Day 49, Painting a Day

Sea Turtle, 9"x12", colored pencil on pastel paper

This one is a bit autobiographical. Just keep swimming... What's ahead? Slow and steady wins the race. This was difficult to photograph because of the size.

Next Day: This one took so long and it's only okay. Why? Wrong paper, the colored pencil just couldn't fill the tooth. Note to self: Pastel paper is for pastels,,,maybe charcoal, too.

Day 48, Painting a Day

Lita's Magnolia Tree, 8x8, colored pencil on paper.

I did this one by request. My parents recently bought a home, and my mother particularly loves the Magnolia tree in the front lawn. She asked me to use it as a subject. And here it is!

Leaves, individual leaves that is, drive me crazy. But in a portrait of a tree the most important characteristic is the tree's shape. It would have detracted from the painting to define individual leaves, as you couldn't discern them from the distance from the subject anyways.

I love trees. And am going to hunt down Joyce Kilmer's (1886-1977) poem, Trees and post it.

Trees

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast.

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

Day 47, Painting a Day

Coconuts, Fresh and Pure, 8x8, colored pencil on paper.

I am pleased with these results. I could infuse some orange to warm it up, but I am going to try to leave the colors relatively cool for now to see if I like them that way.

Day 47, and what am I learning? I'm learning that practice and perseverance pay off. My vision is getting honed, I can feel it. I can sketch the shapes and position of shapes faster than I used to. I'm learning that a daily discipline like this can be a friend when so many other things around me are unpredictable and in flux. And that is a comfort and a help.

God continues to amaze me more and more. Even when the most trustworthy routine or relationship fails and you become terribly world weary, he never changes. He is always faithful. Never duplistic, more present in our circumstances than even we are. Circumstances can become bewildering, but, if we know who holds our future, we can have peace.

In some ways hard circumstances are like coconuts:
On the outside, they look dry, hairy, woody, uninviting and inedible. But, once you crack one open, you find it is filled with delicious, highly hydrating milk. Nourishment. The simplicity of the brown and white color is soothing, the fruit in it's freshest form tastes great. It is not what it appeared. A deeper look into God's plan through our troubles may yield a similar result.

As an aside, I happen to not be a fan of processed coconut... It's nothing like the freshly split fruit. But if you've ever had the fresh variety... you know your body responds well to what it offers.

This is in no way my best piece of prose, in fact, it's kind of disjointed. But at the moment, so am I. So, I will let this stand. Thanks for checking in.

Day 46, Painting a Day

Fruit at Lita's, 8"x8", colored pencil on paper

Day 45, Painting a Day

Possibilities, 8x8, colored pencil on paper

Thanks for checking in.

This is the best commencement speech I have ever heard. I think this way...but his results are ever so much more lucrative and public....That's okay. He didn't set out for fame and fortune: He set out to follow his heart, and he got them anyways.
I'm not looking for fame and fortune, either...but to love my life and live as the unique creation I am. I'm glad we live in a time when we get to here this too, not just those fortunate graduates that day.

Here it is:
I am retitling it, "How to Live"

Let me know what you think. Enjoy!!

Day 44, Painting a Day

Another go-go-go day over at cafeglover. Before we knew it, we had run errands and it was 3:00 p.m. already. I spent about 3 hours on this little drawing. It's not particuliarly inspired, but it is practice and perserverance... 3 drops in the bucket of my 10,000 drops to achieve mastery. My mind was unruly throughout the creation of this drawing, but I finally pulled it together in the last hour. I am glad I'm done for the day. Some days are like that.. like going to the gym and getting on the treadmill even though you'd rather not. Overcoming lethargy is a victory in and of itself. Today's drawing? check.

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.

Painting a Day, Day 13

Just under the wire!! Banana split boat 8x8, pencil on paper


If you notice the post time, it was 11:58 on July 30th! That was the closest one yet.
In this 'painting' I was better able to plan out the quixotic aspects of the composition, partly because I had developed vision for the series by the third drawing, and partly because I had learned to plot out and reserve space on the paper. I enjoy the ease of drawing, but miss painting. This is the last day of this commitment. So I will soon decide how I shall proceed from here. Thanks for checking in.

Day 12, Painting a Day

The Cherry on Top, 8"x10", mixed media

I signed this, but I'm not really sure if it's completed or not... Open to ideas... In Donut Dreams, Sprinkles falling from the sky, like stars... Here, some cherries fell and landed, but no sign of more cherries...Should there be? Maybe it should also rain sprinkles.... Too late now, or maybe not... but perhaps frosting cloud with Sprinkles would be cool... What do you think?

Sweet Surroundings, 8"x10", mixed media

And here is the newly completed work. Renamed. More in keeping with series concept. Thanks to those who shared their thoughts!

Day 11, Painting a Day

Donut Dreams, 9"x12", colored pencil on paper

Had fun with this. We are traveling soon, so I think I'll be drawing until after the first week in August. Enjoyed this subject.

Painting a Day, Day 10

Coffee cup and saucer, 4"x6", acrylic on watercolor paper

I have so many important things pressing on my over-taxed mind that it has really been difficult to paint. I'm going to go on an emotional rant: I wish this hot, draining weather this summer would just end. I wish our problems would all resolve and go away. I wish the red sea would part in our lives so we could get to the other side of some exhausting difficulties, And...I don't like the aging process. Or this nasty crick in my neck.

I painted this little cup today because, I didn't want to paint on the frustration level. It was easier than the other things I was painting. I'm also wondering when I'll feel more confidence in my painting abilities.

Tomorrow, I am going to draw using colored pencils. I love this because it will be bliss. It's easy for me as I hope painting will one day be.

*rant off*

Painting a Day, Day 9

Lemons, 6"x6", Acrylic on cotton paper.

This was hard because I did not have a cool yellow, a lemon yellow, and I didn't realize it until too late. Fortunately, one of the lemons had an orangish hue, so this is a pretty honest depiction, the yellows in the glare of the lights, I couldn't fully capture. I bought the cool yellow paint tube tonight.

Painting a Day, Day 8

Half-eaten Banana, 6"x6", Acrylic on watercolor paper

We are so exhausted after a very active yesterday, that painting seemed impossible. That is when this commitment I made comes in handy...I had to paint. Glad I did. I'm just as tired as the poor banana in my painting.

Now, I've only committed to July 31st and then I'll revisit my plan. We are going to visit my husband's brother's family next week... If I do commit to producing during that trip, it will be only be to small colored pencil drawings...Or maybe watercolor.. But, we'll see. Thanks for tuning in.

Follow up on 'Pleasant Surprises' post

My former pastor just posted this...and I love it:

Success need not come at the price of poetry and wonder in our lives.
Stephen Mansfield

As you all know, I couldn't agree more. Part of what I love about producing paintings and other works of art is that it heightens my sense of awe and wonder in the small things. The more I observe, the more I'm taken with God.

I just love how he neatly encapsulated the idea I've been trying to express. Had to share.

Painting a Day, Day 7

Turnip 4"x4" acrylic on canvas

Today we've been traveling all over lower TN, picking Holland up at Sewanee Music Festival and delivering her to a Celtic Harp camp in Chattanooga. So, I had to paint early again. I may put on finishing touches later, but may just varnish it when I get home. So glad I painted early. It was a pretty turnip.

Painting a Day, Day 6

Strawberry, 4"x4", acrylic on canvas

Today was a challenge!!! It wasn't so much the subject as it was the mind set. You really can't paint when you are preoccupied. I tried to focus, but the more I stopped to get in the zone, the more life swished by my periphery in warp speed. Distracting. My mind was racing. But. I was determined. Thank you, God.

Painting a day, Day 5

Lime Slices, 4"x4", Acrylic on canvas.

This painting is no longer available for sale.

Reflections on first 5 days of 'A Painting a Day'

I'm grateful for the challenge of producing a painting a day. It forces me to put my art into practice. From what I've read about other artists who exercise this discipline, it is better to work on a small scale. More doable, less consuming.

I do believe in 'Use it or lose it' when it comes to certain skills. Yes, you can regain ground easier after a break if you are well practiced. But, more interestingly, you can gain more skill by applying discipline to talent and persevering.

Have you ever seen somebody who is well practiced at a skill? This is especially visible in prolific knitters and crocheters. One of my mom's friend's comes to mind. She used to watch us kids play, while she whipped out an exquisite, intricate table cloth. Her hands just knew what to do... Unromantic as this sounds, they looked like a crocheting machine.

My sister,Linda, one of my favorite painting heroes is a joy to watch paint. She is so skilled. So deliberate and has such a command of painting knowledge, that I thrill to watch her paint with such decisiveness and authority. Her works are beautiful. Can I say, when I grow up as a painter, I want to be as skilled as my little sister? :-) I'll know I'm advancing when I have greater stroke economy... Maybe all artists hesitate and correct...but some of us do it more than we'd like!

Today I stirred at around 3:45-3:50... Decided not to opt for poor-quality sleep over doing my next painting. I'm so glad I did. It feels good to have accomplished that already. Someone I know has commissioned a portrait of a friend's daughter,who died in a tragic auto accident seven months ago. I would very much like to do it justice because she's gifting it to the girl's mother. Although I have done portraiture, it is more exacting...less forgiving... I may just attempt it in colored pencil, she left the medium up to me. Say a prayer with me that I do it well.

Painting a Day, Day 4

Pear and Plum, 4"x4", Acrylic on canvas

Whew! Rough day with very little focus, but, Alleluia, I pulled through!

Pretty soon, I'll be proud that I persevered, but right now, it's just 'WHEW!'

Thanks for checking in! This painting is no longer available.

Painting a Day, Day 3

This time I decided to start a series. I have had these blank little 4"x4" canvases taunting me for about a year or more. Today I knew how to quiet them!

This one is entitled "Kiwis", 1 of 4 in a series. Acrylic on canvas, 4"x4"

This painting is no longer available

Painting a Day, Day 2

This is an 8X10 painting of Papayas near a window. It's painted with acrylic on Arches cotton watercolor paper, then varnished. The varnish gave it a neat old world look. You can tell better in person. I think this one just sold today! Thanks for checking in!

This painting is no longer available

A Painting a Day : Day 1

Titled: The Front Porch at The Edgeworth Inn. Mixed media on Arches Cotton watercolor paper, 8x10.
This took about 7 utterly-focused hours to complete! It's a painting/drawing of the Edgeworth Inn in Monteagle TN.

I have lost the reference to the blog site that gave me this idea, but I thought I'd paint a painting a day until the end of July and then see what happens. This was painted on Monday, 7/18/11, day 1 of my new project. Thanks for checking in!

Pleasant Surprises

I don't know if it's everybody, or just me, but I seem to need an awful lot of personal attention from God! I wrote (way) earlier about delighting in his fingerprints on my life and I guess today's post will be an elaboration of that.

Pleasant Surprises

Life can be awfully daily. We can lose the freshness just by faithfully walking out our responsibilities and routine. We all understand this in the light of the calendar year. I mean, who doesn't look forward to a three day weekend, or a holiday? It's a break from the routine and an opportunity to step away from the obvious and just live differently for a while. Holidays can bring us closer to friends and loved ones and help us build bonding memories. A snow day can help us rest or catch up or just pause and reflect on God's creation.

It seems I need the daily version of those times... maybe not everyday, but definitely several times a week. Routine is great for self-discipline. It helps us to reach long and short-term goals, and it can be comforting in its familiarity. It helps make us trustworthy. But, it can also become stale, repetitious, numbing, uninspiring, rote and mechanical. Still, it is necessary, though it may, at times, lack color.

I should say that if one's routine is characterized by the latter, it's time for reevaluation and fresh vision. I don't believe life is to be one long, laborious burden, though I'll be the first to say that it can be hard. Instead I am talking about knowing you are doing what you are to do for the season, but not losing the wonder... Wonder is a terrible thing to lose.

I hate to mislay my wonder. I don't think we wonder enough considering all of the miraculous around us. But, if you've lost it in any small way, it can be regained. I find that God loves to restore it to us just for the asking. I'm not sure when I thought of praying that God would give me (or those around me) a pleasant surprise this day. But, I pray it when it's time... and I know it's time the same way I know that I'm thirsty, sleepy or hungry.

A pleasant surprise can be anything from a phone call from a loved one; a resolved issue, a bloom on your Christmas cactus, a present, a breakthrough in an area where you've struggled... Revelation, trying something new and succeeding, finding a lost item, receiving good news... The list truly is endless. It's neat to get to know God just through what he chooses to do.

But, the wonder behind the pleasant surprise is the reassurance it brings about God's activity in your life. He knows you. He sees you. He cares. In fact, nobody in this world sees, knows and cares for you more.

It's been HOT here this summer. Right now I'm reveling in the dark downpour of rain outside, the effect of the lack of brightness on the colors surrounding me. The reprieve from the searing sun... It's soothing. I'm so glad the dry soil is getting battered and watered. I'm so glad I don't have to squint. My skin is happy. I'm grateful for the cool mist this dark weather brings. Rain has a singular scent, just as does snow, made all the more wonderful because of their temporal nature. Those of you who, like me, love and need to ponder know that dark rainy weather is excellent pondering weather.

You should hear our sweet little Orange-winged Amazon parrot, Coco. He imitates ambient sound and has a unique song for almost everything. I'm currently enjoying his rain song. It's soft, melodious, sweet. I just love his expression of what I'm trying to say!

This is not meant to be an exhaustive treatise on the subject of exhaustion and refreshing. It's really more of a thank you to the Almighty for caring, being there, and helping us rise above the mundane.

May he grant us all pleasant surprises that reveal to us his character this day!

Fingerprints

Lately I've been privileged to walk with some very dear people through transitions, traumas and trials... More than my usual number.

There is so much to learn from watching people weather storms, uncertainty, fear. One thing I see everywhere are God's fingerprints. These aren't the fingerprints found from a guilty party at a crime scene, but the evidence that God is holding us, and our lives through thick and thin and through many trials.

God has brought me comfort over the years through his calling card of butterflies. For one lady it's rainbows, another bunnies, yet another, birds.

But all of us agree. They are reminders that God is on the job watching and caring and being so much bigger and more present than we can fathom. But like the perfect lover, he never forgets to bring chocolate, flowers and poetry. He knows we women need to be romanced. The same is probably true for men, in their way. But, I can speak with no authority on that subject!

Just a quick post written on a phone!

Checking in

Lately I've been privileged to walk with some very dear people through transitions, traumas and trials... More than my usual number.

There is so much to learn from watching people weather storms, uncertainty, fear. One thing I see everywhere are God's fingerprints. These aren't the fingerprints found from a guilty party at a crime scene, but the evidence that God is holding us, and our lives through thick and thin and through many trials.

God has brought me comfort over the years through his calling card of butterflies. For one lady it's rainbows, another bunnies, yet another, birds.

But all of us agree. They are reminders that God is on the job watching and caring and being so much bigger and more present than we can fathom. But like the perfect lover, he never forgets to bring chocolate, flowers and poetry.

Just a quick post written on a phone!