Work In Progress

 Work in Progress

Day 23 Strada Easel Challenge

Getting closer....little by little.   Below are days 21 and 22 not included in the blog before because I was out of town when I did them.

Work In Process

 Work In Process

 

Day 20 Strada Easel Challenge 

I’ve added the ideas from my digital version but there’s no actual texture added just yet.  I’ve had to brush off most of the pastel on that side of the shawl and have a lot to do yet...but “I think” this version will be the final one. What a wrestling match this painting has been! Oh well, no pain...no gain!

Work In Process - Digital

 Work In Process

Day 18 Strada Easel Challenge

Digital magic! This time I decided to save my sanity and work digitally on the partially completed painting to resolve the shawl issue.  I came up with several options...think I like this version the best. 

I also spent a very chilly morning in the car...does that count as plein air?  I don’t think so.  Might be the last time I do that! Burrr...

Work In Process

 Work In Process

Day 17 Strada Easel Challenge

This time...I gave myself a little break from that dang-nab shawl and focused on the kettle. Next, I’m going to resort to using an app to think of better options for the rest of the shawl. No matter how I rearrange the still life, the patterns in the shawl are just not falling the way I want them to.

Work In Process

 Work In Process

Day 16 Strada Easel Challenge

So, there has been some progress made on the shawl...but it still has a ways to go.

Work In Process

 Work In Process

Day 14 Strada Easel Challenge

Working on the other half of the painting. I don’t usually work this way but in this case, it keeps me from being overwhelmed by that darn shawl in the background. Still a lot to do. Hopefully I can persevere through it. I’m trying to get the detail in without being too photorealistic.  I always shoot for painterly yet detailed.

Work in Process

 Work in Process

Day 14 Strada Easel.Challenge 

This side is almost done.

I now remember why I sat this one aside. I started with a black background...because that’s what was in my set up. Then, part way through I decided it really needed something to bring the three objects together besides a black background. Fortunately I had a colorful shawl that fit the bill...unfortunately, it added a tremendous amount of work to the piece.  Like 2020, it was dark and overwhelming. As I progressed, the piece became too busy and the folds in the shawl was becoming too distracting. Lesson learned, be sure of your composition before you start. 😊  As painful as it is, I’m planning on cropping the painting into a square format (my favorite format)...and only including the left half of the teapot.  Why, you might ask? Because the focal point is intended to be the shaft of light falling across the shawl and onto the tabletop, highlighting the sugar bowl, edge of the teapot/steam and flowers. The curve in the teapot handle will gently guide the eye from the top right corner of the piece down toward the light (at least that’s the plan).

I don’t know why, but during the winter months I wake very early (like, 3am today) so, I’m done for the day having put in 4-6 hours already). In fact, I see a nap in my near future (after Benny gets his dog walk in).

 

A Work In Progress

 A Work In Progress

Day 13 Strada Easel Challenge

Fortunately, for the challenge we don’t have to complete a painting in one day. This one has been on my “list” to finish for some time.  So, today was the day to work on a portion of it. It’s far more complex, so it’s a pastel this time instead of an oil. It’s a still life that I tried to set back up with the shawl in the background...unfortunately I couldn’t get the patterns lined up like I had it. I’ll have to work around that issue. A long, tedious day!

Silver Creamer With Cuties

 Silver Creamer and Cuties

6x6, oil

Day 12 Strada Easel Challenge

Practice makes perfect right? Well in this case, perhaps it looks like silver a bit more than in previous versions...or maybe not...but it was a fun exercise anyway! 

Jewel Tones

 Jewel Tones6x6, oil

Day 11 Strada Easel Challenge

These little jewel toned liquor glasses are some of my favorite ones (not that I have a lot of liquor glasses)...but, the painting itself didn’t meet expectations. For some reason the oil paint just didn’t want to go onto the canvas...so, like some paintings...I’ll probably paint it again. 

A Bit of Berries

 A Bit of Berrries

6x6, oil

Day 10 Strada Easel Challenge

I purchase grocery items sometimes with a painting in mind (such as these red raspberries).  Often, the food is eaten before a painting is created. This time, there were a few berries left, but only enough to fill this teeny tiny liquor glass. I love it’s deep purpley-red color.  It makes me think of grape jam. I may paint it again. 😊

Avocado Sunrise

 Avacado Sunrise

6x6, oil

Day 9 Strada Easel Challenge 

There’s something about painting this little piece that was so much fun, I wondered why I hadn’t painted one before now. I eat avocado and toast almost every morning and today was no exception. Unfortunately I broke down and ate half of it before I finished the painting. It was delightful!

Silver Sugar Bowl

 Silver Sugar Bowl

6x6, oil

Day 8 Strada Easel Challenge

Once again focusing on reflective surfaces in a super small still life. I purchased this little silver sugar bowl (I think it’s a sugar bowl) in Arizona.  I considered polishing it up before painting it, but the greenish patina was kind of charming. I’ll polish it later and paint it again.

Silver and Fuji

 Silver and Fuji

6x6, oil

Day 7 Strada Easel Challenge

Continuing with still life using a little wooden box...this time again, setting it up on top of the box to accommodate the bowl of fruit and focusing more on adding color.  I just love painting reflections. 😊

Thinking Outside of the Box

 Thinking Outside of the Box

6x6, oil

Day 6 Strada Easel Challenge:

Today I needed color! While dealing with shingles...and watching in disbelief as radical protesters stormed the Capital building...I just needed to go to a happier place! That involved searching for items that would make a happy colorful still life. So here you go! The beauty of painting is being able to go into “the zone”...where pain is dulled and the political rhetoric of the day is muted. May God bless and re-direct Americans towards a more tolerant peaceful existence. 

Amber Glass

Amber Glass

6x6, oil

Day 5 of the Strada Easel Challenge:

I loved the way the amber glass was reflecting off the back wall of this little wooden box.  I'm giving myself a couple hours to crank something out each day...but I hope to refine this piece in the coming days.  I'm going to have to square-up this box going forward since the canvas is square (the painting looks as though I couldn't paint a straight line) but,s maybe that's the funky nature of these still lifes. For now, I'll call it finished.

 

In The Zone

 In The Zone

12x15, soft pastel

This piece has been brewing in my head for awhile. Finally, there was time in 2020 to give it it's due. I know what it's like to be "in the zone". It happens every time I paint. You lose all sense of time and place because you are completely focused on the creative task at hand. I knew that was the case for this gentleman too. I was drawn to his music as well as his state of mind.

He was playing a beautiful classical guitar piece at the Farmer's Market a couple years back. I love classical guitar music....and, I especially loved his "TIP" bucket.  I can still remember the scene...strong light was pouring over him from the alleyway, tons of people were chatting at nearby restaurants, and there was the fragrant smell of fresh breads and intoxicating scents of fresh cut flower. In all the cacophony, he didn't seem to notice as he focused on the gentle music flowing from his guitar. Simply put, he was "In The Zone".

Pot In A Box

 Pot In A Box

6x6, oil

Day 4 of the Strada Easel Challenge:

No...it's not the kind of "pot" you might suspect...but a case of shingles has set in during the past 24 hours so finding some pain relief is priority number one today. I hear pot is good for that...but alas, I live in Idaho. I may need to visit an adjoining state (ha!).

Now for my painting...I'm infatuated with pitchers of all kinds. Big ones, short ones, squatty ones, and skinny ones. I think this little squatty guy may have been on a railway dining car because it has a little silver dish attached at the bottom, presumably for catching potential spillage as the train moves along the tracks. Whatever the reason, I love it's little plump body and attached lid and saucer. It's actually silver...so I may need to revisit this subject again this month because to me, it looks like a ceramic pot.  Nonetheless,  it's pretty darn cute!

Shell-ter In Place

 Shell-ter In Place

6x6, oil

Day 3 of the Strada Easel Challenge:

These pieces are considered studies...since they don't possess all the realistic details I would typically paint into a scene such as this (and they're painted with oils)...but they are a lot of fun to play with!  On the side, I am also painting in pastel...a more laborious juicy piece during the Challenge. Keeping the pedal to the metal when it comes to artwork (housework?...not so much, but then we are tidy folks anyway) 😎.

Catching Up From 2020

 Yep, 2020 Was Epic!

Following are 2020 paintings that didn't get a fair shake. My routine was disrupted by the pandemic and frankly I succumbed to just going with the flow for most of the year. These were late summer and early fall paintings including a few plein air pieces.

Harry Always Comes in Hot,  7.5x12 pastel

Silver Bowl With Apples, 6x8, oil

Barn Across The Payette, 6x8, oil

Along The Strand, 4.25x6.25, oil

Wild Roses with Daisies, 8x6, pastel

The Youngster, 8x12 pastel

Fall Along The Foothills, 6x9 pastel

Eagle Plein Air Festival - Nocturne, Sunrise Cafe, 8x10 pastel

Eagle Plein Air Festival - Hay There!, 8x10 pastel

Eagle Plein Air Festival - Nocturne In The Neighborhood 8x10, pastel

Beautiful Bella, 12x9, pastel

Early Dawn 6x12, pastel

Eagle Plein Air Festival - Nocturne, A Chilly Morning, 10x8 pastel

Eagle Plein Air Festival - Beneath The Shade Tree, 9x12 pastel

The Arrival Of Autumn, 6x8 oil

Feeling Boxed In

 Feeling Boxed In

6x6, oil

Day 2 of the Strada Easel Challenge:

I have this crazy little old wooden box that is far from square and has a beautiful patina to it. I've wanted to use it in some way for the Challenge.  I decided to start by placing small still life scenes in it. The title seems appropriate right now as we settle into winter...fortunately, our winters in the Boise Idaho area are typically pretty mild so there's really little chance of feeling too "boxed in".

The Last Bloom of 2020

The Last Bloom of 2020

6x8, oil

Day 1 of the Strada Easel Challenge:  2021 Is Here!

I'm not sure the world has ever been happier to start a New Year as it is this year. Of course, we are certainly not out of the woods when it comes to the pandemic in which we have all found ourselves. In fact, the pandemic rages on...it's never been worse. Our hospitals are full and struggling still to help all those who are in need of medical attention...whether COVID related or not. I heard a statistic today that 1 in 11 Americans have it or have had it. My grandson Tyler had a mild case from attending college. My grandsons Zack and Brian currently have mild cases, thank the Lord. And, we suspect my daughter's farm family in Washington state had early cases of it last spring...before testing was widespread.

The world has lost countless lives whether from the virus itself or as a result of it and it's impact on our healthcare system, our mental wellbeing, and the world's economy. Mankind is reluctantly united in a way we have never (in my lifetime) been united...to fight the virus, to get an effective vaccine, and to recover economically. But, most importantly, too recover our sense of freedom. 

Oh how we took for granted the simple things in life! Now, we have to stop and consider whether we can visit our families and friends, go out to restaurants, movies, concerts, sporting events or fly on a plane. Even though our odds of surviving are quite good, most people are doing what it takes to both bolster our economy while at the same time staying healthy so we don't inadvertently spread the virus and further burden our healthcare system.  

COVID19 has by now touched every family I know. Fortunately most have gotten mild or moderate cases and slowly recovered. Some have been in ICU yet thankfully survived. Several friends have lost loved ones and a few of my virtual friends have lost their lives. 

Mankind has weirdly adapted to the uncertainty and heartbreaking reality of COVID19...yet we all yearn for the day we can return to the world we once had. So, in a way, we celebrate from afar, a new year...with new hope that 2021 will be better than 2020. 

May God bless us all and help guide us to healthier and happier days ahead!