Sandcastle

It seems that no matter how old you are building a sandcastle brings out the child in you.

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Sundown

 

There is something magical about the last site of the sun as it goes down.  I hope you enjoy this one!

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Orange Lake

Day 2

Every time you turn your head you see a different view that would make a painting.   

I loved the warm colors against the cool background.

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Eagles Nest Cafe on Orange Lake

30 Paintings in 30 days

September 1, 2015

This is the beginning of a new painting challenge. There have been many life changes for me since the January challenge.  We have purchased another home and are working on renovations and moving.  I know this challenge will force me to pick up the brush, which I am yearning to do. So here we go...

This little 3 inch by 9 inch was done out back of the Eagles Nest Cafe looking out on Orange Lake. A storm was brewing and this was the last light of the evening. Raindrops got on it before I packed up.

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Sand Dunes ...an Ode to JoAnn

The sand dunes and the beaches hold a special place in most of our hearts.  They are a place for fun, sun and rest with family and friends.
I have been blessed in my life to have many strong women, Grandmothers, Mother, Aunts, sisters, daughters, cousins and friends.  One lady who is very special to me is JoAnn Williams Walker.  She has taught me so many things in life as well as how to paint.  She never gave up on me even after I had a stroke and thought I would never paint again.  I couldn't remember what mediums to use or how to paint. I had to go to therapy to be able to hold things in my right hand and to strengthen my right leg.  I hadn't been able to drive for months, mostly because I was afraid I wouldn't remember how to get back home.  JoAnn called and said bring your stuff and get over here (to Panama City Beach).  I have told her many times she literally pulled me by my hair.  She knew I had the desire to paint and although my memory had been smashed, she knew the desire was still there.  There is not a day that goes by that I don't thank God for her and her friendship.  This little beach scene is a copy of one of her paintings.  When I look at it, I think of how I love the beach and the fun but most of all I think of a friend who wouldn't leave me behind!

Tamara's Cafe

This painting was started on the last day of the workshop in Apalachicola and finished today.  The scene is a little cafe that serves very good food.  I ate my lunch quickly and set up to paint.  The models were other students and our instructor who were eating outside.

There was an "issue" when I was painting on the sidewalk looking across the street at the cafe.  I was standing in the shade to keep the sun off my palette.  It was quite chilly.  I had on a vest and a jacket.  A man and his dog came along.  The man was on the phone and the dog came up to me for me to pet him.  He was a beautiful English Spaniel.  I gave him a few pats and continued painting.  The next thing I knew, the man started screaming at the dog.  He scared the daylights out of me!  When I turned around to see what in the heck he was screaming about, I saw a puddle by my left leg.  The dog had raised his leg and peed on me!  (I googled why a dog pees on people when I got home, apparently he liked that I gave him a pat and he was marking his territory!  I should be honored.)  Needless to say, I had a hard time settling back down and concentrating.  I kept an eye on every other dog that came by because I was afraid they would try to cover that scent!  So you can see why I had to finish the painting at home!

Palm Tree

I am a native of Florida and love living here.  Palm trees have a way of dancing in the wind.  You can hear their fronds rustling away.  This was painted with brushes and palette knives.  I hope it reminds you of the cool ocean breeze on your face as the sunshine wraps it's arms around you.  As for me, I am headed to the beach! Literally, I have a workshop in Appalachicola starting this afternoon.  ( I also painted this in October...but I don't consider packing for a workshop sloughing off, so here it is!)
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Red Tulip

Today was another very busy day.  I spent all morning organizing supplies for my upcoming workshop.  My headlight was out on my car and had to be repaired.  Even though we love painting, real life gets in the way sometimes.  Just because we don't pick up a brush, doesn't mean we are not in the paint.
This red tulip was also painted in October.  I am glad to have an opportunity to share it.                  
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Old Boat

Today I had an art class with Natalia Andreeva at LeMoyne Art Center in Tallahassee.  She is a Russian artist that teaches their traditional method.  She is an award-winning artist and an amazing teacher!  We are so blessed to have her in this area!  On the way home, I was thinking about how it reminded me of when I took a sewing class. That teacher's motto was, "As you sew, so shall you rip (it out)!  Natalia's motto could be "As you  paint, so shall you scrape (it off)!  Therefore, I have nothing to post of my 3 hours of painting today. So I am taking the liberty to show a painting I did in October, after the last 30 paintings  in 30 days study.  This painting is 40 inches by 30 inches.  I wish it was a better photograph so you could see the play of warms verses cools, even in the shadows.
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Field of Irises

I am still working on color combinations.  My goal was to be loose and enjoy the merging of the colors. I think flowers are just magical.  They are my favorite thing to paint!
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Sun's Up

I am still  working on color compositions.  Trying to think of shapes and values, not things. I love these colors together.
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Thank God it is Friday!

Today, I decided to do some color combinations.  I tried not to think about what I was painting but rather focus on shapes and colors.  I gave myself 30 minutes a painting.  They are only 4 in. x 4in. so that wasn't hard. I wanted to post this one because she fit the day so well.  Some days you just want to throw up your hands and say, "Thank God, it is Friday!"
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An apple a day

As the saying goes, an apple a day keeps the Doctor away.  This was another fun little piece to do keeping in mind my goal...keep it loose!
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Ode to Alice

One of my many goals for 2015 is to "loosen up" my paintings.  I want to describe things in a more poetic, expressive way.  I want movement, joy and  color to define what I am doing.  I started painting in the decorative art world and everything had crisp, clean edges.  It has been a struggle for me to overcome this look.  I am determined to do that this year.
Last January, Alice Williams came from Italy to teach a workshop at Corse Gallery in Jacksonville.  I loved her expressive brushstrokes, strong color and composition.  One of the things she told us was, "Look at your still life from different angles. You don't want yours to look like everyone else's in the gallery." Great advice, Alice! I am going to revisit those thoughts this year!
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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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Red Purse

I decided I needed a purse to go with the heels.  So I looked in New York City, on the web of course, and found a store we all know that begins with an S.  Since the shoes were patent leather, the purse had to be too.  It would be shiny and reflective.  I love shiny things!  The price tag of $895 didn't even bother me because I knew I wouldn't have to pay it!  So I threw it in the cart and headed off to the studio.
This is a good exercise for my artists friends.  Because all of the reds are so close in color, you have to get the value in the right place in order for the form to read correctly.  Large shapes were defined into smaller ones as the process went on.
This could get addictive.  I love shopping when I don't have to spend any money!
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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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Poinsettia

This was an incredible day!
Lemoyne Gallery was founded in1963 in our state capital, Tallahassee, Florida.  They have an annual Holiday Show of 100 artists.  I met with the gallery director and was invited to participate in their show after she looked at my blog.
Therefore, I thought it was appropriate to use a poinsettia for todays post.  There is no white in this painting! The white in the photo is reflections from the sun because there is thick texture on the painting.  All I want for Christmas is a better photo editing application!
Christmas is coming soon!  Please plan to join us on Thanksgiving night for the show opening.
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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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