Day #1

5 x 7 oil on gallery wrapped canvas

 On my recent trip to Italy I was fortunate to see some wonderful vintage boats in the harbors and in the artwork of masters.  This is #1 of (hopefully)  30 works I will start painting this month.

 I am excited to be on this journey with artists from around the world.. I am a little late getting started, but as Leslie says there are no rules as long as we are painting!  If you are interested in purchasing any of the posts from this challenge, they will each be $95, plus $10 shipping.  Please  email your request to me at bkc681@charter.net.

 I will be painting daily along with hundreds of talented artists.  You may check out Leslie Saeta's website, if you'd like to know more about this challenge: http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/

As a rule, I am a deliberate painter.  I paint in layers letting the canvas dry in between sessions.  For this challenge, I will need to finish the painting in one sitting.  So I will be forced to paint more intuitively, having less time for details.  I also want to try some new techniques such as pointillism and painting with a palette knife.

My husband photographs and helps name my paintings.  However, I have never asked him to name 30 paintings before!    Please help us name these small works by entering your suggestions in the comment box below.

First Home

I enjoyed painting some commissions at Christmas time this year.  A  young friend commissioned this piece to give to her husband.  They have fond memories of happy times in their first home in Auburn.

I have been thinking about doing a painting a day for some time now.  The idea is to paint small on 5 x 7 panels, targeting specific skills upon which the artist wants to improve.  I have decided to accept Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 challenge for the month of January.  I will be painting and posting, offering some of these pieces for sale.  Others I may use as inspiration for larger pieces.  I hope you will follow my journey.  Perhaps you can help me name them!

Thank you for your interest shown in my work by following my blog.  I appreciate your friendship and encouragement more than you know. I wish you happiness and health in the new year!

Vintage Year

This classic still life offers variety in textures, light and shadow, and color with its compliments of orange and blue.  I liked the reflection of light through the glass bottle onto the linen cloth.

It is available at Vignettes on Magnolia in Auburn.  Please join us for a wine and cheese reception honoring their artists on Friday, December 5 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

San Gimignano

I was drawn to the beautiful stonework in the header and arch above this Italian window garden in San Gimignano, Italy.  It is a beautiful walled hill town in the province of Siena in Tuscany.  It is famous for its medieval architecture.

This is one of my paintings in the Small Works Show at Stonehenge Gallery in Montgomery.  The exhibit opens on December 4 with a wine and cheese reception from 5:30 to 8:30.  It features paintings from the gallery artists just in time for Christmas gifting.  Please visit the gallery and see our work.

Ella Gaines

This was a commissioned piece for a friend.  She has a beautiful granddaughter!

AUMC Founders Chapel

 

Auburn United Methodist Church has been a special part of my life:  a sacred place to worship and celebrate life's blessings.  This painting is available at The Flower Store in Auburn.

Hydrangeas and Oranges

This painting will be for sale at our guild art show Thursday night.  I like the variation of texture in this still life with the window, glass tiles, granite countertop, painted wooden cabinet, burlap, wire, baskets, flowers and fruit.  So many surfaces to consider...

I hope you can come and see a this exciting collection of art from a group of very talented painters.

Art Guild Show

Please come to our show Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. at Greystone Mansion, 434 E. Magnolia Avenue in Auburn, Alabama.  We are a group of artists who paint our individual pieces, as Ron teaches and critiques our work. I hope you can join us for this annual wine and cheese party that showcases our work.

Lake Living

This is the view from our pier that never fails to inspire.  I am about to be settled in my new studio at home on the lake.  Lake Martin is indeed a "Treasured Alabama Lake", as designated by Governor Riley in 2010.

Our annual fall show of the Ronald Bayens Art Guild  is coming up Thursday night in Auburn.  We will be busy next week hanging our art at Greystone Mansion.  I will post the invitation soon and hope that you will be able to join us.

Art Colony

I have just returned "home" to the lake after painting this week with wonderful artists and friends from across the Southeast at the Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony at Children's Harbor on Lake Martin.  Dawn Whitelaw was one of our artists in residence.  She is incredibly talented and worked tirelessly to teach and inspire us.  Many thanks to all of the workers and volunteers who took care of us so that we could focus on our art.

This is one of four paintings underway from my time studying there. It is based on a photo I took at the harbor on the Isle of Capri on my trip to Italy last spring.  I will be posting the others as I finish them up.

Lake House

This painting was done for dear friends.  They have had many happy memories with family and friends through the years at their lake home on Lake Martin.  They have an incredible view of the sunset each afternoon.

This was a new experience for me to paint on burlap.  I applied many coats of Gesso to prepare the surface.  It has a wonderful texture and hopefully lends itself to the lake scene.  My husband took photos for me one afternoon from our gently rocking pontoon boat.  Not the best setup for capturing an image!

Bo

This is a commissioned painting of a dog named Bo.  He loves the lake and his tennis ball!  

It is a graduation gift for a favorite niece from an aunt who is very proud of her accomplishments.

California Dreamin'

This Granddad was on a special outing with his granddaughters on a California beach.  

I can understand why California Impressionists loved to capture the effects of sunlight on water and sand.

Daffodil

Daffodils are one of my favorite flowers.  This painting is available at The Montgomery Museum of Fine Art Shop.  Hope you will enjoy!

Almost There

Families with children of all ages are fascinated by visits to the beach.  I am fortunate to have memories of special trips with our children and grandchildren.