Some Little Abstracts......oil paintings

12x12...."No No No"

8x8....Intersections I

8x8.....Intersections II

I am still finding my way in abstract-land.  Despite the fact that I am an artist, I do have some very organized, OCD, perfectionist tendencies.  I long to create some of the loose, colorful, emotive abstracts that I see around, but I tend to be too tight and restrained.  I used to feel this way about my representational work, but I have come a long way in loosening up in that arena, so I know the drill.  Just keep at it.  Paint, paint, paint!  Keep making baby steps in the right direction and you will one day get there.

 

Oh, and can anyone guess why the first painting is titled "No, No, No"?

Edge of the Forest....Oil Painting

 

8x8...oil on canvas....$75

 

Another tiny painting to stand on a shelf or hang in just the right little spot that is needing a shot of color and a breath of outdoor air.

Autumnal....Abstract OIl Paintings

 

8x8 set of three....oil on canvas....$75 each

 

These are three little abstracts that I did recently.  I was in love with the color combo and just sort of painted with an open mind...free flowing and intuitional.  I love these.  They would be so cool tucked up on a bookshelf.  They are even manly enough to go in a man's office,too.  As with most of these paintings, they are so much prettier in person.

Three Pears and a Celebration!!!!! Oil paintings and #30 of 30 paintings in 30 days!

 

12x12 (set of three).....oil on canvas.....$170 ea.

 

 

Well it is here!  The thirtieth day of the 30 in 30 Challenge!  This is me taking a bow...I accomplished what I set out to do plus a little.  I thought I would celebrate with a set of three paintings to go out the a splash.  Pears are one of my favorite subjects. 

 

During this thirty day challenge I did, indeed, post thirty new fall paintings in thirty days.  And I think I only missed one day of getting my painting posted to the host blog, Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta, that was the epicenter of the whole event.  With my own blog, when you schedule a post you can set it to publish when you are out of town.  But you have to go in each and every day to post to the host blog, waiting till that day's post is up and running so that you can add yours at the bottom.  So I only missed one day of doing that.

 

The big deal is that I sold 2 paintings just from the blog alone.  Yay!  I haven't, in the past, sold as many straight from the blog.  But I can and I will in the future! 

 

Congratulations to all who successfully completed the challenge!  A lot of great art was created in the course of this event and Leslie Saeta is to be congratulated for a job well done!

Seeing the Seasons.....oil on canvas.....#22 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

 

Set of Four 8x8's.......oil on canvas.....$300 (set)

 

In yesterday's post I began telling of my "intersection" of my normal way of painting and abstract painting.  I have always been drawn to color.  (my foyer is purple and my dining room is "watermelon"...'nuff said)  Sometimes when I finish a painting there are all these beautiful colors still left on my palette.  They just call to me...lol.  How "artsy" does that sound?!

 

For this set I just pretty much stood there and these paintings happened without my knowledge (or planning or direction).  Somewhere partway through the process I noticed that I had the four seasons developing so I did nurture that idea as I continued....it wasn't a total accident. 

 

So this is what I imagine....you are looking at the surface of the water....

 

the first one is summer....full blooming flowers reflecting from the water's edge.

 

second one is autumn....trees leaning over the water and their reflection mixes with the leaves that have fallen into the water and are floating.

 

then in winter....the icy sky reflects into the water and because I am such a fan of color we have some brave souls in their winter hats and scarves reflecting before they head inside where it's warm.

 

and for spring....bright greens of the new growth everywhere and since we are in Mississippi we have flowers very early in the season.

 

There you have it....Seeing the Seasons...four little tiny windows for you to look through any time you choose....no matter what the weather outside.

Abstract Intersection.....oil painting.....#21 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

 

8x8.....oil on canvas.....$75

 

Well this is a departure isn't it?  I have, for a long time, had an interest in creating abstract paintings.  I have heard more than one person say in passing "Anyone could do that!".  But I am here to say it is much hard than you think. 

 

When you do a representational painting that actually looks like something then it is easy to create an emotional response from the person....they have something they are familiar with to relate to.  But when you do an abstract.....you don't have the object or person and all the memories or emotions or impressions or feelings that might go along with something you have seen before.

 

All you have are form and color.  You still have to create a composition, and harmony and try to create interest without the help of the familiar. 

 

You'll hear more about my abstract diversions tomorrow.  For now this is an "intersection"....my thoughts are intersecting and you have a front row seat. 

Little Chapel...oil painting....#15 of 30 paintings in 30 days...

 

8x16...oil on canvas...$$150

 

I love this little painting.  It has the energy and the vibe that I want all my paintings to have.  what better way to celebrate a fine Sunday in September than with a painting of a happening little church.

 

I guess you see we are half-way there!  15 paintings in 15 days.....so far!

Sunny....sunflower oil painting....#5 out of 30 painting sin 30 days

 

8x8......oil on canvas.........$75

 

I am painting every day, I promise.  But I am working on a rather extensive commission and I don't want to unveil it just yet. 

 

So in the meantime I am posting some of the paintings that are new for my fall shows.  This is the one that got started at the Dreama Tolle Perry workshop in Lexington.  It was the "musical easels" painting and we all got to move around every few minutes and work on each other's paintings.  I didn't think I would like the exercise, but it taught me a lot.

 

I fixed up a few rough edges and this little guy is a keeper for sure.  

Tomato Portrait and Workshop Announcement....Oil painting 3 of 30 in 30 Days

 

8x8...............oil on canvas.............$75

 

Painting number three in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days online challenge.  I am featuring this juicy tomato today because I have a juicy announcement to go with it. 

 

It's official....I will be conducting a 2-day workshop on February 14 & 15, 2014.  It will be hosted by the nice people of the Delta Art Association and will be held in Greenville, MS. The workshop will be $200.  If anyone would like to participate you can contact me and I will put you on the list for more info as the final details are arranged. 

 

The title of the workshop will be Big, Bold, Funky, Chunky (and no that is not a description of the artist!).  We will focus on tips and tricks to loosen up, gain confidence and produce bolder, braver art.  We will work with palette knives and use other activities to get loose.  I will share my list of "Things I wish I had Known from the Beginning" as well as "Things I knew and Use All the Time".

It is a fun workshop with a relaxed, encouraging vibe that is perfect for beginners as well as experienced painters wanting to "loosen up".

 

Come join us in the Delta and see what it is all about.  Spaces are limited so once you decide to come, don't put off letting us know.  

Tomato.....Original Oil Painting

12x12.....oil on gallery wrap......$170

 

My real title for this is "Potential Salsa Dancer" but you know how Google takes things so literally! 

I am gearing up for the 30 paintings in 30 days September challenge on Leslie Saeta's blog!  Oh yeah, I'm fixing to blow up your inbox with a new painting every day in September!  Wish me luck!!!!!

New Oil Paintings...

10x20"......Oil on 1.5 gallery wrap.....Shrimp on the Menu....$200
24x24"......oil on 1.5 gallery wrap.....Pear Still Life......$575

4x4" set of 4.....Oil on 1.5 gallery wrap.....Cup Couples......$175(set) (sold)

Since the grandtwins have been with me so much this summer my paint sessions have been few and far between....but there have been some! Plus, I am in high gear getting ready for the fall outdoor shows which will be here before you know it!

So to all who have wondered where I am....I am still here. And I am ready to paint!!!!!