SEA HAGG TREASURES

"Sea Hagg Treasures"  Original Oil Painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

The Sea Hagg is a quaint little shop located in Cortez, Florida.  Mike and I stumbled upon it by accident one day just driving around and photographing.  I had heard of this place before, a mixture of antiques, art, whimsy and touristy souvenirs...lots of eye candy for us artist types.  Many of their items are authentic salvage pieces from ships and divers, but some are reproductions.

The fish floats were only one little grouping that caught my eye, and I expect to create a few more paintings with some of the other reference photos I took.  These were out on the porch, but inside was a real treasure.

I was so tempted when I saw a lovely carved wooden mermaid, nearly life size with just the right amount of "weathering."  She just had to be fake!  But.........who knows?  It was a fantastic piece and would have been such fun to own, although  I can't imagine where I would have put her.

TREAT?

"Treat?"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"

For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

One of my neighbors has two of these adorable terriers.  She walks in the yard with them a lot and I get to oooh and ahhh over them frequently.  They play well together and are quick as lightening.

I love having a pair of pets, particularly siblings.  They each have unique personalities, somewhat like children, and they play and fight like children too.  It's no wonder to me that so many people are so attached to their sweet little pets.  One look says it all!

CHASING LUNCH

"Chasing Lunch"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

Chickens are like "happy pills" for me!  They have great angles and awkward positions, at times almost regal, and they really look funny when they run!  As often as I paint them, I never tire of them as painting subjects.  Of course, my "first love" is portraits.  Do you have a favorite subject?

BLUE SKY ABOVE

"Blue Sky Above"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
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The skies are so clear and blue in Arizona.  The blues really play up the oranges in the dirt and cliffs.  They also played very well with the complements in this little bird and the dead branch he perched upon.

The reference photo is one Mike took below the rim of the Grand Canyon, at Cedar Point.  We had the best day to hike down and, although we didn't go far, about a mile and a half, the trek was worth every breath.  For someone who comes from an elevation of about 32 feet above sea level, that was no easy trail, especially the uphill climb to the rim (about 7,800 feet)!  Who cares?!  It was breathtaking all around and I can't wait to do it again!  :)

LITTLE NIBBLER

"Little Nibbler"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For information on purchase, please visit my daily painting website HERE

This little guy was one of several little ground squirrels, coming out in the early morning desert at the base of Delicate Arch in Arches National Park last Spring.  Here he has found one of my raw pumpkin seeds from a trail mix I prepared before leaving Florida for our 5 week jaunt through parts of the Southwestern USA.

My foot was barely out of the shot of this little creature and I took dozens of shots of him with my cell phone as he sat there and ate my offerings.  I would not have put anything out for him that was salted or harmful, but since I prepared the mix myself, I knew exactly what was in it and raw and organic was safe.  We enjoyed all the goodies (trail mix, kale chips, power bars, orange slices YUMMY!) that I dehydrated and prepared for our trip and several of the "locals" did too.  *wink*

BE-BOP!

"Be-Bop"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

Admit it...some cats have the personality of rocks!  Then, there are others whose personality really ROCKS!  Be-bop was one of those...a charmer, full of personality and yet retaining that cat-like aloofness that we all know so well. Considering I am a dog person, I really enjoyed the antics of this cat.  Here, he is patiently, or maybe not so patiently, waiting at the studio door for me to let him out to play, swishing his tail to get my attention.  I couldn't help but love this cat and his siter, Popcorn!

AMERICAN MOTHER'S PRIDE

"American Mother's Pride"
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This is a larger piece I had been working on this week.  I completed him on Thursday night and he now hangs in the office of Florida Congressman Thomas J. Rooney.  They have given him a position of honor, in the foyer, next to the American Flag.  He is the beloved son of a high school friend, and both of them graciously allowed me to paint him for this exhibit.  I am both honored and grateful, and I thoroughly enjoyed painting Cody.

I will be working on a few larger paintings in the coming week and getting ready for the Florida Strawberry Festival Fine Art Show, of which Mike and I are co-chairs.  I may not be posting daily, but please check back and see how things are going.  I love doing the small dailies, even when I am occupied with larger works.  I will squeeze them in where I can.

BLUE HYDRANGEAS

"Blue Hydrangeas"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
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This week's Daily Paintworks challenge, by Jo Mackenzie, instructs us to emulate the style of a DPW artist, whose style we admire.  I immediately thought of Nancy Medina, whose floral paintings are simply stunning!  She is a prolific daily painter whose signature style is florals executed with flair and grace.

I took down my sponge ware pitcher and went to work on this little painting.  I really like the way it progressed and I learned that I really need a synthetic bright to get the brushstrokes she achieves, although I expect even with her "magic" brush, I would have difficulty on a 6" X 6" panel.  All in all, I am very happy with this painting and I may take on the "style" of another DPW artist or two for this challenge.

LET ME TELL YOU.....

"Let Me Tell You....."  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
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This is another photo shot at the Grand Canyon stable.  I enjoyed the comical, gossipy pose and the way the ears are cocked way back, as if shying away from a torrid, yet captivating secret.  The early morning light was wonderful and we made the most of it each day.  The time zone difference didn't hurt either.

I am working on a larger painting this week, so look for it on the weekend.  I am very excited about working on this piece.

GANDER

"Gander"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

There are lots of geese, ducks and waterfowl of all types that mill around the lake in town.  They will crowd around your feet, expecting a handout, since so many people utilize the walking paths and golf course near that area.  We've taken more than a few photos of them and it's always fun to interpret the shot and reconcile it with what you knew it could be if they would only hold still and allow you to paint them right then and there.

ROSE IN A SHOT GLASS

"Rose in a Shot Glass"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

Mike brought me this little Don Juan rose early in the week and it has been sitting on my desk in a shot glass.  I have watched it deteriorate until it languished over the side of the glass and gently kissed it.  I am not fond of painting flowers, but I sooooo admire those who do it well.  I couldn't resist this little droopy bloom, especially since I butchered its mother plant this week while doing some yard clean up.  I am a notorious "slash to grow" pruner, so I now have to wait until spring for new blossoms.

Aren't you proud of me??  The January challenge is over and I am still keeping the blogging habit as much as I can!  I do have larger works to paint in the near future, so be prepared for me to skip now and then but I will do all I can to continue more often than before.

EVENTIDE AND CONVERSATIONS

"Eventide and Conversations"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please visit my daily painting website HERE

After creating 30 paintings in 30 days, I felt the need to paint something serene.  The beach is always a big draw for me, since just the sound of the ebb and flow brings peace to the soul.  I have to say, I feel really sorry for anyone who has never taken a moonlight stroll along the shore, or had an escapade at dawn!  I think my body reconnects with my soul at those times and my whole being recharges.  I need a beach trek soon!  lol

In a different vein, my "Bummed Out" was just accepted today into Greenhouse Gallery's 2013 Salon International.  This will be my third acceptance and I am so honored to be included in this prestigious exhibit again....super cool!

BY THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABORS...

"By the Fruits of Their Labors..."  SOLD!

Now that the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge is behind me, I am full throttle into preparations for the Florida Strawberry Festival Fine Art Show.  I am the chairperson for this event, which spans 11 days of major crowds, top star (mostly country) music line-ups, food, and fun galore, and of course, STRAWBERRIES in nearly every form!  It just doesn't get any better than that!

I took myself out of the running when I chose to chair this competition, and I can tell you I really miss entering, usually painting something especially for this show.  This is my Best in Show entry from 2008, although it shows a little too red on my monitor.  The model is one of our parishoners and all the background elements are from photos I took in the fields as the pickers were working to supply this very festival.  It's such a huge deal in Plant City and everyone here is "strawberry proud".  I have grown quite fond of the fruits and this annual event myself!

30-30 COLLAGE

My complete "30 Paintings in 30 Days" from Leslie Saeta's challenge.  Please see my previous post for comments and available paintings.  Thanks!