Painting a Day - Day 73

 I am giving myself permission again to not be perfect with my posting and doing a daily painting. I posted the sketch to Facebook, with the intention of posting the watercolor yesterday, but family stuff came up and I've got to take care of certain people!

This was another kitty cat I used to have. She was very shy but very sweet and very pretty.

Doing the sketch was a great way for me to find her fur and her tabby markings. I have heard it said and I believe it is true, drawing is the basis for all good art. I always do

a sketch before I start start painting. This is especially important if I am doing a painting from a photo or from life. It helps me find texture and shadows which will help me when I get ready to make the painting.

Thanks for visiting again. I appreciate you coming back even though I didn't manage a post yesterday. If you would like to purchase the watercolor of this kitty cat, email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com.  It is 5 x 7 and for sale for $25. Hope to have a new painting up tomorrow so hope you can come back then!

A Painting a Day - Day 71

This is a portrait of my own cat. I don't have him anymore. He passed away four years ago. His name was Elmore and he was mine for 10 years. He was my baby before I had babies, which was hard on him when that happened. I loved him so much. I still miss him. He taught me how to be a better pet owner.

Wow, I didn't expect to feel that so deeply! But that is what having a portrait of him causes! Something about focusing on all the little detail that make him who he was brings back all the sweet memories I have tangled up with him.

I am currently taking orders for pet portraits and would love to help you make something precious that you can keep forever that will remind you of how much you love your pet. We don't get to keep them as long as we'd like and something that preserves those memories is priceless.

This is my 71st painting in my 100 paintings project. I think I am going to have to hang on to this one so it is not available.  But I still have other paintings available for sale yet. If there is one you are interested in, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. I'd also love to hear from you if you would like a pet portrait done. This was done from a photo and I can do the same for you.

Thanks for following my art. I would love to know what you think in the comments below!

A Painting a Day - Day 70

It is snowing here in central Indiana today so I thought a wintry scene would be a good way to mark the seasonal transition.

This painting feels like it has a story. Something has gotten this fox's attention and the darkness behind him is mysterious. He is on his way to somewhere but will he make it? Most of the paintings I have done for this project have not really had stories. Usually they are my attempt at capturing something beautiful. This time, a story feels like it is forming. I may have to revisit this picture when the project is completed.

Like all the paintings in my 100 days of painting, this red fox is for sale. It is 5 x 7 and available for $25. I think it would make a nice gift for a wildlife lover or a story teller. If you would like to buy it please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. Thanks for visiting today.

A Painting a Day - Days 68 & 69

I was supposed to post this peaceful frog yesterday. But I wasn't feeling peaceful at all. I was stressed and exhausted. I managed the sketch, but not the color.

It has been a week with ups and downs. Unfortunately the downs have been rough enough to cancel out the ups.

Relationships can give us such comfort and other times they can cause such inner turmoil. And I am realizing I am not so great at friendships sometimes. I am self centered and thoughtless.

When I feel stressed or uncertain, I withdraw and I am sure I leave people who were counting on me wondering what became of me.

It is hard to face my short comings. I feel embarrassed and upset. I feel guilty for letting people down who had had expected more of me.

I want to do better. I want there to be a greater quiet in me so that I don't withdraw. I wish I could explain to those I let down. But maybe my explanation is lame. On the outside I look like I am strong but inside I am fragile and weak. On the outside I look like I want to be there for others. On the inside it is all about me. I worry so much about pleasing other people I set myself up for a big let down because I can't live up to the image I present.

I should be more grateful and more patient. I should be wiser and more sensible. I want to be the kind of friend who says all the right things and appears at the right moment. Instead I miss opportunities to comfort and support because I am intimidated by the situation or there is a conflict between helping one person and being there for another.

I don't want to offend anyone. But somehow I manage it. Somehow I have to let this go and accept that I make mistakes. Apologies are all I have. I wish they were enough. Not much more I can do except pray. Pray a lot. I'm praying right now. And I am waiting to be peaceful.

As always my paintings are available for sale. Each one is $25 a piece. If you would like to own one, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. Thanks for coming by to see my art. Thanks for listening to my emotional

A Painting a Day - Day 68

This is from a picture I did for a friend. She asked for frogs and some chickens and a big fat cat. I enjoyed creating something fun for a friend.

I spent the day setting up an account at Fine Art America where I am going to offer prints of some of my daily paintings. If there were paintings you may have liked, you can order a print.

Thanks for coming by to see my art work. Hope you can come by again tomorrow!

A Painting a Day - Day 67

Some days you just need some quality time from that special person. Maybe it's your spouse or your BFF or if you are a kid, your parent. This little dog is getting himself into trouble because he needs some quality time from his person.

A dog belonging to a friend of mine was my inspiration for this. He is a bundle of energy and is always starved for attention and does all he can to get what he wants. He's a handful and he really is a cutie!

This is my 67th watercolor painting an it is 5 x 7 and available for sale for $25. If you would like to own him, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. Thanks for coming by today. Hope you can make it by again tomorrow!

A Painting a Day - Day 66

The seasons are changing and there is a chill in the air. I am not one who likes to be cold so I was thinking of things that make us feel warm. Hot coco and gloves and scarves came to mind, but there is no doubt friendship warms our hearts and souls.

Friendship can be really hard sometimes. I know I am not always good at it. I am easily distracted and caught up in my own life. It is so easy to lose touch with people or something happens and there is this awkwardness that drifts in like a cloud. But when there is acceptance and enjoyment of each other's company, in spite of our short comings, our hearts are nurtured and warmed against life's cold places.

This little group of friends is on 5 x 7 watercolor paper and available for sale for $25. If you would like to own this painting, please email me at lauraparkhurstilllustrator@gmail.com. Thanks for visiting. Hope you can come by again tomorrow!

A Painting a Day - Day 65

This is the painting I had hopes of posting yesterday but could not finish because if nothing else, this 100 paintings in 100 days has showed me I really really need to sleep. So instead of 100 days, it has become more like 105 days! Oh well. I am giving myself grace and room to be human. This is the most productive I have ever been in my life. So I am not feeling bad for missing a day or two!

My sister asked me the other day if I am sticking with this because I have done this project publicly. I did not hesitate. YEP. If people were not watching this, I would have quit this weeks ago! Ha! But I am so glad for the accountability because of the progress I have made in a very short amount of time. It has been completely worth the struggle.

This 5 x 7 red wing black bird is available for sale for $25. If you would like to own it please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. Thanks for being there for me! I may not know who you are, but your visits have kept me going. I have 35 paintings left to go! Hope you can come by again tomorrow!

A Painting a Day - Day 64

Sometimes it is really hard to write something to go with my art work. I know artists are supposed to be able to talk about their work. I am still learning.

Maybe that is what is on my mind. The struggle to learn. Learning the nuances of watercolor, learning the subtleties of composition, learning new programs, learning how to get my art out into the world. It is a lot to take in.

Never stop learning. Every painting teaches me. This one taught me a little bit about the color red and how  a bit of orange and yellow makes a nice contrast against sky blue. It also gave me some practice in making my brush behave and not slip. It is also stretching me to write creatively.

This 5 x 7 watercolor of a cardinal is also available for sale. If you would like to purchase it, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. Thanks for following along as I learn something new! Hope you can come by again tomorrow!

A Painting a Day - Day 63

It is interesting to go through the ups and downs of doing a long project like these 100 paintings in 100 days. The hardest is the stress of trying to actually do 100 in 100 days. I have already missed that goal when I took some time off a couple of weeks ago and then yesterday I posted the previous day's painting and did not have a new one to post with it. That is kind of disappointing, but I have to accept my limitations. With a month and a half to go, I have to some how gather up the energy and patience to keep going even though the days I don't feel like doing this are becoming more frequent.

I know I can keep going because I have made up my mind. I just want to keep the quality of my paintings satisfactory. That is challenging. Especially when I have off days like today where I feel tired, stressed, hurried and unmotivated.

But I got it done! So feelings of wanting to quit will be nothing compared to the triumph I will feel when I have completed my 100th day. Then I have to decide what my next move will be. Probably take a little break for the holidays! Then at the first of the year, get back to it!

This blue jay was as fun to sketch as he was to paint. I enjoyed the pattern the black markings on his feathers created. Blue jays are such pretty birds, even though they can be a nuisance to bird watchers because they tend to chase other song birds off. When I was a kid, it was fun to watch them hop across the yard, their blue color so striking and vibrant.

I painted this blue jay on 5 x 7 watercolor paper. It is available for sale for $25. If you would like to purchase it, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. Thanks for checking out my art. Please let me know what you think in the comments below. I would love to hear from you. See you tomorrow!

A Painting a Day - Day 62

This was meant for yesterday but I wasn't able to complete it in time. Having a goal to paint daily has been such a great way to become productive and prolific, but I am finding it difficult to avoid having a day here and there where I just can't get it done. I am not certain I will get a new painting off today either though I do have a sketch.  Irregardless, I am creating at a rate and quantity I have never achieved before and encourages me that I can continue to produce many pieces of art in the future.

I recently watched an instructional video about watercolor painting and the artist used his sketches to develop his plan for the painting. As you can see in the photo below, I drew the kangaroo and developed shadows. I think used this as a guide for the shadows for the painting. Remembering that all bodies have volume, shadows and shading done with a consistent light source can create a three dimensional feeling to artwork. The sketch helps to achieve this.

Thanks so much for visiting my site. This painting is my 62nd painting in my 100 paintings in 100 days project. It has already been sold and will be going to a new home! Tomorrow's painting is already planned. I hope you can come again tomorrow to see it.

A Painting a Day - Day 61

I have been focusing on eyes so much during this 100 paintings in 100 days project. When you get the eyes right the picture comes to life. They have to sparkle and glow. If they are flat, the picture is lifeless.

This little dog grabbed my attention because of his eyes, the way he is looking up at the viewer and showing the whites of his eyes. Dogs look so human when they do that. It makes hearts melt!

This watercolor is 5 x 7 and is available for sale for $25. If you would like to own it, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. The first person I hear from can buy it and give this little puppy a new home!

Thanks for visiting today. It has amazed me how much traffic my blog has been getting. I hope I can continue to post interesting stuff even after this 100 days is over. Maybe I should consider another 100 days to keep my momentum going.... Well, hope you can come again tomorrow!

A Painting a Day - Day 60

I started out this day with lots of ambition! Then there was a grocery store trip, dinner, kids homework, kids' activities after school and dealing with the crisis of the day. Needless to say, I ran out of day! But I began the day with this darling little cat which is a pet portrait for a new friend. So it is not for sale because it has already been purchased. I thought I would post it as my day 60 because it turned out so well. I love it! And because I ran out of time to do anymore paintings!

I am doing commissions now for pet portraits but also for illustrations and other subject matter. I will be posting more in the days to come. If you are interested in having a piece of art custom made, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com and we can discuss what you would like for me to create for you.

Thanks for stopping by to see my art. Hope you can come by again tomorrow!

A Painting a Day - Day 59

Today was  absolutely a perfect day to take my dog for a walk with my son and daughter. The sun was bright and the air was crisp. And I enjoyed the time I had to talk things over with my sweet boy while my spunky daughter took off way a head of us on her scooter. My dog would not quiet down and stop pulling on me, but she got over her pity party she was having from being cooped up at home.

This is from a sketch I did a few months ago but I thought it fit my mood for the day and the happy little dog fits it into my theme.

This was a painting I did with layers of glazes, bringing out more and more details. And if I had more time, I could have developed it even more. But as it is, I feel like it is quite charming. Especially the red barn.

This 59th painting is available for sale for $50. If you would like to purchase it, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator @gmail.com. Thanks for visiting my site today. Hope you can come by again tomorrow for a new painting.

A Painting a Day - Day 58

Today, November the 1st, is All Saints Day on the church calendar. I know in Catholic churches this is a day of obligation if it falls on a Sunday. I grew up in the Lutheran church and we also celebrated it on the Sunday following the day if it did not fall on a Sunday. It is a day to remember those who have died in the faith and those who have died because of their faith. I always thought of my grandmother on that day. Now I think of my mother too.

This is Saint Francis of Assisi. He was know for his compassion on all creatures. The Catholic Church has named him the patron saint of the environment. In one story about him, it is said he preached the Gospel to a flock of birds who quietly listened and burst into song when he called on them to praise God. I thought he made a good connection between my theme of animal pictures and today's special occasion.

My 58th painting is available for sale for $50. It is 8 x 10. If you would like to purchase it, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. Thanks for following my art through my 100 day journey. Hope you can come again tomorrow.

A Painting a Day - Day 57

Happy Halloween!

Painting 57 is my last Halloween themed picture with an owl and some happy trick or treaters.

I wish the weather had been this nice here. Instead it was rainy with a little bit of snow. So we skipped the trip around the block and stayed home handing out candy to those who where brave enough to venture out into the nasty weather.

Hope you had a happy Halloween!

This 8 x 10 painting is available for sale for $50. If you would like to purchase it please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. Thanks for following my art work! Hope you can come again tomorrow!

A Painting a Day - Day 56

Another spooky animal for day 56 of my 100 paintings in 100 days challenge.

This is a Little Brown Bat. They are native to Indiana, which is where I am. On a warm evening you can see them darting about. Little Brown Bats are not the cutest of animals but they have an awesome purpose. They eat mosquitoes. A lot of mosquitoes! Up to half their body weight. They also eat wasps and moths.

Bats have a bad reputation that is based on rumors and folk lore. This little guys looks fearsome, but he has his mouth open because he is echo-locating for his food and for his surroundings. He lets out a high pitched sound that human's can't hear but it bounces back off of objects like trees and bugs into his huge ears and he can tell with great clarity and quickness where those objects are and what they are. Amazing!

Little Brown Bats are in trouble. Many have come down with an illness called white nose syndrome. It makes it difficult for the bats to hibernate and they die of starvation. And people also kill them because they see them as a nuisance. Here in Indiana they are on the endangered species list. One way to help is to build a bat house. For more information about bats follow this link Bat Facts. For instructions on building a bat house follow this link Bat House.

This painting is 8 x 10 and available for sale for $50. If you would like to buy it please email me at lauraparkhurstillutrator@gmail.com. Thanks for following my art. Tomorrow will be another spooky animal picture for Halloween! Hope you can come by and see it.

A Painting a Day - Day 55

A scary spider for day 55! I thought this would be a fun opportunity to practice facial expressions and practice painting eyes. I love the way light gets caught and reflected in eyes. I never get tired of drawing and painting them.

I had to look through several spider pictures to choose one that would be big enough to make an impressive sight in my painting. Now if this was real life even a tiny spider could get that reaction if it was on someone's shoulder. I appreciate that spiders keep other pesky bugs down, but when I look at them they make my skin crawl. They need to stay outside and out of my house!

There was one spider that was photographed close up so you could see it's large eyes and my daughter says, "Aww, cute! Don't you think so?" Sorry kiddo. Nope. Spiders are not cute. Not cute.

This is my 55th painting and like all the rest before it, it is available for purchase to the first person to contact me at my email which is lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. It is 8 x 10 and is watercolor on Arches 100% cotton paper.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my artwork. Hope you can come by again tomorrow!

A Painting a Day - Day 54

Another Halloween themed picture! This is my 54th painting. From what I understand black is not used in traditional watercolor paintings. But I am enjoying using it in this and yesterday's paintings. I get the paper wet where I want the black to be and then drop the color into the moistened area. It spreads and makes really cool patterns, like lace or spider webs, soft and feathery.

I also wanted to create a feeling of shadow and light with the pumpkins. The shadows create a dimension to them while the bright light shining from within creates a nice contrast.

This black cat is painted on 8 x 10 Arches 100% cotton watercolor paper. It is available for sale for $50. If you would like to purchase it be the first to email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. I know decorating for Halloween has become very popular and more elaborate than it was when I was a kid when all you had was a couple of jack-o-lanterns on the front porch. This black cat would make a great addition to the ambiance of that spooky day!

Thanks for following my artwork. Hope you will come again tomorrow to see a new picture!

A Painting a Day - Day 53

For the Halloween theme I had to sit and think of what I wanted to do for today's painting. First I thought of a black cat, but it just wasn't feeling right today. A picture of a blue jay lay on my kitchen table and I recalled that blue jays are related to crows so I looked up a picture of a crow in a bird book. A page over was a picture of a raven. I had no idea they were so huge by the way and are not here in Indiana. But I then thought of the poem by Edgar Allen Poe and who better to recall at this time of year than that famous writer and poet of macabre stories and melancholic poetry.

Here is a little bit of the poem to have as reference for this illustration.

'Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,

In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—
                Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, “art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”
               Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.” '

Thanks for coming to see my art again today. This 8 x 10 illustration is available for sale for $50. If you would like to purchase it, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. The first person I hear from can buy it. Hope to see you again tomorrow.