A Red Delicious Apple - Day 11

5"x 7"

Watercolor on Cold Press Paper

After doing the 10 minute challenge from yesterday I decided to apply that same technique to a larger  apple doing my best to not overwork the red wash but rather allow it to do its thing. Once dry I put in the finishing details. 

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10 Min Challenge - Day 10

This is a 10 mins per square/rectangle exercise....I really needed this! It helps you loosen up. Here are the details if you want to know more: The Ten Minute Challenge

I am very comfortable painting in oils but I get so frustrated with watercolor, however, its most what I want to use right now because I love the spontaneity of the medium. I know that can be achieved with oils as well. I guess its kind of challenging me to get out of my comfort zone. 

I'm inspired by this incredible painter John Yardley. I'm especially interested in his plein air work.

My easel set up

House on Jackson Street - Day 9

5" x 5"

Watercolor and Black carbon Sketch pencil on canvas board

I going a little looser on this one...experimenting with this medium when I go plein air painting soon.

Sweet Gum Tree Ball - Day 8

4" x 6"

Watercolor on Hot Press Paper

What's Blooming - Day 7

7" x 9"

Oil on Canvas Board

There is a book titled Deep Work by Cal Newport that I have listened to recently. It's great for any profession but particularly artists. It talks about getting the mind away from distractions in order to get to a place where deep work will happen. It gives an example of while we work many of us are often pulled away from an important task to answer an email or respond to a notification. When this happens we lose our focus and end up doing shallow work for most of the day. 

I recommend this book for creative people. If you don't have time to read the book there is an audio summary that's only about 20 mins which sums up the content nicely.

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Nandina Berries - Day 5

4" x 6"

Watercolor on Hot Press Paper

I love nature. This little painting reminds me to just breathe, be still and trust God.

Green Heirloom Tomato with Pink Background - Day 6

6" x 8" Still Life

Watercolor on Hot Press Paper

Here I'm continuing to experiment with using complimentary colors in different values. I almost went with more of a wine color paper behind the tomato but the lighter pinkish colored paper seem to make the tomato stand out more.
I missed Day 5 in my "30 paintings In 30 Days" but I plan on really sticking with this from here on. I enjoy working with watercolors mainly because of the beautiful luminous qualities achieved when layering them. 

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Roma Tomato with a Blue Background - Day 4

6" x 8"

Watercolor on Hot Press Paper

Concept 1 - Day 3

4" x 6"

Water-soluble Graphite, Gouache, and White Ink on Hot Press Watercolor Paper

I'm experimenting with some different mediums here. Still trying to really observe and paint exactly what I see. I was almost ready to toss this one because it just wasn't working but then it started coming together and began to look 3D.

Red Bell Pepper - Day 2

Red Bell Pepper 

- Day 2

9" x 12"

Watercolor on Hot Press Paper

I hope I'll be able to get more creative with my titles as the month goes along.

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Grapes - Day 1

Grapes
6x8 Watercolor on Hot Press Paper
Day One

I have decided to enter the challenge called "30 paintings in 30 days" from artist Leslie Saeta's blog. I'm doing this because my word this year is "motivation". I believe this challenge and the message taught by my pastor today here sends a clear message for me to pick up my brushes and paint. So here goes. This is day one.

My only rules are that I must paint from life and as I see it (no photo references) and I must paint with all my heart with no excuses.