Day 12 (30 in 30) Perry's Kite, 9x12

 Spent last week in the Outer Banks with my husband and family. I managed 12 small paintings between the bike rides, family meals and time on the beach or pool. The views were gorgeous, weather was fantastic, skies so pretty and blue!

 

This was my view of sound from near Miller's Waterfront Restaurant in Nags Head.

My brother and his friends spent a couple hours kiteboarding while I painted. The wind was gusting 20 mph or so. Great for kiting, not ideal for painting. Felt pretty sea sick by the completion. I moved my easel set up around the corner of a building to make the final touches -- still gusty, but a little milder.

  

 9x12, oil

 I think i'll call it "Perry's Kite". His was the orange and white one closest to the center of the painting.

After finishing up I snapped a few photos of my bro, Tom, enjoying the wind.

Days Seven through Eleven (30 in 30)

 My brother told me to use the biggest brush. 

 

Prob would call this one Gusting 20 mph.

 

Day Five and Six (30 in 30)

 

Might call this one "Under the Bridge"

6x8, oil

 

Possibly "Shady Spot" or "Low Hanging Limbs"

7x9, oil 

 

Day Three and Four (30 in 30)

8x8, oil

Another quickie in the yard. 7:15-8 or so AM. 

Another reason I have mosquito bites to add to my chiggers and poison ivy.

Please forgive the photo quality. 

9x12, oil

Started on location and finished up in the studio.

Tuckahoe Plantation.

Day Two (30 in 30 Challenge) - One from the yard

Our Magnolia

8x10, oil

This might sound strange. I've never really had a dream house. Never really had a dream car. But I have dream trees. Yes. trees. Trees I hoped to have in my yard one day. Here they are:

1. Japanese Maple

2. Weeping Willow

3. Magnolia

Guess what trees happen to be planted in our new yard. 

Yes, not one but three Japanese Maples.

Yes, a Magnolia. A baby, but a magnolia nonetheless.

My sweet husband did some research on Weeping Willows and found that their roots can be damaging to pipes, foundations, concrete ditches, etc. He came up with a beautiful Weeping Cherry as an alternative and planted one next to our pond. 

All my dream trees. What more could a girl want? :)

Day One (30 in 30 Challenge) - What not to do.

 

On Monday I packed up my gear for a little painting at Sunday Park. Counting this as day one of the 30 in 30 Challenge. I don't know how I'll do blogging each day of the challenge. Today I want to pass along a few "What Not To Do's". If you're a plein air painter already I am sure you know these. Even if don't paint plein air these are probably common sense to you. I tend to forget all I've learned when I'm racing against the clock/moving sun. It's really pathetic sometimes.

So these are more of a "note to self" reminder.

What not to do when painting outdoors:

1. Do not set up your easel so your painting is in the shade and your palette is in the sun. (See photo above.)

2. Do not pick a spot where you can't back up from your painting (without falling in the lake).

3. Do not "chase the light", i.e. change the painting with each degree that the sun shifts.

4. Do not choose a small canvas when painting a "wide angle" scene.

5. Do not try to paint a whole lot of big rocks in a hurry.

6x8, oil

Thankfully it kind of looks like something. Kind of is emphasized.

30 in 30 - The Challenge

 Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days

 

Image credit: Carter Stuart

Do I dare?

15 paintings in 15 days, yes, I know I can do one a day for 15 days. 30 in 30? I could try.

My good friend Carter Stuart is doing a 30 in 30 challenge in June. I know I'm a little late to jump on the wagon, but I'm going to try.

Carter's rules are: 

To draw, doodle, or paint with pencil, pen, charcoal, watercolor, oil etc. every day in the month of June! 30 days!

I might double up on a few days because I know I'm going to have several days of travel and other commitments. Anyway. Here it goes!