Day 19 - 30/30 Challenge - Pumpkin Truck

Pumpkin truck, pastel, approx 7" x 7"

Alas, I think Fall is here. Farewell summer. It was lovely. But, the crispness is in the evening air, the leaves are starting to just get golden and orange around the edges. It's amazing how, one day it's a perfect beach day, and the next you get an urge to pick pumpkins.

This lovely old truck full of pumpkins was on display at the farm we went to last year to pick pumpkins. There were hay rides and barn animals and roasted corn and candy apples. Just a lovely place! I'm looking forward to going back!

Though many of these paintings won't be for sale right away, I'd like to direct you to my Etsy page where I'm having a little sale. Please consider purchasing a painting because, a. Christmas is coming, and these little 6x6s really make nice gifts, and/or b. the mermaid needs to buy some picture frames for the big solo show and selling a couple of these little guys would be a BIG help!

I'd also like to suggest that you sign up on the right side of this page for emails (not every day), and the follow button to get notifications when this blog is updated (for this month nearly every day, most times, not so much).

Get more info on the 30/30 challenge go to Leslie Saeta's blog by clicking here.

Day 8 - 30/30 Challenge - BIG Duck!

Big Duck

Watercolor, 6" x 6", $35

SOLD!

In the grip of a polar vortex(!), I needed to look forward to spring, so I found some pictures of the Big Duck in Flanders, NY, taken last March.

What is the Big Duck? The Big Duck is a very sweet (now) landmark building envisioned by duck farmer Martin Maurer, and built by Broadway set designers, the Collins Brothers, and crafted by locals George Reeve, John Smith, and Merlin Yeager in 1931. (Long Island was home to hundreds of duck farms - "Long Island duckling" was a big thing!) It is made of cement (its eyes are Model T tail lights!) and Mr. Maurer sold ducks and duck eggs from its tummy. The Duck has moved a couple of times, is taken care of by Friends of the Big Duck, and is now a tourism center for the East End.

So, here's a confession - whenever I drive out to the south fork of Long Island, I shout out, "Hi Duck!" as I pass him. Have I mentioned that I'm six years old? (Oh, and for the record? He has an air conditioner in his butt. Jus' sayin'.)

Day 24 - 30/30 Challenge - Little Red Hen

Little Red Hen

watercolor, 6" x 6", $35

(Available in my Etsy shop)

This little gal is [safely and perhaps wisely] hanging in the chicken coop area while the crazy ladies from Long Island feed and squeal over the lambs. Yes, we squealed over, and fed, and held, lots of adorable lambs at a farm near Schoharie, New York.
Pretty sure that chickens aren't impressed with being squealed at or hugged. Fed maybe, but not milk from giant baby bottles. Sorry chickens - you don't know what you're missing.
:-)

On an artistic note, I really like the textures I achieved on the wall. I used a combination of wet-into-wet, dry brush, spaying with water to soften edges, blotting and even scrubbing with a slightly damp paper towel. It really evokes the worn wood and chipped and peeling paint.

Day 23 - 30/30 Challenge - Tom Turkey

Tom Turkey

watercolor, 6" x 6", $35

(Available in my Etsy shop)

Perhaps I've never reeeaaaly looked at a turkey. Not right up close. But they really are quite pretty - well, their colors are spectacular! Yes, they do actually LOOK like aliens - angry aliens - but bright cadmium red and cerulean blue and lavender and everything in-between aliens.
This big guy was at a little farm we went to in October to pick pumpkins (see earlier post). The hen turkey really liked my turquoise ring. This guy - not so much. Look at that eye!

Day 21 - 30/30 Challenge - Big Red Barn

Big Red Barn

watercolor, 6" x 6", $35

(Available in my Etsy shop.)

This big red barn is somewhere near Schoharie in upstate New York. Last March we visited a farm and fed the lambs, llamas, and Scottish beefer cattle (I should paint one of those guys!), this barn was just down the road. We had A LOT of fun that weekend - shopping, making snow angels, lunch at the Apple Barrel, wine at the Grapevine Farms. Looking forward to going back!

Day 4 - 30/30 Challenge - Pair of Pumpkins

Pair of Pumpkins

Pastel, 6" x 6", $35

Available in my Etsy shop

Last night's blizzard and today's digging out left me with a little time to try to get ahead for this challenge.
I picked these two pumpkins back in October with my niece, sister & mom on a beautiful sun-shiney warm day. We went on a hay ride and ate fresh roasted corn on the cob. There were some farm animals, goats and cows, a pony, turkeys and piggies. One turkey liked pecking my blue ring and the piggies liked to have their bristly backs scratched.
I'm amazed that in January, these two pumpkins are still looking good! I'll have to cut them up, cook and freeze them soon. They'll make fabulous pies and muffins. Mmmmm.