Day 29 of 30 in 30....

Hello Blog Friends!!
I am literally trying to make it to Friday.  This week as been long and grueling. 

Simple colors and lots of marks makes this painting feel right.
Hope that you have a creative day.
Until next time,
Ophelia

Day 28

Making marks....is my favorite thing to do when painting...
Here, a simple line takes the show.

Marks are my go to when it seems that nothing is working out....or when I get lost and have no idea of what to do next.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 27....

Nothing makes a month fly by more quickly than a challenge.
I am not sure of what it is...maybe simply documenting the days or what...but this month of painting daily seems to have slipped right by.

What I have found to be the best part is that I have simply been more experimental...not really caring about the end result and just enjoying the process.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 26 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days...

Good Morning...
I lost count...sigh....
I have been painting daily and realized today that I have failed to post...that is my norm.  It is a tough balancing act - paint, social media, promote, blog, post and reply to comments...know what I mean.
I am usually only good at painting daily and not all of the other stuff that goes along with it.  Am I the only one that struggles to keep up with everything?

Its Monday, and after a busy weekend away, I kept things simple...as I was just so tired this morning.

Anyways, have yourself a great day.  Lets show Monday exactly who is Boss.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 16....

Happy Friday, Blog Friends...
Hope that you all have a fantastic day!!

After todays painting session, I made myself put these colors away!  I just get stuck sometimes, but I thoroughly love this color combo!!  These little 4x6 are available in my Etsy shop under card bundles.

Side note, do you have an art tribe??  You know, good friends that share your passion for art...maybe you all get together and paint???

I am so lucky to call this gal my friend.  She is truly a blessing and such an inspiration.  She just is.

We get together to paint, play, bounce ideas and most important, laugh a whole lot.

I hope that you all have a great day, and a creative and restful weekend.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 15 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days...

Its the half way mark....
Some days, I feel unstoppable and yet others, I struggle.  I find that when I get stuck on a color combo - as is the case here, I just can't get enough of it, and it is very easy to fall into a color rut.

Tomorrow, I may change it up a bit...you know, to keep things fresh and exciting, but I truly love the moodiness that these colors convey.  Maybe its me finding this Liquitex Blue Violet color buried deep in my stash that ignited this series, or the fact that I just love the darkness that these colors seem to bring...not sure yet of why I am in love with these colors together...but I shall make it a point to dig deep in my studio to find those buried gems that await my play.
Until next time,
Ophelia

Day 14 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days...

Good Morning Blog Friends!
I often find that when I try a new color palette...or even the simple addition of a color that I don't often use, I use it over and over and over again...

I did that again this morning, and will probably do it again tomorrow as I am simply loving the moodiness of these colors together.
See you tomorrow, right here for day 15!
Until next time,
Ophelia

30 in 30 Day 13....

Today is a bit of a moody day.  Nothing for me is better than painting away a Monday that is rough.
I usually head to my studio for escape, and that is exactly what I did today....as a teacher, Mondays can often be pretty rough.  I am not sure if it is because I am supremely spoiled by a weekend off, or if my kids are far more rested than I am...

I decided to change up my palette a bit for this 4x6 which will become a greeting card available in a bundle in my Etsy shop.

I hope that you all enjoy your day.

After my painting session this morning, I plan to!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Studio Happenings....

Happy Monday, everyone.
I hope your day is off to a great start!!!  Around here, things are chugging along with goodness.
I am not sure if I have shared with you all before, but, I am having the greatest time ever making these little 4x6 paintings.

I begin with sheet of Mixed Media paper by Strathmore and cut it down to 4x6.

I then begin by simply making marks and just playing....my mark making is done by favorite pencil, the Jerrysartarama Jumbo Jet black pencil

I just love the black line that it gives.  With lots of play in paint and many marks, I get to this.

I attach them to a  5x7 Strathmore Mixed Media greeting card base...

...and this is how I create my hand painted greeting cards that are available in my Etsy shop.

I find that I create them daily and it is a great way to stay in my creative practice.  Especially before I move on to a larger painting.  I offer them for $6.00 each, or in a bundle of 6 cards for $30.  

Head over to my etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/opheliastaton to have a look!!!

They are all blank inside so that you can send with your own greeting, give as a gift, or frame them for your wall.  

I hope you enjoyed a little peek into this process.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Crazy Busy Good Times!!

Happy Monday!!

Hope your day is off to a great start.

It had been a bit of insanity around here.  Lots and lots going on.  Seems no matter how hard I try, I just can't keep up.

Celebrating Senior Night is a bit bitter sweet.  I just can't believe that we are getting so close to graduation.  I honestly felt that I had loads of time to have my little one at home, but sigh...he graduates in June, and must stretch those wings.

He will spend his next four years at Western New England in Springfield, Mass.  I am excited because he is so excited, but that is such a long way from home!!  I love that he gets to continue to do what he loves.

In the studio, its been a flurry of goodness!!

Chaos the story of my life in finished, matted and framed and ready for a new home!

I tackled a 30 x 30 and won!!  It was a full body workout, but such a great feeling!!

You may have noticed my side bar where I have opened up my Etsy shop!!!  That was a long time coming!!

I have handpainted greeting cards!!

I have thoroughly enjoyed making these!!

...and...when you spend 22 hours on the softball field, its nice to come hkme as champions!!

Until next time,