Cashmere Rose

Cashmere Rose is behind the second door in my Diamine Inkvent Calendar - and it is a lovely rosy pink!  It is so much fun to reveal a new ink every day!  I'm using a few sketch lines to begin this year, where before I have only used the ink in a direct watercolor way.  I'm exploring how this ink works in a sketch, though I'm only using line work sparingly for now.  I can't wait to see what's behind door number 3! Painting number 3980 in 3980 days. 

Fortune's Gold

I'm so excited to open the first door of this year's Diamine Inkvent Calendar!  Fortune's Gold is rich and shimmery - and perfect for painting this antique Shiny Brite ornament on my tree!  It's been a while since I've penned and painted with ink - so the process is most of today's journey.  My glass dip pen was too fine for the watercolor paper, so I ended up using a brush to avoid scratching into the paper.  The wet ink also soaked into the paper a bit.  I'm using an old watercolor paper I don't ever remember using, so that is also a fun new adventure!  For those of you who don't know, I have never liked 140lb cold pressed watercolor paper.  In fact, that paper is the whole reason I avoided watercolor for most of my life.  But now, I'm up for all challenges, so let the exploration begin!  Painting number 3979 in 3979 days. 

Geraniums in Great-Grandma's Teapot

 

Geraniums are one of my favorite summer flowers to paint - and these are in my Great Grandmother's teapot!  I seem to edit a scene for a painting, without even realizing that I've done it.  I often don't see the things that weaken a composition until another points it out to me.  In this painting, I didn't realize I was overlooking the stonecrop that spilled from the teapot - until I looked at this photo!  It would only detract from the painting to add it in, so I didn't see it!  It's funny how skills progress into an auto-pilot process until pushing towards the finish.  That's when things kick into high gear for me, and I want to fully describe my feelings in a place - with paint.  All I strive for is to improve a little each and every day.  Painting number 3890 in 3890 days. 

Old Hay Rake and Daffodils

So good to see the sun today - even though the winds are blustery!  Oh what a difference a day makes!  I sat out for hours after sunset on the balcony last night, just soaking up that gorgeous weather and watching the stars.  Oh, how I loved that!  Then today, I have my winter coat on as I paint!  With the hard freeze expected tonight, I thought I had better capture these blooms in oil in case they get nipped!  The old hay rake behind the daffodils is the one used on this farm when my grandma and grandpa were first farming the land.  Love that old machinery!  Painting number 2637 in 2637 days.

Tree Trimming

I am going to miss this lovely antique shop! Soon to be replaced in the name of progress, this local icon has been a wonderful place to sketch and paint. Hidden treasure at every turn, I found myself shopping as well as drawing, finishing off with lunch in the cafe.  A special place to spend the morning with my Art Mob friends.  Painting number 2114 in 2114 days.

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Antique Christmas Trees

A holiday watercolor painting from the Mission Road Antique Mall, ready for Saturday's show and sale at the mall.  It's a shame I won't be there to share it. Painting number 2112 in 2112 days.

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Nutcracker Soldier Inked

While in Branson on a sorority getaway, I found this wonderful vintage nutcracker during Market Days by the Landing.  I purchased this one and another from the same vendor, already painting them in my mind!  I think this is the first one I have drawn with fountain pen and ink - and I really like the drama of it!  It is starting to feel like Christmas when I am painting nutcrackers!  Painting number 1786 in 1786 days.

Old Red by the House

I had already passed a herd of cattle on the way to pick up some plexiglass, intending to return and paint them on the spot.  Then,  I saw this fabulous old truck parked at the side of the historic home which is now Woodson Antiques and Interiors.   With the late light - the whole landscape seemed luminous beneath the dense clouds.  I had to paint it!  There was a steady stream of traffic crossing between the scene and I, but it did not distract me.   Tucked back in the parking lot,  I worked unnoticed.  The painting just fell off the brush,  and I needed this creative outlet today!   After two days of intense housework - I needed therapy!   I felt so much better after painting - I  could actually enjoy dinner out with the family!  It was so nice to have Michaela and Cooper join us for the night!   Painting number 1526 in 1526 days :)

Old Hay Wagon

My intention was to head to the east pond this afternoon.  But after scouting a bit, this old hay wagon grabbed my attention.  In fact, I could see paintings from three different sides.  I decided on the view which landed me in full sun, which normally is not too bad in February.  By the time I finished - I was SO hot!!  How many times have I been able to say that in February?  Never!  I used to play on this wagon as a child. My brother, cousins, and I would use it for a house, or a stage, playing for hours.  Now, I'm in the tall grass of the pasture, painting this childhood friend.  Painting number 1502 in 1502 days.

Grandpa's Old Seeder

I can remember climbing on this antique seeder when I was very small, as my brother and I did with all the old farm equipment.  Now, I am painting it as it rests in the snow.  Since it is so cold out, I have been leaving my palette in the car, rather than putting it in the freezer each night.  At 25 degrees, my Williamsburg oils were creamy at first brushstroke.  I chose my brushes for my 7x5 Guerrilla Painter thumb box according to which ones would fit!  This is a small box, for small paintings, so supplies are minimal when taking this baby into the field.  I load it so that I will need nothing but the box, for the two paintings it will hold inside.  I love it!  Painting number 1458 in 1458 days :)

oil on panel, 7x5
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Four Nutcrackers in Ink

Three of these nutcrackers I found in antique shops, while the policeman was new last year.  He is writing a ticket, and has handcuffs, too!  I am drawing them in ink, and though this paper is super amazing, I am leaving it without paint.  At least for now!  This day has been spent entirely with family, and it is only as we sit visiting that I can do a little drawing of the nutcrackers on the table.  On this Christmas Eve Eve, this painting is number 1443 in 1443 days :)

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Skier and Soldier

Thanksgiving begins early around here - with the arrival of Michaela, home from college!  I try to have all the chores finished, so I can spend more time on the fun stuff!  Tonight, I go no farther than Michael's nutcracker collection for my still life set up.   These are large nutcrackers, one antique, the other more modern.   I didn't realize until tonight that the old one has real fur for hair and beard, and carved eyes!   I will be looking more closely as I shop the antique stores this season!   I really do love painting these charming characters!   Painting number 1409 in 1409 days, now it's time for more family fun :)

Acrylic on panel, 5x7
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Monkeying Around

Monkeying Around
Acrylic on masonite, 4x4

Feeling nostalgic this morning, I am painting another wonderful vintage pull top - this one of a monkey!  When my dad was young, he had a distant uncle that had a pet monkey.  Whenever someone came to the house, that monkey would go bananas!  He would run around the house and up the curtains - leaving little “presents” in his wake!  That made such an impression on him that he still tells the story!  These old Fisher Price toys are full of charm and personality - and so much fun to paint!  This little painting is 1118 in as 1118 days and Day 25 of the current 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Blue Troll

Blue Troll
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5

I’ve been so busy lately, that I have strayed from my “nostalgic toy” theme!  I have found myself just painting or drawing whatever popped into my head!  Well, after delivering my artwork today for the upcoming show, I hope to be able to relax my schedule a little and start chipping away at those goals.  Wanting to paint something joyful - I landed on a blue haired troll for my subject!  These little darlings always make me happy, bringing to mind so many hours of childhood play.  I even had a few of these which were necklaces - and of course, they made wonderful little troll babies!   This painting makes number 1115 in 1115 days, and the 22nd day of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.  :)

Telephone Pull Toy

Telephone Pull Toy
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5

This little pull toy was a favorite with my kids - they loved the way the eyes rolled up and down as they pulled it around by the string! They spent endless hours talking to imaginary people on that phone - and the rotary dialing made a wonderful clicking noise!  It has been a very day - following many busy days - and sometimes it is SO difficult to find time to squeeze in a painting.  So, finally making it to my easel, I am capturing this memory with acrylics on masonite.  That PiYo class is going to come pretty early in the morning, after such a late night! Painting number 1109 in 1109 days, and Day 16 in the current 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Golden Hair Troll

Golden Hair Troll
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5

I am painting another of my beloved childhood trolls today - this one with golden hair!  Their cheerful faces, wild hair and super cute bodies were always so adorable!  I wonder if I was the only one who wondered why these little trolls only have four fingers on each hand?  Even as I paint, the same question comes back to me....why only four fingers?  That is just not right.  Can you tell I am a perfectionist?  Not just a borderline perfectionist, but a dyed in the wool, hard core perfectionist - and I think I must have been born that way!  Another thing I loved about these trolls?  I could never control their wild and crazy hair any more than I could my own - so here, we are kindred spirits! Another Monday, so very late at my easel, and this painting makes 1105 in 1105 days, Day 12 of the current 30 Day Painting Challenge.  And now to bed!!!

Raggedy Ann

Raggedy Ann
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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Tonight finds me painting another of my favorite childhood toys - Raggedy Ann!  I pulled this little darling down from a shelf, and set her up to paint (while watching the Chiefs game)!  I remember dressing her - and seeing her little red heart with the “I love you” in the center.  I had to lift her dress just to see it again!  My oldest daughter also played with her, so her dress has now been “bedazzled” with jewels around neckline and sleeves, but I omitted that little addition in the name of nostalgia!  This painting makes number 1103 in 1103 days, and Day 10 of the current 30 Day Painting Challenge.  :)

Trolls!

Trolls
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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I am painting one of my childhood favorites - trolls!  I think my Aunt Vicki first introduced me to trolls - and since I thought she was THE coolest - trolls were soon a favorite! I remember visiting my Great Aunt Lorene on their large farm, and I found one of these trolls back behind a barn amidst a treasure pile of junk!  That find kept me digging through that junk pile for years! Tonight, I am using my limited palette in acrylic to paint these dolls with short, impressionistic strokes.  I love the way the acrylic strokes just lay down where I put them, only blending if I work them quickly, or by layering.  As always, I do not use any medium or water when painting with acrylics, which gives such rich color to the painting. This is painting number 1102 of 1102 days and Day 8 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Barky Dog

Barky Dog
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5

This little Barky dog pull toy is SO sweet!!  This has been a day full of dog activities!  First, I had to wrestle Chewy into the bath - he was super dirty with his long hair and all this rain!  He soaks up that dirty water like a mop!  Then, once he was dry, it was off to the vet for his shots - which he did not care for!  He didn’t mind the vet last time, but this time, he shook all the way there, and all the way home.  When he was finally out of the car, he was so happy to return to the cats!!  So, tonight finds me keeping with the dog theme for painting, but alas - I switched to the cats for my daily sketch!  This is painting number 1101 in 1101 days, and Day 7 of the current 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Prancy Pony

Prancy Pony
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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What is more nostalgic than a well loved antique toy?  This fabulous Prancy Pony pull toy is another of the great ones by Fisher Price.  Wonderful, warm expressions grace each one of their faces.  The eyes on this pony are so like the eyes of the Buzzy Bee - so full of life!  I am still painting with a limited palette, with a small addition of permanent green for the very primary color of the green bridle.  I also found myself using the ivory black here, instead of the mars black.  Very often, the painting subject just calls for what it needs - and I always listen!  Always good to go with your intuition!  Painting number 1099 in 1099 days.