Quick Painting: Small Work Evolution!

Putting IDEAS into ACTION

A quick one hour study, 5x7

I constantly Google art and research art blogs; always looking for inspiration. I recently read an article endorsing quick paintings, which must be small and must be completed in a short amount of time. I thought this a good idea, a good way to improve my painting skills!

The next art group studio session, I mentioned this Quick Painting idea to my art colleague and said, " Hey, maybe we should do  this each week and hold each other accountable." And, to my shock and delight, it evolved from there!

Purpose of this group: Improve Painting Skills Through Quick Studies

Goal: Create two art quick studies each week

• One hour or less for each study

• Small works encouraged (3x3, 4x6, 5x7 etc)--whatever you can get done in an hour

Why Participate: improve your painting skills, make faster decisions, paint more quickly, paint more, use more intuition, less overthinking, less overworkingWhat: What you paint is up to you- Still Life, Portrait, Landscape, Abstract -- the point is to paint and paint quickly, using a 60 Minute timer! 

 Sounds easy, right? The main flaw was how to share the works with each other--my works were "wet paint" and not easy to transport.

One great thing about going to studio art sessions is the discussions that are generated. We basically brainstormed virtual ways we could share the art with each other. We have blogs, Facebook, Instagram and all that, but how to create a private place for these artists to post weekly Quick Paintings? Eventually we settled on creating a Private Facebook Group where we can create Picture "Albums" for our weekly artwork.

And, as we were discussing further this idea, several others in the art group stated they would like to join us in the Quick Paint Weekly Challenges! I was surprised and thrilled!

As of now, the Quick Painting group is 5 people, but one other artist has expressed interest and will join us in this endeavor. Wohoo!

Support Small Business Saturday - Original Art Sale!

Christmas is coming, buy some Original Art!

Since I now run a small business, I must support small business -  I plan on going out to some small retail businesses this afternoon!

I am offering two works for discounted sale for Small Business Saturday, two of my favorites! They can be purchased through my website (which is supported via Paypal). Each work is offered for the discount price of $100 (unframed) plus shipping and handling.

My website link:
http://greenhandleart.com/collections/91416

Peter Rabbit's Garden 

Peter Rabbit's Garden, 8x10, original Oil

Heritage Nature Center

Heritage Nature Center, 8x10, original Oil

Thank you and Happy Holidays,

The Office

It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This...

MY OFFICE

I have had that job, the one where you sit in the dreary cube in the beige building breathing in the stale air, so frustrating especially when it is nice outside...

My husband  was travelling and sent me a picture of his office --a computer, cords and an ugly beige room. The office was a windowless mini box of beige on beige, it was sad and depressing. Of course he sent his #Jealous in response to "My Office" pic and text. I am thankful everyday that I get to make art, especially thankful for the sunshine on this November day.

Lately I have been closely watching the weather, looking for sunshine! I knew the temps were going to be abnormally high, but I had to wait until the last minute to ensure there was no rain in the forecast. Since I emailed late, I did not have any art friends who could meet me. I decided to go anyway, I had to be outside on this sunny day!

The day ended up being breezy (windier than I thought it would be). And, while the sun was shining, I was in the shade --I had to get up a few times to get sun on my feet which were cold. Otherwise this spot was perfect! I was tired and had to sit, so I set the Guerilla Box on the Picnic table with my painting supplies (my desk), it worked out very well!

I loved the colors - the red and yellow leafy trees against the blue water. I also loved the shapes - there were many horizontal diagonals! The foreground was the reeds followed by the water followed by the trees/shoreline and finally sky. I loved the diagonal patterns that these nature items made on my canvas. And, I like where this colorful fall painting is going. Unfortunately, I did not finish the painting, after a few hours I had to get back home. Yes, I intend to finish this painting. I need to work on my red tree and the foreground reeds. Sometimes you just cannot finish same day and that is ok, it was still a wonderful experience to get out of the house and to "get to work" --working in the most beautiful office!

Enjoy the sunshine and get to work,

Plein Air Persistence

I love painting on sunny fall days, and since the forecast was for the "last sunny" warm day of the year, I had to get outside! Darn you weather persons, it was warm but it was not sunny and the "breeze" was a wild 30 MPH wind! 

Color of The Wind, 9x12

5 of us bravely showed up at the park ---Wind Paint Challenge Accepted

The wind blew and blew and gusted against us as we set up on the peninsula, exposed to the wind! There is no greater test of your plein air equipment than the wind. One brave plein air artist braced the wind while holding her canvas with her left hand and painting with her right -her hat brim flipping furiously back. Does anyone need us to test plein air equipment? My borrowed 9x12 Guerrilla easel held up, no wobble. My friend's SolTek held up, but she did hold her canvas panel. Challenging and yet, how fun and wonderful was it to be in the park painting the fall colors?

I was very pleased with my Color of The Wind painting, and did not work on it much once I had it home. I loved the orange and yellow island trees against the grey skies. I also loved the shape of the dark island branch on the left as it reached out over the water. The water was much lighter than the usual blue since there was no bright blue sky. Also, I really wanted to include the bright green lily pads in the foreground- their color and patterning was fascinating. It was a good day to paint! I believe that each painter went home with a successful plein air painting and I am very proud of all who showed up despite the wind and grey skies!

It is official, due to our persistence, we ARE plein air painters!

A Little Moment

Finding the Unexpected

There is a lovely working farm near my house. I went there to find a glimpse of fall color, but it seems I was a bit too early. I did not find much color at all, the only color was in the children's garden and there I discovered this little Peter Rabbit Garden. A bunny statue surrounded by colorful bright flowers seemed so vibrant and sweet.

Peter Rabbit's Garden, 8x10

The Secret Garden and Peter Rabbit stories were in my head the entire time I painted in the sunshine. It was breezy and cool and I was fine until the shade crept in then it was a little cold, brr!

The difficulty with this one was there was no horizon, no sky. I had to place the bunny sculpture on the canvas and figure out the composition to get a sense of flowers surrounding him. I really loved the way the flowers and garden enclosed the bunny. The reds were bright, the greens were lush, the purples were few but delightful. My favorites were the large white cabbage-like plants that Peter Cottontail would have gone after in the garden!


I am happy with this sweet little painting and truly enjoyed painting this little gem, I am also pleased that the many brushstrokes help create the sense of flowers circling the rabbit.

Just Say Yes!

Get Thee Outside

I have not felt this busy, this overscheduled in a long time! All of our weekends are full - each and every weekend we have something which we must attend. And, the deadlines have all stacked up as well, everything is due (seemingly) tomorrow! I seriously cannot remember the last time that I had so much going on.

Spicer House, painting light and shadows

Last Sunday, I should have stayed home to clean the house - it needs it and we had a home inspection on Monday, for which it needed to be sparkle. House cleaning should be a priority right? Well, spiritually and artistically I decided to take a few hours for myself! Yep, some "Me Time"; I said Yes to myself.

So, when an art friend wanted to meet to plein air paint on Sunday, despite all of my busy goings ons, I said yes. I went to the park and spent 4 hours in Plein Air Bliss, it was worth it! I was refreshed!

Yes, after painting, I did go home and clean - the bathroom, the kitchen, the living room-- to satisfaction. No, I did not get to cleaning the "scary room"--the storage room that has gotten out of hand (yes it needs a cleaning BAD). Someday I will get to it, I don't like it, but I can live with the scary room a little longer!

My advice, say "Yes" to you every once in awhile.

SHOW PREP - 2 Weeks Until The SHOW

Deadlines & a huge list of things to do - Oh My!

It is an honor to be asked to be a Solo Artist for a venue - if you get the opportunity you should go for it! Next month I will have a Solo Show in a delicious little bistro. I was thrilled to be asked; however, getting a show together means much behind the scenes work! I had quite a bit of work to do to be show ready!

My To Do List:
Visit Venue
Create a Website
Order New Business Cards (with new website URL)
Business Card Holder
PR- Emails to Art Friends and Art Associations & Social Media

A Big Box O'Frames! Too Exciting!

Art for Venue (What works should be in show?)
Inventory  List
Price and Title Cards
Frames for all artworks/ framed art!



Having found the venue to be a little dark (not many windows or natural light), I decided to show lighter works in brighter frames. While I paint many portraits, I felt this venue might be nice for landscapes. This meant that I had to challenge myself to create more landscapes. I will have a few portraits in the show, but it will mostly be rich colorful landscapes.

As of now, I have finished much of my to do list - website, biz cards, artwork, and card holder. Whew! I have also ordered all of my frames.

Now  I need to focus on framing my art and create my inventory list and title cards! Oh wait that seems like a lot! Off to frame I go...