Reindeer Kiss

Reindeer Kiss
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5
purchase here

This has been such a fun weekend with Michaela home, with all of the family gatherings  keeping me busy!  Finding a bit of time while everyone else was busy, I was able to come to my easel and paint another painting for my Christmas cards.  I’m really into the Santa portraits this week, so today I have added a reindeer to the mix!  I really like the way the image just emerges as I add acrylic strokes, one on top of the other.  I started with just an idea of what I want, and as I work, the painting finds it’s form!  So much fun - and SO different than planning everything out!  Who knows where this newfound freedom in painting will take me?  This painting makes number 1062 in 1062 days :)

Santa in his Sleigh - miniature

Santa in his Sleigh
Oil on canvas, 4x4 - gallery wrapped

This nostalgic Christmas scene is one more in my "12 Santas of Christmas"!  I find that I am migrating to stronger color in these little paintings.  I am still using the square canvases, and the big plus is that they fit nicely on the tiny easels.  The painting continues off all four sides, so it is rather dimensional as it sits on display.  I did underestimate how long it would take the oils to dry, though!  The first one painted on Saturday is STILL wet!  Every day is now filled with SO many activities - I don't know how I will get them all done!  I am rising earlier and staying up later.......there will be time for sleeping after the first of the year!  Painting number 718 in 718 days :)

Feeding Blitzen - miniature

Feeding Blitzen
Oil on canvas, 4x4
purchase here

I am planning on painting 12 different Santas for the Twelve Days of Christmas - and this is number 3!  Here, Old Saint Nick is feeding his beloved Blitzen.  Although I prefer the predictable surface of the wood panel, I am getting accustomed to the woven canvas.  I first prime them with a little gesso, acrylic paint to tint, combined with some water-based sealer.  Once this layer is dry, I can start the sketch, filling in with the oils.  For these minis, I have chosen an unusual tint - warm, bold yellow!  Wanting a color that all others would "pop" against led me to this choice.  I like it!  It is a crazy choice, but I think it gives the whole painting a warm glow where it peaks through the other layers.  This reindeer was particularly fun to paint!  Love laying on that thick fur! Painting number 716 in 716 days - and Christmas is just around the corner!  Yikes!

Santa Over the Homeplace

Santa Over the Homeplace
Acrylic on panel, 6x4

On this Christmas Eve, Santa Claus  and his tiny reindeer have been spotted over our home!  Here they are - complete with snow on the ground and a cold winter's night!  Still some wrapping to do, and some tags to write, so I'm making this quick on this Christmas Eve night!  Painting number 352 in 352 days.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Santa Sleigh Ride

Santa Sleigh Ride
Oil on canvas, 8x6

We have a lovely snow on the ground - so it looks like we are going to have a white Christmas!  Today, my routine was completely off schedule, and it was late before I found a "painting window".  Looking for something a little vintage, I thought a reindeer and sleigh might be a nice platform for today's Santa.  Somedays the paint just flows from the brush, but today was not one of those days.  With so much on my mind, and so little sleep as of late, I had to work a little harder.  I will probably touch this up tomorrow - painting number 351 in 351 days :)

Santa Over the Chrysler Building - miniature

Santa Over the Chrysler Building
Santa Whimsey Series #4
Acrylic on canvas, 2.5 x 3.5 inches
sold

Oh, what a day!  Today, my parents and I went down to see the Holiday Train Express at Union Station with Tiffany's family and her friend Candice, and her family.  The kids loved it!  Union Station is absolutely beautiful this time of year!  In fact, I plan the paint the giant tree in the main hall, surrounded by family members (tiny next to the tree) one day soon!  The boys LOVE trains - and they were so excited by everything, we could hardly keep track of the 4 year old!  After lunch at Fritz's - where the meals are delivered by trains that run along the top of the walls, we dropped the boys off and headed out for some shopping.  Since freezing rain is expected tomorrow, and snow the next day, we had to make the most of the 60 degree day!  I have just arrived home, grabbed a bite to eat, and am now hoping to post this before midnight!  This special painting is for an old friend from school, who requested this favorite building with Santa for a loved one.  This makes painting number 347 in as many days.  My children are hoping for freezing rain tomorrow - so they will be able to miss school!

Santa Over the Plaza

Santa Over the Plaza
Oil on panel, 4x6
sold

Just a quick, whimsical piece for today!  Santa is flying over the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City in this small painting!  Some days, it just feels good to play in the paints a little and do something fun!  It is a busy day, as one of my cousins marries the love of his live!  Looking forward to a lot of extended family time this weekend!  Painting number 342 in 342 days - I wonder where Santa will be spotted next......

Santa Over Kansas City

Santa Over Kansas City
Acrylic on panel, 5x5
Santa Whimsy Series - Number 2

Today finds me working on commissions, finishing odd jobs, and getting playful with the paints!  Santa and his tiny reindeer are flying over the Kansas City Skyline in this whimsical little painting.  These little Santa paintings are SO much fun!  I envision him flying over  Paris, Rome, the Country Club Plaza, and even my home in the country!  So many ideas.....so little time!  I am now several paintings ahead, which should free me up for those things I MUST do in the next few days.  After working on miniatures, the large panels looming ahead of me are quite daunting - oh well, the best way is to just jump in with both feet forward!  Painting number 337 in 337 days :)

Santa's Ride - miniature

Santa's Ride - miniature
acrylic on canvas with easel, 2x3
sold

After baking 96 cookies for tonight's Cookie Walk and reception in downtown Lee's Summit, I headed over to the gallery on this very brisk night.  Braving the 16 degree cold, so many visitors popped in tonight for a little art and red velvet white chocolate chip cookies!  It was so fun to see everyone and catch up with old friends!  This little painting was among the sales, so I wanted to get it posted tonight for others to see.  It is a more whimsical than my norm - and super fun to paint!   This little gem was my first jump back into acrylics in quite a while.  Feeling playful with this tiny canvas, I envisioned Santa's sleigh and tiny reindeer wrapping up as if to circle the moon.  Using rather fanciful strokes and dropping in the color sporadically, I was able to spontaneously paint this little bit of whimsy by the lake.  It is fun to pull a painting out of my head once in a while - instead of working en plein air.  Santa is quick - and I'm afraid I'd have a hard time capturing him with paint during the night of Christmas Eve!  Painting number 333 in 333 days :)