day even though I didn't think I would.  I met some wonderful friends online from around the country and world. Even though I'm not new to the internet, I still find that so amazing.  I feel that I've taken steps forward in my painting ability and managing time to paint.  I honestly don't believe any of this would have happened if it had not been for all of you--my wonderful friends and fans.  You have taken your time to follow my progress and send comments and it has built up my excitement and energy level and kept me interested and focused on the challenge ahead.  You cannot know how encouraging and supportive you have been, and how important that is to anyone on a quest. 

 

Also, my sweet husband has made it possible to paint, post, etc. for so many hours every day by helping out with everything at home and being my biggest fan and cheerleader.  He never complained but instead went above and beyond to make things easier for me.  My children kept up with each and every painting and kept encouraging me along the way.  So good to have a fan club right here at home.

 

It has been fun and I'm so glad you came along on my Wild Ride.  Even though I must catch up on some things at home, stay tuned to see what we might have in store going forward.  Thank you ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!  I couldn't have--wouldn't have--done it without you!!!

Day 29 -- 30 Day Challenge

Iceland Poppy

Oil  6x6

 

One more day to go.  It has been a very busy month, and like all months, it has flown by at warp speed.  Can hardly believe I have painted this much in one month.  I've come close before, but did not approach it with the gusto that I approached this challenge.  Some artists attempt to paint at least some every day as part of their daily routine.  I haven't gotten there yet, but maybe this will help me along in that endeavor. 

 

Have a wonderful Sunday and know that each and every visit of yours has been a stepping stone for me in this 30 day journey.  Thank you!

Day 28 -- 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Red Zinnia

Oil  6x6



 

Two more days to go in the challenge and we're still rockin' along--a little slower than before, but still painting.  I didn't have the good shadows on this zinnia that I had on the pink from a couple weeks ago, but there was sunlight on the top petals  which give it some nice color variation in the red petals. 

 

We are spending the day watching our grandchildren in a kayak competition and having a family picnic during the lunch break.  It's a beautiful day in the sunny South.  Hope you're having a fun Saturday on this beautiful early fall day. 

 

Thank you for checking in with me today.  I appreciate your time!



Day 27 -- 30 in 30 Challenge

Yellow Hibiscus

Oil   6x6

 

This was fun to paint.  I even got pretty excited with the block in--the initial stage of the painting because I could see that it was going well from the beginning.  I think that bright center is what really drew me to painting this flower, but as it turned out, I enjoyed trying to depict all those dips and ruffles in the petals as well. 

 

If you have followed this blog since the beginning of the challenge, you may remember that when I announced I had signed up for the challenge, I stated up front that I probably would not paint every day but would paint when possible.  Lo and behold, I really got into it and have only missed the first day because we were out of town.  Who would've thought it--I surprised myself.  Of course, I may be bragging too soon because there are still 3 days to go.  Wish me luck. 

 

Have a great day!  Thank you for all your encouragement.