Fruit Bearing - Show Tip #22

Fruit Bearing Loquats, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

Sold in Solo Show, "Chasing Color, Finding Light", Davis Gallery

These pretty little fruits are Loquats. We have several Loquat trees in our backyard and they produce lots of fruit every spring. I am always attracted to their shapes and often paint them. And yes, you CAN eat them (squirrels love them too). They have several pits and taste a bit like apricots. Yum! 

Show Tip #22 - Deep Six Your Doubts

Somewhere along the line, and often as the big reveal of all my work draws near, a case of the "doubts" sets in. I begin to wonder... What I was thinking? Is any of the work good enough? Why did I think I could paint at all? I've come to expect this stage, but it's never fun. Combatting it requires digging deep for hidden courage reserves and keeping a level head (having a trusted friend or spouse who can talk you in off the ledge is very helpful too). It's all related to the fact that these paintings are very personal expressions, and let's face it, the possibility of rejection is scary. I share this tip not because I have a foolproof solution, but because the feeling is pretty universal. Somehow it helps to know that we ALL feel it at some point. 

Here are links to other Show Tips:

Tip #1 - Stock up on Supplies
Tip #2 - Set up Deadlines
Tip #3 - Determine Subject Matter

Tip #4 - Work in Series

Tip #5 - Establish a Schedule

Tip #6 - Be Kind to YOU

Tip #7 - Follow your Heart

Tip #8 - Stay Flexible

Tip #9 - Whistle While You Work

Tip #10 - Fight Through Fears

Tip #11 - Take Notes

Tip #12 - Know when to Quit

Tip #13 - Stay Updated

Tip #14 - Balance Effort and Ease

Tip #15 - Assign Tasks

Tip #16 - Step Back

Tip #17 - Sign As You Go

Tip #18 - Take Your Best Shot

Tip #19 - Celebrate Growth

Tip #20 - Varnishing Day(s)

Tip #21 - Frame Incrementally

Painters - join me at this Plein Air Workshop:

April 28-30, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA

Contact Info: Mary Anderson, 912-634-8414

Golden Pears - Show Tip #2

Golden Pears, 18 x 18, oil, L. Daniel © 2016

Sold in Solo Show, "Chasing Color, Finding Light", Davis Gallery

Fruit that is actually growing on the tree seems somehow fruitier, doesn't it? It must have something to do with seeing it in context... how it's connected to the tree, how it grows and how it is nourished. This bunch was on a tree in California and the pears were quite sumptuous. I loved their plumpness and how they were tucked into the boughs. 

Golden Pears Block-In (ultramarine and burnt sienna)

Note that I added a third pear to the bunch as I painted. :)

Tip #2 - Set up Deadlines
I need deadlines to get things done. When I was a graphic designer, I often made appointments to show ideas to clients BEFORE I ever did the work. Having an appointment on the calendar forced me to actually do it. Deadlines just work for me, even if self-imposed. For my show, I need more than just an end date to get all the paintings finished. SO, I figure out how many new pieces I want to include, and divide that number by the number of weeks between now and my finish date (remember to include drying and framing time). That tells me how many paintings I need to finish each week, and I can set my schedule accordingly. Number of paintings / number of weeks = number of paintings per week. (Math is not my strong suit and I inverted the equation in my original post. Sorry. Hopefully you got the gist.)

How does this take away the stress? Well, first of all, it breaks down what could feel like a giant, daunting task into smaller achievable goals. Second, it keeps me from getting bogged down in any single painting and gets me into the flow way faster than if I noodle around on one piece. Third, when I meet my goal each week I can pat myself on the back, AND take a break (it's important to feel human). Yes, even a creative can benefit from keeping a schedule. 

Here is a link to my first tip... more to come and thank you for following along!
Tip #1 - Stock up on Supplies

Painters - join me at this Plein Air Workshop:

April 28-30, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA

Contact Info: Mary Anderson, 912-634-8414

Cut Pineapple - Twenty-six of 30 in 30

Cut Pineapple, 5 x 7, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2015

#26 in 30 Day Challenge

SOLD

There is nothing quite like fresh pineapple - so juicy and delicious! The double joy was painting it first (two times!) This one was perfectly ripe and will be featured in the breakfast mix for the next few days. Yum!

Please join me for these upcoming Workshops:

March 26-29, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: Austin, Texas

April 30-May 2, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: St. Simons Island, GA

Pomegranates on Green - Ten of 30 in 30

Pomegranates On Green, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

#10 in 30 Day Challenge

SOLD

I set these pomegranates aside while painting the bough with buds, and loved how they looked on the green tea towel. So... my next idea was sitting there just waiting for me! 10 days and 1/3 of the way through the 30 day challenge and I am very happy I jumped in. There are so many benefits to stepping up to the easel (no matter what) each day. 

Please join me for these upcoming Workshops:

January 22-24, 2015 | Still Life | Click here to register: Austin, Texas

March 26-29, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: Austin, Texas

April 30-May 2, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: St. Simons Island, GA

Pomegranate Bough - Nine of 30 in 30

Pomegranate Bough, 6 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

#9 in 30 Day Challenge

SOLD

These pomegranates were also rescued from my garden before the freeze, and they are a favorite subject of mine to paint. To my friends in the north, please forgive my whining about the weather. I realize that it's downright HOT here compared to what you are experiencing! Stay warm, my friends!

Please join me for these upcoming Workshops:

January 22-24, 2015 | Still Life | Click here to register: Austin, Texas

March 26-29, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: Austin, Texas

April 30-May 2, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: St. Simons Island, GA

Lemon Slices - Seven of 30 in 30

Lemon Slices, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

#7 in 30 Day Challenge

SOLD

Here is one thing I am noticing about painting 30 paintings in 30 days... it takes commitment. There are just some days that get very full before the brushes can hit the palette. It's tempting to look at the clock and become discouraged with the amount of daylight left (and I am NOT one for painting at night). Today was one of those... BUT... a commitment is a commitment, and I got 'er done! YAY!

Please join me for these upcoming Workshops:

January 22-24, 2015 | Still Life | Click here to register: Austin, Texas

March 26-29, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: Austin, Texas

April 30-May 2, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: St. Simons Island, GA

Golden Pear - 30 in 30 Challenge

Golden Pear, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

#1 in 30 Day Challenge

SOLD

Happy New Year, All! With the holidays behind us and a new year ahead, I am needing a little discipline on the painting front. If you are like me, you have had a delightful month of bouncing babies, family dinners, parties, parties, and more parties; and you are wondering how to get back at it. :)

Well, to get myself back in the saddle I am joining Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Challenge - 30 paintings in 30 days. I may be a day late to starting line, but as Leslie says, there are no rules to be broken and it's never too late (the point is to just get painting). So I am going for it. You can check out her challenge HERE. Thank you, Leslie, for your timely new year's motivation!

To get started, I checked the refrigerator for possible subject matter and found one last golden-wrapped pear in the Harry and David's box. Now I get to eat it!

Overflowing and a Demo

Overflowing, 10 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

Workshop Demo - NFS

This is the second demo I did for my work-shoppers last week. Several of you have written to ask about my process and what I was teaching. Although I didn't get process shots of either piece I painted in class, below is a series of paintings from my handout that show my general approach. Of course, this is greatly simplified (you have to come to the class for the long version - wink, wink) but hopefully, you will get the gist.

Under Drawing Block In

Consider this a road map of your composition.

Identify and separate shadow family from light family.

 Establish Values in Color

Paint SHAPES of color and light.

(SQUINT DOWN for large masses.)

Add Subtle Shifts

Break up major shapes with subtle value and temperature shifts to suggest detail.

Add Highlights, lowlights, calligraphy

These are the finishing touches - Save till last!

I do love still life work and believe that painting from life in the studio is incredibly good practice. DO try this at home! :)