Sand Dunes and Ocean

An 8x8 oil I did using the left over paint from the Teal Ornament painting. Used a pallet knife. I just love the speed and freedom of using so much paint and pushing it around on the canvas board! Using a pallet knife is so much different for me than a brush. I like both. But sometimes it is nice to switch it up! Looking at all the blues, teals and sand color on that pallet made me think of the beach. So this is what I came up with. Have a great weekend.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
"I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil - this is the gift of God."

Teal Frosted Christmas Ornament

Remember the vintage Christmas ornaments that were "frosted" and had the chunky metal topper/hanger on them? That is what I was going for on this one. Another memory from my childhood. This is an 8x8 oil I finished last night. I am having fun with this Christmas Ornament series! I have a bunch of paint left on my pallet....I think I will do something with it. Don't know yet. Will post what I come up with.

Proverbs 11:2
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."

Daily Paintwork's Fall Challenge

An 8x8 oil for this week's Challenge to do a Fall scene after toning a canvas with an unexpected color. I primed my canvas panel with a light purple for this painting. I live in Oklahoma and the fall color isn't out yet. I used a cropped photo of fall leaves on the ground from years past. Fall colors are my favorite color combination! Really enjoyed this challenge. Thank you Ann.

Proverbs 16:3
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans"

The Big Pumpkin

Got off work early today...so thought I would post this painting I finished last night. Getting into the Fall season with this close up of some pumpkins. I LOVE pumpkins! The colors, shapes, texture.....So I think it is proper for me to start out this fall season with some pumpkins. This is a 12x12 oil. I cropped down a photo to get this composition. Hope you like it! Happy Fall!

Proverbs 15:1

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

Red Star Christmas Ornament

This is my first in a new series of Christmas Ornament paintings. An 8x8 oil. This is a soft stuffed cloth ornament with beads and stitching decorations. Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. I have ornaments that date back to my childhood that Mom saved for all of "us kids". My sister and brother decided to give me all the Christmas stuff when Mom and Dad passed away. They knew I would keep them safe! Boy .... do I ever miss Mom and Dad. Sometimes during the Christmas season, I get a little sad. I guess that is common. I will dedicate all of the Christmas Ornament paintings to them.

Proverbs 16:20
"My son, keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teachings."

Three Little Pigs

An 8x8 oil I just finished this morning. Feels good to paint.  Has been several days since I have picked up my brushes. Took the day off from work today and the morning has been great. Pretty weather outside, sunshine streaming through my studio windows. I have had my eye on this reference photo that I found several weeks ago. This will be an addition to my baby animal series. I believe I will stop with the little animals for now and start to do some Fall and Winter stuff. This cool crisp weather here in Oklahoma is getting me in the mood!

Proverbs 10:4
"Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth"

Moonlight...Sunlight?

A little 5x7 oil that I dreamed up. Used a palette knife. I seem to really let it go with the color when I work with a palette knife! Entitled "Moonlight"....guess it could be "Sunlight"...I dunno! Either way, I like the colors and of course the texture. I want to start on some Fall and Christmas season paintings. Have been mulling over some ideas. I have one more canvas ready to do for my "Baby Animal" series. Three baby pot-belly piglets! Hope it turns out.

Romans 16:17
"I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them."

Autumn Crops

A 5x7 oil I did a few days ago. Little time to paint this week. Used a palette knife on this one. The photo shows the distant hills grey. There is more green to the hills than is showing. Again, I am discovering the uses of a palette knife. Lots of  paint. The colors mix right on the canvas.  Lots of texture. Love that! Pushed the colors a little in the crops. Made for a colorful piece!

I Corinthians 15:58
"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

Young Man. Daily Paintworks 4 Values only Challenge

An 8x6 oil I have done for the Daily Paintworks Challenge, using 4 values only. I used 2 values of flesh color , black (mixed with a dark blue and green) and white. Had big piles of these 4 colors on my palette. Did alot of squinting, as instructed! I noticed that the blue color came out when near one of the lighter values. Decided to leave as is at the eyes and the tips of his hair. Very interesting challenge. Thank you Liz.

I Corinthians 16;13-14
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love."

Blue Eyed Kittens

Took the day off from work today! Decided to finish this 12x12, oil.  I started this one this past week end. I can't seem to bring up enough energy to paint in the evenings after a full day at work. This photo struck me with the 4 pair of blue eyes starting right at me! You can just imagine what each one is thinking! "Hello...wanna play"..."Who are you...and what do you want?"..."Hey! Lets go!"...."Whoa! You look different upside down!"

This one was a little more difficult doing a group of little animals. Fun to do. Again...had to do one of the kitten's eyes over several times. I won't tell you which one! I just love how the kittens are all jumbled and cuddled up together.

Psalm 139:23-24

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Little Piglet. "Paint a Pig" Daily Paintworks Challenge.

An 8x10 Oil of a cute little Piglet! This is a piece I have just finished for the Daily Paintworks "Paint a Pig Challenge". Really fun to do and goes along with my baby animal series. Tried to keep it loose and more impressionistic. I decided to use the blues and greens in the background to compliment the oranges in the piglets hair. He looks a little sleepy looking up at us doesn't he? Can't resist that kind of look!

Psalm 143:8
"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."

Close up Puppy

An 8x8 oil of a little puppy! I love the close up composition. Had to do the eyes over 3 times! I am happy with how the warm brown color of his eyes peeks out between strands of  his hair. Can't resist a puppy. Next time I do an animal that is mostly white, I'm going to prime the canvas with a dark color first! It was hard to get his white hair to show up working directly on a white surface. Learned my lesson. They say an artist can learn something each time he/she completes a painting. I believe it. I have so much to learn!

It is finally cooling off here in Oklahoma. My prayers are with our Texas brothers and sisters affected by the fires. Especially for Carol and David Marine, creators of Daily Paintworks.

Psalm 147:8
"He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills."

Momma Duck with Babies

Continuing on with my "Baby Animals" series....Here is a Momma Duck with her little ducklings following close behind her. The ducklings look a little anxious, all hunched up, working hard to keep up with Momma! I thought it was interesting how the water showed as orange where the duck's feet are paddling away. Water is always interesting for me to do. So many colors incorporated. Fascinating. This painting has a very peaceful feeling to it with the soft blues of the water.

Psalm 145:8
"The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love."

Sunset Across a Field

Here is a 6x6 oil that I have done with a palette knife. It is a wrapped canvas...I painted the sides of the canvas the lighter green color. So no need for a frame.  First attempt at using a palette knife for a whole painting. I really love how it puts on gobs and gobs of paint. Gives it a nice texture to the painting. I actually did this one off of a palette of paint from a previous painting. Had lots of paint left and viola! Since the canvas was so small...it did not take any time at all to complete this one. Talk about immediate gratification! I love that! I guess that is why I work in small sizes...get it done fast!

I Corinthians 13:13
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Daily Paintworks Rectangle Challenge; Calf

Just finished this 8x10 oil for the Daily Paintworks Rectangle Challenge! My first time to submit one. How exciting! The challenge was to paint anything you wanted, placing paint on the canvas one stroke at a time, using a different color each stroke. Gives you a more abstract look to your painting, not allowing any fussing! Really enjoyed it. Never would have thought I could produce a painting of a calf using this method. There was a time of panic about a quarter through the painting process! Managed to stay calm and fight through it! I plan to use this method again.

Psalm 115:1
"Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness."