"Red Pepper with Knife" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

"Red Pepper with Knife" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

This is the 30th and final painting in the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge...yeah!  As a part-time artist, the challenge was certainly a challenge.  I'm glad I persevered but am also happy that it is over.  I really enjoy painting but didn't enjoy the daily pressure to produce something.  I value quality over quantity.


The cool part about the project was that I received many encouraging emails and comments throughout the month.  I want to thank everyone who took the time to write.  A few folks were even inspired to join me and also do something on a daily basis.  How cool is that? 

In February, I'll start working on a larger painting so I'll post some updates as I make progress but you certainly won't be hearing from me on a daily basis.  I am, however, inspired to paint more frequently so hopefully I can keep that momentum going throughout the coming year.

"Red Pepper with Knife" is a 6 inch square painting and is available for $60.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options. 

"Pear Pear Pear" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

"Pear Pear Pear" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas

Day 29 of 30 in the "30 Paintings in 30 days" challenge.  Only one more to go!

I've always loved to paint pears. They have attitude and personality.  As always, I varied the shape, color and placement of the pears to add variety and interest.  The pears were sitting on a shiny counter top which added a nice reflection to the composition.

"Chocolate with Sprinkles" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

"Chocolate with Sprinkles" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

Day 28 in the "30 Paintings in 30 days" challenge.  Only 2 more to go!

Today just felt like a donut day.  My original composition didn't include the small areas of brown in the upper left and upper right corners.  So, the napkin covered the entire background.  I felt like I needed a dark area to counter-balance the dark frosting.  My composition improved tremendously with those two small touches.

"Stones" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

"Stones" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

Day 27 of the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge.


Whenever I'm at the beach, I'm always looking for interesting rocks, stones, shells or sea glass.  I particularly like small, smooth stones in black or white.  Even better if they have an interesting pattern.  I really enjoyed painting this one.


"Stones" is a 5 inch square painting and is available for $40.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options.

"Specs" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

"Specs" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

Day 26 in the "30 paintings in 30 days" challenge.  Almost there!

My original plan for this painting was to have the glasses on top of a book.  Somehow, I just liked the simplicity of the glasses and the shadow with nothing else. 

"Specs" is a 5 inch square painting and is available for $40.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options. 

"Scotties" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

"Scotties" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

Day 25 of the "30 paintings in 30 days" challenge.

There is a huge difference in the softness of the various tissue brands.   Some are really stiff and rough.  These are Scotties and are nose-approved.

"Scotties" is a 5 inch square painting and is available for $40.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options.

"Dot Bam Crak" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

"Dot Bam Crak" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

Day 24 in the "30 paintings in 30 days" challenge.

This painting was done for a friend who loves to play Mah Jongg.

"Love Bug" - 3 x 3 inches - oil on paper - SOLD

"Love Bug" - 3 x 3 inches - oil on paper

Day 23 of the "30 in 30" painting challenge.  One week left.

I was asked to paint a series of these which will be given as Valentine's Day gifts to 4 sweet little girls.  I started with a pink canvas and used my wipe out tool to scrape away the green paint for the letters - a much easier process than painting the letters by hand!

"Winter Field" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

"Winter Field" -  6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

Day 22 in the "30 paintings in 30 days" challenge.

I was itching to get outside and do a bit of plein air painting.  I pulled together my supplies, drove to a nearby field and set up my easel by the side of the road.  Everything was going well until a strong gust of wind tipped my easel.  I managed to catch it before it fell but walnut oil spilled down the front of my coat and I dropped by brush in the snow.  What a mess.  I finished up the last few brushstrokes and went home to wash my coat.

"Winter Field" is a 6 inch square painting and is available for $60.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options. 

"Cooper" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas

"Cooper" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas

Day 21 in the "30 Paintings in 30 Day" challenge.

Meet Cooper.  He is a rescue dog.  He has half a tail and scars on his face.  Cooper had a rough start in life.  Cooper always lies on the top step of the staircase so he can survey happenings on both the first and second floor of the house.  This vantage point also gives him a good view out the front windows so he can keep a close eye on the cat who lives across the street.  Cooper would love to get his paws on that cat.  His ultimate fantasy.

If you are interested in a pet portrait, you can click here for pricing and more information.

"50 Shade of Gray" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

"50 Shades of Gray" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

Day 20 in the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge.  Exactly 2/3 of the way through.

For those of you expecting something about whips, chains or bondage, shame on you.  I'm simply referring to all the different shades of gray in this little gem.  I actually love this painting.  I don't say that often but this one just speaks to me.  Hand sanitizer.  What could be more mundane?  Beauty can be found in just about anything.

"50 Shade of Gray" is a 5 inch square painting and is available for $40.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options.

"Bubbies II" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

"Bubbies II" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

Day #19 in the "30 paintings in 30 days" challenge.  "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..

For those who have been following my blog, you completely understand why I had to paint Bubbies pickles again.  (If not, click here).  This angle was very challenging.  My favorite part of the painting is the lid and that one pickle with the seeds showing.  Mmmm...I'm starting to salivate.

"Bubbies II" is a 5 inch square painting and is available for $40.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options.

"Scrub-a-dub-dub" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

"Scrub-a-dub-dub" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

Day 18 of the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge.  Well, you never quite know what will inspire you.  I just liked the composition of the spigot, drain pull and drain.  (I pulled my easel into the bathroom and happily painted this one).  It is a quirky subject but those are the ones that I like best.  One of my favorite all time paintings is of my bathroom sink.  You can view it by clicking here.

"Scrub-a-dub-dub" is a 5 inch square painting and is available for $40.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options.

"Core" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

"Core" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on canvas

Day 17 of the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge.  I started this painting at 10 p.m.  I don't usually paint that late but I had a busy day and didn't have a block of time to fit in a painting.  I had planned to paint something else but was hungry so I ate an apple before I started painting.  The apple core made for a perfect subject so I satisfied my hunger and created the perfect model.

"Lemon Cupcake on Plaid" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas

"Lemon Cupcake on Plaid" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas

Day 16 of the "30 Paintings in 30 days" challenge - I'm over the hump and more than halfway finished...I can see the end in sight!

Back to cupcakes.  This painting drove me crazy.  It drove me crazy since I could smell the most delicious lemon aroma from the cupcake as it sat under my warm spotlight.  And, unlike the last cupcake I painted, I ate every last crumb.  It was crazy delicious!

"Lemon Cupcake on Plaid" is an 8 inch square painting and is available for $95.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options.

"Rotary" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

"Rotary" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

Day 15!  Half way through the "30 paintings in 30 days" challenge.  I'm feeling energized and looking forward to creating the next 15.

This rotary phone is a funky orange-red color. It probably went well with the 70s decor in my parents home.  It still works but the receiver is so heavy it isn't comfortable to talk on for any length of time. I remember the pens with the ball on the end that were designed for dialing instead of using your finger.  Growing up, I spent a lot of time talking on this phone to my friends ... fond childhood memories.

"Rotary" is a 5 inch square painting and is available for $40.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options.

"Gilbert" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

"Gilbert" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

Day 14 of the "30 in 30" challenge.  Almost half way there....  

"Jam" 20 x 20 inches - SOLD!

This is Gilbert. He is a funky looking stuffed dog that was a gift from a friend when I was facing surgery.  Gilbert hung out with me during my recovery and I still pull him into bed with me on occasion when I'm not feeling too spiffy.   

Exciting news!  My painting "Jam" sold to a client of the Quidley & Co gallery in Boston.  The "Urban Intersections" show ended in November but the gallery director contacted me a few days ago to see if the painting was still available.  Yeah!


"Gilbert" is a 5 inch square painting and is available for $40.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options.
 

"Sweet Stuff" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

"Sweet Stuff" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

Day 13 of the "30 in 30 Challenge.  The most amazing part of this painting is that I didn't eat the cupcake after I finished the painting. I actually threw it out.  Maybe I'm coming down with something.

"Sweet Stuff" is a 5 inch square painting and is available for $40.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options.

"Keys" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

"Keys" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

Keys.  What can I say?  This pretty much speaks for itself.  Go Pats!

"Keys" is a 5 inch square painting and is available for $40.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options.

"Strawberry Frosted" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

"Strawberry Frosted" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas

Day 11 of the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" Challenge.  Today was a double duty day since I completed a painting and finished a commission all in one shot.  Now that's a good day!

I appreciate all the comments and encouragement from everyone...thank you!   I'm trudging along and will finish this challenge if it kills me :)

"Slices of Vitamin C" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

"Slices of Vitamin C" - 5 x 5 inches - oil paper

I'm exactly 1/3 of the way through the 30 in 30 challenge.  I almost always opt for back lighting in my paintings (meaning that I'm looking into the light as I paint).  Look at the way the shadow falls to figure out where the light is coming from.  In this case the shadows come forward.  When I have transparent or semi-transparent objects, I use this lighting to allow the object to glow.

"Slices of Vitamin C" is a 5 inch square painting and is available for $40.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options.

"Bubbies" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

"Bubbies" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

Some people are addicted to drugs, some to alcohol.  I'm addicted to Bubbies Bread and Butter pickles.  Ok.  I said it.  It's true.  And now you know.


"Bubbies" is a 5 inch square painting and is available for $40.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options. 

"Take Out" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

"Take Out" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

My son works at a local Chinese restaurant.  One perk of the job is that he gets free food.  So, when he is working, my refrigerator is stocked with a variety of take out.  I really like the geometric shapes created by the box and thought it would make a fun subject to paint. 

"Take Out" is a 5 inch square painting and is available for $40.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options. 

"Cadmium Orange" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper - SOLD

"Cadmium Orange" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

I didn't have to look beyond my studio to find inspiration for today's painting.  A simple tube of paint and a couple of brushes.

"Here Comes Honey Bear Bear" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on canvas

"Here Comes Honey Bear Bear" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

Day 6 of the 30 Paintings in 30 days challenge.  

Back to the honey bear that I recently painted in a different set up.  I just love the golden amber color of this little guy.

In other news, congratulations to Tag Vennard who won my January give-a-way.  Because he is a resident of Westford, I have him a copy of my book, Paint the Town.   For those who don't know, each month I randomly select someone from my email list and give them a gift.  It could be a set of notecards, a calendar, a copy of my book, or, even an original painting.  Sign up by clicking here.

"Here Comes Honey Bear Bear" is a 5 inch square painting and is available for $40.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options. 

"Striptease" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

"Striptease" - 5 x 5 inches - oil on paper

I'm not sure why clementines make me think sexy thoughts.  I just kept thinking "striptease" as I peeled the skin so I had the title long before the paint hit the paper.  My first crack at clementines was entitled "Undressed" and you can see it by clicking here.

If you want to see a complete breakdown of my painting process, keep reading....

"Striptease" is a 5 inch square painting and is available for $40.  Click the Buy Now button below to purchase using a credit card/Paypal or here for other payment options. 

MY PAINTING PROCESS

I thought I'd take some time to explain my painting process for this "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge.  So here goes:

I set up my still life next to my easel and adjust the light until I'm satisfied with the shadow.  My preference is natural light but I'm doing most of painting in the evenings.

I select my paper.  I treated watercolor paper with 3 coats of gesso (a sealant) and then painted them with a coat of acrylic for a colored ground.  I have a variety ready to go in all different colors.

I now have to transfer my still life set up onto my paper.  I use a plexiglass square to view my still life and trace what I see using a dry erase marker.  The plexiglass is permanently marked with a box divided into 9 squares.  I created this tool using red acrylic paint. 

I attach my paper to a board with bulldog clips and prop it up on my easel.  I place 4 dots on my paper where the 4 intersecting lines are on the plexiglass.  I could draw the grid onto the paper but 4 dots will suffice to give me a frame of reference and make less mess.

I transfer the image from the plexiglass to the paper using the dots and lines as a guide.

I start by blocking in the darkest areas first.

I continue adding the middle values.

I added the white rind to help define the form and then added the stem on top.

I worked on the texture of the fruit and then started on the shadow...

...and then the background color.

 

The final step is signing the painting.  I use a rubber tipped "wipe-out" tool to scrape the paint away and leave my signature.