I'm working again on "Fall Leaves 2" now.  Here's the start of one of the leaves.  Yes it looks rough, but you should have seen how "Red Rose 1" looked in the beginning stages!

Back From Trip and Back to Work

We returned last night after a 5-day trip to Puerto Rico.  That place sure can inspire an aspiring artist. The movies don't exaggerate; the water is amazing.  Its clarity was such a refreshing change from the brackish New Jersey surf. 
  San Juan has pelicans like we have seagulls.  I think I actually prefer the seagulls.  I find them cuter and less intimidating.
   After getting the house straightened up, I plan to work on "Fall Leaves 2."  I'm having some difficulty rallying my confidence with this one.  It's the same dimensions as "Red Rose 1," but vertical.  I'm satisfied with the background (which is unusual for me), but my courage is faltering with the actual subject matter.  I think it'll be ok once I really start playing around in the paint.  ;)

Today, I visited the Ocean County Artists' Guild with my wonderful hubby and kids.  This week, the guild is hosting a few things that caught my eye.  Theresa Heidel's work is there, and it is lovely.  It looks like she does mostly watercolor, and she does it very well. I'd like to meet her sometime, and perhaps buy one of her originals. It would be neat to get this one later, if I can.

Got the background pretty much finished for the next one.  The kiddos are sick, so I probably won't have time to work on it today.

Here's an acrylic painting I've just recently finished.  This one did take me awhile, simply because of the limited time I had per day for working on it and because of the 1 or 2 week break I took before I finished.

Red Rose 1

After making some adjustments to the painting since yesterday, I think I'm pretty much finished with "Fall Leaves 1."    Here's a close-up:

 

 There are a few details that may still need some attention, but it's done overall.

It's interesting trying to fit the time for painting into my schedule.  I work on these in little bits and pieces around the demands of raising 2 young children.  It's a challenge when our 14-month-old takes a special interest in my materials.  This afternoon, she took off with one of my sponges.

Note to self:  Have everything put away while she's around.  You would think this would be common sense, but I've been known to lapse a little in the common sense department from time to time.  ;)

Opening Post!

Hi everyone!  I'm excited to be starting my first art blog! Please bear with any changes, since I'm still figuring this out.  I will be posting some random stuff along with my own artwork from time to time, so do drop by again!  :)

For starters, here is an oil pastel painting I'm working on right now:

I hope to see you again soon!