My Creative Soul Revival: 30 in 30

Showing posts with label 30 in 30. Show all posts

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Day 29 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge - "Dream"

"Dream" - 48" x 36" acrylic on 1.5" canvas

The largest canvas that I've redone to date - here's "Dream" - 4' x 3' and layer upon layer of color and finished with metallic gold raindrops/fairy dust/use your imagination :-) The gold dots are shown at the top but are interspersed throughout the painting with random patterns.

Only one more painting to finish and it's already about 75% completed. Can't wait to post it and be able to say I finished my sixth (6th!) 30 Paintings in 30 Days!!

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Day 23 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge - "Time to Grow"

"Time to Grow" - 24" x 36" acrylic on 1.5" canvas

I've been fighting a respiratory infection this past week that has unfortunately turned into a case of pneumonia, so painting for the remainder of this challenge will be happening as the meds continue to work their magic and in between bouts of coughing and dizziness.

I really liked the painting that was painted over for "Time to Grow" - and I almost set the original aside to keep intact. However, an inner voice guided me forward with the knowledge of what I was doing was indeed growth as a person and an artist.

The original was rather dark and very personal - it was one from my dress and cups stages. This new painting covered all that darkness, and at the end I decided to collage one of my canvas house pieces over a particularly personal area. I just noticed it now appears as though it is "housing a secret" which indeed it is.

Isn't it amazing at what appears when we let our psyche's through and hand them the control of the brush?

Friday, January 8, 2016

Day 8 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge - "Precious Moments"

"Precious Moments" - 16" x 20" x 1.5" - mixed media on canvas

I generally sign my work in the front and the back of a painting when it's completed, and one of the challenges with painting over old canvases happens when there's a title already on the back of the piece. I've been trying to create pieces that go with the previous titles and so far I think it's worked. But I thought the new painting was a bit dark for the "Precious Moments" moniker.

So I grabbed some Golden's Iridescent Gold (Fine) and painted the textured leaves and a few accent areas. The result is quite beautiful, if I do say so myself. It's really hard to capture the glistening leaves without distorting the rest of the painting, but I assure you they do shimmer brightly. I had always shied away from using metallic paints, thinking they were more of a novelty item. But with this challenge and all of the redo's, I think I'm beginning to change my mind!

Friday, January 1, 2016

Day 1 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge - "Bound for Glory"


"Bound for Glory" - 12" x 12" on .75" canvas - acrylic & graphite

I'm excited about participating in my 6th "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge. Each time I try to work with a theme, and for 2016, I'm on a mission to simplify my life and let go of things and stuff in general. Since I've managed to collect a rather embarrassing number of paintings over the years that just don't rock my world anymore, I decided it was time to paint over them.

The old paintings are all different sizes and on different substrates including canvas, wood panels and paper. Many of the canvases are larger ones (12" x 12" to 36" x 72") and I'm excited about painting larger for the next 30 days.

Here is "Bound for Glory" - a redo of an old abstract that needed some work. I'm also trying to use more neutral colors in my newer works, and am looking forward to incorporating them into this new series called "Reflections." I toyed with the idea of posting "before and after" shots, but decided to just let the old designs pass peacefully away as I attempt to breathe new life into their memories. Let me know what you think!!

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Wind in the Waves - Day 27 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

"Wind in the Waves" - 5" x 7" in 11" x 14" mat - $65

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Bewildered Sea - Day 8 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge"

"Bewildered Sea" - 6" x 6" acrylic on paper in 14" x 11" mat - $65

The unpredictability of the sea is one of the things that draws me to its shores. Some days the deep blue waves are pounding the beach, leaving streaks of creamy white foam in the sand; then an hour later they have relaxed into giant rolling waves of the palest shade of clear blue green, gently lapping at the shore.

The sea is like a chameleon, bewildered at the environment while rushing to make itself blend in despite the constant changes surrounding it.

Monday, September 7, 2015

Evening Tides - Day 7 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge


"Evening Tides" - 6" x 6" acrylic on paper in 14" x 11" mat - $65

Another ocean painting based on memories of last year's vacation at Stinson Beach.....these colorful waves are calling my name. Time for another trip!

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Between Two Worlds - Day 6 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge


"Between Two Worlds" - 6" x 6" acrylic on paper in 14" x 11" mat - $65

There's just something about the crashing waves and the foamy beach that grounds me to the earth. Being there makes me feel carefree and light - like I'm living in another world. Then reality sits in and I have to return back home, to a bustling city and my life. Two worlds......so close, yet so very far away.

Friday, January 30, 2015

January 30, 2015 - Day 30 of 30 in 30 challenge - "Seeking Balance"


"Seeking Balance" - oil paint on unstretched canvas - 5" x 5" - $45 plus shipping

Thursday, January 29, 2015

January 29, 2015 - Day 29 of 30 in 30 challenge - "Beach House"

"Beach House" - oil paints on unstretched canvas - 5" x 5" - SOLD

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

January 28, 2015 - Day 28 of 30 in 30 challenge - "Full Tilt"

When participating in a 30 in 30 challenge, I always try to challenge myself to try something "outside the box." This is my 4th challenge, and I took on oil paints - my frenemy from long, long ago. The challenge is nearly over and I have to say I am actually smitten with this maddening medium! I'm falling hard for the intense color and the depth the oil paints seems to insert into a painting without even trying. The texture and the smell of the paint makes me happy. Who knew this could happen?? I would have laid odds against this......very big odds.

So for these last few paintings I'm challenging myself to use neutral colors - another option I had when choosing my hand for this latest event. So here's the first painting using Torrit Gray (think gunk), white and black oil paint. I'm on a roll for houses all of a sudden.....is a move in my future??