Quick Christmas Challenge

This little painting was a DPW Challenge called the "Quick Christmas Challenge." I tried to make quick brush strokes and not fuss, but by the time I painted the Christmas ball I was fussing a bit. But all in all I like how it turned out and I would definitely try this one again.

6x6 oil on gessobord

"Simple joys, little pleasures, laughter and smiles in big measures. Friends, family, togetherness, love; the choicest blessings from above.  Peace, prosperity, and happiness too; all these and more are my wishes for you."

123greetings.com

To The Beach!

I've loved the beach all my life. The ocean, the sand, the water, I love it all. There is nothing in the world like the ocean breeze blowing by you, warm toes in the sand. To the beach!

6x6 oil on gessobord

Life is short, Break the Rules.
Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly.
Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably
And never regret anything
That made you smile.  

- Mark Twain

Rocks On The Water

I've been super busy lately with not much time to paint. This is one I started before my heavy work load and was able to finish today.

8x10 oil on gessobord

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined.
- Henry David Thoreau

My backyard in my dreams

This is another sister's day painting, but actually sister's day from far away. We painted the same thing from our own homes, across the net with lots of texts in-between.  'Twas fun. 
I've been busy with work and my dreaded CEU class so nary a minute left for painting. But I'm trying to squeeze in a drop of time here and there.  Hence, this study:

8.5x10 oil on gessobord

Long ago, far away, life was clear, close your eyes.

Little Beach, Big Rock

As I've said before many times, I love the ocean; the subtle blues and greens, the sand along the shore, the boats.  Again, can someone tell me why I don't live closer to the beach?

8x10 oil on gessobord

Expect nothing and you will never be disappointed.   

Sister's Day Flowers

On Sister's Day me and my sis painted the same flowers, hers with a knife and mine with a brush. So much fun! This was a one hour painting study.  We kicked butt and finished it in an hour.  Here is mine painted with a brush.

11x14 canvas board

It is easier to go down a hill than up it, but the view is much better at the top.

Siesta Key Sunset

The beauty of nature surrounds us. You don't have to be at the seashore to witness a breathtaking sunset but it's wonderful if you have a chance to do so. Let's go to the sea!

8x10 oil on gessoboard
Daily Paintworks Auction Pick

SOLD

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone!

Sea and Sky

This is from sister's day on Thanksgiving Eve. Aba liked the clouds in this one. But I don't know........... 

8x10 oil on gessobord

The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.

Hitting up the way-back machine for today's post. This painting was a seascape study that Aba and I did together. It was such a fun sista's day!

9x12 oil on gessobord

Peace, love, and may you always get the biggest part of the wishbone!

Free Painting Giveaway Winner

And the winner is:

In case the video isn't playing for you, the winner is 
Dodi Barkewitz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gone Fishing

This is from a study which proved to be a very interesting learning experience also known as fun. 

5x7 oil on gessobord

In the end we only regret the chances we didn't take.  
- Mark Twain

Free Painting Giveaway

Here is the free painting available from my free painting giveaway November 2015:

                                                        5x7 oil on gessobord, framed

You must be a member of my blog by clicking on "Join this site" under the word "Followers" in the upper right hand corner on this blog. That's all there is to it. Your name will show up on one of the little squares in the corner, then you'll know you've done it correctly.
If you have a problem joining let me know soon so I can help you so you don't miss out on the free prize. Good luck!

King of Clouds

Yes, this is the "King of Clouds".  Not afraid to be pink in a sea of blue, boldly floating where no clouds have floated before, no need to beam me up because I'm already there.  Yeah baby.

8x10 oil on gessobord
Daily Paintworks Auction Pick

Her life improved dramatically when she decided to break the rules and find beauty where she had been told there was none.

Slowly I Turned

I've been to the great and wonderful Niagara Falls and it is breathtakingly beautiful.  I've been wanting to paint them for a long time and I finally found a photograph that called out to me. 

8x10 oil on gessobord

SOLD

Love this quote:

It's Niagara Falls. It's one of the most beautiful and natural wonders in the world.  Who wouldn't want to walk across it? 
- Nik Wallenda

Deep Waters

This painting came about simply because I love painting rocks and water. That's all there is to it. 
I've been painting since I was 17 (a long time ago!), but just some paintings here, some paintings there. 
But since January 2015 I've completed 138 paintings in just this year alone! It's amazing to me. It's been a great adventure.

9x12 oil on gessobord

Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.  - Henry David Thoreau

Tossing and Turning

I originally named this painting "Insomnia" because this is what I painted one night when I couldn't sleep. I finished it at 6 a.m. then took a long nap. 
But now that I'm putting this in a silent auction I wanted to give it a more appropriate name, a name that means you stayed up all night and also pertains to the pounding surf. 
Now it's called "Tossing and Turning".  I hope you like it.

9x12 oil on gessobord

SOLD

A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Fall Harvest Pumpkins

These two pumpkins were sitting on my desk just begging to be painted.  What could I do?  I had no choice. 

5x7 oil on gessobord
My very first Daily Paintworks Auciton Pick!

SOLD

Dream no small dreams, for they have no power to stir the hearts of men. 

Let's Get Tropical

Palm trees, white sand.........can't you just feel the breeze? This was done for a friend and is already out the door. This is the only shot I have of it. I wished I would have taken a better picture.

11x14 oil on gessobord

No longer available for sale

Give every day the chance to be the most beautiful day of your life.  - Mark Twain 

Another old barn

Another barn in the old barn series.  I wanted to do this painting to work on my trees, trying to improve. Then along came the barn.  I'm looking to, in the future, not only working on trees but also more one and two-point perspective as well as more atmospheric perspective. I had better quit yapping and get to work. 

(A whopping) 16x20 oil on canvas board

I haven't failed.  I just found 10,000 ways that won't work.  - Thomas Edison

Colors in the Forest

Another sister's day, another painting. I started two other paintings on this canvas and had to wipe them. I had lost my mojo. But thanks to my sister for her inspiring presence (and my brother too!) for helping me to get passed my block. 
Maybe I should have called this painting "third time's a charm". 

11x14 oil on canvas

If plan "A" doesn't work the alphabet has 25 more letters.  Stay cool.  

Mountainscape

And yet another painting from a past sister's day. This was different and fun.  I love the use of color. 

8x10 oil on gessobord

Do not read the next sentence.  

You little rebel.  I like you.

Rocky Outcrop

This little painting, plain and simple, makes me feel like I'm standing on the rock in the foreground and flying a kite. Perhaps there should be a kite in the picture. Maybe next time there will be. 
I'm starting to dabble more and more into color. It just feels right for me. 

5x7 oil on gessobord

The harder the wind blows, the higher your kite will fly.

Old Barn

This was fun to paint. I enjoyed painting the trees and bushes as I love to paint the details. 

9x12 oil on gessobord

SOLD

Make your dreams bigger than your memories.

Oceanscape

This is a painting that was started a long time ago and finished on this past sister's day. (Lovin' sister's day)! It was so good to finally finish this one. It sat on my wall collecting dust and begging to be finished.

11X14 oil on canvas

Victory happens when ten thousand hours of training meet one moment of opportunity. - Abraham Lincoln

Crashing Wave

The third painting from sister's day. What a day it was! I'm looking forward to the next one!

8x10 oil on gessobord

Live so that when other people think of integrity, enthusiasm, commitment, and caring, they think of you.

Mountain View

This is another painting from sister's day, my favorite day of the week. Love my sista to pieces.  To pieces I tells ya!

9x12 oil on gessobord

A strong, positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug. –Patricia Neal

Beautiful Beach At Sunset

This is a painting from "sister's day" where my beautiful sister and I spent the day painting together.  In this case it was 2 days. I cherish our time together.  Lots of laughs, and fun, and homemade pot pie.  
I paint with a brush and my sister paints with a palette knife.  It's fun to see how the same painting turns out with two different painting methods. Her paintings are so beautiful. 

5x7 oil on gessobord

A poem about sisters

Colorful Sunset

This painting was from a random photograph. Sunsets, what can I say, I love them!

9x12 oil on gessobord
SOLD

For myself, I am an optimist—it does not seem to be much use being anything else. 

–Sir Winston Churchill

Heather's Mountains

This painting was from a photograph used by permission from my Facebook friend, Heather.  She, very kindly, gave me permission to use her photographs for my paintings. 
For this one I actually combined two of her photos for this one painting. I took artistic licence and shifted the trees around a bit and added some boats from another of her photos. 
This was from a trip she took with her husband Mike. I believe the trip was to Maine. 
Thank you Heather and Mike for the use of your lovely photos!!

8x10 oil on gessobord

If we did all the things we are capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves. 

– Thomas Alva Edison

Roxanne's Sunset

This painting was done from a photo taken by Roxanne Marino Stark, a very, very, very talented photographer. 
Thank you Rox, for allowing me to use your photo for a painting. I hope I did it some measure of justice.

5x7 oil on gessobord

Never underestimate the power of a kind word, an unexpected act of generosity, a courageous deed.

Rocky Shore

I started two paintings on sisters' day this past Monday.  This is the first one I started that I finally got to finish. It's so much fun hanging out with Aba. Lots of laughs!  I guess it's just in the cards. *wink-wink* (inside joke)

8x10 oil on gessobord

SOLD

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. 

 –Herm Albright

Pelican Boy

This is an oldie from the way-back machine. I haven't had a chance to paint due to work so I pulled this from the archives.  

11x14 oil on stretch canvas

“A wonderful bird is the Pelican.
His beak can hold more than his belly can.
He can hold in his beak
Enough food for a week!
But I'll be darned if I know how the hellican?”

― Dixon Lanier Merritt

Seagull over water

I always come back to the ocean. Why don't I live there? Aba? *grins*  This painting was a lot of fun to paint. I got a little fussy with the seagull but he came out okay. I really did enjoy painting this one.  

8x10 oil on gessobord

I keep my mind focused on peace, harmony, health, love and abundance. Then, I can’t be distracted by doubt, anxiety, or fear. –Edith Armstrong

Live Out Loud

I painted this from a photograph. The mountains are so beautiful and peaceful.  Wishing I was there right now. 

9x12 oil paint on gessobord

"If our lives scream out, 'love, kindness, joy, hope, forgiveness' they will definitely be echoed back. So, go ahead and live out loud and bring back a beautiful echo, echo, echo."

I'm loving the beach and spending time with my dear sister, Erin, Kristen, and my friend Kris. We had an especially nice time the last time we were together and visited a bird sanctuary in Cape May with a beautiful pristine beach that had nesting piping plovers and least terns.

This photo doesn't do justice to the beauty of climbing the hill on the path and cresting the hill to see this magnificent view.  

And then came this:

That is all.

Crazy Waves Rocks

I just LOVE  the violent churning sea, so violent that you can't see the horizon.  While it's wonderful not to be in the water, watching it is fantastic! Wave after wave pounding on the rocks, the sand, the shore....love it.

9x12 oil on gessobord

It's not who you are that holds you back; it's who you think you're not.  - Author Unknown

Calm Waters

After painting so many angry seas (which I love!) I decided to paint a calm one. I love reflections, especially on still water, or rather, calm water. 

9x12 oil on gessobord

This was painted on a fun painting "weekend" with Aba and Charlie. 

Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. –Abraham Lincoln

Sunset Series of Paintings

This is the first in a series of sunset paintings. The sun creates such beautiful lights over the ocean, especially when it involves clouds which it usually does. Love it. 

                                       9x12 oil on gessobord

It's never too late to be what you might have been.

~ George Eliot

Otter Cliff, Bar Harbor, Maine

Another one in the series of Angie's trips. That lady sure got around! 

5x7 oil on gessobord

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.

~ Dr. Seuss

Yosemite National Park, California

I fell in love with these mountains, especially the cliff lit up by the sun! Go outdoors, live life, love nature!!

                                          9x12 oil on gessobord

I'll look back on this and smile because it was life and I decided to live it.

~ Author unknown

I just stopped by to say that I put this painting up for auction at Daily Paintworks! If you wish you can bid on it here:

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/425648

8x10 gessobord

Today's inspirational quote:

“The person who says something is impossible should not interrupt the person who is doing it.”

Sailing by moonlight

From the way-back machine comes sailing by moonlight.  I wanted to do a painting in funky colors and this is about as funky as I get.  Peace, love, and sailboats.

                                                                      6x6 gessobord

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.

Jimmy Dean

Flowers From The Heart

Erin bought these flowers for me for my birthday. I love them so much that they were calling me to paint them. 

I've also included my paint set up, although when I painted the flowers I didn't have the clear saucer under them.

                                             5x7 gessobord
***
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”– Will Rogers

Are you looking at me??

Thought I would take a stab at animal painting starting with a horse. I love the angle of the horse as it attempts to look behind.  I found this photo on the internet and fell in love.

                                              5x7 gessobord 

***

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”

― Abraham Lincoln

Let's Do The Wave

This was from a online course I took. I wanted to learn more about painting sea foam and of course, the sea foam part was skipped over. Argh!

                                          16x20 canvas board

 This is way bigger than the ones I usually paint, but I like using the bigger size now and then.

***
Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? 
These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.

~Henri Nouwen

I'll hide where no one can find me

I painted this little painting during my time off from Facebook. It was one of the few I was able to complete. Thank goodness painting doesn't hurt my hands as much as typing because I'd be in trouble because I love daily painting. It soothes the soul.

                                   5x7 gessobord $25 + $5. shipping

***
Your destiny is to fulfill those things upon which you focus most intently.  So choose to keep your focus on that which is truly magnificent, beautiful, uplifting, and joyful.  Your life is always moving toward something.

Ralph Marston

This painting was from a photo that was posted on Facebook. I wish I knew who posted it but for some reason I didn't mark this one. I love water; the ripples, the reflections, how the wind affects the water, everything! 

5x7 gessobord $30.00 + $5.00 shipping

I did an underpainting in burnt umber to bring out some of the warmth of the water. I'm glad to see it worked.

***

But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful.

-Elizabeth Edwards