30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS

This has been another wonderful month of exploration in my painting world.  Thank you, Leslie Saeta, for hosting another event!  It has pushed us farther than we would have gone alone!  My blog has been viewed over 4,000 times since I started in September from thirteen different countries!  I can't believe people from Norway, France, Russia, Germany, Sweden, Canada, United Kingdom, Brazil, Finland, Poland, Turkey, Ireland, and the U.S.A. have viewed my work.  That is such an honor!
I am so grateful to all the friends and family who have followed along and encouraged me along the way!  Your love and friendship mean the world to me!
Thank you for taking the time to view my art! Please feel free to comment or share this post. 

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!

On the Hill

This is another experiment with the alcohol inks.  I am going to play around with this medium more when I have more time.  The results are magical.
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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!

Camellias

Even when the weather gets in the 30s, these little jewels of the South keep on blooming.  They  have many different colored blooms including white, coral, pink and red.  Some have variegated petals that look like peppermint candy.  They have thick, waxy-like leaves.  Most people cut them with short stems and put them in tiny little vases or float them in a dish.  Most older homesteads  have at least one in their yard. I have a cousin who has over 300 of all different colors in his yard and many are over 10 feet tall.  It is delightful to visit there when most other blooming things have disappeared!
Natalia Andreeva brought these to class for us to paint.  The exercise was to mix the different colors before we started painting.
I love painting flowers!

Cafe in Paris

This study was done on Day 3 of the workshop. It was done from a photograph of a Cafe in Paris.  I wanted to capture the relaxed atmosphere of the people sipping their coffee while the girl rushes off to work.  And, of course, I loved the red awning!
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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!
Thank you for taking the time to view my art! Please feel free to comment or share this post. Please come again!