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I've accepted a challenge 30 paintings in 30 days started by California artist Leslie Saeta. She has challenged artists worldwide to create 30 original paintings during the month of January. This is the first time I've done anything like this. Yes, I'm Nervous! It is recommended to choose a theme, right now I'll call it experimental.

I started by going through years of photos and choosing things that caught my attention. 

All my paintings are for sale, if you are interested in one, please contact me through my website. 

Day 1

"Driving in the Rain" 6x6

Day 2

"Spring Lamb" 6x6, $100.00, SOLD

I love sheep! I have images of many lambs. The lamb photo I painted from I took in France.

Day 3

"Gathering Herbs" 6x8, 

This is painted from a photo I took in France. This was the cooks helper, at the bed and breakfast. The gardens  were beautiful!

Day 4

"French Country Side - Study",  5x7, 100.00

This is a study for an 18x24" painting. I love the french countryside. When I took the photo it was a cloudy day. The study is my attempt to change the sky, show the sun bursting through the fog. In the larger painting I'm going to emphasize it more.  I have painted on location

(en plein air)  in another part of France where the sun is coming through the fog in the early morning, that is my goal. My students also picked this image to paint so it became a group project today. It will be fun to see everyones outcome!

Day 5

" Polish and Coffee" 6x6, 100.00

This is the first time I painted a bottle of nail polish! I bought this bottle for my mother in law along with cotton balls and nail polish remover. (She's unable to get out to the store on her own). She is turning 92 and every time I visit, her nails are colorful!  

Sometimes it is hard to finish a painting when time is limited. That being said I think I'll make a few changes before I call this painting completed.

Day 6

"On the Road - Arizonia to California"  6x8,  $150.00, SOLD

This is the 3rd car/vehicle painting I've ever done. I think the attraction is I sense an adventure when I look at the image. I guess I'm dreaming about a road trip! (sunshine and warmth)

Day 7

Wikipedia definition - Nōtan (濃淡^?) is a Japanese design concept involving the play and placement of light and dark elements as they are placed next to the other in the composition of art and imagery.

I quickly laid in a basic light and shadow design. I used blue because I will be painting snow. I will post the completed painting tomorrow.

Day 8

"Utah Sunshine", 6x6, 100.00

Here is the finished painting. I just love how the sun glows and creates an exciting path through the mountains.

Day 9

"Tika", 6x8, NFS

This is the family dog when she was younger. She's an old lady now - going on 15.  I so enjoy painting close ups, I must do more of them!

Day 10

Work in progress -

Today I worked on a painting, an 18x24. Yes, this will take many days. So today I'm posting a section of the painting. It is a rural scene from france that I found beautiful!

Day 11

"Warm Winter Day" 5x7, $100.00

I was out for a walk  when I took this photo. It was a beautiful mild winter day. I have to admit it was not painted today as my day was just too full to paint. 

Day 13

"Ruler of the Roost" 12x12, $600

Today I finished a painting I started last summer. There is a children's book called Chicken Butt. My grandchildren thought the phrase was quite funny. When I told them I was painting chicken butts they laughed and couldn't quite believe it till they saw the painting.

I'm not a farm girl but I'm intrigued by farm animals. These chickens were fun to watch!

Day 14
"Cascade Falls", 8 x 10, 500.00
This is another day where I worked on a painting already started in hopes to finish it. I think it's done but I'm still feeling a little unsure. I've been taking photos in my indoor studio where the light is not perfect. And using an iPhone, oh my, maybe not the best! But it's winter! When posting daily I don't have a photographer handy!

Day 15

"Vase With Cranberries and Tangerines", 9 x 12,  

Today like yesterday was about finishing a painting. I love the colors in this still life, especially the reds and oranges.  I few finishing touches still needed, but I made good progress.  

Day 16

"Shopping - San Gimignano" 8x8, 

I wondered all day what I would paint when I went into the studio today. After looking around I found an unfinished painting that has been sitting for a few years. I was excited to invest the time to finish it. This is a memory of a wonderful trip to Italy!

Day 17

Today I worked on this 18x24 inch painting. It is still a work in progress. Painting every day feels as good as a painting a day!

Here is what I have so far.

Day 18

It was a warm winter day today. I went out to paint en plein air.  I ran out of light so tomorrow I will finish the painting.

Here is my initial lay in.

Day 20

Today I came to a closer finish on the plein air painting I started 2 days ago. 

Day 21

"Cake and Ice Cream"  7x12,  $450 Sold

Day 22

This is an initial lay in for a painting of Grand Marais. This is the skeleton of what will emerge. I will be using this for a demo with students, so the finished painting will not be completed for awhile.

Day 23  

"Hazy Morning"  5x7, $100  SOLD

My goal today was to capture the mood of the morning this photo was taken.

Day 24

"Irish Sheep Herder"  6x6, $100  SOLD

A painting student shared this photo with me. I'm drawn to sheep no matter what country they are in. I hope to see them in Ireland one day!

Day 25

"October Vines"  6x6, $100

Those French houses keep drawing me in. I love the red - green color contrasts against the light colored houses.

"California Egret" 6x6, $100

Day 27

"Egret" 6x8, 150.00
Todays painting is an idea for a larger painting. It is the french countryside. 

Sharing instead of painting. I left for vacation today, warm weather and sunshine! So here is a painting that has never been seen. It has been laying around the studio for years. I chopped it into pieces and came up with 2 paintings and I'm sharing the small one. 

Day 29

"Island Retreat" 4x12

Just sharing another small painting today. I started it in plein air and finished it in my studio. I was drawn to the late afternoon light high lighting the beautiful fall colors!

Day 30 - YAH!!!

"Home in Coachella Valley" 6x6

AND "Sixteen Palms" 8x16

I went out to paint today and painted 2 paintings! I'm drawn to palm trees as they represent tropical weather,  fun vacations, and good memories. I made it 30 posts!