Day 18 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days ~ The Nest

The Nest 

5" x  7"

Acrylic Paint on Canvas Panel

~Sold~

Day Eighteen of the  30 Paintings in 30 Days in September with Leslie Saeta.  

But not for me, this is painting Eleven for me.  Last week was an extremely difficult week, there was no painting, no inspiration.  I used that time to reflect on how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family.  Now it's time to get back to work!

I love the new painting!  I will be painting a larger version to keep for myself.  

The Nest has sold.  

To view more paintings currently available for purchase, please visit my Etsy.com store.

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Day Ten of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days ~ Wine and Grapes

 

Wine and Grapes

5" x  7"

Acrylic Paint on Canvas Panel

~Sold~

Day Ten of the  30 Paintings in 30 Days in September with Leslie Saeta.  

I had high hopes of getting caught up today~  no such luck.  I knew when I started this painting it would be time consuming....but I am so happy with the result.  

I will be spending the evening catching up on stuff like laundry and getting ready for the work week. I also have to ship a painting that sold today.   There will be plenty of time to get caught up.  (Famous last words!)

Wine and Grapes was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality canvas panel with painted sides to allow for display without a frame.  This painting will easily slide into a frame or can be placed on a small display easel.  

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Day Nine of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days ~ Three Lemons

Three Lemons

6" x  6"

Acrylic Paint on Ampersand Gessobord

~Sold~

It's Day Nine of the  30 Paintings in 30 Days in September with Leslie Saeta.  

Playing catch up!  I am going to try and finish day ten today, but I do have a date for the Greek Festival tonight, so it may be tomorrow.  It is getting more challenging, not only the time aspect but thinking of something to paint.  Everything that is floating in my head needs to go on a larger canvas and can't be completed in one day......

Three Lemons was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality Ampersand Gessobord with painted sides to allow for display without a frame on a small easel or framed. 

Next up~  No hints today!  Check back again later.

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Day Eight of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days! Me and My Shadow II

Me and My Shadow II

8" x  8"

Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

It's Day Eight of the  30 Paintings in 30 Days in September with Leslie Saeta.  

Okay ~ stop looking at your calendar!  It is the 9th....painting everyday is one thing, but trying to get a good quality photo with natural light is impossible to do after dark creating a slight delay~  The weekend is finally here and I can paint and photograph in the same day.

I love painting pears!  They are so versatile.  No two ever look alike.  When I shop for them in the store, I have to do a "test drive" before purchasing---I have to stand it up and make sure it stays upright, quite a few are so lopsided they fall over.

Me and My Shadow II was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame. 

Next up~  LEMONS!

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Day 7!!! 30 Paintings in 30 Days ~ Autumn Pear

Autumn Pear

6" x 6"

Acrylic Paint on Ampersand Gessobord
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Day Seven of the  30 Paintings in 30 Days in September with Leslie Saeta.  

I have to admit ~ I AM EXHAUSTED!!! Working all day, fighting traffic on 485, getting home and painting, and trying to get to bed before the alarm goes off in the morning.  I would not be able to do this without Kevin's support.  He is kind enough not to expect dinner or conversation every evening.

This is by far my all time favorite pear, and I have painted a lot of pears.  The funny part of this, I was happy with the painting while I was working on it, but it wasn't until I took photos to upload to the computer that I noticed the leaves~ the ones I didn't know I painted.  One of those "happy accidents" that you wonder how it happened.  Look in the background just above the two leaves on the left....there is a leaf!  Look on the right in the background the clear image of a white leaf!  I didn't plan it, I didn't even know it at the time.  

Autumn Pear was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality Ampersand Gessobord with painted sides to allow for display without a frame.  This painting can be framed or placed on a small display easel.  

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Day Six of the 30 in 30~ Months in the Making!

Porch Water Lilies 

48" x  48"

Acrylic Paint on Cradled Hardboard

~Collection of the Artist~

Day Six of the  30 Paintings in 30 Days in September with Leslie Saeta.  

I painted all day.....just a bit different.  I needed to varnish this large painting to get it out of the dining room! I chose to varnish it with Spar Polyurethane varnish, similar to what is used on boats.  After giving the time needed to allow the paint to completely dry, I researched what varnish would be best to use to protect the painting from the weather.  The location on the front porch where the painting will go does not get direct sun or rain, but the painting will endure temperature change throughout the year.

I laid the painting flat on two buckets to elevated it off the ground and make sure it was level so the varnish would go on smoothly.  I followed the directions on the can and applied three generous coats of varnish, lightly sanding between each coat.  It took all day as I waited two hours between coats and then two hours for it to dry before moving it.  The varnish was amazing!  The underpainting colors came to the surface and the colors in the water were so much better than I expected.  It is now at home on the porch.  The deep blue of the water really looks nice with my pink house.  I might start a trend with my large porch painting ~

Now off to get started on day seven!

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Day Five of the 30 in 30 ~ Tar Heel Born, Tar Heel Bred VIII

Tar Heel Born, Tar Heel Bred VIII

6" x  6" 

Acrylic on Ampersand Gessobord

~Sold~

"I'm a Tar Heel born, I'm a Tar Heel bred. And when I die, I'm a Tar Heel dead."

Day Five of the  30 Paintings in 30 Days in September with Leslie Saeta.  

I had my first toss out today.....there are always days when nothing looks quite right, those are the days you clean your brushes, put the easel away, and go see the grandchildren.  The best thing about grandchildren is they think you are the best grandma ever!  After lots of hugs and kisses, pretend tea out of plastic cups, and a rocking chair full of Minnie, Mickey, and me; I return to the studio with an uplifted spirit and renewed confidence~

This is another collector favorite composition that I have painted many times.  The Tar Heel Series of paintings began when my baby headed off to school.  Her and her husband have now settled in Chapel Hill and are raising a little Tar Heel of their own.

Tar Heel Born, Tar Heel Bred VIII was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality Ampersand Gessobord with painted sides to allow for display without a frame.  This painting can be framed or placed on a small display easel.  

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Day Four of the 30 in 30! Avocado with Bell Pepper II

 

Avocado with Bell Pepper II

5" x  7" 

Acrylic Paint on Canvas Panel

~Sold~

It's Day Four of the  30 Paintings in 30 Days in September with Leslie Saeta.  

Rolling right along, it has not gotten complicated yet....it is a holiday weekend with plenty of time to paint!  It will soon get tricky when I juggle home, work, and painting!  I will have to do a lot of planning to have everything stay on track~

You can see I have been revisiting old compositions, it is always best to start with the familiar when you have been away from painting for while.  Today is a throwback from years ago. I love the bright reds and subtle greens, this is always fun to paint

Avocado with Bell Pepper II was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality canvas panel with painted sides to allow for display without a frame.  This painting will easily slide into a frame or can be placed on a small display easel.  

This painting has sold.  You can see paintings available for purchase at my Etsy.com store. 

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Day Three of the 30 in 30! Baseball VIII

Baseball VIII

6" x 6" x 1.5"

Acrylic Paint on Deep Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Sold

It's Day Three of the  30 Paintings in 30 Days in September with Leslie Saeta.  

Yes, I have painted this baseball eight times, exact composition-same ball.  It is my most requested commission and I love painting it.  Even after painting this eight different times, there are no two the same.  I always think the latest one is the best~

Today is going to be a fun day of painting~  The storm has passed and the light and weather are beautiful!

With a Carolina blue cloudless sky this morning, painting a Tar Heel painting will be easy~

Baseball VIII was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality deep gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame.  This painting can either be hung on the wall or stood on a shelf like a block.  

This painting has sold.

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Posted 13 hours ago by Torrie Smiley

Day Two of the 30 in 30! Red Pear in the Spotlight

Red Pear in the Spotlight

8" x  8"

Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Available for Purchase

It's Day Two of the  30 Paintings in 30 Days in September with Leslie Saeta.  

I love painting pears!  This has to be one of my top five favorites paintings.  I have painted this composition many times before, this one is the best

I have spent this rainy day painting and getting ready for day three and four~  Look for baseballs, more food, and maybe even a fish~

Red Pear in the Spotlight was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame.  This painting is currently available for purchase at my Etsy.com store.

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Day One of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days!

Fresh Cut Lemon

5" x  7" 

Acrylic Paint on Canvas Panel

~Sold~

It's that time again!  30 Paintings in 30 Days in September with Leslie Saeta.  I have participated in this adventure for several years.....never really getting farther than day 20. Completing a painting everyday can be a challenge when the real world continues to demand equal time.  

I have started this adventure with a small lemon painting.  There will be a variety of paintings painted this month.  I decided not to choose a theme this year, I am going to paint what pops into my head that day.  Of course, there will be pears, various food still life, baseballs, and I may throw in a rooster and a landscape here and there.

I have high hopes of completing the entire 30 paintings~  wish me luck!

Fresh Cut Lemon was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality canvas panel. Painting can be easily framed or placed on a small easel for display. 

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie