What to do with a Pomegranate?

I bought a pomegranate because they are appearing in the produce section - must be in season somewhere.  I've bought them before and have never quite known what to do with them.  Thanks to Google, I am now an expert at cutting them without breaking more than a few seeds.  The seeds are great to sprinkle on a salad, or one could blend up the whole mess and then strain it, adding sugar as desired.  Or, just eat them as is.  Who doesn't need more fiber? Anyway... as soon as I said I was not going to post, I have something to post - so on with the show, at least for today. I'm observing that my painting of the plate  is looser than the same plate a year ago and  I like that.

Key Largo Sunset

I'm not one to paint a sunset. Such a cliche, you know. But someone on FB gave me  the idea of using the Daily Paintworks challenges as ideas for paintings and I kind of like that.  And it's good to paint the things you avoid. This is inspired from a photo taken last summer.

Bean Balance

I made a quick trip to the farmer's market and bought this guy's last green beans.  They weren't the best ones there, but he went out of his way to say "Hi" and that counts.  And I felt like he believed in his green beans. 

Beach Read

I haven't posted to the 30/30 for a few days, but that doesn't mean I haven't been painting.  I may be done with this one... or if I turn it to the wall and then look at it in a few days and then, well, tweak.  We went to the Florida Keys this summer and stayed a a place with a shaded beach. It was a dream.  One could lounge there sipping umbrella drinks indefinitely. I took some photos of this woman who was reading aloud to the helpless body beside her.

Farmer's Market Bouquet

You would think I might use my time more wisely. Nope! I went to the farmer's market right before it closed to grab something to paint.  This bouquet had some spectacular flowers, but I realized that the star of the show had a broken stem - already lurching forward.  I don't think it will last long.  And, true to MOA, I didn't start painting until late.  Can't help it. I like to paint at night.

Summer Porch

Such a great day! I've been painting with some very fun ladies this summer. Today we painted at my friend Margie's brother's house, which turned out to be a spot I've been admiring  for the last 30 or so years.  Most of my plein air paintings are referred to as "studies", but  I kind of like this one.

Circus Freak

Hello old blog!  I haven't seen you since the last "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge... Lots of life events since then, but no excuses for neglecting this.  Anyway, here I go again ;-) I have a heirloom tomato plant that is producing monsters.  They are huge - weigh as much as a newborn!  And they're not pretty in the traditional sense, but I love them as only a mother could.

Afternoon Tango

I am still processing our trip to Argentina. We were there last July - summer here, winter there.  Most of the days were grey and drizzly. I wore a hoodie and bought a cheap umbrella. On one of the few days of  sunshine I sat in the plaza in front of our hotel and watched a couple practice their tango moves. They take tango very seriously there. In most of the restaurants or bars we visited,  we were treated to a tango show, for tips  of course. It was really stunning and beautiful and full of the passion that you would imagine.  Watch a tango, sip a malbec - what could be better?

You Crack Me Up

The last one of the 30/30 challenge! I have lots to reflect on. I completed about 20 paintings and I feel pretty good about that. Last night's painting ended up being a scrapper and  several other ones did as well.  And there were a few nights when I was just too tired to lift a brush.  Now I can ask myself if I've improved? And what will I paint now that I can take my time? I wish I could have spent more time looking at other artist's, but I barely had time to look at my own work! I'm looking forward to doing that because I was in pretty good company.

You're a Chicken

I had such a hard time taking a picture of this bird! Could be because I'm tired, but there was glare no matter where!  Artificial light is a problem and so is wet paint.  Time to head to the hen house.

Why did the Chicken Cross the Road

Multiple theories on that. I'm having fun with chickens and I'm hoping this theme will see me through the next few days. 

Peck

Just pecking away.. My buddy Jo suggested a chicken picture. I have another friend who is in the Florida Keys, where chickens seem to just wonder around as they will. This seems like a perfect subject right now - lots of color and texture.

Winter Light

This was inspired by a photo that Julie Aune posted a while ago.  In light of all the snow the east coast has gotten, it seemed appropriate.  I loved Julie's photo because I could just imagine her looking out at this scene somewhere in St. Peter. 

Not to always be making excuses for not painting, but yesterday, right when I was about to set up, I got an automated phone call from fraud prevention that let me know my credit card had been hacked. It's great that the fraud prevention works, but it messed up my schedule a little bit. I've recovered, every thing's fine and now - get to the paint!

Drink More Water

I finished this last night, but then decided not to post it. Today, with fresh eyes, I've changed my mind.  This was a toughie, light-wise and I'm not in love with the photo. But, no-paint, no-grow.

Slice of Lime

I'm behind by 100. I have 100 excuses, all of them good. Broken furnace on a -15 night, a cold, end of the quarter...  Anyway, I'm going to squeeze this lime into a beverage so as not to be wasteful and start thinking about tomorrow's painting. One thing about cold weather: If I start a painting and don't finish it on the spot, I can stick everything out in the garage and it all stays fresh. 

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

I set up my pochade box in front of the stove to paint this one. I'm not sure if it's done, but I'm calling it a night.  Oddly, our furnace has chosen this moment to stop working! It's -10 outside and getting colder. We have great insulation, and space heaters, so I think it'll be bearable.  I'm not sure what else to do? Go to a hotel or call someone out right now?   I'm just thinking I want to take a shower before it gets chilly. 

Peppered Palette

After a trip to the grocery store, I've got some new props. Peppers were on sale and they are just what  I wanted to add some warmth to this weekend! The "feels like" temp is -30!  I am officially 4 paintings behind, which is a little discouraging. Had a little encounter with the latest virus going around.  I'm trying not to loose my momentum, but my fingers are crossed for a snow day. I don't seem to be able to paint more than one per day.

C and C

It's a good thing I've got all these oranges. Caffeine and vitamin C may get me through this month of painting. 

Orange Ya Glad

Sometimes the simplest subjects are the hardest. I painted yesterday but didn't post because it was a scrapper. So I thought I'd just do a simple still life this time.  Hmm. Well, I can tell you that the oranges right now are devine. That's one thing January has going for it.

Solitary Season

A landscape inspired from a photo and from the weather channel.  "Feels like -27!" Good practice painting with limited values.

Mocha Cake, Yum!

Mocha cake and mocha bars are  kind of a specialty around here.  I had never seen it before living in Minnesota.  It sure was fun to paint - and then eat ;-) One of my ancient relatives was a pastry chef in the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago.  Thinking about him and how much fun I'm having painting dessert made me thing about illustrating a cook book someday. Not mine - I'm not a cook. But I think it could be a good project.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today would have been my mama's birthday and I've been thinking about her a lot. I think she would have been 97.  I was thinking I wanted to paint a piece of cake for the occasion, so I asked my husband if he could run out a get one for me.  Big mistake. He came back with a small cake, a brownie, and two pieces of  mocha cake. Who's going to eat all that?  (I'll tell you who.... starting with the piece I've been looking at all night. )

Get a Pear

A nice just-right pear is a great treat, but it's rare in my experience.  They are even more fragile than bananas.  The pink cheeked ones always look promising.

Waiting

Another old guy. I think the contrast appealed to me and the timelessness of the image of someone watching and waiting.

January Morning

I snapped a picture looking out from my front window the other day as used it for this one. As much as I'm trying to ignore this month, I have to admit the morning skies can be glorious. The days will slowly but surely begin to get a little longer.  And maybe we'll get a few snow days - fingers crossed.

Caia's Kitty, 2nd Go

This is actually the second time I've tried to paint this kittycat! In September my friend Caia had to say goodbye to her beloved cat. I know how heartbreaking that is because last spring we had to put our dog down. So, I tried to paint a little memorial for her, but the strangest thing happened! Years ago I had a little grey tabby and my painting kept morphing into her every time I let my guard down! Back story - I've always felt guilty about that cat because I stopped paying much attention to her after our kids were born and then she died all alone when I was out of town. Cats are mysterious. Maybe she was trying to tell me she was still with me... and she forgives me. Well, I'd like to think that.

Good Day, Sunshine

Who knows why I painted this guy!? I like him and it's kind of the opposite of MN, I guess. Another one from Morguefile.  One more day before it's back to the grind, so gotta have some fun, right?

New Year's Resolution - Paint More!

The January 30 Paintings in 30 Days has begun and I'm feeling pretty good about it! Some of you know I did a challenge back in September and I found it to be so beneficial in so many ways. For one thing, it was really this first time I put my art "out there", at least in this way.  Turns out I have such a supportive family and such awesome friends, that it was very rewarding. Last time I painted mainly still lifes and I'll probably return to that pretty soon. (After I go to the grocery store!) I would rather paint something rather than paint from a photo - but I've found a few images on Morguefile.com (royalty free photos) that I want to use, and a few photos of my own. Variety is the spice of life, right? So, I invite you to join me! Grab your own paint brush, or share your thoughts with me.