Ruby

"Ruby" has a tail that is a little bit out of control (and those toes!). 

I enjoyed this big swirl and working on getting the light just right on all the curves of the lizard.

Happy Valentine's Day!
Today is my husband's birthday and he is definitely the Chocolate King.  Happy Birthday, Melenman.


See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.

Fuschia

This dragon has her eye on something she really wants and there is no doubt she will get it with that laser-focused gaze.


See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.

Two Point Landing

This guy leapt out of the shadows and onto the panel.  Too close for comfort, probably.  I like that about it.  I want my art to be a little frightening as well as beautiful... something you just can't take your eyes off (maybe because you don't dare take your eyes off it).

Have I mentioned how much I'm loving this series?  I'm working hard to remain 'loose' in my brush strokes... to not over-work each painting.  It looks easy but it's actually quite difficult in practice.

See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.

Painting Two Needs a Name

Final

I wanted to reveal the final painting near the end of the challenge.  The creature has no visible legs, and we're not quite sure where he ends as he curls around a large, blue egg that could be his sibling.

Mythical creatures have long been a fascination for me and this painting was wonderfully fun to create.  I have more creatures to spur your imagination (nightmares?) coming soon.

30 in 30 Blog.

Painting Twelve -- Tectonic

Part One

Lots of drama with this painting.  I love these deep, rich colors and I intend to keep this one very dark.

Maroon, varying shades of deep turquoise, and black are applied with a palette knife.

Part Two

I kind of knew where I was going with this painting from the beginning but as I went, it really screamed lava meets water and I added bits of steam to accentuate that feeling.

30 in 30 Blog.

Painting Eight - Love You FIVE-ever

Part Three

My daughter uses the expression "five-ever" to mean even more than forever.

The last touch ups here are the addition of some bold maroon at left, a wash of very light black at the center (black vs. grey here because the white is opaque and will totally cover over the detail underneath), a small amount of gold paint at the top and right and white to emphasize the main 5.


30 in 30 Blog.

Painting Eight Continues

Part Two

This painting needs a more defined focal point so that will be the next step.  I don't want to lose all of the bold lines but I will have to decide how to draw the eye to one area more than the others.  I have a good start with the transparent red and gold.

Crimson is mixed with Burnt Umber and lots of water.  No Matte Medium is used here so the paint stays transparent.  Cadmium Yellow Medium is mixed with Burnt Umber, again without Matte Medium.

See the beginning of this painting here.

30 in 30 Blog.

Molten Rise

Molten metal swirls and flows then rises through a watery grate.

16" x 20" acrylic and handmade paper on hard board.
This painting is available on Etsy.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/270860623/molten-metal-flow-design-original-art

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Through the Mist

Through the Mist

The chilly air of Autumn touches the water that has been warmed by and through the summer sun.  Like a gentle kiss that grows a passion in the heart.  The heart grows until it is ready to burst.  The nearly bursting heart touches the mind and the mind reels.



14" x 18" Acrylic and oil on stretched canvas.
The image on this painting continues around the sides of the canvas so it can be hung as is, or framed if you desire.
Buy on Etsy

Rainy Reflection

Rainy Reflection

Abstract mixed media in blues, greys and brown with a splash of orange/red.
The weather forecast for tonight is heavy rain.  I hope it also brings some thunder.  I love the thunder at night.

"Rainy Reflection"
20" x 24" mixed media on stretched canvas
This painting is available at my Etsy store.

Bright Lime

30 Paintings of Comfort and Joy, Number Ten

Winter time is great for loading up on citrus.  It's usually the least expensive fruit in the grocery and there are a large number of choices at this time.  Limes are among my favorites.  They pair so well with so many foods (especially Margaritas!).  As long as you keep them from drying out they keep well for a long time.  A little extra Vitamin C during cold and flu season doesn't hurt either.

"Bright Lime"
6" x 6" oil on Gessobord.
This paintings is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.

Half Spool

30 Paintings of Comfort and Joy, Number Nine

Only a small amount of lovely purple thread left on the spool.

Sewing.  I do enjoy sewing.  Especially in the winter time.  When my 30 paintings are completed, I will begin work on some quilting projects.  In the past, my quilt tops have all been made by machine while the actual quilting portion has been done by hand.  I intend to get a free-motion quilting foot for my machine (an old model of questionable quality -- so wish me luck!) and probably a table because crawling around on the floor for cutting fabric and sandwiching the quilt layers is becoming less desirable all the time.

"Half Spool"
6" x 6" oil on Gessobord
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.

Seductress

30 Paintings of Comfort and Joy, Number Three

This sultry temptress wants to lure you away from your New Year's Resolutions.

Cupcakes bring me joy.  Look at how adorable they are.  Just big enough for one person (when they are normal size.  Not those weird, gigantic two-pan creatures).  I used to work in a bakery and enjoyed times when I could experiment with new cupcake flavors.  A few years ago I helped out with a recognition event for Maryland Girl Scouts, creating a cupcake with a Girl Scout Cookie baked inside.  It was fun and stressful and scary making 350 cupcakes.


"Seductress"
6" x 6" oil on Gessobord.
This paintings is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.

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.

30-in-30, Day Nine. Cage Free Series 016

Flame
Cage Free Series 016

One significant feature of the Japanese Bantam Rooster is the straight, flame-red comb.  Apparently this breed is better for warmer climates because the comb is quite susceptible to frost bite.

In one day it seems it has turned from Summer to Autumn.  My feelings are torn about this.  I love the cooler weather but I really don't want Summer to be over.  I love Halloween and in my younger years I would have had my costume planned and started already but I really don't want Summer to be over.


"Flame"
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 Seven, Cage Free Series 014

Brilliant Indigo
Cage Free Series 014

Vivid Indigo Bunting perches in a field with fiery Autumn colors.

It finally rained last night so the temperature dropped and it won't feel like we're on fire for a few days.  Yesterday I didn't get to cook a thing so I guess I'll be extra busy with that today.  A cooler day is better for cooking, for sure.


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




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Cage Free -- 30-in-30 Day Six

Dashing
Cage Free Series 013

To me, this guy looks dashing in his blue finery and black beard and head feather.  What a lovely creature.

It's Saturday and I have slept in (normally I'm up at 4 for work, so 7 is sleeping quite late for me).  Now it's time to crack in to the day -- a walk and quick trip to the gym, appointments for my daughter, some cooking for the week (I cook enough for the week, rather than the day and live off leftovers), and some painting for the week.
I hope your day is productive.


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




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Daddy's Girl -- SOLD

"Daddy's Girl"

Captured at a 4th of July parade.  These two were having a grand time.  Kids are this small for such a short time.  It was wonderful to see them sharing this day.

"Daddy's Girl"
9" x 12" oil on linen covered board, unframed.
This painting is SOLD

Cage Free Series 006, 007

"Winter Couple" female and male Cardinal

This couple is in my yard all winter.  My lovely neighbors feed them.  I tried a feeder but the squirrels tore it up almost immediately and that was the end of that.

Male Cardinals have quite a sharp call and I can always tell when they are in the hedge directly below my window.  I often try to sneak a peek but if they see any movement, they are gone.


"Winter Couple"
Each is 6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This set is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.