1st in a Daily Painting series

 

Family Time

6"x 6" oil painting on board

 #1 

Well, here we go! 

I figure, if I announce to my corner of the world that I'm trying to create a habit,  I'll hold myself accountable... and I'll try my best to stay with it! I'm hoping to paint small, frequent paintings. I'd love to give myself permission to paint loosely... quickly and jump from subject to subject, and this feels like a fun way to do just that.. and a fun experiment to try!

I've known about the Dailey Painting movement, but I haven't felt the pull until recently.  There are so many incredible artists out there painting on the daily.  They report that they're learning so much, enjoying  the creating process again, and creating new opportunities around what they love to do... Yes, Yes,  and Yes! Sign me up!

As of now...I feel like the list of paintings I'd love to create is so long, that it kinda stifles me.  Which one to do first? Do I have time to create the image I have in my mind? Will it be a part of a group theme? Where do I store all these paintings.  I can get overwhelmed by the ideas and what to do next.  So painting  a small painting a day (or close to daily) gives me more room to experiment and get back to playing with paint.. not take things too serious and intimidate myself with each project.  So, that's my new goal.

Thank you for checking in and looking!  I appreciate your company.

Wish me luck :)

 

What you are seeking ...is seeking you. ~ Rumi

Well....inspired by others and my own insatiable desire to wander,  I've decided to step out and explore for 4-5 months.  I live in Alaska, so that's where the journey begins. 

 I have an 1980's VW Vanagon, so that's my home for a while.  

I only have a few "must do's" ....

* drive down the AlCan (Alaska Canada hwy) and

cross the Washington boarder

* see my friends and family in Colorado  

* a concert at the end of September in California

The rest of the trip is going to be... wherever the wind blows me, leaving lots of room for surprises and miracles. I believe if I loosen my tight grip on how things are "supposed to be", then miracles have room to slip into my life and show me something new and beautiful.  I'm traveling with one of my very best friends... Bailey.  A dog I adopted from the animal shelter in Anchorage.  A dog that had been adopted and returned by 4 families the year we brought her home that sunny October day.

Who knows how many homes she had tried to be a part of over her 7 years.

She was afraid of everything.  She had a rocky beginning at my home, but I have a loving family and we all gave her room to love us, be brave and learn a new way to look at life.  

She's the perfect copilot for my trip, and she's gonna need to let go of some of her fears, just like I do.  We're both going to be brave and let each day come with everything it has to offer.

My family is very supportive and I am very blessed to have the opportunity to do this. I'll be posting new sights from time to time...and maybe a new drawing or painting from time to time.  The details and pictures will be here on my blog throughout the summer.

If you want to see what traveling in a van with your dog looks like, follow along :)

I have a feeling this is going to be the most amazing summer!

Bailey....my adorable copilot.

She sleeps in the back on all of our blankets, while I drive.

Thank you for looking and reading!  

I'll see you again soon!

Road trip....

These paintings are on display and for sale now at Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge.

I have been daydreaming and painting images of road trips.

Painting is close to a prayer for me....and these prayers are about to come true.

I'm going on a road trip...from Alaska, through Canada and exploring the western US,   

my dog Bailey and I.  I saw Utah last fall, and I need to go back and paint it.  I'm not sure how long the trip will be.  In the morning, I imagine Bailey and I on the road until fall....at night when I'm tired, I wonder if it's a good idea at all.  But morning comes and I have butterflies and excitement again for an adventure I've been dreaming about for years now.

But first, my husband (gifted mechanic) is going to replace the clutch in our VW van....maybe fuel lines, new transmission oil, oil change, new air filter..... by the first week of May.

I'll keep you posted.  If this happens, I'd love to share the trip along the way.

Thank you for looking reading!

1971 Triumph

"Triumph"

Oil on canvas  48" x 60"

This is a special motorcycle.  It's a painting of my dad's bike while I was growing up. 

It's a 1972 Triumph ...trophy.

It was the bike I rode on the back of when I was growing up.

Good times.   

I'm thinking about getting myself a new Triumph these days.

They're just as beautiful but have all the modern amenities!

Thank you for looking! 

New paintings....

These are some new paintings drying on my wall.

Lately, every time I see one of my paintings, I see a children's story.

I don't try to paint this way...I mean... I do.  What I mean is, even when I know a color should be subdued a bit....so that another subject can take center stage in the painting,  

I can't do it.  It's like saying....this part isn't as special as this other part.  

I know the idea behind painting this way.  I know that amazing artists accomplish gorgeous pieces of art by using this technique.  I just can't seem to do it, even when I set out to try.

Maybe this is just how I paint.  

I'm cool with that, but some of these paintings feel like a page in a children's story.  

Maybe that's the most logical next step.  

I'm waiting for an idea to come to me...and I'm going to start that project.

Anyways, thank you for looking and reading!

I hope spring is filling you up with excitement and energy!

Have a good one!

Here are a few more of my story book paintings...

First painting of 2017

Tangerines and an Apple

12" x 12" oil on canvas

It's wonderful to be smearing oil paint again.

It's winter wonderland here in Anchorage, Alaska...so all seems to be white, blue and different shades of grey.  This is a great way to infuse my brain with color.....saturate my view with warm, vibrant colors. 

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope 2017 blesses you with love, good health and happiness!

The Artist's Magazine 33rd Annual Art Competition

I feel so honored ... 

5,900 applicants and one of my paintings made it as a finalist in this competition.

Thank you Artist Magazine!  I really appreciate you!!  

"Congratulations! Your artwork, "Race to the Finish", has been selected as a finalist in the Still Life/Interior category of The Artist's Magazine 33^rd Annual Art Competition. " Your name will appear among the lists of finalists published in the Jan/Feb 2017 issue."

Pinch me!!