DRESSED TO KILL

Dressed to Kill  Original oil painting  6" X 6"

During this month's challenge, I have been combining Leslie Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days" with Daily Paintworks challenges.  I have to say, a lot of these have been very difficult fits for subjects I enjoy painting.  So, I have been seeking unique ways to depict them...ways that are appealing to me and keep me inspired.

This painting is inspired by "The Skulls and Skeletons" challenge posted on Oct. 19, 3014 by Christine E. S. Code.  I thought it would be fun to dress my skeleton and pose her smoking.  She is "Dressed to Kill" and enjoying the party!  If I had painted a larger piece, she would hold a margarita in her other hand!

I enjoyed playing with color in her skull!  Again, there is a bit of glare in the dark wet paint.  

AMERICAN PIE

"American Pie"  Original oil painting  6" X 6"

Donated to "Cards for Troops" fundraiser held in Oct. at Center Place Fine Art & Civic Assn.

I am always picking up vintage dishes and cookware for painting props.  I have used this lovely glass pie plate with its greenish tint numerous times in the past few years, in painting and in baking.  I admit my pie crusts are not as beautiful as my Mother's, nor as flaky and tasty, but nevertheless, the pies always get eaten!

This painting was based on Daily Paintworks "The Old Glory Challenge" issued by Susan Pachiello, dated Nov. 14, 2015.  For most of my challenge pieces, I try to create something a little "out of the box."  I find I enjoy them more and I hope you do also.  

Flags are lovely, of course, but.....you can EAT PIE!!!  :)  

LORD OF SUMMER

"Lord of Summer"  Original oil painting, 6" X 6"
For purchase information go to my Daily Painting Gallery HERE

"Lord of Summer" is my offering for day #4 of Leslie Byrd Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge.

One of my favorite subjects, and one which sells well for me is roosters.  I have sold out my entire supply of these bad boys this Summer, so I am taking advantage of an older challenge on the Daily Paintworks website to create a new colorful fellow.  

You may recall that I am combining two challenges in this month.  I am thrilled to have found a good fit for my rooster among Carol Marine's "The Critter Challenge" from May 23, 2015.  

Check out the both these challenges and join in the fun!

CAUGHT UP AT LAST!

"Party Girl", original oil painting, 6" X 6", unframed
For purchase information, go to my daily painting website HERE

"Winter Blues", original oil painting, 6" X 6", unframed
For purchase information, go to my daily painting website HERE

"Strawberry Cupcake", original oil painting, 6" X 6", unframed
For purchase information, go to my daily painting website HERE

Well, color me all caught up!  These three are my Days #23, #24 and #25, all three painted today to catch me up for the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge.  Today has been a fun COLORFUL day and I have enjoyed playing "slap-dash" with my colors, brushes and palette knife!  Of course my palette may never be the same!

I even went to lunch at Ulele with paint on two of my fingers because I forgot to do a check before leaving the studio.  Oh well, such is an artist's life, right?  Believe me when I tell you the Gouda Grouper didn't even know about the pthalo blue!  Psssst.........lunch was AWESOME!

DAYDREAMIN'

"Daydreamin'", original oil painting, 6" x 6", unframed
For purchase information, please visit my daily painting website HERE

I am always watching kids when I am out and about.  Once I was almost accused of stalking because I was taking lots of photos of kids playing on the beach at Clearwater!  The mom accosted me and wanted to know why I was taking photos of HER child.  I explained that I take photos of MANY children and women for reference for paintings.....that I do not paint strictly from the photo, but sometimes just use postures or light effects.  She was not swayed and asked me to delete her child's photo.  THAT was a first!  I produced my copy of photographer's rights (always kept in my camera bag), explaining that any public place is fair game for photographers, but as a COURTESY, I would delete her child's photo.

This is NOT that child....lol  I took this photo at another public event...the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City.  That event is coming up soon and I always load up on my people references there.  :)

Btw, I am still one day behind in the "30 in 30" challenge.  ;)  Don't worry, I will catch up.  I just had too much fun with this one!

PLAYING CATCH-UP

"Glow", original oil painting, 6" X 6", unframed

"Mixed Emotions", original oil painting, 6" X 6", unframed
SOLD!

Sooooo..... ok.  Here I am trying to play catch-up for Leslie Byrd Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge.  I have not painted since the 15th for one reason or another.  My brother came for a visit for a few days and, since I had not seen him in a couple of years, yes, I took that time for myself.  It was a wonderful visit, full of fun and talk and just enjoying each other's company, but definitely too short a visit.

Yesterday, I squeezed in two paintings, but had no time to post them.  Today I managed three more after he left for home, so here are two............  Days # 16, and #20.  Tomorrow I should catch up with #21 and #22 and we are square again!

There is nothing like pressure to inspire you to new color combinations, an economy of brushstrokes and just plain fun experimenting.  In these pieces, I have experimented with drama, color, subtlety, bold and bright choices and loved them all.  What a way to learn and grow!  There is nothing off limits in this challenge as long as I paint 30 in 30.  :)

MISTER BLISTER

"Mister Blister", original oil painting, 6" X 6", unframed
SOLD!

For the first time in the few years Leslie Saeta has been issuing this 30 in 30 challenge, I am second-guessing why I signed up yet again.  The short answer is, I love painting EVERY Day!  The long answer is.... I thrive on it!  I re-energize from it!  It relaxes me and satisfies me.  I like pressure and I enjoy learning what I can do in a time crunch of.......say.........45 minutes!

I enjoy pushing myself to paint "on the fly", between appointments and other commitments on my time.  So today, we are treated to Mr. Blister and his pompous attitude!  Enjoy!

WINTER BOUQUET

"Winter Bouquet", original oil painting, 6" X 6", unframed

Everyone who knows me, knows I don't often paint flowers.  They have complicated structures and I sometimes have difficulty simplifying them.  So, although I am happy with this one, it's not necessarily because it's a floral painting, but because of the punch of light!  The reference was great and I keyed in on a small portion of it to get the composition I wanted, then slapped the paint on.  This one did not work for me until I changed from a white vase to blue.  Don't you just love the sparkle of complements??!

DAPPER DAN

"Dapper Dan", original oil painting, 6" X 6", unframed
SOLD!

This guy was just so cute, perched on the wooden rail.  I love the free flowing feathers and the sharp contrast between warm and cool and particularly that electric blue!  I almost went with a lime green background, and almost wish I had, but the orangy yellows play so well against the blues, while complementing the orange-reds, so I left it.  Maybe the next one.....

STRAIGHT TEQUILA NIGHT

"Straight Tequila Night", original oil painting, 6" X 6", unframed
SOLD!

Well............just don't ask!  LOL  Suffice it to say, tequila is NOT my drink, but I conceived my Day #8 painting at 10pm and finished at 11:20.  I work pretty well under pressure; this I have always known.  Here's to you MJ!

SAND OR SURF?

"Sand or Surf?", original oil painting, 6" X 6" unframed
SOLD!

I always enjoy the gulls whenever we are near the beach.  I love to hear them call to each other and even like the frenzied cries when they spot a dropped morsel of food!  I am not sure where we were when I took the reference photo for this little portrait, but I knew I would enjoy painting him.

Gulls are peculiar birds, nearly always facing the ocean when they stand on the beach.  I thought this one seemed unable to make up his mind which view he preferred.

PASTURED

"Pastured", original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"


Animal paintings have always been a love of mine.  When I first started painting, I wanted to be another John Seery-Lester or Carl Brenders.  National Geographic magazine was my best friend.  Then I discovered portraits!  There is nothing like painting  facial expressions and striving for a likeness.

I still enjoy a return to the roots of my painting journey.  Pet portraits are great fun for me, but farm animals are just the BEST!  Those guys have attitude!

SILVER AND GOLD...EN

"Silver and Gold...en", original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"


Small kitchen still life paintings are a subject I truly enjoy.  They can be as bold or as subtle as you like and they go with nearly any kitchen, since they most often have food in them!  I have three in the space under my upper cabinets.  They really dress up the area nicely.  It keeps me from cluttering up the counter and hiding the artwork, plus...I can change them out as often as I like without a lot of trouble.

DAYBREAK

"Daybreak"  Original oil painting, 6" X 6" unframed
SOLD!

I thoroughly enjoy painting roosters and chickens and almost always paint one or two for this challenge.  This is from a photo reference I took in Kentucky at a friend's house when I stopped in unannounced and she was not home.  I gathered black walnuts from the trees lining the road to her drive, snapped some photos and went on my merry way.  :)

I love the vibrant colors and particularly the posture of these fowl.  That strutting walk and thrust out chest with tail feathers high just inspire me and I hope I never get tired of painting them!  Who can resist?  Not I!

POSSIBILITIES

"Possibilities"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
SOLD!

There is nothing like looking at the clock in the studio at 6pm on Dec. 31st and realizing there is a painting due the next morning for Leslie Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days" Challenge!  Well, I did have 5 panels prepared and a few more partially prepared, so I have a few days to flesh them out.  Meanwhile, I hadn't even looked at my reference materials to begin to choose one painting, let alone 30!

New beginnings for the new year seemed to say........"eggs".  Eggs are a new beginning, whether as life or as breakfast, so........eggs it is then!  "Possibilities" was painted in quick time, but I am very happy with the result.  There was a lot of play back and forth between brush and palette knife and between warms and cools to find a balance I could love.

Tomorrow I must spend some time prepping the rest of my panels.  Don't you think that might be a good idea?!

JETS

"Jets"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
For purchase information, please visit my daily painting website HERE

I love most things vintage, and shoes are no exception.  I think there is a certain amount of character that comes with love, use and age that appeals to a broad range of people.  It's a nostalgia thing.  You know.....like your favorite childhood toy that your Mom saved for you to give to your own child, or the baseball glove your Dad gave you for that A on your report card and you kept.  Those are things that pull at my heartstrings.  These items have a story...

FIVESIES

"Fivesies"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
For purchase information, please visit my daily painting website HERE

Remember these?  I sure do.  We didn't have a gym for PE class when I was in high school.  Living in a small town and going to an all girls school, our physical education teacher was challenged for activities for us when the weather was bad and we couldn't go outside to play volleyball or do *yuck* calisthenics.  So on rainy days, we learned to play bridge, square danced and had Jacks tournaments.  I was never very good at this "sport" but my best friend was a pro!  Thanks for the memories, Joyce  :)

HI-YO SILVER!

"Hi-Yo Silver"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
For purchase information, please visit my daily painting website HERE

More accurate color on the link above......grrrrrrrrrrrr @ Blogger again!

I love the look of this little silver horse, a little stylized statue, which charmed me when I saw it.  This is a play with values to create the look of metal.  The dramatic blue background seems to work well for me.  I toned with red for this one, and the color accentuates the forms in what might otherwise have been a tighter, less playful painting.  I enjoy playful, don't you?

PLUM TUCKERED OUT

"Plum Tuckered Out"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
To purchase on my Dailypaintworks auction, click HERE

I can't remember where I got this photo...probably online somewhere.  There are plenty of free photo sites where artists can download images from which to paint, so this one could have been pulled from one of those, or even several.  I often piece photos together for a painting.

We have been thinking "garden" lately, and I am anxious to get started planting this year.  We have a wonderful camp stove to use to can outside, since the Florida heat comes quickly in Spring.  At the top of my list to can are tomatoes and green beans, our favorites!  So, plum tomatoes are definitely a must.  Canning can be exhausting, but is so rewarding.

HONEYBELL

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

Wet paintings don't make the best photos, so pardon this glossy image.  I don't know why Blogger doesn't allow the same resolution all the time, but there it is........  You will find a better image at the auction link above, and even that one is not perfect.  It must have something to do with the brilliant colors against the dark background.

It's citrus season, reminding me of how our good friend Margaret loved her honeybell tree.  When these sweet gems ripened, she would take the lawn chair out, park it under the tree, and eat her fill daily.  She did often share with us, but you could count on her to make a huge dent in the crop!