30 paintings in 30 days!

'Rhino's Spot'

Click here to purchase

It has been quite a while since I've done a single painting in a single day for lots of days in a row. I've been so preoccupied with painting the dailies that I have neglected blogging or uploading them (although I am uploading them every night to my Instagram and Facebook, simply because it's so much faster and I'm usually soooo tired by the time I finish painting them at midnight haha)!

It has been incredibly FUN to have a new painting to complete every day. Sometimes I can get caught up in a big painting for MONTHS at a time. Which can result in really cool and impactful work, but can also be stressful. Incredibly stressful. I am enjoying the heck out of this challenge and approach each day with an excitement for painting that I haven't felt in years!

I've decided to paint all of them in oil, simply because it's faster for me and time is very, very short. I am learning a lot each day with each new painting. And it has been a great time of growth for me artistically. I'll try and share one thing I've learned each day. As often as I remember haha.

I'm very behind in blogging about these so I'm just going to start with my favorite one so far, not the first one. This sweet pup (Rhino) belongs to the family that owns the gym I go to. They bring him to the gym with them every morning and he is a huge hit with the gym family. Yesterday he was in just the PERFECT spot of sun and held still long enough for me to get some pics with my phone. We call him the gym mascot and he is the biggest sweetheart of a dog you'll ever meet.

With this painting I realized the importance of painting in your brightest colors first and then working around them. This resulted in the glowing ear, with no mud from mixing white or greys near it! Worked like a charm. I know I've learned this lesson before, but seems like I'm relearning a lot of things this month.

Listening to: Higher Health Radio

Watching: BBC's Sherlock (for the 15th time)

Reading: Love and Gelato

Drinking: Diet Dr. Pepper

Snacking on: Caramel flavored rice cakes

The Sunny Spot, and a balancing act

'The Sunny Spot'

6 x 6 inches

oil on panel

Click here to purchase

So much of our every day life is just trying to keep everything in balance. Don't you think? Balance with work, family, hobbies, kids activities, school work, church work, yard work, house work. It's so tough to keep it all together. And I don't think any of us really do. Some do it better sure, but no one has it all together, as much as they want us to believe they do through social media posts.

The last few weeks my family has been really sick. My dad had surgery. And my sweet old dog, Chauncy is nearing the end of his life, and so we have to decide when to make that hardest decision that will separate him from us forever.

So my mind. . . it's been everywhere. My heart has felt so heavy. I'm not trying to sound like my life is terrible, because it's not. I feel so blessed to have the life I do. Loved ones that care about me, a warm comfortable home, and plenty of food to eat. But still. . . it's been tough, and I'd be lying if I said otherwise.

During this time of stress and sadness I've let a lot slip. But I've maintained as much as possible two things that help me feel balanced even in stressful situations.

Fitness. And Art.

I think we all have those things that clear our mind and rejuvenate us to tackle the day. And even if it seems selfish to take time to do them, we HAVE to. Otherwise there is nothing left of us to offer anyone else.

At the end of a long week of being a caretaker to many sick people and a dog I finally entered my studio. Turned on the lamp. Laid my brushes out carefully. And I painted. It lasted about 15 minutes. But it felt so good and restored something in my soul I had felt was missing that long week.

Art is so much more than just paint on paper. It is so much more than a profession. It is a balm to my soul. And I think that too often we forget that as we chase after professional goals and personal ones too. It was a good reminder to me. Hopefully it was to you too. When was the last time you got to do what rejuvenates you when you really, really needed it? I'd love to know.

Love,

Crystal

Watching: The Walking Dead

Listening to: Nirvana

Reading: Lizzy and Jane by Katherine Reay

Drinking: water

Snacking on: protein bars (G2G are my fave)

Understudy - Italian Greyhound SOLD

'Understudy' 

5 x 7 inches oil on masonite SOLD

I started painting this beautiful girl because of that dramatic lighting and that beautiful soul shining in her eyes. And then when I finished it I stood back and thought she would have made a great understudy for the girl in Vermeer's painting, Girl with a Pearl Earring. All she needed was a little blue towel wrapped around her cute head. I was tempted to go back in and give her an earring after I noticed that. Oh so tempted. Reference photo, with thanks, by Just Chaos.

In other news. . . 

My super fantastic sister got me the Most Awesome Shirt ever! Suits me don't you think? Pink, check. Cupcake eating reference, check. Nailed it!

Listening to: The National, A Terrible Love
Reading: The Great Gatsby
Watching: The Vampire Diaries
Snacking on: homemade white chocolate and dried cranberry cookies  (the sugar ban is a thing of the past. Moderation people. That's the name of the game now. I eat healthy stuff too. Most of the time. )

Tasty

'Tasty' 

5 x 7 inch watercolor on paper

$65 plus $8 US shipping, or $20 International 

I can't ever get my own dogs to model for me. The minute I get down to take a photo of them is the minute they think I've just invited them to climb into my lap. This is my niece's dog, a cute Chihuahua named Chica. She is a great little model because she's always watching my niece, not me. :) I caught her mid slurp a few summer's ago and have been wanting to paint it ever since. 

In other news, my blog post I wrote at the end of last month about what I've learned from 30 paintings in 30 days is now included in this free Art Byte at Daily Paintworks that is all about artist's blocks and how to get past them. Carol Marine, Liz Wiltzen, Brenda Ferguson, and Cathleen Rehfield also wrote about it. You can check it out right here: Collective Insight on Blocks. It is full of awesomeness. 

And last of all my computer is giving me fits again so I've not been able to comment or respond to comments hardly at all. :( I still love you guys and will be around when I can. Hope you all are having a fantastic day! 

And now I shall leave you with this most geeky photo of me posing for my article about artist blocks: 

Until tomorrow! Huzzah for computer's getting fixed speedily and for friendly artist's helping each other!!

Wolfish Grin

'Wolfish Grin' 

5" x 7" oil on panel

$65 plus $8 US shipping, or $16 International  

Okay, so this isn't a wolf, but it is usually so hard for me to come up with a title for each painting that when this one popped into my head I thought it was perfect. :) 

This dog's eyes had so many colors in them, pale amber, fiery burnt sienna, and even some sky blue. So beautiful. I used to wait to paint the eyes until I had the skin tones (or in this case, fur tones) built up a bit, but now I dive right into the eyes first. I don't like wasting my time to see if I got the most important thing right. 

Here's a peek at this painting in progress too: 

I was up most of the night with my little boy, who has had a recent bout with asthma, watching cartoons while he had his breathing treatments. I'm always overwhelmed with gratitude that he is my son, my precious little boy, when this happens. So thankful to have him in my life. :)

Have a great weekend everyone. Stay warm! Huzzah!!

Reference photo by Steven Bowler, thank you! 

No Concept of Personal Space

'No Concept of Personal Space'

6" x 6" oil on masonite panel

$65 plus $7 US shipping, or $20 International

Anyone else have a dog like this? Up in your face all the time, with their nose touching yours? Climb in your lap all the time (or try to)? Yeah. Me too. But when your dog is the size of a small pony (ahem, Giant Schnauzer anyone?), unlike this darling little Pomeranian, the concept of personal space becomes a bit more of an issue. :) 

I really wanted to paint this image of this little dog with his big eyes and huge nose, but I was worried that it might be too hard because of the foreshortening and camera distortion from the photo. But when has that ever stopped me before huh?

Nevah!! Never I say. What is the fun of being an artist if you don't push your limits every once in a while?

And I think this little pom turned out pretty dang cute. :) 

Huzzah!! 

Tomorrow I'll be posting about what I've learned in the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. This is me warning you to prepare thyself as it might be a long post. :)

Reference photo by The Classy Kat, thank you!

A Good Dog - SOLD

"A Good Dog"  SOLD

5" x 7" watercolor on paper

“All his life he tried to be a good person. Many times, however, he failed.
For after all, he was only human. He wasn't a dog.”
― Charles M. Schulz

When my son and I went to a dog show last spring we saw this older Boxer boy. He was competing in agility and he was so. completely. AWESOME. Not at agility (although he was pretty good at that too) but just who he was. He stayed right by his owner's (who was an older gentleman himself) side without a leash, keeping his eyes trained on his face. It was devotion I tell you.

But the best part about this dog? When my son asked his owner if he could pet him, this dog (who in my mind is named 'Brutas') reached up and licked my son's chin, then gently, SO gently, placed his paws on my son's shoulders so they were face to face. 

I'm pretty sure my son wanted to kidnap him and bring him home with us. Who am I kidding? I did too!! :) 

And now I shall leave you with one of my favorite dog pictures I found on pinterest. Just for funsies. 

 

Dawww. :) 

This is painting 3/30 in the 30 paintings for 30 days challenge. Huzzah!

Around the Corner

'Around the Corner'

5" x 7" watercolor on aquaboard (will not require framing behind glass)

$65 plus $7 shipping



Earlier this year me and my son (who's crazy about dogs) went to a dog show. His favorite part was the agility course and my favorite part was the cute fluffy dogs! I found this one spot behind the scenes where I could take photos without being noticed (or being in the way) and that's where I saw this lovely Golden Retriever girl.

She was getting all gussied up to go into the ring but she kept her gentle eyes on me the whole time I was there. And I wasn't exactly close to her either! I was using my long lens so I was pretty far away, but still she watched me. I wonder what she was thinking.

In other news, last Friday was my oldest son's birthday, he turned eleven years old. Happy Elevensies my sweet boy!

Birthday hugs :)

His requested birthday pie (apple of course), that's a lot of candles! I didn't keep track I just stuck a bunch on there to light that baby up! :)

We're full on in Christmas preparation mode around here. Brodie went out and bought some small trees for each of the boy's bedrooms and tonight Grandma is coming over to help decorate. So naturally I had to make a delicious and sugary treat to go along with the festivities. :)

I'd share but. . . well it's kind of hard to do that through a computer screen. But trust me it's delicious!! Have a great week all.

Aurora Borealis

'Aurora Borealis'

6" x 6" oil on panel

$100 plus $10US shipping, $15 International



This is one of the oil paintings I did a few weeks ago. And it was my personal favorite. I painted it on a bright pink ground, and then added some yellows and oranges under her chin to make it look like she was glowing. Like the Northern Lights. 

 

I used to have a dog who looked just like this when I was younger. She was such a sweetheart. On cold winter nights she would raise her muzzle and howl and it always gave me the chills, not because it was scary, but because it was so beautiful. :)

Reference photo by Irene Shubi, thank you!

Puppy Kisses

'Puppy Kisses'

6" x 6"

SOLD

A new addition to my Smitten series. And one that I really like. Even though these are Malamutes, they remind me of my dog I had when I was younger. She was a Siberian Husky and she was such a sweet heart. Totally crazy. But a sweetheart. :)

I finished my last oil painting that I plan to paint for a while today (not this one, I'm a little ahead, how weird is that??). So with my next post I plan to talk about why I switched to oils. Because I've been asked a little bit, and because I think I need to put it in to words for myself too.

Tonight we are decorating our Christmas tree, and the little ones are about to burst with excitement. Can you tell?

reference photo by Kelly Bailey, thank you!

I'm Not Tired, and I'm Thankful for You

'I'm Not Tired'

6" x 6" oil on panel

click here to bid

Reference photo by Christopher Woo, thank you!

 

You know how right before bed time your kids profess, so ardently, that they're not tired? Yeah. That's the look this dog is giving me. 'But, but, but. . . I'm not tired!!' This dog is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Quite a name, but an absolutely gorgeous dog! My son and I are headed to a dog show this weekend and I plan to get lots more canine mug shots. So far they're my favorite thing to paint with oils. Fur with thick brushstrokes is fun. :)

 

And I just want to tell all of you who read this blog, whether every single post, or just when you have nothing better to do, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. For your support, friendship, kindness, understanding, cheerleading, and yes thank you for buying my paintings too. :) Your feedback, and just knowing you are there motivates me and fuels what I do so much. And I can never thank you enough for that. So. . . thanks. You're all rock stars in my opinion.

 

I'll see everybody next week! Happy Thanksgiving my American friends! My husband has agreed to make my very favorite dessert, creme brulee, so I'll likely need to run about a hundred miles since I plan to eat my weight in the glorious stuff. Heh heh. :)

 

Huzzah for feasting, pilgrims, and gratitude, and not knowing how to spell gratitude but taking a wild guess anyway! Huzzah!

 

Hugs,

Crystal

Keen Sight

'Keen Sight'

6" x 6" oil on panel

click here to purchase

Reference photo by Geoffrey Fairchild

I always think that when my dog looks at me, like staring and studying me, sometimes without blinking, that she sees exactly who I am. . . And she's okay with that. And that is very comforting. :) This isn't my dog, but there's a very keen perception in her gaze that makes me wonder just how intelligent dogs are you know?

Probably more than me. :)

I've been dying to try oil painting again and yesterday I decided why the heck not? So I did, and it was so much fun!! More fun than I've had painting in a long time. Sometimes to keep creatively fired up I just need to let go and do something fun, that I want to do. Even if it is an abysmal failure.

But this time it wasn't. (How bout a Huzzah for that eh?) I really like how this painting turned out. I want to do more of these small close-ups of dogs and other animals, and people too, in oil right away. I'm very excited to do another one, I can't wait to get back to painting, and I just realized today that I had kind of been dreading it for the last few weeks. Not good.

I'm still in the smitten stage with oil paints right now. It's still new, so I don't know all their bad habits yet, like chewing gum with their mouth open and what not. ;)

In other news, I have officially commissioned my very first painting. By this young artist below. 

I asked my son to paint me a large canvas for our family room and here he is hard at work. He was so excited that I asked him. Of all my kids he's the one who LOVES art as much as I do. And that is very cool.

Later my friends!

Of Sketchbooks and Birthdays and The End of Summer

graphite on sketchbook paper

Saw this beautiful girl at the dog show me and my son went to earlier this year, I think she's a Saluki.

 

This has been a busy week. Back to school shopping, meeting the boys new teachers at back to school night, my youngest son's fourth birthday party, and spending our last week together before school starts doing all kinds of fun stuff.

 

Happy Birthday to my baby boy!!

 

 I can't believe he's already four. We made puppy cupcakes, which has kind of turned into his tradition. He always asks for 'pupcakes' for his birthday. :)

 

It's been a good week. Crazy, but good.

 

The end of the summer always brings out mixed emotions for me. Part of me wants our routine back and yes, a break from brotherly squabbling. If I hear one more time "Mom he's touching me!!!" I swear. . .

 

But a larger part of me wants to have unlimited days of being at home together, afternoon trips to the park, art projects, long drives in the car while listening to Harry Potter, and swimming with the cousins.

So yeah, I'm going to miss summer. But at least it brings us one step closer to fall and Halloween, my favorite season of all. :)

Huzzah!!

Lucy and Gabriel - sold

'Lucy'  sold

private commission ACEO 2.5" x 3.5"

colored pencil on bristol

'Gabriel' sold

private commission ACEO 2.5" x 3.5"

colored pencil on bristol

A sweet woman contacted me a few weeks ago and asked for two commissions of her two pets. Don't you just love Lucy's face? And Gabriel looks like he's up to something doesn't he?

Today I opened up my watercolor palette and started painting and I had the most peaceful feeling come over me as soon as I started swirling my brush through the colors and water.

It was awesome. :)

Huzzah for stress-relieving art making!!

Gentleness - sold

'Gentleness'

6" x 6" oil on panel

sold

Last week I received the most amazing gift in the mail from my dear friend Sandra Busby. I had talked of wanting to try oil paints and she had some water-soluble ones that she didn't want to use any more so she sent them to me. Isn't that sooo kind and generous?! I was thrilled when they arrived and couldn't wait to try them.

Monday mornings are usually busy, I end up having some paintings to pack and ship, and the resultant chaos from having my family home all weekend to clean up, but this morning I really needed to paint. So when my kids were busy cleaning their rooms I set up at the kitchen counter and painted away! It's kind of nice to have the kids big enough to clean up their own messes now. ;)

This is the first time I have ever painted with oils and although at times they were a little frustrating (just because I wasn't used to how they behave. . . like that they didn't dry super fast like acrylics) I really, really enjoyed them. :) I do think that I need to find a good medium to use with water soluble oils but I'm not sure which one. Does anyone have some good recommendations for me?

I can't wait to paint with them again! :)

Huzzah!

Icy Eyes - sold

'Icy eyes' sold

3" x 5" colored pencil on bristol

So. . . I'm kind of in love with my colored pencils right now. I used to think that I could only draw really large and complex pieces with colored pencils. I don't know why because I haven't ever really thought like that about watercolor. But then I thought, why? Why not just do a small piece and focus on what you want to draw the most? Which in this case was this sweet puppy's icy blue eyes and shiny fur.

And so I did. And it was fun. And now I'm addicted to doing these small portraits in colored pencil. I'm adding this to my series of eyes (and I use the term 'series' very loosely here) and hope to paint more. The eyes are always my favorite part of every painting or drawing I do.

Now I must go and cuddle up on the couch with a blanket and my youngest little boy (who has a summer cold. Bummer) and listen to the rain fall on our roof. It's been so long since we've gotten any rain and I love it! Huzzah!!

See you soon friends. :)

photo reference by cogdogblog on flickr

Oh yeah, and is another pic I took for my etsy shop of this drawing. I got the idea from Carol Blackburn who suggested I set my painting up on an easel. Why that never occured to me I'll never know, so thank you Carol for giving me the idea! :)

Puppy Stripes - sold

'Puppy Stripes' sold

6" x 6" watercolor on paper

click here to bid

For the last little while I've really been wanting to paint more faces that have interesting or unusual shadow patterns. And this week's Daily Paintworks challenge is stripes so I thought this was a pretty good fit. :)

I love the very design-y and graphic feel of the shadow stripes across her face contrasted with that very innocent and sweet puppy expression. The whole time I was painting her I kept thinking that this was a very 'serious' portrait, with the dramatic light and dark background, but then I would look at her eyes and her wrinkly forehead and floppy lips and then she didn't seem so serious after all.

I really like that, those contrasts and opposites together in a painting. And she looks so earnest don't you think? So willing to please. Just waiting to hear what you want her to do so she can do. Dogs are pretty much completely awesome. :)

And one last thing before I go, a really great artist friend featured me on her blog the other day. Her name is Heather Torres and I would love it if you could all go and meet her and follow her blog, she's kind of new in the blogiverse and you will like her I promise! :) Thanks for the spotlight Heather!

photo reference by Los Anheles, thank you!

Sweet and Mellow SOLD

Sweet and Mellow

5" x 7" watercolor

SOLD

When in doubt paint a face. That's what I always say. :) This week, for some reason, painting has not been flowing smoothly. And it's not exactly good timing since I have a workshop on Saturday that I'm teaching.

 Recent painting failures + me in front of a large crowd = anxiety that no amount of chocolate or cupcakes can help.

So, last night I was determined to paint something that I felt good about. And of course I decided on a face, this time it just happens to be a sweet puppy face instead of a human one.

I have always loved yellow labs, well all labs really, but especially yellow labs. And this girl's eyes just went straight to my heart. I really loved painting her dark eyes and muzzle against  her creamy white fur. I keep waiting to feel her wet nose nudging my palm to give her some love. :))

Wish me luck for Saturday and I'll see you next week!

Huzzah??

Friday update: In case you guys wanted to read a little extra about me (because, you know, I'm soooo quiet and reserved over here ;) head on over to the Daily Paintworks blog. I'm their artist interview for this week and I was really honored that they picked me, click here to read the interview.  :))

Protector

 Protector

12" x 12" acrylic on masonite panel

NFS

"Every boy should have two things: a dog, and a mother willing to let him have one"
- Anonymous 

Remember a few posts ago when I talked about green slime? When I get feeling green slimey I know that artist's block could be just around the corner. So I decided to fight back before it got me. Ha ha! Take that!

Something that always works for me when I'm trying to get rid of artist's block is switching mediums. I don't know why. I think it's just trying something different. Especially something that I'm not entirely proficient at, because then I'm extra thankful to return to the comfort of my watercolors.

So I broke out my acrylics and painted this piece of my son and one of our dogs, Chauncy. This scene took place right after my youngest son was born (who is now three). This is my middle child (MC Cook) and he had a lot of things that he wasn't too happy about happening in his life at the time. 

His older brother had just started first grade so he lost a friend and playmate from 8 am - 3 pm. And his mother was constantly holding this squirming, crying, and sometimes smelly baby and couldn't play with him whenever he wanted anymore. Life was hard.  

But there was always this dog to play with. Or lie down on. :) They became very good friends, and it was one more reason for me to be thankful that this giant sweetheart of a dog came into our life.  

You know how some paintings are more enjoyable to paint than others? And I'm not talking about fun, I mean something a little deeper than that. I don't know what to call it, satisfying maybe? In any case, that's how I felt about this painting. I LOVED painting it. Even though it was challenging (I still feel like I don't know what I'm doing with acrylics). I think it's because I was reliving a memory from a very sweet time in my life.

Art is good.

Life is good.

Huzzah!! :)

Have a good week friends!

Trust SOLD

'Trust' SOLD

5" x 7" gouache on aquabord

click here to bid

Synonyms for trust: confidence, hope, faith, belief, conviction, expectation, dependence, reliance.

Definition of trust: 1. assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something 2. one in which confidence is placed 3. hope for the future

Every time I lock eyes with my dog I see this trust there that I don't see with anyone else. Her trust is absolute, with a very childlike faith. She believes that I will always be there for her, that I will do my best by her. And when I see her watching me with those soulful eyes, or feel her soft muzzle rest on my feet while I paint, I think of how lucky I am to have someone who believes in me so much with a faith that is never failing.

Trust is a powerful thing.  

It's something every artist must have. Not the trust of someone else in what you can do, or who you are, like my sweet dog, but trust in yourself. The belief that what you are doing, whatever you're doing, matters. That it will have an impact with someone. That it will bring you whatever it is you're looking for that made you want to become an artist in the first place.

That you can succeed. However it may be that you define that word for yourself.

That's where true confidence begins. Inside you, not from the approval, or acclaim of anyone else. It all begins with you.

Huzzah. :)

Until Tuesday my friends.