30 Day Challenge Collage

30 Day Challenge
"A to Z" series

It's kind of neat seeing all of the paintings in one collage! I have never worked in a series before this challenge, and it seemed to provide the structure I need to remain focused, not to mention the interest it created around seeing what I would paint next - even my family wanted to know.
A cool side note to all of this, I sold 6 paintings this month and the "A to Z" series was mentioned on Leslie Saeta's, "Artists Helping Artists" radio show yesterday.  There were many inspiring stories shared about the artists that took part in this challenge, and how it has motivated so many to paint on a daily basis. Thank you Leslie!

"Z" is for Zen

8" x 10"
Oil on Panel

Since I started this 30 day challenge with a self portrait, I thought I would end with one.

While I do not practice Buddhism, I do feel like I have been enlightened by 30 straight days of painting, probably more than I can articulate at the moment. I do know that getting my priorities straight, and then making the commitment to follow through, was the biggest change I made this past month. I started each day reading scripture and praying which helped me gain some clarity. I even went as far as not allowing myself to check email unless I had my prayer time first. The other biggie for me was that I exercised 3 times/week. To pull this off, I had to learn to say "no" to other distractions and time wasters that I usually fall prey to each day.

Thanks for following me on this journey - stay tuned for February's series.......

#23 - "W" is for Walk

8" x 8"
Oil on Canvas
NFS

This is my husband and son taking a stroll in the park about 12 years ago. For many reasons, this image is very dear to me, but the one that stands out for this challenge is that my son is walking. Due to development delays, my son did not start walking until he was 2 1/2 years old, so you can imagine how excited I was when he finally took his first steps. At this point in my photo reference, he had only been walking for 6 months. I really enjoyed getting lost in this memory while painting, and didn't want to stop, but I must move on to the letter "X".

#22 - "V" is for Valentine

6" x 6"
Oil on Canvas
$60.00
Click Here to Purchase

 Vino and chocolate, it doesn't get better than this. Happy Valentines Day - early!

Just 4 more to paint in this series/challenge, and then it's time to celebrate - with a little chocolate, of course.

#21 - "U" is for Umbrella

5" x 7"
$60.00
 Click Here to Purchase

I'm in the home stretch of the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge, and coming up on one of the hardest letters of the alphabet - what to do for "X"????? Any suggestions?

#20 - "T" is for Thread

6" x 6"
Oil on Panel
Sold

This antique sewing machine belonged to my husband's grandmother,  I discovered it while cleaning out his grandparent's home, along with a trunk full of old patterns from the 1950's, buttons, and other goodies - it felt like we had opened a time capsule.

"19" - "S" is for Sargent

5" x 7"
Oil on Panel

This is a small black and white value study of John Singer Sargent's, Garden Study of the Vickers Children, 1884. I have always wanted to spend some time copying works of master painters, and fellow art blogger, Azra Iqbal, reminded me this week when she posted her study of Monet's Lady with a Parasol.

#18 - "R" is for Radishes

6" x 6"
Oil on Panel
SOLD

At this point in the 30 Day Challenge, "r" could be for rushing! I am feeling rushed each day to complete a painting to post, and sometimes not always putting my best foot forward. However, I am learning so much from this challenge and still having fun doing it. I am looking forward to February, and painting at a pace that will be best for me. Click here to see some of the other artists participating in this challenge.

#17 - "Q" is for Quart - SOLD

9" x 12"
Oil on Canvas
SOLD

I picked up this 1 qt. milk bottle at the thrift store the other day, just in time for the letter "Q". For this painting, I started with black and white acrylic underpainting and then went to oils.

#15 - "O" is for Olives

6" x 6"
Oil on Panel
SOLD

The 30 day Painting Challenge is up to Day 17, so I am a little behind in my posts. I have been painting everyday, but some of these little guys are taking longer than I had anticipated. It's looking like my new goal will have to be to complete the alphabet series and let go of 30 in 30 days. Considering that last year I only posted 19 paintings, I am feeling pretty good about possibly starting out with 26 paintings for 2013!

Day 14 - "N" is for Nail Polish

6" x 6"
Oil on Panel
$60.00
Click Here to Purchase


Don't you love the names of nail polish colors? These two are called "Bewitching", and "Plum Seduction". I had a hard time replicating the intensity of the colors, even after I pulled out my Gablin "Quinacridone Magenta". Before I started this painting today, I did a few 10 minute studies to warm up.....interesting to see how much energy the paintings have in these quick studies. Now how to transfer that to the finished painting. I"ll practiced tomorrow with the letter "O".

10 minute studies in oil on paper
Each sketch  is 3" x 3" 

Day 11 - "K' is for Knife

6" x 12"
Oil on Panel
$75.00
Click Here to Purchase

This is one of my husband's favorite knives - so glad he loves to cook.

Day 7 - "G" is for Girl

8"x10"
Oil on Panel
NFS

This is my little girl, feeling under the weather, but willing to pose for me.

Day 6 -"F" is for Fluff

6" x 6"
Oil on Panel
$60.00
Click Here to Purchase

Wish I could take credit for choosing the props on this one, but my daughter came up with the idea.
It is a simple equation:
               2 Tbs. fluff + 1 Tbs. peanut butter + 2 slices of soft white bread = Awesome Sandwich!

Day 5 - "E" is for Eggs

6"x6"
Oil on Canvas
$60.00
Click here to purchase

I was up late finishing this one, but managed to get it done. The most challenging part of painting in this smaller format is leaving enough space around the objects. I tried using a viewfinder (made of a mat board and a piece of acrylic) to help with the composition. See the illustration below.
On to the letter "F"......
I have 25 more paintings to practice getting it right.

still life photo          viewfinder drawing         underpainting

                                          

Day 2 - "B" is for Baseball

6" x 6"
Oil on Canvas
Gifted

This is day 2 of my painting challenge and only 28 more paintings to go! I am looking forward to painting one of my favorite subjects tomorrow - dessert. : )