40 Days: Day 22: Michigan Dunes

6"x6"
Oil on Panel

Plein air with Palette Knife

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The wind picked up and the temperature dropped to around 32 Degrees. Waves began to splash up on the North Pier and spray my easel with cold lake water. This was a struggle to finish, but it was so much fun!

40 Days: Day 24: I Am the Light of the World

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Available

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

40 Days: Day 21: Let the Children Come to Me

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Commissioned

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

Mark 10:13-16

Gulf Glow

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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30 Paintings in 30 Days: January, 2015—Day 26

For all of you beach fans out there.

Water Lilies

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days: January, 2015—Day 18 

I totally get why Monet painted water lilies. There is much to learn from painting this beautiful plant.

Sparrow

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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30 Paintings in 30 Days: January, 2015—Day 16 

Shifting gears today to paint a little house sparrow.

Rainbow Sunset

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 30

It's finally here. Day 30. and this one was a squeaker. Since epic dories end with sunsets, I thought I'd paint one for today. This sunset on the lake came right after a double rainbow—hence the title. 

I hope you have enjoyed the September 2014 daily paintings. Thanks for following and stay tuned. There is more great stuff coming soon!

Spirit

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 29

Spirit, spirit of gentleness. 
Blow through the wilderness, calling and free. 
Spirit, spirit of restlessness. Stir me from placidness. 
Wind, wind on the sea. 

You moved on the waters, You called to the deep, 
Then You coaxed up the mountains. From the valley of sleep, 
And over the eons You called to each thing, 
"A wake from your slumbers and rise on your wings."

You swept through the dessert, You stung with the sand, 
And You gifted your people With a law and a land, 
And when they were blinded With their idols and lies, 
Then You spoke through Your prophets To open their eyes.

You sang in a stable, You cried from a hill, 
Then You whispered in silence When the whole world was still, 
And down in the city You called once again 
When You blew through Your people On the rush of the wind.

You call from tomorrow, You break ancient schemes, 
From the bondage of sorrow The captives dream dreams; 
Our women see visions, Our men clear their eyes. 
With bold new decisions Your people arise. 

Pumpkin Patch

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 27

One of my favorite things to do is to roam through a pumpkin patch.

Wisteria

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Available

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 26

Another one from my "This Would Make A Great Painting Someday" file—beautiful wisteria raining down through some spring trees.

Pacifica

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 25

While on vacation in California last summer, I was fascinated by an exhibit of undersea kelp. The exhibit simulated ocean current, making the kelp wave with the flow of the water.  I thought it would make a great abstract painting. This is a fist study of what I hope someday will be a larger piece.

Hay!

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Click HERE to Purchase

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 24

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of these guys around.

Summer's End

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 23

Farewell to summer.  This is a plein air quick study capturing the last light of a late summer day.

Field of Beans

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD!

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 22

Colors of fall are starting to crop up all around Middle Tennessee—as illustrated by this beautiful field of soy beans off the highway.

Trifetti Peppers

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 21

One of my favorite colors is purple. So, when I came across this purple-leaf pepper bush, I couldn't resist.

Flight of Inspiration

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

NFS

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 20

Remember my post about my daughter's involvement in competitive jump rope? Well, this weekend, is a real treat for her. Some of the sport’s greatest athletes are in town to lead a rope-skipping workshop. These All-Stars give of their time to travel all over the world to further the sport of Jump Rope. Some of them you may have seen recently on television, competing on the show "America's Got Talent." 

One of these great athletes is Tori Boggs. She is a 9-time World Champion and a 14-time Grand World Champion. She holds 2 world records and is the current Captain of Team USA. And best of all, this weekend, Tori is our guest at home. If you can imagine Lance Armstrong, Peyton Manning, Shawn Johnson or Kristi Yamaguchi coming to visit you and give you a training workshop, you might get a glimpse of what Tori's visit means to my daughter. 

So, today's painting is of Tori Boggs performing a skill called a TJ. The image was referenced from an Ohio State promotional video spotlighting Tori's talent. The painting is in honor of her devotion and service to the sport.

All of these champions are nothing less than stellar, both personally and professionally.  They represent the best and most noble spirit of the sport. And, I can think of no better role models for my daughter than these shining stars. 

Red Hot Salvia

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 19

Still in a floral mood—this time for something boldly red.

Zinnias

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 18

Still in a floral mood. I just love the colors in the sweet perennials.

Old Country Store

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 16

As you drive down the highways of Tennessee, you will find little gems like this old country store. These relics from the past are so full of character. They are so much fun to paint.

Hump Day!

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD!

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 15

OK, It's only Monday, but it's Hump Day the 30 Days challenge! Why not paint a camel? 

In parts of the world too dry for other livestock, Heifer is providing families with camels and training in their care. Camel gift donations change lives by:

• • Providing milk that can be used for nutrition or sold for income
• • Boosting income by “hiring out” the camel for hauling goods
• • Encouraging self-reliance by serving as a means of transportation

Camels are tremendous assets for families in harsh, unpredictable regions such as the African Sahara and parts of Asia. People who receive the gift of a camel find themselves better able to sustain their families while earning a better future for their children.

I hope you take a moment to visit the Heifer Internaitonal website and learn more about ending world hunger "The Heifer Way."