French Street in Batik

French Street in Batik
Watercolor batik on thin rice paper, 6x8.5
purchase here

It has been quite a while since I have painting using this technique!  It is exhilarating to delve into something different, exploring new ways to bend the media!  This technique leaves the painting with such a vintage feel - I love it!  I am using very thin rice paper - this one came in a roll, instead of the pad I used yesterday.  I must handle the paper very carefully, when painting, the paper is so saturated that it feels like the soft brush will tear the delicate surface!  I put a piece of waxed paper under each piece of rice paper before I paint on it.  This allows the paint to fully saturate, getting very strong pigment where desired.  I leave it on this paper as it dries, so there is no tearing while it is wet.  I still keep it under the painting as I paint the hot wax onto the surface, this will keep the painting from sticking to the foam core (which I have underneath the wax paper as I paint).  The white surface of the foam core is perfect for helping me to see how the painting is progressing.  The paper is so thin, it becomes translucent with paint - and needs a white surface below it to see where you are at in the painting.  I remove it from the wax paper only when it is full dry and ready to put between the layers of newspaper for the final ironing. This painting makes 1023 in 1023 days :)

Night at Classic Pizza

Night at Classic Pizza
Oil on masonite, 9x12

After painting at the park in the morning, way out on a country dirt road in the afternoon, I still wanted to capture another painting after dinner - as it was getting dark.  With temps near 70 degrees, and a calm, still night - I couldn't resist the urge to return to Classic Pizza - for the painting I envisioned the first night I got here!  When I set up, there was a lull in the traffic and I was able to get a good sketch in.  Cars would come, I'd work on another part, and when they left - I'd go right back to the street level.  The car pictured is a delivery vehicle that darted out, back in for less than 60 seconds - and back out again!  It was such a challenge to paint him seconds at a time!  I really studied the colors radiating from the various lights, and dropped them in accordingly.  This little shop has the most amazing cheese stuffed breadsticks!  The townspeople are so sweet, one even brought me a "pumpkindoodle" for working so late into the night!  The last few days have been so wonderful, and such a joy to put my memories down in paint! Painting number 1011 in 1011 days....I know, it sounds crazy to me too :)

Bazbeaux in Carmel

Bazbeaux in Carmel
Oil on masonite, 12x9
Carmel on Canvas, Indiana

on location

What fun I am having in Carmel! This morning, I had three paintings in my head to paint.  The rain had pretty much stopped, but with a mist persisting.  Therefore, I looked for shelter and started the most complicated composition first.  I loved how shapes took form, and the panel came alive before me.  Passersby stopped to chat and watch, as the strokes fell off the brush.  This was a joy to paint and an honor to win the Bazbeaux purchase award for this street scene.  Day 20 of the 30 day painting challenge and my 993rd painting in 993 days!

A Walk in Belfort

A Walk in Belfort
Oil on panel, 8x10
purchase here

I've just arrived home from a very frustrating basketball at William Chrisman High School for the 9th grade team that Michael plays for.  I can not remember being SO mad at a game in a VERY long time!  Anyone who knows me will know that I don't get mad about anything - ever, but tonight did it.  The refs were unbelievably biased, and it has left me too mad to finish this painting tonight.  I simply did not leave myself enough time earlier to finish this painting, and I don't know what I'll get if I paint angry!   I tried to get it in before leaving for a basketball game - but alas, I just had to go.  I know I'll see it tomorrow with different eyes, and then I'll make adjustments.  This street scene is located in Belfort, France and is a wonderful medieval village.  I have used the palette knife throughout, but still have some work  to do.  I hadn't decided whether to add foliage or not, but I think I will, and a few people walking the streets too.  If I did it now, they would be angry, fighting people :)  This is painting number 760 in 760 days, Day 29 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.  Now, I think it is time for a nice, large glass of wine!

Independence Square

Independence Square
Oil on panel, 14x11

MVIS Paint-Out

Yesterday was a beautiful day for plein air painting and this is my piece from yesterday's MVIS Paint-Out in Independence.  The wise approach here would have been one doorway, one building, or one window......as you can see, I painted every building on the street!  My first daytime street scene - and of course I bite off more than I can chew.  I see things that I want to "loosen" up a bit - but I am posting for now.  I will let this one rest a day or two - and then go in and reevaluate.  I think this one made day 32 on the daily paintings - and I am painting a member of the band we saw last night for today's painting.........