Red and Gold

Red and Gold

Oil

Tessa Got Her Best Baking Insights

Tessa got her best baking insights whilst riding her bike in broad daylight.

Unbeknownst to Carlo

Unbeknownst to Carlo, his ex-girlfriend had just been hired at his favorite barbershop.

This was actually Day 35, "Unbeknowst to Carlo," but remember, I'm still catching up posting about 20 more pictures, and since then, I've posted current paintings, and well, I think I'm just going to give up on the number game--I'm all out of order now, and really, you don't mind, do you?  I fear I've been scrambling your mind by listing a day number then not.  So, I hereby decree, I'm stamping out the confusion, and just posting creations!

Debaters

I called this by it's true name, "Debaters" on Facebook and then because it seems like such a political hotbed over there, I changed the name to "Talkers."  Help me!  Nothing was meant by it.  I could have called it "Conversationalists" or "Contemplaters" or "Cafe Yappers." ha!

Anyway, here it is, "Debater."  Enjoy!

Although They Were Conjoined Twins

Although they were conjoined twins, Mimi did NOT share Midge's love of Pasta Carbonara.

Seriously, this is one of my all-time favorite pieces I've ever done.    Makes me crack up every time I look at it.  Yes, my sense of humor is twisted, I know! ha!

Flock of Finches from Nowhere

Flock of Finches from Nowhere

Here's something surprising, even to me, and I'm the person who experienced it!  This particular drawing led me to being paralyzed artistically for awhile.  About a month ago, I had drawn that object to the right--well, I filled it out much more in this final creation--and then didn't know where to head with it.  I liked it so much, I didn't want to ruin it.  Never a good thing, really.  I would stare at it.  I would pick it up and think, where am I going with this?  I wanted to use it desperately, but couldn't move forward with it.  I didn't want to work on anything else, so it just sat on my table.  

I finally did get with the program again and was inspired by other thoughts and ideas and made different art.  But it wasn't until this past weekend when I was walking my dogs that I finally knew what to do.  I was walking past some low-lying purple-flowered bushes in an alley, and they were loaded with yellow jackets.  I wasn't afraid, but rather happy to see bees in this world and at work.  I tried to count them, but there had to be at least thirty.  Their plump black and yellow bodies made me happy.

Later while walking on a sidewalk on a different street, several yellow-breasted finches flew by me in a flash!  I know hummingbirds are way faster, but these babies were MOVING.  Where did they come from?  They were there and then then were gone.  It was almost like a mirage, but I saw them.  I saw their brilliantly-colored chests!  What is it about that beautiful yellow that widens the eyes, and makes the heart jump a little?  Contrasted against jet black, it causes even more of a distraction and elation.

The black and yellow bees and the yellow and black birds of the world--I felt like they gave me a good omen, moving at the speed of light.

Gary Loved A Good Foot Massage

Gary never understood the obsession with manicures. He did however love a good foot massage.

Day 34 The Mystery Dude

Back in May, yes, that's how far behind I am in posting my 100 day project, I was part of an art show that included some local artists and local bands.  It actually was quite a fun night.  At the end of the night, however, I found myself wedged in between a van containing a bunch of guys and other vehicles.  I finally wiggled by car out of that area, only to drive about a 100 feet and find that there was no way I was going to squeeze in between a truck and the venue's wall.  I asked some random guy if he could back me out and he kindly did.  I'm not sure who he was, and he left quite a strong odor of beer in my Beetle after he left, but I was eternally grateful for his driving skills.  Thank you, Mystery Dude!

Some scenes from that night.

 Above, my friends, Peggy Clydesdale (owner of White Trash Peg Art Gallery),

 and Matt Redbeard

Great picture of Jack Nicholson above.

Hmm.  This was a video, but I could only get it to upload as a photo.  Some of my stuff...

Did She Only Want A Summer Romance?

Did she only want a summer romance or was she starting to see the lifeguard differently?  In any event, Gretchen's conflicting emotions were causing her unwanted angst.

(Here's a more recent drawing in my 100 day project - 100drawingsonpaper).

Day 33 Pawel Had a Bad Day at the Gym

Pawel had a bad day at the gym

Well, I only have about 30 drawings to post to catch up to where I should be!  Why did I let myself get so behind?  Ugh.  There were reasons.  Stay with me.  I've got some good ones coming up.

Day 31 Dough Maker

Dough Maker

Mainly ballpoint pen

Spent the first part of the night making this Mocha Buttercream Vanilla Cake for my co-worker.

Day 30 Mover and a Shaker SOLD

Today is actually day 31, and I do have something for today, but I better post yesterday's first.  I will catch up on the weekend, hopefully!

I just don't have enough time to get everything done that I need to.  Anyway, without further ado, here's a Mover and A Shaker.

Day 29 Auction House Evaluator

I worked on this one on Saturday morning and finished it up this evening.  It is a far cry from where it began which was a crazy squiggle of a vase and glasses in ink.  It ended up being an oil painting.  You just never know what's going to emerge from the page and your paintbrush.

Auction House Evaluator

Here's how it began.

Day 28 The Ravenous Mikio

Waiting for his much-delayed Japanese tempura, 

the ravenous Mikio decided to give his bamboo table a try.

Day 27 I Paint My Own Reality - Friday Kahlo

"I paint my own reality.  The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration."  --Frida Kahlo

Day 26 Fast-Moving Fingers of a Late-Night Diet Breaker

I was drawing this in a truck both in daylight and holding a small flashlight in my left hand (I was NOT the driver!) in the dark driving through Chicago.  That's how dedicated I am...well, for now ha!)...in trying to get a drawing done a day.  This one is in colored pencils, which I rarely use solely in a creation, but it was portable and wouldn't splatter while going over pot holes, so there you go.

 Fast-Moving Fingers of a Late-Night Diet Breaker

Day 25 Incredulous

Finally Friday!  It was a busy, busy week, and I am tired and ready for the weekend.  Our sunny day turned into a rainy one, although that's no bad turn of events in my book.  I happen to love the rain and grey days.  I have a friend's big birthday celebration in Chicago tomorrow with a Mariachi band and a salsa instructor--fun!--so I'm going to rest up, have the slow-cooked pork roast in chiles and lime that has been simmering away in my crock-pot, and leave you with this drawing of a woman in a a state of disbelief.  Have a great weekend people!

Day 24 Dreaded Weekend Delay Due to Paper Cutter Gone Wild

During college, I worked at a Kinko's Copy Shop.  Ah, yes, Kinko's!  I actually had a lot of fun at that job.  I usually worked the late shift, sleeping until 11, going in at 1 p.m. and getting off in 10 p.m.  A friend at the time worked on a school newspaper, and when she would get off, we would drive 2 hours for a piece of pie or to see a band.  Sometimes we'd get home at 6 a.m., but it was all worth it, driving through that midnight air and darkness with the radio blasting!

I digress!  Anyway, the Kinko's gig was good at the time, but that paper cutter always freaked me out! I always thought I would accidentally stop thinking about what I was doing, and then suddenly cut off all of my fingers.  Luckily that never happened, but to this day, those machines seem to be the penultimate of a potential--unintentional--bloodbath!  Not sure what got me thinking on that train of thought, but here you go.

Day 23 Big-Lipped He-Man Underneath the Big Top

Big-Lipped He-Man Underneath the Big Top

I was in the mood for a little humor here, as hopefully you can tell. (-;

Day 22 Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Oil on Paper