Four Color Challenge.......California Coast Dreaming!

The Daily Paintworks challenge this week is to paint using only 4 colors. I am always amazed at the amount of colors I can make with only 4 paint tubes! These challenges are great to make me really stretch the boundaries of only 4 colors and ask myself....what color is this really?. I used Phthalo Blue, Cad Red, Cad Yellow and White. 

Dang........Makes ya want to go huh!!! California Dreaming...

Ninas by the Fountain

These two little ninas were selling jewelry by the fountain in the plaza in Antigua, Guatemala. I caught them as they strolled by looking for tourists to sell their wares. These two look to be about 9-12, but there are also even younger children selling jewelry or gum to support their families. The colorful dress of the Mayan people is stunning. Guatemala...Land of Color!

This was drawn from a black and white photo in my grandmothers photo album. The challenge was to take 60 seconds to assess the photo for the figures and draw them out. I enjoyed imagining the colors of their clothes and the house! Grandma titled this, "In Our Prom Clothes" about 1927.

Two Little Piggies Stayed Home

I have been painting......well kind of (I did take two weeks off when company came to Guatemala) but I haven't posted them! So here is one I painted two weeks ago. My great niece, Shaylee, raised piglets for 4-H. They are so cute and inquisitive. She let me use her photos for inspiration.

Montana in the Morning

The inspiration for this painting was a photo I took while taking my grand kids to school in Laurel, Montana one morning. The light was so beautiful coming through these trees. The drive between Laurel and Billings at 7:30 a.m. can be just gorgeous. Right now it is covered in a blanket of snow!

One Stroke Challenge.........Bleeding Hearts

This weeks challenge is One Stroke....Do not overwork your paintings. Put down a color and then mix another until you are done. I chose this close up of bleeding hearts. Oh, and use a 1/2 flat brush. Now that is a challenge in itself. No fussing. Slap it on!!!

I decided the leaves of the previous painting were distracting and painted them out. Also the background was not showing off the main attraction. So I darkened it. Which is better?

Collage of the 30 in 30.....well I only have 22...hey but next time!

Here are all my paintings for the challenge!!!!Next year I will paint all 30!!!