72 - Peach Rose

This is a larger one 22"x28". I just love painting roses! Clearly not enough time to paint them all but I intend to make a go of it. The large size of this one did make the process seam longer where I had to keep getting up and standing back and looking because it was too big to see it clearly up close. I painted it in oils with lots and lots of thin glazes. I rather like how it turned out.

71 - Great Grey Owl

This one changed at the last minute. I thought I had it done, then I took a picture, and when I did, the light changed part of the background. I REALLY liked what it did so I tried to duplicate it, and this is the background I ended up with when I was done. I like it.

16" x 20" oil on canvas

70- Cardinal In The Snow

For my new years resolution I've decided to take my art more seriously. When I say that I mean more accurately, dont take it for granted. I need to create. I need to paint. I feel alive and happy when I paint. I've decided to stop putting others needs first for a while in the hopes that if I take the time for me, I'll have more to give.

This is a small one. 8" x 10" oil on canvas. I wish I took better photos.

69 - Oriole in Acrylic

I got to paint to today. Not for a long time, but I got to paint for 2 glorious hours today! Yeah! I did a small painting (8"x 10") in acrylic. Not my best painting, but cute and I like it.

I love looking at birds. Dont know the names or anything but like looking at them. The whole time I was painting this one I thought it was a robbin, it wasnt until it was done my son corrected me and told me it was an oriole.

I decided I wasnt completely happy with the oriole painting so I went about adjusting it, this time in oils. I signed it this time so I think I'm happy with it

Cross in watercolor pencil

So I haven't played with watercolor in a while and I missed it.

Today I taught an acrylic painting class and was talking about watercolor pencils and how much fun they are to play with and so after class I dug mine out.

They were as much fun as I remembered! Like coloring with colored pencils and loose like watercolor.

I painted a cross, a silly page of hearts and a rose bud. Loved it!

The last two Wednesdays I've been helping Sarah out with her paintings. I told her and the other ladies in my class that if they wanted to learn watercolor pencil, they could come on Wednesday afternoon and we would play with some colors.

What's Your Hurry? An update

For some reason the pic looks darker than the actual painting. I really should take a photagraphy class. I removed the fish right behind the turtle. I like it better now. I also darkened the bottom part of the painting. I was told it gets darker the more you go down in water. I personally liked the bottom part better when it was lighter but it is done now and I have put the painting away.

I have so many paintings going now I need to find the time and insperation to finish some so I can make room in my studio. It is getting crowded!

The elderly gentleman I take care of had a fall last week. I thought he was going to die. I've been up to see him everyday until today. He is now doing better but they (the doctors) are telling me at his age (90) he wont survive long. I'm sad because I love him and will miss him. I'm also scared because #1 I've become dependant on the income and #2 If I don't have that to do I will have the time to actually paint, I'll reach that 100 mark and I'll be able to ask myself "Am I any good?" Really is kind of scarey to not have that cushion. To face things one way or another.

What's Your Hurry? decisions

I have already posted "What's Your Hurry?" I liked it. Loved it even, but wondered about wheather it was really finished or just I was ready to be done with it. Actually the biggest thing I worried about was weather it should have some warmer colors in it since it is mostly cool colors. So I posted it in the animals forum of WetCanvas (have I mentioned I love this site?).

I only had a few comments. They were generally good with a few exceptions. 2 people suggested working on the shell more, to give it more detail. The only problem with that is the reference photo doesn't have a bunch more detail. Another person suggested I add air bubbles since turtles are air breathers...this sounds like a good idea, but once again the ref doesnt show this, and I really only paint what I see. I can take things away from the photo (and even this is a new triumph for me), but adding is a challenge still. And speaking of taking away...one person suggested removing the fish behind the turtle that intersects with the turtle. Now this fish was bothering me too. I had already removed several fish that were bothering me so removing this one is a good idea in my book.

I started working on it last night, I'm not sure how it will work out. While working on it I had one of those "I suck at painting" moments. I always have this fear that I've already done the best work I'll ever do...that I will mess up the painting I'm doing...so many fears...

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