15 in 15 Recap

Things I Learned 

(only somewhat serious)

1. I have to make sure I have enough rags around before I start otherwise Mark's undershirts will be sacrificed to the cause.

2. I like compositions with pathways/roads/sidewalks in them.

3. Indian Yellow is my new fav color. Not because I like it as a color alone, but it blends so well over and under and through the other colors. It gives every painting so much life.

4. I like slick painting surfaces for small pieces.

5. Josh Garrels makes me paint faster while keeping me somewhat relaxed.

6. Save the 4 mile tempo run, 50 pull ups, 100 burpees and 100 box jumps for an easy painting day. 

7. If I do this again, make sure it snows twice during the challenge. I could not have asked for more beautiful weather for these 15 days!

8. I found out I can paint fast. I can make decisions on colors and composition quickly. I don't have to paint in layers. I don't have to feel in control. I also found out I want to do this again. :)

15 Paintings in 15 Days (and one to grow on!)

On Tuesday I finished my 15 paintings in 15 days challenge. 

(Half of this challenge: 30 Paintings in 30 Days)

But it was such a pleasant, balmy day on Wednesday I had to get outside. 

Normally I'm not thrilled to paint on overcast days but Carlson's book on landscape painting has given me a fresh appreciation for even (and especially) gray days. More on that later.

Here's a step by step of the piece I painted.

This is a very different process than when I paint larger, more detailed works.

With the larger works I have a clear idea of how the painting will look when completed. With these I'm making it up as I go, seeing what the paint will let me get away with... and I have little idea how it will turn out. 

I moved some of the trees closer to the mine ruins to narrow the "frame".

I applied paint & scraped it off with my palette knife multiple time during this piece.

Gotta get that bright yellow/new wood support beam in there. (Ugh.)

Must tone down the red! 

Gray Day

12x9, oil

15 Paintings in 15 Days (day fifteen!)

It's the LAST DAY of my 15 paintings in 15 days challenge. 

(Half of this challenge: 30 Paintings in 30 Days)

I don't have much to say, except I can't believe I did it!

I learned so much from this little exercise and I think I grew in decision-making, confidence and my love for colors and shapes. There's a good chance I'll keep it up, although I do need time to work on my larger pieces. I have a 12x16, 18x24 & 36x48 waiting to be attended to.

If you live in the Richmond/Midlothian area stay tuned for info on ways to view my artwork.

1. Cafe Caturra (Midlothian location) in middle-Feb to April.

2. A two woman show with the very talented, Carter Stuart, at For Art's Sake Gallery.

Also, stay tuned to some blog posts on my process in the creation of a few of these 15/15 paintings.

Blaze

6x6, oil

sold

15 Paintings in 15 Days (day fourteen)

It's day fourteen of my 15 paintings in 15 days challenge. 

(Half of this challenge: 30 Paintings in 30 Days)

Morning Swim

6x6, oil

sold

15 Paintings in 15 Days (day thirteen)

It's day thirteen of my 15 paintings in 15 days challenge. 

(Half of this challenge: 30 Paintings in 30 Days)

TWO DAYS TO GO! 

Last Standing

8x6, oil

sold

They've chopped down so many of the big, beautiful trees in the area. This one is the last standing along this stretch of road of it's age & height. I wish I could paint this one again. Without other trees surrounding it to help block the wind and weather, it is in reality quite a bit scrawnier looking than how I represented it here.

15 Paintings in 15 Days (day twelve)

It's day twelve of my 15 paintings in 15 days challenge. 

(Half of this challenge: 30 Paintings in 30 Days)

A few years ago there were these three ducks -- a golden-gray, a white, and a brown and white spotted with a blue beak -- that made their home at a lake in Midlothian. They were inseparable. There was a large flock of mallards living on the lake. These three were always on the outskirts of the flock, trailing behind or off to themselves. Like the tree ugly ducklings. 

Only one is still living, at lease as far as I can tell. He's joined the larger flock.

I wish I knew their story. How they came, why they were so close.

An Unlikely Trio

6x6, oil
sold

15 Paintings in 15 Days (day eleven)

It's day eleven of my 15 paintings in 15 days challenge. 

(Half of this challenge: 30 Paintings in 30 Days)

In my years of painting I don't think I've painted a single snow scene until this week. 

It's a tricky thing. Trickier than I thought. All the rules (really there are no rules in painting, but there are some guidelines that typically appear in atmospheric/landscape situations) go out the window. Like the rule that the sky is usually the lightest value. Absolutely false during a snowstorm. :) 

Anyway. 

I've loved all the snow during my 15 in 15 challenge. I've learned so much.

This painting was from yesterday. I painted two paintings yesterday to get ahead in case I had to miss a day this weekend. I didn't paint this one outdoors, but I did stand out there in the snow (it was actually snowing in this scene. I did not paint the flakes. One day I'll be good...) at 9 am in the 20 degree weather for a while studying the light and colors with my eyes & taking photos. I definitely should have worn gloves.

Conifer Fields

12x9, oil

sold