30 Paintings in 30 Days Recap

Cage Free

My collage of the 30 paintings.  I'm so glad that I did all but one in a 6" x 6" format.  I think this collage looks fantastic.  You can make your own collage by going to PicMonkey.  Load the photos from your computer and then drag them into the boxes.  To add more boxes, just drag the photo, hold it next to a box and a grey bar will appear, then drop the photo and you have created another box.  Hover your mouse to find the arrows in between boxes to adjust the sizing.  It's free.  Go do it!

If you see a painting you missed, I hope you'll scroll back through my posts and get a better look at it.
Many paintings are still available but I am making plans for a show so if you love a painting, you should get it now or it will probably be gone.

Happy October!
October is my favorite month of the whole year.  Even more favorite than my birthday month, which is March.  I start celebrating Halloween today so if you see me this month I will likely be wearing a tshirt that has something related to Halloween.  I have a different shirt for every single day of the month.  Did I mention I LOVE Halloween?  Also the yard decorating will begin this weekend.  First I have to mow the lawn.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30, Day Thirty. I Made It and Lived To Tell About It!

Poe
Cage Free Series 037

We are nearly to October and nearly at the death date of Edgar Allen Poe.  I don't know many fine art lovers that are also Football lovers.  I am one.  Since I am in Maryland, and since they won this week, this is for the Baltimore Ravens.


30 Paintings in 30 Days.  It was definitely a struggle.  I mean, I really had a hard time with this challenge.  Like really REALLY.  I think it was just the beautiful weather. And maybe the fact that I overloaded myself with a bunch of other new things all at the same time  -- new gym membership, trying to do 10,000 steps daily, Taekwondo lessons, online classes, all this besides working full time.  Starting two new books probably didn't help either.

I thought I was good at the beginning of the month.  I had 13 paintings done before Sept. 1.  That may have given me a false sense of security.  Then again, by about Sept. 8 (when I still had plenty of paintings in the bag) I got bored with the challenge and I don't know that I recovered, even though I did a lot of good paintings after that.  My heart just wasn't fully in it.

Yes, I missed out on sleep here and there.  Yes my family and my housework got the short end of the stick.  My family has been supportive and encouraging.  The laundry and dishes?  Not so much.

So the big question is: Will I do it again?  Probably.  I'm just crazy like that.  January is a good month for painting in my basement studio.  I crank up the heater and put on some heavy metal music and throw a load of clothes in the washer then I'm good to go.  Besides, there are often snow days which let me catch up on painting and sleep.  The Farmer's Almanac says we're to have a very snowy winter.  So again, yes.  I probably will do another 30 in January.  Maybe I'll paint them all in November and nobody will be the wiser.


"Poe"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists at Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30 Day Twenty Nine. Cage Free Series 036

Watching
Cage Free Series 036

Starling watches intently with shining eyes.

I am so thankful we are nearing the end of this challenge.  September in Maryland has been really beautiful and while I'm glad to have finished every painting, I really wanted to spend more time outside rather than in my basement studio.  Perhaps next September my challenge should be to paint Plein Air.


"Watching"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, Framed with a black and gold Floater Frame.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists at Leslie Saeta's blog.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30 Day Twenty Eight (Donated)

First Glimpse of Father
Cage Free Series 035

Woven paper to symbolize the nest of a Weaver Bird, with the viewer being the baby in the nest.
One thing you can't quite see in the photo is the paper weave is raised off the canvas to give the illusion of depth.

I am honored to be chosen for this show at Circle Gallery.


"First Glimpse of Father"
16" x 20" oil on canvas board with woven paper
This painting is currently in a show at Circle Gallery, Annapolis, MD.
See the other participating artists at Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30 Day Twenty Seven. Cage Free Series 034

Mother Checks For Progress
Cage Free Series 034

Mother Robin checks for progress on her clutch of eggs.  Perhaps she felt something moving.  Perhaps she's simply impatient.  I know many mothers who have been in that spot!


"Mother Checks For Progress"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other artists participating at Leslie Saeta's blog.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30 Day Twenty Six -- SOLD

Man of Mystery
Cage Free Series 033

Having never been much of a hiker, I know very little about birds of the forest.  The Cedar Waxwing with his striking mask and peachy/grey body coloring is absolutely beautiful to me.  He is a bird of the forest and it's unlikely we have met.

I would definitely like to spend time hiking however, my horrible sense of direction finds me lost even on simple trips I have made many times in the past.  Even following a GPS on roads that are marked with signs to let me know where I am going is not foolproof when this fool is behind the wheel.  So, I feel as though hiking is not something I should spend a lot of time doing.  Also, I have no desire to encounter a bear.


"Man of Mystery"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other artists participating at Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30 Day Twenty Five. Cage Free Series 032

Feisty
Cage Free Series 032

Blue Jay watches for any opponent.
Blue Jays are kind of the bully of the backyard feeder.  They will not allow any other birds (or even any other creatures) around where they are feeding.

This painting makes number six this month that Daily Paintworks has chosen as a DPW Pick.  Get them while they're hot, folks!


"Feisty"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other artists participating at Leslie Saeta's blog.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30 Day Twenty Four

Crimson Wing
Cage Free Series 031

Puffing himself up to fend off an opponent.

This bird is one thing I miss about living in a more populated area.  I never see these where I live and their song is one of my favorite.  Hear the song here (there is an audio box along the left side of the page under Keys to Identification.)


"Crimson Wing"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists at Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30 Day Twenty Three. Cage Free Series 030

Knock Knock Knocking
Cage Free Series 030

Pileated Woodpecker working on making his home in a tree.

Yesterday I talked about the first day of Autumn and that was in preparation for today.  Which is actually the first day of Autumn.  And today it feels like Autumn.  It's a chilly 59 degrees.

My whole family was in bed by 9:00 last night so maybe we're all ready to hibernate.  I'm not as grumpy this morning so my co-workers will be free to go about their business without hiding behind machines to avoid me.


"Knock Knock Knocking"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists at Leslie Saeta's blog.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30 Day Twenty Two

Prepared For Take-off
Cage Free Series 029

Nuthatch is ready to burst into the sky.  Off to his next adventure.

The first day of Autumn.  The days will now become almost non-existent.  Especially when Daylight Saving Time kicks in.  I have a little sour spot in my heart for DST.  The idea behind it is ridiculous to me.  I wish I could say I would hibernate but that's not likely.

(I might be a little grumpy from going to bed very late last night.)  Maybe I will get started on a fabric art project and let the bugs have the basement for a while.  At least thinking about all the snuggly fabric will make me less cranky than if I were to continue to fume about Summer being over.

*pasting on a smile* Have a lovely day!  :)


"Prepared For Take-off"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists at Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30, Day Twenty One. Cage Free Series 028

Feels Like Home
Cage Free Series 028

A Blue Bird perches on a house that is soon to become his home.

Getting down to the wire, I am more than two-thirds of the way to 30 paintings.  I have found so much joy in painting all of these birds.  I have other paintings I would like to work on so they should be coming soon in October... unless my daughter comes up with a ridiculous Halloween costume she wants me to make.  Then there may be some delay.


"Feels Like Home"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists at Leslie Saeta's blog.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30, Day Twenty

Delicate Blue
Cage Free Series 027

Tufted Titmouse on a chilly morning.

It is absolutely beautiful in my neighborhood today but I'm sure the chilly days are not far off.

I am honored that Daily Paintworks chose this painting along with three others for their DPW Picks.  I believe the picks are listed according to when the auction ends.  To see all the picks, just page through the tabs.


"Delicate Blue"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists on Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30, Day Nineteen. Cage Free Series 026

Shimmering Ruby
Cage Free Series 026

Hummingbirds are so quick, when I see them in the yard they catch me off guard and I usually think it is a large bee buzzing around before I can focus on it to realize it's a little bird friend.  I wanted to capture that feeling of quick movement in this painting.

It's Friday, Yay!  And it's International Talk Like A Pirate Day.  My husband is all set with his eye patch, a bandanna for his head and he probably has a toy parrot squirreled away somewhere that he'll attach to his shoulder.  If you're really into the Pirate thing, you can dress up and Krispy Kreme will give you a free dozen.


"Shimmering Ruby"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists at Leslie Saeta's blog.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30 Day Eighteen

Fishing
Cage Free Series 025

Prothonotary Warbler does a little afternoon fishing.

Yesterday Leslie Saeta talked about how she loves painting reflections and my painting today is also about reflections and I love how water sparkles when the sunlight hits it at a sharp angle.  I think I captured that sparkle here.

I got a little more sleep last night and feel much better today.  I will definitely do that again tonight.  I have this thought that's left over from when I was a kid -- I never wanted to go to bed because I was always afraid somebody was going to have fun without me.  I have to force myself to go to bed.  Every night.  I'm lucky in that I almost never have insomnia.  Once my head hits the pillow, I'm out.  It's the making-myself-go-to-bed part that's a struggle.


"Fishing"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists on Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30 Day Seventeen. Cage Free Series 024

Power Disguised
Cage Free Series 024

Barn owl watches her prey intensely.
The power of the claws disguised by a beautiful face.

Boy Howdy I am extra tired this morning.  I even hit the snooze alarm, which is not a good thing.  I keep a tight schedule and now it's tighter.  Tonight is definitely an early-to-bed night.


"Power Disguised"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists on Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30, Day Fifteen. Cage Free Series 022

"Anticipation"
Cage Free Series 022

Naturally colored eggs from Easter Egger chickens.

This is the half-way mark for the challenge.  I have learned a lot, again with this challenge and I feel like I'm getting into a rhythm with the paintings.  Last time I really hadn't chosen a theme and the paintings were just whatever I felt like doing.  With the Cage Free theme I feel like I can stay focused on learning more about my own style.


"Anticipation"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the rest of the participating artists at Leslie Saeta's blog.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30, Day Fourteen

Family Portrait
Cage Free Series 021

Three chicks stood still (probably in a bit of shock at being away from the rest of the family) just long enough to capture this photo.  I love the idea that they are siblings posing for a family photo.  Another one that makes me laugh.


"Family Portrait"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks auction.
See the rest of the artists participating in the challenge at Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30, Day Thirteen. Cage Free Series 020

Sisters Get a Treat
Cage Free Series 020

These two sisters have come running for a treat and impatiently wait at their owner's feet.

Chickens are so beautiful and yet hilarious.  Just look at the shape of the hind-end on these two.  It makes me laugh and I want to hug them.

"Sisters Get a Treat"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists on Leslie Saeta's blog.





.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30, Day Twelve

Avant-Garde
Cage Free Series 019

I admit it, I was watching Project Runway and the name for this painting just struck me.  This chicken is a Silkie Bantam and I just love the mop of feathers in its face.

"Avant-Garde"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other artists participating in the 30-in-30 challenge on Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30, Day Eleven. Cage Free Series 018

Partridge Cochin
Cage Free Series 018

I know roosters are not snuggleable but this guy just looks so cuddly!... for a rooster.

Are you tired of the roosters yet?  This is the last one for a while.  I do have a couple of chicken paintings to share.  Maybe after the 30-Day Challenge is over I'll go back to the roosters.  I just love the variety of shapes, sizes, and feather configurations.

"Partridge Cochin"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other 30-in-30 participating artists on Leslie Saeta's blog.