"Manhattan Night" ---#29 -Sold

8"x6"x1.5" mixed media on canvas

Oh my goodness, what happened to Wednesday! May have been that "Manhattan Night". Just kidding, I had a pretty busy day yesterday and this painting was not ready to post. Some things take time.  : )

This little guy is not quite the 4 foot by 2 foot painting. It is the warm up for the larger painting. This little 8 inch by 6 inch gave me a chance to experiment with some of the techniques and materials that I want to use with the larger painting. Maybe February will be "Big Painting Month".

I have one more spot left on the sheet of paper of martini paintings. I have the last one started and I will photograph the full page of 8 before I individualize them (tear them apart).

More later!

-JanettMarie

"Martha's Tip Top Lemontini" ---#28 -Sold

4"x2" mixed media on canvas

This is the last tall itty bitty canvas that I have, so it's time to make 'em large. Paintings that is.

Martha had a Lemontini a couple weeks ago at the Tip Top Tavern, I have a photo of the martini. It doesn't look exactly like this, but I did use the photo for inspiration. Does that count?

Today I started working on a couple larger paintings. I hope to share one of those with you tomorrow.

Two more days to make thirty!

-JanettMarie

"Lefty" ---#27 -Sold

4"x2" mixed media on canvas

"Lefty", yes another martini. Anyone sick of these martini's yet?  This is a small 4 inch by 2 inch canvas. Today, I started on a 4 foot by 2 foot canvas. I hope to have it finished to be part of this 30 paintings in 30 days series. Three more days, I think I'll be able to have it finished.

The mixed media on this itty bitty is, yes, more glitter and some pearlized pigment. I got the pigment some time ago out of curiosity, so I've just started experimenting with it. I'll keep you posted!

Have a good night.
-JanettMarie

"Totally Cool" ---#26

7"x5" mixed media on paper

A crazy "Totally Cool" martini for a Sunday night. Yes, this is number 26 of the thirty paintings for January. I'm starting to wonder what February should bring. Hmm....

Have a good week. I hope to make another painting tomorrow!

-JanettMarie

"Life is Good" ---#25

16"x20" acrylic on canvas

I painted this with a group for a private event for Wine & Canvas Friday night. Lovely group, we were staying positive for the night. Guess what, everyone was happy!

Just look at all the artistic licenses being used!

Talk with you on Sunday.    : )

-JanettMarie

"Standing Guard" ---#24

11"x14" acrylic on canvas

This little canvas is a Cookies & Canvas painting that I painted with the young painters today. It is titled "Standing Guard". Below are a few of the painters with their paintings.

Avin showed me a photo of his three or was it four kittens he has at home. This is the grey kitty he has.

This is Ethan. Great painting. See how he scratched his name into the paint? I teach the painter two ways to sign their paintings. I love seeing that some sign their name with the handle of their paint brush.

A nice group photo of the master pieces.

Nice group today. I am so proud of my little artists.

Have a great weekend!

-JanettMarie

"River Moon" ---#23

16"x20" mixed media on canvas

This painting has a bit of glitter in it, so... it is mixed media.

Tired....

-JanettMarie

"Perfect Little Manhattan" ---#22 -Sold

3"x2" mixed media on canvas

Oh, one more "Perfect Little Manhattan" for me then I'll tell you a little story. Yes, that is what they say when it's very late, you're tired, you want to go to sleep, but you're just too polite to ask them to go home.

Ah, those were the days. The above doesn't happen anymore, you just go to bed and let them sleep on the sofa!

Enjoy a perfect little manhattan tonight!

-JanettMarie

"Kiwi Me" ---#21

4"x2" mixed media on canvas

This small martini painting has a bit of glitter on it, you may be able to see the speckles. It really shines in the light, wow, it's festive! It just looks like if it had a kiwi fruit in with it, it would be a happy drink.

This is number 21, I'll have 22 a bit later today to stay on track. It has been a busy week, but I'm hanging in there!

Have a lovely day.  : )

-JanettMarie

"Manhattan Monday" ---#20

4"x2" acrylic on canvas

It's Monday, a good day for a nice Manhattan. I'm sensing a theme here for the Monday's. I realize that I painted "Monday Manhattan" last Monday! Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that they both start with the letter "M".

I wanted to show you all the grid of martini paintings as they are slowly being finished.

The grid is slowly being finished.

Enjoy your Manhattan!

-JanettMarie

"Yesterday's Martini" ---#19

7"x5" mixed media on paper

This little painting is a day late, but not too late. With the 30 paintings in thirty days, we are given a grace period of 48 hours to post. I figure I'm not late at all and I have plenty of time today to paint another. I do think I will have to add a bit of glitter to this one and #17_"Cosmic Friday". Time will see/tell.

Have a nice Martin Luther King, Jr Day.

-JanettMarie

"Saturday Night" ---#18

7"x5" acrylic on paper

Well, when it comes to Saturday night, anything goes... almost.

My martinis are getting pretty abstract. Hey, it's Saturday, I'm okay, you're okay. Nope, I never read that book. Maybe I should. Oh, what will Sunday bring?

Oh Carolyn, I tried to keep the abstract martini in the glass this time. No splashing out all over the place! Who knows, maybe the next one will be splashing out.

-JanettMarie

"Cosmic Friday" ---#17

7"x5" mixed media on paper

This painting is fighting me a little bit, but I'm gonna keep fighting back. It's really close but I decided to post it anyway, because "it's fun!"

I'll update this again I'm sure, but for now it's in cosmic space and one day it will come back to earth!

Have a fabulous Friday!

-JanettMarie

"Martha's Coffee Cup" ---#16

8"x6" acrylic on canvas

I'll tell you what, having a goal to paint 30 paintings in 30 days, has helped me finish a few pieces that have been hanging around the studio crying to be finished. "Martha's Coffee Cup" is a painting of my artist buddy Martha Carlson's handmade coffee mug. She brought the model by my studio with a message, this is the first ceramic piece she made. It is beautiful in person, I just hope I did it justice.

Now Myra, just image that there is chicken soup in here. I'm sending virtual soup to you. Get better soon my friend.

-JanettMarie

"Myra's Martini" ---#15

7"x5" mixed media on paper

Martini for a Wednesday. Really it's left over from the weekend because it's almost empty. Because it's almost empty is not why I titled it "Myra's Martini". I gave it that title because, I started out painting and I was just a little stumped on what to do. I thought, "What would Myra do?" Stripes and dots! Of course dots. I made dots with the lid of the water I was drinking. I made dots with the tube of paint I was using. I even made dots with my finger. I used an eraser on a pencil, then I used the pencil to scribble around a bit. You know, I did it again, I had fun.

Hope you have a fun Wednesday.

-JanettMarie

"Tuesday's Martini" ---#14

7"x5" mixed media on paper

Mmm, a good day for a martini, mmm. Okay, everyday is a good day for a martini. Uh oh, I forgot the cigar again, uh oh, forgot the pick for the olive, uh oh, it's okay.

This painting started out with brushing on the paint, well, no, first I brushed on the drawing of the martini with India ink. The India ink is what makes this a mixed media piece, small detail, right? My Mom would say, "No big deal kid." So, brushed on the India ink, let that dry, brushed on acrylic paint and then I got a little more adventurous, I used paint knives. Yes, used the paint knives to add texture and create an interesting look. Keep practicing JanettMarie, keep practicing.

When I did the India ink drawing, I actually painted 8 different drawings on one big sheet of gessoed Fabriano watercolor paper. I'll show you this below and let you guess which one is "Tuesday's Martini". The one you see in color in the photo below is "Monday's Manhattan", the red cherry gives it away.

Oh what will tomorrow bring? Yes, I'll be surprised too, I'm sure.
Enjoy your day!

-JanettMarie

"Morning Coffee" ---#12

6"x6" oil on canvas

"Morning Coffee" painting number 12 and I think it's a first. Not my first cup of coffee, but I think it's my first painting done exclusively with paint knives. Quite a few of the painters doing the 30 paintings in 30 days have set up challenges for themselves. I didn't really want to set myself up, but after seeing a lot of great painting with knives, I thought go for it. The fact that I've been wanting to give paint knives a try and I kept putting it off thinking, maybe I'll take a class, then, I decided, just like anything, I'm sure it's about repetition.

I always tell the painters I'm teaching, the way to get better at painting is practice. I'm gonna practice what I'm preaching! And continue practicing with the paint knife.

Here are some of the painters with their paintings from last Saturday's Cookies and Canvas class.

A few of the painters and their paintings. 

Emma and her painting of "Daisy". Yes, I encouraged naming the muddy pups!
Emma added a butterfly, a lot of flowers and a bow.

Kenzie and Janell with their puppies. Love the clouds, the birds and the ears.

My friend Connie Nobbe and her daughter Alyssa sat in on the class.  Connie did a painting and wrote about the experience on her blog.  She said some pretty nice things about the class. Thanks Connie! If you get a chance take a look here!

-JanettMarie

"Monday Manhattan" ---#13

7"x5" mixed media on paper

It's a little mixture of india ink, oil pastel and oil paint on paper. Yes, I wouldn't drink it on a Monday morning, but I can paint one!

This is number 13 of the thirty paintings, number 12 is still on the painting table but will be finished later today. I remember the guidelines for this challenge requiring us to "have fun", I'm all for that! That being said, I'll have a little fun and mix it up! Even if it is a mixed up manhattan. I know, don't become a comedian JanettMarie.

Have a great day everyone and later you will see what one usually drinks on a Monday morning.

-JanettMarie

"Celebration Bouquet 2" ---#11

8"x6" mixed media on paper

Number 11 for the 30 day challenge and the third of the bouquets, so I guess something newer tomorrow. I'm using this painting to give myself a little breathing room to get through today. If I finish a painting today for this challenge and still have fun I will have won. I like to have fun and I like to win so let's all have fun today and I'll report back.... tomorrow!

-JanettMarie

PS: Eleven is a magical number, today should be magical.  : )

"Poppies Elegant" ---#10

16"x20" acrylic on canvas

This painting is for Wine&Canvas. I always sign these with a smile face because painting is fun!
I want my painters to all know that and feel that and have fun!

Big day tomorrow, gotta sleep! G'nite!

-JanettMarie

"Four Fifty Nine Time" ---#9

16"x12" oil on canvas 

The time has come to shake up the martini and forget about work. Where's the cigar? I forgot the cigar.
Oh, I forgot the cigar.   : (   Next time, a cigar.

Painting number nine in the 30 paintings in thirty days series. This painting has also been on the easel for a while. Today, I decided it was time to just finish it. I even put some oil pastel on here because the need to draw is strong right now. I tried a little paint knifing, but I need to work on that technique more. I'm sure there is a technique, I just haven't found it yet. Patience, right?

Chat again tomorrow.  Or is it chatter?  : )

-JanettMarie

"Celebration Bouquet" ---#8 -Sold

8"x6" mixed media on paper

Okay, so today is the 9th of January, this must be painting number 8. Yes, it is. When I painted the bouquet earlier, I started three at once, so you will see one more of these little gems this month. Possibly this week!

 -JanettMarie

"The Gift" ---#7

8"x6" mixed media on paper

A very precious gift is being shared with these two figures. What it is, is for you to decide. Each day I look at this and see a different gift. The imagination is a wonderful gift.

This is painting number 7 of the 30 days of painting in January. So far so good. Leslie mentioned today that we have now completed one week, we are 25% there! Now that's a positive attitude, another gift!

Have a great day!

-JanettMarie

"Crossing the Line" ---#6

4"x2" oil on canvas

What?! A cherry, who invited the cherry?

I sneaked another martini painting in here. I had this one started but I had no idea tonight when I set out to finish this, that a cherry would end up in the glass. Such fun!

-JanettMarie

"Bouquet for You" ---#5

7"x5" Acrylic on paper

A big flower vase of...yes, flowers.

Happy football playoff Sunday!

-JanettMarie

"Girl Talk" ---#4

8"x6" mixed media on canvas panel

More dots, a little bit of glitter, mostly acrylic, "Girl Talk".

It's not a martini, but I think they may have a martini later!

This painting was started... wow, last year sometime. It has been sitting around my studio for a while.  I knew there was something there but I couldn't seem to find it. It made me think about what Myra and I were talking about earlier this week. Use up the materials we already have. I have quite a few paintings started, it may be time to finish a few!

Thanks Leigh, Myra and Leslie, for getting me back to the painting mode. I hope it stays for a while!

Have a great Saturday everyone!

-JanettMarie

"One Please" ---#3 -Sold

4"x2"oil on canvas

One olive please, the others jumped ship! This is my last martini for the moment, though I had the crazy thought of painting 30 of these itty bitty martini's, just because I want to see what it looks like to see all thirty at once. They're so small they're cute!

I did go out and purchase a big 48"x24" canvas to paint a big martini. I thought after I have all the little studies painted, I could choose one (or two, or three) to go big!

I'll keep you updated.

-JanettMarie

"What's for Dinner" ---#2

4"x2" oil on canvas

Number 2 of the Leslie Saeta January 30 challenge!

As I painted along on this one, I kept thinking "How can I make this more interesting, it's so boring?" Then I thought of Myra Anderson and her dots and circles and triangles. I thought of Carol Marine, she puts dots in paintings. You know a lot of artists use dots! Why not! Dots!

I read Leslie's blog post for today and it was very encouraging. She talked about how cool it is to have over 250 artists with the same goal, painting to finish a painting in a day. Yes, that is cool. And also the fact that so many are moving out of their comfort zones to do this! Welcome to the challenge Connie Nobbe! Our main objective is to have fun. Okay, I'm off to have some more fun!

-JanettMarie

"Blue One for You!" --- #1

 4"x2" oil on canvas

It's an itty bitty! An itty bitty martini making this number one of the January 30 paintings in 30 days challenge, but this also makes number what of the spirit series. Hmmm... I better find out!
I'll let you know tomorrow!

-JanettMarie

January Challenge for over 250 Artists!

I accept!

Leslie Saeta is getting over 250 artists fired up for painting in 2013. I may be crazy, but I accepted into this challenge with artists from all over! I'm way down the ladder at 215th to sign up and I'm not exactly sure what's gonna happen, but here we go!

Looking through the list I see names of many of the artists I know in the daily painting world. It should be a lot of fun to see how we all do.

Thanks Myra, aka "Last Cup of Coffee" for giving me the nudge to join the challenge, it's just what I need!

Happy New Year!

-JanettMarie