Here is a collage of the 30 paintings I completed in the 30 days of January 2015

Day 30 of 30 day challenge

Wow!  I bet you thought I'd never make it!  Well, "you never know", I did it again this year.  Thought I'd finish off with another experimental abstract painting.  I was over last evening to see some of the artwork of my 11 year old granddaughter who is in grade 6 and was impressed with a pouring work she had done in her art class.  I though that was a technique that could be used quite effectively so I gave it a try.  I'll probably refine the process a bit and use it again - so "thank you Maija" for the inspiration.

8" x 8" acrylic on loose canvas.

$80

Day 29 of 30 day challenge

This is Low Tide at one of my favorite places for inspiration.  At this time of the year, when the tide is out, the ocean floor is a carpet of green.  The water from the shallow areas rushes out to the deeper spot and gives the impression of a small river running through green pastures.  So there is one more to go!  I'm not sure I will have the energy to meet the challenge and stress of painting one a day for 30 days!  But "you never know" - guess I'll give it my best shot!

8" x 8" acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 28 of 30 day challenge

I  get much of my inspiration from the Tswaout Reserve that is just down the road from were I live.  I normally make a daily trip to sit, observe, read and meditate.  Many of the paintings I have done have been from this area.  This is another one that I hope you will enjoy!

8" x 8" acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 27 of 30 day challenge

A bouquet of red!  A few years back I was at the Horseshoe Bay Ferry terminal and happened to see a painting that caught my eye.  The price was beyond me but when I got home I decided I could paint a similar one for myself, which I did.  It turned out well - a good sized 24" x 24" on stretched canvas which now hangs proudly on our living room wall.    I thought just for interest I would try a smaller size and see how that would go.  I find that, even if I am trying to paint a copy of something I've painted before, it is never the same as the first one.  So it is better just to paint an original to begin with.  This painting is not as good as the larger one, but it was two hours of learning some important lessons.  Three more to go!

8" x 8" acrylic of loose canvas

$80

Day 26 of 30 day challenge

I think I painted a couple of “cow” pictures for the 30 day challenge last year so I couldn’t pass this year without another cow. This is not original with me but I couldn’t resist painting it! I hope you can see it! Once you see it you’ll never be able to look at this painting again and not see it! Enjoy and let me know if you see it!

8" x 8" acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 25 of 30 day challenge

Oh No! You say. Not another abstract! Well, I think this is the last one in this 30 day challenge. I painted this one particularly because I wanted to try the “cross” configuration. I think I succeeded fairly well in that aspect but there are other things that I would like to experiment with in abstracts. One of those things is to try to get lighter paintings that don’t look so heavily loaded with paint, more like the work of J.H.. Perhaps I’ll see if I can take a lesson or two from her!

8" x 8" acrylic knife painting on loose canvas
$80

Day 24 of 30 day challenge

This is a small 6 ½” x 9” Plein Air watercolour I painted not too far from where I live (within easy biking distance). I started out a number of years ago painting in watercolour and still like to paint the occasional picture. There is nothing more relaxing than to sit in the car (you notice I didn’t bike), sipping a soft-drink, listening to good music and painting. I can easily lose track of time in this kind of setting. This was one of those occasions where two hours simply flew by!

6.5" x 9" on watercolour

$70

Day 23 of 30 day challenge

This abstract knife painting has a diagonal motif which is simply one of the many configurations that are possible in composition.  It's interesting to hear some of the impressions that people have to these abstracts.  Many different things can be seen in each of them and two people will never see the same thing.  I guess that's what makes abstracts so appealing - you can read into them your own pictures and images.  With some of the paintings people have said it makes them feel uncomfortable, frustrated, calm, relaxed, etc..  Perhaps those are not always feelings one gets from a traditional landscape painting, I don't know!

8' X 8" acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 22 of 30 day challenge

Another abstract knife painting using Golden Light Molding Paste.  The challenge is quickly coming to a close with only eight paintings to go.  I've tried to focus on rocks, abstracts, and knife painting up to this point.  But for the remainder of the time "you never know"!  Could be more abstracts, knife work or ???

8" x 8" acrylic on loose canvase

$80

Day 21 of 30 day challenge

I’ve been posting abstracts painted with the knife for the last few days. I find that this is a nice change from my usual landscape scenes and it has been another great learning experience. And certainly painting an abstract is more than just throwing some paint on the canvas and hoping something acceptable will miraculously appear. No, not at all! One must consider the composition of the painting – is the basic design going to be diagonal, horizontal or vertical. Do I want a cross motif, an X design, or a Z shape to lead the eye to where I want to lead it. Then I need to consider harmony, contrasts, balance (horizontal and vertical), dynamics, dominance, repetition, focus, and active and passive areas. If I have implemented some of these criteria, then I might have an acceptable abstract painting!

8" x 8" acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 20 of 30 day challenge

This is another knife painting and a good learning experience.  I soon discovered that it is very difficult to get the fine details painted with a knife, hence the sail boat.  I'm generally pleased with the painting except for the boat but it was too late to go back in an try to make the required changes.  Two hours and that's it - you never know!

8" x 8" acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 19 of 30 day challenge

I decided to try something different today which is a combination of several techniques.  This is an abstract painted with a knife using some Golden Light Molding Paste and a technique called "SCRAFFITO".  At first I wasn't particularly enthralled with it, but I think it's something that could grow on a person over time!  My wife loves this kind of work and I'm sure she would buy all that I could produce!  Only difficulty is that wouldn't put any additional cash into the bank account!!!!

8" x 8" Acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 18 of 30 day challenge

Another knife painting using Golden Light Molding Paste.  As I paint these I find that some come fairly quickly while others I struggle with, but in each of them I learn some new lesson.  I guess that's what it's about - to learn.  I never want to come to the place where I cease to learn new lessons in life.  Hope you enjoy these trees, whatever kind then are - aspens! birch! who knows?  Remember my theme is "You Never Know!"

8" x 8" acrylic on loose canvas
$80

Day 17 of 30 day challenge

Oh No! I almost forgot to post this morning - must be because it's the weekend and I'm getting forgetful.  This is another knife painting using Golden Light Molding Paste to give some nice texture to the flowers.  I'm quite enjoying working with the knife and the paste!  Hope you enjoy looking at this two hour effort as well.

8" x 8" acrylic of loose canvas

$80

Day 16 of 30 day challenge

This is painted entirely with a knife using Golden Light Molding Paste which gives a lovely texture to the scene.  I tried to keep this fairly loose, which is easier to do with a knife than with a brush.  This is a scene just down the road from us within walking distance if I chose to walk it.  I'm especially pleased with the texture of the whole canvas - something my wife really likes!  Just to update I mentioned that there were just over 800 artists taking part in the 30 day challenge.  Latest word is that there are over 1200 that are involved.  It's a great experience and interesting to see what others are painting.  There are a number of my local friends who are taking part!

8" x 8" acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 15 of 30 day challenge

This is a re-visit of Day 13.  We're half-way through the 30 day challenge.  Some days have been good, other days I have had to force myself to get on with the painting.  With the weather becoming nicer it is even more difficult because I know there are a number of things that need to be done in early spring.  As well, my little puppy Zoey, who was born September 26, is taking a fare amount of time to train.  I think she is progressing nicely and one of the good things is that she gets me out walking several times a day.  With all of the regular responsibilities of life I squeeze in two hours a day for painting.

Some ask why I paint on loose canvas.  I paint on loose canvas instead of stretched canvas because it takes a lot less room to store the finished painting.  If perchance someone wishes to purchase a painting and they want it stretched, then I can easily do that!

8" x 8" acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 14 of 30 day challenge

So what does one do when the painting you had planned to work on and even got
started with, doesn’t work out? Well, in frustration I quit, but what to do with the paint
left on my palette? Sometimes I have been able to get it back into the tubes, which is a
real art in itself. Other times I just wash it off if there isn’t too much. But this time I said
“why not put it onto the canvas and in that way I can cover up all the errors I have
made and perhaps I can surprise myself with the result! So, here are two “Genies” from
Aladdin’s Lamps! You Never Know!

8" x 8" acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 13 of 30 day challenge

I said at the beginning of the 30 day challenge that I was limiting myself to 2 hours per painting and then posting whether “good, bad, or ugly”.  Well here is the one for today and I am not at all happy with it.  I thought rocks would be pretty easy.  I had permission to use a wonderful resource photo from a friend in Melbourne, Australia which would make a beautiful painting.  But some days things just don’t come together.  I like what Mary Ann Laing said in one of her recent postings: “Ugh... another important aspect of this 30/30 Challenge is to accept our own fragility, and what is more humbling than painting something we know is not good and exposing it to the public??”  How true Mary Ann – so here is Day 13, warts and all!  But what a learning experience it is.  Now I know what doesn’t work, what colors are not right, and what needs to be changed compositionally.  I will revisit this at some later time and who knows? It might be a winner.  Anyway, the theme I’m working with is “You Never Know” and sometimes you just never know!!!!

8" x 8" acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 12 of 30 day challenge

I'm still working on rocks as this basic study indicates.  Some people paint rocks with ease and are able to portray them realistically.  Others of us continue to develop that skill.  I'm reminded, that for all of us, we really are developing our skills and abilities.  It's just that some are further along than others.  I guess that's true in art and in life!

8" x 8" acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 11 of 30 day challenge

Rocks along the River is my latest two hour effort.  This was a photo on a birthday card my wife received for her 70th!  I contacted the sender and received permission to paint this but as it has turned out there are considerable modifications!

8" x 8" Acrylic on loose canvas
$80

Day 10 of 30 day challenge

This amazing rock is located just to the west of Okatooks, Alberta.  It is massive and amazingly it is out in an open field with not many other rocks around it.  There are not even many smaller rocks to be found in the area.  So, how did the rock get there?  Was it the result of some catastrophic geological explosion that furled it miles and miles away from the mountains that can be seen in the distance?  Was it deposited as it glided along on some ice flow and then dropped as the ice melted?  Who knows for sure?  Whatever, it is a site that attracts many visitors year after year.  I have been there many times and have stood in wonder, amazement, and awe trying to imagine how and why it is there.  I don't know!

8" x 8" acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 9 of 30 day challenge

I was born and raised in the Drumheller, Alberta area so would often visit these "HOODOOS" which where fairly close to where we lived.  The Alberta blue sky forms a nice backdrop to these unique rock formations.  A two hour painting can't do justice to the impressiveness of these strange looking figures but I believe I got the basic idea.  I guess it's something like cooking.  One can get a meal on the table in a hurry if need be, but it will just be the basics.  If you want to prepare a fine four or five course treat for the taste buds it's going to take some time.  The same is true for painting a finished work or art.  Anyway, enjoy what you have before you!

8" x 8" Acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 8 of 30 day challenge

Today we have more "rocks" along with some waves in this two hour painting.  I'm finding that painting rocks well takes a fair amount of expertise so I will need to keep developing this ability.  In all of these paintings I am discovering new things and developing new methods which is part of what the exercise is to accomplish.  Time also seems to be more of an issue for this year's challenge as I have a three month old puppy who demands a great deal of attention as I'm still trying to get her potty trained - just like having a newborn in the house!

 8" x 8" Acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 7 of 30 day challenge

Now we're ROCK'N!  I feel I need to learn a bit more about painting rocks so the next few paintings will be along that line.  Here's my first two hour extravaganza to capture some rocks.  I must confess that I really struggled with this one and the final image turned out nothing like my reference photo.  But, of course, you would never know that except for me telling you.  Anyway, I'm fairly satisfied with the end result, but as always there are things that could be changed and improved.  As artists I guess we all feel that a painting is never as good as it could be and is never finished.  But for this 30 day challenge I have set a boundary - TWO HOURS AND IT'S DONE!

8" x 8" Acrylic on loose canvas

$80

Day 6 of 30 day challenge

Another Realistic Abstract and again painted on 300# Arches Watercolor paper.  This will be the last of three painted on paper.  I really like the way the paint responds to the damp paper - almost like painting with watercolor!  I'm not sure, though, about the permanency of the painting, whether it will need to be framed under glass, or can it just be varnished and put in a frame?  I have tried to lift some paint off after it is dry but it seems impossible to do.  With watercolor, even after the paint is dry, you can take a damp brush and lift color off.
Anyway, tomorrow I'll "rock" on to something else for a week or so.  Variety is always good and my theme for these thirty days is "you never know!".  You never know what will be tomorrow so stay tuned!

8" x 8" acrylic on 300# Arches Cold Pressed Watercolor paper

$80

Day 5 of 30 day challenge

Today I tried some "negative painting" for something different.

I'm limiting my time to two hours per painting and attempting some 

new techniques and approaches.  It's all a learning experience!

8" x 10" Acrylic on door-skin panel

$100

Day 4 of 30 day challenge

This is another attempt at a Realistic Abstract, but again I think it might be just a bit too realistic.  That's what happens when detailed, logical, straight-line left brain likes to take over.  I may try to paint a similar one later in the month to see if I can't be a little more loose, that is loose in my painting!  Anyway, the whole process is a good learning experience which is part of the purpose of the whole endeavor.  I have determined that I will spend no more than TWO HOURS on each painting and what it is at that point it is and on to the next one.  Just a couple more along the Realistic Abstract line, and then I'll really begin to "rock"!

Day 3 of 30 day challenge

This is another Realistic Abstract that I believe is closer to what I am trying to achieve.  I used acrylic on 300# watercolor paper and am pleased with the way the colors blend and spread.  It's almost like painting with watercolor, the main difference is that the colors are permanent.  They can't be lifted off with water after they have dried as can be done with regular watercolor paint.

8" x 8" acrylic on 300# Arches cold pressed water color paper

$80

Day 2 of 30 day challenge

Here is an excellent example of accountant type, straight line thinker left brain trying to do something that right brain would do with the greatest of ease!

During this 30 day challenge I set as one of my goals some work in abstract paintings.  Kees van Aalst in his book Realistic Abstracts says that this type of painting "is painting in which the subject is recognisable, but is a long way from the photograhic approach; it is work painted with freedom and fluency that stimulates and excites the viewer and forces him or her to use their own imagination".

I said yesterday that if I worked at it I could get paintings that were unrecognizable!  Use your imagination and be excited with this one!

8" x 8" Acrylic on loose canvas

$80

30 Paintings in 30 Days - 2015

Day One

I'm wanting to do some work in abstracts along the lines of what Kees van Aalsat calls Realixtic Abstracts.  This is a little too realistic but I'm sure that future paintings can become almost unrecognizable!

 Acrylic on 8" x 8" loose canvas

$80