September Challenge #13

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Are there scents or fragrances that pull you back in time to when you were young? This perfume does that to me. It's called "Youth Dew," and it was the fragrance of choice for me and many of my friends in California's Central Valley back in the 1960s. It seemed so sophisticated and wonderful at the time.

I hadn't thought of this perfume for years. This summer we visited family in Nebraska and my sweet sister-in-law was wearing Youth Dew during that visit. It evoked such strong, pleasant memories that I immediately bought a bottle when we returned home. I've been wearing it ever since.

It's funny how a little thing that gives pleasure, like a certain perfume, can be forgotten for years, yet upon rediscovery bring such joy.

September Challenge #12

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Hooray! I finished my painting before midnight! I'm posting it this evening and will add it to the 30 Day Challenge tomorrow morning. Last evening's painting was really difficult, but this seemed to go pretty smoothly. When a painting starts going south, there is probably a point when it's better to give up and start over.

Anyway, this was fun to paint. I'm a fracture convert!

September Challenge #11

Just a quick post. I'm running late this morning, so will wait to comment until this evening.

Update: This painting just gave me fits.  I was still working on it at 2:00 a.m. this morning. (That's why I overslept!)

I think there were two reasons for the struggle. The first problem that presented itself was my old nemesis, composition. I thought this arrangement looked ok, but once I got it on canvas, I wasn't happy with it - I need to do more work on composition. The other struggle was with the yellow color...maybe too acid. I use a simple five color palette and can mix most colors with it, but the mixed yellow for this painting wasn't what I was looking for.

I'm just whipped from not sleeping last night, so this evening's painting is going to be something simple...although that's no guarantee that I'll get it finished at a reasonable hour.

September Challenge #10

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These are zinneas and bluebeard from our garden. I'm continuing to use Julie Ford Oliver's fracturing technique, and I'm enjoying the process. It took me a long time to paint this, but I'm happy with the way it turned out.

September Challenge #9

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These flowers were from our garden in mid-summer. I painted them from a sketch I had done in July. I usually don't do sketches, but I found it to be so helpful in working out the composition. I plan to do preparatory drawing from now on.  Another example of how a little preparation saves time in the long run.

September Challenge #8

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Today is the first day of week #2 in Leslie Saeta's 30 day challenge. So far, so good. Painting in the evening after work wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be, although I confess, there are some little jobs around the house that didn't get done.

I'm continuing to use the fracturing technique that was created by Julie Ford Oliver. I find this style to be quite liberating. I still have a lot to learn, but I think it's an enjoyable way to paint.

September Challenge #7

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For day #7, I wanted to try a different painting style. One of my very favorite artists, Julie Ford Oliver, uses an interesting technique that she has developed, called "fracturing." Her paintings are to die for. They are so full of color and movement. Every piece she creates is pure poetry.

Julie created some instructional videos on fracturing. This week, I viewed them and decided to try the fracturing technique during the 30 day challenge. I have to tell you, I just had a ball painting these cupcakes. I'm going to keep practicing until I can become proficient at this technique. Fracturing adds a whole new level of fun to painting!

September Challenge #6

This oak leaf was lying in dappled sunlight when I picked it up from our driveway a few days ago.  This morning we're getting a much-needed rain, but I'm hoping the rainy season will hold off for a few more weeks. Autumns are so colorful until the rain washes away the leaves.

September Challenge #5

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September Challenge #5. This is an heirloom tomato. My co-worker gave me tomatoes from her garden, and they have been absolutely delicious. It's near the end of the season, so I probably won't be painting any more tomatoes this month!

September Challenge #4

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Here's painting #4. Another oak leaf, this time with a Red Bartlett pear.  Local fruit, grapes, melons, pears, etc, have been especially good this year. Maybe it's because we had an unusually warm summer - I'm not sure. It's beginning to cool down now, and I'm looking forward to a crisp, clear autumn.

September Challenge #3

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Day #3 of the 30 day challenge. This is the first work week in September. I'm up for painting tonight and that's a good sign. I think if I can make it through this first week, the following weeks should be fine.

As you can see, I'm looking around the house for stuff to paint.  The scattered oak leaves in the garden remind me of autumn, so I picked up some of them and plan to include a few oak leaves in my paintings.

September Challenge #2

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Today is day 2 of  Leslie Saeta's 30 day painting challenge. I enjoyed visiting Leslie's site to see what others are doing. There are about 325 participants, and there is some wonderful work being exhibited.

This challenge actually presents two challenges for me. The first is creating a discipline to paint every single day. Even if I don't produce a painting every day, I want to get into the habit of being at my easel on a daily basis. My second, and greater challenge, is the challenge of finding a painting subject. For some, this comes naturally...they are able to see many possibilities around them. Not so easy for me, so my challenge is to be open to new ideas for painting topics. I suspect the discipline of painting every day will help.

At any rate, this painting is my entry for day 2. The colors in the heirloom tomato and in the oak leaf herald the end of summer and autumn's onset - my favorite time of year.

September Challenge #1

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Today is the first day of  Leslie Saeta's  September Challenge. The challenge is to paint 30 paintings in 30 days.  I'm going to try to stick with it as much as I can. There are no rules; if you miss a day, it's ok - the idea is to get into the habit of painting often. 

I love the idea. Painting is such a pleasure, but it's often difficult to find the time.  Usually it takes a commitment of several hours. If I want to paint often, I think I should organize my studio so that I can paint in short segments of time - maybe an hour before work and an hour or two after I get home. 

I'd like to paint more, but my time is constrained because of my job. I'm sure looking forward to retirement next June!

Baby Shower Bouquet

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We're so excited...we are expecting a baby granddaughter in November! My daughter's friends held a baby shower for her yesterday. It was so fun. The party was an outdoor luncheon and the decorations were bouquets of tiny pink carnations and miniature roses. The hostess gave me a bouquet to take home. It is so beautiful that I just had to paint it.

Melon and Strawberries

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Our favorite time to dine is on Saturday morning. This is the fruit plate that accompanies the cheese, herb, and mushroom omelette.

Jenny

I haven't posted for awhile. I've been working on this portrait of my daughter, Jenny. It was slow-going, but I enjoyed working on it. I like painting people, and would like to try my hand at more portraits. I just need to find willing victims (I mean, subjects)!

Happy Mother's Day!

This is pretty cute. Click below to see the videos.


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Beni

This is Beni, a shiba inu who belongs to a friend and colleague. A slow-dry medium was used for this painting and I was surprised at what a difference it made. I like to do alla prima, but am a slow painter and often find that the paint begins to dry on the canvas before I have a chance to finish the painting. The painting will take longer to dry, but that's ok...there's no rush.

Plein Air at the Alpaca Farm

I spent the morning at the alpaca farm, trying my hand a plein air. Even though my painting didn't turn out, I had a wonderful time - it was so beautiful outside. I'll just keep painting until I get it right!

The Sunbathers

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Let's pretend it's warm and dry, and the sun is shining...