The Finale!

Well...I made it!  I was shooting for 30 but I am ok with 25. It was fun painting scenes from Hawaii and doing the iPad paintings. I have to say, I love painting animals and I love figures. Thanks to my neighbor Rose for putting up with me! For those who left comments, THANK YOU! For those who looked at my work, THANK YOU! and for those who joined my site, THANK YOU! Your vote of confidence means everything to me as I try to get better and better. I am fortunate indeed!

To see the other artists' collages, click here.

Day 30: iPad Cat

iPad Painting

Well today is the final day of the challenge, although tomorrow will entail a collage. These challenges are fun, stressful and rewarding! Leslie Saeta knows how to spread enthusiasm and connection within the artist community! With that I would like to say "THANK YOU LESLIE".

Oh and "thank you" to the Morgue File and Wet Canvas for some of the images I have used as references, including today's!

To see the challenge click here.

Day 28: The Bassetts

iPad painting

My friend Birgit is always a good source for reference photos! I think these guys were waiting outside a coffee shop. iPad paintings are great for me right now. I made a promise to Scott to keep the counter clear when I am not painting. The set up and take down is a little time consuming. I'll try to paint tomorrow. Hey its Wednesday!

To view the "30 in 30" challenge, click here.

Day 27: Xena

8x10

acrylic on cradled panel

Xena is a commission that I FINALLY finished. My customer is a very patient person and I so appreciate it!

To see the "30 in 30" click here.

Day 25: The Corner

16x16

acrylic on cradled panel

I have painted a smaller version sometime ago, an 8x8. This is the progress from today. I did not do much yesterday as I had to work. I am hoping to have this ready by Feb 6th for the Tracy Art League show.  Tomorrow, I am back to work and then to Stan's for my Monday night sessions. I'll post again but no guarantees as to when. Thanks for being here and looking in!

Click here to see the "30 in 30" challenge.

Day 24: iPad Roses

iPad painting

I have used this reference before...

6x8 

acrylic on cradled panel

This was painted from an image found on Wet Canvas image library.

Very different huh? I think I like my acrylic painting best.

To see the "30 in 30" click here.

Day 23: iPad Horse

iPad painting

 I did a painting sometime ago in acrylics on the same reference  my niece Aimee lent me! She is a talented photographer!

To see the "30 in 30" Challenge, click here.

Day 22: iPad Sophie

iPad painting

I have thought about Sophie being an actual painting. Hmm now that I see it....

I will probably continue with iPad paintings til the weekend. Have to work late until then.

If you would like to see the "30 in 30" challenge, click here.

Day 21: Three Orchids

iPad painting

So I am going back to my day job tomorrow and I didn't have time to actually paint something today. I usually do not post iPad paintings but I use them to help plan out composition and just to mess around. I use Art Rage. After my niece reminded me that I do iPad paintings, I thought I could do these when I can't get to the easel. I did this on the flight coming home, in between the turbulence!

Click here to see the "30 in 30" Challenge.

Day 20: Pineapple Express

6x6

acrylic on panel

Today is my last day with my folks... I feel so sad leaving but I have to return to the mainland to my husband, dog and my day job. 

On a more happier note, I just found out that my painting's "Dog Park" image is now up on The Creek project. If you are familiar with Walnut Creek or if you like to shop, the project is located by Broadway Plaza across from Tiffany's, at the corner of Mt. Diablo and Main. www.facebook.com/livinginthecreek.

Click here for the "30 in 30" Challenge.

Day 19: Aloha from Pikake

6x6

acrylic on panel

Yesterday I went to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet. If you need to get gifts before you leave Hawaii, this is the place. There are t-shirts, jewelry, luggage and hand made crafts. I had the pleasure of meeting up with Pikake who was selling a variety of  Hawaiian crafts. She is a model, dancer and artisan. 

Click here for Pikake's contact info. 

Click here for the "30 in 30" challenge.

Day 18: Cattleya

6x6

acrylic on panel

This morning I got up and took one of the orchid arrangements from the house to the front lanai. The lanai is my studio while I am here. Thanks Mom and Dad! Yes, I know I have to clean it off for company tomorrow. 

I painted the Cattleya orchid from life. After becoming frustrated, I simplified the shapes, colors and values.

To view the "30 in 30" challenge, click here.

Day 17: Callie Calico Cat

6x6

acrylic on panel

Every time I come to visit my folks, Callie lives in the closet by day and comes out at night when I am asleep. I am "that thing" to her. Well, yesterday was a breakthrough. She came out and laid near me! I got pics of her right by the lamp. Can you tell?

Click here to see the "30 in 30" challenge.

Day 16: Hawaiian Waterfall

5x7

acrylic on canvas panel

This is Iris Dowson who showed my cousin and I warm hospitality when we visited her yesterday. Iris is the widow of Joe Dowson, my first ever professional art teacher. Joe passed away in 2013. He was an avid painter. He painted Hawaiian scenes right out of his head. I took from him when I was about 14 or 15. My Mom doesn't have many of my recent paintings hanging on her wall but there are several that are from Joe's class.

The waterfall painting came out of my head but I was thinking of Joe. He would have done more colorful foliage but I felt like this was finished. Iris often took paintings away from Joe before he thought he was finished. Our conversation yesterday was a good reminder of  how I sometimes have an impulse to overwork things.

Iris still sells Joe's work. You can read about him and see some of his work by clicking here.

Mahalo Nui Loa Iris!

To see the "30 in 30" Challenge, click here.

Day 15: Dashboard Hula Girl

5x7

acrylic on canvas panel
sold

I just could not help myself when I saw her on the Hawaiiana shelf. Had to have her and had to paint her. She is solar powered and can hula all day long. The background is a dish towel. 

To see the "30 in 30" Challenge, click here.

Day 14: Bike Shadow

5x7

acrylic on canvas panel

I went shopping with Mom yesterday and saw this bicycle shadow. I am always looking. I am sure you know what that's like!

Click here to see the "30 in 30" Challenge.

Day 13: Large Vanda

6x6

acrylic on panel

I went around my folks' house today looking for what is in bloom. There wasn't much  as its just not the time. Come spring and summer, I would have had better luck. Dad has been an avid orchid grower for years and years. He belongs to several orchid clubs. He runs a side business making baskets and stakes, selling to Koolau Farmers, a local nursery.

I struggled with the color on these. They are a brilliant fuschsia. Anyone have any tips on making this color?

To view the "30 in 30" Challenge, click here.

Day 12; Beach Boy

5x7

acrylic on canvas panel

Not so sure about this one. I guess I will label it a study. This is my friend's grandson. I am in Hawaii visiting my folks. I thought it fitting to paint a hapa kid :-).

Day 11: Cupcake with Heart

5x7

acrylic on cradled panel

What happened to the other days I was suppose to post...I have been working on a gift commission that I cannot post. I can keep a secret :-). Today's painting is from a photo reference found in the Morgue File.

Click here to see the "30 in 30" Challenge.

Click here to bid in the DPW auction.

Day 8: Under construction...A City Street

5x7

acrylic on cradled panel

I am not done with this. Maybe in another day or 2. This is for the "Gritty City Challenge" on DPW and of course for the "30 and 30" Challenge.

Day 7; Rose on the Aft Deck

5x7

acrylic on paper

Another study of my friend Rose. Judging from the title, can you tell that she also lives on a boat? Yacht is really the correct term but it sounds so hoity toity. 

You can view the "30 in 30" challenge by clicking here.

Day 6: Study of Rose 1

6x8

acrylic on paper

 

My friend Rose is such a good friend. She was willing to be my model this past Sunday morning. I took lots of pictures but I am hoping to get at least 3 studies out of them, maybe more. 

 

Click here to see the 30 in 30 Challenge

Day 5: Pink and Blue

4x4

acrylic on panel

So far, so good on keeping up with the challenge. This week will probably entail more studies though. I have a big week with my day job, so I won't have much time in the mornings, when I usually paint. Happy Monday!

sold

To view the "30 in 30 Challenge. click here.

Day 4: St. Bernard

4x4

acrylic on panel

Remember yesterday's post? Can you see that everything that was in the shadow pattern remains darker than anything in light? OK, there is that highlight on his ear but even that is not as light as the light areas. Thanks to those who left a comment yesterday! I think everyone guessed a dog and one person got St Bernard! 

sold

Day 3: Everything in Shadow

4x4

acrylic on panel

So I decided to make a study before going forward with this painting. I was channeling Peggi Kroll Roberts. This is from one of her lessons to get you to think about values. Values can create exciting patterns in your paintings. Everything in shadow is painted in one dark value and everything in light is painted white. Stay tuned for tomorrow's painting when I reveal its true identity. Can you guess it?

Click here to see the "30 in 30" Challenge hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Day 2: Paws

6x6

acrylic on panel

This painting was a challenge just getting the drawing correct. I am not sure I did that but I rotated  the panel to see if it looked correct from the up angle as well. Also used the mirror and camera to look again. I don't think I could have been an artist back in the day. They had some tools but obviously no digital ones.

sold

Day 1 of the January 30 in 30 Challenge; Puppies

6x6

acrylic on panel
sold

This is my entry for day one of the "30 in 30" Challenge. The reference came from the morgue file. I just love animals and especially little guys!