Showing posts with label daily painter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daily painter. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Twenty-Minute Challenge

My friend Donna Vines introduced me to artist Mary Gilkerson's 20-minute challenge, which means doing a small painting in just 20 minutes. Here is my first attempt, a scene in Florence, Italy. I learned from this one that the subject was a bit too complex for a 20-minute execution!


This was my second attempt, and it went much easier. No buildings or people!


I was more deliberate with this last one, and stopped panicking over the time ticking by.


If you want to paint more loosely, this is a great exercise. One important tip: mix up your paint before you set the time.

Below is a page from my sketch journal, starting with my gym class the other day. Jean Thomas's class really inspired me to sketch more about everyday happenings.


Carmen

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Big Splash, 8x10 Oil on Canvas Panel, Beach Art



I can't believe my feet walked where Winslow Homer's feet walked, on the cliffs at Prout's Neck, Maine. What an exhilarating experience, and so different from our sandy Florida beach where few rocks can be found. 


Wednesday, June 25, 2014

English Roses, 6x6 Original OIl Painting on Canvas Panel

$99, Click to Purchase
This has been very hard to post, because the colors don't look exact on my monitor. I have spent a lot of time trying to get it exact, but it still doesn't satisfy me, and it may look different on your computer. At any rate, this is close, but the sky in the actual painting is warmer than it looks here.

I am putting my list of things that are incredibly frustrating here, as I am losing track of my numbers. My no. 9 is:

Telemarketers, especially the crooked ones with scams. The Do Not Call List is apparently meaningless.

1. Inadequate mental health care since mental health institutions were closed in the 80s (e.g., mass murderers whose parents tried to get help and couldn't). This is, shall we say, crazy in a so-called civilized country and fits nicely with proliferation of guns to form the perfect storm.

2. Pencils with erasers that don't erase, and will even make a brown mark instead of erasing.

3. The rule about not ending sentences in a preposition, as in "not put up with." The English language is being mangled and new words from pop culture are added to the dictionary every year, so the preposition rule seems quite outdated. I do hate the question "Where is he at?" though. It almost deserves to be #4 on my list, it irritates me that much.

4. People driving slowly in the left lane.

5. Airplane passengers who bring carry-ons so heavy they can't lift them into the overhead bin. 

6: Deceitful practices in retail stores.

7. Packaging that cannot be opened no matter how you try; its clear plastic taunts you with a view of the completely unattainable product inside, mocking your frustrating attempts at entry.


8. Negative political ads, especially the ones with the low-pitched, sarcastic, gossipy-sounding voice that sounds like they are sharing a nasty little secret about the opponent.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Madame X, 5x7 Pen and Ink Drawing on Paper

$35, click to purchase

The attitude of this haughty bird reminds me of the original Madame X, the masterpiece painted by John Singer Sargent. It's like she's saying, "Here I am; yeah, these are funky shoes. So what?"

No. 6 on my list of things that make me grind my teeth and want to scream:

Negative political ads, especially the ones with the low-pitched, sarcastic, gossipy-sounding voice that sounds like they are sharing a nasty little secret about the opponent.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Girl in a Kayak, 6x6 Oil on Board

$99, Click to Purchase
I was standing on a bridge when this lovely sight suddenly appeared, and I was fortunate to get a shot of her before she sped away. I'm so lucky to live where there is so much water. In an interview I once was asked where I would live if I could live anywhere in the world, and I couldn't think of a better place than here.

I am continuing my list of irritating, teeth-gritting things we put up with (see previous posts):

From my son:

4. People driving slowly in the left lane.

5. Airplane passengers who bring carry-ons so heavy they can't lift them into the overhead bin.


Thursday, April 24, 2014

Red Glass with Roses, 8x10 Oil Painting on Canvas


Carol Schiff recently posted on her blog about her two paintings that got the most page views. This made me curious, so I looked up which post got the most page views for my blog. To my astonishment, it was one called "Oh, My Aching Back, My Whiny Post" showing the below cartoon and talking about my back going out. I have been analyzing this and have come to the conclusion that there are more painful backs than there are art collectors. Perhaps I should call my blog "The Art of the Aching Back" to attract more visitors? 


Monday, April 21, 2014

Two Palms, 5x7 Original Oil Painting on Canvas Panel

SOLD

Picture this: the weather is perfect, the sun is setting, the view is incredible, the company is great. Ahhh...that is San Miguel de Allende. Sooner or later I will return to painting other locations, but I need to get all this out of my system while I am inspired. 

In between all this painting, I am proud to say that I got rid of those darn weeds in my yard. Pulled every last one. Of course, they are starting up again where I started. It's a vicious cycle, but I need the exercise. In San Miguel there was a yard man. Sigh.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Rooftop Flowers, 8x10 Original Oil Floral Painting on Canvas


The flowers of Mexico are beautiful, and I actually have the same ones here in Florida, but all husbands hate bougainvilleas because they grow fast and have big thorns. I love them because they are gorgeous, tropical, and easy to grow. 

My sympathy to those up North who keep having a Winter Replay. I hope you will be rewarded with a beautiful summer, you have earned it.


Friday, April 11, 2014

Zentennae, 8x10 Pen and Ink

$35, Click to Purchase
I haven't posted for days, because I am working on a complicated larger painting right now. It even has a horse in it. Last night I indulged in some meditative zentangle as a relief from the detail work in the oil painting on my easel. I just drew a line and let it grow from there until I had this quirky piece.


Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Almost a Rainbow, 10x8 Oil Painting on Canvas

$125, Click to Purchase
This was a busy sky over San Miguel de Allende. It had light, darkness, rain, and almost a rainbow. There was a lot going on.

Speaking of a lot going on, yesterday morning I saw the real Rosie the Riveters on TV at the White House. In their 80s and 90s, I got the feeling they could still pop-rivet today if needed. They are vivacious and smart, just what I want to be when I grow up.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Sunflower, 8x10 Oil on Canvas

$99, Click to Purchase
I have finished up a couple of still life paintings that I did in the Qiang Huang workshop last month. I hated to stop my San Miguel series, but just didn't have the time to start anything new today. I will start it up again next week.

My new exercise program is Weedobics. I went into my yard and it's a jungle out there. Weedobics consists of bend, pull weed, discard, and repeat until exhausted or weeds are gone, whichever comes first. I am working my way gradually around the property. It's Florida, so by the time I get to the end it will be time to start at the beginning again.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Tiny Dancer, 8x10 OIl on Canvas

$199.00, Click to Purchase
While in San Miguel de Allende I got to witness a big Aztec festival, with scores of people in bright costumes and huge feather headdresses. They were dancing in the streets, celebrating their conversion to Christianity. So many people dancing in unison, wearing bright colors and glittering outfits presented quite a wonderful sight, but this little girl was my favorite, trying to keep up with the grownups.

When I uploaded the image to Blogger the purple shadows became very bright. I don't know how to overcome that. They are not that bright in the painting.

Here are some of the adults in their costumes. I was so lucky to be town that day!



Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Bouquet, 7x5 Oil on Canvas

$89, Click to Purchase

If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? Even though I live in Florida, my yard is so bedraggled right now. A tree is dying of a mysterious disease, my huge frangipani tree has not a leaf on it, but a little cluster of pink blossoms sits at the end of one branch, embarrassed at arriving early to the party. Oh, how I want that TV guy who comes home with you and redoes your whole back yard! I'll be watching for him when I'm at Lowe's! Until then, I'll just paint cheerful flowers and be happy I live in Florida, where the winters are beautiful.
The Lonely Little Frangipani



Saturday, January 25, 2014

Are You Lookin' At Me? 6x8 Oil on Canvas


Pelicans are pretty cute when they are floating in the water, and quite beautiful when flying, but waddling around strips them of their dignity. This guy was at Port Canaveral having a relaxing day, just as my painting group was. 

I just renewed my passport and I must say, the new one is beautiful, with illustrations of America from sea to shining sea. It has wonderful quotations too, like this one:

The cause of freedom is not the cause of a race or a sect, a party or a class--it is the cause of humankind, the very birthright of humanity. - Anna Julia Cooper

Someone call Congress. They are apparently unaware of this. 

I admit I was not familiar with Anna Julia Cooper, so I Googled her (of course) and learned she was born into slavery, but became a prominent African-American author, educator and speaker.

And that's my lesson for today.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Poppy Shadow, 6x6 Oil Painting on Canvas

I wanted the sidewalk hot and the shadow cool in this poppy painting. It occurs to me that I have not painted a still life in a long time, but I'll get my chance next February at the Qiang Huang Workshop here in Melbourne. Maybe I should brush up a bit; however, I have been to so many beautiful places that I've been inspired to paint outdoor scenes lately. Qiang is a fantastic teacher--his method is well thought-out, and he is kind and patient.

Anyone interested in the workshop may contact me at hbeecher@earthink.net. The dates are Feb 22-24, 2014.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Seven Palms, 6x6 Oil on Canvas

This is Satellite Beach, Florida, on a beautiful sunny day. The weather turned interesting later on, a real frog-strangler. We needed the rain, so I don't complain

Sunday, January 20, 2013

The Everglades, 8x10 Oil on Canvas Panel


The Everglades is a wild and wonderful place, constantly threatened by damage caused by human greed or carelessness. The latest problem is pythons, and they are consuming huge amounts of small game, which leaves large game without food. A recent python hunt got rid of some of them, but they reproduce in large numbers, so this is an ongoing battle. I try to look at the beauty and hope for the best for this important ecosystem.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

At the Winery, 6x6

Trying to get back in the post-holiday painting routine. Why I picked such a complicated subject I don't know. I love painting grapes, especially in beautiful light, and this color scheme especially appeals to me. My great-grandfather came from northern Italy, and though I barely remember him, I do remember his grape arbor, which I found fascinating. I wish I had grapes growing in my yard instead of a plethora of papayas.
 SOLD

Monday, July 2, 2012

Dream Boat, 8x10 Oil on Canvas Board

Going for a dreamy effect here, because the original scene was quite dull, in very flat light. In reviewing my work of the past two weeks, it looks like I don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

I used to have a friend who would say, "When you grow up, you grow old, when you grow old, you die." Let's hear it for immaturity!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Surf Spray, 6x6 Oil on Canvas Board

I've been wondering where my email has been disappearing to. I have finally learned that I am getting the opposite of Spam. My good mail from frequent correspondents has been going into my Spam folder in Earthlink, then getting deleted after a few days. Even more mysterious, I still get more Spam than a prison cafeteria. It took two hours with Earthlink to figure this out, and then I had to change each and every person in my address book individually from "Unknown" to "Known." Ah, technology. How did people I have gotten email from for ten years magically become "Unknown" in Earthlink?

If I have neglected to respond to anyone, I apologize. My seascape illustrates the mood I was in after this aggravation.