Hole Number 9

I am continuing to work on value studys of large shapes. This is a golf course near my home.
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Color Study

This is the same composition from yesterday with color added.  I am trying to work out some interesting compositions with large shapes and simple values.
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Loosen up

The last three days I have used the same design and focused on different paint application.  Today I used only a palette knife. The challenge of doing this on a small panel is the knife gets caught on the edges of the panel holder and it stops you from following through with your stroke.  Also the tip of my small knife has been damaged and the larger knife was too large for this size panel.  Lessons learned along the way.  I am going into town this afternoon so I guess it calls for a shopping trip!
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Dance of the Iris

I am always drawn to flowers in bloom.  There is something regal and majestic about Irises.  I love the way their petals move in the breeze, as if dancing.  I tried to juxtaposition the thin transparent darks against the thicker opaques to  get the effect of form.
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Happy New Year!

Welcome to the New Year!  I am so excited to share this year with you from our new (renovated) home on the lake! Last year was extremely busy with the move and many other life issues.   Our family had two losses that will change us forever.  I had very little painting time.  It has been months since I was able to pick up a brush.  So I am full of excitement to settle our life down and start working in my new studio.  I am not sure where this will lead me but I am on my way!  My goal for this challenge is to find the child in me while  improving my skills.  Please come along for the ride!

Spring's Series #4

I have enjoyed doing the Spring's Series so much.  As I told you in previous posts, these remind of the clear waters of our natural springs that lead to deep caves amongst the rocks.  They have opened my world to the magic of alcohol inks.  I will definitely continue to explore this medium!
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Springs Series 3

This is another painting in the Spring Series.  I am having so much fun with the alcohol inks!  If you haven't tried them, you need to.  This looks like you are looking down in the clear water springs that goes into the caves.
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Daises

Today I wanted to work on cool blues verses warm yellows.  I also added some cool grays.  Watercolors are a very interesting medium. I love illusive quality of them.  You could push this to abstract very easily.
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Rooster 3

Most of us that grew up on a farm have a special place in our hearts for Roosters!  I love to wake up and hear one crowing.  It is like he is saying , "Time to get up, a new day awaits!"
I wanted to try this Rooster in the analagous  colors of red, orange and a few touches of yellow. I kept the colors very saturated with pigment.  I grayed the body so the emphasis would be on the head and the comb.
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Coming in for the night

As most of us know, sheep need a Shepherd!  They have to be brought in at night to keep them safe.  These are coming in out of the dark to the barn.  I love the looks on their little faces.
This watercolor is using dominant cool blues with subordinate warm oranges.
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Springs Series # 2

This is the second alcohol ink painting done in my Sunday Springs Series.  When I was growing up, the springs were our reward for a long days work.  Our Daddy would drive us to the springs and we would all jump in, so happy to escape the day's heat. The spring water is cool and clear year round.  I hope you feel the invigorating freshness as you view this.
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Reds 3

I wanted to try something different with this painting.  I have seen where people put 2 panels together and paint on both so they can be hung together.  I am only using small panels but I wanted to test to see how it would work. I would like to use large canvases with this concept.  This is a great experiment and I may be on to something!

This is what it looked like with all three of them together.  The alcohol ink one is on the left.  The 2 on the right are oils.  I would also like to share with you my panel holder.  I saw something like it on Dreama Tolle Perry's site.  It is simply a clipboard with a ruler cut the same width as the clipboard.  The alligator clips hold the ruler in place and you can snug the panels in between pushing the ruler up until the panel doesn't move.  I layed different size panels on the clipboard and drew around them in black marker.  That makes it easier to line them up when I get ready to paint.  Most of my easels accommodate this and I can get to all edges of the panel. I love mine.
You might also have noticed the  black panel behind the paintings.  I made this from a black poster board.  I measured one inch increments and marked it with a silver marker.  I use it behind my paintings to help get the photo straight.  I think I need to hold the camera straight also!  (I did not say it was perfect...LOL!
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Red 2

I used the alcohol ink ideas to see what effects I could get with oil paint.  I have more investigating to do to see how to transfer into the oil medium.
I would also love to find a magic way to photograph reds so they don't look like one big mass. Drives me crazy!  If anyone has an answer , please leave a comment below or message me!
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Reds

Those of you who know me well knew what was coming next.  I had to try the reds.  I love these inks!  They make my heart sing!  They are not for control freaks because there isn't much control.  You can gently manipulate them but do not think you are going to be in charge.  That is just what I was looking for! Wait till you see what is coming next!
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Happy New Year!  Thank you for joining me for another painting challenge by Leslie Saeta, 30 paintings in 30 days!
It is always a challenge to think about what would be appropriate to paint in a small format.  Driving around the countryside, I noticed this little church.  The light was hitting the right side of it as it sat quietly on a small hill.  I decided it would be a perfect scene to start the New Year.  It allowed me some quiet time to thank the Lord for His many blessings on me.  The flag out front swaying in the breeze represents all the people who have fought for our freedoms.  I thought about how blessed I was to raised in a community of people who loved each other, our country and the Lord!
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I pray that each of you have health, joy and happiness in 2015!
http://www.lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

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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Red Shoe

This week has been full of late nights.  I guess I am getting lazy because I didn't clean the mixing area of my palette last night.  I had some red left over...imagine that!  I just can't waste it so I decided things were getting too serious and it was time for some playfulness.
I have had several fractures in both my feet so I can't wear the beautiful, sexy heels that I love.  So, you guessed it, the next best thing to do...paint them!  I started it in a poster like manner, then decided to loosen the edges just a bit.  I chose the Cadmium Green as a complimentary color to the red. I think it has a more modern look than some of the other greens. Don't you?  I think it would look great in a thick gold frame.  It would add to the juxtaposition of old and new.
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Fall Field

I love to ride through the country and see the different colors peeking through the woods.  Most of our colors are still green with a little yellow ochre.  If you are lucky you will see a tree turning yellow or some red in the bushes.  It is still quite warm in the 80's but it is starting to get a little cooler at night.  Hopefully the colors will become more vibrant soon! If not, I will paint them red anyway!
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Red Cardinal 2

We live in the middle of a pine forest.  When we moved here, the trees were small and we didn't have many birds around.  The trees have grown up and are getting thicker.  We have planted many trees and bushes to provide a better habitat for the birds, the bees, and the butterflies.   We see many different kinds of birds now. But is it any wonder I like to paint the red ones?!
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