Thank you x's Thirty

I have learned so much from so many artists and my friend Donna Bruton was one of those very special and generous people. When I visited with her and commented on the "boxes" lined up on her bookcase, she told me they were all made from the cards she had received. From the hospital bed set up in her living room, she taught me to make the boxes. This is a thank you card I received from my daughter and made into a box. I thought it was the perfect last painting of this 30 day challenge by Leslie Saeta. Thank you Leslie for the challenge. Thank you to all who have visited my blog, commented and all who have painted. I have enjoyed meeting you through this challenge and wish you all the best in life! Happy painting!

The Whole Color Wheel

For this next to last post in the 30 Day Challenge I used this scarf filled with rainbow hues. I've been painting from direct observation every day, working my way around the color wheel. All the colors are represented here, and doesn't it speak to you of spring? Painting every day has made this somewhat long and cold month whiz by! I hung the hanger (purple-my last color) on the windowsill and painted by natural light while my grandchildren watched. They are very familiar with my work but have never sat in on a session. I love admirers of any age; it was fun listening to their comments as the painting came to life!

Day 28

Day 28, hard to believe I've been painting, photoshop editing, blogging and posting each and every day. It has made me quicker at cutting to the chase with a painting. Why am I painting THIS painting is a question I like to ask myself at the beginning of each effort. This one, besides being purple as I paint my way around the color wheel, was about the great shadow shape and the negative space between the plant and the wall. Check out Leslie Saeta's blog to see what we've been up to. Amazing dedication to the challenge!

Day 27

Day 27 of The 30 Day Challenge; I'm painting everyday from direct observation and I'm going around the color wheel. I put the ribbon near the lamp, not intending to use the lamp as part of the composition, and loved the two together. That ribbon was hard, will revisit for more looking and learning!

Day 26

Down by the beach again for my plein air from the car studio, a brilliant blue sky, only 17 degrees though. No one surfing today, the ocean was flat calm and looked freezing!
This formation is well known, many 19th century painters were drawn to Hanging Rock, as painters still are today. Day 26 of 30 in the Leslie Saeta Challenge, we're in the home stretch. 

Her Left Shoe and Blue Mules

This first photo was cropped a bit tightly on the left, there is actually a bit of space to the left of the heel which you can see on the bottom image. Oh yeah, it's the little things! This image was painting along with yesterdays shoe, the panels side by side. Here are the two together so you can see how I planned it out and painted it. Hmm, the color not looking as warm as upper painting which is alot more how it looks.

5x7 oil on panel available for $100 includes shipping.Both for $175.
Painting 25/30 for 30 Day Challenge. 

Her Right Shoe

I hit a gold mine when I rummaged through the box of shoes in the studio. Aha, blue mules put an instant smile on my face. I put two 5x7 panels that I had toned with Payne's Grey acrylic next to each other and painted them both in oils. I dove right in without drawing, so pressed for time.(the time thing seems to be a recurring theme with me)! I did use a bigger brush than usual and am happy with the results. Come back tomorrow to see the other shoe...
Painting #24 out of 30 Leslie Saeta Challenge.available for $100 including shipping. Just email me at:annewinthropcordin@gmail.

Workshirt

Had to paint early before work and I'm not sure I do my best with one eye on the clock. I had enjoyed painting the yellow T shirt so I thought I'd have another go at a piece of clothing. I know by this quick study that I would like to revisit this in a larger format with a bit more time. Some people do well under pressure, do you? I am pleased with the background, the greys and the ambiguity of the red  patterned space. Another daily painting for the 30 Day Challenge. 

Painting # 22, Green into Blue

I went to the studio earlier in the day, but nothing came together in the brief time I had and I didn't get another chance to paint until after dinner. Not the best time for me, and certainly difficult to photograph inside. I always take pictures out of direct sun outside and haven't had any problems. But conditions aren't always the way we'd like them to be , right? I'm moving from green into blue as I paint my way around the color wheel in this Challenge by Leslie Saeta. I wanted to up the ante and put some reflections in there too. Humble kitchen items.I am not happy with the way the background looks, may try a reshoot tomorrow.

Number 21, My Green Room

Not everyone wants to live with a room color as bold as this, but I've never regretted painting our little library this color. I have a wall of built in bookcases (see reflected in the mirror) and a cozy chair to read in. Not that I have time to read lately; painting  A Painting a Day for 30 Days is quite the challenge! I have been wanting to do some interiors, so here is My Green Room.

Surfer's End, Day 20

Went to the end of 2nd Beach where the surfers go, and yes, there were plenty out as the storm was whipping up the waves. I painted from the car, using palette knives exclusively as it just seems easier in the car. The sun was really coming from my hard left and I practically had to sit sideways to see what I was doing. I use duck tape to attach the panel (5x7) to a larger panel, so I can paint right up to the edge and also can just hold the panel in my lap propped against the wheel or hold it up and paint that way. You have to be ready to do what it takes to get the painting. Lots of fun, oh yeah! Newport, Rhode Island, high of 52 today, lots of sun and surfers in wetsuits. 20 out of 30; painting a day challenge.

My MET Bag

As I continue round the color wheel and paint a painting a day with the Leslie Saeta challenge, I am learning alot about discipline, perseverance, subject matter and most importantly, commitment. Is it talent that makes the artist, or is it showing up, day in and day out, to do the work? There is no doubt in my mind that if I continue to really see what's in front of me, I will become a more sensitive painter. I've seen it happen with others, why not me too?
This 6x6 oil is available for $100 which includes shipping in the US. Please email me if you are interested.

Studio Stool

I applied the same principles with this painting as yesterdays post. I used the black toned panel, did the thumbnail sketch, the drawing with white pencil on the panel, and for this one, did the whole painting with the palette knife. Using the knife is the surest way to keep the colors clean and I like the way this one turned out. An object in a particular place that I love to be; the studio! Day 18 of The 30 Day Challenge, I'm going around the color wheel so stay tuned for green!

Lamp Glow

Tried a couple of new things with this painting; day 18 of Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Challenge. First;  I used a panel that I had toned with black first. Actually, it was Payne's Grey which is a very bluish black. I have never worked on a black ground before, and I wanted to see whether it would affect my ability to see color.

Second, I did a thumbnail sketch to really get the composition; something I rarely do although it has often been advised by various instructors that I've had. 

Third, I did my best sketch on the black panel with a white pencil before picking up any paint.

This was so unlike how I usually work (directly with paint, no drawing at all) that it put me way outside my comfort zone. But, hey, the challenge is more than 1/2 way done; why not experiment a little.

The painting came together in the most unexpected way!

Day 16

This is the one that got away; I was in the studio today and realized I had never photographed or posted this painting! I'm almost done with my yellow series and up pops an orange painting. I am posting it anyway as "every painting counts". And yes, we are counting. Day 16 of the  30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge.

Halfway There

This painting was done plein air; I thought 48 degrees sounded warm enough to set up outside, but after an hour standing in one place I was done! Lucky for me, the painting was done too. Day 15 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge. This is the Canfield House in Newport, RI; the dining room a splendid wood paneled and candlelit space. Next door to it is Dunkin Donuts, where a hot coffee made the painting time so much warmer!

Day 14 of 30 Day Challenge

I had a good time painting this, although I was somewhat distracted at the time. I was sitting all afternoon at Spring Bull Gallery and set up to paint as I thought it could be a quiet afternoon. I got a laptop a couple of months ago and have been using a trial version of Word. When it ran out , I purchased it but have been having a heck of a time getting it up and running. One thing after another in a spiral pattern; almost ready to ?!?! A friend and genius came in and we (she) finally got it working. Yeah! Thank you for your time Joan, you are a lifesaver, for sure!

The rubber glove held my interest and I would actually like to explore it again.
The yellow fire hydrants around town have been calling my name to continue on with yellow in this 30 Day Challenge.

Window Dressing

I brought this T-shirt and hanger into the studio to continue with the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge. I'm moving into yellow after my studies in red and orange. I'm thinking more of these as studies than as finished paintings, as obviously some of them are more challenging in terms of complexity of subject. I'd like to do a few interiors but feel that would be too daunting. Still feel pressured by the time thing; keeping it loose and quick (one eye on the clock) helps not to bite off more than I can chew.

Fast and Furious, Day 12

Trying hard to get a few paintings ahead, as next weeks schedule is a busy one with work.I did this one from the car studio, dispensing with brushes and going at it with knives for a fast, fresh look. I'm not sure it was successful, but I know it was an intense experience. I feel a little bit with the Leslie Saeta 30 Paintings in 30 days challenge that I am just trying to get the painting DONE. Now if I didn't work........and had more time.......

Bag It

Working with the timer on before work forced me to quickly choose which shapes were important, which ones really defined the bag. When I stepped backed, I realized that the interior of the bag was way too dark. I remembered that if you get the values right, it will read correctly no matter what color you use. I scraped off the dark interior before I laid on the lighter value, as the interior of the bag was not an area I wanted to build up with paint application. The shadow was also too dark, hmm. I am trying to learn, and remember which things are a consistent issue with me, so I can watch for them. This painting is Day 11 of the Lesllie Saeta challenge.

Cut Up

Got into the studio early as I had work scheduled for the afternoon. I am so fortunate as I work Per Diem, which means I can pretty much make my own schedule. I am a morning person so really enjoy that quiet studio time before the gang arrives. I did this in natural light from our big studio windows that face west. (before the sun comes around and makes it harder to see anything!)
Day Ten, can you believe it? I am impressed with ALL OF YOU, you are my inspiration as we participate in this challenge by Leslie Saeta. 

This 6x6 oil is available with shipping included. Email me at :annewinthropcordin@gmail.com.

Number Nine

My orange bag, the one I almost didn't buy. Too big, too pricey I thought. I had it over my shoulder when I ran into my friend in the store and she said, "I love that bag of yours!" So I bought it. My challenge, besides the basic 30 paintings in 30 days by Leslie Saeta, (as if that's not enough) is:
1. Paint only from direct observation. No exceptions.
2. Paint once a week (or 4 times) a landscape from the car. This is better than it sounds!
3. Paint right around the color wheel; I started with red and now I'm doing orange (with a couple of red/yellow paintings thrown in).
Oh yeah, I got a challenge with orange: no oranges and no sunsets.

We're Ready

Well used and laid out, ready for an adventure. You never really know what's going to happen in the studio; might be a winner or maybe a wipeout. But either way, it's great to be painting. Starting week 2 with the 30 Day Challenge from Leslie Saeta. This painting is 6x6 and available with free shipping for $100. email me at: annewinthropcordin@gmail.com

Here's a Mental Challenge

In the back of the fridge I found these little peppers, and in this 6x6 painting is a clue as to where I'm headed next in the Leslie Saeta 30 day Challenge. Can you take on the mental challenge of figuring out what tomorrows painting will be?

Epiphany

This little plein air landscape is number 6 out of 30 in the Paint 30 in 30 Challenge by Leslie Saeta. I have added a few additional challenges for myself (because I can!); the first is to paint only from direct observation and the second is to paint from the car each week. I brought towels to cover the steering wheel, covered everything else with a flannel sheet and painted this winter sun on ocean and snow scene at the Southernmost tip of Jamestown, RI at Beavertail Lighthouse. I was amazed how comfortable I was and that was indeed an epiphany for me. 5x7 for $100 including shipping. If interested, please email me at annewinthropcordin @gmail.com.

I found her behind the bag

This Christmas apple can't bear to be put away for a whole year; I found her behind the bag from Bath and Body Works. She thought she was camouflaged; I begged to paint her one more time.
6x6 for Leslie Saeta's 30 day challenge. I've added a few challenges of my own- paint only from direct observation- no exceptions! Why do I do this to myself? For the love of painting. 

Don't Put Me Away

I love these little apples hung randomly all over the Christmas tree and thought they deserved to be in one painting before packing them away. That's right, my tree is still up! Maybe I'll have another go at them tomorrow.
I am totally enjoying this challenge from Slices of Life; this 6x6 is 4/30. Available for $100 including shipping; email me at: annewinthropcordin@gmail.com. 

Three Quarters

Day 3 of the 30 day challenge. Still exploring the apple.Mixing paint and applying it thicker;laying down one stroke at a time. It is quite a commitment yes?I'm hoping I can paint a few on Saturday and have a bit of breathing room. I have a day job too- Physical Therapy home care; I see people who aren't quite ready for outpatient or maybe live in a nursing home. Thanks for the challenge Leslie Saeta!
$100 includes shipping, just email me at: annewinthropcordin@gmail.com

Have a Heart

Day 2 of the 30 day challenge; I'm staying with the red for a few more paintings, maybe the apple too! 6x6 on panel for $100 which will include shipping.Email me at annewinthropcordin@gmail. Join us for the challenge:check this link Leslie Saeta.

I'll Take The Challenge

I am inspired to start this new year by making some changes; the first is to participate in a challenge offered by Leslie Saeta: 30 paintings in 30 days. WOW! There are over 250 artists who will be participating; it's a brilliant concept and I'm excited to be joining in!This painting is 6x6 on a panel and available for $100 (including shipping) by emailing me: annewinthropcordin@gmail.com

Good Morning 2013

Hello to a New Year and the promise that it brings. The changes I want to make; in my painting, my personal life, I am filled with excitement by the possibilities.
A jar of sea glass and its reflection, these broken pieces sought out as we stroll the shoreline, gathered and cherished, like old friends. 
This was painted on an 8x8 cradled panel.