Day 1 - 30/30 Challenge - Summer Day, Oyster Bay

Summer Day, Oyster Bay

Watercolor, 6"x6" $35

SOLD!

I'm a little late posting, but here's Day1 of the Leslie Saeta 30/30 Challenge. More than 1000 artists are participating this time. 

The clouds were so pretty that day - there was even a bit of pink in the sky. Warm/cool, warm/cool.

I did a similar pastel of this plein air back in July.

Here's the plein air:

More tomorrow - or should I say later today!

Round 4 of the 30/30 Challenge - Day 1

Sailboats and Clouds, pastel, 9x12

Here we go again! The fourth go-round of the always interesting 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. This little challenge was dreamed up by artist Leslie Saeta about two years ago. The rules are very loose – although the obvious stated goal is 30 paintings in 30 days – there are caveats. You can paint more than one a day, you can skip a day, etc. The ultimate goal is to paint everyday. There are about 700 artists participating over the next 30 days...That's potentially 21,000 pieces of art work! (Go to the link above to see where the participating artists are located.)

I will first confess, that it is highly unlikely that I'll get 30 paintings done this time. I have a number of paintings I need to do for a variety of reasons - not the least of which is a solo show – my first EVER – coming up in November! I know from past experience that working bigger than 6" x 6" will simply not produce a painting a day (I do have to pay my rent!). I will, however, try to paint something everyday – I need to paint something everyday. And I will post the progress.

I also will probably not be putting these up on Etsy immediately. Some may end up in the solo show – I need to fill those walls! (If you are absolutely in love with something, contact me and we can talk...)

Above is the completed pastel painting I started plein air last weekend. I finished it yesterday.  I just love the clouds and the sky. I don't know if it will be part of the November show, time will tell!

Oh and by-the-way I'm having a sale in my Etsy shop. Anything $35 and more is 15% off. (The mermaid has to buy some picture frames for that solo show, you know.) Use the coupon code below...

Day 3 - 30/30 Challenge - Abandoned

Abandoned

$35, watercolor, 6" x 6"

Available in my Etsy shop

I came across this boat on an afternoon walk after a snowfall at a nearby marina. I am always drawn to derelict and forgotten structures, old buildings, old cars and old boats. This boat has likely been in this spot, abandoned and forgotten, since Hurricane Sandy.

This the third painting the January 2014, 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. It is watercolor on 140lb cold press Arches watercolor paper. I used a limited pallet of only four colors, quinacridome gold, alizarin crimson, burnt siena and prussian blue.

Day 30 - 30/30 Challenge - Painting 25 - Teddy Roosevelt Park

Summer's Over

10.25" x 8.5", watercolor, $85

Soon to be in my Etsy shop. If you are interested, please contact me below.

Puffy clouds, blue. blue skies, warm sunny day in late September. some of my favorite things.  I confess, I did see another local artist paint this scene at Teddy Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay, a week or so ago...I just loved it, so I went and painted my own rendition. (Thanks Noel Darvie!)

When I wasn't painting, I watched people put their boats in the water for one final fling around the bay, or read a book. (Chocolat, by Joanne Harris - Yes, the same story that was made into a movie with Johnny Depp & Juliette Binoche. She's an excellent writer.) 

I afraid this may be the last of summer for real this time.

Day 14 - 30/30 Challenge - Bike Ride & Painting

Clearing Skies Over Oyster Bay

6" x 6" watercolor, $45
WOO HOO - SOLD!

I went out for a bike ride and I brought my little to-go painting kit in my pack. The sky seemed so clear and the weather was perfect. However, as I looked back to the west - WOW! Some crazy clouds were coming my way. I stopped to take some pictures, got a phone call from a friend who said that it was pouring in Glen Cove. 

Then it rained, but not hard. I braved it out for a 

while. There was even a rainbow!

I love the colors of the marsh and water! There's so much going on there!