"Morning Is Come", Mixed Media on Wood, 6"x6"

I have been posting lightly lately although I have been really busy!

This piece is a mixed media piece.  It is created on acrylic painted wood panel.  I drew the bluebird on Stratmore Mixed Media paper with Prismacolor pencils.  I also included floral lace pieces and some vintage sheet music with a nice title.

The whole piece is coated with Liquitex Pouring Medium which gives the piece a resin varnish finish.  The pieces that I use Pouring Medium with give the art a really cool 3-D feeling which can't really be depicted when I photograph it.

This piece is up for auction at Daily Paintworks.  Click here to bid.

Thanks for looking!

Deep In The Forest, Mixed Media, 6"x6"

I finished this piece about a week and a half ago.  I'm a little behind in updating my blog.

I enjoyed working on this one.  Used more colors of lace i the background and incorporated some purple in the goldfinch.  I have been consulting my color wheel when working on pieces lately trying to see what works well together.  I used Liquitex Pouring Medium on the top of this which gives the piece a real nice resin-like finish.

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Thanks for checking out today's piece!

"At the End of the Day", Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas, 16"x20"

I started this painting back in 2012.  I loved the reference photo and the spot where it was taken is special to me.

I have stared at this painting many times over the years and I didn't know what to do to complete it.  I took a photo of it before I went back to work.

The colors were all very muted to me.  It was just a green and yellow blob.  I have been looking and consulting a cheap color wheel to use when I feel like I need a push and a little inspiration.  I deepen the dark greens by adding a dark violet to them.  I also added some orange to counter all of purple hues in the painting.  I like the painting so much better.

I would love to hear what you have to say.  Thanks for stopping by!

Results from the 30 Day Painting Challenge!

I have had some people ask me about the results of my 30 day painting challenge.

I put all the paintings that I completed from November 25, 2015-December 25, 2015 above.

I was able to complete 16 paintings over the 30 days.  My original goal was 30(one a day) but I realize how hard it was to complete this while doing it(especially during the Christmas season).  Some of the paintings I "started from scratch" while others were paintings that were in corners of my studio that needed to be finished.  Two were commissions for Christmas presents that were obtained once I started the challenge.

I am happy to say out of the 16 paintings, 11 of them no longer live with me.  They were either sold, commissioned or given as gifts.

I am going to do the challenge again but I am definitely waiting a year before I do it again. My life is very hectic right now homeschooling my children to try to attempt it before then.

Thanks for stopping by!

Lauren's Tulips, Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas, 8"x10"

I recently just finished this painting for my niece. Tulips are her favorite flower. She got married this fall and I finally finished it a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks for stopping by to take a look!

Homeschool Art Classes in Williamsburg starting in January!

I will be teaching at a new location starting in January.

I will be teaching a homeschool art class for children from Kindergarten to 5th grade at the James City County Recreation Center starting in January.  This will be a combo art class/art history.  The goal is for the children to get a deeper appreciation for the art techniques and the artists that are known for creating these works.

I already teach this class at On the Hill Gallery in Yorktown and I am excited to be able to teach this class in Williamsburg.

Please email me if you have any questions.  Registration is being handled through James City County Parks and Recreation.

Thanks!

"Badger At Home", Acrylic on Canvas, 8"x10"

Piece #15 of my 30 day painting challenge!

I painted another painting of this subject earlier in the month.  The owner loved it so much that he wanted me to paint another larger piece for his wife for Christmas.  The dog, Badger, had been particularly close to his wife and crossed "the rainbow bridge" a few years ago.

The reference photo is below:

Since the dog had passed, I was pretty limited on the photos I had to chose from.  The photo was overexposed a little and the dog had "ghost eyes".  I am proud of the job I ended up doing.  I know that a few years ago it would have been much harder for me to paint the painting from the reference photos that I had.  I think it just comes with experience from painting to determine how the dog looks.  The owner thought I had did it spot on and I am anxious to see how his wife likes it.

Thanks for stopping by to read the blog!