No Title Necessary

Day 7. The best part about this watercolor is the fact that I feel good about keeping up my commitment of a painting a day. I remind myself that golfers practice putting, and playing games. Not for the final score, but to keep improving their game.

Sometimes it's better to quit correcting mistakes in a painting and toss the darn thing. Starting over takes less time that trying to problem solve. This is one of those times.

This cellphone photo was taken today by my friend Lynda. I enjoyed the composition, but it was a bit blurry and I'm not sure where the dolphins eyes were located. The dolphin in front was my major struggle. Heck, he looks more like an anteater at this point than a mammal! :-0

Today's Spirit

This afternoon I painted & listened to a borrowed CD of poetry readings by David Whyte (thanks Bev). Beautiful, surreal thoughts that carried me through this painting. After a couple of days drawing and painting horses I wanted to just paint- no planning, just jump into 'the zone' with color. My subject was day lilies from this week's farmers market. Blind contour drawing is a fun way to sketch/draw quickly but not worry about crooked lines or shapes. I think the imperfect lines make for a better drawing anyway!

I also wanted to make back runs and let the pigment mingle so I layed the paper flat and used excess water to keep this loose.

If you don't understand this painting, I totally respect and understand. However, this painting is exactly where I was today inside my heart & head. I'm content with it.

Thanks for viewing my art.

Freedom Riders

Day 5 and I had fun! This group was also from Return To Freedom Sanctuary in Lompoc. Our guide gathered them, then threw her hat in the air and they took off running in circles. I bet I snapped 50 photos in 2 minutes! After cropping, and more cropping I was very happy with this composition. 

Horse of a Different Color

Recently I visited these wild horses in Lompoc, California.  This guy impressed me with his age, wisdom and history that he seemed to carry in his gate. He was a horse of a different color. I truly stood there and felt his power and presence as I shot this photo.

I hope to have captured a part of his spirit.

Looking Up At Low Tide

Today's painting is more about experimenting and showing up. I didn't get home until after 5 and found my energy and imagination at low tide. I looked through a few art books, some sketches, more art books, but nothing. I went to my pile of unfinished or 'not quite perfect' paintings and started thumbing through them. Wait a minute! There's one that grabbed me. It was a large painting of random sunflowers. Hmmmm. I measured different parts of the painting, then got out my scissors and cut off a chunk of it. At this point I was energized. 

An hour later I had copied a small hummingbird onto Asian paper, collaged this into the sunflowers. Collaged other rice papers around for a hint of foliage, then grabbed some hand made paper, cut it up and collaged on some obnoxious leaves. OK, so this won't make the art history books but it was fun. That's my lessons today- just have fun. I'd almost forgot.

Day 2- Hold On!

Happy to finish day 2's painting! This was more complicated than yesterdays.  I'll try this again, in another style or in different colors. Maybe experiment with various backgrounds  (the mountains & terrain around our valley)?

I've been asked to paint this certain fellow in another scene, but when I saw this old photo it was too good to be true. The composition was perfect! The background wasn't so hot (old cars and trucks that would be confusing so I left them out). I'm not sure who the young man is in this photo, but I felt this painting could tell a great story.

September's Flight

I love September! It reminds me of a new start- probably a remnant from many years past (new school years starting with fresh books, teachers, and new hopes). This September I'm taking on a 30 day challenge by artist Leslie Sateta (her link will be below).Why? To get myself back into my studio. Life tends to get in the way of art, other priorities constantly pull me away from what I love. 

My goal is  to paint each day, complete the painting- whether it's a study or finished piece. No rules- I can paint in any medium, just so I get back to enjoying the process. What am I going to paint? No rules, right? :-)

Today's piece was done on my back deck, watercolor study of a friend. 

It's not too late for you to join so clink on the link to Leslie's challenge.  http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/2013/08/getting-ready-for-30-paintings-in-30.html