Lucy's Sky

If you look out the window in Southern California, it's just about always blue skies and same-old, same-old sunshine. So I used the challenge pic from dailypaintworks.com for reference. Painting this was kind of like eating ice cream, especially using those dreamy colors. So this is all about color for me.

To bid on this painting: http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/449861

Beach Bike, oil , 6" x 6", starting bid $65

This was painted in response to Dreama Tolle Perry's challenge on DailyPaintWorks for us to paint our own brand of "Relaxation Station". The concept was mind numbing probably because I don't spend time relaxing, because life is too interesting and I'm on a constant adventure. But I thought of the beach where work is far away and no computers beg engagement. But then again, I'm not a beach person because within half an hour I'm really bored and itching for something to do. But a bike offers a relaxing alternative.  The view of the ocean and the sounds and smell of crashing waves can be experienced from my bicycle. With the added freedom of exploring and getting slightly lost or swinging by Starbucks for an iced latte.

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Blue Sky Drive

Blue Sky Drive - 6 x 6"- Oil- Opening bid $65

Here it is. What the people of Southern California have to put up with day after day. Blue skies, day in, day out.

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Actually I've had quite a good start to this daily painting thing. I am more than slightly addicted. I've posted a couple of dozen small daily paintings and I have to control the urge to check the stats and see if they are gathering interest. My biggest quandary is, should I paint only one subject matter? Or at least concentrate on mainly one thing? Perhaps I should reevaluate that in another month.

Artist's tip:
When 'plein air' or landscape painting, do the lay-in of the big shapes in one shade of a neutral color. ( I used ultramarine mixed with a terre vert type green.) Your painting will have a unified quality to it. Over the initial lay-in you can then add various colors and you'll find the original lay-in color influencing what lies on top.