Busting a Painting Myth/ Breaking a Painting Rule during 30 Paintings in 30 Days January 2016

"Ablaze"            Framed Acrylic, 6x6"

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Framed in a wood float frame with a gold finish
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I realized and (re)learned some things this month that maybe someone else out there could use to hear, too. 

Paint Your Own Way, i.e. It's OK to Mess with the Paint~

I've been in this Daily Painting crowd for awhile now.  There are some great painters there.  And some myths.  So many teachers say, "Put the stroke down and leave it alone."  Which does lead to beautiful brushwork.  I will not argue that. But, I am ready to argue it is not the only way to paint!  It is only one style.  And any style has its benefits and its limitations.

Layering, glazing, and putting a stroke down and messing with it are also acceptable methods of painting.  They all have their place in my world, and acrylics lend themselves wonderfully to all three techniques.  I have used all three techniques during this 30 Paintings in 30 days and have been able to achieve effects I wanted that I never, hear this, never would have been able to achieve by leaving the original brushstrokes alone!

Have you ever watched John Hammond paint acrylics?  To me, he is the master, and in his video, I see him over and over putting down some paint and then working with it!

Remembering to glaze when needed has been one of the gifts of this 30 in 30 for me.  Remembering how to work with strokes already put down and learning new ways to work with those strokes, especially to make skies happen, has been another gift of this past month.

I want all my artist friends to be free--to paint--the way that works for them!

If you're painting, Happy Painting, and everyone, thanks for Watching...

and thanks to Robyn (Ro) Lovelock at PMP for the use of Simon's wonderful photo that inspired the above painting.

Nothing to do but Stay Home and Paint during 30 Paintings in 30 Days

"Steve's Fields"       Acrylic, 8x8"

 I hope you all have weathered the storm safely.  We're doing fine here.  I am happy to be home with my family, happy to be home painting and doing yoga and resting.  

I want to thank Steve Lyddon once again for providing the reference photo for this painting.  He has been to some beautiful places!

Make it Fun! 30 Paintings in 30 Days Jan. 2016, Day 1

 

"Morning Mist"   Acrylic, 6x6"

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Happy New Year, everyone...it's 30 Paintings in 30 Days, and I always say "I'm here for the ride."  The challenge is hosted by Leslie Saeta, and she says there are no rules but to have fun.  I take that rule very seriously, especially this time.  I am focusing on my internal process more than the outcome of my paintings.

 

This painting was inspired by a photo by Viacheslav on Paint My Photo.  As usual, not sure the photographer would recognize his photo, because I took what I needed from it and let the rest go.  But I do want to thank Viacheslav for providing the reference photo.  This is the second of his photos that I have painted.

 

I have a new local friend participating in this 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge, and if you are so inclined, please check out Julie's blog here to see her wonderful watercolor work this month.

 

Best wishes, everyone, for a wonderful year and a fruitful challenge to those who are participating...

Looking Forward to 30 Paintings in 30 Days

SOLD this month to a good friend. Thanks!     (Acrylic with Palette Knife, 10x10")

This one was painted the summer before this past one.  I sat in a cemetery near my house, probably with a dog, and painted the view across the road.  I paint there often, but I remember this time well, from looking at this painting.

I am posting this painting because I paint more than I post, and I want this painting to be a reminder to me to post, don't just paint!  With the 30 Paintings in 30 Days coming up, I want to get more into the habit of posting to my blog and DPW.  I don't know if I ever posted this one to my blog, but I am quite sure I never posted it for sale on DPW.

30 Paintings in 30 Days begins January 1, and I would like to ask my artist friends if they are participating.  I have a new local artist friend who is going to be joining us.  At last check, she did not yet have a blog, but I am sure she will have one by the time the challenge starts.  I am sure my online art buddy Carol will be there.  I don't think she has missed one yet.  

Who else?

My goals for this Challenge are simple--I will be using acrylics and oil pastels and I will be experimenting with techniques I have in mind for both.  I will be making life a little easier for myself by allowing myself to use photos from Paint My Photo.  Up till now, I haven't wanted to use other peoples' photos for reference, but I am finding it liberating.

One reminder--I always say I am "along for the ride."  I have no intention or expectation of painting a full 30.  Between having a full-time job and other consuming (art related) projects I am focused on, I am not going to put that kind of pressure on myself. 

The idea is to get into the studio more, experiment, and have fun!  No pressure, including no pressure on myself to paint a certain number.  

The other intentions I always have for myself are to meet new artists, see great art and to be a cheerleader for friends, old and new, who are participating!

Best wishes, everyone...

Using Photos by Other People as a Springboard for Painting Looser

"Night Light"

Acrylic, 6x6"

Bid in the DPW Auction

Loosening up and finding freedom in using a photo supplied by someone else.  

I always thought it was the wrong way for me to go to paint from a photo I didn't take myself.  How much fun I was missing out on!  It's a change of mindset for some reason--I feel less concerned about re-creating what I see and far more interested in using the image as a springboard to explore certain elements of art.

I extend my thanks to Viacheslav on Paint My Photo for the reference photo which was the inspiration for this painting. What an amazing feeling to paint from a photo provided by a photographer in Moscow!  Since I opened my mind to other peoples' photos, the world is literally opening up for me...