Wow, it's the last day of the month again! February went by really quickly! Anyway, here is the last blog entry of the month... I worked on the begonia and the leafy background for the Monarch. I'm not completely convinced that it is finished but it is a good look at it before minor tweaks here or there. As it dries, I am going to work on the other orange butterfly.

Until next time...

Good Morning. With the weather taunting us with warmer temperatures, it seems quite appropriate to paint butterflies! Here is the second butterfly to get details on it's wings. I'm not sure the name of this one but I love it's coloring. It was a lot of fun to paint. The third butterfly will have to wait a day or so before I finish it's details. I got it part way painted when I got distracted. It is now partially dry and I cannot blend more into it right now. I have to start again later. However, I can work on flowers now!

Until next time...

Yesterday I cleaned the studio. I typically get so caught up in the painting that I just put things everywhere. Well, I found that I did not have space to lay out my new series of paintings and work on them. Now I do, although I may be taking over part of the living room too once things get going!! Late last night I was able to find a nice clean spot to start work on my butterflies. I was able to work on the details of my monarch. Since the oranges are mixed, I may work on all the butterfly details before I start on the flowers.

Until next time...

Seeing Red

Hello! The last couple of nights I have been prepping canvas for a wooded series mostly inspired by Hocking Hills State Park. When I painted the wooded scenes for my runners, I started with a texture and an acrylic wash. The texture not only helped guide my trees, but gave the final look a little more extra depth and interest. So, I decided to use the same texture for this new series. I textured the canvases, sanded down any sharp edges and then covered each canvas with a red wash. As red is a compliment to green in the color world, it should really help the greens pop in my scenes. Also, I love it when the red shows through in some spots while the other colors are layered on.

Until next time...

Hello!

Today, I have been able to finish my large river scene. The river was dry (yikes) so I could add my shrubs and bushes and rocks to the foreground. It looks like a great out cropping of rocks to sit on and fish! This piece is 36" wide and 48" tall. It will definitely make a beautiful center piece on someones empty wall!

More news, I have just started planning a new wooded series. Those, along with my butterflies, are next on the agenda. So many ideas... so little time!

Until next time...

Good Morning!

I spent last night working on the water for my big river scene. It is nearly there but now I have to wait for my water to dry so I can paint the layer of vegetation and rocks in front. When I was working on my water, I was reminded of the places we used to fish as kids. I would always wonder just what is was that would cause a small disturbance in the water and create little round ripples. Of course, I had to add one of those in! Was it a turtle? A fish? An insect? Hmmm...

Until next time...

Good Morning!

I was painting last night and suddenly saw a flash! The camera was out again! Here is the latest view of the large river scene with me working on it. More later.

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Here is the latest update of the trees I've "grown" so far today! Until next time...

Good Morning!

I realized this morning that I was in the middle of a blog and did not actually post it yesterday! So here it is! I have gotten a good start on my large water scene. Today is good and dreary outside so I should get a few more trees up as the day goes on. This piece is 36" wide by 48" tall. I zoomed in on this a little to see more of the details so far. It should be a nice piece to get lost in when I am finished.

Until next time...

Good Evening!

Somehow I missed a couple days didn't I? Well, here is the latest butterfly under painting. It is the only one I can name right now. It's my monarch on a begonia. I also just had a fantastic time mixing new colors for another lake I had started. Tomorrow, I get to work on that one. Can't wait.

Until next time...

Good day! Last night my husband caught me in the act of painting again on his camera. I was working on my butterfly series under paintings. They are turning out really nice so far. Once I get some texture and details on them, I think I am going to be rather excited about them! You are looking at the "action shot" and the under painting for the second butterfly of the series. The third is coming right along and I should be able to share it by tomorrow. Enjoy!

Until next time...

Today I am sharing a photo I took last night. I was updating my Paint Running website at a coffee shop when an incredible storm came through with crazy winds and torrential downpour. It was around sundown. The storm did not last too long and the next thing we knew, there was a double rainbow over the town. The stronger of the two was a complete arch but I could not step back far enough without getting hit in the street! It was a beautiful sight!

Until next time...

From runners to fliers... here is the first under painting of the latest series I am working on. I thought I might try to get in touch with my feminine side! That and I was thinking about spring already! This is a series of three butterfly/ flower paintings. These are being painted on a new surface - board. It is still has a deep profile like my canvases but instead of painting all around, the wooded sides will be stained. The texture is smoother than canvas as well. Of course, there aren't any details yet - you know I cannot do it all in one layer!

Until next time...

The final runner. This one seems to be a bit softer than the others but I will have to wait to add any new colors until this layer has dried. I'll only have to tweak a little though.

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Here is my runner lady in the yellow woods. Now on to the gentleman!

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Good Morning!

I got it! I finally got my runners running in the woods. They are no longer just shadows in the dark! This is the scene that started me thinking about Paint Running. I was running around a bend and there they were with the fall colors blazing behind them. Of course, I never have a camera when I want one so I later took pictures of the trail and added the ladies. I have the other two paintings to share soon!

Until next time...

Happy Monday!

As my weekend filled up and I only had small windows of opportunity to paint, I did not work on my runners in the woods. However, I was able to finish some new silhouettes. I tried out three new colors for my silhouettes to hang out in; green, pink, and lavendar. Although these colors are a lot softer than the red, blue and gold, I think they work very well and now my runner friends will have 6 colors to choose from on paintrunning.com. I am now gathering my photos and getting ready to mix colors for my other runners. I can't wait for then to come alive!

Until next time...

Hello!

The last woods is finished. Now I just have people to paint. That should be a nice, different challenge. Today is full of all sorts of errands but I will let you know when the first runners are finished! Have a good Friday!

Until next time...

Good Afternoon! Here is another progress shot. I have been working on the forest for the running gal. It looks like it is mostly done - just some normal tweaking later when I paint the runner. Next...

Until next time...

Hi. I believe today is an almost exclusive day in the studio. I am very excited about that. So far I have gotten most of my trees and my path finished on the lady runners. I will probably work on all three paintings with trees before I mix paints for the runners - then, of course, I will get them painted to finish everything nicely. That is quite a day planned! Here is a progress shot of the first piece.

Until next time...

Good Afternoon!

I thought I would share my new pallet today. Sometimes I think the pallet is a true work of art in and of itself. These colors I plan to use on my runner's woods. They are so rich and bold. I cannot wait to show you how they look as trees!

Until next time...

Good Morning!

Here is something new for me... Saturday I was invited to hang some of my paintings in a new art and gift shop. So I did! I even brought a couple pieces that we have just recently followed here in the blog. Chris took some pictures and here's what they look like there. If you are from the Columbus area, you should stop by and see the market at SERENDIP. There are several artists with work there, including my friend Val Wright with her beautiful kitchen utensils. Every kitchen needs a bright cheery painting and inspiring kitchen utensils!!

Today is a work day but I hope to sneak some painting in too. My runners are on the easel and ready for their final layer of paint. I also sorted through some beautiful flower images and am itching to get a couple of those started as well. I guess I'd better get to it then!

Until next time...

Good Morning!

I must say this weekend turned out to be a bit more exciting than I anticipated! Consequently, I did not get a chance to hang out on the computer too much. First, I finished my River Scene. I did get the river to bend so I do not have to call it a lake! I am still thinking about the title but I'm thinking the word "Reflections" will be incorporated somehow since there are quite a few in this piece. It is 16 inches tall and 20 inches wide. As always, the trees and their reflection wrap around the sides of the canvas. I have more to blog about later. Have a good day!

Until next time...