Paisley Illustration 30/30 #3

Paisley Pony Illustration

9 x 12

copic marker on illustration board

 

Lagging behind pretty bad on this 30/30 challenge. :) I knew it would be tough to fit a painting in every day since I'm pretty much working full time now, and honestly accepting the challenge was mostly just a shove to get me to paint again. And for that alone it's been  a success.

 

I did make a start on a larger watercolor portrait of my son the other day, but it's not really at a showing stage yet. (in other words, it's a bit scary right now. Ha!)

 

This is an illustration I did for a client, a new whimsical style I don't think I've shared with you guys before. It's a lot of fun and I love working this way.

 

Watching: Master Chef

Reading: Alla Prima

Listening to: the dog snore

Snacking on: Peppermint Patties

Drinking: dirty diet coke

 

 

Retirement 30/3 #2

Retirement

6 x 6 inches, oil on gessobord

available here

 

Painting #2 for the 30/30 challenge.  I took this photo  few years ago one morning after I had dropped my kids off at school. This old horse, evident by the grey on her muzzle and her deep sway back, stood grazing in a field, with the sun just rising over the mountains behind her.

The rim lighting on her was so gorgeous, but what struck me the most was a feeling of deep sympathy for her. She looked in good health for being so old, she looked to have a good life, but you could see that she wasn't going to be in this world for long. It's something I can't quite put into words, but it really moved me and I've wanted to paint her ever since.


Still trying to get back in the painting groove. :)

Watching: Sleepy Hollow
Reading: Alla Prima II
Listening to: The Dead Weather
Snacking on: lemon raspberry scone (YUM)
Drinking: chocolate milk 

Snow Hat 30/30 #1

"Snow Hat"

6 x 6 oil on gessobord

NFS

 

 

This painting is a series of firsts for me.

 

The first painting in my new house. (YAY!)

 

The first painting this year.

 

The first painting for the 30 in 30 challenge hosted by Leslie Saeta.

 

And probably some more that I just can't think of right now.

 

This is from a photo of my oldest son (who is 12 now) when he was just 2 years old wearing a big ol' snow hat.

 

Starting this painting after nearly a year off was full of surprises for me. The main one was that I hadn't forgotten as much as I thought I had. It didn't take me very long to get back in the groove of painting. Which was a welcome relief. In a way, being back at the easel felt a little like coming home.

 

But it was different as well. After spending so much time making stylized, cute animals (Tumble Creatures), I've developed a new way of seeing. A sort of shorthand, which was really, really cool. I no longer feel like a slave to a reference photo, which always bothered me a lot before.

 

I'm really excited, and so thankful to Leslie for having this challenge (and that no one else from Utah had signed up, which is what prompted me to sign up in the first place.) I know I won't be doing a painting every day for this challenge, I still have a lot of other art obligations I'm already committed to. But I'm happy to be back painting again, for me this time. <3 p="">

 

How have you all been??? I've missed you all so much. :)

 

 

Reading: The Search for WondLA by Tony Diterlizzi

Watching: Top Chef

Listening to: One Republic

Snacking on: Granola bars

Drinking: water (boring I know. ;)