Du Jour 9

Day 9 and I'm almost a third of the way through my September painting challenge. I've more scribbles for today's painting in pink and yellow. I enjoy connecting the dots ... is it as simple as this, as metaphor? Hmmm, just thought of this. Interesting. I'll give that more thought another day. As well as the lines connecting, I like the open spaces relative to the connections. I think, too, the lines keep the viewer's eye moving and I like that movement in the painting.

So, here be it:

I've been matting and framing some small scale photographs to ship down to Redlands, CA for a show take-in on the 20th of this month. There is a theme: Redlands Celebration. I've tinkered with some of my original photographs so that they look like serigraphs. I'll upload those photographs tomorrow, along with the painting of the day.

Bon Jour ... Du Jour 6

Well, kiddies, today's exercise is an example of a painting overdone! I should have just stopped messing with it, but kept adding and subtracting and adding. (I still want to do something else to it--will I never learn?)

But, alas, it is what I have for today.

Again, Shiva Artist's Paintstiks on canvas board. This one is, I think, 6" x 8." Tomorrow's another day, another painting :o)

Du Jour 5

Oops! Almost forgot to upload today's painting. Source of light is florescent so color's a tad icky, but at least you get the gist of the geraniums.

Another day, another painting ...

Du Jour 4

Yesterday I enjoyed playing with the circles in yellow, but in today's exercise painting, I went a little further with drawn lines into the oil medium. It seems contrived, but I like all the squiggly lines. Perhaps I can play more with them so they appear more organic and less deliberate, if you know what I mean.

I'm feel a bit constrained working within this small 5" x 7" format, but I think it's a good discipline lesson. I'll stay with it for the time being.

As I worked in the colors and the ovals, I was reminded of the work of Gill Daft, an acrylic painter in Redlands, CA. At one time I collected a number of his large acrylic paintings. Many of his paintings incorporated large ovals, bright colors. I haven't thought about his work in many a year. Nice to think of him again.


If not familiar with my Etsy store with my original photographic images, I suggest you check out www.kweststudio8.etsy.com. Let me know what you think!

Du Jour 3

I had fun trying something a little different today. I started out using the same medium as yesterday, Shiva Artist's Paintstik, but I also wiped some of it off, and then went back in with a black colored pencil and a silver colored pencil and drew some connected circles or ovals shapes. I liked the change in the surface when I wiped off some of the paint. It seemed to open up the little format.

I didn't have any reference for this painting, just followed an inner prompt and then stopped. However, once I started I remembered seeing some mobiles in a gallery down in Southern California and was intrigued with their balance and symmetry. So I just played with that idea.

Another day, another painting "finished."

Du jour 2

Another Shiva oil paintstik on 5" x 7" canvas board.

Antje, a friend living at Fernandina Beach, Florida sent a photograph of her beach to me. This is my interp. Wouldn't it be lovely to be able to paint her beach plein air? Oh yeah, baby!

So far I've strictly used the stubs of paint, no turpentine and brush work. No layering. Just get it down fast without thinking it.

One thing I've noticed is that when I see the photograph of the painting, I'm more aware of the weak areas of the painting. It's almost like a correction lens of sorts. I wonder if it's because of the 2-dimensional photograph allows for some distancing from the subject ... or ??? Don't know yet. I'll have to think more on this.

Painting du jour (Day 1)

This is another 5" x 7" Shiva Oil Paint Artist's Paintstik painting.

I didn't really notice when I bought the "mini assortment" that all the colors were iridescent. It makes for a different overall appearance when everything is iridescent. Que sera ...

I'm going to have to take the photographs of the paintings during the day to take advantage of natural light, or rig up a more effective lighting arrangement, as the colors in the photograph don't convey the brights or deep color saturation of the painting. I've also put the 5" x 7" in an old wood frame I had sitting around--really old--because the painting seemed to convey better framed.

(I'm trying not to get too picky. These blog entries are just to keep a running chronicle of the daily paintings. Jeez! Maybe my photographic endeavors will result in better product photographs by the end of the month, eh? Much room for necessary improvement.)

In any case, here's today's painting ... (drum roll)