Blood Orange - Day 7

We have the most wonderful oranges in our yard. Beautiful and sweet. I wanted to paint it while really fresh - I thought I'd chosen the palette correctly; once I did the orange, I hated the original background. Had to warm up the whole thing!

Blood Orange

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11x7

Day One - Omelet

Leslie Saeta has once again set up a daily painting challenge.  I (and 1000 others) have joined her, beginning today for the next 30 days.  I've decided to do value and color studies.  I will do two paintings together - the first a quick 3 value study.  The second will be colors using a palette knife.  I have a really hard time controlling the palette knife, but I like to use it to get enough paint on the canvas.

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Here's Day 1 - Omelet
11x7

P-398 Girl & Dog at Pool

Girl & Dog at Pool

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Final rendition of "Girl & Dog at Pool" from the Michael Stiernagle workshop in Scottsdale. This is the first of two pieces I worked on, and Michael offered coaching after the workshop for the finishing touches! Great fun "playing" with the transparent block in and then the loose/ abstracted figures.

P-397, "Almost Guacamole"

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Firsts today.  I thought I'd do a series with palette knife, but decided to combine with a brush. What I'm really working on is color studies and brushwork.  I loved the process in my last workshop with Michael Stiernagle; block in very roughly with thin transparent paints then go back with the heavier brush work.  I'd like to get down to the minimum number of brush strokes for each shape as an exercise.

This little piece is called "Almost Guacamole, " since I'm missing the jalapenos and mushing!  I got these amazing, huge avocados at Costco's yesterday; couldn't resist painting it!

Resistance - in the physical form!

Such a funny thing, this Resistance.. I got my studio all cleaned out; caught the mouse and restored order.  Of course, that could also have been a form of resistance.  Planned my next project, had the palette set up... dreamt about how I'd approach it.  And BAM.  Something got me!  Cough, fever... Three days later I finally got back to the studio.

The first time I started "The Artist's Way," I sat down to my Morning Pages.  I'd had a great night's sleep, no excuses.  Paper on table, pen in hand.  First my hand cramped and I could scarcely hold the pen. I plowed through.  Then I fell asleep.  Right there in the middle of the page!  Talk about Resistance!

Plowed through this morning too.  And "Sammy's Bone" is the result.  Phew!  It'll be easier after today.

Jumping Jacks – Dog #23

These Jack Russell Terriers belong to a friend, and true to their character, they are happy, lively and fun.  I love their energy!

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White Poodle – Dog #22

White dogs are hard (black ones too).  They usually come out too blue – or something.  I am looking at cool light and warm shadows, so the blues are the lighter colors.   Just read (again) about cool light in the Richard Schmidt book.  Blinding flash of the obvious – since white will cool any color and it is the lightest and coolest color on the pallet, then cool highlights are “easier” to achieve than warm ones…. (this isn’t exactly what Richard said, it’s what I took from it and played with today).

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Great Dane at Westminster – Dog #21

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The Westminster Dog Show is wonderful for photos!  It is the only major show (that I know of) where the public can wander through the grooming and boarding hall.  It’s crowded, loud and colorful and some of the photos reflect that.  I love this photo of a Great Dane and have wanted to paint it since taking it in 2008.

Beagle Baying – Dog #20

Life has gotten in the way!  We are building a house in Texas (live in California) so I was in Galveston week before last.  Too many meetings, stuff… Then I managed to total my daughter’s car and came home two days later.  Of course, I also trashed myself and so drugs have been the way of the day for the past 10…  Finally back to painting!  Feels good!!!

I have to admit, beagles are not my favorite breed.  They are loud and unruly (I’m a German Shepherd kind of a girl).  But I fell in love with Uno when he won Best of Show in Westminster, so I have taken another look at them.  They are also fun and happy, affectionate and “beagle people” are quite in love with them!  When I think of Beagles, I think of baying in a field.  So here he is!

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Jay - Dog #18

Jay was rescued in Maryland by family.  He is a poodle terrier mix – and lives up both reputations: smart and ornery!

I am working on technique ideas on this one – I’m looking at using the transparent paints in the background to set the palette, and then played with palette knife on the dog.  I ended up with brush on the eyes and parts of the nose… and some of the fur.

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Rescuing Sprite Day 20

When I lost my precious Luke, I went into a major funk.  He was my painting buddy, my muse and we were together constantly.  I found a little book, "Rescuing Sprite" by Mark Levin.  I read it in a day, cried the whole time, and came out the other end ready to go on again.  Don't know why it was such a cleansing experience, but it really made a difference for me.

The cover photo of Sprite is the topic of my dog painting today.  I will try to find a way to send it to Mr Levin in appreciation for the book.

Lab fetching – Day 15

This was done with a combination of brush and palette knife.  I think I “nailed” the water!  Took me forever!