Day 75

Waiting for Mom, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel

© 2012 Kathleen Coy

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My friends Paul and Carol have a nest of baby Barn Swallows underneath their deck. It's amazing how fast they grow! I wonder if the next time I come over, these babys will have left the nest. They are so much fun to watch, and adorable, too. I love Barn Swallows, they've been one of my favorite birds since I was a kid.

Day 74

Dreams of Hoarfrost, 5 x 7 inch oil on panel

© 2012 Kathleen Coy

100.00

The midwest is in the grip of a pretty brutal heatwave right now. It made me really want to paint a winter scene. We get a lot of hoarfrost in Iowa in the winters, and to drive around the countryside and see the trees and fields covered in frost is one of the most beautiful sights a person could want. If you don't get hoarfrost where you live, do a google image search and you will see what I mean.

I took the reference photo for this painting not far from home last winter on a grey, misty day when the sky and the land were almost the same color. Even though the roads were getting icy, it was too beautiful to be inside. I look at this painting, and it takes me back to that feeling of wonder, and despite the oppressive heat we're experiencing now, winter is coming...

Day 73

Carried by the Wind. 5 x 7 inch, oil on panel

© 2012 Kathleen Coy

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I painted this from a reference photo I took of some horses running together at a local rodeo. I liked the idea of an abstract background for these two. Now, through the magic of art, they're running free somewhere, carried by the wind...

Day 72

Cicada, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel

© 2012 Kathleen Coy

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Cicadas are like little aliens - kind of creepy, yet utterly fascinating. And strangely beautiful, in their own way. I found this cicada laying dead on the road while walking Cloud the other day, just waiting for me to take it home and paint it. (He was a great model, never complained or wanted a break.)

This is the first time I've ever painted on a red panel, and I think I need to make some more. I really like the little bits of bright red peeking through.

Day 71

Three Cherries, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel

© 2012 Kathleen Coy

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When I set some cherries on this blue napkin, I fell in love with the color combo and knew I had to paint them. I think all of the colors in this painting work well together. It's always good to have plenty of neutrals, which allows the bright colors to sing. (They're singing. Can you hear them?)

Day 70

Number Two, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel

© 2012 Kathleen Coy

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This was a quick, loose study from a pretty bad photo. I liked the pose, so I thought I'd try to wing it. I took this photo in an indoor barn, and the light was pretty dim. It was a fun study to paint, but it makes me realize how much I prefer strong light and shadow these days.  

Day 69

Ultimate. 6 x 6 inch, oil on panel

© 2012 Kathleen Coy

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My husband plays a game called Ultimate Frisbee a couple times a week with his friends. I brought my camera to a game and got some good action photos because I'm interested in painting more scenes with people. Before throwing the frisbee down field, they say the score and the word "Ultimate," which I guess is like saying "hike" in football. (Before you ask, no I don't play. I can't throw a frisbee to save my life.)

This is the first time I've ever attempted to paint anything remotely like this - with figures in action relating to each other. I'm learning that it's key to not get caught up in details, otherwise you tighten up and lose the loose brushwork. This painting was unbelievably fun for me, the clothing especially. I'm looking forward to doing more like this.

Day 68

Hey, Kid.  6 x 6 inch, oil on panel

© 2012 Kathleen Coy

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This lovely little baby goat is from the herd at a local treasure - Honey Creek Creamery, where they make the best goat cheese I've ever had in my life. I visited their grand opening last year with a friend, and took hundreds of photos of adorable kids (the goat kind), with the intention of painting them, and never got around to it. Now I can see what I was missing. This may be one of my favorite paintings I've ever done.

Day 67

Tape Measure and Iced Tea

6 x 6 inch oil on panel, © 2012 Kathleen Coy

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I knew I wanted to paint a glass of iced tea. Even though it wasn't all that creative, I was going to grab a lemon to add to the still life, because I wanted something yellow, and everyone knows that lemons go with iced tea. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted this bright yellow tape measure on the table. BINGO! Why have iced tea with lemon, when you can have iced tea with tape measure. 

I really like the boldness of the yellow tape measure against the darkness of the rest of the painting. I also like the reflection in the glass. I set up this still life on the floor, and stood over it to paint. It was pretty hard on my back to keep craning my neck to look down for that long, which is too bad, because I love the viewpoint.

Day 66

Two Horses, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel

© 2012 Kathleen Coy

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This painting is an experiment with placing a subject in an abstract background. The color combo is different for me as well. I enjoyed the process, and like the idea of this. I look forward to experimenting more with this style.

Day 65

Charles Koch, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel

© 2012 Kathleen Coy

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Charles Koch belongs to my dear friends Paul and Carol Jean Koch. Charles Koch was taken in as a stray, and even after he was neutered, never gave up the tomcat lifestyle. He has scars all over his face. He's missing the tip of an ear. His fur is not even all that soft, really. Yet beneath his rough exterior, beats a heart of gold. Charles Koch loves to sit on your lap, be held, and delights in belly rubs. He likes philosophy and long walks. There is more to Charles Koch than meets the eye.

Thanks again to my friend Don for another great photo reference.