Day 248

Cloud Study 3, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

I gave myself one hour to paint this, and I'm extremely happy with the outcome. No preliminary drawing underneath, just straight to the paint. I often sketch out a very detailed drawing on the canvas first, and while I enjoy that, I think it can inhibit me from being as loose as I'd like, so this was a really good exercise for me. 

Day 247

The Continuation of Childhood, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

I realized something today. I cannot for the life of me ever remember doing a finger painting as a child. Ever. Certainly never at home. We were more of a crayon family. Less messy that way. I remember being envious of the kids who got to do finger paintings. And those scented markers? What I wouldn't have given for a set of those babies! But seriously, I can't recall ever sticking my fingers in paint and smearing it around on paper. So I decided to give myself permission to experience that today. Granted, I did wear latex gloves (probably a good idea when working with cadmium colors), but it was still tactile and delicious. And very freeing. 

Day 246

Sanguine, 5 x 5 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

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san·guine    [sang-gwin] adjective

1.  cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident: a sanguine disposition; sanguine expectations.

2.  reddish; ruddy: a sanguine complexion.

3.  (in old physiology) having blood as the predominating humor and consequently being ruddy-faced, cheerful, etc.

4.  bloody: sanguinary.

5.  blood-red; red.

This may be my very favorite Little People painting to date (although it's hard to beat When Dogs Drive Cars.) When I was a kid, the little orange wooden boy was my very favorite - something about the combination of his expression and the orange color. Yes, I know most of them had the same expression (except that one mean boy. What WAS his problem, anyway?) but I swear the orange boy's was sweeter than the others. I was thrilled to find him at a flea market last year. To me he represents the fleeting, purity of childhood - the little spark in all of us that gets buried under responsibilities and obligations, expectations real and imagined, heartache and heartbreak. That little spark keeps on smiling, just like the orange boy. Don't ever lose it.

Day 245

Co-pilot, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

SOLD

The only thing better than a dog on a leash is two dogs on a leash. With floofy tails, to boot.

Day 244

Color Notan 5, 4 x 4 inch oil on canvas

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

I like painting these little abstract color notans as a way to play around with design patterns. To me, this one is suggesting large tree masses and a building, or even two large buildings. Or maybe even two figures. Well, whatever it may become, I do like the values and design of this little study.

Day 243

Ms. Sassybritches, 5 x 5 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

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One can never paint too many chickens. I think this gal is a new favorite. I took a bunch of new chicken, goat, and sheep photos this week on a farm outing with my friend. One can never have too many farm outings, either...

Day 242

Red Landscape, 4 x 4 inch oil on canvas board

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

The day sort of got away from me today, and as dinnertime approached I started thinking about what I could paint quickly, which made me think of using only one color, which made me wonder what an all red landscape would look like. Apparently, it looks like this. 

Day 241

Dog Eye Study, 5 x 5 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

I think eyes are my favorite thing to paint, and it's even better when they belong to my best buddy Cloud.  

Day 240

Apple Study, 5 x 5 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

Lots going on, so I thought an apple would be a quick painting for today. It was a fun study, and it had been a while since I've painted an apple.

Day 239

Candle Study, 5 x 5 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

Lots to do today, so I set a timer for 20 minutes to paint this little study. I wanted to try to capture the waxy inner glow of the candle, and this is actually the first time I've painted a candle, so it was pretty interesting for me. 

Day 238

Mugshot: Bettsie, 4 x 4 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

Up next in the Hilton Head Gang mugs, we have Bettsie. Miss Bettsie was as much fun to paint as she was to hang out with for a week last fall. I like the light background, and the way her shirt fades into it. This ranks up there with my favorite mugshots.