A Lesson in Perseverance

 "REDS"

Oil on Canvas - 10" x 10"

$275

Day 4 & 5

Life happened along this week with work and company for the Thanksgiving weekend, so I haven't had much time to paint or sketch.  I did do a little sketch on Thursday, (Day 4) but I won't be posting it.  Today is the first opportunity that I had to get at the easel. 


I had an idea of what I was going to work on today.  While putting things away before company arrived, I came across a painting that I had started many, many months ago.  A little history on the piece. . . . my friend, Marcela and I were in a show at the Community Arts Council Gallery and had volunteered to sit the show and paint while we were there.  I really wasn't in the mood to paint and it was challenging to be in the gallery with different lighting and people coming and going.  So, what came off the easel that day really wasn't floating my boat.

When I found it on the shelf I felt that the overall composition was okay, so today I decided to see what I could do by going back in and loosening things up.  I deepened all of the reds and cleaned up the centres of the poppies, then I tackled the background because that was really where the major problem was. 

It's quite interesting what can happen when you let the muse come out to play!!!

A New Adventure

"Calendulas in Blue Vase" - 8" x 10" - Oil on Canvas
SOLD

I have contemplated blogging for a few years now but was always concerned that I wouldn't be able to find enough to say.  Image that!  Then other things came into my life and time became a factor.  Last year circumstances made me take a serious look at my priorities and after much soul-searching I decided that it was important for me to take the time to do the things that are important to me.  That is to spend quality time with my family and friends, take care of my health and focus on my passion of making art!

Now, I am about to start an new adventure.  My friend, Marcela Strasdas, told me about the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge on Leslie Saeta's blog and I decided to join her.  

This whole adventure really began a few months ago when a group of us took a three day workshop at the Coast Collective Art Centre with Liz Wiltzen.  It was all about small loose paintings.   The focus was about really looking at what you are painting and putting down what you see without overworking the painting.  It was also about colour, temperature, shapes and knowing when to QUIT!  It was a very inspiring workshop and when it was over, a small group of us continued on with the  "Painting a Day" premise.  While we have not all done a painting each and everyday, we certainly have painted much more than we did before the workshop.  Seeing posts by the other artists in the group just makes me want to "go to my room" and pick up the brush. If you ever have the opportunity to take a workshop with Liz Wiltzen I would highly recommend that you go for it!  She is an amazing instructor who is very generous with her wealth of knowledge. 

But, back to the adventure at hand. . . . .  as of the first of September I am planning on producing 30 small paintings in 30 days.  I hope you'll join my on my journey.