Back Again July 2017

I just added this painting to Daily Paintworks. After studying Monet for awhile I liked what he did for his oak and I think I finally got it--using secondary colors with a dash of primaries. My oak was a dull color so I spruced it up with purple and a bit of blue and red, brightened the orange and added white to the green background. It was fun and I think I will like to try it again. This summer is all about changing it up. It gets unbearably hot in southern Florida so outside time is minimal, and it can get claustrophobic indoors so it's all about new ideas and projects. Also, this is the last painting I have done with oils, switching to fluid acrylics and brushes once again and developing a new style which I will share in future blogs.

                                          Sorry, it has been awhile since I added anything, I have been busy painting daily for DPW--DailyPaintworks.com. Visit the sight, I have 46 paintings. If my current painting is not visible on the front page all of them are rotated every hour, or if you can't wait look up Judy Usavage under authors on the left side of the site. This painting was done with my Lee Plein Air Group at Lakes Park, called "Flea Market at Lakes Park", and was given an honorable mention at Cape Coral Art League's first show just today, Oct 8, 2015, out of 71 paintings. It was a fun evening. Tomorrow we paint again at Lakes Park. So glad that the days are about five degrees cooler--that's alot in South Florida!

                                           Paint out was an hour's drive, it was raining, I forgot my tube of white, only a small dab on my palette, I lost part of my gear, this view was quite a distance, BUT…just as I decided to paint from my car the rain stopped, this red shouldered hawk came and posed for me on the post, right next to the rr track.  Just when I was ready to sign it--the painting, not the hawk--  the rain began again and the hawk flew away. A very blessing moment. And my artist mentor who tells all of us not to use green said it was a winner. I agree. I call it, "A View from on High."

An updated acrylic painting of the semi arid area behind where we lived in Frazier Park, California. I loved that reddish tint on the dried brush. It permeated the atmosphere when the sun was going down. I would ride my horse during that time soaking in the beauty of the moment as everything took on that reddish glow. Of course, I also remember how the shadows grew longer and my horse would spook at  a plant, do a sudden side step, and me, relaxed in the saddle, suddenly was bounced to the ground.  9x12", put in a charcoal frame, $110.

I would also like to announce that I am showing on Daily Paintworks.com since last week, the 28th of August, I believe, and try to put a painting a day so my gallery will pop up on the front page. Not all of the paintings shown here are on there--some will be included, but larger ones will not since shipping would be so expensive. Anyway, it was my summer goal to get up and running on that site, which hopefully will benefit many viewers, also many buyers and keep me motivated to paint in my studio and plein air. On Thursday nights I start thinking why I shouldn't go, painting outside especially because of the hot, humid weather, but I have made myself just go and find once I'm there, I have so much fun and the time flies. Til next time.

"Swaying in the Summer Breeze", landscape, oil on gessoboard, 11x14,  Price $110.00, . Probably could envision a few birds, frogs and turtles visiting this place.

A portrait,  mixed media piece on gesso board, 6x6, Price $50.00, called "I't's All About the Hair." Something a little different for me and just fun to do. I already have another damsel in mind--lot's of crazy fun. 

Ah, this one that I just finished. I did the whole basic design same day as the palmetto painting, and then hours trying to get that little guy. But I am pleased with the result. Can you find the ghost orchid?
8x10, oil, $90 "Finding the Ever Illusive Ghost Orchid"