Sunday, September 21, 2014

"Woodland creek" 5x7 oil by Leslie Newman day 21 of 30 paintings in 30 days







Woodland Creek
5x7, oil

This small painting is of a small creek that runs into the White River.
In Cotter, Arkansas.The creek wound around a rocky
 refine and through large boulders sitting in the base of
The creek. I didn't paint the railroad bridge overhead.

Not painted today, but this was painted at a Plein air outing as a "small work"
While at the outing.

I haven't had as much time to "daily paint" this 
Weekend.  The 30 paintings in 30 day 
Challenge I joined (along with
Almost 1200 other people) by 
Palette knife painter,  Leslie Saeta.
I am about 7 paintings short this month, and hope to 
Be able to 
finish the rest of the month.

I also do some posting in
www.dailypainterofarkansas.blogspot.com.
I would love for you to join the email link
On this blog and receive a.notice  when I post.
Feel free to comment On my work, I would love to hear from you!

Saturday, September 20, 2014

"My grandmothers floral painting" day 20 of Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 challenge


"My grandmothers floral  painting"
11x14
Oil on Board

I have this beautiful old painting hanging in my art studio.
It was painted by my Grandmother Hansen, my Dad's mother.

She painted quite beautifully for a good portion of her life.
She was born in 1886 and passed away in 1972.

I know these are to be paintings that we have done, but. I wanted to
Share where possibly I inherited a bit of my talent from. ;))
From what I can tell this was painted approximately
In the 1940's.
My grandma's name was
Estella Gray Hansen. 
She lived in eastern Iowa, Davenport area.
I hope you enjoyed seeing this old painting.

I invite you to sign up with your email to follow my blog.

I would welcome any comments you might have on my blog,
Paintings or questions on art in general!

I also do some posting in www.dailypaintingsofarkansas.blogspot.com

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Where's the rooster? 8x8 oil part of 30 paintings in 30 days.


Where's the Rooster?
8"x8" oil on panel

This was a fun painting to do. It needed
A strong focal point. I decided to put in a few white chickens.
The main chicken towards the front is wondering where her rooster friend is?

This painting is on It's way to a good friend
Susie, In Reno, Nevada. Susie and her husband Brian were
Neighbors of our in Des Moines for approx 15 yrs.

I hope you enjoy my painting. I welcome any comment
You might have to my painting. I would love to
Hear from you!

You can also find my paintings at:

www.dailypaintersofarkansas.blogspot.com




Thursday, September 11, 2014

"Torin" 8x10 oil. Day 11 of the Leslie Saeta 30 paintings in 30 day challenge


Torin  8x10 oil

Meet Torin! She is the sister to my dog Suki.
Torin is owned by my friend Vickie who owns Runrig cairns.

Suki is a real looker and on her way to finishing her
Championship at barely over a yr in age.

My other cairn terrier JJ is a distant relation
To my Suki and Torin. 
I am thankful that Vickie lives nearby, is a friend and has such
Wonderful dogs. I look forward to getting my 3rd
Cairn in 2015. Yes we are Cairn Crazy.

Please feel free to follow my blog and get a email
Every time I post a new one. I look forward
To your comments! 

"Tender leaf "day 10 in 30 paintings in 30 day challenge


Tender Leaf

Oil

In my post yesterday I shared a abstract 
Painting called Leaf Abstract .

Today I would like to show a small snippet of part of a leaf
I pressed into my oil painting.
Some of them are more visible than others.
These leaves are scattered throughout the painting. I pressed some of.these
Skeleton leaves after I painted the backs of them, and left some plain.

I hope you have enjoyed my my paintings so far.

I welcome your  comments and feedback on any of my paintings.

I have additional work at:
www.dailypaintersofArkansas.blogspot.com

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Leaf scape abstract 16x20 day 30 day challenge day 8



Leaf scape abstract 16x20 oil

This was a fun painting done mostly with
My palette knife.
I have found the older I am getting the more abstract art
Is really getting more appealing.

The creams in this painting morph into
The the crimson reds. Those in turn To the purple blues and finally
To the deeper purples. We have a few yellow oranges that turn into green.

This was done as a gift For my friend Dodie in Des Moines. I think
She really like it! If you look closely, you can see tiny
Pressed leaves that have been pressed into the paint.

I hope you enjoy my leaf scape Abstract!

Feel free to leave me any comments you may want to share
With me! Thanks for viewing my blog!!

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Prima Dreams by Leslie Newman Day 7 of 30 paintings in 30 days

Prima Dreams
11x14 oil

This is painting is number 7 for 30 paintings in 30 days.
This young ballerina has hopes of being a Prima ballerina some day.
I enjoy the application of thick paint in areas of the background as well as all over her tutu.
I feel that texture in a painting really helps the feel of a
Painting, I hope you enjoy Prima Dreams. 


Feel free to comment on my paintings or blog. I would
Love to hear from you.

I also have paintings to see at
www.dailypaintersofArkansas.bloggspot.com

Thanks for visiting my blog!



"Sky in stream abstract " by Leslie Newman day 6


"Sky in Stream abstract"
8x10 oil
Day 6 in the 30 day challenge

Previously I posted a water scene with a blue
Heron that I mentioned I had submitted to a jury for entry into the 
 Illinois River salon. This is another
Painting I did for the same show. I am pleased
To have had this painting juried into  the Illinois river salon.

This will hang at the Illinois river learning center and be judged
By a museum curator from Crystal Bridges Museum of
American Art.
I am so pleased to have this painting chosen .

Please follow along for the next  24 postings
In Leslie Saeta's  30 paintings in 30
Days.

I welcome any comments you may have!!

Thursday, September 4, 2014

30 paintings in 30 days day 4 ! Pretty piggy with pearls, oil, 4x6 wrapped canvas


Pretty Piggy with pearls
4x6 oil 

Well, this piggy has a little history to her. If you met three of my four grandchildren......
they would have something in common.
They love stuffed piggies!
What started as a little gift for our oldest grandchild, morphed
Into identical piggies. All stuffed terry pigs identical from the
Iowa Machine Shed Restaurant
In Clive, Iowa, a Des Moines suburb.
Named, momma piggy, daddy piggy, baby piggy, etc.....
So, with the pink and blue colors matching her room, I thought this.would be the perfect addition
To her artwork of various florals I have done in the past.

Piggy will soon be joined by a male piggy with a soccer ball and
Baseball cap for her little brother who requested one for his room:)!

This is day 4 painting in the 30/paintings in 30 day painting challenge 
By palette knife painter, Leslie Saeta.

I would love your feedback and comments on my work! L


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

30 paintings in 30 days day 3. Hazel 10x10 oil by Leslie Newman


Hazel

This large wirey haired girl is named Hazel.
How fun She was to paint! Those facial hairs and whiskers were challenging but  fun!
You can't really make a mistake painting them as they
Go every which way.
Hazel belongs to my friend Sue in West Des Moines.
My previous painting on those blog of Penny
Was also done for her to give to her son.
This pose was Hazel on the dock up on lake Okaboji in NW Iowa.
Lake Okaboji is a very deep natural blue lake where their family 
Has a home.
I really emphasized the deep blues to make her coloring stand out.


(Regarding the 30 paintings in 30 day challenge, I have skipped
Day one posting on Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 blog.
I didn't get the posting done quickly enough. So even though this is my 
Second day posting...it will
Be posted under day three)

I would love any comments you might have on my paintings.
I also have work at
Www.dailypaintersofarkansas.blogspot.com

30 paintings in 30 days! Day 1 Penny, 8x10 oil by Leslie Newman


Penny

Penny is the grand-dog of my friend Sue in Des Moines. She asked that I paint Penny
As a gift to her son and his wife. 

She was a lot of fun to do. Penny's owners really enjoy her
Being on canvas to view forever!

Today starts a 30 painting in 30 days challenge. I am a few days late posting my paintings, but will try to catch up quickly!
Leslie Saeta who is a wonderful palette knife painter
From Pasadena, Ca.

Once or twice a yr she holds these 30 day challenges
For any artists to join in from around the world. I believe there are now 
Over 1000 artists taking part in this challenge
Wishing all of us good luck and happy painting!!!


Additional work of mine along with several other
Painters can be seen
At 
Www dailypaintersofarkansas.blogspot.com

I would love comments on my painting and welcome
Your thoughts! 
Thanks, Leslie 

Monday, June 30, 2014

"Beauty of Creation" 9x12 oil on linen by Leslie Newman


"Beauty of Creation"
9x12
Oil on linen

This sunset I painted from an evening we spent on a mountain top
In Cotter, AR during May 2014.
A friend and I attended a 3-4 day paint out on the White River.
It was such a wonderful time. One night after dinner, we were
Invited by a few other notable plein aire  artists to join them on
This mountain top to paint the sunset.
I got a start and then finished at home in my studio.
Creation provides us with a nightly artistic
Display. We live in a beautiful world!

I hope you enjoy my paintings, I also
Share my work on 
ww.dailypaintersofarkansas.blogspot.com



Tuesday, June 24, 2014

"Bashful in Bolivia II" 11x14 oil by Leslie Newman


Bashful in Bolivia II
11x14 oil

This pretty girl I recently re-painted to focus on her hands. They were quite difficult
To do the first time around! I just wasn't 
Happy with them. So, I dug in for a
Second time. I glazed over them several times
Until I was happy!

This picture was originally taken in Bolivia on Christmas Day
Several  yrs ago. The young girl got bashful at the last
Minute and covered her face. 

I hope you enjoyed this young beauty!  All of the color I her many cloaks, 
Her hat, and dark eyes and her hair tell her story.

Feel free to comment on my art.....
I would love to hear from you.
I also blog at
www.dailypaintersofarkansas.blogspot.com


Wednesday, February 12, 2014

"Red Barn" 3"x5"


Red Barn
3" x 5" oil on hard panel

I painted this small piece last week. I had been watching a
Alaska survival program on Discovery. I noticed a portion of the show
Where there was a scene similar to this. I was wanting to paint
A quick painting that evening. So, without any reference to
Look at, I did this country scene from memory. The red bldg. really stands out
Against the complementary greens.
I did this very quickly and really like it. There
Is something so simple and fresh about it.
It is a scene I think that literally could be found
Anywhere. I hope you enjoy this small red barn painting.

I also have paintings that can be seen at
WWW.dailypaintersofArkansas.blogspot.com



Saturday, January 25, 2014

"Kirby the Cairn Terrier" 9x12 oil








"Kirby"

Meet Kirby, she was a delightful Cairn terrier that lived for over 15+yrs.
Kirby and my Cairn Terrier, Ollie were half sisters. Ollie and Kirby have now both 
Passed over the rainbow bridge.
Our beloved Ollie, was put to sleep just one mo ago. It was so
Hard but the loving thing to do for her. She lived
15 yrs 11 days. Kirby and Ollie shared the same Sire.
Kirby lived about 15 yrs and 3 months.
I wanted to paint this memory painting for my good
Friend Sue,in West Des Moines, Iowa.
We both will be hopefully be getting new cairns soon.
My current male cairn, JJ needs a new buddy.
What a fun, loving,devoted, and feisty
Little breed. An ancient breed from the Scottish highlands, this 
Breed dates back 500 yrs. Cairns were bred to get all 
critters out of the rocky cairns, (stacks of rocks) that
Would identify properties and farms etc.
My Ollie tried to take on a black bear that dared to walk into our back yard when
We were living in New Jersey, about 10yrs ago.I quickly
Averted a bad situation!  They truly do have the
heart of a lion.


I would love to hear what you have to say about my artwork. 
Please feel free to drop me a note!

"A few of my favorite things" 4" x4" oil


A few of my favorite things......
First, there is some Coco Chanel perfume, then add some great lipstick....
And finally I have my grandmothers 1930's
Favorite broche! This painting I set up and did as a quick little still life.
I hope you enjoy it!

Please feel free to view my blog and enter any comments you have. 
I would love to hear from you!

"My favorite boots! 8x10 oil







My favorite cowboy boots! I love these boots, I wear them almost all of the time!

They look great with tucked in skinny jeans, or under black or khaki pants.
This was the Christmas for cowboy boots.  I bought All three of
Our grand kids cowboy boots for
Christmas. They were so cute to see them wearing them on their tiny feet. 
I have a boot collection, but only two pair of 
Cowboy boots. Definitely plan on adding more!
I am painting in Leslie Saeta's 30 day 30 painting
Challenge. Unfortunately, life got a little crazy the last week and I fell
Behind. I might only end up with 25 paintings this month. That is still
A huge amount of paintings for a month.
Thanks for taking a peek at my work!


Sunday, January 19, 2014

"Antique Pewter with Figs" 16x20 oil Antique, metals,peonies


This painting is for Day 19 of Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days. 
I was busy with family and didn't get as much painted in the last two days.
So, this is an older painting I did about 6-7 yrs ago.
My husband inherited some antique pewter pcs from his Mom. They are several
 hundred yrs old. Hand forged and hand stamped with monograms and the
marks from the maker.
At the time,I enjoyed painting the lights, darks, and mid-tones 
Of the pewter and figs reflecting off of each other.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I would
Sure appreciate you signing up to follow my blog and checking out my 
Paintings. Feel free to comment and say hi.

"My favorite heels" 4"x4" oil



This is the painting I did for day 18 of  Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 day
Challenge. I was needing ideas of some things to,paint?  
I realized my next painting could come from what had just been on my feet the night before.
I love these heels. They are so sharp! In my opinion
Every gal needs a pair of cheetah print animal hair
heels. My bad back doesn't let me wear them for extended periods
of time, but at times I have been known to put
Fashion ahead of comfort. I have some new cowboy boots that
I just love. Watch for my painting of those soon 


Feel free to follow my blog and comment on my art.
I would love to hear from you!


Saturday, January 18, 2014

"celestial angel" 11x14 oil


This angel was so much fun to paint! 
Her crimson red robe, her feathery wings, and all the little details that
Show off the suggestion of a moon, stars or sun.
I do believe in Angels. the Bible, Gods Word , tells us of Angels
All throughout the Bible.
I wonder what they are like? what they really look like? All these questions 
Will be answered one day in Heaven. I look forward 
To that time. To be able to live forever with Jesus who died for my sins , and the sins
of all mankind, for those that out their trust in him!
I am thankful for my gift of painting. It has been a huge blessing in my life. 
In my 30's, I was stricken with a degenerative,painful,spine condition. 
I underwent several spinal surgeries
With hardware,. These past 13 yrs. painting has given me a new outlook. 
I do credit the Good Lord with
This blessing.

I hope you enjoy my artwork.
I also have some work at www.dailypaintersofarkansas.blogspot.com

Please feel free to drop me a note, or comment on my work.
I look forward to hearing from you. Feel free to follow my blog!



Friday, January 17, 2014

"Oliver on the carousel" 11x14 oil, carousel,kids


Oliver is our darling grandson who just turned 2. Last fall, while at the
Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa, he and his sister
Took a ride on the carousel.
In the picture, his Dad was holding him from behind. I
Edited his dad out of the painting and focused just on Oliver.
I was done with this painting, but in looking at it, I might add one
More animal, a zebra behind the donkey behind him. I think that would add more depth
To the painting. I will update the blog if I do add that. 

Please feel free to make and comments on my blog. I would love to hear from people. 
In case you don't remember, below is the twin painting of Oliver's big sister, 
Noelle, our almost 4 yr old granddaughter.

Noelle on the carousel
These two paintings are framed in gold to match and will hang together in 
their home up in Iowa.
These were part of this yrs Christmas presents to the kiddos.

I have another blog to follow at:
www.dailypaintersofarkansas.blogspot.com



"Suki" 6x8 oi, cairn terrier, puppy



"Suki"

Meet Miss Suki! She is a almost 6 month old cairn
Terrier puppy. She is one of two puppies
My friend Vickie owns. She shows and breeds her cairn terriers, (toto dogs)
That win awards world wide,
After losing our beloved Cairn
Ollie, at age 15 yrs and 11 days on December
23, last month, we are desperate for a new cairn. 
Our male dog JJ
Is lonely for a companion.
Anyway, I went to visit Vickie and her cairns, she has 5 right now, on
Wednesday of this week. As a little gift, I did a quick
Painting of Suki. I am so pleased with how it turned out, I entered this painting
In the Bold Brush Painting Competition for the month of January. You
Can go there to the bold brush website, look for Suki and like her. I would be
Most grateful!!
This painting is part of the 30 paintings in 30 day
Painting challenge with Leslie Saeta. I think I have only missed
2 days since the first of the month.

Vickie's cairn terrier website is:
www.runrigcairns.com

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

"Seven Swans a swimming" 6x12 oil on panel


"Seven Swans a swimming"
6x12 oil

These swans spend a lot of time swimming around the yacht club
On Lake Michigan where my brother keeps his boat.
They come by morning and evening, hoping for a 
Few crackers, or some bread.

The male swan protects his signets, with his wide wingspans
And  loud squawking! Mom brings up the rear!

I hope you enjoy my paintings. Feel free to write me a message or comment and feel free to sign up to follow my blog!



Saturday, January 11, 2014

Praline's anyone? 5"x5" oil on canvas


Anyone for A New Orleans Praline?s

We recently received a box of delicious individually wrapped
Pralines. The box they came in was so colorful, I painted it.
The box and canvas were box exactly the same
size, so it made it very easy.

I normally do not do this type of simple copied artwork,
But, l love the colors and thought it would be a cute
Small piece to tuck into my kitchen 
Bookcases. 

I hope you enjoyed the 11th painting out of this 30 paintings
In 30 days painting challenge. I am joining 410 other artists
painting with palette knife painter  Leslie Saeta's January
30/30 Challenge.

Feel free to comment on any of my paintings, I would love to hear from you!







"Lavender Fields" 3" x 3"oil


Lavender Fields

I just love this tiny painting. The vibrant cool purple, blue, and lavenders
are so appealing to me. The vintage old stucco outbuilding with shadows, and the distant 
Tree line tell a story. It looks very European to me.
The correct values in this tiny painting also help make it a strong piece.
This is painting number 10  in the 30 paintings in 30 days
Challenge by pallet knife painter, Leslie Saeta. She had 411 artists from all over the
World sign up to paint along with her this month.


Thank you for following my art. 

I have other art pieces at
www.dailypaintersofarkansas.blogspot.com




Friday, January 10, 2014

Standing Tall. 6x8" oil by Leslie Newman


Standing Tall

This is painting number 9 in Leslie Saeta's, 30 paintings in 30 days. I started it about a Yr ago.
It had just been sittings.  I picked this one to finish up quickly this 
Afternoon. A tree standing tall in front of some distant rocky hills. 
I hope you enjoy this simple landscape!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

"Brilliant Reflections" 9x12 oil


Brilliant Reflections

This painting has something about it that is peaceful
And exciting at the same time. I love painting reflections in water.
The coral and greens in this are striking. The sun
Is dancing across the tops of the flowering trees and bushes.
There were dark woods to the left of this area I painted that was very
dark. The darks and lights and play of the light reflections
are appealing. I ran out of time and posted this today although
It was actually painted and given as a gift at our plein aire gift exchange 
In December. This is painting number 8 in Leslie
Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 day challenge on line.
I hope you enjoy my paintings and continue to see what I paint and post 
The rest of the month.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

"Still Life with Pomegranate" 8x10 oil by Leslie Newman


"Still Life with Pomegranate"

This simple painting started at Thanksgiving time, but I just finished it today, Jan 7th.
It is painting number 7 for the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge with Leslie Saeta.
I did her 30 day challenge back in September, 2013 as well.
It is a fun challenge, but it is demanding. You have to finish a painting each day, post it on Leslie's blog site and then post it on my blog and share it.

I loved painting this pomegranate, it was the first one I had ever done and
it was quite fun. I enjoy doing still life's sitting on a floating ledge with the 
black background. I mix my own blacks using a mixture of dark paints.

I hope you are enjoying my paintings. I have an additional blog at:
www.dailypaintersofarkansas.blogspot.com

"Vintage Accents" 11x14 oil on linen


Vintage Accents

This charming corner is from a antique store
in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Our Plein aire
group went to this town and main street for a paint out
last fall.
There were all sorts of things for sale there, from baskets,
to coat of arms, old kids John Deere Tractor and a
Stop sign. A sweet old man stopped to take a rest on the
bench outside, so I added him to the painting.
The owner of this shop has requested this painting and
agreed to let me shop in his shop for a fun item. I love
to barter! I hope you enjoyed my eclectic
painting. Thanks for taking a peek!

I also have paintings at
www.dailypaintersofarkansas.blogspot.com 

Sunday, January 5, 2014

"Noelle on the Carousel" 11x14 oil on canvas by Leslie Newman "Noelle on the Carousel ride /


"Noelle on the Carousel"

This painting is very special to me. I painted it ahead of the 30 
day challenge by a few days, and gave this to our Daughter and Granddaughter at Christmas.
 It was a huge hit. As I write this I have 
Our grandson Oliver's matching painting on my easel. It is almost finished and I will send it up to
Iowa. It is O'J's 2nd Birthday today so he will appreciate it,  the older he gets.  I hope you enjoy
this colorful picture of Noelle on her stag on the Carousel!!   I think our daughter is  going to hang the   
two paintings of the kids together in the hallway or stairwell landing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Callie"s Hydrangeas 8x10 oil on panel


Callie's Hydrangea's

This pretty bunch of Hydrangeas was the last few that I was able
to harvest in early November from
two of my 6 hydrangea bushes.
They were from two of my blue ever blooming bushes.
I treat the soil all season long and depending on the acidic level
of the dirt, I get a wide variety of colors in the blooms. 
Anyway, I cut them, put them in water and recently painted them.
My daughter in law Callie saw this and loved it. I surprised her and gave her the 
painting, along with two others. I found a great frame for it and
it looks wonderful. I painted a head on a few of these paintings
for a 30 day 30 painting challenge I signed up to do
with Leslie Saeta. This is the 4th painting as this challenge started on Jan 1. 
 It is a wonderful opportunity to get some paintings done.
I use them as gifts, to enter shows etc. I can have
giclee's done on any of my paintings. Giclee's are reproductions on 
canvas, that look like the real paintings. Let me know if you
are interested!

I also have some paintings to view at
www.dailypaintersofArkansas.blogspot.com

"Fur Friends" 11x14 oil on canvas


Fur Friends

These four fur kids all live together with my brother and his family up in Grand Rapids, MI.
The white kitty Phoebe is a rescue. A sad story turned into a miracle for her and
her kitty siblings. She was found a few months ago in a large garbage
container. She and her newborn litter mates were in 
a plastic garbage bag. Cold, tiny and hungry, someone just
wanted to dispose of them in a dumpster behind a school. I can't even imagine the monster that
could do this and then sleep at night. They are Gods creatures and
we have a duty to take care of them. So, my sister-in-law who is a school
nurse, along with other teachers, each took a baby kitty home. They
bathed them, bottle fed them around the clock and she thrived. Today, she is Full of
fun and frolic. She attacks the dogs and they play together all day. 
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this simple painting and the story that goes with it.

More paintings of mine can be found at 
www.dailypaintersofarkansas.blogspot.com

St. Catherines's of Belle Gable by Leslie Newman


St Catherine's at Belle Gable

This painting is of a very special little church in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
This tiny chapel was hand built by a local 
man as a gift for his wife. It is located off of
a main street in Fayetteville. You turn into a little wooded
lane, cross a wooden single bridge over a large creek and
this ivy covered chapel emerges across a beautiful green field. I suggest
your google the name to view all of the pictures
of this chapel and surrounding grounds.The chapel
is open to the public every Sunday from 12 noon to 3 pm. Otherwise
it is a locked area to keep vandals away. It used to be open
all of the time but unfortunately, that is no longer the case.
It was literally hand built using all hand tools, stone, and
historic imported European church doors and stained glass.
Our son was married in this tiny church at Christmas time
several yrs ago. Our Son-in-law is a So. Baptist Pastor, and he
married my Son  and Callie. I love taking our Plein Aire painting
group to this memorable spot to paint. 

You can see more of my paintings at www.DailyPaintersofarkansas.blogspot.com

Friday, January 3, 2014

"Beach Fun" 8x10 oil by Leslie Newman


Beach Fun

Happy New Year 2014 Everyone!! Thanks for viewing my blog! 
This is my first post of the new year. Today kicks off my 30 paintings
in 30 days by palette knife painter, Leslie Saeta.
If you ask me, Leslie is a wonder woman. She does it all!
I took part in her last 30 day painting challenge in
September 2013. 
This painting I did a few days ahead of the challenge. It was a surprise
for my brother and his family. This is my niece Whitney, and her two
brothers, Spencer and Dexter. The picture was taken on the beach
during Spring Break in Mexico several yrs ago. It had been forgotten
about by everybody. I used the picture off of a Calendar they had made
of the trip as a reference and painted the kids. I should
say young adults, now. I really captured their likeness and they
were thrilled with the gift! I am not a portrait painter, I have done only
two previous, but this really makes me want to do more! I hope you
enjoy my painting of Beach Fun! Be sure to check out more of 
my work!

I also have work available at www.
DailypaintersofArkansas.blogspot.com
.