Opportunities

I love opportunities... and especially ones that help others. This came in my email this morning. http//www.dailypaintworks.com:80/Challenges/HelpJapan

Now that my taxes are done and out of the way, I am able to get back to concentrating on painting. I have a "homework" assignment to do for my painting classes I have been taking.

I will also be working on a painting to be auctioned to help the people of Japan. This is a very worthy cause and I hope I am able to do one that someone wants to buy.

Stay tuned .... I will be posting these paintings soon

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Thanks to all who visit and view my blog!

Plein Air Painting

"Mike's Catfish Pond"

12 x 16 Oil on canvas panel

I love this little pond which joins our farm. It just begs to be painted! That is Mike's house in the background. He is down at his pond fishing often in the summer. That is our field on the near side of the pond. The heavy rains filled the pond to over-flowing and running down the sid eof our field. His trees near the edge are still standing in water.

I started this outside yesterday and finished today smoothing up tree trunks and adding fence.

Thanks for viewing.

Tea-pot Finished

8 x 10 Oil on stretched canvas

( Available )

Although did the best I could to limit my strokes, I did not complete this with the one stroke method. I basically finished out the backgound and made a few other adjustments. Still a decent painting I think. Hubby likes it and he is my worst (best) critic :)

A One-Stroke Painting Challenge

"Tea, Anyone?"

8 x 10 oil on stretched canvas

A few days ago, I began working on a one-stroke painting challenge. This was my first attempt at this kind of exercise. It was very interesting and fun challenge. The idea is to mix one color. Put down one stroke on your canvas/board. If it’s wrong, mix a new color and put a new stroke directly over the first. Mix a new color (feel free to adjust the first color, on your palette, to get the second, but make sure to start a new pile when needed). Put down one stroke. Mix a new color. Put down one stroke. You get the idea. Trying to get myself to do only one stroke was not an easy thing for me. I did surprise myself and am pleased with the results, even though I made several mistakes, given the limited time I had available to work on it that day.

Thanks to DPW for offering the opportunity to participate in this challenge. However, since my browser won't cooperate, it seems I cannot upload it on the DPW site, so I am just posting it here. I will be trying to use this technique more.

Thanks for visiting!

Johannes paint-along - finished

Okay, I think I have done all I know to do to this...

"Footbridge"

11 x 14 Oil on stretched canvas

These are the things I have been working on.............

1. abstract shapes

2. values (I tend to get too dark in areas)

3. brush strokes

Now, if I can get my right brain to do these all at the same time ....everytime.... I will feel I have made some progress. Wow... this does take brain work!! I will be the first to admit .... my brain needs some exercise

Painting with Johannes

As I have never had training or opportunity to take art classes, when I heard about a 12-week free webinar painting classes (2 hrs.in length, Sat and Sun afternoons) through Wet Canvas, I was determined to sign up.

11 x 14 WIP

Today was a demonstration painting and we were told we could paint along if we wanted. I got my pallet laid out with the colors the instructor suggested using, but found out at the last minute he was doing it in watercolor instead of oil. He also had sketched the larger shapes onto his support, and I hadn't had time today to view the reference photo he had emailed us.

Well, I decided I'd go for it anyway!....with my oils, as that is what I work with. I just painted along with him, filling in shapes in the general areas, and doing my best to keep up with him. This painting is not done yet of course, but it was a very fun exercise, and I feel I am learning alot about a whole new way to paint. I will post the painting when it is finished. I am so thankful for the opportunity to take part in these classes! Thanks to

Wet Canvas and Johannes!

Painting outside today

I was so glad it warmed up enough to get outside to paint today. It was 17* when I left the house and was out about one and a half hrs. I did the finishing touches at home this afternoon. I love how the wild vines climb up the fence in the summer to be the perfect winter decoration!

"Tracy's House - Snowed In"

Plein Air Oil 9 x12

(Sold)

Thanks for stopping by