Spent (This Time in Oils)

Who knew that a dandelion gone to seed could be beautiful?  Certainly not a city dweller!  But in the land of no lawns, dandelions are just part of the landscape.  Along with those astounding purple thistles (which I have reference pics of, but so far am too chicken to paint!).  And loco weed, which I think ranchers hate, but I love.  The definition of a "weed" is definitely loose where I live!

How many tiny white lines do you paint when you're trying to communicate a dandelion seed?  I don't know!!  I just decided it was time to stop!

Procrastination Begone!

Not long ago I posted a sketch of this flower, thinking I would paint it...someday.  Well, I'm pleased to say that "someday" came much sooner than normal!  Procrastination was not my bedfellow!

I've been thoroughly enjoying these little paintings.  They're just 6" square and they go fairly quickly.  I've painted eight so far, and this week I'm going to the art supply store to buy more canvases.  This one I've called "Gimme A Black Eye".

Drawing While the Forest Burns

There's a wildfire about 8 miles from where we live, which is mildly disconcerting.  Since there's not a blessed thing I can do about it, I draw.  And while I draw I pray.  It seems like a good way to spend my time.

This is just a preliminary sketch for a painting I hope to do in the not too distant future.  I'm thinking when it comes time to paint, I'll make the background a wee bit darker.

Spent

I've had this pic of a half-spent dandelion forever, it seems....always intending to paint it....always intimidated by all those tiny white lines.  Well here's the beginning sketch.  The black lines here will be white lines in the painting.  I'm still intimidated.  But if I never try, then I fail.  Period.

On a side note, I used my colored pencils to embellish this sketch.  Of course, they needed sharpening, and I found myself missing my old-fashioned hand-crank pencil sharpener.  I know I have it somewhere...in a box, no doubt.  It needs to be resurrected, because this electric pencil sharpener is severely LACKING.  I don't know what it is.  The pencils get sharp.  But that whirring sound...and having to just hold the pencil still with just the right amount of pressure....it just doesn't compare with the cool hand-crank sound, the feel of spinning that handle around and around...and the smell!  Freshly sharpened pencils smell WONDERFUL, and the electric sharpener doesn't seem to have it.

Spur of the Moment Art

This colored pencil sketch was done in February, mostly to keep myself creatively active.  This morning, as I was perusing my sketch book, I found this sketch and decided, spur of the moment, to paint it.  Well, "spur of the moment" can have it's problems.

It was delightfully fun.

But did I drop my paint brush?  Yes.

Was it loaded with blue paint?  Yes.

Did it bounce against my shirt on it's way to the floor?  Yes.

Had I taken the time to change into painting clothes before painting?  NO!

Not long ago someone asked me how many pairs of painting PANTS I had.  The answer was FOUR.  All because of "spur of the moment" painting.  And dropping my brush.  And now I have another painting SHIRT...I'm not sure how many painting shirts I have now.  And it's a huge bummer, because I really LIKE this shirt!

From Big to Small

A week ago I was painting ginormous 8 foot square canvases, and today I painted itty-bitty 6 inch square canvases!  Variety is good!  It's been forever since I painted something small, and I discovered today that my small brushes STINK!  How on earth did I ever paint with these things?!  Clearly it's time to go to the art supply store (oh, the tragedy of that statement!!).

The top one I'm calling "Dazed" and the bottom one is "Naked In Winter".

Another One-Liner

What do you do when you want to keep your hubby company, but he's watching MotoX...which isn't really all that riveting?  (he'd STRONGLY disagree with that statement).   You sketch!

This is a one-liner.  I did a faint pencil sketch first, just so I wouldn't lose my place.  Curious how I seem to have a tendency towards drawing all yankee-goglin!  I don't know how to tell my computer to straighten it out, so you get it the way it looks in the book.  Certainly not straight and upright!

Get to Work Already!

When you're waiting to start a project...when you're waiting for supplies to arrive...when you're WAITING...it's not good to just sit around twiddling your thumbs.  Really not good.  The longer you twiddle, the more convinced you become that this whole painting this is just a little silly.  And then, the longer you twiddle, the more convinced you become that you can't paint worth a hill of beans, and WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING?!

So!

I HAD  to paint.  Just to silence my own silly brain!

These three are all small (6" x 6" and 8" x 8"), and they all used the same colors, so I didn't end up wasting any paint.  I really haven't made up my mind if I like them (especially the one in the middle), but they did their job.  I'm painting again.  

I'm currently working on painting chives.  Notice I'll paint them, but I won't eat them!  I'll post a pic when it's done.

And ONE OF THESE DAYS my supplies will arrive and I'll be able to start on that commissioned piece!

Stormy Highway

I painted this 2 years ago.  Don't you just love a stormy sky?  The blues completely alter, turning into something almost midnight looking, and then the bright spots really, really stand out.  Yellow is stunning against a dark blue or purple!  I'm not sure how I did it, but I love how the stripes on the highway stand out.  I think this road might belong in Kansas.

Christmas Lights

I painted this yesterday.  My hubby asked me, "Why did you paint a light bulb?"  (you can imagine the tone of voice here).

My answer?

1.  Because I wanted to see if I could.
2.  Because it's my response to "christmas run amock".
3.  Because I was playing around with a new kind of paint.
4.  All of the above.

You choose!