Day 43, Painting a Day

Bonsai Tree, Patience. 8"x8", colored pencil on paper

Another one of those long days when I started late. SO much going on, some bewildering changes. The Bonsai tree reminds me that some cutting here, and waiting there leads to exquisite beauty.... We are the same as God trims and prunes us. It takes faith, patience and vision to achieve beauty. I am reminded that it's not all about the result, it's about the journey...The journey itself produces wisdom, insight, faith and even beauty and the appreciation of what a slow process can produce.

Day 42,Painting a Day

Baby Steps, 8x8, pencil and paper.

Remembering my babies on today, Holland's birthday.
We remember Holland and Michael learning to walk in their Stride Rites. Every toddler should wear Stride Rites. They are sturdy, adorable, and make the best little pitter-patter.

This drawing looks nowhere near as good as I wish it did. But, I learned a lot, or rather, relearned a lot. This started out as a graphite drawing, using an HB, which is prudent for a beginning. But then I leapt all the way up to a 7B. It was way too soon, and the drawing never fully recovered from that error. I tried to create balance by back-tracking to a 2B and 4B. Finally, I sprayed the drawing with fixative and treated it as an under-drawing.

That was the right move...but colored pencils can only do so much. The tones had already been compromised. Thankfully colored pencils did indeed improve the drawing tremendously, regardless.

This project is not about reaching perfection each time I touch paper or a canvas. I am very pleased to have made mistakes and learned from them. That brings on growth...and that is the goal. My husband read somewhere that you have to dedicate 10,000 hours to a pursuit to achieve mastery. The dailiness of this project inches me along... I'm not keeping track of the hours, and I pray for success. I think it would be great to achieve mastery.

So, like these Stride Rites, I'm baby stepping until I can run.
Thanks for checking in.

Day 41,Painting a Day

Tomatoes of Tumult, 8"x8", colored pencil on paper

Day 40,Painting a Day

Papayas of Pensiveness, 8"x8", colored pencils on pencil

Was hit on the head with a falling lawn tool. Face and head hurt, but doggone it, the Papayas wouldn't wait...and I have tomorrow off. This has been a particularly hard week. But, Tomorrow is Sunday. Thank God.

Day 40? This means that if I were on Noah's Ark, I'd have rode out the rain by drawing...

Day 39, Painting a Day

Carrots of Consternation, 8"x8", colored pencil on paper

Glad to have completed these carrots. Again, I escaped into drawing, communed with God and came to peace again. Life is not without hard times. But relationship with God makes all the difference.

Day 38, Painting a Day

Onions of Optimism, 8"x8", colored pencil on paper

So, day 2, after our shock. We are grateful for God's peace; for praying, loving friends, and for the example of those who have gone before us. I drew these while exhausted, but thinking of possibilities. We still need some deep rest, but we know it's a little too soon to feel rested.

Drawing was therapeutic. I think it's a good discipline to force myself into an enthralling practice and out of obsessive feeling!

You'll find this amusing: I drew while watching What About Bob?.... Perfect!

Day 37, Daily Painting

Asparagus of Anxiety, 8"x8", colored pencil on paper

And that finished that pad of paper. Every piece was used for a show 'painting', and that gives me a sense of accomplishment and completion.

Yesterday was a very difficult day at cafeglover. We received quite a shock after a life-altering event and some feelings of anxiety ensued. I drew these while I waited. laboring to concentrate. I was amazed that I was able to produce anything, so I do regard these as a sort of triumph.

I do not wish to spread anxiety with this cryptic message. I will say, our faith is being tested, and we do believe that God is still on his throne. As soon as the diminshment of shock allows, we will most likely get excited at new prospects. Hard to tell at this point.

Day 36, Painting a Day

Eggplant, 8"x8", colored pencil on paper

Day 35, Painting a Day

Origami Crane, 8"x8", pencil on paper

Day 34, Painting a Day

Wine Barrels, 8"x8", colored pencil on paper
Will post Monday

Day 33, Painting a Day

Vineyard Building, Santa Ynez, CA. 8"x8", colored pencil on paper

Still drawing, because I'm still traveling. Even after we get home, we'll have another trip almost immediately. It's incredible how many layers it takes to get any depth. This represents 6 hours work! Loving California.

Day 32

Green Lollipop, 8"x8", colored pencil on paper


I must sound like a broken record... But I am too tired to draw right now, so I will take my own advice that I gave my nephew and practice a form, to keep refining my cubes, spheres, etc. Will post later.
Tried to draw in the 14 passenger van our group was using, but I kept spilling my pencil, scribbling my edges, etc. Couldn't be done. Now it's 9:41 and I want to sleep. But, I will honor my commitment, and do something!

(Photo posted after following text)

Day 31

Kiwi and Lime, 8x8", colored pencil on paper (photo to follow)

Did this on airplane. Don't have the heart to refine it any further. Tired. Jet-lagged. Exhausted. Sleepy. Thirsty.
Good night, world.

Painting a Day, Day 30

Lollipop, 8x8", colored pencil on paper
Won't be able to post photos for a few days, maybe.

Painting a Day, Day 29

Cherry Cupcake, 8x8", colored pencil on paper

I'm really having fun with the sweets and the food pictures. I'm particularly enjoying the clean backgrounds and just the treat for the treat's sake. In most cases, I enjoy looking at the treat more than I would eating it. It's interesting just how visually appealing they are. Eye candy.

Today, I had a request to do lollipops... I've been on the search for just the right ones and would gladly receive suggestion photos to my email! Cheers.

Royal decision: Observe the Sabbath. Daily Painting, except Sunday.

I am loving the Daily drawing and painting.
But, throughout my life, I have been inspired by people like Eric Liddell, who had an intimate relationship with God, and out of respect and faith, kept the Sabbath; By Bach, who wrote sdg at the bottom of each compostion (Soli Deo Gloria..to God alone the glory.) and who was not recognized for his genious in his lifetime.
I am not putting myself in their company because of their outstanding giftedness, but I am wanting to follow their example of keeping God first. I'm humbled by it.
On the seventh day, God rested... though he never tires. Later the bible goes on to say that man was not created for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath for man.
God knows why better than I do, but this decision is a cheerful one. I also think it will keep me from becoming driven.
Thanks for checking in!

Painting a Day, Day 28

Pizza Slice, 9"x12", colored pencil on vellum

Posting difficulties yesterday. Will post my new painting when I get home.

Painting a Day, Day 27

Toast, 8x8 in., colored pencil on paper

Full blown sick today... Toast, for which I normally have an almost inexplicable affinity, is one of my very best friend's today, and about the only food my mind would admit. So, here is it's likeness. Thank you, God, for toast.

Painting a Day, Day 26

Emily's Biscotti, 8x8 in, colored pencil on paper

Today's work was fun for me because it comes from the internet business of a second daughter, Emily, and her husband, Zac. I smiled to myself the whole time I was working and then... well, this biscotti was absolutely delicious! I highly recommend going their shop for your biscotti needs. They also sell cookies and their own roast of coffee.

Painting a Day, Day 25

Three Cheery Cherries 8x8 in, colored pencil on paper

It's days like this that test my fortitude. I don't know if it's viral, or food poisoning, but I am so queasy! I chose cherries for their cheeriness and their relative ease. I wanted to honor my commitment without putting myself under. I truly enjoyed doing this little drawing, and I love this wonderful paper. I ordered 5 more pads while they're still on sale. I was excited to see 2 new members (thanks) to my Art Crowd. Feel free to join you all. I'm happy for your company!

Painting a Day, Day 24

Betty and Perry's Basil Plant, 5"x7", gouache on paper

I was delighted and challenged when Perry sent the photo of their basil plant. Leaves drive me crazy! They are so hard to keep track of when they're up close. I have the same trouble with too many folds on fabric. I'm afraid it uses that part of my brain that's supposed to do Algebra and know direction without a compass... Well...Van Gogh had his problems, too, I always say. :-)

Don't know if I like Gouache. But, I won't give up on it. Will try again in more optimal conditions. I'm not thrilled with today's results, but can be gratified to have fulfilled the commitment.
Peace...and Basil to you all. Thanks for checking in.

Painting a Day, Day 23

Cherry Pie, 8"x8", colored pencil and paper

I am enjoying drawing the sweet treats. I'm choosing the ones that I enjoy looking at almost more than I enjoy eating. Cherry Pie has always looked appealing. But, it happens to taste even better than it looks! Thanks for checking in.

Painting a Day, Day 22

Petit Fours, 8"x8", colored pencil on paper

My mother has a painting of petit fours and a tea cup that I've always admired. Here begins my attempt to paint one of my own. Drawings inform paintings wonderfully. One of these days, I'll paint one in oils for myself.

Painting a day, Day 21

A Bowl of Italian 'Tobacco' Peaches, 8"x8", colored pencil on paper

Day 20

Contest winner, 9x12 in, mixed media

Not thrilled.

Oy! I pretty much ruined this one by introducing too dark a blue. It is a cute picture that I'm going to rework soon. I will post the changes sometime this week.

Day 19

Donut Peach, 4x6 in. colored pencil on paper

Day 18

Clementines, 5x7 in, colored pencil on paper

Day 17

Bananas, 5x7", colored pencil on paper

Day 16

Oranges, 5x7 in, colored pencil on paper

Day 15

Avocado Half, 4'x6', pencil on paper

Day 14... Cannot upload on mobile: On the road, without computer

I am going to continue producing a work a day, albeit minor ones. I won't be able to upload and display after the end of this trip. I can post on Facebook, though. And so I will!

Also... I need canvas! Completely forgot to pack some into the car... So I have paints, but no canvas. I'll just keep drawing until I can buy some. Thanks for checking in.