Strada Challenge
Sent: 9/30/2023 5:13:11 AM

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Best Laid Plans

" Come And Dine" 40"x30" In progress

Hi!

It's here! The last day of the Strada Easel Challenge is today and I am not yet sure what I will paint. But the point is, I followed through.

If you recall, I made a very detailed painting plan for the whole 30 days of painting directly from life. I did about half of that and then traded some things out to accommodate unexpected life events, time constraints, and even a couple of happy accidents.

The result was finishing or nearly finishing two large works and a whole slew of little ones painted on days when I had very limited time available.

"Come And Dine," pictured above, is still in progress. What you see here represents four sessions, each working on a different aspect; the sketch, the underpainting, beginning the color layers, and some of the details.

Then a few days ago, we had one of those happy accidents I spoke of.

"Lovely Imperfections" three paintings 5"x5" each

Wes and I celebrated our 42nd Anniversary by going out to our favorite Mexican Restaurant in Detroit. As we were leaving, I found some perfectly formed leaf clusters from various trees. They just begged to be painted!

During the night, our Molly discovered them and we found them lying around the living room with chew marks next morning.

I painted them anyway because they were actually more interesting in their bedraggled state. Thank you, Molly!!

After painting them three days in a row, I decided they would make a good grouping, thus the title, "Lovely Imperfections."

I gave up on the coffee bean paintings I had planned because I couldn't find whole beans in my favorite coffee brands. The whole idea was to paint Panera's intricate packaging.

I am still going to paint the suitcase on the chair idea,...IF I can find just the right antique suitcase for my prop. I'll know it when I see it.

The Giveaway I promised will be next week.

It will include the four paintings below, plus one more that I have not decided on yet.

"Empty Nest" 6'x6"

"Salt and Pepper" 5"x5"

"Art and Coffee" 5"x5"

"Power Up" 6"x6"

So next Saturday, I am going to pull five names at random from among my Studio News subscribers. If I happen to pull your name first, you will get first choice,...and so on until all five are claimed.

You won't even need to pay shipping. They are just my way of saying thanks. And if you have a moment, I would love to hear which one is your favorite and why.

After all, the stories in art do not belong exclusively to the artist. Each person who interacts with an artwork brings their own.

What memories do the salt and pepper shakers bring to mind?

The term, 'empty nest' might mean something entirely different to you than to someone else, based on your own experiences as a parent.

Does the paint-stained cloth in the two cup paintings delight your creative eye?...or does it make you nervous and want to clean that mess up?

I just realized what all of these paintings have in common, They are all about imperfect things, and yet we love them not in spite of this, but because of it.

May the week ahead of you be filled with gratitude and wonder...and birdsong.

Jan