The road less traveled is lined with beauty

8x10 on Uart

Decided to try one larger so it took a little longer, but not much.  There is a purple underpainting - wish I kept more of it showing through.  Most likely will paint this one again!

An Inspiring Quote

"The man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had."
-Robert Louis Stevenson

Daily Painting - Day 23

An Improved Poppy
5x7 Pastel Quick Study

The sun is shining!

Daily Painting (ok, missed a few days - was on a weekend getaway for my birthday thanks to my wonderful hubby.)  Day 22:

JUST DO IT!

The Sun is Shining!
5x7 Quick Study

I painted this scene a few days ago and while I liked it, I felt it lacked a variety of color.  See below.  So back to the drawing board.  It's funny, I always felt like once I painted a specific scene, I was done, especially if I was happy with the end result.  If I didn't like the end result,  I was hesitant to do it again.  Oh, that darn fear of failure.  Or I perhaps I'm just not sure how to approach it differently.  Or, I'm frustrated.  Until, I realized "JUST DO IT!"  I have to admit, I am really enjoying painting the same scene over again.  It is fun to see how different the result are.

First attempt at sunflower scene
Its ok but I'm no't happy with limited colors

Below are examples of the scenes I have repeated.  The first image in each grouping is the first try at the scene.

What comes from experimentation

Daily Painting - Day 21

In early January, I had a request from a customer on my etsy site to paint St. Anne.  She was in no hurry so I saw this as my opportunity to try to combine my current style with the Saints in acrylic with my new found love of pastels.  I explain some of my process and my discoveries below.

St. Anne with the Blessed Virgin Mary
9x12 pastel and mixed media on Uart sanded paper

I began by exploring just what you could do on sanded paper.  Below is the underpainting using watercolor, acrylics, ink, stencils and stamps (similar to my process that I use on canvas boards)

After the initial sketches, I began to lay down large blocks of color in pastel.  I ran into a few problems.  I found that pastel does not like to stick to acrylic paint.  I worked with it as best as I could and fortunately there was not a lot of it in the underpainting.  The areas where the acrylic was used that had been watered down as in a wash seemed to work ok.

As you can see I struggled.  I put down too much pastel.  So, I set it aside and the next day, with fresh eyes, I still felt the same and decided to remove some of it.  I found a stiff brush in my studio and I gently brushed off areas I didn't like.  I also used a gummy eraser to remove some other areas. The Uart sanded paper is great for this - very sturdy and holds lots of layers of color.  Still plenty of tooth to work with.

After this removal, I decided that I like seeing some of the designs, textures and prints that I had originally created in my underpainting and decided I would try to allow them to show through and work with and around them (see St. Anne's garment - the triangle area in the center).  Also the celtic stamp that I carved and stamped is a symbol of the mother/daughter bond, certainly had the shape of a heart.  This shape made me think if the image of the sacred heart so I went with it.

I learned a lot from this and I think the final result is more than acceptable.  We will see what my possible customer has to say.  I will take what I learned from this, along with some other ideas that came my way while working on it and try some more new things.

Please feel free to comment and ask any questions you may have!

Be Like A Sunflower!

"I want to be like a sunflower so that on the darkest days I will stand tall and find the sunlight!"

Daily Painting - Day:20

Be Like a Sunflower
5x7 Quick Study

Trying something new today - Sunflowers.  May try it again.  I can see why Monet did the same scene many times.  Yes, he was painting the scene as the light changed it.  In a sense I am doing the same by changing underpainting to give the scene a warmer or cooler feel, perhaps changing the composition to see which is more effective.  These are, after all studies.  Someday I plan to go back and paint them larger incorporating what I have learned from these quick studies.

Magnificent Maui #2

Daily Painting - Day 19

Magnificent Maui #2
5x7 Quick Study

Hmmm, this one was just as frustrating as yesterday's painting.  I'm not sure what I'm after.  Perhaps I'll try it again - in the future!  It definitely is different than the first painting of this scene.  Amazing how different a few changes in color and approach can change the painting.

Taking an online course combing watercolor (my first love many, many years ago) and pastels (my newest love).  I will try to share some of what I am doing/learning from that course.  Lots of play!  Lots of texture!

Magnificent Maui

Daily Painting - Day 18

Magnificent Maui
5x7 Quick Study

Got frustrated with with the rocks and the hill amongst other things.  Will be doing this one again tomorrow!  Let's see what changes.  I think these quick studies are great for learning and practicing and when I pin down what I like, what works, they will be great for a larger more in depth painting.  I really can't imagine going big without having done these small quick studies.  I believe they will save me lots of time, mistakes and frustrations.

Ahhh Summer!

"I will not lose, for even in defeat, there's a valuable lesson learned so that evens it up for me." -Jay Z, musician and businessman

Ok, after looking at the painting from Tuesday, I decided, I liked it more than I did when I first finished it. Again, time away helps.  However, I decided that I had a few ideas that might make it better so I decided to try it again.  WOW, what a difference!  I see much improvement.  So much more depth.  Anyways, moral of the story try, try again! The more often I paint, the more likely  things will soon become second nature.  I will feel more confident, knowledgable, and comfortable.

Daily Painting - Day 17

Summer in Northern Michigan
5x7 Quick Study

The painting below was painted before the painting above.  Big difference!  I guess I learned what to do and what not to do.  Yea, daily painting.

Day 15 painting
5x7 Quick Study 

Knowing when to stop

"I can't do it never yet accomplished anything; I will try has performed wonders." - George P. Burnham, -writer and editor

Daily Painting: Day 16

5x7 Quick Study

Ugh!  Day 16 and I feel like progress with landscapes is slow. Sometimes I even feel like I'm digressing.  I've painted only a small handful of landscapes my entire life and never felt satisfied with the results but I will not succomb to my frustrations and overly high expectations after all it has only been a few months using this new medium and only a few years painting since my 20 year+ away from painting.  Each time I learn something new or something I do or don't like.  

I also need to learn when to stop.  The timer for 20 minutes went off and I took the above picture.  After looking at the photo on my phone, I noticed a few things I didn't like so I went back in.  I like how I fixed the water line but I continued to add more and fix and add and change and while some things were good, I think I would have been better to stop sooner.

So, today's take away - stop sooner than you think.  Step back or even away from it for a while.  If/when you come back start very slow with only a few strokes at a time.  Take a photo.  I have found looking at your art from a photo shows things you just didn't see at first.

with a few too many heavy handed strokes

If at first you don't succeed

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

I joined a painting challenge.  It was to paint a painting in 20 minutes for 5 days.  First of all, I am finding this scene difficult to begin with.  I've not painted too many scenes with lots of green grass so I am struggling to find the right greens.  Then I'm trying to give the illusion of the path traveling down a hill.  I've been trying to incorporate some of the tips from John Carlson's book Landscape painting, such as warm colors in the foreground and cooler colors in the distance.  I may try this one again and again until I get something I sort of like.  I do see some improvements from the first one.

Daily Painting:  Day 15:

Same scene as yesterday
5x7 Quick Study

Same scene as above - first time painting it
5x7 Quick Study

Seize the Sunday!

For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath rest to the LORD.  Exodus 35:2

I LOVE to read or perhaps even more than the love of reading is the love of learning.  So, since I had very little to do this glorious Sunday and the weather was dreary, I thought it the perfect chance to read (without falling asleep - seems I always fall asleep when I read at night).  As you will see, I have any number of books to choose from around the house.  I rarely read fiction because I would rather learn than explore the imaginary worlds of non-fiction.  I try to do that when I am creating my art.

My nightstand

My prayer space

family room

As you see, I have books scattered throughout the house and will pick them up for a few minutes here and there, sometimes longer.  I am almost finished reading Matthew Kelly's book called Perfectly Yourself.  I highly recommend, especially if you are seeking to improve your self, simplify your life and find God's will for you and become the best version of your self.

I am also in the middle of John Carlson's book on Landscape Painting.  Another wonderful book.  I had to pull out my highlighter because there is so much useful information, as I am sure I will refer to it often.  At least until these things become second nature to me - which he assures me they will, as long as I keep painting!

I started Van Gogh's Letters after I saw the movie Loving Vincent.  What an amazing movie.  The entire movie is animated oil paintings in the style of Van Gogh.  Incredible and the story is wonderful as well.  I believe it is available to rent now on Demand.  The book is a wonderful insight to the mind of this struggling artist.  I am enjoying it very much.

I'll share more with you as I get to them.  Never stop learning!

Oh and I did paint today too!

Daily Painting:  Day 14:

Today's quick study 5x7

Baby Steps

"Progress: You might not be where you want to be but you're not where you used to be."

Daily Painting: Day 13

St. Anne and blessed mother Mary
Mixed media on UART 500 sanded pastel paper
Work in Progress

Continued progress - slow but steady.  Every mark is a lesson.  I'm using the pastel pencils a lot more than I ever have.  They seem to be easier to use over the acrylic texture that I created on the background.  Which, by the way, I won't likely do again.  I am finding it very frustrating and disruptive to this painting.

I'm thinking I would love to try some gold leaf for a halo around Mary's head. I have no experience with gold foil, however.  I would definitely try it on a smaller similar background to see how and if it adheres.  I'll be sure to share my process here so you can learn right along with me.  Another option, I was thinking, is a gold spray paint.  I'm thinking I would cover everything up except the specific area I want to spray.  Again, will test first and share process and results.

Making Progress

"The only time you should ever look back is to see how far you've come."

Making progress on this experiment with mixed media on pastel paper.  Still a ways to go.

Daily Painting: Day12

Making progress

When I walked into the studio today, looking at what I had done yesterday, I was extremely tempted to throw it in the trash and start new but then I kept thinking about all those quotes I've been reading and posting, the ones about not giving up and what have you got to lose and why not just go for it.  So I did.  Here's yesterday's attempt- SCARY!

WIP Day 11

So, here's what I did today.  First, there were too many layers of pastel already so I decided to try to get rid of some of it.  I found a stiff brush and started brushing layers off.  I then took my gum eraser and gently started erasing some of what was left.  This helped some of the background to show again, which I quite like.  Going into this, I had no idea how it would work or IF it would work but it did.  There is still plenty of tooth left on this wonderful paper (UART 500).  

WIP - results after brushing and erasing unwanted layers of pastel

stiff brush that I used to gently brush away unwanted pastel layers
make sure to wipe off brush of all the pastel dust now and again

my supplies - I began to use some pencils to get back the details and am finding I like them

So, after I removed pastel, I then went back and sketched in some details and slowly started adding color and detail.  I grabbed one of my pastel pencils to sketch and decided I quite liked it so I started using some of the other colors that I had, layering and using for details.  I don't have many so it might limit my palette until I get more.  

One big issue that I see with this mixed media is that the pastel is not adhering very well to the acrylic paint (specifically the dabbing of white that I did), possibly because it was too thick and textured.  I think I would stay away from using acrylics next time.  Although, it can have some interesting effects.  In small amounts, it might not be too bad.   

Check back tomorrow to see more progress.  I haven't decided to give in yet.

It's a Love/Hate thing

" I had a mother who taught me there is no such thing as failure.  It is just a temporary postponement of success." -Buddy Ebsen, actor

Daily Painting: Day 11

If you saw yesterday's post, you saw the experimentation I was doing with some mixed media on sanded pastel paper - UART 500.  I learned a lot and I had fun, as I always do when I do these kind of playful backgrounds.

So, the experimentation (i.e. learning) continues today.  See the progression below.  This is definitely in the HATE phase right now.  I have found I go through cycles of LOVE (sometimes just LIKE) and then HATE (or really not thrilled).  It's tempting to give up at this stage but I figure I have nothing to lose (except maybe some time) and always something to gain (i.e. a successful painting or at the very least lessons on what went wrong).

I'm really just kind of winging it when I do these portraits in pastel.  I've not had any instruction and pastels are much different than acrylics.  I'm definitely NOT in my comfort zone.  So, come along and get uncomfortable (and learn) with me.

sketch with soft charcoal (easy to erase)

 blocking in darkest values
LIKE it stage

WIP  unfinished portrait - in the HATE stage
9x12 pastel on mixed media UART 500 paper

Seems a shame that I covered up all of that lovely background, doesn't it? In fact, I think I almost like the second version better.  I was trying to allow some of the background to show through but at some point lost it.  Well, maybe next time.  Let's see what tomorrow brings with this one, shall we?

A Day of Play

"Only those who attempt the absurd will achieve the impossible." — M. C. Escher

Daily Painting: Day 10

Background on UART 400

I've had a few requests via my etsy shop to paint some new paintings of the saints.  However, I find myself in a bit of a dilemma now that I have discovered my new found love for pastels.  My past images were acrylics done on canvas board. They all had a bright, colorful, playful collage backgrounds.  The backgrounds began with ripped paper pasted to the board then layers of acrylics here and there, stamps and stencils.  Pastels would not work over such a background because they need something to adhere to especially when layer upon layer is being put down.  So I wondered how I could achieve a similar look but with pastels.  So, today was a day of experimenting.  I used my favorite pastel paper, UART sanded paper with a 400 grit.  I knew that this kind of pastel paper does take wet mediums.  I did want to be careful, though, not to use too much of any thick mediums that might fill the tooth of the paper.  I figured watercolors would work but wasn't sure how they would actually flow and react with this paper and with the various fun texture creating techniques that can be accomplished with watercolor.  Hence the experimenting began.

Quick Study on UART 400

I began with a quick study.  I just wanted to see, quickly, how this paper would accept and respond to certain things such as a detailed stamp and a few layers of watercolor.  Then I wondered how the pan pastels would go down on top of the painted background.  I even tried adding a few details with pastel pencils.   I was hopeful but felt I needed to do a larger painting.

watercolor on 8x10 Uart 400

Here I was playing with some watercolor techniques using salt and alcohol.  The watercolors did react but not as evident as it is on watercolor paper.  Also, I found the water doesn't flow like it does on watercolor paper.  To be expected for sure, but I was a little disappointed.

You can see some texture when I added some bubble wrap and saran wrap.  Actually it looked better in this photo than in real life.  And I will say the colors are much brighter and prettier than in this photo.

I continued to play.  I used my gelli print plate with acrylic paint to add the stencil of the rose in 2 places, I then watered down some white paint and painted over the top in some places to downplay the vibrancy.  I added some stamps here and there with staz-on ink (so there would be no bleeding).  I continued to add some more watercolor washes and spritz with alcohol and remove some by blotting with paper towel.

Finished background on UART 400

The next step will be sketching my image onto the background and beginning to color it in with pan pastels (something I have very little experience with so we will see).  More experimentation.