Day 4 of January 30 paintings in 30 days challenge by Marion Hedger

Morning Light Silver Birches by Marion Hedger
Day 4 of January 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

palette knife painting

oil on canvas panel

18x24cm (approx 7"x10")

Available to purchase US$120 international shipping incl.

Take a look at Marion's art website

Visit my art of flowers blog

Follow my daily painting blog

I actually got down to painting something new for the fourth day of the challenge.

Theme for the challenge
I have been trying to think of a suitable theme for the challenge. I came up with several ideas but couldn't narrow it down to something I would want to do for 30 days. The one thing I was adamant about, was I wanted to paint smaller than my norm (24x18cm) so that I could paint more quickly and leave time for continuing on a larger painting.

So for the theme for my challenge is THERE IS NO THEME! I will just continue to practice and work on my techniques with ideas as they pop into my head, having fun along the way.

Today's Painting
This is a photo I took while out for a walk one morning in an area called Sherwood Pines. The sun was shining and although it was cold, it was a nice morning for a walk. You might ask -

"Where are the pines?"
Sherwood Pines is an old pine plantation right in the middle of Sherwood forest (yes THE Sherwood Forest of Robin Hood fame) where they grew pines for pit props. As the mining industry no longer exists, they are gradually replacing the pines with indigenous trees. The area has been converted for  leisure use with bike and walking trails and an adventure playground for the kids. A great use of the area.

Sherwood Pines revisited
You might remember my previous painting from the September challenge of another walk in the same area, see here

Some close-ups of the knife work

Much of the pink ground is left showing to add 'sparkle'

Some of the initial brush stroke block-in is left untouched

The foreground is left deliberately loose and suggestive

Autumn Explosion, Fall Colours oil painting by Marion Hedger

Autumn Explosion by Marion Hedger

Oil on canvas panel

Heavily textured palette knife painting

18x24 cm (approx 7"x10")

I am so pleased. This painting was chosen for the January selection on Painters Online, The Artist and Leisure Painters web site. See the selection here.

For sale in my Etsy store HERE

Take a look at my larger paintings on my website 

Visit my art of flowers blog

Follow my daily painting blog

"Aqua Dreams," New textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Aqua Dreams” ©2011 Niki Gulley

36” x 60” textured oil on canvas

When we arrived at this tranquil spot, the early morning light was very cool in color, but as the sun began to rise from the horizon, it shone this beautiful warm light that shimmered on the water’s surface and cast its hope of what was to come from the brand new day. I remember the peacefulness I felt in that moment, and a sense that anything was possible. In Aqua Dreams, by showing the contrast in the cool aqua/blues in the foreground waters against the warm golden glow on the distant pond’s edge, I wanted to share that feeling of hope and promise communicated by nature.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured oil aspen and birch tree paintings.

Or, to see more of her work, stop by her booth at Art Fair on the Square in Madison, WI next weekend, (July 9 & 10). mmoca.org

NikiGulley.com

"Flowing Light" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Flowing Light” ©2011 Niki Gulley

36” x 60” textured oil on canvas

You walk down a path sheltered by autumn drenched trees, intrigued by the light flowing through the leaves and branches, casting shadows, colors changing with each gentle breeze, sunlight cascading down your pathway. Peaceful, tranquil, this painting flows around the canvas capturing the memory of autumn: lush crisp colors, crunchy leaves and a walk through the woods Walt Whitman would have envied.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured oil aspen and birch tree paintings.

Or, to see more of her work, stop by her booth at Art Fair on the Square in Madison, WI next weekend, (July 9 & 10). mmoca.org

NikiGulley.com

New Textured Birch Painting by Niki Gulley

“Ruby Emergence” ©2011 Niki Gulley

48” x 60” textured acrylic on wrap around canvas

I wanted this painting to be about the power and energy in nature to invigorate your spirit more so than an exact replica of the forest, so I chose to use warm vivid colors and thick staccato strokes to add to that feeling. I placed the foliage in diagonal sweeping shapes to create a sense of movement, so that you can feel the wind gently rustling the leaves and causing them to dance.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured oil aspen and birch tree paintings.

Or, to see more of her work, stop by her booth at Art Fair on the Square in Madison, WI next weekend, (July 9 & 10). mmoca.org

NikiGulley.com