Waitress by the Window

                                  6x6 Bid on this Painting

I found out about Lee Brown's "A Day Not Wasted" website from Dana Cooper's post. What a great challenge! I tried to think of shapes and composition rather than what I actually saw in the photo. My goal is to paint more abstractly while still being representational.

Alley View

                                     24x24

This is part of my Spain/Portugal series- a view of some colorful houses seen through a narrow street.

Red Galoshes

                                       6x6
The DPW Challenge this week is to paint something pertaining to the arrival of autumn. Where I come from (Seattle) fall means rain. Thus the red galoshes.....

Sporty Little Number

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I'm still working on larger paintings, but felt the need to do a fast and loose little piece before resuming my work. This little sports car was just what I needed. I'm awaiting the new DPW Challenge, as I enjoy doing those as well.

Limited Strokes Challenge

The purpose of this challenge is to prevent you from overworking your painting by limiting the number of strokes you can put down. You identify the shapes and then try to fill the shapes with a color in as few strokes as possible- with lots of juicy paint. You are supposed to estimate the number of strokes you can allow yourself (I estimated 24) and then count each stroke (I did 36!) I used up all my 24 before I painted the background! Then at the very end I cheated a bit by adding a few quick strokes; I just couldn't resist.

I'll be out of town all week at a women's hiking (and eating and drinking) retreat, so I won't be painting. Hope to get back to it on Saturday.

Night on the Town

                                      16x16 Contact me if interested; laynecook@comcast.net
This is another of the Spain/Portugal series I'm working on. It is based very loosely on a photo I took in Obidos, Portugal

Street Performer

                                               14x18
This is a larger version of the Street Performer. I like this girl so much that I think I'll paint her at least once more. She'll be included in the Spain/Portugal series- even though she's in France. she fits with the rest of the paintings and there are many like her to be seen all over Europe.

Car Show

                                 6x8  Bid On This Painting
The DPW Challenge this week is about values. As most painters know, value is more important than color in the structure of a painting. I used a photo taken at a car show that I attended last weekend, and executed the painting over an old one that provided some texture and a bit of color beneath the burn umber tones. After I finish my Spain/Portugal series I may just do one based on car shows.

Small Packages

                                         6x6
This is another painting that got reworked. I'm eager to do the DPW Challenge this week because it's all about value in composition. We have to produce an interesting painting in 4 values, thinking about creating interesting shapes rather than thinking about the subject. And of course, color is out of the equation. Also, there should no be equal shares of the individual values. Dark, medium or light should dominate and one of the three should play the smallest role. A lot to think about!

Street Performer

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A friend was showing us some pictures of his recent trip to Europe when I spotted this young woman in one of the photos. I changed the setting but I tried to stay true to her character. Her body language suggests that she is lightly dancing along with her music.

Surrounded by Green

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In my continuing "Can this Painting be Saved?" project, this one got a complete overhaul. It's all about "linking values" and creating interesting shapes. Also, knowing when to use neutrals and when to use color. I find it so hard to get all this right on the first try!

A Mother's Love

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The DPW Challenge this week is "Paint Your Pig". I have a "pig", but I chose instead to use the photo that was provided. The expressions on the faces occurred purely by chance, giving me the idea for the title, "A Mother's Love". I think the little pig looks contrite and she (Mom) looks concerned and slightly disapproving.

On the Green

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I separated my older daily paintings into 3 piles. One pile is "fine as is" (I could change my mind about any of those). Another pile is "project for improvement" . The third pile is for "paint-overs". I think I've learned a few things about composition lately. Took me long enough! I'm starting to really "get" the concept of linking my shapes, both in color and value. This painting is an example of one that I painted over using what i know now. I think it's a much stronger painting. The painting I posted yesterday I decided doesn't work. I ended up with ambiguous focal points- the bright green lawn and the sunlit corner of the house. Because I'm trying to feature the house, I am working on toning down the lawn and increasing the interest on the corner of the house. Will post the "new and improved" version soon.

Island Retreat

                                         6x8 Not for sale

A friend's home away from home.......