Another Painting, and Progress Pics

I just finished tweaking this this morning.  Whenever I finish a painting, it sits on my easel and I walk around the house and stare at it.  And stare at it some more.  And I always find things that need tweaking.

Here are the progress pics:

I started with a BRIGHT red background.  Did I say bright?  It's a little loud!  Then, the sky and furthest hills.

Next the tree trunk and branches.  For some reason I love this stage!  I see a problem with one of those branches.  It's one of those things I tweaked this morning.

Then the foreground and the picnic table.  I painted the picnic table twice, because the first one was too small.  I know it's giant oak, but that doesn't mean the picnic table needs to be doll sized!  And, no, I do  not have a pic of it!

Then, it's time to add the feast!  That's a blue ball jar in the background.  Love it.

This painting is my practice for live art that I'll be doing for the women's retreat at Camp Elim in a couple of weeks.  (that's http://campelim.com/ if you're interested)  I know that artists frequently do a 'study' before doing the real painting.  I think it's generally meant to help them nail down the tone and colors.  From what I've seen, it's usually not as detailed as the final product.  But there will be a silent auction the weekend I'm painting, and I thought I could put the smaller painting in the auction, so I wanted it to be somewhat nice.

The only thing left to do is put a wire on the back, and it'll be ready to hang.  Oh, that, and figuring out what's in that lovely magenta pitcher!!

I call this "Invitation".

Inspired by Doodles

This paper came from a tablet called "Executive Columnar Pad".  What?  Really.  I'm thinking those columns are supposed to get NUMBERS written in them, but for those of you who know me: numbers and I don't get along.  So I found another use for the paper!  Last night whilst the hubby watched something on tv about mining, I sat beside him and happily doodled.

And found myself inspired!!

Years ago my grandfather built himself a sculpture stand out of wood.  It measures about 1' in each direction, and then it's about 2' tall.  Originally it was painted some version of periwinkle.  When he passed away it came to me.  I love it.  LOVE IT!  But the paint was getting pretty chipped, especially on the corners and edges.  So today I painted it red, but not entirely red.  I painted it sort of loosey-goosey so the periwinkle still shows through here and there.  And THEN!!  I got out my white paint pen and HAD A PARTY!!  Oh my word.  I love this thing!