30 in 30 Collage January 2016!

My collage! Congratulations everyone!

#30 Good Things

 #30 of the challenge. 8x10 oil.
Lilies are symbolic for so many things: love, purity, devotion, rebirth, resurrection, life, hope, miracles, and the list goes on.  All good things! So I thought it would be a good subject for my last painting in this challenge. What a great way to start the year. This month has been fun and challenging. My brushes are tired! But also, to see and appreciate the art and the efforts of so many friends, all supporting each other. Thank you (artists and all)  for your support and comments. And thank you to all who have given my paintings new homes! I can't wait until September to do it all again! I hope everyone has a 2016 that's filled with all of those words that this flower symbolizes.
............Until tomorrow and another painting!

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#29 It'll All Work Out

#29 of the challenge. Sometimes, whether it's a stranger or a friend, I think we all need someone to say, "It'll all work out".  Maybe this man is in the middle of a crisis. This is one of those paintings that named itself after the fact! On the other hand, maybe he simply wanted a cold beer. Then the title would have to change, and I'm too tired!

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#28 "I'm Not Getting Involved Again"

#28 of the challenge. As anyone can see, I love doing these birds! Didn't even plan it this time. I just started with the three strokes of dark paint and went from there. Really fun, and when I was finished, the title came from THEM. They just looked like they wanted to start some more mischief and one of them is uncomfortable with it. Goofy. 

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#27 Free Parking

#27 of the challenge. This is just a little scene from my memories and imagination. I want to be there! But alas, 3 more paintings to do.

I really have appreciated all your comments!

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#26 "Are We For Real?"

#26 of the challenge. I am just barely keeping up, but I still am! So for this I needed a plan. No lounging around. No fiddling, fussing, or stalling. I needed a painting. I decided I would just concentrate on shapes and contrasts. When I was done, I felt kinda sorry for the poor people.  They don't know if they're real, but I know they're having fun!

My class started today. What a totally delightful, fun, and open group of people (with more to come!).  It's going to be a great session!

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#25 It's Speaking to Me

#25 of the challenge. When a painting speaks, we listen! It's always fun to find just the right one that moves us in some way. By the way, I am offering free shipping in U.S. on all my paintings for the challenge month! 

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And, it seems my blog is once again being mailed out to subscribers!

# 24 Dare to be Different

#24 of the challenge. I did a rough sketch of a few pears and decided to do wild colors. So it was a good exercise in using glazes. It's hard to see the layers, but the glazes are great for creating some harmony (a little of each pear's color applied to the other pears). Also to tone down bright colors (although not much here!), and to give depth and luminosity. It was very fun! 

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#23 Let's Not Get Tangled Up In This

#23 of the challenge. More fun birds! And when I finished, I realized that they looked like they might get tangled up......in their own legs! 

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#22 Take Notice

#22 of the challenge.  Another "free flowing" floral. Just enjoying the process. Still on track and I know you all are, too!  

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#21 Little Town Flirt

#21 of the challenge. I had fun with this one, partly because I was humming this song the whole time, and the painting just fit with the title. I love those oldies, and Del Shannon is one of my favorites. So, ladies, hang on to your man, because this Little Town Flirt is back in town!   

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#20 Hidden Treasure

#20 of the challenge. I took a photo last summer of a bunch of kids looking for, and I assume collecting rocks. I loved the composition, so it is filling my number 20 slot. It's oil, and 10x8.

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#19 Are We There Yet?

#19 of the challenge.They are almost there maybe. I was really in the mood to paint a mother with her baby. Maybe because I'm feeling so blessed to be a mother. I had fun making those chunky big strokes in the foreground!

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#18 Us Four

#18 of the challenge. A small floral. I think I'm ready for spring now! I love the blues over the reds. This was very fun. Just one mark after another until I really liked it!

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#17 I Only Drink Diet

#17  I Only Drink Diet.   This is my bio! Yes, I am guilty of eating bad foods, while drinking diet pop. It popped into my mind the other day, and I thought it might be a humorous little painting. So it will take the #17 spot! 

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# 16 Elvis

#16 of the challenge. A giraffe. I've never painted a giraffe, but it was really fun. I have to give credit to my husband for the cute name. I asked what I should name him. He said, without blinking and very seriously,"Elvis". Almost like he was waiting to use it. It's getting pretty goofy around here these days.

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#15 Don't Panic

#15 of the challenge.  This has deep gallery wrapped edges that are painted. No need for a frame. Very textured, too. I should have taken photos along the way, as it evolved 10or 12 times. Geez! After I was finished, I looked at this and thought "they look panicked". Hence the title. Kinda how I'm feeling at this halfway point!!

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By the way, I didn't win the lottery. Maybe next time I'll buy a ticket.

# 14 Let's Get Away"

# 14 of the challenge.  It's frigid here in Michigan. And windy with blowing snow. And we haven't seen much sun lately. So when I approached my studio, I knew I wanted to pick up corals, oranges, and yellows. Ahhhhh, I feel warmer already.

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#13 "I Hear She's Gluten Free"

#13 of the challenge. This started out as 2 marks of blue paint (heads). Then some bodies with poses.

Then little dresses. Then basic background shapes. Then....it hit me: They're waitresses! So I went with it.The blues started the whole thing again!

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# 12 "I'm In!"

#12 of the challenge. I think of the word "enthusiasm" when I look at this guy. One definition of  it is

"intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval". It is one of the most valuable assets we can have, and practice, in my opinion. If we can "bloom where we're planted", so to speak, we are light years ahead as far as living and enjoying life. Of course I have failed at this quality from time to time. Life gets really hard sometimes. But for the most part, the person with enthusiasm stands out, and stands a better chance at true happiness.  Whether applying for a job, being a parent, an employee, an artist, a plumber, a banker. Be enthused! Let it show!
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#11 Daydream Believer

#11 of the challenge. This little bird was fun to paint. I really like the blues that I'm using these days! At the risk of dating myself, I bet it's easy to know what I was humming while painting!
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#10 Built to Last

#10 of the challenge. This little painting (7x5) is full of texture! For a little guy, he is what you might call stocky and sturdy. About 1/3 of the way there in the challenge!.

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#9 Don't Stop Now

#9 of the challenge. I was 3 -4 paintings ahead. Now I'm not. Uh oh..I know where I'll be all day! These people were really fun to paint. There may be troubles with them, or everything might just be fine. I just know that the hat girl has something important to say.
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# 8 Waitin Round the Bend

#8 of the challenge.  This started out as an acrylic painting. But I felt like enhancing, adding, and experimenting so I got the oils out and painted parts of it. So parts of it are smooth and some of it is textured. I kind of like the combo. I was humming "Moon River", one of my old favorites while painting, and that's where the title came from. 

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# 7 Groupies

# 7 of the challenge. This one was just plain fun....what with my indanthrone and prussian blues!

Simple, small, but taking the #7 spot! 
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#6 Can You Believe That?

#6 of the challenge. I love painting birds.  I started out using indanthrone blue and so a lot of the top colors have the blue mixed in to some degree (like the last several paintings). I think it gives unity/harmony throughout a painting, and also provides some unknown results depending on the degree of dryness and how much mixes in. I am pulling out the oils now and will use this technique with oils-a whole different thing.
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#5 Betty and the Boys

#5 of the challenge, and it was inevitable that a few goofy looking music lovers would show up! Just minding their own business and getting into it. 

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#4 Stolen Kiss

#4 of the challenge. This is one of those times where you just get lost in experimenting. I have been using prussian blue to do just random shapes with bold strokes. Then I added colors and more shapes on top while some of the dark blue has dried and some hasn't. I noticed that the faces on the right had a shape of paint that "connected" those two. So I ran with that. Who wouldn't?  I love it when the painting itself makes the decisions! This is done on a 6x6 canvas with wide (painted) sides, so no frame is needed.
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# 3 Free and Clear

#3 of the challenge. I have always heard people talk about painting on linen panels and how nice they are. I guess I've stayed away because of the cost difference. But while I was painting this, I kept thinking, "why does this feel so good? My brush is just smoothly gliding and guiding itself". Then I looked at the back....I had bought a few of these at Hobby Lobby, and forgot about them. Nice. I'll be getting more! Thank you all so much for the great birthday and art comments. Just incredible. I had a wonderful birthday.

#2 You and Me, Kid

#2 of the challenge.Today is my birthday! I was told repeatedly that my parents drove on bumpy roads to make it happen before the new year. I was stubborn I guess. So with New Year's and a birthday so close, I am doubly thankful and reflective as I start the new year. This came from a photo taken by my (amazing artist) friend, Linda Whitehead. I took wild liberties, because I couldn't begin to capture the essence of her photo. Thanks, Linda!

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#1 I'll Start

#1  Here we go- another try at 30 paintings in 30 days. How fun and challenging! This little guy is living a simple life, and wasn't doing anything, so he offered to be the first entry. So I called it "I'll Start". I hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2016. If I have another year like 2015, I'll be the luckiest girl alive. Family, friends, and painting.....what more could I want? Well.....an occasional Milk Dud helps. Thank you all for the supportive comments. They really keep me going!
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