Tantivy

I have made three efforts at this painting.  The first was horrible, the second a little better. Both of those are 4"x4", so I decided to try 6"x6", to a little better effect.  I think that I had better paint more apples and simple things before I try all these complicated set-ups. Be on the lookout for fruit and very simple landscapes - lots of them. They say that after 500 paintings you see real improvement. Here's hoping! All is well and  all will be well,  XOXOXO Caroline

I haven't seen too many sunrises. I am just a night person.This sunrise in Seattle when we were on the way to board the ferry to Victoria was just stupendous! Now I think that I must get back to still life as well as look for some interesting things to photograph then paint. Don't count on any more sunrises! All is well, and all will be well, xoxoxo Caroline

It turns out that a day with two appointments (doctor and haircut) and a "social engagement" (dessert at a sibling's house) and a new library book is not a good day for painting or posting. So somedays the daily painting is not quite daily but we really aren't keeping score, are we? About this painting: My granddaughter actually has a face; the sand wasn't that blue, the river wasn't that dark, she has on a bathing suit under the shirt. This is the first time I have painted a person like this. We were at the beach at her other grandmother's house at the mouth of the Savannah River just as it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. I had my usual trouble getting colors mixed after leaning so long on ready made colors. Still, I like this and I will do some more. I am having a steeper learning curve than I thought it would be - changing my stroke,  mixing all the colors, taking my subjects from life or photos instead of inside my head. It is a real challenge...

I decided that I had best name this flower or you might not know what it is. Why did I paint such a common but complicated flower? I had one. This color mixing business can be a little difficult and a little fiddle-y but I forge on,  determined that it can be done and by me. Don't laugh! All will be well,  XOXOXO,  Caroline

We are building a new garage which is next to our neighbor's carport.  The green construction material that goes under the brick was reflected in my neighbor's dark blue car. The low sun was lighting the concrete curb of the carport. The brake light glowed red in the sunlight. I sketched lightly I painted. Okay, so it is not much of a car and it needs a post to hold up the roof behind the driver. I can add that. It was my first try at something like this and I had fun with the challenge. Maybe next time I will get it right. Meanwhile, I am three paintings down of the 300 I need to do before I get good! All will be well XOXOXO, Caroline

Someone (anonymous) asked about the painting at the top of the blog.   Here is its story. I had been going around with the words and tune to the song "If ",as recorded by Bread, running through my head. If you don't remember the words, the last part is If the world should stop revolving, spinning slowly down to die, I'd spend the time with you and when (...) is through then one by one the stars would all go out and you and I would simply fly away. The painting clearly does not illustrate the song, but it did influence the way I was feeling and thinking as I began painting it.  I can't quite decide what to name it but when I do I will submit it to a gallery to see if they want to display and (it can be hoped) sell it. When I took it to be framed I wanted something metallic but soft.  They had this frame with an orange liner already painted in! Serendipitous! All is well and all will be well, XOXOXO, Caroline

Some apples that Alex brought from a tree at his mother's house in NC and a guava(?) from the grocery store.  Once I sketched these in I had to go sit down - it had been so new to me and took so much concentration that I was shaky! I have a long way to go but I am going. For this 4"x4" I mixed the colors from a basic palette of two yellows, one warm and one cooler, two reds (same),  two blues(again warmer and cooler) and white. I have previously used more colors and have a drawer full but learning to mix what I need is part of the challenge. I see all the errors on this, I think, but if you want to critique, have at it. I won't get mad and will most likely learn something! All is well and all will most certainly be well! XOXOXO. Caroline

If anyone actually reads this, I thank you for your attention! I have been painting for a while now and have learned a lot from my teacher, Sandra Paynter Washburn. Sandy is a very good artist and teacher who is generous with her talent, time and appreciation. You couldn't ask for anyone who to be more willing to give you help and encouragement  or to set a better example of professionalism. That said, I have decided to take a different tack for at least a while. There is another style of painting that I want to try and I am working on learning from internet and print sources until I can find a short class to take. Sandy probably knows how to paint this style but it is not hers and I will not ask her to take time away from what she does so well and from the others in the class to help me.  I will be making many small paintings as I learn this style and try to find my way and I intend to post them here every day or so. The posts will be very short - the painting and a ...