Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day 29

'Tess'
8"X8"
Acrylic mixed media on 140lb watercolour paper 

Second last pup for the 30 in 30. Can't believe how fast this challenge has gone!

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day 28

I feel like I am hitting my stride - only took 28 days (hahaha), into the habit of painting daily, the ideas are flowing (okay - most of the time), I am 'drawing' more, not detailed but I am getting the imagery and info I need (and want) and enjoying my models!! Well, actually I enjoy my 'models' all the time.

Today's offering is pure fun - a bit wonky, but I don't think I would have attempted this at the beginning of the month. The 'blue ball' rules in our house. Luckily for us Cleo is the ball girl and Kali loves a stick - everyone is happy!

'The Blue Ball'
8"X8"
Acrylic mixed media on 140lb
coldpress watercolour paper 

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day 22

'Waiting for Dinner'
7"X10"
Acrylic on 140lb cold press watercolour paper 

Paint is pretty thin in spots, you can see some paper with no paint and quite a bit of transparent red iron oxide that I used for a 'first' layer. Could I have done more - probably....maybe...but this is where I choose to stop. And our dogs were waiting for dinner! She is quite different from yesterday's pup.

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day 18

Another day, another dog. Quick sketch, blank canvas, some paint, water soluble crayon graphite and collage. A little 'wonky' but that's what you get with a little rascal. Hope you enjoy today's pup.

Quick sketch 

'Rascal'
12"X12"
Acrylic mixed media on canvas 

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day 12

I just can't seem to get painting....and I need to. I love doing the thirty day painting challenge - it gets me painting and I can experiment with a lot of things (colour, values, shapes composition, subject matter, etc). I was organized and ready for September but just haven't got into a rhythm.

Today's 'mini' was done quickly.... a bit of collage, limited palette and some graphite crayon. I didn't paint out the collage which I have a tendency to do and I am happy with what is showing. I was thinking of adding a bit more paint and pencil, but I think I will just leave it....for now!

Enjoy your painting time!

'Prairie Red #7'
6"X6 1/4"
Acrylic mixed media on
Somerset printmaking paper

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Six

Had to play a bit of catch up for the 30 in 30 this weekend but have gotten back on track. Struggled a bit with a couple of paintings - but on to the next. I am enjoying the challenge - great excuse to be painting and not doing the mundane day to day....you know what I'm talking about - laundry, vacuuming, dusting, dishes, etc, etc..... If you are participating in the challenge hope you are enjoying the time in your studio. 

Fall is here - although not officially. The morning air is crisp and cool and the grass is heavy with dew. The leaves are starting to change colour and fall to the ground. Mother Nature is letting us know that it is time to get things ready for the winter sleep. This is one of my favourite seasons - everything is so fresh out and the colour...well the colours are amazing. In the next few weeks it will be spectacular - as long as the wind doesn't blow too hard! This is having a big influence on my painting. The rich earth tones and the little pockets of green that refuse to give in to the change. And the skies - ever changing and spectacular.

Day 6
6"X6"
Acrylic, Caran D'ache watercolour crayons,
Derwent Inktense Pencils on
140lb rough watercolour paper

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Four

Was able to spend a bit of time outdoors yesterday and did a quick watercolour sketch. Our weather has been very wet this summer and there haven't been many opportunities to paint outdoors. I wish I had taken a 'before' scan of the painting - came home and added a few more things - the lines and making a few of the colours a bit richer using acrylic paint. Again it is all about the practice and experimenting with anything and everything!

Day 4
30 in 30 Challenge
8"X8"
Watercolour &Acrylic on 140lb coldpress
Watercolour Paper

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Three

Day 3 of the 30 in 30. I have a BSc in Agriculture and one of my degree requirements was to take at least one course in Soil Science. We looked at a lot of soil profiles - both in class and on field trips - lots of vertical and horizontal structures and I seem to be reflecting back on that time with these images I am creating now. I like the play between light and dark and the richness with the layering of paint. I am going back in with just an HB pencil to bring out some of what I imagine to be the 'soil structures' present  and a bit of writing as while - '...what lies beneath, so much more than just a 'simple' profile'.

Day 3
30 in 30 Challenge
8"X8"
Acrylic and pencil on BFK Rives Printmaking paper

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Two

Painting #2 in the 30 in 30 Challenge. Painting more from a memory of place rather than a photo reference. I seem to be leaning more and more to this reductionist style. It is surprising though how it does capture the actual image. This is a view from my window. Loosely interpreted of course. Lots and lots of layers of paint. I am getting better at using more paint. Makes the images so much richer. Need to get braver with my mark making though! On to number 3!

Day 2
9"X9'
Acrylic on Arches 140lb hotpress paper