Chicken Little - SOLD

Previously, I've spoken about white being my nemesis.  So, when I saw the Daily Paintworks challenge for this week, I felt exactly like Chicken Little.  I mean, come on...white?  And a chicken?  The sky is falling.  The sky is falling!  But you know what?  It was so fun to paint!  I think the black gesso was the key.  I love black gesso! 

Aren't you loving the weekly challenges?  I know.  Me, too! 

Oh, and I wanted to mention the film "Vermeer: Light, Love and Silence" to you.  If you're a fan of his work or even if you're not, I think you will enjoy it.  It's wonderful. 

Have a great evening!

Grain Elevator

This is another grain elevator located on Route 66 near Groom, Texas.  I really love these old structures and their rusty patinas.

Under the German Sun

This is my entry for this week's Daily Paintworks challenge.  The challenge was to paint a landscape using one of the two photographs posted by Carol Marine.  She took both while traveling in Germany, and they're beautiful.  I would like to try painting the other one tomorrow.

I received my light box in the mail today.  I'm looking forward to experimenting with it.  We've had such windy weather as of late, and it makes photographing oils outside almost impossible.  Hopefully, the light box will help.  Cross your fingers for me!

I hope your week is off to a pleasant beginning!

SOLD

This was painted from a photograph taken this past December.  It is one of the grain elevators located outside of Groom, Texas on historic Route 66.  During the summer months, the elevators are a hub of activity, but on the day that I stopped to photograph this one, it was as quiet as a ghost town.

Also, this is my entry for the Daily Paintworks "Help Japan Challenge."  If you haven't had a chance to check out the entries, please do.  Thus far, they have raised $24,081! 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Berries on Ice

Today, I played around with foil reflections.  The bright red color of the little strawberries looked so pretty against the silvery gray ground.  Their values just popped. 


 

Hey, Where Did Everyone Go?

As I was squinting at this painting -- concentrating on my values -- I picked up, what I thought was my coffee cup, but it was, in fact, my jar of mineral spirits.  Fortunately, I realized my mistake before any chemicals were ingested.  Can you imagine explaining that to the ER doc?  Ah, Mondays.  Hope yours was a good one! 

Unlikely Companions

I have to say, I love black gesso.  This was my first experience with it, and although I wish that I would have left more of the dark ground exposed, I really enjoyed painting on it.  I can't wait to try it again. 

Have a great day, everyone!