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. 

Tranquility - Day 5 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

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

This little seascape looked so tranquil that I had to name the painting "Tranquility."  More inspiration from Goat Rock Beach in Northern Sonoma County. 

Eye of the Storm - Day 4 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

"Eye of the Storm" - 6" x 6" acrylic on paper in 14" x 11" white mat - $65

I recently visited Goat Rock Beach in the northwestern part of Sonoma County, California with my artist friend Lynn Hatamiya .  We combed the beach for cool rocks and shells, and painted seascapes while keeping aggressive and hungry seagulls at bay.  The air was warm and misty, and the waves were gently rolling in the sand.  The sun was masked by the mist, which made the waves a soothing shade of pale blue-green as they bounced onto the shore. It was a magical day. 

Symphonic Waves - Day 3 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

"Symphonic Waves" - 4.75" x 4.75" acrylic on paper in 10" x 8" mat - $55

Beautiful turquoise colored waves rolling gently underneath a flaxen-gold sky - can't you just hear the symphonies in the waves with this painting? 

Window to the Sea - Day 2 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

"Window to the Sea" - 6" x 6" acrylic on paper in 14" x 11" mat - $65

This is what I saw when I looked out of my bedroom window at the lovely "Serenity" home in Sea Ranch.  The bluest skies with the bluest waves - it was Nirvana. 

Swept Away - Day 1 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge, September 2015

It's that time again and I've agreed to participate in yet another "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge!  This time the theme is going to be abstract seascapes.  I'm doing this theme for a few reasons:

1. Nearly every abstract seascape I made over the past few months sold so apparently people like my seascapes.
2. I love the ocean more than anyplace on earth.
3. My time is stretched this month (I am participating in the Sac Open Studio Tour on 9/19-9/20) and I don't want to miss this challenge, so am doing something that is "easier" to do.
4. I'm excited to start doing larger work again.
5. After completing my 100 Artwork Challenge last month using a limited palette, I'm looking forward to doing a few more "soothing" works of art though you might find some "wild" seascapes in the mix!

So here's "Swept Away" - Day #1's offering for the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.  It reminds me of the ocean from my recent trip to Sea Ranch.  There were days when the waves were deep blue but later in the day, they turned a beautiful shade of green.  It was hard to capture the color with my camera but I managed to do it with the paint!

"Swept Away" - 6" x 6" acrylic on paper in 14" x 11" mat - $65

Finishing What I Started

"End of the Day" - #100/100 - 6" x 6" acrylic on paper

At last, I've completed my 100 paintings for the "100 Artwork/Painting Challenge" and I'm ecstatic.  It took me 4.5 months to finish, but I'm done, done, done and am happy to say I've made friends with another  "frenemy" - neutral colors & a limited palette.  After this exercise, I'd even go so far as to say neutral colors/limited palette and I are now "besties!"

"Watch Me Grow" - #99/100 - 6" x 6" acrylic on paper

I have learned so much from this project - and am thrilled to report that apparently my followers and collectors love the new works too.  So far I've sold nearly 30% of these little gems and received two commissions.  Not bad for a challenge accepted on a lark!

"Simple Pleasures for 3" - #98/100 - 5" x 7" mixed media on paper

Takeaways from this project include: 

• There is no such thing as an "ugly" color - beige is indeed beautiful!
• Less is best in many cases
• The little blue flowers seem to be popular
•  "Vessels" are in
• I really enjoyed working in the primitive style.  Simple shapes and limited colors made it easy for me to concentrate on composition and values.  

"Day is Done" - 97/100 - 6" x 6" acrylic on paper

After I took design classes in college in the early 1990's, I vowed I would stay away from boring, neutral colors forever.  From my work over the past couple of decades, you can see I'm a stubborn artist who keeps my word.  But as I've matured (aka aged) I've been drawn to the neutral colors other artists use and wanted to try using these colors in my own work, but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't seem to do it.

The 100 Artwork/Painting challenge changed that for me and now I can't wait to do more neutral paintings on a larger scale.  I'm adoring the simple shapes and the minimalist style, and this challenge has even inspired me to organize and clear out my closets, drawers, and other cluttered spaces in my home and studio!

"Old Friends" - 96/100 - 5" x 5" mixed media on paper

So tonight I breathe a giant sigh of satisfaction and relief as I wrap up final photos and posts about this wonderful exercise.  I may even indulge in a nice glass of wine tonight to celebrate this huge personal accomplishment! 

But tomorrow I start preparing for another project - starting September 1st I will be participating in yet another "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge.  This time my theme will be small abstract works on paper using neutral colors.  I'm leaving the vessels behind and concentrating on dots, lines, texture and composition.  Feels good to get back to my roots and I'm looking forward to embracing my new found friends again, neutral colors and a limited palette!