"83 For Me"

6"x6" mixed media on paper mounted on panel

Oh, number 83, yes, for sure, I knew the whole time I was working on it that it was number 83. After my episode with 82, you know I was paying attention... although... I finished 83 and 84 at the same time. This is a real first for me. I was confused for a short time about which was 83 and which was 84 but it only made sense that this was is 83.... it was right there with 81 and 82, how could it not be 83....  oh, me...

Thanks Randy.... for helping me keep it straight!

-jM

"Leaf Me!"

Apple 56, no leaf. Poor apple, wants a leaf, "Leaf Me!". Maybe it should say please....

There is a golden sheen over the surface of this painting. I watered down some Golden brand, Iridescent Bright Gold (Fine) acrylic paint and spread it all over the surface. Then I wiped out a few areas that the gold did no lend itself well to the effect. You should see it in person... ooooo... shimmery ..... maybe this is really a golden apple!

Another day, another apple, what will I do when all 100 apples are finished? I better not look ahead now, need to keep my eye on the apple!

-jM

"55 No Worm"

Green apple, not red and no worm. Funny... it may be time... to add a worm... or maybe not....

Today leigh, my neighbor gave to me an old stenciling brush she had laying around. Just the tool I need for pouncing, it is great! There is a real skill to this stenciling process... I'm having so much fun pouncing, I need to find more stencils!

Watch for worms!

-jM

"Perfect 54"

I'm painting along on this apple and I realize that the stem/core is not in the right place. Well, darn it, whose perfect? We all are! I decided to leave it right where it is...  making this apple perfect!

This is a 6"x6" mixed media on paper mounted to a panel.

Perfect! Perfect!

Have a perfect day!

-jM

"Happy New Leaf"

Apple #53, has a new leaf! It's small, well, it's a new leaf. It's a good idea to start small when you turn over a new leaf. Baby steps. It's January and a lot of people make those New Year Resolutions, some of them require one to turn over a new leaf, I guess... Okay, enough nonsense, it's apple number 53 and it has a new baby leaf!

I tried something new in this painting, something I've never done before, stenciling. Yes, I've never done it. Thank you leigh for teaching me how, I had no idea! Of course I had no idea, so I had no idea to ask! What is that word "pouncing", I didn't know to pounce!

Happy New Leaf!

pounce.... pounce...  pounce...

-jM

"Shiny Enough to Eat" Apple #52 -Sold

"Shiny Enough to Eat", yes, it's a shiny red apple, oh number 52, it's all about you! Oh, I think I see something I need to add.... I'll show the revision tomorrow!

Last night, I was having pizza and a micro brew with a friend at a new restaraunt in BroadRipple. My friend really like the look of this girls hair, she was across the bar from us. I told Michael that I could do a quick sketch. Here is my quick sketch:

We found out her name as we were leaving... is this how Michael intends to pick up girls? Just kidding!

I hope to do a little painting of this.... apples, apples, maybe she needs an apple in her hand!

Have a great weekend!

-jM

"Apple #51"

Oh, "Apple #51"... not perfect, but is anyone perfect? Let's hope not! I think Carol Marine just discussed that. This is really one mixed medium painting... I started out with the acrylic, then oil sticks then ink pencils, and finally I finished with a touch of oil paint because nothing else was sticking on top of the oil sticks. It was truly a learning experience.The majority of this painting is acrylic but.... it is mixed up... and I had fun mixing...what a result...  oh yes, I did use my fingers to mix and blend here and there! Love it!

Happy weekend!

-jM

"Nifty Fifty"

Here it is, number 50! Half way home! And it's a green apple not red, but it's not purple either.... hmm.
Have I mentioned how much I like using my new scanner? Okay, I won't mention it again, but wow.

This painting, I had so many things going on in my mind and so many workshops and artists styles and books that this is a combined painting of thoughts...

Last night, I attended a Wine & Canvas event and painted as a participant, not the lead artist. What fun and I learned other ways of doing things. I loved it. Like using brown to make a shade of a color rather than the compliment. Now I know another way and I get another effect, too cool! I was also reminded that it's okay to use your fingers on your painting when painting! I almost forgot!

It's been a few days since my last painting, I'll try not to stray to far this time!

Another day, another apple!

-jM

"A Leaf Apple #49" -Sold

Forty Nine, forty nine! I found a little leaf to add to this big apple. The painting is 6"x6" but the apple looks big!

I may have said it before and I can't help but say it again, the reds just do not photograph (or scan) well.
Oh well, hey what can I say, maybe a green apple next time? Maybe a purple apple... a purple apple.. hmm...

-jM

"Apple Forty Eight"

Oh, another apple. What is one to do? Bite? Cut? Hmm.... I have a few ideas... bear with me, only 52 more to go!

Have a good evening, eat an apple.   : )

-jM

"Am I A WineSap? Apple #47"

Even though I've been using a Red Delicious as a model, when I placed paint on the original 10 pieces of paper some of the shapes came out a little more rounded than others. They are what they are and this one seems to say Winesap to me, would you agree leigh?

Winesap's are used for cooking pies and desserts I believe... so I had to post a little sketch of just the person that may be able to bake a little pie for us.

From what I can tell, her expression seems to say "Why yes, I'll cook something up for you!"

Wow, I better open my windows wider when I spray the fixative on my sketches, I'm getting a little delirious!

-jM

"Apple #46 For Your Heart"

Apples are good for your heart, aren't they? This number 46 red delicious has a rough heart shape to it, that is was made me decide that this one is for your heart. Eat an apple today for your heart!

Remember yesterday I told you about the oilbar I used? Well, see the yellowish area to the right side of the apple? That is watery acrylic paint beading up on top of the oil bar area. A different effect, yes! It's not the isopropyl alcohol effect! Don't worry Bonnie, I won't go crazy with the acrylic on top of oil idea, my left brain won't allow that!

Here are the six I have left... I'll try to finish them before the weekend is over... hope you don't mind all of the apples. Hey, they're good for your heart!!

Have a safe weekend!

-jM

"Delicious Apple #45"

Today, I brought in a red delicious to model for me. He/she did very well. No complaints about hot lights, needing a break or anything! Apples... ya gotta love 'em!

Forty-six is around here somewhere!

-jM

"Apple #44" and "Sarah the Ballerina"

Well, I happened to finish this one... so I decided... why not post it! Number 44... 6" x 6" mixed media on paper...

After posting "Apple #43" I thought I would check in on "the art of dance is like chocolate". Well she has this video of a little ballerina teaching us how to put on ballerina make-up and how to tie your hair back into a ballerina bun. I started laughing a bit then I decided to sketch her. As I'm sketching, a light bulb goes on in my brain and it's like... this is the ballerina that Myra drew a portrait of! It has to be! Oh, my goodness, little Sarah inspired both of us!

Good night!

-jM

"Apple #43"

Apple Number 43! Is it Monday? It feels like Monday.

Today, I started 10 new apple paintings. All 6" x 6" on paper. They will eventually be mounted to a panel and they will all be mixed media as this one is.

Yesterday I purchased a few Winsor & Newton Artists' Oilbar's. I couldn't stand it I had to try them out today, so I used them just a little in the apple paintings. Don't know what is going to happen I used oil on top of acrylic then put acrylic on top of the oil. Hopefully they will all get along. Time will tell.

The intention for the oilbars (or sticks) is to  use them for bigger paintings. The sticks are 1/2" in diameter so it's not a detailer for 6" x 6" paintings. I think they will have to be used for the Huge Apple painting that has been at the back of my mind for some time now. Thanks Myra for the nudge in the big apple painting direction. It only makes sense that I should create one as big as the coffee cup!

Talk with you Friday!

-jM

"Sunflower on Sunday" -Sold

Last night, Randy and I went shopping at the grocery store Kroger, for a few things. I wandered over to the flower department. I couldn't believe it, I found a couple sunflowers, woo hoo!

This is an experimental piece. I really like the technique that Joni T. Johnson used to do her work. I got to see a few pieces in person when I worked at the frame shop. I just fell in love with them. There is something about her work that intrigues me. Her technique, the poems, the images?

I didn't have exactly the right tools, I have been painting in oil and this is my first attempt with watercolor since when? Grade school? This is watercolor, ink, pencil and water-soluble crayons on a watercolor paper block. Did I say salt? I tried salt!

-jM