Movie Night 2

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I tried popcorn in lots of situations, but three abreast appealed most to me. Any more crowded and you couldn't really tell what they were. Not in paint anyway. And from above they didn't have the same drama.

Today I spent most of the day painting little guoache mini landscapes. This one to the right is an example. Most of them were 2x2 inches (TINY!). It was for a contest/challenge put on by Tiffanie Mang, who's been doing a whole series of these. I posted 5 on my Instagram, along with the references, in case you're interested. I was nervous about them, and so put it off until the absolute last day, but boy did it turn out to be fun!!

Polka Corn

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I have this polka dotted glass cup that is way fun but so hard to paint. And so is popcorn for that matter. So, a rather deceptively simple one here.

Movie Night

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We took a little break to go camping the last few days. The thing I love the most about this, is that it's like a reset button. Whatever ruts I was getting into, with art or life - however bored I was getting with the routines at home - camping removes me completely from that world for a few days, and when I come back I'm brimming with ideas and enthusiasm. This time one idea was popcorn. Go figure.

We went for a few hikes while we were out. Even though I love the exercise and the smells and just being outside, I feel like primarily I am a hunter. The prize is finding the really lovely scenes. The ones that make you go, "oh wow!" Eventually I will go back out with plein air gear, but until then I'm just collecting pictures and memories. Here are a couple of gems from yesterday. I get more points the harder they were to get to. : )

Curious Garlic

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And now ... drumroll please ... daily painting number 3000!!! I decided for this one to do something a little different - something I've been intending to do for a while - a still life lit only by candle (and whatever ambient room light there was). I really like it.

And, so you can see where I was 1000 paintings ago -->

Pardon?

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And now for something completely different. This is a scene I borrowed from Pixabay (royalty free). I just love how we seem to be interrupting these two. Like they were having a meaningful conversation about the state of the ocean before we arrived. "What are we going to do about this pollution, Frank? It's just got to go."

Lazy Day

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Today I also played around with some gouache landscapes. I've been taking photos from our house since I got here, of anything that caught my eye. For some reason I didn't feel inspired to paint them with oil, but gouache was super fun. It's the first time I've gotten any traction with the medium! I used scraps of paper I had sitting around for these, but I just ordered some "real" paper to maybe do some "real" paintings on someday. Until it arrives, I will continue to play.

And if you want to see some really LOVELY examples of gouache, and the artists who inspired me, check out Cathleen Rehfeld on DPW, Tiffany Mang on Instagram, and Mike Hernandez also on Instagram.

Easter Bunny

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Ok, I realize I'm a little late painting the Easter Bunny. But this one just screams easter at me - I couldn't resist.

Snuggle Up Rose

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I raided my old rose files for this one. I have to admit, I am sad to leave behind the Eugene and Portland rose gardens. Alas. But I have a feeling there will be plenty in Missoula (and Montana in general) to make up for it.

For Real Polka Dots

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I've painted many polka dots in my days, but this is the first one that came by it naturally. I think if I could have chosen my own skin I would have chosen one like this.

Mr. Complacent

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I love about fish what I love about most of my still life subjects - they're shiny. Or at least this guy is. He looked like nothing special until I gave him highlights.

On the Edge of Blue Stripes

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Let me just say, if you've never experienced the joy of painting striped fabric that isn't laying flat, try it. It's super fun. And after you've wiped the third painting, and your tears, and yourself up off the floor, and you think maybe you'll give it one more go and if that doesn't work you'll toss all your art supplies, well that's when you'll understand what I'm talking about. Because number four might not be completely terrible. And by the way, I hope you all had happy holidays and are looking forward to more art grief fun in the new decade!

She Shrugs

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I spent the entire day today shipping books. A big thank you to all who purchased the last of my little books - they are all gone, yay!

I did this painting a few days ago, when I had a moment, between all the work getting our house ready to sell. It's from a market in Überlingen, Germany. The gal on the right was holding a white, wadded up something-or-other, and when I massed it in, it sort of looked like a teacup, so I ran with it. I think it works. But what I'm especially proud of is - ahem - their knees. It's really hard to suggest knees with paint, especially when they are super tiny, and I really like how they turned out.

All in a Day's Work

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I've been experimenting lately with changing the background colors of my rose references, to see different options before I paint them. Mostly I'm trying lighter backgrounds, but I find it's the rare rose that looks good against it. This one though ... I thought worked. Maybe it's the bee.

Yummy Yellow

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A rose is a different kind of animal than any other thing. The light that goes through and bounces around inside the petals is ... well it's pretty darn amazing. Anyway, I can't say it in words, so these paintings will have to do.

Patchwork Rose

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These roses are SO fun to abstract. The trick is to squint so you don't see the delicate transitions. Once you start to try and achieve delicate with paint, it's all over. For me anyway. I don't do delicate. I only try and suggest it.

One of Us?

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On this, the day before Thanksgiving, I'd like to express my gratitude for:
apples
glass
pretty much all things shiny
and you
for all your encouragement.
Thank you so much,
and happy Thanksgiving!

Slice Off

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I painted this as an example for this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge. I thought it would be fun and, well, challenging. The instructions say you can slice up anything, and arrange it any way you like. But no one has taken me up on it yet! Be the first one...please?

Your Brother's Car

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I was very attracted to the unnaturally blue windows. And the perfect shadow up on the grass. And the little red car in the background. Very geometric.

Sun-kissed

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I spotted this gal in Germany last time I was there and snapped a quick picture. The back-light was just too perfect. I had fun making some things sketchy and some more solid.

Little Landing

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Another Portland neighborhood scene. I'm glad to live close to such a cool city!