January 2015 - Thirty Day Painting Challenge

Yet another great time painting this month! I'll continue to paint daily, but I can't promise I'll finish a painting a day! Make sure to find me on facebook if you haven't already. I'm usually posting there at least once a day.

Stop by and say hello, I'll be at the Portland International Jetport, Maine outside of the Paradies Gift Shop/ DownEast Marketplace for February and March Art Exhibits. If the weather permits... my plan is to travel there at least 4 times a month until the spring/summer season.

 Painting Workshops and events are listed on the right hand side of this blog.

UPDATE - SOLD Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Thirty

Seguin Lighthouse

Original Mini Painting 4x6" Mat 

SOLD

Maine's second oldest and the tallest Lighthouse, and it is said to be haunted, yikes!

It's located on Seguin Island right off the Kennebeck River.

Well today's the last day of the 30 in 30 challenge! Ok, I'll admit it....I wasn't ready to do the challenge right after the holiday's but it's always a great way for me to re-focus on painting everyday.  I didn't complete one a day like in the past challenges - but I came pretty close. I'll be posting a collage of them tomorrow. 

 I've been holding a number of workshops and classes and getting ready to re-stock my prints and card orders for retailers, so I'm feeling really accomplished, plus I had a terrific sales month.

Can't wait to do it again in September!

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day 28

"Nature Walk"

11x14 Watercolor in 16x20" Mat

$200

Really enjoyed painting my mini painting late last night so I wanted to re-create something a little similar but with a few more details in a larger painting. 

Here's a picture of the mini and the 16x20 Matted one from today.

Now it's time to part up all my supplies for tonight's Ink Workshop that I"ll be teaching at Joanns in Topsham, Maine tonight from 6-8pm. Fingers crossed that everyone makes it....some are still digging out from the Blizzard of 2015!

SOLD - Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Twenty Seven

Update: SOLD
Many of you have heard about out big Nor-Easter Blizzard of 2015 I'm sure. Well here in Auburn, Maine we are up to 20"+ of snow and it's still going for another 5-8" overnight.  My hubby and son are out there now shoveling, yet again. The snowbanks are up to the tip of my husbands hat and  he's 6'2".

Fun Fun Fun! So here I am inside the warm house, I've been cooking dinner and just finished up some home made hot cocoa on the stove. All ready for them when the come in.  

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Twenty

Attempted to re-create my oil painting in watercolor as a new watercolor class scene and tried to make it simple enough for new painters....it's deceivingly difficult!

My process is to paint the scene first then break it down into painting steps to see if it's a paint-able scene. Then I tweak it so that it's stays under a 2 hour class timeline.
....LIKE? If you do then make sure to head over to my post on Facebook and click the "Like" button please!

Update: SOLD Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Sixteen

SOLD

Didn't get my painting done for day 14 or 15 - and I wasn't going to get one

in for today, but I managed to paint this one late last night while watching America Idol lol.

I think I may work on it a bit more - but or I can call it done and a quick study!

Bass Harbor Lighthouse, Maine

It always looks better framed.

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Thirteen "Height of Land, Maine"

"Height of Land" 

Rangeley Lakes Region, Maine

5x7" Watercolor in 8x10" Mat
$125

I broke out my watercolors today because I realized that I have no more room for the oils to dry!
The good thing is that I have one larger 24x36' oil painting that IS finally dry is heading out to be
shipped in a few days, and I have 3 other larger paintings that are going on exhibit at the Atlantic Motorcar Center in Wisscasset on Thursday. That means more room will be coming available soon.

SOLD - Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Twelve

"All About The Journey"

6x6 Oil on Deep Edge Canvas

SOLD

 I read a great quote  today -
"The only impossible journey, is the one you never begin." ~Anthony Robbins
Fit's me to a Tee - my journey is always taking me in different directions....in life and in art.

One of my favorite things about doing the 30in30 challenge is to use this time to experiment. The last one was with inks and this time more with oils. When I started painting, if you can believe it I only did abstract painting....I think that's why I like the inks and the more chunky style with the oils.

I love living here in Maine and the beach is one of my favorite spots to sit and reflect. Now when I was younger and thinner I would spend my time bathing in the sun getting my golden tan on...now I try to hit it later in the day or early in the morning when there is just me and the waves.

I've made a commitment to do more plein air painting this year, and plan to do a few of them right here in the sand. Maybe I'll find anther Sand dollar.

Where do you see your journey taking you this year?

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Seven

 

 "A Flower Like No Other"

6x6" Oil Deep Edge Cotton Stretched Canvas 

$100

One of my favorite movies as a blonde hair, green eyed, pigtailed, skinny little kid was the Wizard of Oz. Did you ever get to stay up late on a school night, with your mom making that special "stay up  late" food with the incredible smell coming from the kitchen... of "homemade" not microwaved but stove top popped popcorn with real butter and oil! The big ole bowl of yummy, buttery, salty, gold! Now, I don't eat much corn at all...you know...that big scary thing called GMO's and all those microwave cancer causing machines...UGH!

Whew...where did I go....anyways, back to pretty little flowers. Do you all remember the bright fields of the dreamy brilliant red poppies that almost took out Dorothy? Well, I didn't realize until I watched it again as an adult that they were poppies....bummer...I love that flower!

Hope you enjoy  my version (smell free however) of the not so "Deadly Poppy Field"

Thirty Painting in 30 Days - Day Six

"By The Silvery Moon"

8x10 Resin Art Panel

Medium: Alcohol Ink

$125

 

Taking a picture without the resin glare is a challenge!

Well, I've noticed during my daily frozen trips with the wind "just -a- whippin" (Maine accent) that Hobby Lobby is now out of the Liquid Art panels, OH NO!

They had 2 more on the shelf but they looked as though someone took a baby hammer to the edges. (I brought it to their attention) so hopefully they have a quick turn around on their products. I have my black and blue, no not bruised but ink stain fingers crossed. I told one of the clerks about it the day before and noticed them still sitting on the shelf looking up at me like a sad (never to be) beautiful art piece.

 Resin drying - you get a better idea of the depth of it in this picture.

Of course the crazy coupon lady in me was thinking hey I wonder if I can get this at a discount and fill it with some putty...paint it...(naw) and I snapped out of it..... too much work, must stay focused!

Off to start Day 7 for tomorrow, but my fingers are like little frozen blue raspberry popsicle's (what a visual huh.....remember my blue ink stains?) it's a whop-pin minus 2 degrees.

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Three

"Beyond the Forest" 

11x14"

Alcohol Ink on Liquid Art Panel

 $155

I'm in a funky state of mind I guess...but I'm having such a wonderful free feeling painting the past few days. My husband and son are still on vacation so I didn't want to get to detailed with my painting and I'm choosing to give myself more freedom to experiment with the inks.

Here's a close up - I purchased an 11x14 Pebeo liquid Art panel with a 1.5" boarder to try. I'll be filling the panel with some resin once it's fully dried. The panel has a slight 1/4" inset edging to allow filling it with resin without an over drip. The wooden side panels/frame will have another coat of white paint put on it as well.