30 Days of Art: Day 12 (Coffee Shops)

“Conversation”

When I first spied these women in my local coffee shop I thought “these girls are having an after yoga coffee”. I didn’t overhear any of their conversation but as I sketched and thought about it more I imagined that maybe these girls get together every week to connect, to be just Jane instead of Tommy’s mommy, Rick’s wife and Janice’s boss.

It is amazing how easy it is to lose your identity in what you do and who is connected to you.  That’s why friends are so great. Because you have always been “just Jane” to them, and you will always be Jane first no matter how many diverse roles or hangers-on you aquire.

Of course that could just be me… but I like the chance to be “Just Laura” and I take it every chance I get. “Artsy friend” is one of my favourite roles.

30 Days of Art: Day 11 (Coffee Shop)

“The Coffee Date”

Ever been “out for coffee”? Its the date that isn’t. You can go, and if things don’t work out you can say that you just went as friends. Watching people in coffee shops is fascinating. But that could be because I’m too nosey for my own good.

I like to invent stories about the interactions I see around me. This woman clearly has a point of view. It is like she is saying “Well, its like I told you…” with her body language.

I wonder, at the end of this coffee date, will the couple find an “interest” or just a friend?

30 Days of Art: Day 10 (Flower’s Parade)

 

“Fairytale”

While this series has hardly been a catalogue of flowers I couldn’t quite leave this one out. Roses are charged with so many storylines. They are enchanted, or carried by virgins, princesses lips are “rose red”… the burden of perfection rests fully on these flowers.

Perhaps the perfection thing is why I usually steer clear of painting these flowers. Its too much to ask of a mere artist. Unless you are Michelangelo perhaps – I bet he would do a rose justice.

However, I did make an attempt and I do like the way it turned out.  Mostly closed roses are my favourites – maybe because they haven’t fully released their perfection on the world. Or it could just be the shape.

30 Days of Art: Day 9 (Flower’s Parade)

“Fantasy”

One of my favourite things about painting flowers is their shapes. Soft, rounded edges. Dips and curves. The way the light changes the colour of a petal.  Sometimes I get so caught up in the feeling of my brush waltzing on the canvas that I stray away from the original shape, colour, size , whatever that a flower may have and wander off on my own flights of fancy.

If you’re wondering – this painting is based on a yellow wildflower called “Cinquefoil”.

30 Days of Art: Day 8 (Flower’s Parade)

 

 

 

“Frost”

These tulips fascinated me. When we were living in Seattle, WA tulips were an early spring flower and you could get armloads of them at the Pike Place Market for $15. Steve brought these ones home for me one day and I was captivated because they were purple. Not quite the soft purple they are here in the painting but a deep dark violet. They also were had the pretty frilly edges – so I had to photograph them and save them for another day – almost two years later.

It is a break in the colours I’ve been using but I couldn’t resist the cool colours.

30 Days of Art: Day 7 (Flower’s Parade)

“Simplicity”

I love these daisies – because I might find them growing in the summer in a million places; in a well manicured park, an english garden or a ditch along a country road. But no matter where you find them, their freshness and simplicity is inviting and friendly. No fuss, no pretentions, just little white petals with golden round centers.

If you are just joining this adventure and are wondering what the 30 Days of Art is all about you can get all the details here.

Ps.

Don’t forget the paintings from the 30 Days of Art are available at my etsy shop!

30 Days of Art: Day 6 (Flower’s Parade)

“Drama”

At the moment, this daisy’s name eludes me (but if you happen to know it, I’d love it if you’d tell me what it is in the comments! Thanks!)

Want to know something a little odd?

I don’t really love daisies. Honestly I go for the exotic, unique and “flowy” flowers, when I’m looking for a house bouquet.

But I can’t resist painting daisies.

I love the lines and the shapes and the way they effortlessly hint at summer fields and long warm afternoons.
So here I am with my latest daisy painting.

I’d love to hear what you think!

 

 

Love this painting… it is $25USD including shipping in my Etsy store.

30 Days of Art: Day 5 (Ladies First)

“A Little Thoughtfulness”

Wow, we are at the end of the “Women” series already.  That seems fast!

When I began this series I didn’t realize that the women and the poses I had chosen expressed some of my own thoughts on what an ideal woman would be like or what qualities a woman should possess. Dangerous ground if there ever was some. I’m kind of scared to write anything further because suggesting what a woman “should” be would have to come with so many “but in this case/circumstance there is an exception”  I could never write it all accurately. At the end of it all women and people are so much more complex and they strongly resist by nature being put into a box.

Of all the qualities I think a woman would do well to possess “A Little Thoughtfulness” is probably the most virtuous and valuable asset.I’d like to imagine what life would be like if I lived it a little more mindfully. A little more aware of other people’s expereinces, a little more careful about the things I say, a little more aware of life…

Food for thought??

30 Days of Art: Day 4 (Ladies First)

“A Little Seduction”

I’ll speak for myself here. I have always liked to imagine myself as this WOMAN. You know the type. Effortlessly attractive, confident to a point that nerves don’t enter the picture anymore – the woman who never secretly wonders if she looks like a moron on the dance floor…

This is my hommage to that ideal woman.

Enjoy!

Love this painting… it is $25USD including shipping in my Etsy store.

30 Days of Art: Day 3 (Ladies First)

“A Little Sophistication”

Here’s to the women with the courage to put own a gown, tie their hair into a simple ponytail and enter a crowded room. The ability to know yourself and that simplicity is timeless is incredibly sophisticated and I applaud and aspire to that in my own fantasies.

Love this painting… it is $25USD including shipping in my Etsy store.