Work 88

Holly 8x8 colored pencil on paper
Drawn on a down day in Chicago.

Work #87

Wrote 1,500 new words today, and rewrote about 500 old ones. I can't believe how long it took. I edit as I write or it probably wouldn't take as long. Still, I love the process of finding the right words and phrasing.
After writing, I decompressed, made dinner and noticed that all of my pencils we're twiddling their thumbs at me. :-)
At least I completed another work.

Passel of Kiwi, 5x7, colored pencil on paper.

Work 86

I spent last week in a writer's seminar and have decided to have a go at novel writing. I've always believed I'd write one someday, and they day is here: in my mid 40's. Being a late bloomer really isn't a problem until you compare yourself to early bloomers. So, I will refrain from that dangerous practice. Today, I wrote and edited 1000 words.

But, I do not wish to abandon my artistic quests, so here is another small work. Only God knows if I will be able to balance the two. I surely want to!

Here is:
A Passel of Sweet Peas, 5x7, colored pencil on paper.

This week

I am participating in a writer's seminar all this week, so I may not post any art. But, I'll be back!

Work #85

I do love Horizon paintings, but I've never done one with a moon, curiously enough. I like this one, and it was a good study for future paintings.

Ocean Horizon with Full Moon, 9x12, acrylic on canvas.

Day 84.

I'm back painting today after a few sick days! I completed this today and am learning one definition of a tortured artist: not loving and accepting a work for what it is, and how it's brought another good meditation into this world, -vs- what technical mistakes are noticed after varnishing! Or, what the work isn't. Of course the torture ends with the realization that one's notice of mistakes make creating this painting another learning opportunity for the next one. So I humbly submit, for your viewing pleasure this painting. Thanks for checking in.

Bowl of Green Apples, 9x13, acrylic on canvas.

Day 83, Painting Daily

Here you will be able to see the honing process and the critical observation that, to me, it needed more. I've added the three new apples, and will complete them Monday, God willing. Today, I have to go out. Will carry pencils and draw tomorrow. Thanks for checking in! All the best.

Day 82, Painting Daily

This is going to take one more sitting, at least. But it's coming along. I'm hoping for inspiration to hit. So far, it's a bit perfunctory, I'm afraid. But, as the saying goes: You have to visit the muse, not wait for it to visit you. (don't know to whom I should attribute that)

And Day 81, cont.

I found the subject of pea pods irresistible today and had to do this highly resolved drawing. Look for it to become an oil painting, soon. Love the addition of Koh-i-noor woodless colored pencils to my arsenal of art tools! They are fantastic!

Pea Pods, 5x7, colored pencil on paper.

Day 81, Painting a Day

This is Day 1 of what will most likely be a 2 day painting.
I believe Henri Matisse was able to achieve such simplicity and accuracy of line by painting, as I am, from another work (drawing or painting). I intend to resolve some of my works of the past 80 days into simplified, artsy paintings. This one has been begging for such treatment!

Day 80, Painting a Day

This 9x12 painting took 2 days to complete. Three sittings.

The hydrangea were given to me by Dylan,our daughter's boyfriend, on the day that we met. We used them as a centerpiece at the dinner table that night, and they have lasted remarkably long.

I've watched the flowers age so beautifully and attempted to capture them while their colors peaked.

So here is
Dylan's Hydrangeas, 9x12, Acrylic on Canvas

Day 79, Painting a Day.

I'm resuming my daily work with a twist this time. I'm working a little bigger, but not pressuring myself to complete the work in one day... At least for a few weeks. I will be doing several sittings per painting and posting work in progress. You might find the process interesting. I don't wish to rush art. An artistic pace is important, too. I do commit to working daily, just not having to complete the work in one day.
Thanks for walking with me on this journey.

Daily Painting one week hiatus

Hello friends. I really struggled with this decision, but I need to focus on a fairly involved project that's due in a week, that is fairly labor intensive.

It is art related, so that counts, right?
:-)

Pray for us, a lot going on here. Thanks.

Day 78, painting a Day

Toadstool neighborhood, 5x7, colored pencil on paper

Day 77, Painting a Day

Rooster 2, 8x8, colored pencil on paper

Day 76, Painting a Day

Rooster, 8x8, colored pencil on paper

Day 75, Painting a Day

Koi, 8x8, mixed media

No other way to put it: this was a labor of love that took simply forever and with which I am not satisfied! It was timevto abandon project and call it a loss. I have a friend who is an award winning Koi fish painter... I think paint would have been a much better medium for this. A
Chalking another onevup to the school of hard knocks!

Day 74, Painting a Day

Cherry Blossoms II, 5x7, colored pencil on paper.

Painting a Day, Day 73

Cherry Blossom 1, 5x7, colored pencil on paper

Daily Painting, Day 72

Lady in Kimono having Tea. 8x8, colored pencil on paper

This is the second day of using including figures in the daily painting. I can't wait for it to get easier! It still takes me a long time. But, I do love paintings with figures. If I'm going to grow up to be anything like my hero artists, I have to get fluent in figure drawing... This will take time..

Day 71, Painting a Day

Lady in Kimono in Garden. 8x8, colored pencil on paper

Also posting a photo of the corrected work.

Painting a Day, Day 70

Vanity, 8x8, colored pencil on paper

I made a mistake at the very beginning that is easy to make if you are not paying attention. I layed the paper horizontally while I drew something standing vertically. The result is always distortion. I had already layed the color down heavily, and so this was not an easy fix... I did the best I could, but I'll have to chalk this up as one to grow on.

Thank you, God for Day 70!!