September 13, Morning Chores

Day 13

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

One of my favorite things about doing a 30 in 30 is that it encourages you to finish pieces that have gone unfinished for too long. The thought of creating thirty paintings in as many days is overwhelming sometimes. Most of my pieces take more than one day to complete. That's why twice a year I go through my work and see what needs to be finished. They may still require more time an a day but at least there's movement.

Morning chores was one of those pieces. I wasn't sure how I'd handle the bricks and some of the architectural features in the picture so I put it aside. My sister brought this photo home from her trip to Italy and I have always loved it. It feels good to have finished it.

Morning Chores

Alcohol Ink and Pen on Yupo Paper

11 x 14

$225

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September 11, Dot-full

Day 11

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

I've been exploring abstracts for several months now. Abstracts are such a different mind set from what I'm used to. All painting is problem solving. I look at a photo I want to paint and ask myself, "How do I can I duplicate that texture, color or image?" In an abstract you begin with your gut instincts and the ask yourself, "What now? How am I going to make something from what I just created?" The painting seems to tell you it needs something but you don't what it is until you get there. In my other paintings it's not always easier but usually more obvious, the darks aren't dark enough, the picture isn't receding into the back ground.

I've always said that I needed something to look at to paint and have admired those who didn't. This was a fun painting for me. I hope to do more.

Dot-full

alcohol Inks on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

10 x 10

$145

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September 11, Morning Honey

Day 11

30 in 39 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Blue salvia is one of my favorite annuals to plant in my garden. I think you get so much from them. They are inexpensive and yet they spread out and flower all season long. Being tall, they serve as nice backdrops to other flowers in the garden. And the bees love them. Always happy to help the bees.

Morning Honey

Alcohol Ink and Pen on Yupo Paper

8 x 10

$95

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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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September 9, Spring Again

Day 9

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

It's always this time of year, when the school buses are running, and the apple patch is open, that I have to remind myself that Fall is my favorite season. I suppose the problem is that winter is soon to follow. But being a painter, I'm enjoying winter much more than I ever did before. It's the time when schedules slow down and I can spend more time in my studio painting. Next summer I will be doing less shows. It's bitter sweat for me, less shows more classes.

If I could turn back time, I'd do the summer all over again. It was wonderful. I'd start with Spring and ease back into summer.

Today's pick is from the crab apple tree in the backyard. Every Spring there is one week where it is full of it's wonderful blossoms. I feel so lucky just to be able to witness it each year. But then, that's in the Spring...

Spring Again

Alcohol Ink and Pen on Yupo Paper

8" x 10"

$95

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September 8, Charlie

Day 8

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

I'm preparing for a Paint Your Pet  class I'm holding in two weeks. This was one I did in pastels a year ago or so. I always thought he was a beagle but no, he a dachshund. All the more cuter.

Charlie

Alcohol Ink and Pen

8 x10 on Yupo Paper

$95

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September 7, Violets at Union

Day 7

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

My husband has been rehabbing an 158 year old Italianate style home for the last few years. He has put such care into every aspect of this house, even the garden. These beauties were hiding in between the hostas. To some violets are weeds, others a lovely flower. I'm of the latter opinion. I find them a welcome visitor to any garden.

Violets at Union

Alcohol Inks and Pen on Canvas

8" x 10" 3"

$145

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