The 30 painting wrap up

Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life asked us to do a wrap up, where we show all 30 paintings at the same time.  I like the idea and can add it to my "Previous Collaborations" page located at the top of my blog under Bleubeard's beautiful face.

This is my 30 in 30.  Thanks to all who stood by and and supported my efforts.  Your advice didn't go unnoticed, and I plan to create more of these over the next few months.  Then, as I get better and more confident, I will actually put them on canvas, rather than cardboard.

Some of you may have been here earlier to read that in the past week, I visited Exploration Place (a science-y museum), Botanica (nature and flowers), the Cosmosphere (a space museum), and Strataca (an underground museum where salt is mined).  You may have also read I took over 1000 photos (YES, your read over one thousand) in those two days.  Look for me to overwhelm, possibly bore, and/or entertain you with lots of photos in the near future  as soon as I get them off my SD card and onto my overworked computer,

Again, thanks for all the wonderful comments you left while I was struggling to keep up with this (and other) challenge(s).

T Stands for Day 30 of 30 paintings in 30 days

T today celebrates a milestone.  I painted 30 abstracts in 30 days  Some I like better than others, some I thought were horrible.  But I appreciated the experience and I appreciate that so many of you have stood by me and encouraged me.  Later tonight I'll link for the final time to Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life.  But for now, lets join the T party.  So I don't get too giddy celebrating and forget, the size of this final painting is 7" X 7" (17,78  cm X 17,78 cm).

To celebrate the final day, I wanted this to be the capital letter Omega, the final letter in the Greek alphabet.  But when I lifted it up, without thinking to blot it, the India ink, which I am certainly not used to, ran all over the place.

Since Omega denotes the final, the end, the last, and the limit to a set in mathematics, I thought this would be a good way to end this challenge.  However, now it looks more like an empty cup that has been turned upside down to denote the drinker has finished and doesn't want a refill.  So, in that respect, I guess that is also an appropriate painting for this final day of 30 paintings.

What is appropriate in your world this week?  Is it painting, sketching, drawing, scrapbooking, art journaling, or have you been out and about to a museum, art fair, or even an Oktoberfest event?  Regardless, let us know by linking below so we can drop by and visit.  As always, Bleubeard is here to remind you that photos don't need to be taken on Tuesday, but any day you choose, as long as they apply, in some way, to some type of drink.

Day 29 of 30 paintings in 30 days

This is day 29 of 30 paintings in 30 days. Only one more day of this challenge, and I'm so happy I tried this experiment, but I think I'll probably sleep for a week after tomorrow (grin).  Until then, I'm linking to Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life.

This painting reminded me of Day 4, but I feel looser with this one.  I call this one "The Circle of Life."  The size is 8" X 10" (20,32 cm X 25,4 cm).


Thank you for sticking with me through these past 29 days.  I'm so grateful you stopped by, and even more so that you left a lovely comment.

Day 28 of 30 paintings in 30 days

This is Day 28 of 30 and I'm linking to Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life.

More watercolors, this time I'm calling it "Falling in."  I see people falling all over this canvas.  Hope you do, too.  Short and sweet, I'm beat.  The size is 8" X 8" (20,32 cm X 20,32 cm).

 Again, I'm grateful for your comments, since the time you take to visit and leave a comment is what has kept me going this month!

Day 27 of 30 paintings in 30 days

Hopefully this is my final scheduled post when I have no way to link to Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life because I'm sleeping when this and her post goes live.  This is Day 27 of 30.

I'm not sure I like this one.  I felt rushed and, as a consequence it doesn't feel finished to me.  I think it needs something focal to bring all that movement together and allow your eyes a place to rest.  As a consequence I'm calling this one "Unfinished," and will more than likely go back and finish it once I have more time.  The size is 8" X 10" (20,32 cm X 25,4 cm).

Thanks for your continued support.  Sorry that I'm nowhere near a computer for any length of time, but I promise to visit and catch up once I can breathe (and slow down) again.

Day 26 of 30 paintings in 30 days

I'm once again linking to Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life with a scheduled post, this time featuring my Day 26 painting.  The link will go live when I wake, hopefully at 6 am.

When I started this painting two days ago, I wasn't sure how I was going to finish it.  But it took so long to dry, I dug out a gifted bottle of Stickles, and added the red line.  I'm calling it "Hop, Skip, and Jump Rope."  It was still not quite dry when I scanned it a few minutes ago.  The size is 8" X 10" (20,32 cm X 25,4 cm).

It goes without saying, but I will anyway, that the time you take to visit and leave a comment is what keeps me going this month!

Day 25 of 30 paintings in 30 days

This is another scheduled post where I'm once again linking to Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life when I wake at 6 am. (Edit: as a result, I ended up at 42 today)  This is Day 25 of 30 paintings in 30 days, which also means there's less than a week left to this challenge.

This painting actually sounded better in my head than once it was painted.  From the beginning, I knew what I wanted to call it: "Do the Math."  Look how much larger the "less than" symbol is than the "greater than" symbol.  Speaks volumes for this piece.

For you non-math majors, from the top, left to right, the symbols are "less than," "theta," "function (of)," "pi," and "greater than."  The size is the same as usual, 8" X 10" (20,32 cm X 25,4 cm).

Did you recognize these symbols?  Were my images possibly too far off the mark, or did you miss out on algebra, trigonometry, and calculus in school? 

Day 24 of 30 paintings in 30 days

I want to begin by saying I'm still making paintings each day, but from now through Saturday, they will be scheduled for 1:30 am.  I must be up each morning at 6 am, which is counter to how I normally live.  However, Leslie's posts don't go live until 2 am my time.  That leaves me too little sleep in order to work a full day.  Edit: The best laid plans didn't take into account the storm that has kept me awake so I can link up before I head to bed.

For day 24 of 30 paintings in 30 days, I'm once again linking (when I wake up) to Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life.

I'm really liking the effect I get with watercolors, although this one sort of pooled and puddled as it was drying.  Call it my imagination in overdrive, or the fact I've been staring at it for so long, I'm calling it "Elephant Meets Alligators at Watering Hole."  Once again, the size of this is 8" X 10" (20,32 cm X 25,4 cm).

Day 23 of 30 paintings meets T Stands for Tuesday

I'll soon be linking to 30 paintings in 30 days, hosted by Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life.

For some reason, I thought this would be the final T we would share with these paintings, but I was wrong.  As I was preparing this, I realized there would be a final T in September. I'm calling this one "The Mug," and I really like the way it turned out.

I'm paring it with one of my Taylor and Ng mugs.  I've shown several of these before. I love them so much, and even more now that I know they are discontinued.  Sadly, the company has been purchased by someone else, who doesn't have the same quality mugs as these were.

Those of you who remember these mugs also remember they retailed at around $10.00 a mug back in the early 1980s.

Mine (I own 10 as seen in this old photo) all read copyrighted1979, but they didn't make it to Kansas that early.

They appeal to me because they are cobalt blue and white, colors of my kitchen, and

they have detailed paintings on all sides.

Granted, my paintings will never compare to the Taylor and Ng mugs I own, but I'm still happy with this one regardless.

What makes you happy for T this Tuesday?  Could it be a favorite photograph, recipe, pet, place to eat, art, scrapbook pages, gardening, or one of a dozen other reasons?  Regardless, please link below and we'll be by to visit.  And Bleubeard is here to remind you that photos can be taken anytime, not just on Tuesday.

Day 22 of 30 paintings in 30 days

I'm linking to Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life, this time with my Day 22 painting.

Once again, I got out my watercolors (and watercolor paper), but this time I tried to manipulate the drips and dribbles.  I was going for an "E," but the top of the E got away from me, and I ended up with something that looked nothing like an E.  For lack of a better name, I'm calling this one "The Botched E Caper."  The size is 8" X 10" (20,32 cm X 25,4 cm).

As always, I'm grateful when you stop by and love it when you leave a comment.

Day 21 of 30 paintings in 30 days

This is day 21 of 30 paintings in 30 days hosted by Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life.

Today I once again dug out my watercolors and allowed them to drip, puddle, and run over the watercolor paper.  I see some weird animals in this one, no matter which way I turn it.  Therefore, I'm calling it "Talking With The Animals."  I was actually inspired by the art of Orange Esmeralda as I was finishing this one. The size is 8" X 10" (20,32 cm X 25,4 cm).

Please let me know if you see the animals, too.  Bleubeard wants to talk to them, if you do!

Day 20 of 30 paintings in 30 days

With day 20 of 30 paintings in 30 days, hosted by Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life, we are now 2/3 of the way through this month. 
I'm calling this one "Leftover Eight," because all the colors are left over from previous paintings or other projects I'm working on.  As I finished a painting or project and had leftover paint, I used this painting to clean the brush, or get rid of the excess paint.  It was finally finished, since there was no more room to add more paint.  When it was dry, it definitely looked like a figure 8.  The size is 8" X 10" (20,32 cm X 25,4 cm).  This is one I'm really happy with.

Thanks as always for your kind and generous comments.  They make me so happy and I appreciate them more than you can possibly know.

Day 19 of 30 paintings in 30 days

It's now day 19 of 30 paintings in 30 days.  I'm once again linking to Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life.


Today I put the paints away and got out the watercolors and watercolor paper.  They are subtle colors, some I even combined to make new colors. I'm calling it "Dreamland" because the colors are so dreamy and soothing.  The size is 8" X 8" (20,32 cm X 20,32 cm).

I can't say this enough: thanks for your continued support and wonderful comments.

Day 18 of 30 paintings in 30 Days

For Day 18, I am once again joining Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life.

If you were here earlier for a tour of my studio, you saw this drying on my work table.  I'm calling this one "Cat Fight" because I saw two cats' ears in this piece.  Thankfully, Bleubeard was not one of the cats.  Size is 8" X 10" (20,32 cm X 25,4 cm).

It's always nice when you drop by, especially if since I don't seem to find time to return the visit.

Day 17 of 30 paintings in 30 days

This is day 17 of 30 paintings in 30 days and I am linking to Leslie Saeta with my latest entry.

Now I haven't really shared my personal life while making these paintings, but I need to explain a bit about the title of this one I call "The Day the Water Died."  The size of this is 8" X 10" (20,32 cm X 25,4 cm).

The back story on this one is yesterday we (my entire block and the block to the north of me) had no water.  A water main broke and spewed water over the entire area while I slept.  My next door neighbor told me water ascended quite high in my yard.  Upon inspection, I could see the detritus that was left after the water had receded from my driveway. 

I had started this painting the day before when I painted the back tan.  I then added the green.  The next day, I added the black.  I had such a mess, I rushed to the sink to wet a rag to hopefully remove some of the black.  That's when I found I had no water.

At first I panicked, then thought I simply had to keep working with what I already had.  Thankfully, I had just made a full pot of coffee, and Bleubeard had plenty of water.  By the end of the day, it wouldn't be fresh, but at least he wouldn't pass out due to dehydration.  And he didn't have to worry about his sandbox flushing, either.

That's when it struck me to use several of my handmade shimmering mists.  I love these mists, but the shimmer doesn't show well in a scan or even in a photo.  Now I could have called this something very different, because I saw a human shape in the image when I turned it this direction, but I wanted to pay homage to the day the water died.

As always, I am grateful for all your lovely, LOVELY comments.  I actually ended up liking this piece a lot, and I hope you do, too.

Day 16 meets T Stands For Tuesday

Last Tuesday's post worked out so well, I created this piece early to link Leslie Saeta later, so the regular T crowd doesn't have to scroll down to find the T Stands for Tuesday post.
Here is my offering for Day 16 of 30 abstract paintings.  It's supposed to be a cup, but I got a bit carried away and painted the right edge of the cup too far up.  That's when I thought I'd add the extra swirl.  Although I like the background, I wish I'd dripped some water down the cup while it was still wet, because this looks more like a child's drawing than an abstract.

Somehow I didn't remember there were two handles on this.   Obviously, it is NOT a tea cup,

but I have one that nearly matches!

At least you can see how my mind actually imagined this drawing.  BTW, there is lots of texture in this piece that didn't show up on the scan.   I'm calling this one "The Tea Cup."  Size is 8" X 10" (20,32 cm X 25,4 cm).

Now it's your turn.  Show us something drink related, whether it's the beach, your garden, your day out and about, your favorite pet, paintings, mixed media, scrapbooking, or your favorite mug or cup and saucer.  Link below and Bleubeard and I will be by to visit, as will other T Stands for Tuesday participants.  As always, Bleubeard is here to remind you that your photos can be taken any time, not just on Tuesday.

Day 15 of 30 paintings in 30 days

It's now day 15 of 30 paintings in 30 days and time to link to Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life.

I call this one "Swimming with the Big Fish."  It is acrylic and 8 inch X 8 inch (20,32 cm X 20,32 cm).   I used cool, calming colors, then created motion and a bit of dissonance one would feel if they were truly swimming with fish much bigger than they were.

Thanks for your continued support of this project.  Although I've retired my fan brush, I'm still painting up a storm each day.  And I'm doing it because of your kind and generous comments that keep me going.

Day 14 of 30 paintings in 30 days

This is Day 14 of 30 paintings in 30 days and I'm linking to Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life.

As promised, I once again gave my new fan brush a try.  Nope.  Don't care for it.  I cut this one to the same size as yesterday's piece which is 5" X 10" (12,8 cm X 25,4 cm).  I plan to hang the two of them together.  Since this was a series piece, I'm calling it "Untitled with Fan Brush II." 

What do you think of my new fan brush?

Day 13 of 30 paintings in 30 days

It's now Day 13 of 30 paintings in 30 days and I'm once again linking to Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life.

I used a new fan brush on this latest entry.  Not sure I like it, but I'll probably use it at least one more time before I decide it's too hard to manipulate.

I kept cutting more and more of this one away until I thought I wasn't going to have anything I liked.  It is 5" X 10" (12,8 cm X 25,4 cm).  I was going for circles, but didn't get that many.  Because a name didn't come easily, I'm calling this one "Untitled with Fan Brush."

My sincere thanks for your continued support and comments.  They mean the world to me.  They mean a whole lot more than this new fan brush, that's for sure.

Day 12 of 30 paintings in 30 days

I'm once again linking to Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life for Day 12 of 30 paintings in 30 days.

I want to thank everyone for your lovely comments on my 9/11 post from yesterday, and give you today's abstract called "The Eye."  The size of this is 8" X 10" (20,32 cm X 25,4 cm). 

As always, thanks for looking.  I hope you see the eye the same way I did.