Morning

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#094

First cows ever for me! I always enjoy paintings of cows by other artists. In fact, I love them... cuz I love cows. Don't most people, really?  For me, it's the eyes, especially --  those eyelashes!!  And their gentle, sweet expressions ... that look. Awwwwwwwwwww......

If it weren't for last week's daily painting "cow" challenge, I probably wouldn't have painted these. Thanks DPW! I like 'em, and they were fun! Moo

Oranges II

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#093

Painted two of these on the same day, trying to loosen up. HA! ...Not so much. (First one was posted on yesterday.)

Oranges I

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#092

Last week I painted three paintings of various pear poses.... quickly. This is an exercise I keep doing because I'm always trying to loosen up the "stiffness" in my paintings. It went pretty well - last week - so decided to try oranges today with the same "attitude". Well, all I can say is some days ya have it, and some days ya don't!  (But it's ok; cuz as Stuart Smalley would say, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me!")

Instead of three paintings, I was only able to finish two, and didn't have near as much fun as last week. The second of these will post tomorrow. :)

Pears III

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#091

My hurdle is ALWAYS to stay loose!! This is the third painting from my afternoon exercise in just that. This one took about an hour. It was an interesting practice because my paintings actually loosened up as I painted, instead of getting tighter. I love it when that happens! 

This calls for a celebration! 

Happy Friday, and Cheers!

Pears II

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#090

This is the second one of the three pear studies I painted in an effort to loosen up. The first was posted yesterday, the third and loosest (is that a word? lol) will show up tomorrow.

I love painting pears!!

Pears I

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#089

One of the primary reasons for my joining Daily Paint Works was to loosen up my style. I've noticed I've gotten too tight again, so today I quickly completed 3 paintings. I equate time with looseness (tho I know that isn't necessarily true). The thing I try to do is not give myself time to start obsessing over a painting; so, for me, fast does equal loose(r).

This painting was first. The other two will follow tomorrow and the next day. Surprisingly, the paintings got looser as I went. Normally, they get tighter.... for me.

In The Beginning

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#088

The hand-made clay olive oil pitcher (it's probably actually called something else...?) is one I bought at an art show this spring. I love the smooth feel and shape that it has. I named this piece "In The Beginning" because everyone knows that if you start any dish with some good extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil, and lots of garlic, you just can't go wrong!

​It took me two days, and multiple frustrating attempts, to get a photo of this that looked even half way decent. I have a terrible time getting a good shot of darker paintings. Sorry!

Takes All Kinds

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#087

This one came out nothing like I thought it would! But here it is, anyway. Thought about throwing some garlic cloves in there too, but decided on "onions only." Kind of like a photo of you and the kids, minus the cousins. :)

Quiet Invitation II

Currently On Exhibit

This is one of my paintings that will be showing at the "Reflections" Exhibition for Women at the Quinlan Center in Gainesville, Georgia; August 20th through October 10th. View exhibition opening, gallery photos and more online here or at qvac.org. Thanks!

Keep Up, Harry

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#086

This is one of those "just for the heck of it" paintings. I saw this couple during my last visit to New Orleans.... I ran into them a few times, actually. She was always leading the pack, talking to people, buzzing in and out of shops, absorbing the city. Her partner (let's call him Harry), just... kept... up. He really didn't seem to be too interested, or too bored, or to be entertained, or amused. He was just keeping up. I got the impression that he'd defintely had lots of practice at it.  :)

Five O'clock Somewhere II

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This is not a daily painting. This is a painting I started over a year ago, left sitting in my studio, and just recently finished. I painted most of this in a day, and was really on a roll. It was almost finished, then I stopped to run out and meet my husband for an impromptu dinner date! Oh, the date was awesome and it's great to be spontaneous, but really. It took my so long to get back to this that I never could get back in the "feel" or "zone" of this thing. Now I really don't care for it, but am sick of painting over and over again what little of it I had to finish.  I've painted a similar piece before and it just flowed onto the canvas like it painted itself. Don't you love it when that happens? 

Lesson learned:  Next time when I'm in the "zone" and loving a painting, I'm not walking away from it until it's finished!! Sorry, honey! I'll take a rain check!

Blue

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#085

A few years ago, I did a small series of paintings inspired by the lives of those who are homeless. I sold them to donate the proceeds to a homeless shelter.  That was not my only intention. I also wanted to help us all (the buyers of these pieces specifically) remember these folks. The life circumstances that lead to homelessness are as touching as the images. I remind myself of that always, and make a point of showing kindness when the opportunity arises.

When I came across this photograph in morguefiles, I had to paint him. This was a quick painting. I tried to keep it spontaneous and heartfelt, and resisted the temptation to over-correct or tighten it up.

Three Grannies

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#084

Ok... So I've been out on vacation for about two weeks. But it's been a month and a half since my last post!! What the heck?! There's really no excuse except that summer's really been flying by! And it's been a fantastic summer so far. Lots of time for friends, and lots of time on and in the water, either kayaking, tubing, or pontooning -- All my speed, by the way.

Because I have so much catching up to do, I'm just gonna spread out my last 10 daily paintings over the next week of so, starting with this one.

Hope your summer is going great!!

Cheers!