Stone Cottage, Take Two

I got some feedback on this one from a gentleman I have taken some painting classes with and tweaked it some. I knew I did not like it. Ed helped me see why. A bit better.















Here is the original:

Painting lesson

I attempted to give my creative nephew Daniel an art lesson today, he wanted to paint a snowy tree. Man, that is one tough subject! He has to complete his, I think he lost interest with it since it was hard...he is 13 now... But here is mine. I don't hate it, even if I hate snow...

The closest thing we will ever get to a nanny...

Here is one I finished up today, after letting it set for a few days to dry, so that I could put in the grass she is eating.

Buddy's Tractor

I decided to do a painting of Buddy's tractor (Buddy is my father-in-law). It is by no means perfect, but a decent first attempt.

Spanish Moss

Here is my first attempt at Spanish Moss. A little more practice is definitely needed but I think it is a decent first attempt.

Still Waters

Here is another landscape from a photo I found online. I liked the colors a lot. The green flecks in the water are water lilies. I completed this one today. Now, what should I do next?

Stone Cottage

Here is another from a magazine. No idea where the picture was taken. I definitely need some work on buildings, that part is definitely weak, but it is good to challenge yourself! The picture of the painting has a glare on the top part, I apologize for the bad photography! I finished this one yesterday.

Five Hay Bales

Here is another from a photo of hay bales. I really like hay bales. Hm. I had fun with this one, doing the grass in the foreground and the clouds were fun to do as well. I have not done clouds in a few paintings, they do not scare as much anymore.

America the Beautiful

I had not painted in almost two months when I finally got back to it today. I did a landscape, using the principles I learned from my Direct Painting class (in November), to do a photograph I had fallen in love in on the internet when I did an image search for "hay bales." I love the shape of the bales, the way the light hits them, the deep shadows. They are very sculptural, as someone commented on a previous hay bale painting I had done. I may have to do some more!

I am pretty proud of this one, I like the fact I was able to get a variety of levels in there... foreground of the bales and grass, some hay fields there in the middle, a grouping of trees far off in the distance, even more distant foothills and them the snowy peaks.

Benjamin's birthday planning

We found some cool volcano "mud" (like silly putty) and that set the theme for Benjamin's upcoming third birthday party. Here are photos of the tee shirts, the first run of the cake, which will have steam coming out the top (dry ice) when we do it for the big day, and the invite.

My paintings for the not so new, new kitchen

The last things I worked on in late November/early December were for my kitchen, and I thought it was about time I posted a picture or two! I want to do another, of a red pepper on a green background, and maybe eventually a bowl of guacamole.