Update after spring break!

 

So, I took time off from my 365 project to work on some pieces specifically to enter an art show. I didn't get the Lucky Strike finished, but I am working on it this week. That means, I only entered one piece, River Rocks. I am hoping for the best, but not planning on getting in. After a hectic Palm Sunday weekend, we all had spring break (code for.... kids at home!)  We took off for Hilton Head half way through the week and had the most amazing time. It was re-invigorating and I am ready to rock and roll this week. The painting above was one I did while the boys and my husband fished on the beach. I also painted a plein air piece early in the morning that same day which I will post later. Many photos were taken that I hope to use as reference material as well. This week expect to see a mixed group of paintings! Tiny treasures, plein air paintings and a few paintings that have been in progress.

Lucky Strike WIP (title in progress too)

 

I really can't stand posting a work in progress because I truly hope that there will be a lot more refining done on this piece, however I do want to keep you all up to date with what I am working on. Right now, this is titled Lucky Strike, and as I said, some things will get tighter, and some will get looser. I can't wait to finish it but since it is a large piece and full of angles, it is very time consuming. I really want to see it finished the best that I can however. It is very exciting to work on a sizable canvas after creating for the last few months on pretty tiny canvases! Hopefully I will have some time to work on it tomorrow and I'll be able to update you again.

Around town...

 

So, I have been working on some local landscapes this week. But I needed some more reference material so I spent yesterday running around Raleigh taking photos. Since I couldn't post yesterday, and I have a piece in progress I am not ready to share yet today, here are some of the sights from my field trip around town! 

North Carolina River Rocks

 

So, here's my first painting away from the 21/365 series. It was fun and challenging to do a landscape after taking a long break from them. Also, I am not used to working from photos, usually I work en plein aire which is fancy for outside in the world. Each has it's advantages and disadvantages. In particular, although a landscape changes in significant ways when painting from life throughout the span of an hour or two, you also have the advantage to look around an object and to see subtleties in the color and interaction between shapes. When working from a photo, advantages are: you don't have changes in lighting and other changes of the environment as well as the absence of  gnats!

I would love to hear what you think!

Tiny Treasure No. 13

 

So, here is an odd collection of items. I like the texture differences between them, the yellowed torn paper, the dragonfly wing and it's transparency, and the fluffiness of the feather. I may touch up some areas here and there, but basically this is finished. 

I have a little announcement. I will still be painting every day, but I am going to take a week off from Tiny Treasures for another project. I need to paint some local landscapes so I can enter something into a local juried art show. I'll keep you up to date each day on what I am painting and as always I would love love love to hear your thoughts!!!!!

Tiny Treasure No. 12

 

So, in an effort to think more about my subject matter and my body of work, I am planning to do more sketches before painting. This is a study for a potential painting of a feather, dragonfly wing and some pieces of a book page nailed to a piece of wood. I like the composition and the juxtaposition of the materials and textures. I hope that taking more time planning my paintings will pay off. I can't see how it wouldn't! 

Tiny Treasure No. 11

 

This tiny treasure is a little origami sailboat. I actually worked on this over two days, but who's counting? On to No.12!