Category Archives: Small paintings

30 in 30 challenge, Available Paintings, Small paintings

Daily Painting Challenge, 30 paintings in 30 days. Day 22

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The Sunday hike, 10"x8", acrylic on canvas, © 2014 Donna Grandin
The Sunday hike, 10″x8″, acrylic on canvas, © 2014 Donna Grandin. Sold

This is a view from Fort Rodney at Pigeon Island National Park in St. Lucia. I grew up very close to this location, and I often do this hike when I go back to visit my parents. Long before it became a National Park it was a popular place to go for a “beach picnic” with family and friends.

We would hang out all day at the beach, in and out of the water (and in my case, reading under a coconut tree).  While the adults sat around drinking rum and playing cards or dominos, the kids would go exploring. The look-out point at the highest part of the island just had an old, shaky ladder in those days and it was quite scary climbing up or down, but the reward at the top was a fantastic view. Which is why there are also a couple of old cannons up there.

I encourage you to read this article about Pigeon island, it has some very exciting history of the place which includes pirates, battles (St. Lucia changed hands between the French and English 14 times) and even a period when the island was owned by an English actress (my Mom and her friends remember having to row a boat out there to go to parties). That was before they dredged up the sand and created the causeway joining the island to the main land.

The more I think of it, the more stories I have about this place. I even went there to take pictures on my wedding day. The red roofs you see in the painting are those of Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort, which attests to the beauty of the location as well as to its popularity.

If you’re ever visiting St. Lucia, I recommend Pigeon Island National Park as a great place to spend the day, or even a couple of hours.

 

 

30 in 30 challenge, Available Paintings, Small paintings

Daily Painting Challenge, 30 paintings in 30 days. Day 21

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Before the rain, 6"x6", acrylic on canvas, © 2014 Donna Grandin. Sold
Before the rain, 6″x6″, acrylic on canvas, © 2014 Donna Grandin. Sold

Intense I know. I might paint the pair to this, from photos I took while the rain was falling. On a mountainous island, when you’re up high, you can see the rain coming. When you have no-where to go, and can just look out at the rain, it’s quite beautiful.

My favourite thing as a child was to read on a rainy day. Actually, I read every spare moment I got, but my idea of bliss was to curl up in bed and read my weekend away. I loved to sit up and look out the window next to my bed at the water falling on the croton leaves. Or down the hill where the rain made puddles in the dirt road. And who doesn’t like the soothing sound of rain? Especially on a galvanized rooftop.

The rain can come on suddenly in the Caribbean, big fat drops that soak through your clothes and cool you down. Then just as suddenly it stops, and the sun shines down and dries you up. I never wore a raincoat as a child, very seldom used an umbrella. We weren’t worried about things like “acid rain”, it was just a part of nature, a fact of life.

If you were in town when the rain fell, you’d huddle under the nearest storefront with a bunch of strangers and exchange smiles and maybe some conversation. It never lasted long. And maybe we welcomed it too, after the long dry season … the same way North Americans welcome the spring after a long winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 in 30 challenge, Available Paintings, Small paintings

Daily Painting Challenge, 30 paintings in 30 days. Day 20

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Nature's bounty, 6"x6", acrylic on canvas, © 2014 Donna Grandin
Nature’s bounty, 6″x6″, acrylic on canvas, © 2014 Donna Grandin

This is the painting I did yesterday, it was too dark to photograph in natural light by the time I was done, so I decided just to go ahead & get a head start on today’s painting & photograph & post them both today.

I had some set-backs yesterday, starting with having to wait an hour for roadside assistance – I had a flat tire. It was a very cold day, so I was glad it happened just outside my kids’ school so that I could wait inside. The tow truck guy who did come said that the reason I had to wait so long, and why he would have not taken the call if he knew … was because of the kind of vehicle I drive. It’s a Grand Caravan, and the spare tire is not in the trunk, it’s under the van. A poor design in his opinion because you have to stick a pole thing (not the official name I’m sure) in a spot in between the driver’s seat & the passenger seat to unscrew & release the mechanism that holds it in place. And that gets trickier if you have a console in that spot, or if you have a big fancy radio put in (there is a piece that goes on the top of the pole to help you turn it & it’s a very tight spot. “Scratch that, and it’s $4000” he shook his head). Luckily, I don’t go in for bells and whistles – as long as my vehicle can get my kids and paintings from point A to point B and isn’t always breaking down, I’m happy!

Anyway, my original plans for painting on location were scuttled and it was already afternoon before I settled at my easel to begin this painting. Coconut trees are of course a common sight in St. Lucia – like most tropical locations. And the image that comes to mind when you hear the words “castaway”, “shipwreck” or “island” is of a little island/big rock with one or more coconut trees. I called the painting Nature’s bounty because I was thinking of ways you could use coconuts, or coconut trees to survive if you were shipwrecked on an island … you could drink the water and eat the jelly, use the fronds to build some shelter and the husks for kindling. And there’s more. But first, you’d have to figure out how to climb the trees to get fresh coconuts. Survival of the fittest.

 

 

30 in 30 challenge, Hibiscus, Small paintings

Daily Painting Challenge, 30 paintings in 30 days. Day 19

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Hibiscus gem, 6"x6", acrylic on canvas, © 2014 Donna Grandin
Hibiscus gem, 6″x6″, acrylic on canvas, © 2014 Donna Grandin. Sold

This is the 3rd Hibiscus gem painting out of three.

I have to say my energy is flagging at this point. For those of you doing the 30 in 30 Challenge, how are you feeling now that we are almost 2/3 done? Has this been a good experience for you?

One of the interesting things that has happened to me is that a number of my artist friends have written to say that they are inspired by what I’m doing. Three of them have even started their own individual challenge!

Another positive is that a few people have said they’re glad to learn a little more about me as an artist, through my writing and through the new diversity in my subject matter this month.

One down side was  some negativity from a couple of artists – which I realize stems from their own unhappiness & desire to be doing what I’m doing. Don’t be fooled, every artist can think of other artists who they admire for their skill/projects/sales/connections or life circumstances which allow them more time to pursue their art professionally etc. etc.

The key to getting out of this negative spiral is to change your attitude, accept that the other person has their own struggles, may even have had to make sacrifices that you wouldn’t even consider, and they are just on a different path. Life as an artist is a very individual path – it’s only when you make choices that are authentic to you that you are able to advance towards your own definition of success. So when you are having negative thoughts, before you lash out (even in a passive-aggressive way), look instead for the “take-away”, some insight that you can use to create positivity for yourself, and then take action.

Of course the overwhelming response has been positive. I’m hearing from people who I didn’t even realize were following my art career, and several people have commented that the work I’ve done so far with this challenge shows dedication, focus, commitment. The funny thing is that the only reason they’re saying that is because they’re seeing a new, SMALL painting every day. Usually I may take 2 weeks to do a large painting, or a week for a small one. And I put in nearly the SAME amount of time & effort!

Normally I take my time to build up the painting in layers, reworking problem areas as many times as necessary. And instead of blogging, I’d be reading arts business articles, looking at inspiring art on the internet etc. I’m not going to list the myriad of actual tasks that come along with being a professional artist, but let’s just say that this year I want to do less thinking, research & planning (worrying, seeking “expert” opinions & procrastinating), and more following my intuition and creating my own projects, saying no to the ones that are offered to me but don’t advance my goals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 in 30 challenge, Available Paintings, Small paintings

Daily Painting Challenge, 30 paintings in 30 days. Day 18

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Hibiscus gem2, 6"x6", acrylic on canvas, © 2014 Donna Grandin
Hibiscus gem2, 6″x6″, acrylic on canvas, © 2014 Donna Grandin. Sold

This is the second of 3 hibiscus paintings, they’re three different views of the same flower … oriented to the  left, center and right. They could hang as a series, but of course it’s not necessary, they can also each go to a separate collector. The 6″x6″ paintings also look really pretty on a simple picture stand on a table.

I like hibiscus because they’re open, bright and friendly, welcoming somehow. They do remind me of home, and a friend was just saying that they remind her of trips to Hawaii … I suppose they are reminiscent of any tropical location. Usually they bring back great memories for people … of relaxing vacations or exotic places, or just home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 in 30 challenge, Available Paintings, Small paintings

Daily Painting Challenge, 30 paintings in 30 days. Day 17

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Hibiscus gem, 6"x6", acrylic on canvas, © 2014 Donna Grandin
Hibiscus gem, 6″x6″, acrylic on canvas, © 2014 Donna Grandin

Just in time … here’s my painting for day 17. (I photographed it again in the morning in natural light, this is a more accurate photo than the one I included with the post last night).

I was running late today for several reasons … so I did not start this painting till after dinner tonight. I hope to get back on track tomorrow.

I chose a subject I’m quite familiar with … I’ve painted many a hibiscus before, but they’re all different. There are so many varieties left to do … this is a subject I come back to often. If you take a look at my Available & Portfolio pages you’ll see some of the ones I’ve done already. Most of them were photographed on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, but they’re quite common here in Burlington too as houseplants, or outdoors in the summer.

Today I sent out my first newsletter with Mailchimp. There are a lot of things I’d like to change before next month’s newsletter, but I’ve been promising to do this for a long time, and it was one of my January goals, so yay me!

Also I had a lovely visit with a friend who I haven’t seen in years, but recently connected with on Facebook, when she came to pick up a painting – “Fast food”. It was perfect timing, the studio and surrounds really needed cleaning & I’ve been so focused on this challenge and juggling everything else in my life that I’d been putting it off for too long. I’ve always found that visitors are the best incentive for doing housework. Now I can probably make it through the second half of the challenge!

It’s an incredible feeling to get an e-mail from a gallery to say they’ve sold a painting WHILE you’re at the easel working on a new painting. I’ve been lucky enough to have that happen several times. However, the down side is that you don’t know who has bought the painting … though sometimes they’ll tell me which country it’s going to, or if it’s a couple, or a corporate gift etc. It feels good to know a little something, I’m not hugely sentimental, – as long as I have documentation of the work, I’m thrilled for someone else to take it home and pay for my supplies to work on the next painting – but it does give a little closure.

However, my point was … I love it when I get to meet the collectors myself, it’s usually such a positive experience. And I love studio visits from collectors, other artists, dealers, journalists … ok, ANYONE who will let me talk about my art. I suppose that’s because it’s my passion, but on the other hand, I’m not exactly anti-social. And usually I’m equally as interested in finding out more about the other person. I would not do well as a hermit. That’s why my studio is completely open to my family, steps away from the kitchen or front door. If I need to concentrate, I put on headphones, but they always know where to find me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 in 30 challenge, Available Paintings, Small paintings

Daily Painting Challenge, 30 paintings in 30 days. Day 16

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Nude with anthurium, 11"x14", acrylic on canvas, © 2014 Donna Grandin
Nude with anthurium, 11″x14″, acrylic on canvas, © 2014 Donna Grandin

I painted this nude from life earlier, but today I added the anthurium flower and reworked the painting to give it a more subtle/soft mood to enhance and play up the feminine subject & the softness of skin. I did however try to keep as much of the original painting as possible.

Several of my artist friends are figurative painters, and sometimes I join them for life drawing sessions organized by 337 Sketch Gallery, upstairs 337 Ottawa St. N, Hamilton, ON. There is no instructor, but Anne is the facilitator – we all contribute towards the model fees and snack. It’s an enjoyable way to spend the evening, and a valuable practice for an artist to maintain, even when it is separate from their regular body of art like it is for me.

Every now and then I do something that l’m proud of, like this sketch of a female model.

Nude sketch, 22"x28", conté on cartridge paper, © 2012 Donna Grandin
Nude sketch, 22″x28″, conté on cartridge paper, © 2012 Donna Grandin

However, most of the time I jump in with colour long before I’ve resolved issues with the drawing and try to build the form that way. That may be partly because of the way I paint, and partly because I don’t draw from the figure often enough have an intimate knowledge of the musculature etc. Anyway, since I see this as an exercise, and I don’t plan on doing anything with the finished drawing, I’m more willing to take risks and make bold moves. Which often means I’ll experiment and the piece ends up being mixed media, like the one below.

Male nude sketch, 20"x28", mixed media, © 2012 Donna Grandin
Male nude sketch, 20″x28″, mixed media, © 2012 Donna Grandin

The great thing about these sessions is that we are painting from a real live model as opposed to a photo, so not only is there more information to take in, but you have to stay in the moment to get as much out of the session as you can.

This is a form of daily painting, like plein air painting, and the best part of it is seeing directly how an artist thinks. Ideally, each stroke tells something about how the work was made, and this directness probably conveys more about the artist’s initial reaction to the subject than if the painting is worked on through several sessions. At its core, there is something spiritual about this practice, something to do with the mind, spirit & body connection.

 

 

 

30 in 30 challenge, Available Paintings, Small paintings

Daily Painting Challenge, 30 paintings in 30 days. Day 14

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Red ginger lily, 6"x6", acrylic on board, © 2014 Donna Grandin
Red ginger lily, 6″x6″, acrylic on board, © 2014 Donna Grandin

I’d like to thank all of you who have been following me during this challenge and giving encouragement. It’s so cool when I hear from someone else who is excited to see what I’ll post next, a growing number of you are waiting for a piece that speaks to you … and I’m amazed at how fast some of the paintings have sold. In a situation like this, not every painting is going to be a home run, but when it is, you just know.

And those paintings have sold within 2 minutes of me posting on Facebook! I’ve been posting all different times though, depending on when I’m done, so if you don’t want to miss out on a painting you love, you can sign up to receive my blog posts by e-mail, that way you’ll be seeing it even before I post the link to Facebook.

The painting above, is on the same size gessoboard as Red Ixora, I was thinking of starting a small series. I’m out of that type & size board though – and I really prefer to work on canvas – I have to make time to go to the art supply store soon, to see what strikes my fancy. I had a really hard time packaging up Red Ixora & shipping it off to its new home in England … I’ve grown quite fond of it.  There are beautiful areas in the painting that I never could have planned, that’s the pay-off for painting the spontaneous way I do, letting the work evolve through layers of paint.

I’m spending more time on each painting than I’d thought I would, so I’ve had to let go of some of my regular chores & activities. I looked up from the easel today, past the pile of paperwork & art supplies that I’m growing on my desk, to my potted plants in front the window … and I’ve lost the poinsettia! It hasn’t had red leaves for the last 2 years, but now I’ve lost track of when last I’ve watered it, & what leaves it does have left are curling up & falling off! I don’t have a green thumb … unless you count green paint!

I really appreciate the feedback from those of you who are enjoying reading my thoughts.  If you have any questions, topics you’d like me to talk about, please comment on the post or e-mail & I’ll reply.

30 in 30 challenge, Available Paintings, Small paintings

Daily Painting Challenge, 30 paintings in 30 days. Day 13

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Red ginger lily study, 9"x8", pastels on watercolour paper, © 2014 Donna Grandin
Red ginger lily study, 9″x8″, pastels on watercolour paper, © 2014 Donna Grandin

This is a pastel study for the painting I’m going to work on today. I did it on watercolour paper, primed with clear gesso. It was prepared by Clarence Porter for the pastel class I took from him at the Art Gallery of Hamilton last Spring. One of the reasons I signed up for the class was that he provided a wide variety of materials for us to work with, so that we could find out what we liked best, before investing.

I already had a small collection of pastels from taking figure drawing classes at University, but usually we just sketched with them, using a couple of colours. I was interested in trying them out for painting plein air (outdoors), especially in the summer because although acrylics is my preferred medium, they dry up in the heat very fast. Clarence  went over some pastel basics, demonstrating a few techniques.  One thing that I learned is that when you’re doing a painting rather than just a sketch, it is important to start with your darkest darks, and then get progressively lighter. It also helps to work on a support (paper etc) that has a lot of tooth (deep dips) because as you blend in more colours the dips get filled up with pastel and you just can’t grind any more in without making a mess. .

The other thing that was so different to acrylics was I couldn’t just mix to get the colour I wanted. That was a bit frustrating and if I were regularly painting from life with pastels, I would want a much larger selection of colours to capture what I saw. On the flip side, that frustration actually highlights one of my biggest strengths as an artist – developed over more than 20 years of looking at the world through the eyes of an artist and creating artwork – my sense of colour.

 

 

 

 

30 in 30 challenge, Available Paintings, Small paintings

Daily Painting Challenge, 30 paintings in 30 days. Day 12

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Down the rabbit hole, 6"x6", acrylic on board, © 2014 Donna Grandin. Sold
Down the rabbit hole, 6″x6″, acrylic on board, © 2014 Donna Grandin. Sold

I’m exhausted, my eyes keep closing as I write this, I went down the rabbit hole on this painting. I knew yesterday before I started on it that I was already drained & and I should rest first, but I had several things to do first, and then I had a second wave of energy. I think now it must be some sort of adrenaline that kicks in, because I went till 5am on this painting, slept till 10 am and still put in another 2 hrs this morning.

My older boy tried to remind me, “Mom it is supposed to be a fast painting, not your best painting”. But there’s this thing that grips me, an obsession I guess, this thought that maybe I’ll get it in the next few strokes. So much can change in a few strokes. Changing the colour or the shape of something can make everything click into place & redeem the time spent.

The way I paint by blocking in colour and then pushing & pulling to build up the forms, then refining – as opposed to doing a drawing and then adding paint to it – means that I need to think through the paint, I can’t just dial it in. Or else the painting will be overworked, instead of fresh & loose. The key is to work smarter, not harder.

The problem is that when you’re overtired, your brain is impaired & it’s harder to see your way out of the spiral. Not that I was actually feeling tired at the time, but I was on autopilot. I had my headphones on, watching some series on Netflicks while I painted. It’s a bad habit I’ve picked up from my weekly sessions at a friend’s studio where she plays movies for background noise. Usually it works well for us, but I’ve been cheating & watching movies & shows I haven’t seen before, which means I’m not concentrating enough on my work. Confession time.

I have family stuff to do today, so I am going to post an older work tomorrow so that I can try and get back on track. I need to recharge my batteries so that I can start tomorrow’s painting full of energy and excitement.

 

 

 

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