April 2020 Challenge: "Fish"

We discussed using a theme relating to the current COVID-19 virus but opted to avoid it instead.

For this month anyway.

By Pamela Copeman

Watercolor title Goal Fish

I adore painting birds, shoes, faces, sunsets and lipsticks! But not Fish! 

"Eye Test" 9"x12" gouache on board by Paula Villanova

To try something a little different, I went back to a solid black fish design I drew in art school some 45 years ago in ink with a compass, ruling pen and flexicurve. This time, I freehanded the curves but used a compass to define the exterior shape (in light pencil), and drew two grids, one for the fish to portray her in color and a larger one for the ocean.

"Koi" 10x10 oil by Jeanne MacFarland
No social distancing in the lily pond!

"Swimming down stream" 5"x7" Acrylic Poured Paint and digital art by Margaret Farrell Bruno
Playing with poured paint and digital art.
The fish was doing really well until I came back to it the next day and realized it had headed down stream and almost off the board. I guess my surface was not level. So I scanned and placed a border on it. Always learning. Make a smaller fish next time. Was still fun playing digitally.

"Fish Flight" Acrylic 8"x10" by Victoria Chesley Brega

"Pick Me, Pick Me!" 12x12 Acrylic by Kelley Carey MacDonald

For a long time I have loved the pink fish they sell at Whole Foods.  Not brave enough to BUY and COOK them, I just like to look at them.  IRL the pink is a brighter, rosier color. Fish on ice.  Loved doing this!

"Lionfish" ink, watercolor, and watercolor pencil by Jody Regan

Seen at the New England Aquarium a few months ago when we could see these beautiful creatures there.  I long for those times again.

 

"Hope Fish"by Sally Dean Mello

I've been making fish pendants out of clay since the world shut down. I am inspired by Sadakos 1000 cranes of peace. Not sure I'll make 1000 of these, but going to number them to see how far I get. I plan to give them away at the reveal of the 3 year long fish mosaic project scheduled for this fall at The Art Complex Museum.

HOPE it is still happening- but if not then- it will at some point!

"Down Under" 6x6 acrylic by Page Pearson Railsback

"Swimming Against the Tide"

8x8 ink and watercolor by Mary Sheehan Winn

March 2020 Challenge: "Still Life"

Pamela Copeman Tea for Thee and Me

Oil on Board, 18" x 24"

I based this still life painting on a table setting

by Valentino, the composition was unusual 

and very appealing to me. During this time of 

quarantine, I am daydreaming about

being with friends outside in a garden.

"Social Distancing" 11"x14" Acrylic by Paula Villanova

Staying indoors mostly with the exception of one trip to to grocery store each week, wiping each packaged item down with a Clorox wipe, no Lysol on the shelves, nor Purell, but we did score this large bottle of the stuff for our family. Praying for a swift end to this ugliness soon and the preservation of human life.

"Happy Daffi's" 8x6 Acrylic on panel by Kelley Carey MacDonald
I am always heartened by these cheerful yellow harbingers of Spring. My son gave them to me, so extra special.  I got lost in this painting... done just before Corona hit... haven't really been able to paint since.

"Still Life" 12x12 acrylic on canvas board
by Mary Sheehan Winn
I've been working on this abstract on and off. I wanted it to be about color and shape, but also about achieving a pleasing color harmony. I am really enjoying working in acrylic because of the creamy nature of the paint and also because of the layering effects that can be achieved with this medium. The title is a metaphor for the sudden disruption of everyday life as we know it.

"Delft Bunny" Oil on 6"panel 

by Margaret Farrell Bruno

This little guy sits by my bay window. It was a gift from my mother long ago. Warms my heart. 

"Angel and Demon" Oil on panel 8"X10" Acrylic

by Victoria Chesley Brega

"Clementine on a Patterned Cloth" oil 6x6 by Jeanne MacFarland

"Simple Still" 6x6 Acrylic by Page Pearson Railsback 

 

Tulips, 20"x20" acrylic on canvas by Sally Dean

I bought these at Trader Joes on Friday the 13th. It seemed essential at the time.

Little did I know how very different life would be.... 

"Cocktail Hour" 12 x 16 oil by Jody Regan

I have more time in my studio during this time of isolation, so I arranged a still life with glass and metal which is like a puzzle to solve.

February 2020 Challenge: "Shadow"

"Me And My Shadow" 8x8 inch Acrylic, by Kelley C. MacDonald

I have long admired paintings of leashed dogs and their shadows. My Paco, now 11 years old, is my constant companion, my little shadow. 💖

"Shadow Play" Pamela Copeman, 8"x10" oil on canvas

This is a composition that was created at a restaurant I had lunch at.  I loved the way the tulip danced with the wall shadow...

"Retired", 8x8 Acrylic by Page Railsback

"Summer Days" 6x6 gouache by Jeanne MacFarland

"Where I Work in Winter", 8"x8: acrylic on canvas panel by Sally Dean

I love the shadow play at The Art Complex Museum, where I work. 

"The Floral Designer" 18"x24" by Paula Villanova acrylic

At my job we have floral presentations each season by the designers showing their fresh designs for the beautiful flower arrangements we provide. The lighting is great for the flowers but a little harsh on the presenter.

"Down and Away Below" oil on board by Jody Regan

 This beautiful turtle is queen of the big tank at the New England Aquarium.  Her shadow cast on the plants and rocks below.

"Snuggled Into Shadow" 5x7 Acrylic by Victoria Chesley Brega

"Light and Shadow"oil on canvas board
Class Demo by Mary Sheehan Winn

January 2020 Challenge: "Chinese New Year"

“Rooster” 8” x 8” Acrylic by  Victoria Chesley Brega 

I was born in the year of the rooster, and love painting birds....

"Monkey" Pastel by Margaret Farrell Bruno

I illustrated a book called My Little Friend Goes To The Zoo a few years back,

 all about a group of monkeys that find a child's toy. 

How appropriate that my year is the year of the monkey.

"May All Your Wishes Come True" 10x20 Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

I love Chinese New Year, and all the prosperity wishes, and wishes for happiness not to mention the beautiful decor!

"Celebrate" 8x10 Oil by Pamela Copeman

I am fascinated by the bright colors of the Chinese New Year most especially in fashion!

"Ancient Culture" by Mary Sheehan Winn

4x4 Ink and Watercolor 

I have always loved Asian Art and culture. I worked in a Chinese Restaurant for 10 years and got to experience the authentic New Year celebration in Chinatown, with my bosses and coworkers! 

"Year of the Rat" by Sally Dean

8"x8" watercolor on paper

2020 is the year of the rat!

They are smart, just don't want one in my house....

"Rabbit" by Jeanne MacFarland, drawing on toned paper,

 graphite and colored pencil

I was born in the year of the rabbit

"Dragon Parade" ink and watercolor by Jody Regan

"Hot Pot" 8x8 by Page Railsback

"Year of the Rat" by Paula Villanova 12x12 Acrylic

December 2019 Challenge: "Snow"

"Red Barn in Snow" 4x4 oil on panel by Mary Sheehan Winn

"Each Unique" 4"X4" acrylic by Victoria Chesley Brega

One of nature's everyday miracles, snow flakes structures are uniquely varied within their common three axis form..

"Winter Colors, Melting Snow" 5"X7" oil on panel 

by Margaret Farrell Bruno

A wooded area by my home. Gray days can sometimes bring out the most interesting, vibrant colors.

"Town Hall, Paris Hill, Maine"

Oil on canvas 20"x20"

by Sally Dean

A beautiful sunset in a magical place, too cold for plein air .

"Last Light" 6x6 oil by Jody Regan

The trees across the street from my home make a beautiful frame for the last glimpse of sun on this snowy afternoon.

The beauty of Cardinals 9"x 12" oil on canvas by Pamela Copeman

When I was 12 years old, I delivered the morning newspaper in Westfield.

My sister and I got ourselves up at 5:00 to deliver them before school. We used sleds to pile up the papers and then got to work. What I loved so much was trying to find as many cardinals as could during this time. I also love painting them because of their juicy red orange feathers.

"Parking Lot" Acrylic 12"x16" by Paula Villanova
Yet another WIP...but I always love tracks in the snow, People, animals, or tires. Still working on those footprints though.

"Dreamlike" oil 8x8 by Jeanne MacFarland

(work in progress)

"Snow Dance" 8x10 Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

My grandson is obsessed by foxes, and when I found this image of two foxes playing in the snow, I had to paint it!

"Tracy's Snow" 6"x8" Acrylic by Page Pearson Railsback

 
 

Happy 2020 to You!

"Girls Just Wanna Paint" will publish our December Challenge on Thursday, January 2.

Thank you for visiting our blog, we appreciate you.

Happy New Year's Eve to everyone and all the best for 2020.
(Painting by Jody Regan)

November 2019 challenge: "Vintage"

 Happy Black Friday!  These paintings are all available, unless marked otherwise, and you couldn't do better than to present one of these as a present this holiday season! Contact the Artist for details!

"Swish" Oil, 12x12 inches by Pamela Copeman

I grew up in Western MA where it was very cold in the winter.  The town would flood the high school football field for skating. My sisters and I would take turns using these old skates.  I remember loving to go fast and hear the swish on the blades on the ice.  What a memory~

Pamela@PamelaCopeman.com

"Blue Bug", 16x20 Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

When Paula and I go to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, we see all kinds of old cars, but this was my favorite.  Probably because my husband (then boyfriend) had one and I have such happy memories of our little trips to the beach in it.  

kcareymac@hotmail.com

"Unchanging" 8x16 oil by Jeanne MacFarland

This barn has been a constant presence on the Cohasset landscape, marking season after season

 "A ghost of Christmas Past" 4" x 6" Acrylic by Victoria Chesley Justice

A very old and rather dour German glass ornament, I actually sweetened his expression just a little.

 "1st Place" 5"X 8" Pastel by Margaret Farrell Bruno

My husbands vintage carved pinewood derby car, (yes, he won 1st place as a child). 

The light was hitting hit it just right calling for it to be painted.

"Radio Days" acrylic by Sally Dean

"Fascinated" 8"x8" acrylic by Paula Villanova

"Jam Jar" oil 8x8 by Jody Regan
Love this silver pitcher and silver topped jam jar.

"Vintage Pin Cushion" 4x4 oil on panel by Mary Sheehan WinnLove this little relic from my mama's sewing days.