Day 31

Day 31 — Not all the paintings for the challenge, but most. I am never disappointed after doing one of these, but I do wonder where to store them all. This is my eleventh one— you do the math! OK, I'll help— I did a quick inventory and I think these have netted 260 pieces of art. 

A huge thank you to all my new and returning patrons and to everyone who commented on Facebook, Instagram, Daily Paintworks and my blog. In fact, through Daily Paintworks there has been interest in older work and a few of those sold too. 

There was a huge response so I am inclined to think I should keep at it. We'll see what February brings. At least it's only 28 days long! 

https://www.facebook.com/cristine.kossow

https://www.instagram.com/criskoss/

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/cristine-kossow-5373

 

Day 30 Huma

Huma 7 x 5 pastel

 Day 30 — This post is a day late because I painted this yesterday but it was a gift so I couldn't show it. Huma was delivered today. She was named after Huma Abedin, Anthony Weiner's ex-wife. 

I have had the image for over a year and finally got around to painting her. Her owner bought "'Tude" (Day 8) so I thought the timing was perfect to add this gift. 

Day 29 Lucky Star

Lucky Star  7 x 10 pastel

 Day 29 — This is my favorite honey. My friends have hives in Newmarket, NH. I think it is the best honey. It is citrusy— is that a word? It tastes like lemon in a good way.

Day 28 Macaron Rainbow

Macaron Rainbow 15 x 11 pastel

Day 28 Something bright and sweet. 
 

Day 27 Capsicum Annuum

Capsicum Annuum 7 x 5 pastel

Day 27 — I have been following the artist Ollie Le Brocq for a few years now. He has been the inspiration for this loose phase I am experimenting with. I have been in touch with him and he has graciously agreed to let me use his work as reference. 

I also think that going through seed catalogs has been inspiring some of these produce paintings. After spending about an hour carefully selecting seeds for this years garden, I went online to order from Johnny's Seed and they are not taking orders from home gardens at this time!!!  There has been a glut of seed buying, as there was last year. Another COVID consequence. 

 

Day 26 Aubergines

Aubergines 5.5 x 7 pastel

Day 26 I am trying to paint like I have a brush full of oil paint. I have been starting with a watercolor base. It's the first time I've used watercolors in about 25 years. 

Some progress shots:

Day 25 Tallinn Flower Market

 

Tallinn Flower Market 12 x 8

Day 25 Going through old photos and came across this one. Tallinn, Estonia is a magical city. I think I just needed to paint some bright hope of spring, given the VT temps are below 10° these days. 

Day 24 Time Out

Time Out 5 x 7 pastel

Day 24 —  Today felt like I need a time out. I spent most of the day sewing. Made very cool pucker-y towels and a pillow out of an old boiled wool jacket 

 

Day 23 Hollywood

Hollywood 12 x 12 pastel

Day 23 — Meet Hollywood. He is a llama from Wild Child Farm in Bonney Lake, WA. I found him on Instagram and got in touch with is owners for permission to use his image. 

He looks like he has a big personality and I may paint him again. 

The very beginning:

 

Day 22 Martin's House

Martin's House 8 x 10 pastel

Day 22 — I have wanted to do a nocturne for a long time. This is the view of our neighbor's house from our hot tub. Martin is 2 years old. He will have many magical moonlit nights.

Day 21 Mom's Double Boiler

Pyrex Double Boiler 8 x 10

Day 21 — This is Mom's Pyrex double boiler, the one for creamed onions. I thought I was going to do a photo realistic painting and the paper was not letting me do that, nor was the time. So I went for fast and painterly. 

Two progress shots:

 

Day 20 Spritz

Spritz 10 x 8 pastel

Day 20 — One of my latest starts ever— 6 PM! I had to work fast because of dinner, but I did remember to take one progress shot. I might try this again when I have more time, and try for photo realism. Lots of fun highlights and patterns. 

Here is the charcoal blocking in with some turquoise. 

 

Day 19 Triplets

Triplets 6 x 10 pastel

Day 19 I decided to try to paint earlier in the day. These pears were on the counter and begged to be part of the challenge. What could I do, it was 3 against 1!

I finally remembered to take some progress shots:

I ran an errand and when I got back I felt the warm wood surface was taking away from the pears, so I toned it down with a layer of grey. I'm calling it done. 

Day 18 Double Boiler

Double Boiler  11 x 14 pastel 

Day 18 — The double boiler in our family came out once a year at Thanksgiving. My mom made creamed onions. It was special— I loved creamed onions and the ritual of getting the pot out. No, it was not this one. I found this one at a yard sale and grabbed it, knowing one day I would use it when I felt like painting copper.  

I still have Mom's glass one, with that luminous green tint that Pyrex seemed to have in those days. Maybe I'll paint that one too. 

Day 17 Blond Ambition

Blond Ambition 12 x 12 pastel

 Day 17 — I had the title for this one before I painted it. This is another Scottish Highland from Unconventional Acres (https://www.unconventionalacres.com/). All I could think of was Madonna's Tour of the same name. I really like to nose on this one. 

I try to remember to take progress shots and usually manage the first one, then I get in a zone and completely forget to take more. Maybe I need to set a timer.

This is on black gatorboard primed with gesso mixed with pumice and I used a rough brush. 

Day 16 Winter Barns

Winter Barns  8 x 10 pastel

Day 16 — This was a failed painting in by drawer of, um, failed paintings. I really enjoyed making this one up. 

 

Day 15 Sunny Side Up

Sunny Side Up 8 x 11 pastel

Day 14 — I really like to paint fish. They are not demanding. They don't care if you get it "right". They are just happy that someone is paying attention. 
 

Day 14 COVID Coiffure

 

COVID Coiffure 6 x 9 pastel

Day 14 — I had a lot of fun with all the colors in this sheep's hair. I might do this one larger someday.

Hair vs Fur: I was always under the impression hair continues to grow, and needs to be cut at some point. Fur stops at a certain point and doesn't grow anymore, but is shed. 

I googled it and found out hair and fur are the same thing. How do you explain certain dogs have to go to the groomer or their hair would be touching the floor? And other dogs hair reaches a certain length and stops growing, but but is shed? 

Day 13 Psst, Over Here!

 

Psst, Over Here!  10 x 8 pastel

Day 13 — Not sure where I shot this image. I really enjoyed painting this gal. She was supposed to be about 7 X 9 but the paper was larger and I'm liking the unfinished edges. 

Day 12 Fresh Dug

Fresh Dug 20 x 23 pastel

Day 12 — No I did not paint this today. I got swamped in meetings and ran out of time to paint. I realized I have never posted this painting and it was going to have to stand in for todays post. Sorry, promise to get back at it tomorrow. 

Warning: soak your clams in fresh water 20 mins before steaming, just sayin'. 
 

Day 11 Scratchy Pear

Scratchy Pear 7 x 5 pastel

Day 11 — Maybe I should have called this Prickly Pear. The day got away from me. I had a larger painting in mind, but ran out of time (if we were going to eat dinner!). So pears are a great fall-back subject. I tried to do a more linear look, with line work the focus. On textured board it was a challenge. 
 

Day 10 Round Robin

Round Robin 8 x 8 pastel

Day 10 — A neighbor shared this image. I am not sure if it was from and iPhone or a high end camera, but it was a fabulous shot.

I really enjoyed painting this little fellow. I always start with the eyes. If they don't work, nothing works. I looking forward to seeing robins in a few months, but it's going to be a long winter in many ways. 

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Day 9 Summer's End

Summers End 8 x 10 pastel

Day 9 — I found an older painting (below). It just felt too dark. I took it out of the frame and gave it the purple background. There is something Carravaggio-esk  (chiaroscuro) about the dark one that I love, but too much feels dark these days. 

 

Day 8 'Tude

 

'Tude  8 x 10 pastel

Day 8 — This guy has been staring at me, unfinished, for months. Every time I look over he is scowling at me, wondering when I will finish him. Finally, he got my attention.

Day 7 Slice of Lime

A Little Lime  6 x 6 pastel

Day 7 — A cool drink with a slice of lime. 
 

Day 6 — End of Summer

End of Summer  8 x 8 pastel

Day 6 — I was finally able to successfully grow sunflowers last summer. The key is protecting the seedlings from the bunnies until they are about a foot tall. I look forward to trying different varieties this summer. 

 

Day 5 Spoon

 

Spoon  7 x 5 pastel

Day 5 - Drove to Southern Vermont Art Center in Manchester today to pick up some paintings. It's a great venue, stop in if you happen to be in Southern VT.

Decided to do something fast. I didn't time myself but it was under 30 mins. This spoon was my Mom's. It has her maiden initials on it (JMT). I'm not sure I understand that logic. Did she think she would never marry? I have 3 of these spoons and had a pair of earrings made out of the other two. They are very Art Deco and I love them. They mean a lot to me. I knew you would want to see them:

Day 4 Belted

Belted  8 x 10 pastel

 

Day 4 — "Belted" is a Highland/Belted Galloway cross from Unconventional Acres in Arena, Wisconsin. He looks angry, but I bet he is a love. They have graciously let me use their photos as reference. 

https://www.unconventionalacres.com/

I am very fond of Belted Galloways and Scottish Highland cattle so what a treat to find this combo.

Day 3 — Sadie

 

Sadie 8 x 8 1/2 pastel

Day 3 — Got a very late start, and no this is not a 20 min painting. Far from it. I enjoyed this and learned a lot, but it took a while.

Sadie was born a few days ago, on The Gateway Farm. Her mom is a Guernsey, the farms first milking cow. I look forward to watching Sadie grow up and seeing what Abby does with the golden milk. 

Day 2 — Diamond

Diamond  5 x 7 pastel

Day 2 — Diamond was a gilt when I met her (female who has not reproduced), but she is now a sow and expecting her second litter soon. Thank you Abby from The Gateway Farm in Bristol VT for some great reference material and even better maple syrup.

Check it out:

thegatewayfarm.com