Tucson Cactus

 

A barrel cactus in late January. Acrylic on Masonite. 8"x8"   

This is by far the only blooming cactus this time of the year here in Arizona. I am enjoying painting shadows and the barrow shapes. Also trying to make the colors interesting with minimal pizazz. Shadows are important so values are important to pay attention to. This is my second attempt at a barrel cactus. Still struggling somewhat. 

Butterfly

Philippians 4:13  Acrylic on Masonite, 8"x8"

I have a friend who has cancer.  It is a frightening ordeal.  She is relatively young and right now hope is at a premium.  She can't have flowers at this point in her hospital room.  Therefore I painted this painting and gave it to her recently wishing it will provide her a place to quiet her mind and lighten her heart.  I named the painting Philippians 4:13 which is from the Bible.  The verse is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Strength, hope and prayers.

Discovery...An Ongoing Adventure

Jazz Fest Lily 6"x6" acrylic on hardboard

For two weeks I have been writing and adding paintings to this blog.  During that time I have been thinking about the direction the blog might take and its purpose.  On the first entry I said my main purpose was "reflection, inspiration, and accountability toward my work in progress".   
I like having a record of my work as I complete the daily paintings.  Some, like todays Jazz Fest Lily did take just one day.  Some works have taken two or more depending on the problems I have had to solve to complete the work.  
So, what have I discovered in the last two weeks?
 • The technical aspects of painting, (loading the brush, combining a limited palette of colors, working with black gesso,) 
•Composition (viewing composition problems before I am too far into the painting to correct them easily)
•Setting up a blog, photographing artwork web ready and original, filing artwork, keeping a system for future reference on a spreadsheet.
•Organizing and prioritizing my life and schedule so that I have time to paint on a daily basis.  I am creating a habit of painting.  
•And finally I am continually viewing my world around me for inspiration.  As I sit here and type I look out directly below my window and I can see a small brown bunny nibbling at something near a hosta plant.  The sun is almost down. No shadows exist.  Not a breeze stirs the air.  If only I had a camera and I was closer I would take a photo ........ 

The painting I included today was done in one sitting.  It is a photograph I took of a daylily that was blooming over the 4th of July at the Iowa City Jazz Festival (therefore the name Jazz Fest Lily).  I like the movement of the leaves as if it is dancing.