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)

Who doesn't benefit from a challenge now and again?

A couple of years ago I decided to take a photograph a day for a year. It was a lot of fun, took some shots I might not have otherwise, stretched, experienced some flops--to be expected, they can't all be masterpieces--and learned a lot about myself and photography.

I've been wanting to do more painting, an artform parallel to photography, which I enjoy as well, but always had a ready excuse. Excuses no more!

For my birth month of September, I'm challenging myself to do a painting a day. It will officially kick off tomorrow, but I forgot there was a 31st in August, so I painted today. Again, no masterpieces to be expected, just exercising painting muscles I haven't played around with in years. Yes! That's it ... this is a playful challenge. If I don't hold myself accountable by posting the painting, such as it is, I know I'll find some other task that will edge out painting, which I WANT to do.

Here goes. Today's painting is with Shiva Oil Sticks on a 5" x 7" canvas board. You'll notice there's a lot of scratching into the medium. I really dig making a mark in a mark. You might notice that it is signed. It's not because I think it's so stupendous, I sign just about everything as a self-congratulatory pat on the back that I followed through on something. So, you'll probably see signatures on everything. I'm not vain, just happy to have painted.

My, oh my, oh my! Just LOOK at how long it's been since I've uploaded anything. Shame on me. Consistency is the name of the game, and I don't seem to be playing well. Will I try to do better? The heart is willing ...

However, in this interval of time I have continued to (click) (click) (click) at every opportunity!

Most recently, I returned from a quick road trip to California. There were several reasons for the trip--like I really needed a reason to hit the road--but the primary impetus was my sister, Melba. She initially made the suggestion and offered to underwrite the journey, so who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth? (That didn't come off as I truly meant it. My sis doesn't in the least resemble a horse!)

So, we made plans. I bought extra media cards for all of the photos I knew I was likely to snap. (God! I love digital cameras and not having to lug around rolls of film!)

The day came and off we went!

Enroute we determined a few ground rules needed establishing. I wanted to stop EVERYWHERE and shoot photographs. This doesn't make for rapid progress. Mel is not a photographer, and it was essentially her trip. So, we did not stop at every visually enticing scene or object, frustrating as when would I ever be there/see that ever again? In fact, we didn't stop nearly often enough, but there were people awaiting us in CA and a trip schedule to adhere to. Alas, I complied.

I think the absolute BEST gift from this sojourn was that I came back refreshed, invigorated, inspired, enthusiastic, PUMPED!

Now I have to sort through all the shots I took and keep the best and eliminate the rest. Even though that will involve a lot of computer work, I will MAKE time to get away from the computer and SEE with my revitalized eyes and (click) (click) (click)