perils and paintings

The Perils of Painting a Truck

Man, I had a heck of a time with this truck painting.

This is a photo of an old truck from Corrales.

I hate lines. And perspective. And composition!

I don't like to grid anything.

I hardly like to sketch anything.

But when I'm faced with a building or a vehicle,

I freak out.

And I don't want to figure out all of those little

details that make a painting spectacular.

I just want to record my feelings and memories about 

my subject immediately using the biggest brushes I can.

I will probably paint this old truck a few more times

this week. 

I know I can do better.

It does look kind of chunky and whimsical...

Here is the original image:

So now you see what I mean!

After I finished painting the truck, I was determined to create 
something using the last of my paints before squeezing
out a new batch.

Since it's almost spring, here is "FONTINA", 10x8" oil:

To view these paintings and all of my 150 CHALLENGE

paintings, CLICK HERE.

#117 "THE FLOWER TRUCK"

#117

"THE FLOWER TRUCK"

8x10"

oil

$150

I loved painting this old vintage truck.

It actually lives in this yard and has

tiny twinkle lights attached to it,

which I chose not to paint.

I sometimes get myself into trouble 

because I hate to render an accurate sketch.

Perspective is so linear!

For me, a touch of whimsy is always in order.

I hope you like it.

For purchase information, 

CLICK HERE.

The New, the Old, and Animals

The newest 145 Challenge painting:

"COLORES DE BAILLA"

6x6"

#130

For more information about this painting, click HERE.

It has been an interesting week so far.

I walked outside my front door yesterday and the neighbor's cat has made herself

at home on my sidewalk.

Now I don't mind if she comes over.

She lays in my bushes, on the cool ground, and she chases bugs and lizards.

One might even assume that she lives here.

She has this sassy little attitude like, "Human, what are YOU doing in my space?"

But, she makes me mad.

She won't let me come near her.

Oh, she'll let me talk to her, and say sweet nothings, but if I make a move - 

she is up and gone.

Rude Cat.

 Rude Cat

 Gorgeous bachelor buttons my cousin and I found while driving around Corrales on Monday.

 Vintage Painting

This is the back of a painting one of my collectors brought to me.

She wanted it cleaned up, varnished, and framed.

This painting was painted in the 1930s by her ex-husband's grandmother.

She had no money back in the day, so she painted on whatever she could find.

This happened to be a piece of uneven linoleum.

The beautiful thing about this painting to me, is how she covered it.

She cut a piece of muslin and wrapped the canvas like a present.

To keep it straight and tight, she sewed  thread from side to side.

After 80+ years, it is still as tight as a drum. Amazing!

 Thread keeping the muslin tight.

 Corners cut and sewn.

 The framed and finished painting.

Beautiful!

 Oh, speaking of animals - 

A raccoon has taken up residence in one of my trees.

I don't know if the dogs chased him up there or he just wanted a better view of the yard.

We tried to get him to come down but he was having none of it.

We are keeping the dogs in the courtyard and studio to encourage him to come down.

If he's still up there tomorrow, I don't know what I'll do.

Call the fire department I guess!

JALOPY

"JALOPY"

9X12"

oil on hardboard

SOLD

This is Challenge 11 in my artist group blog, "LET'S PAINT NEW MEXICO."

If you seethe original image, you will know that I should have done a better block in compoition,

rather than a loose paint sketch. The original car is much wider and more squat.

It was totally fun though, but I don't think I want to paint it again!

To purchase, please click HERE.