Thursday, January 31, 2013

carrot tops

This is my last painting of the 30 day challenge. I think I may have only missed posting three of the 30 days. I'm proud of that. It was a great experience. It got me into the wonderful habit of making some time to paint every day. It gave me the freedom to try different things. Painting on a white background. Starting with a black background. Doing a base of bright colors and allowing the opportunity for happy mistakes. I tried painting with square brushes and allowing my brushstrokes to show (like this one), I tried painting tight and detailed, I tried painting with a palette knife...and I think I learned how to better know when I am finished with a painting instead of second guessing myself. I also really enjoyed seeing what all the other great artists did for the 30 day challenge. Thanks for all the inspiration! Anyway, I am sad to say this is my last one for the challenge. This 10x10 painting was super fun. Love the bright colors, the brushstrokes, the looseness of it. Hope you like it!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

old buttons

I have a great old mason jar from my grandmother full of old buttons. My daughter and I had a fun time photographing them on my dining room table...the photos turned out so well that I had to try a painting of them. What fun painting old buttons! Somedays I wish for simpler times when moms had enough time to save old buttons and reuse them...

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

feeling blue

My painting for this gloomy winter Tuesday. 10" x 10". Hope it brightens your day!

Monday, January 28, 2013

breezy

These are fun flowers that I found at market on Saturday. I have no idea what they are called. They have a breezy, happy feel. Let me know what you think!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

reaching for the sky

A row of trees reaching for the sky. This is a little bit abstract for me. I have to be honest. I was originally palette knife painting a line up of rowing oars from my sons crew team. It just wasn't working. Without even thinking, I just wiped everything off my board and started this one. Funny how that happens with hardly a thought! I do like the way this one turned out. Let me know what you think!

Saturday, January 26, 2013

blue finch

This cute little blue finch was a pleasure to paint. It came easy, it was fluid, and I was able to keep it loose with the palette knife. All the paintings have been fun so far, and I certainly am all over the place with subject and style, but maybe that's exactly what keeps it so fun. You can go see all the other 30 in 30 challenge paintings at http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/. Have a great day! SOLD

Friday, January 25, 2013

red mg

One day this past summer a friend was visiting with his cute red mg. I had to shoot some photos because of the beautiful reflections. It was a fun subject to paint with the reflections on the hood and in the lights and chrome. A fun challenge!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

sunflower

My painting for today for my 30 day challenge. This was a challenging one for me. Happy to say it turned out okay. It's a happy little painting...

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

rooster

I had lots of fun with this rooster painting inspired by all the wonderful rooster palette knife paintings by Leslie Saeta (http://www.lesliesaeta.blogspot.com). Thanks for the inspiration, Leslie! SOLD

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

bungalow on linden street

This is an adorable bungalow on my street. My painting style was inspired by the blog post by Karin Jurick. If you haven't seen it yet you can check it out at (http://karinjurickpaints.blogspot.com/2013/01/painting-toledo.html). I think this is my 19th painting in the 30 day challenge with Leslie Saeta (I think I am two or three behind...it has certainly been challenging for me!). Let me know what you think!

Monday, January 21, 2013

sheepish?

Okay, so this one is a little bit crazy and wild for me. But art is not supposed to be safe and sane, right? It should be a little crazy sometimes (often? always?). I guess that's how you learn. It certainly was fun! Let me know what you think...

Friday, January 18, 2013

tiny bird


So, I am doing the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge with Leslie Saeta. It is quite a tall order for me, but I am giving it a shot. If nothing else, so far I have learned that I need to have a "Blogger" blog to communicate with all the other wonderful artist doing this. I do have a website and blog at kimmyerssmith.com, created in wordpress, but I don't seem to have seamless communication with everyone with comments, etc. So here I am on Blogger, too. This painting of tiny bird was fun. Actually they have all been fun (I think this may be about number 15 or 16). I hope I am growing my skills as an artist. On this one I tried using a palette knife like the very talented artist who is hosting the 30 day challenge. I really love her style. You can check it out at http://www.lesliesaeta.blogspot.com.
Let me know what you think of my bird. It certainly forces me to paint more loosely...SOLD