Still Quietly Working

It's been two weeks since the end of January's painting challenge. As much as I'd like to adhere to my goal of 3 to 4 paintings a week, family obligations have closed around me again. I've been buried in paperwork rather than paint and brushes. Still, I have 2 paintings nearly completed. This one is from a photo reference in the Grand Canyon. The first photo shows the block in. The second one is two painting sessions later. I thought it was finished but I didn't like the space between the tree and the right hand cliff face. After some more work today, I think it's finished. I'll photograph and post it tomorrow.

Over? Really?

I can't believe I did it! If someone had told me I could finish 23 paintings in a month, I'd have said you've got to be kidding! But  I did it and the feeling of accomplishment is really good. And this is no time to rest. I'm using the momentum to set myself a new challenge. 4 paintings a week in a larger size .The challenge will be to not get bogged down in each but continue working quickly, with an openness to discovery and keeping my self out of the process as much as possible. Can I do it? We'll see.

All of these paintings are available for purchase directly from my website . Thanks for looking!

From the Back Burner - Day 30 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Today's painting is the last one I'll be posting for Leslie Saeta's painting challenge. It's been an amazing and productive month. I met a lot of fellow artists and discovered that I can work faster and looser. I still prefer to work larger but this was such a valuable experience that I'm going to continue making small works along with the larger ones. My new goal is 4 paintings a week and I'll continue posting them, and talking about them.
I'd love to go outdoors to paint but it's been too cold here in New Jersey. The photo I chose to work from is from the Grand Canyon. I was like a crazy woman with the camera so there are many I could have chosen, but I really liked the abstract shapes the canyon rocks made in this photo and their blue and orange colors. I originally had it blocked as a completely abstract design. I could have left it that way but I wanted to see what I could make of it. Hope you like it!

Canyon Rocks - 9x12 - oil on linen panel
click here if interested