30 paintings in 30 days

Blank board

6 x 6  

One of 30

Ready to be painted

I am so excited that I have been juried in to participate in the "30 in 30" challenge at Lorton Workhouse Arts Center! I will be painting 30 six by six paintings in 30 days!

I picked up the boards today.  Yep...there were 30 of them.  I toned them a nice warm orange in preparation for...well you know.  So now I have 30 boards, toned and ready...and 30 days ahead of me.  

Stay tuned...

Memories of a cabin in the woods

Memories

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar panel

NFS

This was once a wonderful vacation home on Casper Mountain in Wyoming.  It is no more because of a devastating forest fire.   I followed my friend's journey on Facebook.  

The homes were evacuated and they were not sure if their home was still standing or not.  Finally they got the news...it was lost to the inferno.   When I saw the picture of the A framed house my immediate impulse was to head to my easel.  I felt if I could do justice to the memory of their loss I could maybe make them smile...even for just a minute.  

I am so glad they are happy with my rendition and I will be mailing them this gift to grace the walls of their new cabin.  

My mission...making the world smile...one painting at a time.

Say "Cheese"

Say "Cheese"

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar panel

$200

Did you ever try to take a picture of an uncooperative subject?  This mom was trying her best to get a good shot of her adorable daughter...but the little one was not having it!  A long day of sight seeing had taken its toll...

Of course their trials were my good fortune!  I love the gesture on this one...the mom leaning back a bit yet close enough to hold on to the little one who was shielding her eyes from the sun and trying to avoid yet another photo.  

Hold Steady

Hold Steady

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

$200

What would you do to get the perfect shot?  I am amazed at some of the lengths I will go to for a great resource photo.  I have been painting this series of people taking and posing for photographs.  When I saw this couple, balancing the camera on her head, so he could get the perfect shot I felt like I had been given a gift!  They were working on the perfect shot and so was I!  I smiled the whole time I painted remembering the scene.   

What lengths would you go to to get the perfect shot?

Sketchbook - my short list of potential paintings

Before I paint I usually sketch to get a feel for the piece.  I am not real concerned with being neat...I just want everything to be in the right place...all the relationships to be correct...

This is part of my "Candid Camera" series.   I haven't painted this one yet...it is on my short list of things to do. I like the profile and intense look on her face.  A tentative title is "Shoot."  

This is Emily...the mother of the two little ballerinas I love to paint.  She is beautiful and has the most amazing features...large blue eyes and curly blonde hair...I just can't wait to paint her....also on my short list!

This is a little ballerina holding an American Girl doll also wearing a tutu.  I love the body position...the angle of the head and the arm.  I want the skirt to dominate the lower part of the canvas.  I will call it "Hello Dolly"

Having said all that I have a ton of paintings to get to.  I have so many ideas and so many concepts I just cannot paint fast enough.  These three are on my short list...but I have a LOOOOOOOOONG list also!

Trepidation

Trepidation

9 x 12

Oil on Raymay Panel

Private collection in Florida

This little girl was at a pool party in her very best party dress.  She was eyeing her surroundings with skepticism...not sure of which way to go next.  In her arms was a mama smurf stuffed doll.  She lifted her beautiful dress to dip her feet in the water but wasn't sure whether or not to proceed.  I just loved the look on her face and her little turned in feet.  

I don't remember whether or not she decided to plunge her tootsies into the pool, but I do know that if she did she would be happy with herself for facing her fears.  Life is all about challenging yourself.  I am constantly pushing myself to do things that I think I cannot do.  

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” 
― Helen Keller, The Open Door

Peeking!

Peeking

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel
$200

Discovering the world through the wide eyed innocence of children is one of life's greatest pleasures.  Everything is fresh and new and every day is a new adventure.  

This little girl was exploring a local coffee shop and delighting in the treasure she could spy in these sale baskets.  

I just had the pleasure of watching my grandson ride the metro for the first time...he was mesmerized by the tunnels and other trains going by.  It was magic for him...therefore magic for me.  

I guess the moral here is to cherish the simple things in life.