30 Day Challenge - Day 1 - Snowy Day

Today begins Leslie Saeta's February "30 Paintings in 30 Days" Challenge so I am posting very early today so I can add it to her blog too. Once again I am participating. In the past I have selected a theme, but this year I haven't. My hope is to do some gouache paintings, some yupo paintings, and some masa paintings instead. Please make sure you've seen my post from the Cradle of Aviation that I posted last night.

This painting was done in plein air with gouache while sitting in my car in Sayville. We had a snowstorm this week and it is fun to capture the snow while it is still on the trees.

Sky Collage

As a conclusion to the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge, Leslie Saeta had the participants create a collage of their paintings. I couldn't find a way to put all 30 of my paintings into the collage without cutting off parts of the paintings, so a few are missing here.

Doing the challenge was a lot of fun, but at times I was working on the next day's post at the last minute.  I think I did realize that I liked more color in the skies than I started with on my first two paintings. The drama of the clouds and color help make the painting. I hope when I am out plein air painting I will remember that. 

30 Day Painting Bonus Painting - Day 31 - Sunset Over the Cove

The "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge is officially over, but I did one more bonus painting for the 31st of January. My plan was to paint this on masa paper which I have rarely used. I followed the instructions but I must have done something wrong because I didn't get any of the "batik-like" effect I should have. I think I may have let the paper soak for too long and lost the hard folds that absorb the paint. The paper did give me a soft sort of textured look to the painting, but not the result I was after. I am hoping to do work more on masa next month as well as on yupo. If I am saying it here in print, maybe that will force me to actually do it instead of procrastinating about it.

This was done from a photo I took in Maine at sunset. It is 8 x 10.

Even though the challenge is over you can still look back at the work posted on Leslie Saeta's blog.

http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com And I think you can still vote on Sea Dean's blog. http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

Today is WorldWide Sketchcrawl #46 and I will be heading out in our frigid temperatures today to sketch at an indoor location.

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 30 - Venice Sunrise

Today is the final day of the "30 Paintings" challenge spearheaded by Leslie Saeta.

You can see all the work by the other artists here. http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

Voting takes place on Sea Dean's blog. http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

I had to finish up the challenge with a painting of one of my favorite places, Venice.
This was painted from a sketch I had done while I was there on one of my trips.

Venice Sunrise by Joan Tavolott

I went out to paint today and found a nice snowy scene across a small pond in Brightwaters.

Brightwaters View by Joan Tavolott

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 29 - Greek Sunrise

The month is almost over but there is still time to see the artwork done for the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge on Leslie Saeta's blog. http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

And you can still vote on Sea Dean's blog. http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

Day 29 was done from one of my photos taken on our cruise in September as we pulled into port in Volos, Greece. The sun was just coming up and the sky and the water was beautiful.

Greek Sunrise by Joan Tavolott

Today I took a drive to find something snowy to sketch. My first stop was down at the park along Broadway in Sayville. There were lots of kids sledding. I was able to sit in the car and sketch this.

Sledding in Sayville by Joan Tavolott

Then I drove along Montauk Highway and stopped by Lower Pond in Oakdale. It always looks good over there.

Snowy View at Lower Pond by Joan Tavolott

30 Pantings in 30 Days - Day 28 - Canyon Sky

The 30 day challenge is continuing. If you want to see the work of the other artists you can check Leslie Saeta's blog here: http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

Voting takes place on Sea Dean's blog: http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

"Canyon Sky" is my day 28th painting for the challenge. It was painted from a photo I took at the north rim of the Grand Canyon. This is 5 x 7.

Canyon Sky by Joan Tavolott

With all the snow we had in the last two days I was snowbound at home yesterday. I put some of my time to good use in the morning by doing a sketch of the snowy view outside my bedroom window.

Later in the day I wanted to sketch some of the action outside. My windows all face the same view of the trees. So I donned several layers of clothes, put on my warm hat, gloves, and scarf as well as my boots and headed outside. I walked around our development looking for an indoor spot where I could have a view of the parking lot. There were snowplows and people digging out their cars everywhere. The community building was open but only the foyer had a view of the parking lot. I stood inside by the door and sketched a view of one of the tenants clearing out their car. (My car was safely inside my garage but hadn't yet been plowed out by the snowplows.) I guess it was a productive day!

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 27 - Clouds Over the Beach Grasses

I am close to the end of Leslie's challenge. Check out the other artwork here:

http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com You can vote for your favorites on Sea Dean's blog here:

http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

This was done en plein air yesterday before I painted the waves that I posted yesterday. The location was Smith Point State Park and this is 5 x 7.

Clouds Over the Beach Grasses by Joan Tavolott

Today NY is at the end of our blizzard which has so far dumped somewhere around 15 inches of snow in my area.  It is hard to tell exactly how deep it is from my doorway since it is too deep for me to walk out without putting on my boots. I measured ouside my garage door and the deepest drift I could reach was 19 inches and light snow is still falling. Here are a few photos. I will go out later and take some more.

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 26 - Yellow Irish Sky

Today is day 26 of the "30 Paintings" challenge. You can see more of the artwork on Leslie Saeta's blog here: http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com And vote if you want at Sea Dean's blog here:http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

Today's painting "Irish Yellow Sky" was painted from a reference photo I took in Kilmore Quay, Ireland.

Yellow Irish Sky by Joan Tavolott

I needed an ocean fix so I headed down to Smith Point Beach to visit the water. It was a windy day so the waves looked pretty good. Even though the temperature was probably warm enough to sit out and paint if I bundled up, the wind made it too difficult, so I painted this from my car. It was done in my sketchbook with oil pastels as a resist and watercolors.

Winter Waves by Joan Tavolot

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 25 - Varenna Sunset

I used a reference photo I took on my trip to Lake Como for my day 25 painting for Leslie Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days."

 Check out the artwork of the other artists taking part in the challenge here: http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

If you want to vote check Sea Dean's blog. http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

Varenna Sunset by Joan Tavolott

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 24 - Sunken Meadow Sky

For day 24 of Leslie's challenge I drove to Sunken Meadow State Park which is about a 25 minute ride northwest of me, right on Long Island Sound. I really like this view and have painted it many times. This time I painted it from my car because it was so cold outside.

Sunken Meadow Sky by Joan Tavolott

If you would like to see the artwork by the other talented artists taking part in the challenge check here: http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

If you would like to vote check out Sea Dean's blog. http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 23 - Tranquil Sky Over the Bay

We are almost at the last week of Leslie Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days." Work of the other artists can be found here. http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

Voting is on Sea Dean's blog. http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

"Tranquil Sky Over the Bay" was painted from a photo I took in Cape Cod. I love that you can see out to a nearly bare island with just a few cottages.

Tranquil Sky Over the Bay by Joan Tavolott

Last night for an indoor location the Patchogue Sketch Club met at our local Michaels. Apparently they let their meeting/party room be used by local groups if it is not scheduled to be used for a store function. We reserved it and each member brought along something to be used in a still life. We had quite an assortment of objects so we set up a few spots. Sophia had brought a vase of silk flowers and that was what I sketched first with watercolors and watercolor pencils.

Then I focused on Pat's two objects. One was a tall wooden cat sculpture and the other was a kind of rag doll someone in the family had given her for Christmas. They were posed with a pomegranate.

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 22 - Red Sky at Dawn

Today is day 22 of the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" with Leslie Saeta.

http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

Voting takes place on Sea Dean's blog.

http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

Today's painting was done from one of my own photos taken in Key West, Florida.

Yesterday was portrait day for one of my groups.

Barry posed for us.

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 21 - Hilltop Clouds

I am participating in Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Challenge and have really been enjoying painting and visiting her blog to find other participating artists who are new to me. Care to see some of the other artists? Click here: http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

If you'd like to visit Sea Dean's "Paint a Masterpiece" blog and vote please click here:

http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

We have been having a very cold winter so there haven't been too many days this month that it was comfortable to sit in my car and have an interesting sky with clouds...but I had success yesterday. This was painted on the north fork of Long Island in Jamesport. I like this particular spot where the road goes up to the top of the hill. There is actually a house up there, but I left it out for today's painting.

Hilltop Clouds by Joan Tavolott

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 20 - City Sunset

I can't believe that January is 2/3 over already...how did that happen? My Christmas tree is still up!!!!

Here is the link to Leslie Saeta's blog where all the artwork for the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" is being displayed. It is definitely worth a look. http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

If you would like to vote on Sea Dean's "Paint a Masterpiece" blog here is the link:

http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

Today's painting was done from a photo taken my my niece , Kathleen Szalay Hoffmann (the professional dancer living in Australia) a few days after Christmas when we were driving back from Maine. We were crossing the Whitestone Bridge in Queens with this breathtaking sunset over the city. She snapped a picture and gave me a copy of it, since I was driving and couldn't take one. Thanks Kathleen!

City Sunset by Joan Tavolott
from a photograph by Kathleen Szalay Hoffmann

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 19 - Laguna Dusk & World Blog Hop Continues

Today is day 19 of Leslie Saeta's challenge of "30 Paintings in 30 Days" and I'm keeping up. You can see some of the other artists's work here.
http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

My painting "Laguna Dusk" was done from a photo I took in Laguna, California when we vacationed there. I love the location and the sunsets there.

"Laguna Dusk" by Joan Tavolott

Many of you are aware that back in December I participated in the World Blog Hop. If you didn't see my post then you can find it here: 

http://watercolorsbyjoan2.blogspot.com/2014/12/blog-hop-around-world.html

Since I was nominated to participate by my friend Jo Castillo there have been several other artists who we have linked to and the linking is continuing today. You may want to check out these wonderful artists including Jo.

Jo Castillo http://jocastilloartblog.blogspot.com

Tina Koyama http://tina-koyama.blogspot.com

Jeanne Grant http://jeannegrant.blogspot.com

Mary Lemmenes http://creativeeverydaylife.blogspot.com

Michele Cooper http://michelecooper.blogspot.com

Juliette Plisson http://julietteplisson.blogspot.com

and the latest to be nominated by Juliette:

Miriam http://mimisaquarelles.blogspot.fr

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 18 - Mauve Morning

Today is day 18 of "30 Paintings in 30 Days" with Leslie Saeta.

http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

Vote if you want on Sea Dean's blog.

http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

Today's painting was done from a reference photo I took at sunrise in Islamorada, Florida.
It was a wonderful morning!

I did a sketch yesterday sitting in my car on Main Street in Sayville.

It is hard to sketch when the traffic keeps blocking your view. lol

My friend Helen Percy Lystra is also participating in the challenge. Here is a link to her blog that is always fun to visit. She not only paints and sketches, but she collages and does fiber arts too.

http://www.helenlystra.blogspot.com

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 17 - Storm Ahead

How did we get to painting 17 already? Please check out Leslie's blog to see her work and the work of the other artists. http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

Today's painting is "Storm Ahead" and the sky colors are more grey than they appear here.

The photo reference for this was the hillsides in Kenmare, Ireland.

Storm Ahead by Joan Tavolott

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 16 - Standing Tall

Today is Day 16 of Leslie Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days." If you want to see the rest of the paintings by the other artists you can find them here.

http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

Also if you would like to vote for your favorite on Sea Dean's blog you can find it here.

http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

Today's painting was done from a photo I took on the beach one morning in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Standing Tall by Joan Tavolott

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 15 - Sunset Glow

Today marks the halfway point in the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" with Leslie Saeta.

http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com
If you want to vote on Sea Dean's blog check here. http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

Today's painting, "Sunset Glow" is from a reference photo I took in Texas. They have some amazing wide open skies that are wonderful at sunset and at sunrise too.

Sunset Glow by Joan Tavolott

Tonight my sketch group met at Panera Bread for our sketching session. There are always people around for subjects. Sketching with a group is always a fun way to spend the evening.

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 14 - Golden Glimmer

Next up is my painting for day 14 of the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge with Leslie Saeta.

If you want to see some of the other paintings done for the challenge here is the link.

http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

Don't forget to vote too. http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

This is a bit of a different palette for me, but I like monochromatic paintings. This was done from one of my many photos taken in Myrtle Beach. The painting is 5 x 7.

Today the South Bay Art Association's Sketch Group met. Liz posed for us today. I had time for a 6 x 8 painting and then a quick sketch of her.