#16 of 30 Paintings/30 Days challenge

Mixing paint and trying out different color combinations with a limited palette the last 15 days has been one of the BEST exercises for me.   Did I say, mixing paint?

Yes...sounds like I've been really limiting myself.....but when working with color that is pre-mixed, it's easy to develop a routine of just picking up that stick of color (pastel sticks) or rich tube of paint and not pushing to try and do something different  with it other then making that one stroke on canvas or paper.

For me?...that's nothing more then laziness.  January is a good month for changing old habits.  All aspects of tweeking my work habits, ever so slightly,  is spilling over into "other" areas of my life as well.  Such as......my morning ritual of French Vanilla Capaccino (Sugar! Sugar! Sugar!) before doing anything else.

Realizing the comfort foods aren't needed anymore , or at least I've cut back on .....(we're talking my capaccino and chocolate here.).....my confidence is rising.  I've tapped into that flow of imagination and wonder and look at my surroundings with brighter light.

In stating all this, I leave you with a quote.  Oh...to see painting square #16, click here: http://ginlammert.fineartstudioonline.com/works/1069906/square-

"When you are on the problem, you stay in the problem.
  When you focus on a solution, you move forward toward something that is more in alignment with your passion and joy.
       Seek a solution of what is your passion....... we must be the change we wish to see in the world."
~Gandhi
 

30 Paintings/30 Days #15

I've just posted #15 of my painting challenge. 
Check it out here:  http://ginlammert.fineartstudioonline.com/works/1068249/square-
Yes....I'm a day ahead !  (Too much fun to put the brush or palette knife down. )
So far, I feel this has been one of the BEST ways I've ever began a new year. 

For these reasons (and probably a few more).........
1.  I've dusted off reference books that have been sitting too long without my thumbing through them.  (Actually "reading" them....... doing more than just looking at the pictures.)

2.  I'm using different brushes for each square block I'm painting. (some have NEVER been touched).
This process is helping me decide which I really like and those I need to give to someone else to try.

3.  Re-visiting and discovering new color combinations of oil paints on my palette. 

Something I didn't think of before starting this challenge was how I've spent  more time working with the soft pastels and ignoring my tubes of oils.   In doing this, I've developed a laziness with how I choose colors for what I want to create.   Since pastels are already a set color stick, I've had no need to mix and play with different combinations I would normally avoid.

I'm excited about all I'm discovering and plan to create a body of work in 2013 that will be a real eclectic mix of different sizes, subject matter, and medium created in.
Now.....on to square #16 and Happy Creating!     

Still not able to download photos from computer

So.....to follow my 30 Paintings/30 Days challenge ....continue viewing the new work on my website.  When you go there, please click the link ARTWORK   Go to: http://www.ginlammert.com

I'm EXCITED....started working on limited palette of "warm" colors.  It's hard to put the brush down after painting a small square.

30 Paintings/30 Days

Well....I'm having some difficulty with posting pictures here.  I've posted on my Facebook page 2 images of this project I'm taking part in.

Last count that I know of, around 250 artists are starting the new year with painting daily.  30 Paintings/30 Days.  The brain storm of artist Leslie Saeta.  You can read more about this project on her blogspot.  http://www.lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

Go to my Facebook page to see the start of my work.  I've marked off 3 canvases size 24"x18" into even 6x6 squares.  Painting a square a day.  I'm sticking with a single Pear as still life subject. 

These are limited palette studies.....I'm playing with different combinations of cool colors , then warm colors on next canvas, and a mix of both on the final canvas.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to download the pics here.  I invite you to click the facebook button at the right and check out the work in progress.

est.1902

~ click image to enlarge ~

Size: 23"x35"  Soft Pastel on Wallis Archival Paper

It's done!  Greens seem a bit brighter here then on the original.  I couldn't adjust the color on my computer to what I liked.  Still....it's pretty close.

This is a commissioned work that will be going to California.   The house sits on a Century Farm just NW of Lacey Keosauqua State Park in VanBuren Co., Iowa.  There's a  new house being built and this one will be a fond memory for family members.

I'm honored to be asked to do this piece and I hope it's owner will enjoy it for years to come.

Gift of Love

~ click on image to enlarge ~

Here's a view of this finished piece at my work station at home.  Reference photos to the left, and pastel sticks to the right.  Ah....Home Sweet Home!

I finished this work close to the end of November. The image is 20x16 ; pastels on Wallis paper mounted on archival foam board.  The father of the bride commissioned the work as a Christmas present for his daughter.  The vows of love were exchanged sometime this past Summer in Des Moines.

Thinking of Christmas!

- Click on image to enlarge -

These little jewels are small stretched canvases that I've been having fun creating oil images on.  Each canvas is roughly 3"x3" in size.  They will be sold with the supporting easel. 

I'll have these mini gems with me this weekend (Dec. 1st/2nd) at the Iron & Lace store in Bentonsport, IA.  It's the "Celebrating Christmas in the Villages" weekend.   Store hours in Bentonsport are 10am to 5pm both days.

Want to support the creative process?  Give a Unique "One of a Kind" gift that is joyful and created with love?  Send me an email if you're interested in purchasing one or a set of mini oil paintings.
Send to: ginlammert@yahoo.com   with  " Mini Oil Paintings" in the subject line.

Now, back to being Santa's helper I go.......Hi Ho! Hi Ho! Hi Ho!

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