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.

Blush

A touch of warmth in the cheek from Love...?  Excitement...?  Anger...?
I loved this eye so much, I wanted to paint it again.


See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.

Pearl

A friend of mine is part of a Dragon Boat team of all women who are Breast Cancer survivors.  Because of my Dragon theme, she asked if I could do a painting of a pink dragon to honor those ladies.  Of course I would!  In fact, I did more than one because, who wouldn't want a PINK DRAGON?!


See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.

Masquerade

Before I began this painting, I was thinking, "The colors in these paintings are getting a little crazy, maybe I should tone it down a little" and this was the result.  I do love color but tone it down apparently doesn't work very well in my sub-conscious.  I am pleased with this painting even if I didn't tone it down.

See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.

Dangerous Waters

Confession Time.
Art is happening, but it is happening slowly.  And the weather is crummy which makes taking photos of the art that IS happening next to impossible.

I have four new completed pieces.

I started this back in January and wasn't satisfied with it.  I went back to it and made some adjustments and I'm much happier with the result.

24" x 24" [needs a name].

Another for the Serpent Series.  24" x 48" [needs a name].

I have two paintings that I intended to be part of the Serpent Series however, they both have definite shark shapes, which I love.  I'm thinking they might belong in their own series.  I'm open to suggestions for the name of that series.

I showed this one during some in-process stages but I'm really happy with how it has turned out.
18" x 24" [needs a name].  [needs a series name]

This one I did while shooting video for a friend.  I enjoyed this new experience but painting while filming a video is very distracting.  Some day I may try again.  I've got nothing on Bob Ross, that's for sure.
Dangerous Waters, 24" x 24" [needs a series name]

One more brand-new piece is on my easel.  It is a huge 24"x 48" canvas and while it fits the theme of my Serpent Series, it is really a departure from my usual style.  Every time I do something outside of my comfort zone it is an opportunity for growth but what often happens not only with me, but with many artists is, when we get to a point in the middle of a painting, we get frustrated and stuck.  If it's work we are comfortable with, we can power through (or sometimes limp through) to get past the really hard part so that we can finish and be satisfied with the result.  When a painting is a challenge from the beginning though, that middle bit where we get stuck feels insurmountable.  I have paintings I started years ago that are still stuck in that middle bit and I don't know if they'll ever be finished.

I had one painting in a gallery show recently and that is always fun.  Despite my shyness, I do have a good time meeting new people and seeing old art friends at gallery receptions.  Also, I have just entered several pieces into an event online.  I am wary of online events simply because it's really easy for disreputable companies to take your money and you'd have no recourse.  This event was recommended by a friend who is a member of the website, so I felt safe in joining the event.  So far, the number of entries for this particular show is fairly small.  We are nearing the entry deadline so that is a bonus.  Fewer entries increases the odds that I could win a prize.  [fingers crossed]

Follow me on Instagram for lots of cryptic, in-process photos of whatever is happening on my easel and (sometimes) in my life:
http://www.instagram.com/karimelenartist/

I am happy to report that I passed my math course at college and my new job is hard but enjoyable.

New Tide

 New Tide

The tide goes out.  The tide comes in.  And so it goes.

I adore the beach.  I was lucky enough to spend a few days there this month and they were spectacular days.


16" x 20" oil on stretched canvas
The image is gallery-wrap style so it can be hung as is, or framed.
[click here] to purchase this painting from my Etsy store.

Buttercups

30 Paintings of Comfort and Joy, Number Twelve

Painting flowers and abstract are wonderfully enjoyable to me.  I got a two-for-one deal here.

I am obviously pining for Spring with these last two paintings.  Winter can be lovely to paint and I may try a Winter landscape but I'm already ready for warmer days.  I did take a walk last night (trying to get in those 10,000 steps).  It was dark and chilly and the walking path was quite clear of other people, if a bit slippery.  Don't worry tho- I had my flashlight and reflective vest so I made my attempts at safety, anyway.

I am having some trouble with my lighting again so some more experimentation is in order, I guess.  Forgive me for the shiny areas.

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

First Blush

30 Paintings of Comfort and Joy, Number Eleven

The first pink trees of Spring are Cherry, Flowering Crab, and then Redbud.  And they are glorious.  Gorgeous pin petals floating on the wind like confetti.  This tree is still in all its glory, not yet ravaged by Spring rains and wind.

"First Blush"
6" x 6" oil on Gessobord
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.

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.

Cherry Cordial

30 Paintings of Comfort and Joy, Number Seven

Tools of the trade.  Do you ever fall so in love with something you've made that you just want to keep it forever?  That is this painting for me.  I want to share it and yet I want to keep it.  It's available for sale now, but that might change.

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

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 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 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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30-in-30 Day Five, Cage Free 012

"Evening Lady"
Cage Free Series 012

This painting is meant as a companion to the one here.  The Evening Grosbeak spends its time in forests and I do not (sadly!) so we have probably never met but I think they are quite a lovely couple.  I love when I see birds in my yard but I'm not great at knowing what they are.  Maybe after researching so many birds for paintings, I'll actually be able to identify them when I see them.

I'm glad it's finally Friday.  Even with Labor Day this short week has felt very very long.  I had made plans to meet friends for an outing on Saturday but have decided I better stay home and paint instead.  It's going to be too hot anyway so I'll be thankful for my basement studio.


"Evening Lady"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the rest of the day's paintings on Leslie Saeta's blog.




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Cage Free -- 30 in 30, Day Two

"Evening Male"
Cage Free 009

Photographing my art so that the photo looks like the painting has proved to be quite an adventure.  Every time I think I have it looking really good, I see some thing I want to change or tweak just a bit so it looks even better.  I don't have a ton of money for photography equipment and I think I have figured out my new camera enough to make it work really well (for now).


"Evening Male"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the rest of the 30-in-30 paintings for the day on Leslie Saeta's blog.

Excitement of 30!

"Pride of Baltimore"
Cage Free Series 008

Happy September.  Today starts the challenge to paint 30 paintings in 30 days.  I completed my first 30-in-30 challenge in January of this year.  It was a wonderful experience.  Not every one of my paintings in the January challenge was a winner, but I learned a lot and enjoyed it enough to go for it again.

I decided to use the opportunity of 30 paintings to work on my Cage Free Series since it will give me a nice step toward the goal of 100 (though I never said how long it would take to get to that 100).

Being from Maryland, I couldn't put off painting the Oriole for long, especially with the O's doing well in baseball (ohhh... don't let that jinx it....).  For those who are not from this area, let me tell you one thing that is so fun about visiting Camden Yards.  It is the song they play for the 7th Inning Stretch:  "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" by John Denver.  Maryland is barely in the South and Baltimore is hardly a Country/Western kind of town but the city LOVES that song played at the O's games and everyone has a great time.  Just a bit of trivia.


"Pride of Baltimore"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See this painting and all the rest at Leslie Saeta's blog.




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Edging in For August -- SOLD

"I am the Leader.  I Have the Bell."

One of my goals for the year was to post at least once per month.  August allllmost slipped by.  September will bring you 30 paintings in 30 days so that balances out, right?

Today's painting doesn't count for the 30, it's just to whet your appetite.  It's a painting I did from a photo by my dear cousin.  He lives in Norway and his neighbors have sheep that roam free in the area.

The 30-in-30 painting challenge is the baby of Leslie Saeta.  Check out all the participating artists, here.  The map shown on the link can be expanded to search any area and if you click the green icons, you can see the artist's name.  Last I heard, there were over 700 artists participating from 22 countries.  Pretty amazing.  Look for my first entry tomorrow.


"I am the Leader.  I Have the Bell."
6" x 6" oil on gessobord
This painting is SOLD.

Destin Sunset -- SOLD

Florida's Emerald Coast

The name does have a lovely ring, doesn't it?

I guess I am dreaming of the beach.  I haven't made it there yet this year.  Too many busy projects to take time to relax.  Soon, I hope.

"Destin Sunset"
16" x 20" oil on canvas board, unframed.