Saturday, June 30, 2012

Baa, Baa...

"Baa, Baa..."  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

I had a lovely workshop today at the Casa de Linda Art Center in New Braunfels. Unfortunately it's too late tonight to load the pics and scan the artwork, as I spent the rest of the evening replacing some glass and loading the truck with a bunch of artwork to take to the Gallery at Round Top tomorrow.

So I'll post the workshop pics tomorrow evening and meanwhile here's the last of last week's cache. This little ewe was dramatically back lit - the mystery suited her coloring!

Friday, June 29, 2012

Looking Back

"Looking Back"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)   click here to bid

Looking back on the past two and a half years since deciding to try to paint daily, I can trace the ups and downs my life and my efforts to follow this artistic path. I can't imagine that most professional artists don't work their craft almost daily as a matter of course and as part of their ongoing job. It's the specificity of creating a continuous cache of finished works in order to post a new painting every day for all to see that defines the 'Daily Painter' as a particular breed apart.

From the beginning of this journey, I've cultivated an immense appreciation for the effort and sheer determination it takes to be a Daily Painter by that definition. I've also begun to comprehend much of what I've heard and read about the experience of daily painting, and have found parallels from other parts of my life.

I do believe that that undefinable quality called 'talent' has almost nothing to do with an individual's potential for success as a Daily Painter. It does, however, manifest itself as a direct result of the process of being a daily painter, or specifically, painting daily.

It really is an ongoing adventure with no final destination. More experience brings more questions, and more learning.

I'm really not the sort to look back much. I prefer looking forward - just to the next 10 minutes usually! In order not to become paralyzed by seemingly impossible goals, sometimes it's wise to wear blinders.

My favorite quote this month is one by Picasso: ”I am always doing things I can't do, that's how I get to do them.”

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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Don't Call Me Chicken!

"Don't Call Me Chicken!"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

The mood and attitude of this tough chicken developed as the painting progressed. The photo was simply a front-on shot of a colorful chicken in the sunlight. To aid the composition, I off-set the face a bit in order not to bee too symmetrical. The background needed to be dark, I decided, to set off the golden feathers.
...Then the eye took on a piercing glare as the dark behind started to suggest a brick wall...  and the oxymoron of the brave chicken was born!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Warm Fuzzies

"Warm Fuzzies"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

I couldn't resist the title for this one.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Basil

"Basil"  (pastel, 8x6 inches)   click here to bid

From the same set of shots as yesterday's post; another fascination with the morning light!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Fleecia and Little Wooley

"Fleecia and Little Wooley"  (pastel, 8x6 inches)  click here to bid

Ok, here's a sheep picture just for a little change from the long line of rabbits.
I was enthralled by the morning light illuminating the coats. White is a fascinating color in the shadows.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Charcoal Puff

"Charcoal Puff"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

This was from a very closeup shot of one of the youngest. He could have sat in the palm of your hand! He was also very, very black - I had to adjust the photo before using it, to bring out some colors in his coat.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Princess

"Princess"  (pastel, 7x5 inches) 

This one reminded me of a princess with her dainty pose and delicate blue eyes.

"Princess" is now available at The Gallery at Round Top, in Round Top, Texas.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Pearl

"Pearl"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  

I've decided that rabbits are like cats: so very aesthetically pleasing. All the curvy lines make for great compositions.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Shadow Bubba

"Shadow Bubba"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

This one looked like he could be Shadow Baby's big brother. Just love the hair-do!

Monday, June 18, 2012

Bigfoot

"Bigfoot"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  

That's a big foot!

But I loved the graceful pose, almost like a ballet stretch.

"Bigfoot" is now available at The Gallery at Round Top, in Round Top, Texas. 

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Timid

"Timid"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  

Since rabbits do tend to multiply, I couldn't stop with only three.
The timid eyes and shy posture made this one easy to name!

"Timid" is now available at The Gallery at Round Top, in Round Top, Texas. 


Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Wallowing

"Wallowing"  (pastel, 5x7 inches)  click here to bid

Who among us hasn't ever sympathized with this fellow? Some days are just made for wallowing.

This is another change for me; interpreting the flat overhead florescent barn lighting was about as far from natural sunlight as can be, but I think it fits the mood of this one.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Midnight

"Midnight"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

Another irresistible cutie on a bed of golden straw!

Friday, June 8, 2012

Grazing Calf

"Grazing Calf"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

The warm and cool temperatures in this scene made it irresistible to paint. The sun was warm!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Ewegenie

"Ewegenie" (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid 

A darling little baby lamb from a traveling petting zoo.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Chicken in the Morning

"Chicken in the Morning"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

Another change for me, but I loved the light!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Snowflake

"Snowflake"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)   click here to bid

This one was hiding half way inside an old vegetable bin. I was caught by the patch of light coming through from the left. The surrounding darkness is a change from my usual routine, but a perfect foil for this white fur.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Shadow Baby

"Shadow Baby"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

OK, I'm back to the 5x7's. Mostly because they're (comparatively) quick, and I only had a couple hours to paint today. Well, OK, also because this one was so cute I couldn't resist!

Not my usual bright sunlight, but black fur shows a little more subtlety in the shade, and there was the yellow straw he was hopping around on that created such a striking color combination!