30 Paintings in 30 days

Thirty paintings in thirty days!  I wasn't sure I could do it.  I wanted to complete the challenge and get a blog started.  I would have never done the blog without a major push!  

Some of my artists friends have asked me what I got from doing this.  I would like to share with you some of the positive things about the challenge.  If you are an artist, I would like to encourage you to join us in January for another challenge.  (Make sure you get your blog up and running before January if you would like to keep hair on your head!)

1.  I have had almost 2000 page views from 12 different countries in 30 days. (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Poland, Canada, Russia, Sweden, Spain, Ireland, Turkey, Italy and the United States!) That alone is unbelievable!

2.  I have learned something every day.  Some days it was something small.  Some days it was something I was doing wrong.  But as the month went on, I became more aware of lighting, composition, values, edges, lines, and color harmony.  

3.  I learned I don't want to paint things unless I have a very good understanding of them.  If it is a person or an animal, I want to know it.  I want to study the eyes and understand how they are lit.  I want to know the personality of it.  If it is a flower or a field, I want to know how it feels and smells.  If it is clouds, I want to know where the sun is and what the weather is.

4.  I became more aware of my equipment and how it would function.  I knew exactly what would happen when I touched that brush or palette knife to the canvas or panel.

5.  I learned if I prepared what I would paint the night before when the lighting wasn't the best, I wouldn't waste precious time in the morning with good light.

6.  I was able to tell the Director of a gallery to look up my blog and view my work which gave it a more professional presentation.  I was juried into their Holiday show.

7.  I learned I had some very good friends and family that would support me and encourage me!  Many of you wanted to purchase the paintings.

8.  I believe that God gave me a deep desire to do what I am doing and share it with others.

If you have a desire to do something, whether it be painting or something else, try it everyday for 30 days.  You will learn so much about yourself and your topic!

I would like to thank Leslie Saeta for hosting this challenge!  I will plan ahead for January!

Sunset- Painting Number 30!

Whoooo Hoooooo! Painting number 30 in 30 days!
I started this challenge with a sunrise to indicate God's hand in a new beginning.  I thought it would be appropriate to end it with a sunset to indicate His control over all things!
I am more than overwhelmed at all I have learned this month.  I would like to thank Leslie Saeta for hosting this challenge of 30 paintings in 30 days for 1053 artists in over 9 different countries!
I could not have made it through the month without the encouragement of the people who were so faithful to view my work and make comments.  Your love and support means more to me than you will EVER know!
Many of you have asked for pricing and I will get that done.  While giving that thought, I wanted you to know how much I appreciate you.  So I am doing a give away of one of the paintings.  If you have made comments or liked my painting post, make a comment with which painting you would like.  I am going to put all the names in a basket and have someone pull out a name on Tuesday, October 7, one week from today.  I want to give back to you, who have given so much to me.  I love you all!  My cup runneth over!
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Poinsettia 2

O.K., I admit it...I am a type A personality.  I have worked too hard this month not to have the full 30 paintings for the 30 days.  I was not going to let 1 day stand in my way.  So I decided to paint another poinsettia because I knew it would be quick and I am so tired.
This is painted with a palette knife.  The lightest color is orange but it doesn't show up well on the photo.
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Another Field

When you grow up in the country, there is something you love about the dirt!  My Daddy used to say when you get the sand between your toes, you always want to come back to it.  It is true.  I love riding through the countryside and watching it change with the seasons and the crops.
I love painting a plowed field just as much as one that has a crop in it.  It is all part of the process.
Painting reminds me of farming.  There are steps you have to take if you want a successful farm or painting.  Farmers have to think about what crops grow better in which season and in which soil.  Painters have to decide which type of painting they can be successful with and what colors and tools to use.  Farmers have to think about  rainfall, pests, and temperature. Painters have to think about values, hues, and temperature.  Farmers are continually thinking and planning ahead. Painters are always looking for their next painting.  Farming is a twenty-four hour a day job.  Painting is also.  Farming is hard work. Painting is too.  The harder a farmer works the more people say he is lucky.  The harder a painter works the more people say they are talented.  It all boils down to one thing...the more you work at it, the better you get!  Farmers and Painters have to do the best they can and let the Lord do the rest!
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Cloudy day

The farmers in our community have picked the peanuts and plowed the fields again.  They will probably plant rye this time to have food for the animals this winter.  This cloud was hanging so low it looked like it was going to touch the ground.  I loved the contrast of the dark purple cloud and the freshly plowed field.
I tried using the palette knife in several directions to get the texture on this one.  It is fun to smear the oil paint around and step back and see what you have! Try it sometime!
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Coconut Palm tree

I love looking up in trees.  There is something majestic about that view!  There is almost always a breeze blowing in from the water near the coast. The soft gentle breeze  makes the palm fronds dance around.
One of the hardest things about painting is deciding when you are finished.  Have you said enough for another viewer to tell what you meant without boring them with too many details?  If the painting isn't working, have you spent too much time on it?  Is it time to move on?  The jury is still out on this one. What do you think?
I was attracted to the movement of the fronds.  I love to paint movement and life into things.  I probably got distracted by that.  I should have planned the different planes of the painting better.  By that I mean, I should have paid more attention to what was behind what.  I had to paint over things I had already painted because I didn't do it in the proper order.  That is my lesson for today.
Overall, I loved the colors and the sky peeking through the swaying fronds.  It was fun dancing with it!
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Train

Cliff's granddaddy worked for Seaboard Coastline.  We were entertained with many train stories.  I always wanted to get a picture with an engine coming toward me.  But I have a great respect for trains and would never get in front of one!  Well, not unless it was stopped.  Luckily the other day when we passed the track, one was sitting still.  I was able to get on the track for the photo.  So today I decided it was time for a train ride!
I have learned this month when you take a photo of your painting, it will show your mistakes immediately.  But I didn't do it.  It is a good lesson.  I will be so glad when I implement what I have learned!  When you think you are close to completion, take a photo and it will show you what to do next.  I need to soften the line between the gravel and the bush on the right side of the train.  It is obvious when you see the photo.  I will do it in the painting now.
There is one other thing I didn't see until I took the photo.  The Engineer is there on the left side! It gave me goose bumps!  Enjoy the ride!
Thank you for taking the time to view my work!  Please feel free to comment and share the link with your friends. Please come again!