September 10, Bursting With Pride

Day 10

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

It occurred to me that alstroemerias, although they look like lilies... are not. They aren't as large and as demanding as lilies. Yet here they are bright and bold and truly themselves, comfortable with their own size.

Bursting with pride is a good choice for today, being that it is my 34th wedding anniversary. I'm proud of that. When I was younger I never envisioned being married that long. It's not a comment about my marriage. Heck, at 22, I never imagined getting this old. Anyway, I'm glad I did and am glad to be traveling this path with my husband, Mark. I'm liking age. It has afforded me the luxury of painting full time. And I guess most of all I like having a history of my own. But, I do fantasize about having my 20 year old knees back.

Bursting with Pride

Alcohol Inks and Pen on Yupo Paper

8 x 10

$95

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Sept 4, Dahlias in Blue

Day 4

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Dahlias in Blue

Alcohol Inks and Pen on Yupo
8 x 10
$95

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Sept 3, Croton Petra

Day 3

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

This beautiful plant was found at the end of December, along the waterfront shops, in Savannah Georgia. The kids and I surprised my husband with a week long celebration down South for his birthday. Such a great week, such wonderful memories of a stunning city.

Croton Petra

Alcohol Ink and Pen

8" x 10" on Yupo Paper

$95

Buy Now 

September 30 in 30, Day 10

Day 10

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Our wedding Anniversary
Mark and I were attracted to each other the moment we saw each other. I used to think we were so much alike... we're not. Yes, on very basic and important issues ( I might add) like politics, religion, family we think alike. But on a very gut level we are made of different stuff. I jump right into projects, Mark thinks them out first. Spacial relationships are very important to Mark, I'm more concerned with colors and textures. etc. etc. The end result is a wonderful blend that works well together. Whatever I lack he makes up for it and visa versa.

Today's painting makes me think about opposites
that are so very much alike. 
In the end they work wonderfully together.

Gerber Daisies

Alcohol Inks on Yupo paper

8" x 12"

$85

September 30 in 30, Day 9

Day 9

Help, I don't know the name of this plant that I photographed at the Nicholas Conservatory. I was attracted to the contrast in colors and the wonderful pinks mixed with the greens and blues.

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

At the Nicholas Conservatory

Alcohol Inks on Yupo paper

11"x 14"

$129

 

I worked on this while I was at the Art Fair on the Square show at Lake Forest. The temperature was in the 90s. It was just terribly hot. But people came out anyway. All in all, it was a great show.

Thanks to my daughter, Samantha for all the help she is ALL THE TIME. 

I wouldn't be able to do all that I do with out her.

Beginning a Series of Alchol Inks

I'm starting a series of Alcohol Inks for 

various shows that are coming up. 

 I love the bright, vivid colors they offer but even more I like that I don't always have control over what happens. These paints sometimes have a mind of their own, and sometimes they throw you an issue you just have to deal with. Sometimes it makes the painting better, sometimes it doesn't.

This week, I'll be working on a photo from Venice and also a Rockford chapel. The Venice picture is pretty complicated. By being very selective about where I put the masking fluid I hope I will have more definition left after applying the first layer of paint.

Yesterday, I ordered more art supplies, including more Yupo paper in 11" x14" and in a very large size, for me, 23" x 35". Some new colors are coming also; Tangerine, Calabaza Orange and Chile Pepper. (Don't their names sound great - sort of like Crayola names.) Alcohol inks are fairly simple to mix but a lot of these colors were "Italian palettes" as I'm pretty excited. I also think they'll be helpful for portraits which I haven't given up on.

Well on to all the other things I put off while doing the 30 in 30. I'm still painting each day, just not as much until I get some of these errands out of the way.

Day 17, Alcohol Inks and Pen, Dog Days of Summer

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Dog Days of Summer

Alcohol Inks and Pen on Yupo Paper

11 x 14

$65

 

When we're on vacation, and the temperature is hot, you'll probably find me in the lake swimming with my family. You may find a bottle of wine too. What you will definitely find is our loyal, trusty, old lab, Spike watching over us and waiting for that moment when he thinks we need him. He's a big part of our family. Never demanding attention or complaining, he's 110 pounds of unconditional love. At 13.5 years he getting older and we know he won't be with us forever so we try to pamper him a bit in his old age just as he has pampered us for so many years.

To purchase this painting go to http://www.jillraefinallyart.com/30-in-30.php  Or just hit the "Visit My Web Site" button on the right of this blog. When you get there go to "My Art"  then "30 in 30 in the pull down menu.
 

 

 

 

 

Day 4, Mixed Media, Childhood Dreams

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Childhood Dreams

Mixed media on Yupo paper

11" x 14"

$35

I love Pinterest. I love collecting all sorts of art related boards. Under watercolor tips, I have a board that demonstrates using watercolors on Yupo paper and lifting the paint in areas so that it is white again. Who knew? I see all these great ideas that I want to try but I have other works that I must finish and usually don't have the time. 

To me, that's what this 30 in 30 is for, to try new things, to paint those pictures that have been begging to be painted and to push myself out of my comfort zone. That's what abstracts do. I love them. When I see one I like I think, "Boy that looks so fun and free." When I try to do an abstract it is anything but free. They just look that way, they are actually very difficult. But I did have fun with this one, even though the voice in the back of my head kept saying, "Don't mess this up, it's getting late."

To purchase this painting go to http://www.jillraefinallyart.com/30-in-30.php  Or just hit the "Visit My Web Site" button on the right of this blog. When you get there go to "My Art"  then "30 in 30 in the pull down menu.