Boo Hoo - Windows To The Words #12 - For the Birds

Eastern Bluebird
acrylic on 6" by 8" canvas board

Missed again, but still wanted to paint for James. This was the Windows To The Words challenge for March, but I just didn't get it done.

Windows To The Words #11 - Matched Pairs

Matched Pairs - Red Hair
Windows To The Words Challenge #12 - Matched Pairs
acrylic on 9" by 12" Claybord

I am sometimes a lion

Babar Sher Grande

acrylic on 11" by 14" Claybord

This is a larger version of Babar Sher, Urdu for Lion posted on May 20, 2009. I am attempting 4 variations of that painting as an exercise. This is the first completed one. I hope to finish the 2nd one tonight.

This painting has renewed my appreciation for Claybord. Claybord needs to be painted with thin washes of color layered upon layer. I usually paint with straight heavy body acrylics and apply them anywhere from thin to fairly thick. So, I got to practice using washes. I used 3 washes on the background. The first two were Soft-Body Pithlo Blue RS mixed with equal parts of blue interference and iridescent gel. The third coat was Soft-Body Iridescent Rich Gold mixed with equal parts of gold interference and iridescent gel. I love the result!

When the lion was almost complete, I decided it was too green, so covered most of the face with gold interference. That did it!

The one excellent thing that can be learned from a lion is that whatever a man intends doing should be done by him with a whole-hearted and strenuous effort.
Chanakya

The quote, if you are reading this, is mostly for my new friend James Parker. I take my painting very seriously. Nothing will stop me, as I do it for myself. If someone likes it, that is a gift for me! This will spill over to all other aspects of my life as I continue to grow.

I am alright! Thank you for caring!
Goodnight!

Windows To The Words - June Challenge

Old Willie in Dreds

acrylic on 5" by 7" canvas board

available $35 including shipping

email me for PayPal invoice

This is my entry to James Parker's challenge Windows To The Words for June, "Old folks...Love Them Wrinkles". I wrote about Mr. Parker and this challenge on May 22, Art Challenges.

I still think his concept is the most original challenge I've found because it encompasses a combination of writing, photography and art. In his post today, he says:

"I have started Windows to the Words, and after 4 months, the challenge has had moderate success. I'll keep it up, because it is a good thing. The artwork I have received has been marvelous...and if I get just one person who contributes and enjoys doing...then that's fine."

I can only hope he develops a following and soon. Mr. Parker is a gifted artist, educator, challenge host and unique personality. I think he deserves recognition for caring about and interacting with other artists. It takes a big man to open himself to others while, at the same time, running his own business.

So now Mr. Parker, I only have a 3 things to say about my submission:
1. My name is Beckie Saar Leone
2. the URL you associated with my name goes to "Not Found, Error 404"
3. the name of my painting is "Old Willie in Dreds" not "The Second Verse of My Song"

Well now, I feel better already!
Goodnight Mr. Parker

UPDATE: Thank you Mr. Parker, for making the corrections to my entry as soon as I notified you there were errors. I know it wasn't important to anyone but me, but I do appreciate it!

Art Challenges

Am I alone, or do ya’ll love the idea of the art challenges as much I do? I’m only beginning to find a few and want anyone knowing of challenges I don’t have listed on my sidebar to please leave a comment with information. I don’t care if it is open to the public or not. The way I figure it, I can at least challenge myself and that is, after all, what a challenge is all about.

I haven’t joined them all, far from it, but the challenge still intrigues me. I have just located two more new to me.

The first challenge I found is sponsored by James Parker. I love this one. It is a combination of photography, painting and essays. Here’s how it works:

PHOTOGRAPHY
On the First of each month I will post ONE (1) subject (children, cats, dogs, etc). Take a great photo of that subject and submit it. I'll post those photos on Windows to the Words PHOTO. From those photos, I will select 3 for the following month's subject for ARTWORK and WRITING.

ARTWORK
On the First of each month I will post THREE (3) photos of the subject matter for the month (children, dogs, cats, fish, buildings, etc.) Choose a photo and do a painting, drawing, or other artwork from it. Submit it and I'll post it. Your artwork will be posted on Windows to the Words ART.

WRITING
The subject of the Writing category is the same as the Artwork subject of the month. If you have a little poem, or anecdote, or reflection on the subject you want to share....submit it. Only, please keep it short and, hopefully, meaningful. I retain the prerogative to delete or incur wrath, but I won't rewrite anything.Submissions will be posted on Windows to the Words Writing.

The second challenge I found is sponsored by David Lobenberg and Milind Mulick. Here are the details.

Brilliant artist Milind Mulick in far off India and I in the golden state of California are proposing a self portrait paint-off. "Paint-off" is somewhat of a challenging and intimidating word. Lets call it a Global self portrait love-in. No matter what your level of artistic ability or what medium you enjoy working in, this is an invitation to do a self portrait to be sent to my blog by the end of June at which time we can show off our efforts. Hey...it's going to be rollicking good fun!...and...what better way to discover yourself visually than doing a self portrait.You are invited!

Delicious!