Paint Your Bed

I don't exactly know why, oh, maybe I do, but I love this photograph. This weeks DPW challenge was to paint your bed. You could choose the photo posted by Carol Marine, taken in a convent.

I know at different times in my life, I have wondered, even envied the imagined solitude that life in a convent would possibly bring.

I can imagine a day of solitude and reading in my fantasy get away.

What's your story?

Shades Beach Part 2

Watercolor version of Shades Beach. This was painted for the Different Ways Challenge on DPW. Same subject painted in watercolor, last on acrylic on canvas panel.

Painted on a 6 x 8 mixed media paper.

Shades Beach

I love the beach on a hot, windy, partly cloudy day. The effect of the sun shining on the water, with cold currents and clouds adding just the right shadows on the water, is a blast of the most amazing colors. It can make a northern lake, look almost tropical. This painting was done in acrylic paint on an 8 x 10 inch canvas panel.

The location and inspiration for this painting was from a photo taken at Shades Beach, a lovely little spot on Lake Erie in Harborcreek, Pennsylvania. The parking lot leads to a very steep paved road to the beach and pier. The cliffs around this beach add a unique perspective to this hidden treasure. I love walking this park.

Simply Tulips

Using the warm/cool challenge again, I painted my warm yellow tulip against a blue background. I subscribe on my personal Facebook page to I Require Art. A very inspirational daily look at masterpieces with brief notations. Last week showcased a painting by Andre Derain, a French artist, in 1905 painted The Wild Beasts. The water and boats were mosaic like with the most vivid colors, he used the warm and cool technique, the results were incredible. I try to apply it to my last two paintings, with very different results than my usual. I can't wait to try it out on the Big Lake.

Tulips

Warm and cool challenge this week on Daily Paintworks. My yellow tulips are having a great run this season. I was looking for a reason to paint them again. Painted in acrylic on an 8 x 10 canvas panel.

Hydrangea Whites and Upcycled Mason Jars

I love hydrangeas. My Mum called them snowballs. I also love the little Alfredo sauce mason jars the companies are currently using.

A collection of many different types of painting media, along with a stash of things I just can't seem to toss in the trash. I have been collecting, saving or hoarding these jars for over a year. Well, there was a wedding I mentioned in an earlier post, my daughter wanted the above look for her tables at the reception. We never found the time, we rented large vases.

Last month I took some gesso and painted a couple of jars and let them dry overnight. I painted them with pastel acrylics, some thick, some watered down. A light grade sandpaper to wipe away some of the paint around the lettering on the jars. An acrylic coat of varnish the next day. I painted the outside of the jar, so fresh flowers can be placed in them. Having a lot of left over flowers from the wedding they have a cute home now, but need a little weight in the jars.

I have done several paintings of these white hydrangeas in colorful vases. This one an 8 x 10 on a canvas panel, using acrylic paint. Waiting not so patiently for the real flowers to appear.

Friends Challenge

This weeks challenge was to paint your friend. I don't have any friends that are willing to pose, and I also would like to keep the friends that I have.....

I borrowed this photo that I saw recently, when I looked at it, I loved how the heads are gently resting on each other. Sweet little boys.

I know these twins will be friends for a lifetime.