September 30, 2014: Day 30 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Good Day!

8"x8"

Oil and Cold Wax on TerraSkin

mounted on Ampersand panel

$125 unframed

$145 framed

Yes, it is a Good Day!  I have finished my 2nd 30 paintings in 30 days challenge started by Leslie Saeta.  Yippee!!!  

I can describe it in many ways…pressure filled, fun, thrilling, demanding.  The list could go on and on but most of all it is enlightening and confidence building.  During a challenge, I am willing to try things that I don't know will they work or not.  Psychologically, I guess it just takes the pressure off when I start these small paintings.  It is like Doris Day sang" Que sera sera…."  And no, I am not named after her.   

Over the next few days, I will be gathering and my thoughts about what I learned.  Plus, I have a few more paintings in the works that will continue the process I started here.  

Now, I am wondering if this painting should be renamed or subtitled Que Sera Sera.

I am happy…..

September 29, 2014: Day 29 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Currents

8"x8"

Oil and Cold Wax on TerraSkin

mounted on Ampersand panel

$125 unframed

$145 framed

What a difference a day makes.  This is the third or fourth day I have used basically the same color pallet.  I never know what I will do with the same colors or how they will react with each other.  Some have had under paintings some have not.  I have a feeling these 7 colors have a lot of wonderful possibilities for a lot of paintings to come.

I am happy…..

September 28, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

(Having a) Good Time

6"x6"

Oil and Cold Wax on Gessoed Watercolor Paper

mounted on Ampersand panel

$75

This 30 in 30 is winding down.  Sometimes I have been thrilled and other times, I have wondered why I am going it.  I do believe there have been many more good times during it.  So, today is a Good Time.

I need to add to my list of thoughts I have been keeping during the month.  Taking the time to evaluate.  Usually, I just say what the hell and do as I please.  I know the art rules and still choose to do what I want.  Maybe I should tell myself I am "reflecting."  "Evaluating" sounds too business-like for me.

Off to Reflect.  

I am happy…..  

September 27, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

It's the Little Things

8"x8"

Oil and Cold Wax on TerraSkin

mounted on Ampersand panel

$125 unframed

$145 framed

I have always fallen in love with tiny little places on most of my paintings.  I call them "the little jewels."  This painting has a jillion little jewels.  More than the camera can even pick up.  It is one for in person viewing to see the magic.

The surprise of the day was that the TerraSkin surfaced worked nicely.  It is probably because there are about 4 layers of underpainting.  It started out with Chinese red, cad orange, buff titanium, and then white.  All along, I thought I was going to do something with the red peaking out.  So, I left bits showing.  Then I changed my mind and intentionally covered over all the red and left bits of white peaking out.  That is when it all started coming together.

I am happy…..

September 26, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Andromeda

8"x8"

Oil and Cold Wax on TerraSkin

mounted on Ampersand panel

$125

Gee, I am late posting today.  That is because this little guy has been a challenge from the very beginning.  See bits of yellow, turquoise and purple peeking through?  Yes, this painting was all of those colors plus white.  And it was not a pretty thing.  Every time I looked at it, I thought the yellow was burning holes in my retinas.

So, in stepped the indigo, gray and King's Blue.  But since it is on TerraSkin, nothing was drying quick enough.  The under painting, or painting under, was not going away quietly and it was still pretty boring.

That meant I just had to go to one of my crazy red line tactics for a boring painting.  Usually, my lines are fairly pristine but not today.  No time to dally with them today.

Too bad photographing this wet, shiny painting isn't showing all the lovely tone on tone marks that are in the large dark area.  

Are you wondering about the title?  So am I.  No, really, my husband is in other too watching the old tv show, Andromeda.  I think it is as appropriate a name for today's painting as anything else.  

I am happy…..

September 25, 2014: Day 25 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Reflecting

6"x6"

Oil and Cold Wax on Gessoed Watercolor Paper

Mounted on Ampersand Panel

$75

This painting is currently available through Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas, Texas. Please contact them at 214/348-7350

Sometime, some change is good.  Today was one of those days for me.  For me, the 30 in 30 challenge is really a chance to try things.  To see what works on a small scale.  I started with a panel that was already painted with a loosely painted landscape in yellows, blues and obviously the greens that evolved. There was a road, crop fields, hills and sky.  Lots of stuff.  It had been sitting on my table for over a month and I kept asking myself what the hell was it going to take to fix it short of an all over coat of white. 

Today, it came to me….give it up.  Start over.  But what about using the same colors plus white (and in the end, a few touches of Chinese Orange to liven it up).  The softened colors made me want to create a serene world.  And what is more serene than a still pool of water reflecting the world around it.  

I am happy…..

September 24, 2014: Day 24 in 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Rusting Out #2

8"x6"

Oil and Cold Wax on Gessoed Watercolor Paper

mounted on Ampersand Panel

$125

The intrigue of rust has always interested me.  The same piece of metal can have many colors scattered all over it.  If it has been painted and then rusts, it is even more varied.  I love it.  I can just imagine this is a painting of a portion of an old advertising sign.

On the technical side: Today is a continuation of Day 22.  Both were started at the same time using the same colors!  I am always so amazed at the differences I can achieve by manipulating the colors with different tools and layering techniques.  Add to that, the timing of using all of the ingredients can change everything.  All of this why I say that most of my paintings can never be repeated to get the same result.     

I am happy…..

September 23, 2014: Day 23 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Dreams of Coming Things

6"x6"

Oil and Cold Wax on Gessoed Watercolor Paper

mounted on Ampersand panel

$95 framed*

One year ago, I was only dreaming of a scene like this.  I was packing up stuff for a grand escapade: A road trip with Kathy.  We were getting ready to go to Ghost Ranch.  One year ago, it was still a dream of things we would see and do.  Would it all go smoothly?  Would we like Ghost Ranch?  It held such potential.  It is wonderful put dreams into a painting.

I am happy…..

* Please contact The Gallery at Round Top to purchase.  979.249.4119 or ARTtgart@aol.com

September 22, 2014: Day 22 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Rusting Out

8"x8"

Oil and Cold Wax on Gessoed Watercolor Paper

mounted on Ampersand Panel

$125

I am always looking at images of rusted metal and crackled paint on Pinterest.  I am sure a lot of them are digitally enhanced but who cares.  It is the colors and textures that make me look all over the image.  So, today, I worked with some of those ideas. 

Once again, this was a much more physical painting than some I have done.  Lots of physical motion.  Moving colors.  Pulling shapes.  Stepping away to check what was happening.  I will be looking back at this one for quite a while to see if I want to make changes.

I am happy….. 

September 21, 2014: Day 21 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Fall is in the Air

6"x6"

Oil and Cold Wax on Gessoed Watercolor Paper

mounted on Ampersand Panel

Sold

I didn't set out to paint autumn/fall again.  It just appeared.  That must mean I am really ready for it to get here and to stay for a while.  None of this going back to being summer stuff.  So, tomorrow is officially the first full day of Fall, I think.  And Fall is in the Air is here to welcome it in.

On the technical side, I am continuing to work some purples into my paintings during this challenge.  Today, it is really Magenta.  Adding Green Gold with it was interesting to work with for me.  But it was pretty darn dull and wanted to go the brown side like purple and yellow tend to do.  It took a light touch to stop brown from happening.

And if you are wondering about the slanting, uneven Turquoise line: your eyes are not deceiving you.  This painting began with about an inch wide stripe of Turquoise.  It was covered over when I changed my color pallet but then this was a VERY dull painting.  I just had to bring back that bit of brightness. 

I am happy…..   

* Please contact The Gallery at Round Top to purchase.  979.249.4119 or ARTtgart@aol.com 

September 20, 2014: Day 20 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Garden

5"x7"

Oil and Cold Wax on Gessoed Watercolor Paper

mounted on Ampersand panel

$75

Oh my, I do believe today's painting is the exact opposite of yesterday's.  Yesterday's vibrated with implied movement.  Today is quiet and calm.  There was no sound as I painted today.  I blocked in some colors from an inspiration photograph of a garden.  A big area of potato vine,  some sort of low growing blue violet flower, a little water.  Very serene and peaceful today.

On the technical side: I wish I could claim that I painted all of tiny blue flowers.  Sorry, but no.  I worked with an oil pastel stick.  Those things can be quite fun.

I am happy…..

September 19, 2014: Day 19 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Shards

6"x6"

Oil and Cold Wax on Gessoed Watercolor Paper

mounted on Ampersand panel

$75

This painting is currently available through Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas, Texas. Please contact them at 214/348-7350

I see broken pieces.  Is it glass? Is it tile?  Pottery?  Shards of paint?  OK, I will leave it to the viewer to decide about the shards of what.   That is the thought process I go through when I am naming a painting.  What do I see?  I do not usually start out with a name.  I let the painting tell me.

This painting was actually done a week ago.  At the same time Day 12 was done.  It is amazing that almost the same color pallet can yield such a different outcome.  The only color difference is this is Mars Black instead of Perelyne Black.  The biggest difference is the different methods of manipulating the oil wax.  Day 12 is calming.  The large blocks of color are so calming.  Today, Day 19, is sharp and hard feeling.  Just like Shards. 

The actual feeling as I painted was totally different, too.  Day 12, smooth and lyrical.  Day 19 was physical, cutting, stabbing, dragging.  I remember the sounds that I made with the tools as I did Day 19.

I have a favorite acronym - SSDD - Same S- - - Different Day.  Maybe I have a new one - SPDP - Same Paint Different Painting.  That is how a lot of series of paintings happen.

I am happy…..

September 18, 2014: Day 18 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Last Light

6"x6"

Oil and Cold Wax on Gessoed Watercolor Paper

mounted on Ampersand Panel

$75

I am one of the luckiest artists in the world.  I can sit in my studio, in my favorite chair and look west, across a lake.  Recently, I moved my painting table to that side of the room.  I know that view influences a lot of my paintings.  It is not a "pretty" lake by most standards but the water, sky and horizon are a constantly changing influence.  I can see almost every color imaginable out my window.  I am a lucky artist.

I am happy…..

September 17, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Almost Autumn

6"x6"

Oil and Cold Wax on Gessoed Watercolor Paper

mounted on Ampersand panel

$75

I thought about waiting a week to post this painting on the official first day of Autumn but it is the one that is ready today.  So, it is Almost Autumn.  It makes me look forward to leaves and grasses changing.  When the light is right there is a definite sparkle to them.  The colors of Autumn are a delight to the senses of an artist.  Autumn - my favorite time of the year.

On the technical side of art: This painting has had many lives over the past couple of months.  At some point, it was totally over painted with all white.  The whole process of oil and cold wax means nothing is ever totally ruined.  I am the one in control.  It has, what feels like, a jillion layers of color.  They have been cut, gouged and scratched all along the way.  They have been melded together with solvent. Glazed over again.  And the process would start over.  Finally, I got the sparkle of Autumn leaves in the dappled light.

I am happy…..

September 16, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Come Closer

6"x6"

Oil and Cold Wax on Gessoed Watercolor Paper

mounted on Ampersand panel

$95 framed *

A photo cannot do justice to a painting.  For me, most of the time, a photo does not tell the scale of the painting .  I know to not always judge until I see it in person or at least, know the dimensions.  Really big.  Really tiny.  The size of a painting is such an important thing for an artist to consider.  

Seeing the Lucien Freud exhibit at The Modern in Fort Worth really proved that point to me.  I only went because everyone said to go.  Damn.  I am still talking about it after a couple of years.   

Come Closer is a small painting.  But within it, there are even smaller, tiny jewels of color.  It just begs to be viewed very close up.  These tiny dots of color make me sing. 

I am happy…. 

* Please contact The Gallery at Round Top to purchase.  979.249.4119 or ARTtgart@aol.com

September 15, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

(You're driving me) Crazy

8"x8"

Oil and Cold Wax on TerraSkin

mounted on Ampersand panel

$125

Last week, I realized that I do not use purple very much in my paintings.  How could that be?  Purple has always been one of my favorite colors.  As a child, my purple crayon was always worn down to a nub.  I colored whole pages purple.  The first time I was allowed to pick paint for my bedroom, it was a lavender purple.  

Right now, I even have purple streaks in my hair.   They were put there on purpose.  So, I challenged myself to purposefully use purple in some paintings.  It was not as easy a whole page done with a purple crayon but I did it.  Purple paintings are going to take practice.

So, when you look at today's painting, you are probably wondering why the stories about purple.  Where is the purple?  I have taken, what feels like, 1000 pics over the last 2 days.  They either come out blue or red.  I am giving you liberty to imagine the purple today.  It really is there.

I am happy….. 

September 14, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

The Rocks

7"x5"

Oil and Cold Wax on TerraSkin

mounted on Ampersand Panel

$75

The Rocks started out as only an experiment to test the TerraSkin product.  It has had many lives but as of this morning, it was not working enough to be included in the 30 in 30 challenge.  It was just an intensely colored painting of not much of anything.  Then, this morning I added some additional shadowing.  Suddenly, I loved it.  Hmmm…Is this the start of a new Stone and Rock series?  I will have to decide.

I am happy…..

September 13, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

The Stone Quarry

8"x8"

Oil and Cold Wax on Gessoed Paper Collage

$125

I do believe I will always be enamored with color.  I keep this quote on my artist's statement:

I paint because color is a significant language to me. – Georgia O’Keeffe

When I found it, I knew exactly what she was saying.  Colors make me happy and make me want to paint.  

There do not have to be a lot of colors in a painting to just make me say Oooooh.  They just have to be the right colors.  That is why The Stone Quarry works for me.  It is all yellows and Cobalt Blue.  Yes, the color that you may think is an orange is really Indian Yellow.  Applied thickly and right next to Cobalt Blue, it definitely leans to the orange side, making them look like contrasting colors that just glow.

I am happy…..

September 12, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

 New Direction

8"x8"

Oil and Cold Wax on Gessoed Watercolor Paper

mounted on Ampersand Panel

$125

New Direction…Yes, not my usual horizontal format.  Yes, not my usual color combinations.  I am just waiting to see if TACILW (the art critic I live with) will see it and say it is "disturbing," as he has said before when I do something so different.  I actually like for him to say that because I know he has understood my intention. 

This painting has an modern, industrial feel.  Photos will never do a painting justice.  It is literally textured.  Lots of deep cuts and marks are coupled with intense pure color contrasting with subtle neutral whites and greys.   I can just see it growing up to live with a very modern collector.

I am happy…..  

September 11, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Variety

7"x5"

Oil and Cold Wax on Ampersand Gessobord

Sold

 This time, when I started the 30 in 30 challenge, one of my goals was using large, organic shapes and more neutral colors.  I think Variety meets those goals very nicely. The bottom portion looks white in the photo.  It is white tinted with Perylene Black giving it a cool minty green.  Perylene Black comes through for me again!

Also, it proved to me that I can have an extremely dark under painting and then work to lights and have some pure colors, too.  Gee, maybe some of this oil painting theory will work for me yet.

I am happy…..

September 10, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Red Sky at Morning

6"x6"

Oil and Cold Wax on Oil Paper

mounted on Ampersand panel

$75

Some paintings just cause me to look at them over several days.  This is a perfect example.  I have to study them.  I have moved Red Sky all over the house.  Turned it different directions.  Used different lighting.  Framed.  Unframed.  In the trash can. Out of the trash can.  I finally chose this orientation and realized it is a painting needs a black frame.  Some paintings stand alone and a frame will detract.  The large expanse of red on Red Sky looks wonderful when it is separated from the wall by a simple black frame.

I am happy…..

September 9, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

AE #1

7"x5"

Oil and Cold Wax on Ampersand Gessobord

$75

Abstract Expressionism is definitely something I just don't get.  I must say that I am not a formally trained artist but I do read a lot.  No matter what I read about AE, I still go away thinking I don't get it.  I do see a lot of all over pattern and texture in some AE and was willing to give it a try for today's painting.  It is definitely a painting that is best viewed from a distance….So, Viewer, Please step away from the painting.

I am happy….

September 8, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

The Divers

6"x6"

Oil and Cold Wax on Ampersand Panel

$75

I have to be honest about this one.  I do not know if it is finished or if ever will be.  I will leave that to the viewer to decide.  It began life as an experiment of a black underpainting and then covered with a neutral.  I wanted to see if I could work with pure color next.  I love the pure pops of green and magenta.  Contrasting colors are so interesting.

That lead me to trying some stamping and marks.  I have become more comfortable with marks but stamping is still strange to me.  I do like the subtle nature of these.  So for now, they will stay.  

I am happy…..

September 7, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Golden Rim

7"x5"

Oil and Cold Wax on Gessoed Watercolor

mounted on Ampersand panel

Sold

Inspiration.  Where does it come from?  The answer is as varied as the variety of artists out there.  For me it is usually based on color.  Second to that is shape.  I can find these things in the oddest places.  Maybe it is the corner of photograph I see on Pinterest.  I have a photo of Johnny Depp and Tim Burton saved on my Color Inspiration board.  I am sure most people will think it is posted on the wrong board.  No, not for me.  I keep looking at the color and marks in the upper left hand corner.  One of these days it will become something.

The Gold Rim was inspired by a piece of pottery that I saw on Pinterest.   It is a lovely bowl with a goldish, copper edge.  The body of the bowl is a lovely green, a little more blue than my painting.  It does not bother me one bit that this painting is different.  The photograph was a starting place.  It leaves me with the possibility of revisiting another Gold Rim at a later time.

And Whoohoo…the color pallet changed. 

I am happy…..  

* Please contact The Gallery at Round Top to purchase.  979.249.4119 or ARTtgart@aol.com

September 6, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days

The Land

6"x6"

Oil and Cold Wax on Gessoed Watercolor Paper

$75

A new phase of the challenge has begun for me.  I have pieces with dark under paintings using colors like Perylene Black, Indigo and Mars Black.  This challenges me because I began my art life as a watercolor artist.  I have known many oil artists that were challenged by watercolors needing to be painted light to dark.  Going the other way is extremely hard for me.

Some folks know me as a paint nerd.  Well, my heart just sang when I discovered Perylene Black in oil paints.  In watercolors, Perylene Green ranks right up there with Quin Gold as a must have color.  A few weeks ago, I was shopping at Jerry's, in Austin, and found Perylene Black.  I thought, could it be my old friend?  I knew the watercolor Perylene Green is really a black pigment.  Not often will I take the cap off of a tube of paint right there in the store but I had to this time.  When I touched the paint and rubbed it between my fingers, I felt like I had found a pot of gold.  It was my old friend Perylene Green, except in oils it is Perylene Black.  Yippee!!!!!!

So, this little jewel started life as a solid coat of Perylene Black.  Before it dried, I began lifting paint off.  I was just delighted to see what emerged from this monochromatic paint scheme based on one of my favorite colors. 

I am happy……….. 

September 5, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Shoreline

7"x5"

Oil and Cold Wax on Mat Board

$75

I still haven't cleaned off my pallet.  I could not bring myself to do it because I could not waste two of my favorite colors - Chinese Orange and Turquoise Light.  Individually, they are wonderful but mixed together, they make a luscious green.  Amazing what compliments on the color wheel can do in a two color painting.  

Maybe a new color scheme will happen tomorrow.  I just don't know right now. 

I am happy…….

September 4, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Untitled

aka Jim Likes Me

6"x6"

Oil and Cold Wax on Oil Paper

Sold

This painting is currently available through Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas, Texas. Please contact them at 214/348-7350

Yes, the title is Untitled.  As of this moment, I like this painting in any direction I turn it and it gets a different title with each direction.  I decided to post it in this direction simply because it is not my usual direction.  Hmmm…Maybe it needs to be with the light portion at the bottom.  It looks like an icy lake…Hmmm…Maybe it needs the at the bottom.  I am still deciding.  Check back later to see what happens.

I am happy……...

September 3, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Levitation

6"x6"

Oil and Cold Wax on Ampersand Gessobord

$95 framed *

The title of this painting is a joke between my best friend and me.  The underpainting is actually my first attempt at painting a "thing" in oils.  Lots of stuff went awry with it: no lessons, my phobia for adulterating a brush with oil paint, the list goes on and on.  So, one day, this painting may be renamed.

Yesterday, I said I am not an orange fan and you may be seeing a lot of orange once again in this painting.  Maybe I should clarify that I do love Sennelier Chinese Orange but I see it as closer to the Quin Gold I love in watercolors.  My motto in watercolors is that a bad painting can usually be rescued with Quin Gold or maybe a bright red.  

I do love making marks on these small paintings.  The tools I use seem to have the correct scale for them.  I have made a note to find tools that will translate to the scale of larger paintings.

I am happy….   

* Please contact The Gallery at Round Top to purchase.  979.249.4119 or ARTtgart@aol.com

September 2, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Fiery Sky

Oil and Cold Wax on Ampersand Panel

8"x8"

$125

When I start a new painting for the 30 in 30 challenge, it is with no intended outcome.  Maybe, I start with a new color or use a new to apply the paint.  Maybe, I want to try a new texture.  This painting started with a new (for me) Ampersand panel type.  It was their Value Series.  It has a sort of canvas texture surface.  That may not sound like much of a challenge but I do not paint on canvas.  My first reaction was yuck, too much consistent all over pattern.  But after a few layers, even I did not know the texture was there.  So, OK, I may use more of this Ampersand product.

Probably a bigger challenge was that the whole panel was under painted in several layers of different oranges.  I am not a fan of big pieces or orange.  I had to work through toning down the orange.   I wanted just spots to really pop out and glow.   Good old neutrals and a contrasting blue got things going to make the orange glow.  

I am happy with the outcome of texture and color.

TVAA Driven to Abstraction Exhibit

Cabin at Ghost Ranch

Oil and Cold Wax on Watercolor Paper Collage

12"x12"

$350 framed

October in the Canyon

Oil and Cold Wax on Ampersand Cradled Panel

24"x18"

$900 Framed

Sun and Rain

Oil and Cold Wax on Ampersand Cradled Panel

12"x12"

$350 Framed

I almost forgot to post about having 3 paintings in the Texas Visual Art Association's September exhibit, Driven to Abstraction.  This is the first time I entered a TVAA show that hangs in their gallery in downtown Dallas and I am excited to be in the show with a lot of other great artists.  The show is open Sept 1st through 30th.  The reception is September 20th, 2-4 pm., the same day as the DADA Fall Art Walk.  So, I hope you get out there and see some great Dallas artists!!

TVAA Downtown Gallery

Plaza of the Americas

700 N. Pearl Suite G-207

September 1, 2014: 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Happy Place

5"x7"

Oil and Cold Wax on Encausticbord

$75

Yes, I am in my Happy Place with this painting.  I am still happy painting horizontal images; so, I decided to just go with it today.  And for me, a painting with turquoise will always make me happy. 

This painting takes up where the January 30 paintings in 30 days challenge left off but there will be a few differences that I am challenging myself to do this time, too.  I have set a goal of painting more that are on Ampersand panels so that they can be framed without glass.  Just painting on standard size panels is a challenge for me, too.  I want to do more with whites, neutral colors, organic shapes and maybe a few with stamping, too.  Who knows where this second 30 in 30 challenge will go this time………...