Daily Painting by Kathy Willis

Blog Postings Moved to Website Blog

2010-11-29T13:43:00.002-07:00

My blog postings are now all being done through my website at Kathryn Willis Art-Blog . I hope you will continue to visit and follow me on my website and blog. You can also follow me on my Facebook Page. Thank you.

"Pack River Studies"

2010-08-29T20:16:00.002-07:00

6"x8" oil on panel

$100

Available

I was so enthralled with this scene along the banks of the Pack River in Northern Idaho. I decided to do two studies of it--one with a brush and the other using a palette knife. I wanted to have a nearly identical painting using each method so I would be able to compare to two methods to have a better understanding of where I want to be going.

"Old Hope Church"

2010-08-16T06:21:00.003-07:00

6"x8" oil on panel

available

$100

The Old Hope Church is just down the road from my Idaho painting studio. The church has recently been renovated by a local couple and is being rented for weddings, and other events. They did a beautiful job, as well as mantaining the integrity of the original building. There's a beautfiul garden as well. I painted three versions of it.

Hope Cabin #3

2010-08-13T06:22:00.005-07:00

6"x8"

Oil on panel

Available at "Outskirts Gallery"

My painting studio in Hope, ID was next door to this luscious sherbert orange cabin.

The bulbous azaleas were magnificent against the lime green of the adjacent cabin.

Idaho Painting

2010-07-28T16:15:00.003-07:00

" Cabin #1 Study"

8"x6" oil on panel

sold

I've been absent from my blog for months, but I'm back now. We're up in Idaho for the summer, I have an art studio to paint in and I'm painting like crazy. Now, I'll start slowing a bit and start showing some of what I'm producing. This cabin is on the site where my studio is located.

March Exhibits

2010-03-01T06:59:00.004-07:00

"Fall on McMillan Mesa"

16"x40" oil on canvas

Flagstaff's First Friday March Artwalk is March 5 from 6-9PM. Wil McNabb's Fine Jewelry Studio, located at 18 N. Leroux St., will feature a solo exhibition of my work. The exhibit will be on display through March 31.

I am also honored to have two paintings chosen for the 30th annual Sedona Arts Center Juried Member's Exhibit. The reception is the evening of March 5 and the exhibit will run through March 28.

"Aspen House in Winter #2"

2010-01-30T06:52:00.002-07:00

8"x10"oil on panel

"My Hometown" series

available

This is the last of the four paintings of this house--at least for now. It's such a darling house, it begs to be painted over and over again.

"Aspen House in Winter #1"

2010-01-29T15:10:00.003-07:00

6"x8" oil on panel

sold

Here's the Aspen house in the snow. This is pretty much what it looks like now--except I painted this before we got our 54" snow last week. This painting was done with a palette knife.

"Aspen House in Summer" #2

2010-01-28T08:15:00.004-07:00

8"x10" oil on panel

"My Hometown" series

available

This painting of the Aspen House opens the view to the house a little, by eliminating one of the foreground trees.

"Aspen House in Summer" #1

2010-01-27T10:45:00.004-07:00

6"x8" oil on panel

"My Hometown" Series
sold

I did a series of paintings of this little house on Aspen Ave. in Flagstaff as a commission for a friend of mine. He lived in this house years ago and had many fond memories while there.
The summer ones I did from photos I happened to have in my files. I'll post the other three in next few days. I'd be interested to hear which ones you like best.

"Snow on the Pond"

2009-11-25T08:34:00.005-07:00

6"x8" oil on panel
"My Hometown" series
We don't have snow like this in Flagstaff now. This painting is from a photo I took last winter. This pond was called "City Pond" when I was growing up. Now known as the Francis Short pond it is a short walk from my house, and one of my favorite places to paint. I also just completed a larger version that you can see on my website.

"Turret Window"

2009-11-09T18:14:00.005-07:00

"My Hometown" Series
8"x6" oil on panel

Another painting in my hometown series. This old house is on the corner of Butler and Lonetree Rd. at the site of the old sawmill in Flagstaff,AZ. The sawmill is long gone and unless you're an old-timer like me, probably most people have no memory of it. Fortunately this house remains as a reminder of Flagstaff's logging history.

"Little Colorado Gorge"

2009-11-05T03:04:00.003-07:00

"Little Colorado Gorge"
12"x9" oil on panel
Available

Last weekend, my friend Jan and I drove north to the Little Colorado Gorge to paint for the afternoon. It was a beautiful warm afternoon for painting, but we lost the sun disappear early behind the mountain to the south and it got cold really fast. I just started a larger painting from this smaller one.

"Morning on Aspen Ave."

2009-11-04T20:01:00.004-07:00

8"x6" oil on panel
"My Hometown" Series
$50

I have just started on a new series of small scenes of my hometown, Flagstaff, Arizona. On December 5, I will be a guest artist at one of the featured homes on the Friend's of Flagstaff's Future" Christmas Sustainable Home Tour. I thought this might be a fitting small item to purchase for Christmas gifts. I'm hoping to have about 15 completed by the event.

"Shadows on the Catalinas"

2009-10-10T12:21:00.006-07:00

8"x10" oil on panel

Earlier this week, I did this painting at Sabino Canyon. The shadows on the Catalinas are so distinct and the light so intense, I'm immediately entranced with the light/dark color patterns. But the light changes so fast, I race to get the mountain shadows down then to the foreground.

Day 2- Taos Painting

2009-09-24T01:10:00.003-07:00

"Don Fernando Morada"
8"x10" oil on panel
Available

I'm a little slow in getting my Taos paintings posted. Our annual Open Studios show was this past weekend, so it's been kind of crazy doing that. But now things are getting back to normal, so I hope to be posting more regularly

Painting in Taos-Day 1

2009-09-10T07:05:00.004-07:00

"Evening at the Morada"
8"x10" oil on panel
Available $250

Last week I drove to Taos for a 2 day painting lesson with Taos artist Michelle Chrisman. Michelle is a contemporary colorist and paints expressive northern New Mexico landscapes with wonderful energy using a palette knife. I am wanting to be more expressive and energentic in my own painting so I learned much from her. Michelle has some wonderful workshops scheduled throughout the year--I hope to catch her at Ghost Ranch next year.

"Orpheum Theater"

2009-08-19T18:43:00.002-07:00

8"x6" oil on panel

I've really been slacking on posting to my blog--I apologize to whomever is watching. On Sunday morning I went out early for a quiet walk about town before everyone started stirring. I took a bunch of photos for a possible series on Flagstaff's urban scenes. This is the historic Orpheum theater. When I was a girl, it was the only movie theater in town. Now it is a great venue for music groups. We're very lucky is still here and has not been torn down to make way for something new.
This is the first test case. I'm not really happy with the colors, maybe I will work on it again tomorrow.

"Saquaro Sunset"

2009-08-09T12:56:00.003-07:00

12"x9" oil on panel
Available

I've been working on this painting all week--among other things too. Although I'm neglecting my blog, I am painting daily. I actually seem to have three or four paintings going at once. All my work this week has been in the studio. Mainly I'm just trying to finish up old stuff I've started and never finished. As I'm learning more about color, paintings I once tagged as rejects are getting a new life. It's fun reviving work I didn't like. However, I've been hungry to get out of the studio, and do some fresh work outdoors. So this afternoon I'm off to the mountain top.

Back to Work

2009-08-04T05:23:00.006-07:00

"Sun on Canyon Steps"
16"x 12" oil on panel
Available

Did you all wonder where I'd gone? After I got back from Idaho, it took awhile for me to get caught up on everything, then,we had guests for a few days. For the last two weeks I've been busy working on larger paintings, getting ready for a gallery presentation. For my next few posts, I'll give you a look at these new works being featured on my website, then I'll be back to doing some daily paintings.

Postcards from Idaho #9

2009-07-14T09:36:00.002-07:00

"Trees on Lake Pend O'reille"
8"x10" oil on panel
Available

Another painting from Jan's beach on Lake Pend O'reille. What a great place to paint, very peaceful, plenty of shade to stand in and spectacular views all around. Wish I could paint here more, but we're starting to pack up now. I have a couple of paintings that will have to be finished at home. But for now, it's almost adios to Idaho and all our good friends.

Postcards from Idaho #8

2009-07-13T13:47:00.006-07:00

"Jan's Beach"

6"x8" oil on panel

This painting was done on Lake Pend O'reille on property owned by our friend Jan. The Lake is so large is hard to do a painting that can express it's size and beauty, so I decided to focus on a little piece of it. The light yellow streak through the middle is actually the grassy sides of the train trestle crossing on the lake.

Postcards from Idaho #7

2009-07-10T10:42:00.003-07:00

"Farm Across the Field #2"
12"x16" oil on panel
Available

Here's another painting of Alvin's Farm in a larger format. The hay fields here are so beautiful with the undulating patterns of line and color. I love the paintings of Gary Ernest Smith from Oregon, and these fields inspire the kind of composition he uses.

Postcards from Idaho #6

2009-07-08T09:57:00.004-07:00

"Alvin's Barn"
10"x8" oil on panel

I know...another barn..another red barn, the kind of barn picture that any elementary school child would paint from his concept of "barn". But, this is a special barn. It's Alvin's barn across the road from our cabin property. Alvin died two years ago, he was about 95 years old. Alvin was a legendary farmer in this part of the world and a good friend and mentor to my partner Steve. This farm will be sold soon and with new owner's will come changes. All of my farm paintings from Idaho are of Alvin's farm-a visual memory of Alvin and his place in the world

Postcards from Idaho #5

2009-07-07T18:20:00.002-07:00

"High Mountain Trail"
8"x6" oil on panel

The mountains around Lake Pend O'reille just go on and on as far and the eye can see. At the high elevations beautiful meadows, tall trees, and and huckleberry bushes thrive. It's berry picking time now, so we'll soon be headed out with our buckets in search of this local treasure.

Postcards from Idaho #4

2009-07-06T16:28:00.003-07:00

"Apple Tree in the Lane"
8"x6" oil on panel
$100
Available

This apple tree is from a volunteer seed, planting itself amidst a forest of tall cedars, pines and fir. For years it really struggled to reach the sunlight, but managed to stretch itself up sufficiently to get what it needed, and was still able to produce a load of apples for the deer in our woods. Now we have cleared out some of the trees around it and it has more light, and has been pruned into a more shapely tree, but I don't know that it thrives the better for it. Still it makes a beautiful site reaching it's arms high in the light.

Postcards from Idaho #3

2009-07-04T18:02:00.003-07:00

"Abandoned Camper Shell"
6"x8" oil on panel
$100
Available

Steve left this camper shell on the property almost 30 years ago when he moved to the Virgin Islands. The vines and other greenery took it over, and moss is growing all over it. We've never been able to figure out how to get it out of here. It usually seems like an eyesore, but this morning the lift shining on it and in the grass we mowed down a few days ago, it looked like an ancient structure worthy of painting. So here you go. Happy Fourth of July.

Postcards from Idaho #2

2009-07-01T15:25:00.004-07:00

"Light in the Clearing"
8"x6" oil on panel

The color on this photo is terrible, I apologize, there's actually a lot of yellow-green that is not coming through. Anyway, this painting was done from the cabin back door. Until two years ago, this was the "scary woods". We did a lot of clearing in this area, and now, seeing this light on the other side of the woods is a real joy.

Postcards from Idaho #1

2009-06-29T19:29:00.005-07:00

"Farm across the Field"

6"x8" oil on panel

This is my first posting from Idaho. We took a couple of days to set up, and now I'm back to painting. My internet reception is a little iffy so I hope that I can keep up with my blog. There is so much to inspire me here, so it won't be hard to keep up the painting.

"Oak Creek Abstract"

2009-06-25T00:15:00.003-07:00

"Oak Creek Abstract"
6"x8" oil on canvas
$50 Available

One last painting from home, and then we're off to our Idaho cabin. This paintng was done at Slide Rock in Oak Creek Canyon.
Look for "Postcards from Idaho" during the coming weeks. I'll take a break from posting on eBay until we return. But please contact me if anything is of interest to you.

"Morning at Buffalo Park #2"

2009-06-22T17:17:00.005-07:00

"Morning at Buffalo Park #2"
6"x8" oil on panel

My second painting from painting at Buffalo Park a few days ago.

"Morning at Buffalo Park"

2009-06-19T17:10:00.005-07:00

"Morning at Buffalo Park"
6x8in oil on panel

A couple of my painting friends and I painted at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff this week. It was a gray day, and no wind, so very comfortable for painting. My daily painting for the next few weeks will be focused on creating quick, expressive landscape studies.

"My Neighbor's Backyard"

2009-06-18T20:49:00.004-07:00

"My Neighbor's Backyard"
6"x8" oil on panel

Earlier this week I did this painting from my bedroom window. The shaft of light catching the top of the poppies caught my eye and I rushed to set up my easel. I was able to finish the painting pretty quick before the light shifted. I'm afraid my photo makes the shed look too chalky. Is it still plein air if the painting is done inside, but the subject is outside?

"Garlic on Periwinkle"

2009-06-15T14:12:00.002-07:00

"Garlic on Periwinkle"
10x8inch oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #20

click to bid

100% of sales proceeds of Fruit & Vegetable Series donated to Feed My People Children's Charity, operator of Northern Arizona Foodbank.

My last painting in the Fruit and Vegetable Series! These little paintings have been the consistent, repetitive practice that have helped me to establish myself as a daily painter after two months of painting almost every day. The habit is in place, and tomorrow I'll be ready to move on to landscape painting. If our wind would just stop, I'm ready to move my painting outdoors for the next few months.

"Crimini Mushroom"

2009-06-14T14:25:00.002-07:00

"Crimini Mushroom"
10"x8" oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #19

click here to bid

100% of sales proceeds from Fruit & Vegetable Series donated to Feed My People Children's Charity, operator of the Northern Arizona Foodbank

Only one more fruit & vegetable painting to go! I have the remaining paintings all lined up on a shelf in my house. These paintings really look best grouped with others in the series--as you can see in this photo. I think they would also look cool arranged four in a rectangle.

"Zucchini Onstage"

2009-06-13T21:38:00.005-07:00

"Zucchini Onstage"
10"x8" oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #18

click here to bid

100% of sales proceeds for Fruit & Vegetable Series donated to Feed My People Children's Charity, operator of Northern Arizona Foodbank

Only two more to go and I'll have twenty of my fruit and vegetable series completed. Yea!! This series has been very helpful to me in introducing some new color combos, and also becoming more adept with the palette knife. It's also very helpful in establishing a daily painting routine, to have a simple, consistent subject identified each day in order to be able to begin each day without much planning. A good lesson in establishing a new daily habit--start simple, be consistent, make it so you don't have to think about it too much.

"Schnebly Hill"

2009-06-11T17:29:00.006-07:00

"Schnebly Hill"

9"x12" oil on panel

This is one of my plein air class paintings-- Sedona Red Rocks once again. I finished it up in my studio. I feel I'm getting into a color rut. My current intention in my landscape paintings is to: 1) simplify shapes;2) expand color choices and 3)intensify colors--not getting what I'm shooting for. Persistence, Persistence, Persistence.

"Strawberry Kiss"

2009-06-09T20:18:00.007-07:00

"Strawberry Kiss"
10"x8" oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #17

click here to bid

100% of sales proceeds from Fruit & Vegetable Series donated to Feed the People Children's Charity, operator of Northern Arizona Food Bank

"Indian Gardens #2"

2009-06-07T15:22:00.007-07:00

"Indian Gardens #2"
6"x8" oil on panel

I posted the first version of this painting a couple of weeks ago. On the left was my plein air study as completed on site. The version to above is after my adjustments in the studio. My teacher's critique was to warm up the tree trunks. I'm not sure that the finished painting is an improvement. The camera exposure is brighter on the new painting so it's difficult to compare

"Bulbous Beet"

2009-06-07T15:13:00.004-07:00

"Bulbous Beet"
10"x8" oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #16

click here to bid

100% of fruit & vegetable series will be donated to Feed My people Children's Charity, operator of Northern Arizona Foodbank

I posted this painting yesterday, but somehow it isn't showing up today, so I'm doing it again today. I've been painting a lot this weekend so I'll do a double posting.

"Chapel at Tlaquepaque"

2009-06-04T21:31:00.003-07:00

"Chapel at Tlaquepaque"

12"x9" oil on panel

This painting was started in my plein air class when we painted at Tlaquepaque shopping area in Sedona. Since my plein air class is finished now, I am free to finish up the paintings I started outdoors in my studio. I'd like to get to the place that I could do a finished painting in one sitting, but for now it seems like I have to make my plein air paintings a two day event. The first problem is that I can't seem to work fast enough yet, to catch the light before it changes, and second it feels like I can't get a good reading on the color until I get it indoors.

"Cabin in the Canyon " again

2009-06-03T20:40:00.010-07:00

"Cabin in the Canyon " 8x6in oil on panel

click here to bid

I finished my plein air class yesterday, and as part of our final day critique, I learned some important principles I would like to focus on to improve my plein air paintings. The primary challenges for me are:1)utilizing warm and cool colors and 2)to not get stuck in using the same colors repeatedly. With this in mind, I decided to rework this little painting that I did a couple of weeks ago. My intention was to cool down the shadows, warm up the lights, ratchet up the color a bit, and recede the background and enhance the foreground to create more depth .

"Golden Delicious"

2009-05-31T21:23:00.004-07:00

"Golden Delicious"

10"x8" oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #15

click here to bid

100% of sales proceeds of Fruit & Vegetable Series donated to Feed My People Children's Charity, operator of Northern Arizona Foodbank

This was a new color combo for me-and a bit of challenge to work with, but I like the way the colors work together.

"Golden Onion"

2009-05-29T18:04:00.002-07:00

"Golden Onion"
10"x8" oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #14

click here to bid

100% of sales proceeds from Fruit & Vegetable Series will be donated to Feed Your People Children's Charity, operator of Northern Arizona Foodbank

This painting is getting a little "out there" --maybe experimental is a better description. Anyway I thought I'd be daring and put it out there for my viewers and see if I get any feedback.

"Desert Monastery"

2009-05-28T18:17:00.005-07:00

"Desert Monastery"
8"x6" oil on panel

click here to bid

I'm in Tucson for a few days. This morning I got up early to paint before it got too hot. it was nice to do some plein air work outside of class. Somehow I always feel stressed in a class setting, and never seem to do anything I like much, even though I'm learning a lot. It was so peaceful painting on the church grounds with no one around. Just me--this idyllic little church, in it's lush desert setting, the cool desert morning--easy to get into the zone in this kind of environment.

"Painter at Schnebly Hill"

2009-05-25T16:16:00.008-07:00

"Painter at Schnebly Hill"
8"x6"oil on panel
sold

This painting is kind of a compilation from a plein air study and a photo. A couple of weeks ago when the wind was so bad at our plein air class in Sedona, I used the time to get a bunch of photo references.

"Mexican Avocado"

2009-05-23T15:21:00.011-07:00

"Mexican Avocado"
10x8in. oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #13

100% of sales proceeds of Fruit & Vegetable Series will be donated to Feed My People Children's Charity, operator of Northern Arizona Foodbank

click here to bid

This avocado has been sitting around for a few days. The skin is very dark and getting pretty wrinkled--almost past it's eating time. I decided to go expressive on this painting. I couldn't decide if this avocado is really dark purple or really dark blue green--so I guess it must be a combo of the two. Hope somebody likes it, "cause it's going in the guacamole tonight.

"Gates to the Creek"

2009-05-21T16:54:00.003-07:00

"Gates to the Creek"
16x20" oil on canvas
available

Yesterday I painted with friends at Polly's house in Sedona. I decided to carry-on with the theme of last week and do another painting of her house. I haven't done a painting this large in more than a month. I worked with the palette knife--it was really nice to have more room to work. After I get a critique and do a little finish work, I'll post this on my website.

"Chiquita Banana"

2009-05-20T09:05:00.004-07:00

"Chiquita Banana"

10x8in oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #12

click here to bid

100% of sales proceeds of Fruit & Vegetable Series will be donated to Feed My People Children's Charity, operator of Norther Arizona Foodbank

This banana painting has a bit more modern feel than many others in the series. I believe that it is because of the color combination. In the fruit and vegetable series, I have normally been using the complement of the object as the background. In this painting, I used purple, the complement of yellow, in the shadows instead, and used a more grayed green in the background. My son says it has a Warhol feel.

"Indian Gardens"

2009-05-19T19:06:00.005-07:00

"Indian Gardens"
8"x10" oil on panel

Today we painted at Indian Gardens in Oak Creek Canyon for my plein air class. What a perfect day and beautiful place to paint. No wind, no rain, not too hot, no bugs--an ideal plein air painting day. I'm getting a little faster, and simplifying my subject more. This is not a finished painting, but what I was able to complete in a 90 minute timeframe. At least this one is suitable to post. I'm pretty happy with the way it came out. I did another as well--but I'm not ready to show it.

"Alley at Sundown"

2009-05-18T21:19:00.003-07:00

"Alley at Sundown"
9"x12" oil on panel

The weeds were beginning to take over my yard, so I took the weekend off from painting to catch up on my gardening work. After a break, I'm always ready to get back to painting. Today I went back to an old painting--a plein air study from last year that I stuck away in the closet. I'm seeing a tendency I have to always go too dark when I'm outdoors. So I spent some time lightening this one up and bringing some better color to it. However, I'm going to have to work on my photo correction, this is really not showing the yellows in the roof.

"Shaded Window"

2009-05-15T14:01:00.008-07:00

"Shaded Window"
9"x12" oil on wrapped canvas

sold

Yesterday I painted in Sedona at my friend Polly's home. Polly is a pastel artist, and her husband is a very talented building artist. Their home is always a source of wonderful things to paint--beautiful architecture and gardens.

I have been struggling in my plein air class with not simplifying enough and not painting quickly enough. So, that was my challenge for the day. I believe I simplified the subject enough, but I certainly didn't manage to paint very quickly. This was the only painting I did in an afternoon of painting--and I still worked on it some when I got home. But, I am pretty happy with how it came out. I'm thinking I could do a whole series, only on Polly's beautiful home.

"Ruby Red Grapefruit"

2009-05-14T06:44:00.003-07:00

"Ruby Red Grapefruit"
10"x8" oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #11

available

100% of sales proceeds of fruit & vegetable series donated to Feed My People Children's Charity, operator of Northern Arizona Foodbank.

After all the trouble I had with the chili pepper, this painting came together pretty quickly. The first 30 days of painting my small daily paintings has been great for me in establishing a regular painting practice. In addition to the regular painting, I have also learned a huge amount about the technical aspects of blogging and website design. In the process, I've encountered so many wonderful artists and helpful artists sites online.

I see that in the coming month,however, I will have to find some balance between painting and computer time. I really enjoy doing my little paintings, but also need to be working on my larger paintings daily as well. Now that most of the technical computer aspects are worked out, my challenge this month is to two-fold. First, to tap into the momentum of my new painting routine and do even more painting, and second to slowly build my online connections without putting in too much computer time.

Day 30-"Hot Chili Pepper"

2009-05-13T14:48:00.005-07:00

"Hot Chili Pepper"
10"x8" oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #10
sold

100% of sales proceeds of Fruit & Vegetable Series will be donated to Feed My People Children's Charity, Operator of Northern Arizona Foodbank

Well, I finally finished this chili pepper. Must say I'm glad to let it go. Today marks one month on my blog and my daily painting practice. I've heard it said that it takes 30 days of consistent behavior to make a change a habit. Don't know if that's true for me--but painting everyday is beginning to feel like a normal part of my day. The painting has become the central part of my day and everything else is planned around it--just like a normal job would be. And that's what I've been wanting to happen. I believe that the commitment to blog posting is what has enabled me to stay with it for the month. I know that I am really only making a commitment to myself, but I also feel a commitment to readers out there--real and imaginary. So, thank you for being there whoever you are. The journey goes on--Buen Camino, Kathy

Day 29-"Cabin in the Canyon"

2009-05-12T20:36:00.004-07:00

"Cabin in the Canyon"
8"x6" oil on panel

Today was plein air painting class in Sedona, so in preparation for the class I did a little sketch from one of my previous plein air painting days. We can't do any additional work on paintings we do during class, because we need to compare how our ability to work on site is progressing throughout the class. I'm working too slow for good plein air studies. Today we were working in a much smaller format so I hoped this would provide a bit of warm up for class. Seeing the photo of the painting tells me I still have some work to do.

Day 27 & 28-"White House at Sundown"

2009-05-11T20:48:00.006-07:00

"White House at Sundown"
9"x12" oil on panel

click here to bid

I took Mother's Day off from painting. However, I did put in some volunteer time at the Artist's Coalition Gallery where I have a couple of paintings. I used the down time to work on some design ideas--so I guess that still counts for painting time.

Today I tried to finish up my vegetable painting but still don't have it where I want it. I was getting pretty frustrated with it, so decided to add some touches to this painting that I did last year. It's a little house in my neighborhood and was started as a "plein air" painting, but finished in my studio. I'm having a difficult time getting my camera to produce the actual color very well. But I think you can get the idea. I have almost finished another little landscape of a cabin in Oak Creek. Hopefully I'll have it ready to show soon, as well. I'm finding a really like having a few projects to jump around too, so I don't get too bogged down it something that isn't working they way I want.

Regarding the "Monument Valley Sketch" I posted last week, I thought I would do more on it before posting it to eBay, but I received several nice comments about it, so decided I'd leave it like it is and list it on eBay now--I'm really learning that I'm not a very good judge of what others will like.

Day 26-"Abstract #1"

2009-05-09T19:22:00.006-07:00

"Abstract #1"

20"x16" oil on canvas

My vegetable painting is not going well today, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to post my first abstract painting. It is actually the surface that I've been using to discard the painting I have scrapped off my canvas, adding a little bit of paint day by day. I did not have a design idea in mind, however I did consciously try to distribute the paint in what felt like a pleasing placement. I don't know if I am finished with this piece. I originally thought I might use it as a background for a collage, but I'm finding I kind of like it this way too.

I am often attracted to abstract art, but always felt I didn't have it "in me" to do myself, so have not attempted it. I've never taken any classes in abstract art, and I don't know what the principles of abstract art might be. However, in the last few months, some of our class assignments have been leading me more in this direction. First, with our collage project, I did my "Organic Coffee" piece. And then yesterday's collaborative piece is leaning toward abstraction.

Last year I started trailrunning. It was something I wanted to do for a long time, but thought I would never be able to do because of my age, my bones, aching knees, among other excuses. But, instead I decided that, since it was something I really wanted to do, I should at least give it my best effort before I totally wrote it off. I started slow, took it one day at a time, doing lots of cross-training to strengthen my weaknesses, and found that in fact I could do it. Last fall I ran the "short course" (six miles) in the "Soulstice Race," my first running race ever. This year I signed up for the "long course" (twelve miles). I'm not very fast, but at my age there's not very many women in my age class. But, more important, I get to experience the thrill of running mountain trails I had so long yearned to do.

So, I guess, I'm coming to truly believe the adage, that if you truly desire to do something, you shouldn't say you can't do it until you've really given it your best effort.

Day 25- "Collaborative Painting #2

2009-05-08T17:10:00.006-07:00

"Collaborative Painting #2"

11"x14" oil on panel

Today was the last day of class for the semester in my Friday workshop class at the community college. We each presented our portfolio for the semester. Carolyn and I just finished our second collaborative painting and presented it as well, so I thought I'd post our final effort. Carolyn did the original design and it evolved from there, passing back and forth several times. I feel very good about how it came out. It was a fun experience working together, and I think we each learned something from each others way of painting. So now we each have a painting signed by the two of us. This is the painting I will keep, she will keep the floral painting. I know that this painting will always make me smile.

Day 24- "Butternut Squash"

2009-05-07T20:54:00.003-07:00

"Butternut Squash"

10"x8" oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #9

click here to bid

100% of sales proceeds of Fruit & Vegetable series sold on eBay will be donated to feed My People Children's Charity, operator of Northern Arizona Foodbank

This painting went through multiple transitions today-about three different background colors and many paint scrap-offs on the body of the squash. Definitely, not a painting that came easily. Finally, I had to stop at the end of the day and this is where it is.

Day 23- "Aloha Pineapple"

2009-05-06T19:53:00.002-07:00

"Aloha Pineapple"

10"x8" oil on wrapped canvas

I don't know how to feel about this painting--but decided to go ahead and post it anyway, then decide tomorrow if I need to change it. I'm feeling like this painting is verging into the "expressive" category--when I've always categorized my work as "impressionistic"--but I'm not sure what the difference is--will have to look into that.

Day 22- "Monument Valley Sketch"

2009-05-05T19:22:00.005-07:00

"Monument Valley Sketch"
8"x6" oil on panel

click here to bid

I did this little sketch yesterday. It's from a photo I took driving through Monument Valley last month . I was overcome with the beauty of the area, but unfortunately did not have time, nor was I prepared for painting.
There's a glare on this photo, I'm OK with the way it is now, but would like to push it a little, or do something to make it more interesting. Anyway, I'll probably use it as the basis for another, and let you see what comes of it in a few days.

Today was plein air class in Sedona, not very productive for me. It was very windy, and I was struggling with my painting. Then a big gust of wind blew over my whole setup, landing my painting and all my paints in the red dust, and breaking my wooden easel--the joys of plein air painting. But....I'm still painting.

Day 19, 20, 21- "Regal Red Onion"

2009-05-04T20:13:00.003-07:00

"Regal Red Onion"

10"x8" oil on wrapped canvas

100% of sales proceeds of Fruit & Vegetable Series will be donated to Feed My People Children's Charity, operator of Northern Arizona Foodbank

sold

I took the weekend off from painting, and instead focused on getting my studio organized. Also, put in sometime at the Artist's Coalition Gallery where I'm showing a few pieces. It's a member operated gallery so we all volunteer some time. So even though I wasn't actually painting, I was doing art stuff. Went back to painting this morning with a clean studio and renewed energy.

Day 18-"Red Tulips"

2009-05-01T22:34:00.005-07:00

"Red Tulips"

8"x6" oil on panel

click here to bid

I painted this in my Friday workshop class this morning. One of the students brought these tulips in to paint, so I decided to share her set up. It's been unusual to have tulips for so long, but we've been without a snow storm for longer than usual this spring. In Flagstaff, our nice spring days are always treasured because we know that snow, or wind and cold are following close behind. It was a beautiful, sunny day today, but rain and snow are expected tomorrow-the tulips may be gone by Sunday.

Day 17-"Vintage Pear"

2009-04-30T20:27:00.006-07:00

"Vintage Pear"
10x8 in. oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #7

100% of sales proceeds of Fruit & Vegetable Series will be donated to Feed My People Children's Charity, operator of Northern Arizona Foodbank

sold

Remember that artichoke painting I struggled with last week, that never got to my post? Well this is it. Last week I got so frustrated with it, I scraped off all the paint and was left with a rough textured canvas that wasn't very pretty. But I thought it might make an interesting surface to contrast with the feel of this elegant pear. It came together pretty quickly, and I like the old world feel of the painting. Also, I painted it without the use of any white paint, so the colors are very rich.

Day 16-"Tulips in Glass Jar"

2009-04-29T15:38:00.005-07:00

"Tulips in Glass Jar"

8"x6" oil on panel

click here to bid

My tulips are on their last days, so I thought I'd better paint them before they're gone for the year. I finished this painting up this morning. This is the tiniest palette knife painting I've ever done. It's really a challenge for me to paint this small, but I'm in love with the idea of creating these little jewels. A tiny painting can be tucked into an envelope for a gift, set on a little easel on a bookshelf, or stuck in a suitcase as a little surprise. Tiny, simple, paintings are personal, precious, art with a little a.

Day15-"Guatemalan Mango"

2009-04-28T18:26:00.010-07:00

"Guatemalan Mango"
10x8 in. oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #6

100% of sales proceeds of Fruit & vegetable Series will be donated to Feed My People Children's Charity, operator of Northern Arizona Foodbank

Available

Today was a good painting day. I got a good night's sleep, and approached this painting this morning with fresh eyes. I finished it up pretty quickly and finished a little floral as well.

This afternoon was my plein air painting class in Sedona. It was too windy to paint red rock landscape from our chosen spot, so instead we found a nice protected spot at Talaquepaque, a really charming old Mexican style shopping area. It turned out to be a perfect plein air setting-picturesque architecture, music in the background, a nice protected spot out of the sun and wind. The painting is not quite finished, but I'll share it soon. Today, I'm thrilled to be a painter.

Day 12,13, 14-Reflecting

2009-04-27T19:56:00.003-07:00

I took the weekend off from painting. Yesterday, I got my studio space all organized and this morning approached my painting with renewed energy I painted most of the day, working on two separate small paintings. I finished a fruit painting, photographed it and was ready to post it, then thought it need something else--then I couldn't get it where I wanted to be again. The second painting didn't come toether like it wanted either....the day ended in frustration.

I'm not sure what this lesson is. These little daily paintings are intended to be "quick studies." Ideally, I would like to finish each one in two to three hours. Is it better to just do the best I can in a limited time and then move on....or is it better to continue working at it until I get it just where I want it?
I'm too tired to sort it out tonight....I'll think about it tomorrow.

Day 10&11- "Tomato on Turquoise"

2009-04-24T16:52:00.007-07:00

"Tomato on Turquoise"

10"x8" oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #5

100% of sales proceeds of Fruit & Vegetable Series will be donated to Feed My People Children's Charity operator of Northern Arizona Foodbank

Sold

This little painting came together pretty fast today. This turquoise color is a new one for me. I'm afraid this photo doesn't get the true color of the background. It's actually more of a jade, and more intense. It's a new color for me, although I'm using the same tubes of color, I mixed them in a different combination. At Friday workshop class today Larisa, our teacher, said that as students we should constantly be trying new colors and new subjects--so here's my new color--and it really excites me.
Yesterday, I worked on the second collaborative painting that Carolyn and I have been doing, we each added a little in class today and she took it home to add a little more. So it should be ready soon. I also started on a little landscape for a change from the fruit.
Tonight is the Palette to Palate event at the community college...so I'm off to another art event.
Happy Painting. Buen Camino, Kathy

Day 8 & 9 - "Lemon Tettering"

2009-04-22T15:07:00.004-07:00

"Lemon Tettering"

10x8 in. oil on wrapped canvas panel
Fruit & Vegetable Series #4

100% of sales proceeds of Fruit & Vegetable Series will be donated to Feed My People Children's Charity, operator of Northern Arizona Foodbank

Click here to Bid

I finally finished this lemon, after working on it for a couple of days. I don't know that I'm happy with the way it turned out, but it's time to let it go. As I am tettering about it, so is the lemon tettering.

Yesterday I painted outdoors in Sedona with my plein-air painting class. Unfortunately, I don't have anything to show from class. We're working much faster than I usually do, and we aren't allowed to finish up at home. It's great practice for me...and stretching beyond my comfort zone...so it's good learning. Happy painting, Buen camino, Kathy

Day 6 & 7- "Organic Coffee

2009-04-20T21:05:00.003-07:00

"Organic Coffee"
12"x9" oil/collage on panel

Sold 4/17/09

The last couple of days I've been painting a lot, but not getting my paintings where I want them to be. It's very frustrating, especially with the little one item vegetable paintings. It seems like I put as much time into them as I might with a large one. But I continue painting.

I decided to post this painting I sold last week. It was done for an assignment in my Friday painting workshop class. We were supposed to do a collage--something new to me. I decided to use a painting I had set aside for awhile. The coffee mug was already painted and I "collaged" it using torn up pieces of a coffee bean bag for the shadows and background. I really like it how it came together, and now have been thinking of new possibilities with collage. It's also a good reason to hang on to those paintings that just aren't working.
In the process of scrapping off paint on these little paintings that I'm working on, I've been scrapping a lot of paint off, so I've started transferring the paint to a canvas to establish a background for a collage. It's forming a nice textural surface and patterns of color that's interesting in itself. So, at least all this reworking of my paintings is going to good use. Sometimes our mishaps, lead to some exciting results. We'll see how it progresses.

Day 5 -Paintings support Food Needs

2009-04-18T19:05:00.002-07:00

There is no painting to post today. I did some painting, but that artichoke is not coming together like I'd hoped. Maybe it will be ready tomorrow.

Instead, I'd like to say that in celebration of my finally getting my Daily Painting Blog online, I will be placing all of my current Fruit & Vegetable series (hopefully to be about 20 paintings) on auction at eBay with 100% of the sales proceeds donated to FEED MY PEOPLE CHILDREN'S CHARITY, an Arizona nonprofit that operates the Northern Arizona Food Bank and Borderland Food Bank.

It seems appropriate that a painting series devoted to showcasing the wonder of fruits and vegetables, might also provide some of that luscious food to someone in need. The last year has been a particularly difficult time for many people in communities all over the world. Together, perhaps we can do a little something to help some that are struggling. Thank you for your support. Buen Camino, Kathy

Day 4: Collaborative Painting

2009-04-17T14:31:00.004-07:00

"Kathy & Carolyn's

Collaborative Painting"

16x12 in. oil on panel

Today is my Friday morning art class at Coconino Community College. So my daily paint today is done in class. This is an ongoing class that I have taken for four semesters now. Larisa Aukon is our teacher. Basically, it is an unstructured class, we each do our own work, guided by a few assignments. The best part about the class is the feedback we get from one another, teacher and student, about our work.
The past two weeks we had the assignment to do a painting collaboratively with a fellow student. Everyone was a little resistant to the assignment at first, but it turned out to be wonderful fun. This floral is the painting that Carolyn and I did. Last week I brought in a painting I started last spring and didn't get very far on and gave it to Carolyn to see if she could breathe some life into it. She paints very differently than I, with her more springlike palette and delicate touch. She painted on it awhile, then passed it back to me, then I gave it some of my touch and passed it back to her again. I think it's about finished now, and I love how it came out.
Today, she brought one to start on, I have it now and will show how it comes out next week. We will each have a joint painting signed by two people. Have you ever seen a dual signed painting?

Day 3 - "Eggplant on the Run"

2009-04-16T14:53:00.013-07:00

"Eggplant on the Run"

10x8 in. oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable Series #3

100% of sales proceeds of Fruit & Vegetable Series will be donated to Feed My People Children's Charity operator of Northern Arizona Foodbank

Sold 4/26/09

I'm not sure how I feel about this little eggplant. But I decided the important thing is to paint something everyday. I'm often surprised to hear what paintings people like, and it's often not what I like very much, so I hope to get some comments.

I heard an interview on NPR yesterday with Nelson George, a writer of fiction and nonfiction. He said that he is a habitual writer, not an instinctual writer, and emphasized that "you just have to sit your butt down somewhere and do it." He said he isn't inspired very often, but when it does hit him, it's because he's been doing his habitual work. I'm hearing that repeated over and over in all that I read about the creative process--and for me that's really the point of the daily painting.

Day 2 - "Nosy Red Pepper"

2009-04-15T20:05:00.010-07:00

"Nosy Red Pepper"
10x8 in. oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit & Vegetable series #2

100% of sales proceeds from Fruit & Vegetable Series will be donated to Feed My People Children's Charity operator of Northern Arizona Food Bank

Sold 4/25/09

Hope you like my red pepper with an attitude!

Yesterday I started a plein air painting class with Larisa Aukon, one of my favorite teachers and a fabulous artist. (See her work from my links) It was a gray and windy day so perfect preparation for the realities of plein air painting. Hopefully, I'll have some work to post from the class, but I'm afraid yesterday's wasn't fit to share.
Today it is snowing and very windy. a perfect day to be inside doing my taxes. Yes, I'm one of those last day procrastinators. However, to date I've never had to file an extension. I'm counting on my new daily painting practice to bring some organization and planning to the rest of my life. Buen Camino, Kathy

Day 1 "Saucy Green Pepper"

2009-04-15T19:43:00.005-07:00

"Saucy Green Pepper"
10"x8" oil on wrapped canvas
Fruit and Vegetable Series #1

100% of sales proceeds of the Fruit & Vegetable Series will be donated to Feed My People Children's Charity operator of the Northern Arizona Foodbank

Sold

This is my first posting on my Daily Painting Journey. Like many journeys, all the preparation for the trip is very exhausting and when I first step on the airplane and settle into my seat, I let out a huge sigh of relief. That's how I feel right now. I've been getting into the daily painting routine the last few days, and that's really very enjoyable. Figuring out all the technical parts- the website, the blog, ebay, paypal, etc. has been a lot more difficult because it's all pretty new to me. So please be patient while I get it all pulled together. I must say I've been fortunate to encounter some very helpful and friendly tech support people along the way. Thanks to all who have helped me get going.
I have decided to start my Daily Painting Journey with a series of paintings of just individual fruits and vegetables. I plan to do about 20 little 10"x8" paintings. using the same limited palette on each one so that they all coordinate nicely with each other. Lately, I've really enjoyed working with the palette knife, and would like to work on developing my technique, so all will be done primarily with the knife. I have been exploring how emotion and energy can be communicated through color and brushstroke, or knifestroke, so I hope I can put that into each of these pieces. It should be lots of fun, I'll be interested to hear what you think.
Buen Camino, Kathy