Heeeyyyy everyone! Welcome to the 30-Day Creative Gathering. 🙂 Hope you’re ready to get in the groove, and have some fun. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure I had enough mojo to participate. But I chatted with some of you, and we sort of talked each other into it. Ha-ha. That’s what friends are for ‘ey?!
It may have hit me late, but a few days ago, I started to get really excited. And here I am.
One more time.
This will be my 13th 30-day challenge. Ten of them were with Leslie Saeta in her 30 Paintings In 30 Days events. Leslie changed her focus a couple of years ago, and a few of us wanted to continue the challenge. Yay! Christiane Drieling and I co-founded the 30-Day Creative Gathering on Facebook. Follow the links to see samples from the events.
Let’s kick it ya’ll!
My piece for day one is a do-over. And I most likely will be trying this again. It is a huge canvas that has been hanging on my wall unfinished, ever since we moved to Arizona. Four years!! Truth be told, it was unfinished for even longer than that. I had once painted a scene on it. Then I moved, and I prepped it for the new space. Haha, that is as far as I got. Honestly, I just never could decide what I wanted to see on the wall. And what I had the courage to attempt. LOL. 🙂
But it’s only paint, and I can start all over if I want to. This canvas may make an appearance again later this month.
I don’t have room to paint on a canvas this size. I painted it on my bed. Haha. I painted the sky first, stopped for dinner, and then worked on the rest. Here is my first try. I apologize for the terrible photo. The dark area is my shadow.
I am going to critique this, but know that I am happy with it to an extent. I am sharing my thoughts on the process to help clarify what I learned.
Happy as always for the learning!
I did not have the right colors on hand, and I do not have the right tools for a large piece. I used a 2-inch brush for the sky and land. Dotted (poured) the colors on, and then blended. Adding spritzes of water as needed.
For the ocean area, I used the same technique to get a base layer of color. Next, I used palette knives, a gift card, a one-inch brush, and my fingers. I used both craft paints and artist paints. Also matte gel for extra body.
When I finished the first time, I noticed a GLARING mistake. I had three bands of color. Three straight lines. Haha. B-o-r-i-n-g.
So I went back in and softened where the land and sky meet. I think I could have done better, but I am OK with this. Here is the final version again…
The dark band at the top of the sky actually looks perfect in daylight. It is softer and blends well. I still have “lines’ of color, but it’s no longer like nails on a chalkboard. Haha. 🙂
You can click on any image below if you want a closer look.
Texture. 
Waves Close-Up 1 
Waves Close-Up 2 
Misty 1 
Misty 2 
Misty 3
I was trying to mimic the feel of a painting by Hiroshi Matsumoto. I love his work. I had narrowed down my favorites to: May 2019, and June 2019. I love the feel of these two.
I decided on his June piece. The light, the shades of blue, the misty horizon. The abstract, chunky colors. The southern California-ness.
It bombed. Haha, haha. I just don’t have the right tools. I think I needed larger knives. Heavier body paint. I changed course midstream.
After looking at my piece on the wall, I have decided I want something calm in that space. Color, with hints of detail. Haha. Make up your mind Sheila!
Lastly, I think the main problem with this piece, is that it feels like separate paintings, chopped and put together. It isn’t integrated. Unified.
I promise I won’t write a novel for each piece this month. Thanks for visiting, suggestions are welcome! Happy creating everyone! 🙂
Fantastic. You must be pleased. I am impessed. Love to see the different stages. Good job
Haha, thanks Christine! 🙂 I learned a lot. But I think I am going to stick to smaller pieces… until I have more room to paint, Haha. 🙂 Happy creating – enjoy your walk in the woods 🙂
First, thank you again for encouraging artists to take part in the 30-day challenge. Especially now with the pandemic, it is inspiring and supportive to participate with others and create. I cannot believe you were able to produce this wonderful painting with canvas lying flat on a bed. Amazing. It is definitely a window to anyone viewing it to a peaceful, beautiful world. I look forward to seeing what else is coming. A big hug to you!!
I’m so glad you are able to join us Laurelle! I have never had an easel, but I am thinking of getting a small table easel for watercolors. I find it amazing what artists can accomplish with one. 😉 If you look closely, you can see that the clouds curve slightly upwards, even though I was painting straight. Just from the motion of my short arms, LOL. I think that is funny. 😉
I was thinking of our beloved California coast, of course. I am sure the Spanish coast is just as beautiful. 🙂 Hugs my friend!!
I like Misty I and II as paintings in their own right. Can’t wait to see how this develops.
WOW! Sea, thanks for thinking of that! They do work, don’t they? I didn’t even think of that.
I was too busy trying to get the post up. LOL. Thanks, friend! 🙂
I think it works well! The mood is beautiful, I can feel the crispness of the air and the fresh clean water. The sky is open and welcoming. Altogether, the piece doesn’t appear disintegrated to me at all! This is such a wonderful start into the challenge! Let’s dive in!
Well, thank you Christiane! Teacher of art! 🙂 I am going to take your word for it, Haha 🙂
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to float in the cool water.. without a care in the world.
Blessings to you and yours!
Wow! Just want to jump in!
Carol, I kept thinking of that song my uncle loves…
Cool, clear, water. By Marty Robbins. Haha. 🙂
Absolutely love it gorgeous. Go girl!
Aww Lana, my cheerleader! Thank you 🙂
Wow that is big for you! I rather agree about it looking like bands of colour stitched together but I am sure you will figure out what to do with the canvas eventually – lol. As for the 30 Day Gathering, I was feeling exactly the same way. I have hardly painted for months and had no spark to get started. But, once I did it went well – we will see how the rest of the month goes!
Right Val!? Haha 🙂
It’s nice to know, we are not alone in our creative inactivity, isn’t it? I think uncertainty is a huge part of that equation.
So glad you decided to start, and very glad it went well for you! 🙂