SAFE OR OUT?

                                   7" x 5" Oil on Canvas

Day Twenty-Five, 30 in 30 Challenge

 In professional sports, Florida has three National Football League teams and two Major League Baseball teams.   Florida is the traditional home for Major League Baseball spring training with teams informally organized into the "Grapefruit League."  Here in Port Charlotte, we proudly host the Tampa Bay Rays.

With our never ending enjoyment of the sport, one can hardly mention our state this time of year without thinking "baseball" (and clogged highways)!  Therefore, in keeping with my theme, here is my baseball post.  Meet Jake, my model and an outstanding  athlete regardless of the sport. Way to go, Jake!

THE ROMANTIC RED HIBISCUS

                                   6" x 6" Oil on Canvas

Day Twenty-Four, 30 in 30 Challenge

Hibiscus flowers are grown for their showy flowers and used as landscape shrubs where they attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.  These  hardy perennials bloom throughout the year in a variety of colors.   This lovely flower is traditionally worn by Tahitian and Hawaiian girls.  If worn behind the left ear the woman is married or in a relationship.  If the flower is worn on the right, she is single or openly available for a relationship.  The hibiscus is Hawaii's state flower, and is the national flower of Haiti.

I doubt there is a single home in our neighborhood without at least one hibiscus shrub  or mini-tree somewhere on their lawn or in their lanai.

This red subject was chosen as a personal challenge as reds are difficult hues for me.  I would have liked the mid tones to have been brighter and the highlights lighter, but for a one day project, I'm satisfied.

GREAT BLUE HERON - REVISITED

                               7" x 5" Oil on Wood Panel

Day 23- 30 in 30 Challenge
The Great Blue Heron  is a majestic sight whether cruising the coastline with slow wing beats or standing motionless scanning for prey.  Sometimes it  will wade belly deep making long, deliberate steps.  When in flight, the heron tucks in its neck and the long legs trail out behind.  A beautiful bird to behold and fortunately here in South Florida there is no shortage of them.

This bird was a joy to paint in 2014 - as a 36" x 24" oil.  SILENT SENTINEL was then shown and sold immediately which was bittersweet.  It's posted on the blog dated March 18, 2014.    One of my all time favorite paintings.  This is a small reproduction with a changed background and few details.  There is no question, the larger version was more fun to paint (and took weeks)  but I'm getting more confident with these little brushes and this one took only one day!

ANOTHER FLORIDA KITTY

 

                              5" x 5" Oil on Canvas board

Day Twenty-Two - 30 in 30 Challenge
Yesterday's painting was relaxing and went much faster than so many of the all-day previous ones.   So - couldn't resist one more cat!  Thought a white one would be more challenging while offering   opportunities  to play with subtle colors and tones.  Went really fast - three hours tops!  (Remember, I'm the slowest painter in Florida!)

 Grumbacher MG Underpainting Titanium White oil paint,  fast drying and  opaque, was  introduced to me by Johannes Vloothuis via his on-line workshops (Northlight).   It has proven invaluable for painting backgrounds the day or night before for this daily challenge.  While acrylic underpaintings speed up the process, with this fast drying alternative I can stay with oil.

So far as keeping with my theme,  there are lots and lots of cats in Florida!

FLORIDA KITTY

                               5" x 5" Oil on Canvas Board

Day Twenty-one - 30 in 30 Challenge
After allowing myself to become  so intimidated by yesterday's "big cat",  I decided  today's choice would be less stressful.  I  would use a smaller canvas and larger brushes and move away from the beach and palm trees!

Last week we dropped off a donation at the local animal welfare league and I just had to spend a few minutes enjoying the cats on the Kitty Porch.  That was all the inspiration needed to plan a few cat paintings.  I have many photos on file since I'm constantly shooting pics with my phone.

Not sure if this kitty is realistic or whimsical but he  makes me smile!  

ROUGH STUDY - FLORIDA PANTHER

           

                                  6" x 6" Oil on Canvas

Day Twenty - 30 in 30 Challenge (2/3 of the way there!)

Knowing today would be a short one in the studio, I should have known better than to take on a panther!  Ok,  so another palm tree and more water  then started on the cat.  Oh My Goodness - it did not go well - details this small  need a smooth surface - not duck canvas especially working wet into wet!

I am eager to paint a panther on a large canvas - these little ones are making me crazy!

The Florida panther is an endangered subspecies of cougar that lives in forests and swamps of southern Florida.  Only 80 to 100 panthers still remain in Florida, making this one of the most rare and endangered mammals in the world.  We humans are the their biggest threat.  It's sad to say Florida panthers are killed by cars and trucks, and although it's against the law - hunters also still shoot panthers occasionally.

PALM STUDY

                                    6" x 6" Oil on Canvas

Day Nineteen - 30 in 30 Challenge

When we think of Florida, images of blue ocean, white sand, and swaying palm trees come to mind.  Our warm tropical climate makes it one of the best places in the world for growing palm trees.  The selection of palms one can use in landscaping is almost unlimited with about 2500 species from which to choose.  Our state tree is the sabal palm (Sabal palmetto)  commonly referred to as cabbage palm.  If you live in Florida, you have enjoyed "swamp cabbage" but that's another subject for another painting and blog post.

For artists the trunks and  fronds are never ending sources for paintings - in different lighting conditions, colors change with the brown  fronds picking up hot oranges and soft magentas.  Greens vary from blue greens to yellow greens, and purples and lavenders are always there in shadows.   Trunk textures and colors vary greatly.

Today was a short studio day  and the perfect chance to study yet another palm.

LATE AFTERNOON - OKALOACOOCHEE SLOUGH

                                12" x 8" Oil on Canvas

Day Eighteen - 30 in 30 Challenge
The deepest marsh habitats within the Everglades are freshwater sloughs (pronounced SLOOs). Slough waters support many fish and aquatic invertebrates making them important watercourses in South Florida.

The Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest  near Felda features native wildlife, hiking & biking trails, campsites & many fishing areas.  This makes for a perfect adventure to observe nature and take lots and lots of reference photos.  Don't forget to take along a sketchbook!

Today I enjoyed the luxury of uninterrupted hours in the studio so took advantage using  a larger canvas.  This was started before as a 12" x  12" and just wasn't working.  So - Cropped and feel it's a better fit.  I work on loose canvas taped to hardboard so cropping isn't a big deal.  The canvas is glued to a hardboard support after it's dry.    The next two days will be shorter ones - so back to 6" x 6".

RETIRED IN OKEECHOBEE

                              5' x 7 Oil on Wood Panel

Day Seventeen - 30 in 30 Challenge

This old International Harvester actually retired in Western North Carolina where a number of trips  were made to photograph it.  So much personality, don't you think?  The abandoned one we came upon in Okeechobee was not nearly so interesting nor was it yellow!  So - now the NC truck lives in Okeechobee among the palmetto and wild hogs!  Romantically realistic?  Maybe?

After the fruit, I was  ready for a change of pace - this one was totally fun except for using the little brushes!

FLORIDA ORANGES

                                   6" X 6" Oil on Canvas

Day Sixteen - 30 in 30 Challenge

Florida designated the orange as the official state fruit in 2005.  Orange juice is the state beverage, and the orange blossom is Florida's state flower.  Many of us have citrus trees in our yard and a fresh orange, grapefruit or lemon is just a few steps away from the door.

So, can't have a Florida theme without painting oranges!  I started with acrylic and once the canvas was covered, switched to oil.  Will tweak after it has some drying time.

I am now going to eat this poor orange - it has been a patient model today!

SEA TREASURE

                                      6"x 6" Oil on Canvas

Day Fifteen - 30 in 30 Challenge

There’s more to the beach than surf and sand.  Shells, colored glass, sea beans, eggs and all sorts of natural treasures await your discovery on Florida’s beaches.  No two beaches are the same, nor does any one beach have the same selection of shells from day to day.   Fortunately most  beaches do not allow the taking of live shells,  including sand dollars.  Shelling,  one of the least expensive hobbies available,  has  the attention of my young subject who is  probably looking for a shark's tooth! 

RAREST FLORIDA FISH

                                 8" x 10" Oil on Canvas Board
Day Fourteen - 30 in 30 Challenge

Folks in Florida like to fish and some come to  visit for that reason only.  With  the Atlantic on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other,  we  have hundreds of miles of beaches.  In between there are numerous lakes and rivers.

Florida offers salt flat fishing, backwater fishing, back yard fishing,  deep sea fishing and even limited fresh water fishing.   The natives will tell you, " if you toss a line into the water something will bite!"  (Not always my experience I assure you!)...

No way could I have a Florida theme and not paint a fish!  Well, I didn't paint just any common fish, I painted the rarest of all - The Rosemary Fish!  Oh my goodness!  he wanted to belong to the redfish family but they rejected him!  First attempt ever at gills and scales...definitely need more than one day.  

WITHLACOOCHIE DAWN

                           12" X 12" Oil on Canvas Board

Day Thirteen - 30 in 30 Challenge

Barely made this one!  Had to work on a painting for an upcoming show and the challenge painting got a short day!

Working from photos  and memories  from many days  spent in the Brooksville, Istachatta and  Floral City areas  riding dirt bikes, canoeing, bicycling the trail enjoying  every single  day and evening,  I attempted to paint the misty river.     Creating this painting is a reminder that it's time to return to the adventures and serene beauty of the Withlacoochee.

Withlacoochee is an Indian word meaning "crooked river" which accurately describes the river as it makes its 70-mile journey from the Green Swamp in northern Polk County to the Gulf of Mexico at Yankeetown.

MULLET WATCHER

                                                                   

                                   7" X 5" Oil on Canvas

Day Twelve - 30 in 30 Challenge

I suppose cats don't fear water - I know they are good swimmers but most don't like being in water.

Our neighbor's cat may not want to get into the water but he really enjoys his morning walks along our seawall and doesn't hesitate to sit and watch if there's activity in the canal.   Thus the inspiration for MULLET WATCHER.

Since mullet are found throughout the state in coastal rivers, tidal creeks, bays, estuaries and along sandy beaches,  Floridians are familiar with them.  They swim in large schools and are frequent jumpers.  Why do they jump?  While the jury is still out, there are a number of theories .  I'm just happy they leap because it drives our northern visitors crazy and they can't grab a pole fast enough!

6" x 6" Oil on Canvas

Day Eleven - 30 in 30 Challenge

Pondering aloud what would be an interesting next subject for the challenge painting while watching seagulls flying overhead, my husband suggested,  “seagulls should be fast and easy”.  I admit it sounded like fun and we do see lots of them so why not?

This one did not go fast nor was it easy!    So was I “GULL-ible”?  Yes, I was!  However I did enjoy trying to work out the sizes, shapes and placement on so small a surface and think this would be an excellent subject for a much larger canvas with even more birds.