Warming Up!

Today was a cold dreary day but I manage to brighten it up by painting all day. Painting is such a relaxing activity for me, that I let the day get away from me! I'm painting on a western boot and it's coming around. I will post it at a later time.
Mixing colors are still a challenge for me so if you have any suggestions that would help me; I am certainly open.

Just Saying!

Just a note about myself....I'm a beginner as far as painting in oils is concerned. I am a senior citizen and retired; so I decided it was time to jump into something new. I took a couple of painting lessons and really didn't think I could learn. My instructor could see things that I couldn't or couldn't relate to, very frustrating to say the least. Then one day  I got my paints out and started a project all on my own and I haven't stopped since. I'm pumped up and have already finished a few paintings. Each one seems to improve and I'm not putting any pressure on myself. I'm reading everything I can regarding  technique, shading and values. I have a good friend that has been guiding and mentoring me. (very grateful!) If you have any advise for me or any websites that might help, it would be greatly appreciated.

Where Do I Begin?

Today was a day of getting organized and getting my paints and brushes ready for a good start. I was really anxious to start  a new project, so after really looking at all the different choices I had I decided to work on a western boot ( a ladies boot). I'm not sure how far I will get today but I will share the outcome on a later post.  It's really been a beautiful day, enjoying the sunshine and painting! I'll check back in later.

I Would Like To Introduce Myself

My name is Phyllis,    I started drawing when I was very young. If I had a pencil and paper I would find something to draw. Then I started getting paint by number pictures for Christmas. I loved painting those!!! Even back then when I painted I blended the edges of the colors so they would look more realistic. When I entered Jr High - it was art classes for me. That was my favorite class. My mother and older sister then insisted that I drop art and take home economics. I was not a happy girl about that one.  I still did some art but not much. Many years later I started a tole painting class. It was OK, but I wanted to paint animals and people. My first lesson was a landscape, everyone in the class had to paint the same picture. It was so BORING. I still wanted to paint  animals and people.  I finally found a teacher who painted realistic and  I was so excited! I FELL IN LOVE WITH OIL PAINTING. We attended art shows and I won several blue ribbons, and of course some red and white ones too. I even got a  First Place and Best of Show in the amateur division, with a portrait of my  husband's uncle.  I started out with western art but after a hunting trip to Africa I have fallen in love with the African animals. They are so beautiful. I will be adding some of those to my collection.

I have explored watercolors and graphite drawings as well, but my true love is the oils. I haven't painted in 16 years. So I am ready again to pick up my paint brush and explore my love of oil painting again. COME  JOIN  ME !!!! Here we can discuss any questions or problems we are having and surely someone will have an idea on how to correct your problem or answer your question. Of course it doesn't have to be a question or problem. We can talk about how much we love painting!!! Where the art shows are. Where we can sell our paintings. You name it !!! Let's just have some fun!