Idaho Pastime

Idaho Pastime

9x7 soft pastel

Day 21....I have painting fatigue!

I tackled a picture I thought would be pretty straightforward...but alas, anything short of a paint-by-number set right now feels tedious.   For today...I am crying uncle.  I walk away from this one a bit frustrated and tired...it will have to do.  

"Idaho Pastime" is one of the favorite things many people like to do...go fishing.  It is especially a favorite pastime of the men in our family.  In Idaho if you drive by any river, stream, pond, or lake you will see a fisherman, woman and/or child fishing...yes, even during the chilly winter months.

Field of Poppies

Field of Poppies

6x8 soft pastel

Ok...this painting has nothing to do with my family theme...but I decided it was time to practice a landscape while watching a video demonstration by Colleen Howe Bleinberger. She has such a soothing and calm presentation...it was relaxing and fun. Check it out on Artists Network TV.

Assembly Line

Assembly Line

6x8, soft pastel

Today was a busy day around the house so it was also a play day for art.  Abstract again just for the heck of it. When I looked at the design as I sketched it out all I could think of was a bridge of some sort with a wave underneath...then I imagined an assembly line. Thus, the name. It's a little like my paintings this month, some are big, some are small, and some are simply off the wall.

Social Butterfly

Social Butterfly

8x8 soft pastel

This little one has never met a stranger. When Danielle was about two years old she insisted on saying "hi" to absolutely everyone she saw...especially in the grocery store. Even though some people would ignore her...she just couldn't take a hint. She would continue saying "hi" very sweetly over and over...then louder and louder until she got a response. She has always been our sweet little social butterfly.

Playing Catch-up

Today was a play day...well, not exactly. I needed to paint three paintings to catch up with the 30in30 Challenge so I dabbled in multiple abstracts...representational abstract I think is the actual term. It's surprisingly more difficult than it looks...at least for me. All I can say is...keep an open mind. (lol)

Market Lady

12x8.5, acrylic

Winter Storm on Weber Road

5x5, soft pastel

Coming Up For Air

(....which is how I feel about now during this 30in30...😊)

8x6, acrylic 

We Are All Family

We Are All Family

6.5x3.5, pastel and ink

 

In keeping with my Family Matters theme...a simple reminder to the human race of what's important in this life.  Painted in my family's favorite colors.

Sisters

 Sisters

12x18, pastel

What day is this?  I have lost track!  Day 13-15,  "Sisters" is finally done!  I am going to celebrate with a brat (a bratwurst not a spoiled child)...a beer...and a nap...in that order.

With the 30in30 I always seem to learn something every single day.  With this one I learned if I go big...I've gotta pace myself because I'm not experienced enough to paint loose and fast.  Oh well.  I'm happy with the results even though I imagine I will continue to tweet it a bit.

These two sweet girls are my grand-daughters and are two of the best girls I've ever known.  They've grown quite a bit since the reference photo was taken but this particular summer evening I remember well.  A warm summer evening on the farm and a barbecue at their grandparents house to celebrate my son-in-law's birthday...what could be better?  

The girls were glowing from the sun setting behind them.  It was also pretty windy so their hair was flying all over the place!  As you can see they were pretty intent playing with their dolls and were oblivious to just how awesome this scene was...or, is that just the opinion of this slightly biased grandma?