Rainy Sunday Morning

This week I got my new brushes and they are so awesome. They really do make a difference. But they don't make the colors right. I repainted Jared's face so many times and with so many different colors and now I'm going to settle with what I've done - and save it to work on some more on a "rainy" day.

I talked to my photographer friend, Rachel Rehart, and she helped me realize how that my biggest difficulty is the photo I'm painting from. You can't really see the skin tones at all. So I've really learned a lesson about what pictures to choose. She taught me quite a bit about lighting and now I'm excited to start something that will be so much easier.

This painting is starting to grow on me though. It's funny because a couple weeks after I've struggled with a painting and when I haven't felt very happy about the outcome I find that I really like it so much better. I think it's because I'm so hard on myself as I'm painting and seeing all the flaws.

This last week Jared keeps trying to talk to me about the painting of him. It's so cute. He's so interested. He even took a pencil and added a couple of his own touches to it. I don't think my little painting corner is going to be safe for much longer. He's picking up brushes and wanting to paint. I was hoping he would grow up used to the idea that it's mommy's corner and he has to leave it alone - fat chance.

So here's my sweet sweet Jared.
So here is my sweet Jared

Rainy Sunday Morning

I was so excited about this painting of Jared. He was all dressed for church and as I was getting ready to go I found him sitting in the window with a book in his hand. We rarely have rain and he would look at the book and then look out at the rain. It was so cute.

But this week I've really struggled with the skin tones. The photo of Jared was really dark and the background was very light. I jokingly pleaded for help on facebook and actually got some good advice from my old art teacher in Virginia - Rieneke Leenders. She suggested I print it a few stops lighter to see the skin tones better. Makes sense.

So for the first time this year I didn't finish my weekly painting by Friday. I think this one will take one more week. But here's a peek.

Leave us Alone

This is another painting of a mother and daughter from my church. It was the fourth of July and we were at the park doing the yearly breakfast and waterslide down the hill. Too little to be sliding, this little girl was snuggled up on her mom's lap, enjoying their cozy time. When I went to take her picture she gave me this look that I loved. She just wanted to be alone with mom, but was putting up with the crowd of kids and grownups that had been sliding for way too long.

I love to see little toddlers and children when they are snuggled up in their mother's or father's arms. They feel safe to look around and take in all the things that are going on around them - until someone comes and takes their picture that is.

I had fun doing this one. Yes this is the missing painting that is on the other side of the mother and daughter portrait. And you're right Tara, two for one is a pretty good deal.

Waiting for supplies

This week I'm working on the other side of the Mother and daughter portrait. I ordered some paint brushes over 10 days ago and I'm still waiting on them. It sounds like it will be another week. It's hard to do fine details with bad brushes - or am I making excuses. I guess we'll see when I get the brushes.

My Mom & Dad really liked the painting of the cows. I haven't signed any of my paintings yet. My Mom asked me if there's some type of pen you can sign paintings with. I don't know. That would be nice. I'm going to try to find out.

I'm still enjoying painting but it seems like my painters high is wearing off a little. I'm not sure why, but I'm going to keep plugging along because I'm know when you have a goal it's not always exciting. I wish I could be taking a class. It's so fun to get together with other artists. I do enjoy the facebook artists I have become friends with. But sometimes I feel pretty alone. I was so excited when my neighbor showed me a painting she's been working on. We really need to get together and paint.

Until Friday.

Cow Kisses

This week I tried to make a painting for my parents who are both having a birthday. My parents both grew up in Norway. My Mom grew up on a farm and loves animals. She has told me stories about her cows and horses. One cow that she especially loved was named Dagros. I googled and searched the internet for images of cow. Dagros was a Holstein. As I was searching I came across a photo of two cows snuggling. I thought it was so sweet. I made a quick copy and it was a bad one - our ink is running very low. I wrote down the page number and planned to look it up again once I started painting. I drew up a quick sketch on my board and went to find the picture again and I couldn't find it anywhere. I went through 50 pages each of "cow images, cow photos, cows cuddling, holstein cow photos, etc. You won't believe some of the pictures. Be careful with letting your children look up images - scary.
A couple of days later Josh suggested I try "cows kissing" and I found it but it was only about an inch big so it didn't help too much. But I found someone else had done a painting of the same image.

I decided to just do my best with the copy that I had - even though the black showed white and the other colors were off. I ended up pretty happy with it, but I was reminded that I really lack in imagination. I would love to be able to paint something that I imagine in my mind, but either I lack the ability or the experience. Not sure which yet.

My Mom told me that she loved to play with the calves. They were very playful. She said her mom told her that she would look out at the barn and see Mom's head go running by the window. I would love a picture of that.

My parents have both talked about how little cows are mentioned or appreciated in our country. They give us milk and meat, something we use almost every day, but people rarely ever think about them or talk about them. Cows are so beautiful and sweet. They play such an important role in our lives. So here's to the cows - peaceful, loving and beautiful. Thank you!

Dad's turning 80 next week. They are such wonderful parents and incredibly giving people. I am so blessed to have parents like them. They have always loved and supported me in my life. And they have taught me by example the kind of person I want to be and the way I want to live my life - honestly, lovingly, hard working and so full of faith in Heavenly Father and our Savior. I hope my children will be able to say that about me. I love you Mom & Dad. Happy Birthday!