Whatever Floats Your Boat

Whatever Floats Your Boat

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Panel

#30 Painting in 30-30 Challenge:  Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta

$200

This little painting came about as I was looking through photos of our trip to Maine last September.  John and I were driving along the coast and came across a small fishing village, and we were standing on a pier looking back at the shore.  I cropped my photograph way down to focus in our these three boats:  a dinghy, rowboat and a canoe.  They were clustered up close to the Irish Lady (painted that one yesterday) and I liked the way they were sitting in the water.  I haven't painted very many boats---I may want to do some more.  Now that our 30 day challenge is over with, I won't stop painting everyday.  I will probably go back to larger canvases, wide brushes and palette knives.  Thanks for looking at this blog and the art here.  I have met some neat artists along this 30 day challenge, and that has been fun.  kay@kwyne.com......Thanks, KMW 

The Irish Lady

The Irish Lady

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

Palette Knife Painting

Here is #29 entry for the 30 Day Paint Challenge....
only one more to go!!!

You can visit Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta blog to see all the entries.

The Irish Lady was washed up on the shore off the coast of Maine-

it was a perfect chance for me to take some photos.  

I eliminated the men working on the boat, simplifying my painting.
Because the paint is so thick and juicy, I did not put any lettering
on the sideof The Irish Lady.  I did not want to get fussy with it.

I also took out another boat that was beached up with it.

My biggest challenge on this painting was green, 

as I did not want to get it all over

the panel, and into the white. I think I got burnt-out on roosters, 

as I am working on another boat/seascape painting for tomorrow.

Thanks for viewing...kay@kwyne.com

KMW

Missed The Boat

Missed The Boat

12" x 12" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

Palette Knife Painting Seascape Painting

#28 for the 30-30 Challenge

I got into the studio yesterday and pulled out a 12" x 12" panel and a couple of palette knives to paint this dingy.  I found this dinghy washed up on the shore in Maine last fall, and thought it had so much character...it was aged with rust and I loved the rocks in the water.  Only two more days of painting for the Painting Challenge....you might want to visit Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta blog to see all of the paintings.  Thanks for looking at this blog....I will be in the studio working on #29 today!
kay@kwyne.com
KMW

The Double Dipper

The Double Dipper

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

This is #27 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge....and was one of the paintings that I worked on during the demonstration at Dutch Art Gallery on Saturday.  I guess you could say I was double-dipping, I painted this one painting and used it for two separate projects.  Therefore, the name of The Double Dipper.  I need to give credit to Gail Kirkham for the rooster photograph that she took....I believe she was in the Hill Country and snapped a great photo of this rooster.  I have used that photograph several times, as he has great colors and shape.  If you go to Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta to see all of the art you will be amazed that so many artists are cranking out the paintings.  It is a good challenge to get 2013 going!!!  Thanks for looking at the art here.....Kay@kwyne.com.  KMW

Untitled Horse

Untitled Horse

This is a 8" x 16" RayMar Cotton Panel that I pulled out of my stash at the studio.  No color, just greys and raw umber.  I don't know what inspired me to paint this, but obviously I wasn't having a bright, colorful, cheery day.  This is my post #26 for the 30 Day Challenge.

This is a photo from yesterday's demo at The Dutch Art Gallery.....I had so much paint on this 24" x 24" canvas that I needed to stop and let it sit.  I don't know what I am doing with the background.

Here is another rooster that I was painting (small cad yellow panel) on yesterday.  Thanks to everyone who came out and visited with me.  Including Hamilton.....

Hamilton

A Day To Remember

A Day To Remember

12" x 16" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

NSF - Commission

This painting is completed!  It was a commission, and I had a great time painting it.  The rocks were all done with the palette knife (my favorite part of the painting).  I started with a red-toned canvas, as the white surface was just too stark.  The reference photograph was somewhat different than how the painting turned out.  The sky and water were painted in with a bright brush, and although I did not want to get detailed with the fence and lighthouse, I had to be somewhat accurate on the proportions.  I want the viewer to know that the waves are strong and powerful.....bashing up against the rocks.  This is my post for the 25th day of the 30-30 Challenge.  I am off to paint today at The Dutch Art Gallery....stop by if you are in the neighborhood.  Kay

The Buster Boy

The Buster Boy

10" x 12" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

#24 in the 30-30 Challenge:

  visit Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta blog.

This rooster has attitude and is a real Buster.  He sticks his chest out and prances around proudly.  I enjoyed painting on this 10" x 12" panel, as I feel very restricted and cramped on the small 8"x 8" panels that I have been using most of the time for this challenge.   I actually started another painting yesterday.....something other than a rooster or hen....a horse!  I don't have a reference photo for the horse....he just came to me when I was playing around at the easel.  There are five paintings left to go in the challenge, and I do have a commission that is completed to post for #30.  So really I have four more paintings to go.....Yahoo!  This has been a good challenge, and I doubt that I will stop painting on a daily basis since it is a habit at this point.  Thanks for viewing.....Kay@kwyne.com.  KMW

The Big Boss

The Big Boss

12" x 10" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

#23 in the Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta 30 -30 Challenge

The Big Boss is a cousin to The Big Blue Boy, and they look very similar.  Big Boss carries more weight around the coop, but has the same coloring as his cousins.  I enjoyed painting him yesterday and  hope you enjoy looking at him.  To all the artists participating in the challenge, keep on painting!  ONLY SIX DAYS LEFT!  KMW

The Quiet One

The Quiet One

8"x 8" Oil on RayMar Panel

This is #22 in the 30 Day Challenge

I hope to get ahead of the game today, as I have a good start on #23 and #24.  Saturday I will be doing a painting demonstration at the Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas....here is a little blurb that is appearing in the Dallas Morning News today.  Gallery owner Pam Massar asked me to paint a rooster or two since they seem to be pretty popular.  

If you are in the Dallas area Saturday, please stop in the gallery.  I always enjoy visiting while painting.  I will have about 25 new painted roosters visiting the gallery!  Thanks for viewing this blog...check back into tomorrow for another painting....Kay@kwyne.com.  KMW

The Confetti Chickie

The Confetti Chickie

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Panel

Painting #21 in the 30 Day Challenge

Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta

This Chick is at a hen party and confetti is falling all around her.  She isn't sure what to do.  I got into some new tubes of portland greys for this painting....and stayed away from making MUD.  I got some new brushes yesterday, so I can't wait to start using them.  I don't have any plans for the next 9 paintings...I do have a painting demonstration on Saturday, so I hope to play get ahead of the game on that day.  Thanks for viewing this blog and the art here.  If you are a artist participating in the 30 Day Challenge, keep on track!  Thanks.  kay@kwyne.com   KMW

The Sky Is Falling

The Sky Is Falling

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

Contemporary Rooster Painting

$100

This little guy is worried that the sky is falling.  I was able to get into the studio yesterday and finish this rooster.  I wanted to keep the colors clean, staying away from the dreaded MUD.  20 down, 10 to go...he is my #20 painting in the 30-30 Challenge on Leslie Saeta's blog:  Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta. 

Thanks for looking at my roosters.....Kay at kay@kwyne.com.   KMW

The Twist

The Twist

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

#19 Painting for the 30-30 Challenge

This rooster is twisting and turning to look at something...I thought I was finished, but now that I look at it on the computer, I may need to add a few more strokes.  I lost my favorite brush when I was painting this rooster, and I don't know what happened to it...I hope it shows up today at the studio.  #8 Monarch Bright.  Thanks for viewing, I have a couple of paintings started and hope to work on them today.  Thanks for looking at my art on this blog.  Kay at kay@kwyne.com.  KMW

The One On The Fence

The One On The Fence

20" x 20" Oil on Canvas

Painting #18 for the 30-30 Challenge

This is my #18 entry in the 30-30 Challenge Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta.  I have now blown my two-painting lead for the challenge, as I dinked around in the studio all day yesterday.  I obviously work better under pressure.  I have to hit the studio very early this morning and get some painting in before this afternoon.  On this painting I was experimenting with a new roll of canvas, taped it up on a board and started painting.  I bought light weight canvas, and I am not happy with the texture or tooth on the canvas.  Anyway, I tried to get out of a muddy mess, and although I am not happy with this painting, I did learn several things with it.  I hope that today is a good day and my easel is kind to me....Thanks   for viewing this blog....kay@kwyne.com.  KMW

The Big Blue Boy

The Big Blue Boy

Oil on 12" x 12" RayMar Cotton Panel

Contemporary Rooster Painting

Day #17 in the 30-30 Challenge

This rooster is painted on a 12" x 12" RayMar Cotton Panel.  He is scampering across the field.  I took a detour from painting yesterday...I was at the studio all day long, but started looking for one particular reference photo, and got into my messy drawers and started cleaning and throwing out----something that I have been doing this month on the homefront.  I tossed all kinds of things....and after about 6 hours of combing through six drawers, I certainly wasn't in the mood to paint. Good thing I was a painting ahead on the challenge.  To view all of the paintings on the challenge, go to Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta.  Thanks for looking at this blog and the art here....Kay at kay@kwyne.com

The Balancing Act

The Balancing Act

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

Day #16 of the 30-30 Challenge:
  visit Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta blog.

This little hen is doing a balancing act on a fence.  My goal for this painting was to keep it clean and make every stroke count and to pay attention to my values.  I did not want any mud.  I used Gamblin Portland Greys.....they are really nice.  I didn't allow myself to go back into the painting and get fussy with my brushwork.  Yesterday was not the best day in the studio....I completed a 20" x 20" painting, but I was not happy with it, so I took off and went shopping for a change of pace.  Thanks for looking at this blog and the art here.....Kay at kay@kwyne.com.

The Night Owl Roosts

The Night Owl Roosts

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Panel

Contemporary Palette Knife Painting

This is rooster #15 for the 30-30 Challenge.  Go to on the Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta to see all of the art posted.  I went for a primitive look on this guy.  I can't say it is my favorite rooster that I have painted so far, but he was fun to do.  I am working on two larger canvases that are unstretched....and I am not liking the weight of the canvas that I purchased.  I prefer the heavy duty weight with a large tooth for texture.  Anyway, I will be working in the studio today.  Thanks for viewing....Kay

The King of the Coop

The King of the Coop

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Panel

Contemporary Palette Knife Painting

Day #14 of the 30-30 Painting Challenge has come and gone....and this little painting is my entry for the two week mark.  I really had fun with this guy.  I used my #24 knife for most of the painting, and had some impasto in the paints for body.  I wanted to tone it down and used three colors and white.  I got on a roll yesterday, and worked on two other roosters, and finished a commission that had been hanging over my head for a month.  So today will be like a free play-day in the studio!  I am two painting ahead on the challenge, so I may start a large painting.  To all the painters out there, keep on painting!  If you would like to see the art submitted for this challenge, go to Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta.  Thanks for viewing....Kay

The Odd Couple

The Odd Couple

Contemporary Oil Painting

8" x 8" RayMar Cotton Panel

Day #13 of the 30 -30 Challenge....to see it all go to this blog:  Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta. This little palette knife painting was fun to do, and I tried to keep them simple.  They are having a good look at each other --- no words needed, just a look.  This little piece is available for sale.  Contact Kay at kay@kwyne.com for more information.  Thanks so much for looking at this blog.  Have a great Monday.  KMW  p.s.  if you are participating in the 30 - 30 Painting Challenge, keep on painting!

The Little Hen

The Little One

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

This is painting #12 for the 30-30 Challenge...be sure to go to Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta to see all of the art.  I had a great day yesterday....I shipped one painting off, sold one at Dutch Art Gallery, gave one painting away to a young family friend, and painted in the studio.  I love it when my paintings are on the move!  This is one little chickie that I painted with a limited palette.....only three colors as seen in the photo below.

I discovered some wonderful greys....and a wide range of reds with this little painting.  I used the palette knife and added some impasto for body.  Thanks for looking at this blog and the art posted here.  I have to work on #13 today...we are almost to the half-way point in the challenge and I am looking forward to getting over that hump!  Happy Painting....KMW

The One On The Run

The One On The Run

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

Contemporary Palette Knife Painting

Yesterday I stuck with the rooster theme, but changed it up as I only put out three colors on my palette. Ivory Black, Napthol Red, and Titanium White....I thought it would be hard, but it was fun and easy.  I learned that if you drop a really small palette knife just the wrong way, it will destroy the tip.  I would normally just throw it away, but I was able to use it backwards, as it was bent way out of shape. This rooster is in action, running from something....maybe the 30 day challenge!!!  ha.  It is fun checking out all of the painting on the Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta blog.  Thanks for looking.  KMW

The Ruler of the Roost

The Ruler of the Roost

30" x 30" Oil on Linen

Contemporary Oil Painting

Painting #10 for the 30-30 Challenge

After painting days of small canvas panels, I switched it up big time.  I had an oil primed piece of linen that measured 50" x 50" so I taped it to a big board, put it on my easel and got my big brushes out.  I had so much fun with this painting!  When I started, I knew I wanted to be expressive and use some vivid colors.  I really didn't have a game plan other than to paint big, bold strokes.  I was very careful to lay in the darks and the shadows, and to get his eyes and beak right, but after that I let my imagination go on the colors and the looseness of the feathers.  There is variety in my strokes, and I did not realize until I cleaned up that I had used about fifteen different brushes because I didn't want my oils to get muddy. I didn't hesitate to pick up a clean brush to avoid muddy oils.

I did not use a palette knife on this painting other than to use it for mixing colors.  Here in this close-up you can see that the paints are thick and juicy.  I used very little medium, so it will take a while for this one to dry.  I had wanted to try the cutting/taping of linen and painting on unstretched linen for a while....It was different.  I felt like I didn't have any boundaries...which could be a good thing.  I wasn't use to marking off my edges.  I guess the advantage to painting on flat pieces of linen or canvas is that I have the option of trimming it down/cropping when it comes down to stretching and framing. It also gives the artist the option of avoiding the standard size canvas.  So this is my entry for Day 10 on the 30-30 Challenge...be sure to go to Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta to see all of the art posted.  I don't have any ideas for my painting today....I sure would like to get ahead of the game, but I am staying on track. Thanks for viewing....have an artful day.  kay@kwyne.com  KMW

The Shy One

The Shy One

Contemporary Oil Painting

8" x 8" on RayMar Cotton Panel

This rooster is the entry for day 9 on the 30-30 Challenge...be sure to go to Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta to see all of the art posted.  Yesterday in the studio was wonderful.  I had started this painting, and decided that I would treat myself to a large canvas when I completed this painting.  So I got my brights out and worked on this painting....clean lines, and not a lot of detail.  This rooster is a shy one, usually quiet and avoids confrontation.  Needing to change things up after day 9, the painting I am currently working on is different is many ways...so I can't wait to get back into the studio and put in a full day of painting.  Thanks for viewing..kay@kwyne.com.  Happy Painting!  KMW

The Gabber

The Gabber

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

The Gabber was painted yesterday with much frustration.  I painted the rooster in, using the palette knife then could not decide on a background.  I had started with a pink background, then moved to green, which created mud, then wiped the whole panel, started over again.  Then went to a blue background, scraped it but kept the rooster on the panel.  The whole process was annoying and I was wondering why I was even in the studio.  I felt like I was being strangled and was choking on the 8" x 8" panel.....so today I will change it up and paint on a large canvas.  I am looking forward to that.  The Gabber is one of those roosters that talks non-stop and thinks he knows it all.  He will take a long time to dry since I was very generous with my paint.  Thanks for viewing this blog....be sure to go to Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta to view all the wonderful art posted for the 30 Day Challenge.  If you are participating in the challenge, I encourage you to paint on.  Feel free to contact me on this painting at kay@kwyne.com.....thanks, KMW

The Determined One

The Determined One

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

Contemporary Rooster
$250

#7 of the 30-30 Challenge

Here we go with another rooster....I really hadn't planned on painting roosters for this challenge, but I can't help it!  This guy is very intense and has a one-track mind.  He doesn't care what is going on around him with a "look"that only a confident and goal-oriented rooster would have.  I put the fun turquoise background in, and thought that the black confetti would distract him, but it didn't.  This rooster was originally from the State Fair of Texas and my inspiration was a photograph that I had taken several years ago in one of the Ag barns.   Thanks for viewing this blog....be sure to go to Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta to view all the wonderful art posted for the 30 Day Challenge.  Feel free to contact me on this painting at kay@kwyne.com.....thanks, KMW

The Thinker

The Thinker

Contemporary Oil Painting

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Panel
$250

This little painting went thru some changes...I started with a cad yellow panel.  Once I painted the rooster in, I thought this sitting rooster was taking himself too seriously, so I changed the background into something fun and whimsical for some contrast.  I deliberately put some fun colors of turqoise and orange bouncing around on this painting for the #6 30-30 Challenge.  You can tell that I used my brights and didn't get fussy with my brushstrokes.  The Thinker was fun to paint....and he is for sale if you are interested.  Check out all of the entries for the 30-30 Challenge Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta.  I I will be back in the studio today to paint #7....Thanks for viewing this blog....kay@kwyne.com.  KMW

The Strut

The Strut

8" x 8" Oil on Cotton RayMar Panel

$250

This little painting was inspired by a photograph taken by Gail Kirkham....I am not sure, but I believe it was taken in the Texas Hill Country.  I started with a toned panel in a cad yellow and I did that several weeks ago to be sure that it was dry.  I wanted to paint it in one sitting and that was hard because I tend to use alot of paint, and I did not want to create MUD.  So I made every stroke count, not going back into the paint once I laid it in there with my bright brushes....I think I used two brushes on this painting.  A #8 and #10 Monarch Bright, the #10 being my favorite brush of all for small paintings.  I got the strut  and move of this guy, then put the background in.  Of course I was nervous about the green, and did not want to get a muddy green.  So the key to this painting was to put a stroke down, clean my brush and make another one.  This is my #5 entry in the 30-30 Challenge Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta.  Thanks for viewing this blog....kay@kwyne.com.  KMW

The Turn

The Turn

18" x 18" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

I painted this chicken from a photograph I had found in my stash of roosters, chickens and hens.  I spent several days painting this one....I wanted to paint all of my 30 Day Challenge paintings on small canvases, but needed to change it up only after day one.  Since I didn't pick a theme, size or limit myself on my rules for the  Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta painting challenge, I pulled out a 18" x 18" canvas and some wide brushes.  I enjoyed painting this one, although I didn't get real loose with my brush strokes.  This is painting #4, and I can say already that I will surprise myself if I can keep up the pace at the studio with everything else going on.  I hope all of my fellow artists are enjoying this challenge.  Four down, twenty-six to go.  Thanks for looking at this blog....Kay at kay@kwyne.com.

The Frown

The Frown

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

Contemporary Palette Knife Painting

$250

Here is #3 in the 30 Day Challenge...here is the link to it:

Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta

This rooster's profile shows off his beak and appears to be frowning.

Maybe he didn't want to be painting #3.

The paint is very thick, layered on with my trusty #24 knife.

Thanks for looking....kay@kwyne.com

KMW

The Stare

The Stare

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

$250

This little rooster is painted from some photos that I had from the Dallas Chicken Coop Tour several years ago.  This is painting #2 for the Leslie Saeta 30 Day Challenge.  I am really having to manage my time well to get these little daily paintings in!  I was up early today at the studio, putting finishing touches on this guy.  Of course you don't see the FIVE wipers that I had before this painting. If you would like to join the challenge or follow the artists, just go to Leslie's blog:

Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta

Thanks for looking - Kay

kay@kwyne.com

The Evil Look

The Evil Look

Here is a quick revision to my blog!

O.K. here is my post for day one of the challenge.....I ran to the studio quickly painted this little 8" x 6" RayMar Panel so that I won't be behind.  There, completely caught up on the challenge!

Thanks for looking....Kay

Quatro!

30" x 30" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contemporary Rooster Painting

I thought I would post my first painting for the Leslie Saeta 30 day challenge, but I don't have my painting ready.....I will be the end of the day.  Not a good way to start the new year out, but I got side-tracked yesterday and did not paint.  If you would like to join the challenge or follow the artists, just go to Leslie's blog:

Slices of Life by Leslie Saeta
Thanks for looking - Kay

Sitting on my easel.....Happy New Year

On my easel...

This small painting is sitting on my easel with along with five other paintings....all are in different stages, all need some time and attention.  I hope to get in the studio today and get at least one of the paintings finished.  I am also wanting to start a 30 day painting challenge tomorrow, so I need to get organized for that.  If you would like to join in on this challenge, go to Leslie Saeta's blog and sign up.  I still haven't decided what my theme is going to be for my paintings...I have all day to think about it.  I also need to get ready to go back to the commission that Sharon and I are collaborating on.  We have had a break from that big project during the holidays.  So, with 2013 here, I have plans for a creative, productive and fun year.  I hope that you all have a happy and healthy 2013!  Happy New Year to everyone, and thanks for looking at this blog.  KMW