Mandarin orange with Bowl

I'm really going to try and be a better blogger. The holidays have been hectic for me. I had a double portrait commission that had a Christmas Eve deadline and so for a couple of months, that's all I could think about. Now that it's done and the client is happy, I'm feeling motivated to get back to painting the small daily paintings. I'm really trying to loosen up and use big brushes and lots of paint. It's hard to break bad habits and though I'm doing better, I still am not there. I bought some new large brushes today to see if that helps. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

Three Red Pears

It's been so long since I posted anything! I've been painting almost every day but no time to sit at the computer. Yesterday I spent the whole day painting these three pears. It's 14"x18" and it was an exercise in painting with large brushes only and finishing in one sitting. That is extremely hard for me to do. I have to resist the urge to bring out the small brushes and put too many details in. I'm please with this one. I chose to paint the background green since it's the compliment to red but that is a tricky thing to do so that it doesn't look too Christmas-y. It might look Christmas-y but I like it anyway. I'm going to keep painting pears for a while. I'm sure it can only help to paint the same thing over and over. The challenge will be to keep them interesting.

Paying job

Today I painted in someones home. I enjoy these jobs because they are fun and don't require too much thought. The designs are basic and easy for someone who has been drawing and painting for a long time but always seem to awe and impress the client. I enjoy making the client happy. I always think that they could do it too if they just tried but I guess that's not always true. Anyway, I'll add the picture of what I did today. It's a baby's room with an animal print theme. I will go back on friday to paint a powder room that might prove to be a little more tricky.

Lukas

Here is my latest painting. It sure did give me trouble but I'm declaring it finished. I'm sure my trouble was with my reference photo. It's just not possible to paint a child from life so it had to do.

Today I am finishing up some odds and ends and getting ready for a mural job tomorrow. Hope to have a photo to post of that tomorrow night.

Getting Older

I haven't painted or posted for a couple of days because I've jacked up my neck somehow. I played tennis on Friday night and felt fine but woke up the next morning with severe pain when I tried to move my neck. I've been using the heating pad and regular doses of ibuprofin and I think I'm finally getting some relief. I have to remember that I'm 39 not 29 anymore. Getting old is the pits. I plan to paint tomorrow and finish the latest pear painting. I think it is better than my last one which was sort of an experiment.

Pears in Blue Bowl

I'm trying something new for a change. I'm going to paint large and loose keeping in mind what I've learned about Sargent and his brushstrokes and edges. This painting is 14"x18" which I guess isn't that large but the subjects are oversized. I bought these beautiful pears, set them up and painted them from life. I stood looking down on them so that explains the angle. I probably won't do that again so not to confuse the viewer. I'm working on another one now that I will post hopefully tomorrow. It will be pears again but I find them to be very interesting to paint.

Butterflies and swirls

Every now and then I get a call from an interior designer that I work with and she has a fun job for me to paint for one of her clients. This was done in a laundry room. I really need to drum up more work like this or sell some paintings or my husband has said that I might have to get a "real job" during these hard economic times. Noooooooooo!!!! That can't happen so I must paint my butt off. I wish that everyone could work in the job that they love and have a passion for. I know my family needs to eat and I will make sure that happens but I would rather do what I love and not afford material things than dread going to work each day.

Terracotta Pots

This painting was done in my class with Timothy Tyler. I loved painting it and love the end result. I really tried to keep it painterly and Sargent-like.

Dilemma.

Here I am, my kids are all in school, something I've dreaded and dreamed of for so long. Now I'm really seeing how unorganized I am. Even with my days free, I can't seem to get anything done. Is this how all artists are? I seem to be more behind than ever! I've made a list but it doesn't really help me. Oh, I guess it helps a little bit. I seem to be torn between what I want to do (paint) and what I need to do (the list). It's causing a lot of anxiety. Maybe I will get to paint this afternoon and tonight.

En plein air

This picture is me painting en plein air which is a French expression for "in the plain air", at my art class this Friday. This was my very first time to paint outside in all the years I've been painting. I've always wanted to but just thought it would be too much trouble. I was so wrong!! It was fabulous! The weather was beautiful and I had so much fun. The classs is 7 hrs long and the day just flew by! I can't wait to do it again. However, I suppose that it might not be as much fun on a day that isn't perfect like friday was. I will post my plein air painting soon. I want to make a few adjustments in studio first.

Chocolate Cocker Spaniel and Lime DumDum

It would appear I've already failed at my attempts to paint every day. However, I did paint each day since my first post, just not the small paintings like I hoped. I had a commission to finish and was then called to do a mural. I can see this will be harder than I thought. Today, even though short on time I made myself paint a very small 3"x4" canvas. The subject was a lime DumDum which I thought would be very fun. I've learned that I don't like the stretched canvas for these small paintings because the texture, to me, is distracting. I plan to use masonite board in the future. Also, Here is the commissioned painting I finished of a chocolate cocker spaniel.

Today's Craving

Here is my first daily painting. I don't usually take pictures of my artwork while still wet so don't know yet how to keep the glare out of the picture. This will take some research. The size is 5"x7" oil on canvas.