rookiepainter

2012-02-14T16:08:00.002-08:00

Alan Osler, 8.75 x 10.5 Oil

Frances, Acrylic

Dennis Bailey, 20 x 20 Oil

Judy, Watercolor

Liselott Hinder, Pencil

Renate Arends, 24 x 32cm Watercolor

Lisa Richards, 6.5 x 7.5 Watercolor

challenge 34

2012-02-07T08:32:00.001-08:00

I've done it again. I must be the most indecisive person on the planet, but I really couldn't choose between these two photos. There's not a whole lot of difference in the two, but for some reason I liked them both enough to include them. I realized after I took the photos (and put everything back in its place, of course) the apple might be a bit too close to the teapot. Again, feel free to use creative license and move things around, etc.

We'll have an extra day again for this challenge, as I will be out of town the weekend prior to the deadline. If you're like me, an extra day is greatly needed, as I usually begin the challenges on the Sunday before they're due!

Therefore, challenge 34 will be due by midnight, Tuesday, February 28th.

Have a great week everyone and again thanks to all who participated in our last challenge!!!

2012-01-21T07:11:00.000-08:00

Sally Davies

Pilita K., 10 x 14 Watercolor

Jen Smith, 6 x 6 Oil

Lisa Richards, 5.5 x 8.5 Colored Pencil/Watercolor

Rajalekshmy Usha, 8 x 10 Watercolor

Julie Beck, 8 x 10 Oil

Millie Nguyen, 6 x 6 Watercolor

Dennis Bailey, 4.5 x 7.75 Pencil

Renate Arends, 24 x 32cm Watercolor

Judy, 24 x 20cm Watercolor

Fredrik Arnerup, 29 x 20cm Watercolor

beti abel, 25 x 23cm Watercolor

Sylvia Young, 20 x 14 Oil

Capucine, 11 x 14cm Watercolor

Jean Nelson, 5 x 7 Acrylic

mico, Watercolor 32 x 24 cm

Lynn Cohen, Watercolor and Ink

Blaga Ketzkarova, Watercolor

Jude Decker, 7 x 10 Watercolor

challenge 33

2012-01-17T15:00:00.000-08:00

So sue me. I couldn't decide. I bought this little creamer for $3.99 before Christmas and I've been dying to use it for a painting ever since. I wasn't for sure what to style it with, so I tried out a single white rose but it was much too granny. Not that thread, my second choice, isn't granny, but it lends itself to being a bit more contemporary, no?

Anyway. Just a quick note before I jet out of here...A friendly reminder to please remember to include all the information you would like posted along with your rendering of any current challenge within your email. I don't hold onto old challenge emails or participant's information at all, so it would really help to cut down on having to go back and forth to a painting that's already been posted.

Now that the business has been taken care of...On to the reason we're all here. Paint one, paint all or paint none, it's up to you of course. (But I hope you paint at least one!)

Challenge 33 is due by midnight, Monday, February 6th.

Enjoy!!

2011-12-22T10:53:00.000-08:00

Nidhi Krishna

Jen Smith, 8 x 10 Oil

Rebecca Wang, 10 x 14 Oil

Corey Fou Chong, 8 x 11 Watercolor

Rajalekshmy Usha, 7 x 5 Watercolor

Shirley Bowen, 8 x 10 Pastel

Atelier Brigitte, 10 x 15cm Pastel

capucine_o 12 x 16 Watercolor

RoseAnn Hayes, 5 x 7 Watercolor

mico, 28 x 20cm Watercolor

Millie Nguyen, 12 x 12 Arylic

Anita Badami, 6 x 6 Acrylic

Sidmar Khilji, 6 x 9 Watercolor

Gisele, Watercolor

Jeneen Nance, 8 x 10 Acrylic

Laura Starrett, 8 x 10 Watercolor

Laura Starrett, 7 x 10 Watercolor

Marleen Hulsbos, 25 x 25 Watercolor

Irina Rekhviashvili, 12 x 17 Watercolor

L J Chang, 12 x 7.75 Acrylic

Noreen Berlier, 11 x 14 Pastel

Sheila Estep, 7 x 11 Watercolor

Karen Peikert, 11.5 x 7.75 Watercolor

Carolee Clark, 10 x 10 Acrylic

Karen Rodgers, 8 x 10 Oil

Judy, 20 x 28cm Watercolor

Helena Ohman, Watercolor

Katrina Jones, Watercolor

Roger Akesson, 8 x 8 Acrylic

Paula Deuber, 30 x 23cm Colored Pencil

beti abel, 23 x 23cm Watercolor

Horst Hittenberger, 8 x 10 Oil

Nora MacPhail, Watercolor

Fredrik Arnerup, 30 x 40cm Watercolor

Renate Arends, 24 x 30cm Watercolor

challenge 32

2011-12-20T06:56:00.000-08:00

I can't believe by the time this challenge is due it will be a new year. I'm hopeful all of you will have a safe and happy holiday season and I'm thankful to all of you who have taken the time to participate in these little challenges and then also be kind enough to share your work via this little blog.

We will be traveling during what would normally be the last week of the challenge, so I'm extending the due date of challenge 32 to be due by midnight, Monday, January 16th. If you email your finished work and I don't respond or post it within a day or two, please be patient, as we will not have internet service where we are traveling.

Again, have a great holiday to everyone and have fun with this stack of bowls!!!

2011-12-03T03:52:00.000-08:00

Jen Smith, 11 x 14 Oil

Sidmar Khilji, 9 x 12 Watercolor

Rebecca Wang, 10 x 14 Oil

Christelle, Pencil

Sylviane Le Cann, 8 x 10 Oil

Katrina Jones, Watercolor

Jenni Twidle, 8 x 12 Pencil

Lydie Pieplu, Pencil

Nora MacPhail, 9 x 12 Watercolor

LJ Chang, 9 x 12 Oil

Atelier, Brigitte 20 x 30cm Watercolor

Fredrik Arnerup, 22 x 34cm Watercolor

Judy, 20 x 30cm Watercolor

Linda Popple

Renate Arends, 30 x 40cm Watercolor

Helena Ohman, Watercolor

Angela Sullivan, 8 x 6 Oil

mico, 24 x 18cm Oil

challenge 31

2011-11-29T13:00:00.000-08:00

Recently in my painting class, we've been exploring specific value painting projects. I'm definitely a fan. Don't get me wrong, I like color, love color, etc., but every once in a while it's nice to remove some of that noise and focus on the impact of shading within a hue or two.

I've already finished a graphite drawing of this, which was a lot of fun to do. I'm hoping painting it will be also, but every time I approach a project with the belief it will be easy and quick, I'm reminded of how little I know about the process.

Challenge 31 submissions are due by midnight, December 19th.

2011-11-12T07:06:00.000-08:00

Sidmar Khilji, 9 x 12 Watercolor

Jen Smith, 8 x 10 Oil

Rebecca Wang, 12 x 16 Oil

Sylviane Le Cann, 5 x 7 Oil

Judy, 18 x 24cm Watercolor

LJ Chang, Acrylic

Nora MacPhail, 10 x 12 Watercolor

Sylvia Young, 10.5 x 15 Watercolor

Nora Mackin, Watercolor

Renate Arends, 24 x 32cm Watercolor

Julie Ford Oliver, 6 x 8 Oil

Fredrik Amerup

Jean Nelson, 6 x 6 Acrylic

mico, 18 x 24cm Oil

challenge 30

2011-11-08T07:11:00.001-08:00

So I'm kind of cheating this time around. This is a still life I set up for my painting class and I started painting it yesterday. I usually keep what I'm painting in class and these challenges separate, but my instructor kindly suggested I set something up there and take a shot of it for a challenge, which I totally took advantage of.

Thanks again to everyone who has participated and continues to participate in our little challenges!

Challenge 30 is due by midnight, Monday, November 28th.

2011-10-19T14:51:00.000-07:00

Andre Beaulieu, 9.5 x 13 Acrylic

Rebecca Wang, 12 x 16 Oil

Jen Smith, 8 x 10 Oil

Nidhi Krishna, 7 x 9 Watercolor

Irina Rekhviashvili, 9 x 12 Watercolor

Nancie Johnson, 9 x 12 Acrylic

Millie Nguyen, 6 x 6 Acrylic

Sylvia Young, Acyrlic

Sylviane Le Cann, 9.5 x 7.5 Oil

Katrina Jones, Watercolor

Renate Arends, 24 x 32cm Watercolor

Debbie Later, 5 x 7 Oil

Beti Abel, 23 x 19cm Watercolor

Carolee Clark, 10 x 10 Acrylic

mi co, Watercolor 15 x 20cm

Judy

Helena Ohman, Watercolor

Fredrik Amerup, 22 x 28 cm, Watercolor

challenge 29

2011-10-18T14:51:00.001-07:00

So I couldn't decide between photographs this time around. It was down to two, the one above and the one below. I think the last challenge made me aware that I just might be, in fact, that drunk girl at karaoke who thinks she can take on any Kelly Clarkson song. Meaning, I get tired of painting fruit. I get tired of painting fruit a lot. So I chose to paint something I thought looked cool, the Godiva pink truffles. And while not drunk, I guess I thought because I had taken a few lessons I was ready to tackle all that reflected foil goodness in the challenge photo. So again, for the record, while not drunk, I was completely overconfident in my abilities (thus far!) and posted a photo without really thinking it through. I can tell you that there weren't ten seconds that passed between me snapping a shot of that monstrosity and chucking it in the trash. I didn't even want to save the canvas to paint over someday.

And so, here we are, back with fruit. There was absolutely NO sun today whatsoever and all I had was my actual fruit bowl on my table with filtered light. But alas, I couldn't choose between the two shots, so I decided to give myself and you a choice of which to paint for this challenge. And while I was already second guessing myself between the two shots, I thought, "Maybe everyone else doesn't want to paint a weirdly cropped thingy like I do" and so I've included a third shot of the entire bowl. So paint whichever you like, or none at all!

Challenge 29 is due by midnight, November 7th.

And the third shot:
(which I think looks a bit alien-like)

2011-09-29T13:06:00.000-07:00

Rebecca Wang, 10 x 10 Oil

Jen Smith. 6 x 6 Oil

Sylviane Le Cann, Oil

Nancie Johnson, 9 x 12 Acrylic

Renate Arends, Watercolor

Irina Rekhviashvili, 10 x 10 Watercolor

Sylvia Young, Colored Pencil

Fredrik Amerup, 15 x 14 cm Watercolor

Angela Sullivan, 6 x 6 Acrylic

Helena Ohman

Linda Popple, 6 x 6 Oil

Judy

Graciela Rios, Ballpoint Pen

Katrina Jones, 10 x 8 Watercolor

mico, 20cm x 20cm Oil

challenge 28

2011-09-26T22:16:00.000-07:00

I know, right? I feel like a kid who just piled an army-sized portion of dinner onto their plate and is now wondering where to dig in first. There's a lot going on here if I try to keep it specific, so I'm going to play around with the idea of less is more. I'm not sure if it will work or not, but I'm giving it a shot.

Challenge 28 is due by midnight, Monday, October 17th.

2011-09-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

Rebecca Wang

Sunny, 5 x 5 Oil

Helen Eaton, 6 x 8 Oil

Carolee Clark, 10 x 10 Acrylic

Linda Popple, 6 x 6 Oil

Jen Smith, 8 x 10 Oil

Graciela Rios, Colored Pencil

Sharlette White, 4 x 6 Oil

Katrina Jones

Cheri Homaee, 6 x 6 Oil

Anita Badami, 6 x 6 Acrylic

Jenni Twidle, 8 x 12 Colored Ink

Jean Nelson, 6 x 6 Acrylic

Sue, Watercolor

Sylvia Young, 14 x 10 Oil

Judy, 30 x 20cm

Renate Arends, 9.5 x 11.75 Watercolor

mico, 24 x 32cm Watercolor

Helena Ohman, Watercolor

Roger Akesson, 15.7" x 21.7" Acrylic on Paper

challenge 27

2011-09-06T19:46:00.000-07:00

So I know the last photo of an onion wasn't the most popular of the challenges. In fact, I failed to paint it myself, which seems to be a recurring theme around here lately. But today when the deadline for the new challenge photo to be used, I grabbed what I had with what limited sunlight we were afforded this late afternoon and went for it. I have about ten thousand photos of onions now. So if anyone wants to do a series of onions, let me know.

Anyway, I hope you see the potential fun in this photograph and I hope I find time to paint this one!

Challenge 27 is due midnight, Monday, September 26.

2011-08-18T16:04:00.000-07:00

Irina Rekhviashvili, 12 x 16 Pastel

A. Nonymous, Ink on paper

Rebecca Wang, 11 x 16 Oil

Nancie Johnson, 9 x 12 Acrylic

Sylvia Young, 16 x 20 Oil

Renate Arends, 9.5 x 11.75 Watercolor

Renate Arands, 9.5 x 11.75 Watercolor

mico, 20 x 30cm, Watercolor

Christine Lally, 14 x 10 Watercolor Batik

Dianne Lanning, 6 x 8 Watercolor

challenge 26

2011-08-16T05:45:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow painters! I'm sorry for the absence, although I have to admit I was grateful for it. As usual, there's a lot going on around here and I can't always find time to paint. So much so that if Cheri hadn't been kind enough to send a couple of photos my way, I wouldn't have had a challenge photo even now, weeks after our last challenge. So loads of thanks to Cheri, I'm very grateful to you.

Now. On the subject of painting flowers. I know people do it. I have, in fact, tried to do it myself and then swore them off completely. This time I am completely seduced back into at least one more attempt by these lovely peonies. The peony is my absolute, favorite flower if I were pressed to choose. I am going to try my best to squint as much as possible and then squint some more so I can force myself to do a chunky impressionist type thing with this challenge. It's the only way for me to do it without making myself crazy. Crazier. Whatever, you get what I'm saying.

Challenge 26 is due by midnight, Monday Sept. 5th.

2011-06-30T05:51:00.000-07:00

Renate Arends, 12.5 x 16.5 Watercolor

Karin Naylor, Oil

Rebecca Wang, 11 x 14 Oil

Loretta Sampson, 8 x 10 Acrylic

Roger Akesson, 9 x 13 Acrylic

Nancie Johnson, 9 x 12 Acrylic

Charlotte Tanner, Acrylic

Jean Nelson, 9 x 6 Acrylic

challenge 25

2011-06-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

Once again I've relied on my stash of old photos to provide a challenge. I have to say I've always liked this photo but never considered painting it until now. It's high on drama and although there's plenty of detail available, I'm counting on using the squint method to allow me to practice with my oils and not go too crazy trying to get every crack in each tree.

Enjoy, as always! Challenge twenty-five is due by midnight Monday, August 15th.

2011-06-21T05:16:00.000-07:00

Jen Smith, 4 x 6 OIL, BABY!

Aimee Dingman

Jean Nelson, 6 x 6 Acrylic

Nancie Johnson

challenge 24

2011-06-07T06:28:00.000-07:00

Taken from our room at the historic Seelbach in downtown Louisville, this shot interested me from the start because of its inclusion of hard and soft, light and dark. I hope to go back there someday and take more shots of the interior, as it is truly a grand hotel.

Challenge 24 submissions are due by midnight, Monday June 27th.

2011-05-30T18:27:00.000-07:00

Sharlette White

Kara K Bigda

mico, watercolor

challenge 23

2011-05-18T06:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in posting the current challenge. Like many of you, I have a lot going on in the spring. One of my businesses is gangbusters this time of year and like an idiot, I decided to open another business at the same time. I want to thank everyone who participated and shared their work for the last challenge. Hopefully I'll have time to play soon.

The big fat onion challenge is due by midnight Monday, June 6th.

Have a great week everyone!

2011-04-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

Sidmar Khilji, Watercolor

Rebecca Wang, 8 x 10 Oil

Jean Nelson, 6 x 6 Acrylic

Yasha Sharma, 9 x 14 Watercolor

Nancie Johnson, 9 x 12 Acrylic

Carolee Clark, 10 x 10 Acrylic

Charlotte Tanner, 12 x 24 Acrylic & Colored Pencil

Horst Hittenberger, 11 x 14 Oil

Dianne Lanning, 4 x 6 Watercolor

Karla Uphoff, 8 x 10 Oil

challenge 22

2011-04-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

So a bit more color in this one. As always, feel free to change composition and/or colors to suit your preferences.

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend, I know mine was full of chocolate, and that's never a bad thing!

Challenge twenty-two is due midnight, Monday May 16th.

2011-04-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

Jen Smith, 10 x 10 Acrylic

Viviane Masse, Acrylic

Anita Badami, 6 x 6 Acrylic

Sidmar Khilji, 5 x 7 Watercolor

mico, oil 30 x 33cm

challenge 21

2011-04-07T07:06:00.000-07:00

Hello again everyone. Again, I apologize for the delay in posting the challenge. I really have no excuse other than I have, believe it or not, taken a ton of photos over the last few days and haven't been happy with any of them. First, I shot some pears, because everyone is doing it, it seems. But the pictures didn't do the pears justice, really, so I abandoned that idea. Then, I shot some flowers, but the same feeling came about as I was cropping the shots; they just weren't what I was looking for.

I've wanted to do something for a while that stays neutral, within the white family. Something crisp and clean, without a whole lot of obvious detail. I think these vases provide a starting point for that. Have a great weekend everyone!

Challenge 21 submissions are due Monday, April 25th.

2011-03-29T04:45:00.000-07:00

Jen Smith, 8 x 10 Acrylic

mico, Watercolor

Debbie Later, Watercolor

challenge twenty

2011-03-16T13:19:00.001-07:00

Sorry to be late again, it seems to be a recurring theme around here. It's been a crazy week and I'll share more later, but for now I have to scoot.

Have fun everyone and as a reminder, challenge twenty is due Monday, April 4th.

2011-02-23T17:54:00.000-08:00

Jen Smith, 6 x 6 Acrylic Triptyc

Eren Ozeren, 12 x 9 Watercolor

Sidmar Khilji, 5 x 8 Watercolor

Rebecca Kao Wang, 8 x 10 Oil

Debbie Later, 5 x 7 Watercolor

Nancie Johnson, 8 x 8 Acrylic

Julie Beck, 5 x 7 Acrylic

Jean Nelson, 5 x 7 Acrylic

Angela Sullivan, 5 x 7 Acrylic

Virginia Floyd

Irina Rekhviashvili, 8 x 16 Watercolor

Cheri Homaee, 9 x 12 Acrylic

Karla Uphoff

Horst Hittenberger, 11 x 14 Oil

challenge nineteen

2011-02-22T14:15:00.001-08:00

I have to admit I've rummaged through my photo archives for this challenge. I've been sick with the crazy head flu that apparently everyone else in the nation has had and I, true to nature, am late to the party. So much so that after attempting the last challenge yesterday for a mere ten minutes, I gave up and went back to the sofa, surrounded by tissues, nasal spray and remote controls. It wasn't pretty.

So please enjoy the current challenge of these three creamers; challenge nineteen deadline is midnight, Monday March fourteenth.

2011-02-01T15:10:00.000-08:00

Dana Aldis, 6 x 6 Oil

Jill Polsby, Watercolor

Janice Austin, 9 x 12 Watercolor

Rebecca Wang, 6 x 8 Oil

Angela Sullivan, 7 x 5 Acrylic

Anita Badami, 4 x 4 Acrylic

Horst Hittenberger, 11 x 14 Oil

Cheri Homaee, 9 x 12 Acrylic

Virginia Floyd, 8 x 8 Oil

Karla Uphoff, Oil

challenge eighteen

2011-02-01T07:09:00.000-08:00

Hello apples. I'm so happy to see you. Painting you is like coming home. I don't have to worry about where your nose is, whether it's just a suggestion of a feature or if it's solidly there. How could I ever have gotten tired of you? So. I really wish I could've done better with the last challenge, but I'm just not there yet as an artist. I may never get there, but in the meantime, I'm happy to have apples.

The inspiration for this challenge came from another blog obsession I have, the one that belongs to Carol Marine. I'm sure you've all been there, and if you haven't, it's so completely worth the trip. She's got the chunky stroke thing down perfectly, and I'm completely envious but thankful she is such a prolific, talented painter who, like Karin and many others is generous enough to share her work and process. If you do check out Carol's blog, make sure to stay a bit and check out her larger works at her site, Blue Cloud Studios. That single white daisy in the glass of water KILLS me.

And interestingly enough, in addition to all of that, Carol has started a painting challenge as well, which is a weekly challenge and offers artists links to sell their work, which is very cool. I've been thinking lately about trying to paint with more frequency than one painting every three weeks and I think the DPW challenge is a great place to start!

The deadline for challenge eighteen is midnight Monday, February 21st.

2011-01-14T14:06:00.000-08:00

Jen Smith, 8 x 10 Acrylic

Rebecca Wang, 10 x 12 Oil

Sidmar Khilji, 5 x 7 Watercolor

Linda Nickles, 5 x 7 Oil

Marie Sautier, Pastel

Jody Prusi, 11 x 14 Oil

Marie Emmanuelle Sautier

William Cook, 8 x 10 Oil

Yasha Sharma, 8 x 8 Acrylic

Millie Nguyen, 7 x 10 Watercolor

Linda Popple, 5 x 7

Jean Nelson, 6 x 6 Acrylic

Loretta Sampson, 4 x 6 Watercolor

Horst Hittenberger, 8 x 10 Oil

Maria Soto Robbins, 8 x 10 Oil

challenge seventeen

2011-01-12T07:29:00.001-08:00

This challenge is my ode to Karin Jurick. I've loved her paintings and of course, coveted her talent for over the last year now. I never thought I would consider beach paintings anything but too specific to hang anywhere in a home other than one that was actually located along a coastline, but her paintings are more about the people moving within them, the movement of the human form, how we relate to each other, etc.

I'm not trying to sound like some fancy-schmancy art person. I'm just a girl who knows that someday, I would like to paint with some fraction of the talent Karin has. That being said, I thought I'd take another stab at fellow humans in motion. I'm really not trying to copy Karin or her style, I can't get there from here I don't think. I just want to practice painting something other than fruit, vegetables and flowers. Of course, the next challenge will undoubtedly include some form of at least one of them, because there's absolutely NO sun here and it's quite difficult to get a good shot of anything else.

Anyway, thanks to Karin for being such a generous artist in her sharing of her work and process and for being an inspiration for so many. Challenge seventeen submissions are due by midnight, January 31st.

2010-12-23T12:41:00.000-08:00

Jen Smith, 8 x 10 Acrylic

Nancie Johnson, Each 8 x 5 Acrylic

Rebecca Wang, 6 x 8 Oil

Sylviane Le Cann, 5 x 7 Oil

Starr Fazzina, 7.5 x 4 Acrylic

challenge sixteen

2010-12-14T13:46:00.001-08:00

Two pics! Two pics for the price of one! Why yes, I have had too much coffee today, thank you very much. I've posted two photographs for a couple of reasons. First, I will be traveling precisely during the time when this challenge would normally expire, so I'm extending the challenge to four weeks instead of three. Secondly, I couldn't decide between the two shots. So paint both, paint either, or paint none - It's totally up to you!

Challenge sixteen deadline is midnight, Monday, January 10th.

Enjoy!

2010-11-28T07:13:00.000-08:00

Jen Smith, 9 x 12 Acrylic

Rebecca Wang, 6 x 8 Oil

Xela Christopher

Byannick, 8 x 5 Oil

Nancie Johnson, 9 x 12 Acrylic

William Cook, 8 x 10 Oil

Sidmar Khilji, 5 x 7 Watercolor

Jan Austin

Kay Zimmerman

Jean Nelson, 4.5 x 6 Acrylic

Helen Eaton, 11 x 14 Oil

challenge fifteen

2010-11-23T06:37:00.000-08:00

Wow. I can't believe this is the fifteenth challenge already! I hope you don't mind, but for this challenge I chose a photo from the archives, taken earlier this summer. If you haven't noticed already, I'm a fan of reds in general. Although I would find it difficult to actually live in a red house, I'm a total fan of someone else doing it and not arresting me for taking pictures of it.

Sometime in July, I think, we journeyed out to a nearby town called New Harmony for a stroll through their downtown, which is rich - very rich - in the arts. The town is quite small, but they've managed to keep the spirit in which they were founded alive, which aptly enough, was to develop a different type of city. If you're interested, you can read about it further here. The galleries are several, the antique shops are awesomely plentiful and reasonably priced, and the people! Oh my gosh, I haven't told you about the people! They actually respond when you say, "Hello". I couldn't believe it. I instantly turned to my husband and declared we were definitely retiring there.

The town is more than charming; I hope you enjoy painting a slice of it!

The current challenge is due by midnight Monday, December 13th.

2010-11-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

Jen Smith, 5 x 7 Acrylic

Sheryl Chew, 6 x 6 Oil

William Cook, 8 x 10 Oil

Emilija Angelovska, 8 x 10 Oil

Rebecca Wang, 6 x 8 Oil

Nancie Johnson, 9 x 12 Acrylic

Sidmar Khilji, 5 x 8 Watercolor

Xela Christopher, 8 x 10 Oil

Julie Beck, 6 x 6 Acrylic

Marie Emmanuelle Sautier, 12 x 15cm Watercolor Pencil

Sylviane le Cann, 5 x 7 Oil

Angela Sullivan, 5 x 7 Acrylic

Helen Eaton, 8 x 8 Oil

Eren Ozeren, 12 x 9 Watercolor

Kay Zimmerman, 5 x 7 Watercolor

challenge 14

2010-11-02T06:05:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween and you all aren't sick of these colors just yet! Of course you are free to change them as you wish, but I'm a child of the seventies and there's something about the orange/chocolate pairing that I tend to favor.

Challenge fourteen is due by midnight, November 22.

2010-10-16T06:26:00.000-07:00

Jen Smith, 4 x 6 Acrylic

Yasha Sharma, 9 x 11 Acrylic

Kay Zimmerman, Watercolor & Ink

Xela Christopher, 8 x 10 Oil

Debbie Later, 4 x 6 Watercolor

Sheryl Chew, 8 x 10 Oil

Sylviane Le Cann, 5 x 7 Oil

Rebecca Wang, 8 x 10 Oil

Nancie Johnson, 9 x 12 Acrylic

Marie Emmanuelle Sautier, Pastel

Don West, 3.5" x 5.5" Watercolor

challenge 13

2010-10-12T05:44:00.000-07:00

I shouldn't be posting this just yet as I've had exactly five hours and forty-seven minutes of sleep, but I wanted to get this up asap. Sometimes the most interesting posts come when you're of half a mind anyway, so here goes...

This picture was taken in the early morning hours to represent my morning view. For me to take a picture of anything I would consider a view from my house is pretty amazing, considering that for the better part of three years, I've done nothing but complain about the fact we don't really have one. Our house was built in 1980, with the majority of planning going into how many of the very same five different plans of houses could they build within structured rectangles of plots. No details to speak of for the houses themselves, no turrets, no gables, etc.

One morning this summer, I awoke to the brightest sun imaginable, noticed for the first time in a long time my neighbor's treetops and the bluest blue sky and realized how much I loved the view I had come to call my own.

That, and the fact I want to work on black canvas, too.

Challenge 13 is due Monday, November 1st.

2010-09-25T05:10:00.000-07:00

Marji Behnes, 11 x 14 Pastel

Jen Smith, 10 x 10 Acrylic

Sheryl Chew, 6 x 6 Oil

Yasha Sharma, 11 x 15 Acrylic

Don West, 3.5" x 5.5" Watercolor

Rebecca Wang, 10 x 10 Oil

Sidmar Khilji, 5 x 7 Watercolor

Brad Behnes, 10 x 10 Oil

Sylviane Le Cann, 5 x 7 Oil

Paula Reynolds, 11 x 14 Watercolor & Ink

Nancie Johnson, 9 x 12 Acrylic

Cheri Homaee, 16 x 20 Acrylic

Connie Capone, 9 x 9 Acrylic

Helen Eaton, 6 x 12 Oil

Kay Zimmerman, 4 x 6 Watercolor

Angela Sullivan, 6 x 6 Acrylic

Dianne Lanning, 8 x 8 Watercolor

Jean Nelson, 9 x 6 Acrylic

challenge twelve

2010-09-21T15:54:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I would've told you I'm nowhere near ready for fall. I love my shorts, flip flops and just the overall casual way that is summer. And then the leaves started to change. I seem to forget how vibrant fall is almost every year; I forget the smells that come from ciders, festivals, and the crispness that is the unmistakeable welcome mat to winter.

In other words, I'm diggin' it.

Also, I wanted to share this little encounter I had with a painting at our local museum. Last Sunday, I visited for what had to be the first time in at least two years, and when I go, I instantly promise myself I won't stay away so long again. But then life goes on and weeks become months and so on. Anyway; as I was viewing the same paintings I've viewed a gazillion times, I happened upon this gem:

It's called, A Family Experience, by Philip Jackson, and you can read all about him here:

The reason I'm sharing this painting with all of you is because if you look closely, you may recognize some familiar subjects:

Isn't that crazy? I have to say I feel quite inadequate about the photo I arranged for the challenge where these guys were included! But I still think it's kind of cool!

Enjoy your week and challenge twelve is due Monday, October 11.

2010-08-31T14:19:00.000-07:00

Rodica Voicu, 5 x 7 Oil

Jen Smith, 10 x 10 Acrylic

Rebecca Wang, 8 x 10 Oil

Naveed Khilji, 4.5 x 7 Watercolor

Bernard Echanow, 8 x 10 Oil

Gina Brown, 5 x 7 Oil

Xela Christopher, 8 x 10 Oil

Dianne Lanning, 6 x 10 Watercolor

Sheryl Chew

Yasha Sharma, 7 x 5 Acrylic

Irina Rekhviashvili, Oil Pastel

Karin Naylor

Sylviane Le Cann, 5 x 8 Oil

Cheri Homaee, 9 x 12 Acrylic

Paula Reynolds, 9 x 12 Acrylic

Nancie Johnson, 9 x 12 Acrylic

Carrington Brown, 8 x 10 Acrylic

Jean Nelson, 8 x 6 Acrylic

Dana Aldis, 8 x 10 Oil

artist, Oil pastel

Maria Soto Robbins

Julie Haynes

Virginia Floyd, 8 x 10 Oil

Helen Eaton, 4 x 8 Oil

Kay Zimmerman, 5 x 7 Watercolor

Torrie Smiley, 6 x 6 Acrylic

Tilen Ti, 6 x 6 Oil

Linda Popple, 5 x 7 Oil

Marie Sautier

Angela Sullivan, 5 x 7 Acrylic

challenge eleven

2010-08-31T05:16:00.001-07:00

I love it when words sound exactly like their meaning; like fluff, or sleek, or in this case, lemon. There's something definitively clean and fresh and maybe even tart about the word, "lemon" to me. I craved them when I was expecting my daughter, 21 years ago and while I don't eat them as ravenously now, I love the smell and flavor these little guys give to recipes and just plain water.

Challenge eleven submissions are due by midnight, September 20.

Enjoy!