Ready!

153 new panels — dry and ready for paintings!

Finished adding the three coats of gesso yesterday.

So far today we have had glorious sunshine, rain, and big wind causing all the trees to dance. Now, at this moment, the sun is shining again and I am going for a walk. I'll be painting when I return.

Almost ready . . .

As the STRADA January 31-Day Challenge was nearing an end, I ran out of panels. Today I finished sanding a new batch of them. Tomorrow they will receive three coats of gesso. When the panels are dry, I will be painting again!

Stradaeasel January-31 Day Challenge — Day1-31

#stradaeasle Day-1-31

These were posted individually in January, one for each day of the month. You can find them below in this posting and on my Fine Art Facebook page.

Major Grey's Chutney with Crackers and Cheese

8 x 7.75  |  oil on panel

In celebration of Day-31 in the STRADA January 31-Day Challenge, creating and posting a painting, sketch or drawing from life each day this month. I have enjoyed the process and will continue painting from life every day. 

#stradaeasel Day-31

Thinking of Spring

 

7 5/8 x 5 7/8  | oil on panel

Today began as a gray day, followed by sunshine that soon became heavy rain. Next hail turned the ground white like snow and when the sun came again, I went out and picked this early andromeda. It usually opens in early March.

#stradaeasel Day-30

Sweet & Savory Pepper Duo

10 x 7  |  oil on panel

These are South African honey peppers stuffed with mango cream cheese and sweet picanté peppers stuffed with cream cheese. They taste so good!

#stradaeasel Day-29

Summer Garden

9 x 12  |  oil on panel

Today's painting is based on a sketch from my childhood home.

#stradaeasel Day-28

The Model

12 x 12  |  oil on panel

I felt like painting something different today, found a willing model. The oil sketch looks a bit like her.

#stradaeasel Day-27

Amaryllis

9 x 6  |  oil on panel

This Amaryllis is about to open its second flower. Perhaps there will be a third. Today's painting for the STRADA January 31-Day Challenge.

#stradaeasel Day-26

Cracker and Cheese with Tea

6 x 8  |  oil on panel

I ate the cracker with cheese, warmed up the tea and enjoyed all three.

#stradaeasel Day-25

Matryoshka: Inside and Out

8 x 6  |  oil on panel

The models for Day-24 are another Matryoshka. This one does open and the last doll, the smallest one inside, is sitting by the first.
#stradaeasel Day-24

Liberty Bell

8 x 6  |  oil on panel

Today's painting is my old "Liberty Bell Bank" — a treasure in childhood. The bottom has a key hole and the US Patent Office markings. Since I lost the key in childhood, it still has money inside. My painting for Day-23 in the STRADA January 31-Day Challenge.

#stradaeasle Day-23

Pooh and Friends

6 x 9  |  oil on panel

This was so much fun to paint! These little characters have been siting on the shelf for years with some favorite childhood books. They became my models for today's painting.

#stradaeasle Day-22

Lunch in D.C.

 

8 x 6  |  oil on panel

Years ago I had lunch in a delightful dining room in Washington D.C. The space was so charming, I wanted to paint it, so I sketched while waiting for my meal. I pulled out one of my old travel sketchbooks today, found the sketch, and used that for my Day-21 painting in the STRADA January 31-Day Challenge.

#stradaeasle Day-21

A Half Cup of Tea

8 x 6  |  oil on panel

Another friend from the Christmas Tree and garlands over the fireplace. Also his second painting, see Day 19's Just Hanging Around. This fellow is hanging from the floor lamp at the other end of the couch.

#stradeasle Day-20