Saying Goodbye to 2008

What I got done in 2008:

• I fulfilled a dream and visited the Getty Center
• I purchased numerous books and videos and following their lessons I began painting.
• I put up a daily painting blog.
• I painted 171 paintings and studies, not counting sketches.
• I sold 4 paintings.
• I reinstated myself as a professional artist, and took out a trade name and sales license.
• I had all 3 entries accepted to the first juried show I entered for flat work.
• I was juried into my first gallery as a painter.
• I hired an art instructor to learn more about painting and the business of painting.
• I purchased professional studio equipment to make my life as a flat artist easier.
• I joined an online artist community.
• I subscribed to a number of painting magazines.
• I began a diary/sketchbook.
• I signed up for a Stephen Quiller WC/Acrylic color theory workshop.

Confetti

A158

Confetti WIP

14" x 18" Acrylic on Canvas Panel

I'm not certain where this one is going yet, so I am not going to list it as available. This was a total experiment. One of the larger canvases I've used; The slow drying acrylics; And a limited color palette I was experimenting with to see if I could achieve more vibrancy. It ended up being put away for the holidays. I may pull it back out and see what I can do with it. I love to experiment, but this may have been to many variables to take on all at once. :)

(WDE ref by Chelsi)

Sketchbook: B'dos Boats

A157

Sketchbook: B'dos Boats

Acrylic & India Ink

(WDE ref by Beth Parker)

Sketchbook: Beach in Philippines

A156

Sketchbook: Beach in Philippines

Acrylics over Watercolor wash

(WDE ref by Joel)

Sketchbook: Stickbug

A155

Sketchbook: Stickbug

Watercolor and Acrylic

(WDE ref by Beth Parker)

Cat On Ledge

A150

Cat On Ledge WIP

12" x 16" Acrylic on Canvas Panel

Available

I purchased some new acrylics that are supposed to allow you to work more as if you were working with oil paints...so this was my first major attempt at using them. I still need to go back and finish it up. I was afraid to do to much while it was starting to dry as I didn't want to create mud.

(WDE ref by Dewi)

Sketchbook: Ornament

A147

Sketchbook: Ornament

For the December Different Strokes Project, there was a Photo Ref of Christmas Ornaments mixed in with other items. I really didn't have much time to do a detailed painting between caring for my puppy, and painting the Out of Africa ATC's right then...so I painted one in my sketchbook, and painted three other's to use as gift tags for presents.

26 Out Of Africa ATC's

The last couple of months had been pretty rough. My puppy had needed pretty serious surgery and it had worn me out. I was needing a change of pace. I have always wanted to participate in an ATC Trade project and one was just starting. The theme was to be Out of Africa.

I decided to do Animals for my series, and incorporate some fun things I had been learning to do with Acrylics like Scraffito, where you paint one layer, let it dry, and then paint a second over it and make scratches through to the first layer. You have to move quickly on this with acrylics as they dry so fast. But it is really fun. I also used a limited color palette that I felt kind of represented African colors.

So for the entire month of December I produced 26 - 2.5" x 3.5" miniature paintings. The irony being they take as long to paint as a much bigger one, so I didn't get a lot of other work done during the month. Here is a sampling from the group:

Baboons At Play

Tuesday's Child (Impala)

South African Jewel (Bushveld)

Sketchbook: Sweet Pea Border

A138

Sketchbook: Sweet Pea Border

Acrylics

Just for Fun.