48" x 24" unframed $500. by Laine

This beautiful boat is painted using both palette knife (giving lots of texture) and brushes. 

"Happy Birthday Chris Cagle". 12" x 12" by Laine

My little grandson is running toward his first birthday!

 That's all the excuse I needed to paint a birthday cupcake. 

Then I decided it might be fun to paint this in a class so we could display it for any birthdays we're celebrating. As always you can choose your own colors.  I used a combination of brushes and palette knives.  You may use both or either. 

We'll be painting this at Bud and Brushes in Pulaski, TN on February 18, 2014 from 6-9 PM.

Reserve your spot early by letting either Karen Spivey or me know! 

Day 20. "Looking Down The River" 8" x 10". by Laine

This  afternoon I took my paints to the river in the warm sunshine.  The sun was so hot on my skin I went to the mirror when I go home just sure I would be blessed with a summer tan.  I was surprised at how bland the landscape looks at this time of year.  I decided to paint using the colors I so loved this past fall...in other words from memory.  I came home thinking I want to do this again tomorrow only to learn that "winter" is returning ....tomorrow.  ugh

Day 13 "Hattie" 12" x 12" upcoming class

My Maternal Grandmothers name was Hattie.  Many years ago I lovingly named a pet rabbit in her honor.  We even trained it to use a litter box.  My Grandmother was a farmer and would probably have said it would make a nice stew.  How we have changed our way of thinking....and eating.  

We'll be painting this little rabbit in classes closer to Easter.  Today I have been working on a painting for someone to give as a gift.  I'd be in trouble if I posted it and the giftee saw it before it was wrapped.  Now you know why you're getting to see little "Hattie" so early.  

I hope you're painting!

"Little Dingy". 6" x 6" by Laine

  Yesterday my choice was to spend time with two of my grand children ....or paint.  You know my choice.  So this afternoon I knew I had to get back to my goal of 30 paintings in 30 days.  I started out to paint this in shades of blue only.  Not sure what happened or even where the red and yellow came from....but they sure showed up!   I have noticed. I am being drawn to brighter colors.  My granddaughters would disagree and tell you I still wear a lot of black.  Recently in New York I saw stores where their whole focus was on black clothing.  It's true, I promise!  I know you'll believe me, even if my girls don't.  Ahhhh, the joys of granddaughters. 

Day 10. "Ready To Sail" 6" x 6" $125. by Laine

This would be such a bright spot sitting on a mantle or end table.  It would even fit on a book shelf. It would rest on a easel just like it is or framed if you prefer.

Day 9 that I forgot to post. 6" x 6" Not For Sale

Yesterday was one of those crazy days that though I was busy, it just didn't feel like I was productive, not that I didn't do several things that were important, yet at the end of the day, I certainly couldn't account for the last 12 hours.  ugh

Today is a good day!  

I have admired the work of artist Elio Camacho for his use of color.  My sister Kay took his workshop and came back saying not only his use of color was impressive, but also the amount of rolls of paper towels he went thru was huge.  :-)   I certainly relate to him.

This painting is really not my own although I did paint it.  It is my attempt to copy his use of color in order to learn to use such vibrant color.  Often I forget one of the ways of learning to paint is to copy both past and contemporary artists.  I learn so much when studying their work that I can now apply to my own originals.  For obvious reasons I won't be selling this piece mainly because I don't have his permission to copy his work.   

To enjoy and learn from his work you can google "Elio Camacho" images.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.  

Day 8 "It's Cold Outside" 12" x 12" $250. by Laine. Sold

Day 8 .... how many to go?  :-)    

This week I have studied several artist' paintings of snow from Monet to Schmidt.  I knew I wanted to paint a snow scene but had no idea where to begin.  One thing I found I loved was the blue tones in Monet's snow scenes.  It felt both happy and yet I thought it depicted the feeling of just how cold it must be.  We did get a dusting of snow this week here in Columbia, but nothing like where my imagination took me.  I remembered as a child living in West Virginia how excited we were when not only was the ground completely covered, but we could build snow forts in the huge drifts.  I hope this painting brings sweet childhood memories for you as it has for me. 

Day 7 "Reach Out And Touch" 10" x 8" by Laine

Day 7 ...One week done and only three to go!  I took the photo I used for this painting last fall.  Maybe it's my age, I find myself fascinated with clouds like I don't remember in my first youth. :-)  
As many times as I've painted them, I still struggle painting clouds as I see them.  The truth is these appeared to have much more yellow.  I wasn't pleased with my painting with the vivid yellow I thought I saw.  I plan to paint clouds a few more times this month because I want to improve my ability to show the awesomeness I see when I often pull onto the side of the road and pull out my camera. Did I say camera?  I meant I pull out my PHONE,  Now that really dated me!  ouch!
This afternoon once again I am awestruck that we have been gifted with the ability of not only seeing colors but to be able to create something that we can share with others. I like to think we are co-creating with God.  How generous of Him.

Day 6 "Walk Along The River" 12" x 12" by Laine

Day 6 ~!  Woo Hoo!  I am finding I'm actually enjoying the discipline this is requiring to make myself focus on painting everyday.  While I work on something to do with art and my classes most everyday anyway, I don't always make time to actually paint.....which is crazy since painting is one of my favorite things I do. I probably should have put a little snow in this one considering we have our first snow this winter that has stayed on the ground. I made the water a bit blue for the rivers here in Tennessee.....probably because I'm dreaming of walking along clear water in a warmer climate.  We will be painting this one in February where I'll be glad to help you make your water more like the Duck or Harpeth Rivers if you'd prefer.

Day 5 "When I Grow Up". 10" x 8" by Laine

Day 5 of 30 paintings this month.

I played with a palette knife tonight.  I love when a hyacinth first begins to show it's color.  I always get so excited hoping it will fully develop.  Maybe I'll paint it again showing it in full bloom.  

Day 4 "Mother's Love". 10" x 8". by Laine

Day 4....only 26 to go!   I don't remember where I found this photo.  It could be one I took at my son's farm.  They have about a dozen fainting goats and have several actually birthed there on the farm.  I love seeing how gentle and loving the mother goats are with their young.   I plan to offer this painting as a class in April in celebration of Mother's Day. 

Day 3 "I Love A Red Bird" 12" x 12" by Laine

Sometimes I can hardly believe both of my sons, my daughter-in-law and one of my grand daughters can make a computer DANCE!  Me???  I can't even pay it to do simple moves!  My escapades with it all afternoon would be funny if not so frustrating.  I have both my HP laptop AND my I-pad open at the same time.  One will do one part of a flyer ...but not save it.  The other will do another part....you guessed it...and not save it!  ugh!  Well I think I must have "tricked" them both since after several hours of frustrations I was able to not one but two flyers to almost 500 students!  Whew!  Do I get any sympathy?  Why can't I just paint with you guys and leave this computer stuff up to .....whoever!  

Ok ...time to go dancing and get rid of all this stress.

Oh yeah...here's my painting for day 3 of my 30 paintings for January.  Hope you like it.  I will be using it for several classes this month.  Happy painting!

Day 2 "Just Hangin' Out" 12 x 12" Palette Knife and Brushes with Acrylic Paint

When I was in France about a year ago I was able to travel through many small towns.  I was always amazed at the colors of the homes and the beautiful flowers most everywhere.  Today for my second painting for January (I know...I have a long way to go...:-) ,  I decided to paint from some of the almost 600 photos I took while there.  I actually combined a couple to get this composition.   Going through these makes me ache to return.  Oh I almost forgot....where ever I went I saw laundry hanging to dry.  Often it was even hanging on railing over a store front.  I came to enjoy seeing something that represented their every day life.  I also wondered if it actually helped with their utility bills.  I'm not so sure it's a good idea to hang my "things" on the rails of my front porch.