Sunday, January 29, 2012

Day 89

I took this reference while snowshoeing out back. As I get older I enjoy snowshoeing more than cross country skiing, I think it is because you don't tend to fall as often.

This is my second painting on my own ground. Somewhere hiding in plain sight is a cat's paw print, can you find it? Both cats love to wander around on wet paintings, over a palette and now this.

Between painting sessions today we washed and brushed both collies. The cats could use a bath too, but that is for a later date!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Day 88


This was my first on my hand made ground. My first layer was terribly streaky, due to the texture of the ground. I did an underpainting with it and I used the texture to my advantage, then I went back and put a second layer of ground on the rest of the ones I had prepared. I noticed some little cat prints on them.

Yesterday was perfect for snowshoeing. The snowmobile trails behind the house have not been packed down yet, so we did the best we could. More snow is needed. We now have a nice path through the woods and onto the trails. I took a few photos and will be posting the paintings soon!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Day 87

Last weekend we had the most amazing view of a sunset from our living room window. I played with this for a week, pushing and pulling.

Today we woke up to well below zero temps (-13) and frozen water. There are always a few anxious moments when we wait for those pipes to thaw, but they did and the morning went on.

Yesterday I started to prepare some of my own grounds for pastel. I am using watercolor paintings I am not pleased with and putting a coat of acrylic gesso and pumic on them. Later today I will try it out. I must stop using the Canson paper, as I am not pleased with the results, but I am not accomplished enough in pastel to "waste" my Wallis paper on these learning exercises.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Day 86

I took this reference from my kayak, it was one of those mornings I took my breakfast out and enjoyed watching the fog lift. This am it was about 10 below, and my kayak is tucked safely in the barn.

For this pastel I used my Ludwigs and Wallis paper, what a combo! I am off to paint last night's sunset.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Day 85

These two beauties are Lena and Pal. This spent too much time on my easel, but I enjoyed doing it. I love to look back on forth between Lena and Pals ears.

My Dakota Traveler arrived today, (finally!) I agonized over how to organize my colors, and finally decided to place them by hue and value. My collection looks a bit tiny in the new box!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Day 84


Drawing horses is how I got interested in art. I was the typical little girl madly in love with anything equine, and growing up that was one thing I always remember wanting. My hubby finally made my dream come true one Mother's Day, and I became a horse owner! I didn't bother drawing them, I had one to ride and brush! Milford was joined by his buddy Tonka and we then had two.

I have been thinking about painting Milford for a while, but I am not ready yet. I did this pastel today of another bay horse just to see if I could do it. It was a learning experience. I had a chance to try spraying fixative on layers and work over it....but I think this poor paper is done taking any pigment. The next time I will use my good paper, and try a portrait of two of my friends horses.

Oddly, this portrait ended up looking a lot like Milford!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Day 83


My second painting of the year, Sand Beach at Acadia. This day there was a crew shooting an add for LL Bean. We resisted the urge to walk down the beach and snoop.

My Terry Ludwig pastels arrived today, and I was able to use them to put the finishing touches on this painting. These pastels are wonderfully soft and rich in color. I already have his set of intense darks on my wish list. My Dakota traveler did not arrive however, the company made a shipping error, and promised to reship today. Patience is not my strong point.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Day 82


My first painting of 2012, another view of sunrise on Cadillac.

I have been contemplating giving up daily painting and converting to painting daily ....being a little stressed from getting behind over the holidays. I want to spend more time on each image now. But, I have decided to grant myself permission to not worry about being behind and start fresh as of today. Completing one painting a day has made an impact in my work. I will think of my daily painting as a warm up for a more detailed piece that I will be working on over several days. My challenge to myself for the month of January will be trees and rocks, as improvement is needed in both. To paint Maine one must be able to do those well.