Day 30 of 30 day challenge

Whew, the pressure is off.       I didn't finish the other two of the Waiting at IHOP trilogy.      Here is the group shown together, and the one I'm counting as today's painting.   

This was an elderly couple seated at the far end of the bench.      They did not speak the whole time they were there.   Don't you wonder how people who have been together for many years - have they run out of things to say?   Or are they just comfortable together in their silence?          His shorter pant legs, and saggy socks, and her swollen ankles spoke to me, and I knew eventually I'd have to paint them.   

 I've been holding these images in reserve for almost two years.   The 30 day challenge nudged me into bringing them out and blocking in the first stages of the paintings.

I'd like to thank Leslie Saeta for this 30 day challenge and for introducing me to many artists I would not have found on my own.    Seeing each one's daily offering, is awesome.      I have subscibed to many of their blogs so I can continue to follow their work.

Day 29

I didn't finish a painting today, but I blocked out a trilogy.    This is based on photos I took while waiting at IHOP for my granddaughters 16th birthday breakfast in Santa Cruz.   I was intrigued with the feet and legs of those seated across from us.     The group of three on the left are a mother and two children.    The boy on far left was wiggling and complaining so his  mom in the boots, took him to the rest room.  The little girl remained on the seat to save their places.    The figure on the right was alone.

I'm counting this as a painting for day 29.   Called Waiting at IHOP.    Golden's Fluid Acrylic on watercolor paper.    Two colors.   Paynes Grey, red iron oxide plus white gesso and water.

Day 28

30 days hath Sept.     Two more painting days for the challenge.    It's been a blast.   And talking with friends about their works, and how this challenge has changed their lives - well, Leslie really started something.     There are actually hundres of us out here painting daily.    Only a couple hundred post their pics, probably because many do not have web sites or blogs.   

Here is today's painting.   I'm calling him young poet.   Done with three colors plus white gesso and a touch of black.   Two reds and a green.    All Golden Acrylics - liquids.        I love those transparent liquids.   

I was looking at a black and white copy of a Degas  (I think) painting.   Hmmmm   maybe it was a Matisse?    That's where this face came from - until I got ahold of it.  Now that I see it in better light, I would like to change a few things, but it's just an excercise so it may just stay like this.      

Day 27 - not sore now

This is a follow up on the toe.      This is how it looks today.    

I have no explanatoin why there is a blue line at the base of the toenail.   Honestly, it is there.     

















I'm going to follow up this dreary little series with a treat for you.       

This is a post card that came in the mail today from my artist friend Roberta.    She is also painting in the 30 day challenge.      Thanks Roberta, it is more colorful than my blasted toe.     

Day 26 - ouch

What to paint?    I'm running out of ideas here.   But my toe that got injured last week when I took that tumble is looking so colorful, I figured I'd paint it.   First here is the one that looks like the toe looked on the second day following the fall.

It was pretty sore having the toe nail torn half off.   I'm not planning to cut it yet, I expect it will fall off or something.   Time will tell.   

You will notice I did not waste a canvas on this little painting.   Just another piece of scrap cardboard.   LOL

Mixed Media Group

Yesterday the Mixed Media Group met at the gallery in Lodi.   Several of us are painting daily in the 30 day challenge, while others have only recently begun to join in.      I took pictures of a few things they brought to show and tell.     

This is Patti Wallace showing Marilyn Erickson some of her recent works for the 30 day challenge.

 Here is Linda MacAllister showing a unique piece of mixed media work.  

These are a few of Marilyn's paintings and mixed media works.

These are some of Phyllis Cook's drawings and paintings.     She says this 30 day challenge is helping her grow as an artist.      

This is the collaborative puzzle challenge we recently worked on.   it is always great fun to see all the pieces together.     We are leaving it in the gallery for this month, so if you have a change to stop by, ask to see it in the studio/workroom.

How to keep busy - even when you have other things in your life

I've spent several days laying out and getting approvals for the new post cards for the Lodi Annual Small Works Show at the Lodi Community Art Center.     I'll try to post the pic here.    I had to copy it from the Vista Print site and then figure out how to use the new scanner to scan and send to this computer.   In the midst of my muddling attempts, I get a phone call from India's HP (I guess) service center telling me they know I'm having a problem and he can help me.  Then he rattle d on so fast, I could not tell if he was speaking English or even any recognizable language - so I told him I don't hear well, and could not understand, and hung up.   I can usually muddle through these things on my own.     I got really agitated that  someone out there is following my computer use (without my invitation).    Remind me to cover up the little camera at the top of my screen.      I don't want them watching me!   Seriously, this is way to invasive for my comfort level.      Poor guy that has to watch my activities.  Must be a pretty boring job.    hope he is paid well.       if they call again after I post this, I'll really be weirded out!

This is the scan I made of the front, back and invoice together to send for approval from Pres and Chairwoman.         I got approval so it's a done deal and I can get back to other things.     Like bathing the dogs.       LOL