More 50-Stroke Paintings

 I did more paintings in only 50 strokes, as it is great practice for me since I tend to overdo details if I'm enjoying myself too much. It takes a great deal of concentration to limit my strokes and still arrive at a recognizable result.

I highly recommend this exercise for any painter who wants to simplify.

Carmen

Blanketflower, 3x5 Oil Painting on Wood Panel, Daily Painting

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I've been painting flowers from my garden lately, and this one is in my "Xeriscape" section. People mistakenly pronounce it "Zeroscape." I had a section of my yard that didn't get enough water, so I went to the native plant nursery (which I call the Weed Farm) and bought plants that are native to Florida. This one has done quite well. There is a house around the corner with a yard planted in nothing but native plants, and I must say, it looks like a deserted property. It is in a neighborhood with landscaped yards and the contrast is startling. It is a lesson to me not to plant things haphazardly and make it look like a weedy mess. We have our very own snake in the yard, and one is enough. It doesn't bother us, we don't bother it; however, I feel that excessive, unplanned Xeriscaping could harbor many snakes and rodents. No thank you!

Carmen

Honeycrisp, 2x2 Original Oil on Canvas, Still Life Apple Painting

So I guess we'll be having Waldorf Salad this weekend. I have also discovered that a sandwich made of sliced apple, cream cheese and walnuts is quite good. The 905 Cafe in Melbourne, Florida has a delicious Walnut Brie Apple Melt, which gave me the idea.

I'm going to take a break from painting for a bit and start decluttering my house based on some of the principles in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. I'm starting with my art supplies. I must learn to be ruthless, and know that I don't need that many magazines for my collages, or those old worn brushes or those plastic containers or those paintings I should have scraped...I know you artists can relate. After all, when I need some odd thing I can't find it anyway among the other odd things. Ms Kondo says to only keep things that spark joy, and that's what I'm going for.

Carmen

Red Delicious, 2x2 Original Oil on Canvas Daily Painting, Still Life of Apple

This is my third tiny little apple painting. I have decided I will stop after five.

Stay me with flagons, comfort me with love; for I am sick of apples (Song of Solomon 2:5--sort of).

Carmen