Snowman With A Heart

 Snowman With A Heart

10x8; soft pastel

The last snowman (I think) in this series is a sweet little guy sharing his heart with the world. Day 23 in this 30 day challenge. 

Snowman - Lighting The Way

 Snowman - Lighting The Way

10x8, soft pastel

30 day challenges are always fun…and a real challenge by the time you get to mid-month. This month is no exception. Yet it’s always good to push yourself. Right?  Below are a few other works I finished since my last post. 

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.

 

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) 😎.

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".

Brass Bird on a Pot

Brass Bird on a Pot

6x6, soft pastel

This little guy travelled with me to the local greenhouse for a bit of “Plein air” painting during January.  I placed him on an upside down flower pot in between a few other pots of bright pink flowers where he rested quietly until I was finished. Plein air isn’t necessarily my bag...but it was great fun and good practice painting outside the studio. 

Last but not least...Dad’s Parting Shot

Dad’s Parting Shot

8x10, soft pastel

There are many things that remind me of my dad so I’ve pulled out a few items from my memory box to arrange into a small still life. This is a quick study piece. I don’t know if I’ll paint it larger, in more detail, or add more pieces. But, I thought it was fitting for the final day of my shot glass series. The background...

The Barber:
Dad was a quiet man...and multifaceted...he was a bit of an enigma. He was a longtime barber in the small Iowa town we lived in along the Mississippi River and proudly owned his own shop. So, I included a shaving brush. He cared for his shop (and our home) meticulously. He could repair and/or build absolutely anything.

The Gambler:
For as many years as I can remember he was also a gambling man, drinking and playing poker quite often into the wee hours of the morning. Playing cards, dice, and a shot glass are included because they all went hand in hand. Of course high stakes poker wasn’t legal in Iowa so card games were “secretly” held in various locations. One night while playing cards (which I’m told, often included lawyers, police and a judge or two) the small “poker club” was robbed. Several younger men gained access to the room and stormed in. At gunpoint, the players were tied up and robbed. Fortunately no one was injured...except maybe their pride. You would think that would deter them...but not for long. In any event, his cards, dice and a shot glass represent those tumultuous times (“dicey shot”...or maybe we should call it “lucky shot”)

The Golfer:
Dad was also an avid golfer. He owned his own golf cart and in retirement played every day. He loved going to the golf club to play. He had at least two...maybe three hole-in-ones so I included one of his golf balls. I believe this one was his first hole-in-one (“long shot”).

The Singer:
Dad was also musically inclined. He whistled often and for a time sang in the choir at church. He sang like Perry Como, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra rolled into one (ah yes, the “mad men” era). He owned several harmonicas (which my mom always called French harps). I have one of his smaller versions which I cherish.

The Hunter:
I didn’t include something representing hunting...maybe I will if I paint this again.

In his youth he was an avid hunter. Because he wasn’t very talkative (and very busy with work and “other interests”) it wasn’t easy to get to know him. As a sensitive child in a busy family of six kids, I wanted to be closer to him. So, one evening I asked if I could go deer hunting with him the following morning. To my surprise he said yes.

We woke up WAY before dawn and headed out, when we arrived at my uncle’s farm he handed me a shotgun (of all things). At ten years old, it seemed as though I was only a bit taller than that gun. I’d never shot that particular gun before...heck, I don’t think I’d shot ANY gun before except maybe a BB gun. I didn’t even WANT a gun, I thought I’d just walk along beside him.

He gave me a couple safety tips and that was all the instruction I got. Then he told me to walk through the corn field. I looked at him, at the gun, and the corn field...then back at him. Too afraid to let him down, I did what I was told. He told me not to shoot (especially in his direction) and only shoot if I had a “clear shot”.  What did THAT mean?  He took out in another direction around the cornfield. Oh man, this was not the father/daughter experience I had imagined!

Walking through that corn field, my heart was pounding in my ears and throat. Fear was so intense I could hardly see where I was going. As I made my way through the drying corn field (which towered at least two feet above my head) I could hear a lot of crackling, crunching noises. It was disorienting. Was that my dad? Or a deer, or several deer...? Or a corn field monster (ha!). I was prepared to shoot but fortunately didn’t (despite the overwhelming thought of being trampled by deer or worse). To my relief I finally found my dad at the end of the cornfield and later learned that he’d sent me in there to flush out the deer (if there were any). Needless to say, that was the last time I asked to go hunting. I restricted my future requests to fishing and golfing instead.

The Fisherman:
The only time dad sat still was after dinner watching the news or Bonanza or Gunsmoke. When it came to hobbies, each one became a passion for him.

Dad’s love of fishing was epic. He fished as a young boy along with his dad and brothers. He was an avid bass fisherman and was proud of his boat. He was a great cook too and often fished on the Mississippi River for catfish especially if there was going to be a big fish-fry at the golf course.

The bobber reminds me of that passion and the final day of his life. He and a golfing buddy capsized under the dam’s spillways while fishing one August morning. A lot can be said about that day but if you know the Mississippi, you know their chances of survival was almost zero. They both died doing something they enjoyed...I guess that’s not a bad way to go.

The Catholic:
And finally, the good Catholic man. Dad was not without vice...but I will say he was devote in his beliefs. I never knew him to raise his voice or harm anyone, ever. He was a “live and let live” kind of guy. He had a soft heart and was loved by many. I have his rosary which I can honestly say I don’t recall him ever using. But, no matter how late his night before was, he was always dressed in his Sunday best for church each Sunday morning. His faith, like the rosary above intertwined throughout his life, connecting all the many things that interested him.

Miss you Dad ❤️

I had a blast doing these crazy shot glass paintings during the 31 day challenge...I hope you enjoyed them too!

Shot of Stella

Shot of Stella

6x6, soft pastel

As I’ve said once before, I love Stella...whoever she is. I love the gorgeous green bottle as much as the contents. The green against the yellow (along with the red and white label) is pretty striking. In any event...the month is coming to a close and I have more shot glass ideas than days left to paint them. Maybe next year I’ll do it again!

Tot Shot

Tot Shot

6x6, soft pastel

Who doesn’t love a good hot crispy tater tot right? We have a special place we like to go for burgers and they have the very best tots around. We were out for lunch the other day and the spirit of the 31 day challenge, I sacrificed these three tots from my lunch to use in a still life setup.

Of course Benny was very interested in the savory smell my studio took on while I painted and sat patiently next to the still life table hoping to get a handout once I was finished. I must have distracted him along the way because it wasn’t until three days later that he picked up the scent again and sat patiently next to the table. Although they were cold and dried out by then, I simply had to give them to him anyway. A dog’s reward for superior patience.

Shot of Fall

Shot of Fall

6x6, soft pastel

 Well...I figured I'd round out the "seasons" shot glass theme with fall. The only thing I had for fall were a few dried leaves I collected while walking Benny last October.  In any event...here it is.

Shot of Summer

Shot of Summer

5x5, soft pastel

It was time for a bit of fun in the studio. No, I didn't really have all these flowers in my little shot glass...but I imagined I did! I'm so, looking forward to summer when the flowers are in full bloom and the weather is warm.

Calculated Shot

Calculated Shot

6x6, soft pastel

My “plein air” piece from yesterday at Edward’s greenhouse was a disaster...so I came up with this piece instead.  Of 3 paintings yesterday, only one survived the cut.

I know, I know...I’m really aging myself using my HP12C for this piece. But, it’s my very favorite calculator (my only one) and still works like a charm. Someone on the internet wrote recently that calculators were obsolete since everyone can now “google” the answer to all their calculating needs. Surely calculators won’t become obsolete will they?  I hope not. 

A funny thing about this one...there’s a red dot reflecting in several areas within the shot glass. The HP doesn’t have a red dot anywhere on it but I added one in nail polish so my husband didn’t get it confused with his own. I guess we get a bit possessive of our calculators. 😊

Shot of Spring

Shot of Spring

6x6, soft pastel

My husband and I used a new system when getting groceries together...we went very early in the day (after all we are very early risers) and each took a small cart with list in hand. We started in opposite ends of the store and met in the middle...it took all of 10 minutes and we were in the checkout line...amazing! Not on my list were these sweet little irises but I couldn’t resist...especially since they were so tiny and fit beautifully in a shot glass! I’m so ready for spring! 

Bird Shot

Bird Shot

6x6, soft pastel

This little brass bird sits on the mantel in my studio. Since I’ve never painted brass before I thought it would be a great little subject...I love this little bird and of course, I like the play on words. 

Make Mine A Double!

Make Mine A Double!

5x5, soft pastel

My still life set up is getting a run for its money this month. Just for fun I put a small light behind these two shots of Scotch. I thought they were kind of striking and very monochromatic, worthy of a painting I’d say. When I finish this month I just might have to celebrate with a double (I don’t think I’ve ever ordered a ”double”...but I just might). 

B52 Shot

B52 Shot

6x6, soft pastel

I painted it just because I like the colors. Kahlua, Irish Cream, and Grand Marnier make up a B52...but there’s creme de menthe in this one (love the green).  I really think I should be able to drink my still life props don’t you?  After all the candy and alcohol this month I’ll need to diet for the whole month of February!

Fun fact...the three layers (top to bottom) are the crema, body and heart...and now you know. 😊

Shot Of Convos 2

Shot of Convos 2

6x6, soft pastel

I suspected the previous one might sell quickly and I needed to make sure I had one of these at home  (cuz I like it so much) so I thought I’d paint it again and give it a bit more of a polished look. Believe it or not, I still have these little conversation heart candies. They’re one still life prop that hasn’t been eaten...yet. 😋

Shot of Courage

Shot of Courage

6x6, soft pastel

These days Australia is on everyone’s mind. It seems the whole continent is on fire. I pray for quenching rains and the well being of everyone involved. The “shot of courage” above is for the Australian firefighters. The medal in this painting is their fire service award which is awarded for distinguished service by a member of the Australian fire service. May they persevere through these difficult times. Once again we are reminded that firefighters around the world are our heros.

Fun fact...the head of the Queen is only 1/2 inch...it was a challenge to paint it and get it to somewhat resemble the Queen...pearls and all.