LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE 9 x 11 - Day 11 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

I needed to see some summer colors, and bask in the warmth of all this one portrays.

I knew I had a busy January, so why did I sign up for the 30 day challenge? I've been in the studio, framing, and also practising reciting a message I will be giving on creativity in February. Another - what was I thinking! This coming week looks equally as busy, the first chance I might have to paint will be Thursday.....we'll see. It's all good, just not getting in easel time.

100 x 100 x 100 Experiment - Day 6 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

An experiment day for the 30 day challenge. I like to do 100 stroke challenges, but I often lose count in the process, so today I chose 100 pastels and used each pastel only once. This is a 10 x 10" - 100 square inch pastel on paper, done in less than 100 minutes.

ON TOP OF RIB MOUNTAIN 14 x 14" Day 5 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Top image is the "tweaked" version.

This one might need a little tweaking in the leafy area, but I am satisfied with the way the rock outcropping looks.I am posting it before I am completely ssatisfied so that I have one for Day 5 of the challenge.

JANUARY MORNING 12 x 15 Day 1 - 30 in 30 Days

Morning sun filters through the trees creating a nice contrast between the blue snow shadows and the soft  peachy early morning light, This is the first day of Leslie Saeta's  Challenge to paint 30 in 30 days. I have a few commissions to do this month, so I'm not sure I'll complete the challenge, but it's fun to participate, so I'll post what I am able to get done.

BURNING OFF OF THE FOG 10 X 13

Day 2 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

I have once again accepted Leslie Saeta's challenge to complete a painting a day each day during the month of September. I hesitated to accept the challenge. September is a very busy month and I don't like to set a goal I can't keep.  I decided an attempt to paint daily is better than not attempting at all. I am working on a new technique. I have tried using an underpainting in the past but I found myself rarely using that method, but I just took a workshop with an artist whose work I have long admired; Barbara Jaenicke. She uses an underpainting  and I have decided to try this method again. Yesterday's painting and todays painting were both started with an underpainting. I am beginning to like this method, but I still have a few challenges to work through. this painting is available through Daily Paint Works: http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/susan-klabak/burning-off-the-fog/254397

Sunset 14 x 18

Day 11 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

My favorite time of day, when the sun sets and it's time for rest and reflection. 

Cow Trails 9 x 9

Day 6 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

When I was a child I woke up one day to see a cow just outside my window. The neighbor's cows were loose and  investigating the grass "on the other side of the fence".

FIELD IN MOTION 8.5 x 11"

Day 2 of the 30 Paintings  in 30 Days Challenge
I grew up in farm country, my parents had a farm in Ohio and even when we moved to Michigan we were in a rural area with a big farm field behind our house. I have many happy memories of my childhood and I think that must be why farm scenes attract my attention as subjects for my paintings.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/susan-klabak/field-in-motion/189979

Soft Light 4 x 4"

My small painting for Day 10 of Leslie Saeta's 30Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. I haven't kept up with a painting each day....but I have had a paint brush in my hand every day for several days, as I stain the new deck my husband built. Some evenings I just didn't have the energy to paint even a small painting. 

COUNTRY ROAD 8.5 x 11.5

My painting for Day 7 of Leslie Saeta's challenge - 30 Paintings in 30 Days.

Sun on the River 9 x 11

This is day five of Leslie Saeta's  challenge - 30 Paintings in 30 Days.

Check out Leslie's blog to see what the other artists who have taken on the challenge have posted. lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS #16

Field Bouquet 6 x 6

I missed painting  the last two days...the flu caught me and held on. I am better today, compared to the last two days. This painting, as small and simple as it looks was quite a challenge. I should have known better than to take on subject matter that is not typical. The camera had a hard time reading the colors and focusing so it took extra time to get this image. So...this one wore me out. Tomorrow back to the landscapes I know. 

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - DAY 13

Summer Clouds 10 x 14

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - DAY 12

Moon Bunny 11 x 11
Tomorrow is my daughter's birthday, my first child. It is not hard to instantly recall the rush of feelings the moment I first saw her. I painted this just for her, that's why there is a bunny in it; she has a special love for bunnies. Even the wild bunnies seem to know and run toward her when they see her. This moon lit bunny seems rather sad; maybe it's a mommy bunny missing her baby bunnies.