August 30, 2009

Oh Paris again... When will I get back there? I was hoping for October but since nothing has been planned or even looked at lately that looks unlikely. Then there's the whole unemployment thing to worry about... Just have to start selling some pictures and getting my act together.

The gargoyle was spotted around the Palais de Justice and the lamp somewhere on the left bank or Ile de la Cite. Can't remember which.

August 29, 2009

Two more today to make up numbers. Still lagging behind, though. Need more ideas to make me take the time to sit down and do it.

As usual, Paris is always on the mind so an iconic sculptural figure is the subject of one sketch. The other is an image from a magazine. Just quick sketches because I had a party to plan yesterday. More visitors today and I MUST do some other work for this week so I may not get any paintings done today. I would like to go to the art supply store. It's my last day as a "student" to get a discount and I might as well stock up. It was nice having a student card again thanks to a one week photography course.

August 26, 2009

I call it French dude on a bike. Took a snap of a man on a bike in Paris just because he looked so Parisian.

August 25, 2009

Well I finished the piece and here it is. Had to go back to it to wait for the texture medium to dry and the masking. I need new masking fluid and better stuff. It actually coloured the paper so that's not good.

It also makes me think that I should be painting an image of my own house. My husband keeps asking for that so look for that soon.

Added to the production yesterday (still trying to make up for my lack of production lately) is a quick sketch made at Starbuck's. I was killing some time and having a tea waiting for the prints I was matting to dry at the museum. Quite nice having to take a break. It was the only time I really sat down all day until about 6.

August 24, 2009

Yesterday's contribution. Not as prolific as Sunday but I got another one started (had to let the texture application dry and the masking fluid).

As with my photos, I love Parisian street scenes and I took a photo of this common ornament near Pere Lachaise cemetery.

Moving on now to the one I prepared earlier... See it tomorrow.

August 23, 2009

I was quite prolific today and feel quite good about that and trying to forget that I have let things go the last week or so. The weather has been too nice. You might say "Get out and paint in it then" but then all I want to do is flick through a magazine. There have been the house projects and friends coming over and work getting in the way (freelancing a bit).

So, today I had some making up to do but it was a cloudy day and I had a fantastic day out in the country yesterday so back to work (should be doing some real work but that's another story). These are mostly just sketches to get me back into the practice. More involved painting coming soon.

The telephone is inspired by an image on decor8. I did the orange cat from an image and then thought I should be doing one of my own cat, Zoe. The colouring on her face makes it look like a mask. I'm sure there will be more modelling for her in the near future. Haven't quite caught her character yet. The dress was inspired by a photo in Homes and Antiques of a black flapper's dress. I made it less severe in mauves.

Day 20-21 ? - August 11 and 17, 2009

Well, I'm starting to fail here. Even though I had a whole week with no work I didn't manage to keep up with this. Too many things to do around the house, I suppose. I'm even going to include a cake I made as one of my "creations". It was really a joint effort, though - I made the cake, bought the ingredients and whipped up the cream but my husband was artistic with the fruit.

I'm going to have to do two a day from now on to catch up. Only not tonight, there's cake to be eaten!

I'm not entirely happy with my last two paintings anyway. I do have an obsession with clocks (my husband says it is a sign of madness).

Day 18 and 19 - August 8-9, 2009

Well after the window installation there was a lot of clean-up which led to more clean-up and re-arranging and then I was too tired to do anything else but I did have some ideas waiting. So here they are. Both were inspired by images in Homes and Antiques. The first one is a collection of treen and then another chair. Both were adjusted from their original image.

day 15, 16, 17 - August 7, 2009

Okay, I had to do three today and I'm not entirely pleased with the results. Maybe it was too much quantity over quality. I started doing a second painting with a fireplace but scrapped that early on. Maybe it was also having window installers in. Or it is just plain old me. Anyway, the weekend is supposed to be rainy and I don't have much on for the rest of the week except house related projects, no actual work this week except Monday. I should be able to keep to one a day.

The first was the bedroom painting inspired by a photograph in Homes and Antiques (I used to have a subscription but had to let it lapse). The second was just a thought about my supplies. Lastly was the floral. I was just taken by the lines of bright fuschia in these flowers (called colchicum).

Day 14 - August 4, 2009

Bought a new sketch book yesterday and a couple of new brushes. I wasn't sure if I would actually use them though but I pushed myself. Not entirely pleased with the result but you can't like them all.

Day 13 - August 3, 2009

Bit more than a sketch today. I saw a photo in a magazine last night talking about onion sellers in France back in the day and I could already see the photo as a watercolour with some changes. I might even post this one on etsy.

It's a holiday today so I might even attempt another one since I know it will be difficult on Wednesday. I will be out after work with my Japanese teacher. I've been working on that today. I hope she's not disappointed with my progress so far. Such a beautiful looking language. Doubt I will ever use but it is fun learning.

Day 11 and 12 - August 2, 2009

So I doubled up again as I knew I would with guests over last night. And it is the long weekend but yet again just quick sketches. I don't seem to be able to settle on any one thing and then there are always other chores to do.

I've also been turning some attention onto my etsy site. I'm a bit disheartened with it at the moment and I'm trying to think of ways to get some sales. No luck so far. Maybe when I get my moo cards and can start hawking my wares out in the real world? We'll see. I'm toying with the idea of leaving them in library books and seeing what happens.

So once again a chair. This time inspired by a brown leather one seen in a French magazine. The coffee cup, ditto.

Day 9 and 10 - July 31, 2009

I had to double up on creating this Friday since a little accident on my bike made it difficult to do anything on Thursday night.

So the first image was probably inspired by my garden as I was supposed to be working in the garden on Friday but I was still a little sore for that. Got the mowing done on Saturday instead. Actually catching up on everything today so I will have to double up production again tomorrow.

The second, my favourite subject - a chair. I only have to check out decor8 to get inspired and there was a red chair that did it this time.