Tree # 30! Done!

I treated myself to a Starbucks latte and breakfast sandwich on my way to this  spot in Couch Cemetery in Marshfield to paint my last 8"x10" canvas of the 30  tree project.
Cemeteries are great for trees and parking spots, and I usually leave out the headstones, but I didn't this time. Maybe because I am laying this project to rest.
It's been a wonderful experience and I will definitely be out painting a lot in October, but not as relentlessly! And it will be nice to explore some other subjects. I will be framing and tweaking all these and they will be for sale at Local Pottery in Norwell with an opening party November 3. I will be posting details! If you see one you want I will reserve. The prices are $150.  each.
What I learned:

Sometimes I can actually follow through with my commitments!
Even on grey, windy, rainy days I can paint en plein air- in my car!
I could find the time even on the busiest days.
I wasted little time finding the perfect spot to paint.
I tried acrylics and oils and got out my palette knife.
I enjoyed the responses and it helped me stay inspired.
I got over my not liking standard size format.
I liked using a limited palette at least to start the paintings.
I started to see the bigger shapes and left the details for later or never.
I have a rudimentary set up and it was just fine.
It was fun to see all 30 grow on my wall together!

Thank you Leslie Saeta for the challenge. I love that this is free and happens twice a year!

I will be posting all of them together once I create the image of that.

Thank you dear followers! Stay tuned- I will be painting a lot more!

Tree #29

Had a date with this copper beech today. My friends Jill and Chris live up the hill from the beautiful North River. So lucky and grateful for my friends!
 It was almost chilly enough for gloves! A welcome relief from the recent humidity. The massive quality of this beautiful tree was a challenge on my 8"x10" canvas...And I finished it in my studio after dark, so this photo was not taken not in the preffered natural light, but it is what it is.
One more to go!

Tree #28 Nocturne

Not a lot of time today- had 20 minutes before I had to clock into work- I had only 15 minutes to paint and then the light changed- so I had fun playing with this image.
I glazed it with layers of blue. The night sky lately has been magical!

Trying to capture...

Tree #27 Audubon on Webster Street

I am going to have to return to this place- I love it. SO peaceful. 

I had a 45 minute window before work to paint, then finished in my studio this afternoon. It's so hot- I'm wilting a bit. Been enjoying some dips in the North River to cool off.

I struggled a bit with the cement post in front of the tree.

Tree #26 Buttonwood Tree in Hingham

I finally got over to paint this tree - a couple of friends had told me about it- it was like I had a date with a tree today. Sat in car, acrylic under, oil over later on this afternoon in the studio.
I am feeling like I'm just starting to get it... just a little!
There were whir spots in the tree- It looked so weird to me I  left them off.
4 more to go!

Tree #25

This one is weird and looks nothing like I hoped- it is a tree hydrangeas in front of my house. It's pretty big. I love the dusty rosey greenish flowers, but the smell in late summer is a little pungent...
this one was painted very quickly- I am tired today-didn't really feel it- but I'm so close to finishing the 30 I didn't want to take a day off. Crazy, I know...

Tree # 24

I started this one this morning in the back yard of my friend Mary Jo- she isn't actually living there yet- but will be soon! It's in beautiful and quaint Marshfield Hills. It was so quiet- and could hear church bells and roosters, what a special place. I am so grateful to live where I do!

the light blue stripe in the background is actually a picket fence but I couldn't figure out how to paint that....so is is what it is...

I'd love to have time to work into this with oils- but today was busy! I visited the Jamaica

Plain open studios- and what a blast to see so many artists- in my old stomping grounds. I saw lots of friends and colleagues from the past- and really cool art. Jamaica plain has really changed since I was there in the late 70's early 80's-- the pond side  neighborhoods are beautiful!

Tree #23 Somewhere in Easton

This morning I was at my sister in laws in Easton- they were having a yard sale so we went to help out ( not sure how much help we were lol)
I left for about 45 minutes to find a tree... drove in a big circle looking for a tree with a place to park and ended up at a church . There was an electronics waste day doing on. Big doing.
This was painted from the car and finished in the museum studio.
I went a little; loop de lou with the palette knife here...

Tree #22 Little's Farm, Marshfield

We have had rain all week. I'm not complaining. My heart grieves for the people affected by the relentless hurricanes.
Funny how we quickly move into fall mode - I've been smelling cinnamon and craving apple pie and fleece pajamas. As my pal Laura Harvey says- "got that fall feeling" and I love it. This painting was started from the car this morning, and finished in the museum studio this afternoon- I don't really know if I like it or not. I'm at the point now where I feel like- did it- check!
I am seeing the benefits of daily painting though- no fuss- no muss- just paint that painting!
I listen to the podcast "Plein Air Painting" with Eric Rhodes- publisher and founder of plein air magazine., when I'm painting. He interviews the really successful plein air artists. Its amazing (AND HUMBLING)-but  every episode I learn something.

Tree#21 Marshfield Country Club

I started this in acrylics from my car on the way to work. Wasn't even sure where to go but passed the golf course and thought what the heck. Sometimes its all about where to park. People were playing golf in the gloom. I love that! Passion!

Golf must be fun, I never have done it. I'd rather paint than anything!

 Only had 30 minutes for the underpainting,  then sat in the studio at the Art Complex ( gallery sitting!) and finished it with my palette knife and oils. I  exaggerated the background color- it's really just more greens back there, but felt like playing with the blues a little.Maybe I'm a little blue- are you?

I do love the oils though!

Happy Fall everyone!

Closing in on 30. 

Thanks for lookin'!

Tree #20 cemetery

Yesterday morning I sat in my car and did this . It was moody and misty.
I planned to paint over it with oils, but decided to leave it this way. I kind of like it.

Tree #19, North River in Scituate.

Started this yesterday in the car in acrylics, finished if in the studio this morning with palette knife and oils. I had no reference photo, just tried to mimic the colors that were there. It was very liberating! Sometimes photos can be so flat and lifeless.
Can't wait to try this again today. Just going to drive and see where I can park and have a good view of an interesting tree. I have so many offers of trees to paint from my friends- I need to get out of my immediate area! But this is working for now...
All of these paintings are 8"x10" in the vertical format. Can't wait to get to 30!
MAYBE  I'LL KEEP GOING !

Tree #18

This is a huge oak that hangs over my driveway, viewed from my back yard. I started the painting in the drizzle yesterday- the oil and water were fighting- my dear hubby rigged up an umbrella over my easel. Quite the handy guy and always so helpful! I was able to stand out there today and finish. I started another one later this morning from the car. I am finding it helps to finish up the next day, it seems to give me a fresh look at the work.

Thanks for looking!

Tree#17

It was foggy this morning. I stood in my yard looking out at the woods. Pallette knife painting is a bit like cake decorating! I am not quite sure what I'm doing but its fun!

Tree # 16 Daniel Webster House

I had only 30 minutes yesterday before work-  it was a grey day. I parked at the Daniel Webster House in Marshfield to do this one.Thank you Gail Connolly for your suggestion!
 Gorgeous big old trees there! I finished it this morning - used a palette knife- I forgot how fun it is to work with the paint like that. Like buttah!

Tree #15 Goat Road, Saquish

I love dirt roads. I tried to capture the dapply light.

Saquish Summer Soirée

I've just returned from a few days on Saquish Beach, Plymouth- an amazing piece of sandy beach  in the middle of Plymouth Bay. I found quite a few trees to paint! I even saw a big seal on a rock. So much fun! Had a great time- felt like summers last hurrah ( although we still have lovely summer weather here!) Hope everyone had a good summer. thanks for looking!

 

Rarely can I lift my head out off the pillow to see the sunrise!

Here's the seal- he was cool!

What a gorgeous morning! This is looking up Highland Street in Marshfield . I am going off grid for a few days (sort of- staying on Saquish beach with a couple of good pals) might not post again till Wednesday. Thanks for all your encouraging words. I think this is a struggle but nothing compared to the  folks affected by all these hurricanes. So terrible. My prayers are going out to all of them.

Tree #8- 8"x10" oil on canvas

Another Art Complex Museum Tree-  I think it's a Linden tree.
No time to look it up in my tree guide- busy busy day at work. I'm breathless trying to keep up!

Tree#7

Today started out grey and drizzly- this was done before work in the Art Complex Museum studio looking out the window at a tree on the corner. It was an obstructed view, kind of a challenge- and then I had to wait till 4 to finish - the sun was out! So I played around. There was red ivy on the tree. Fall is approaching!

Tree #6

Today is a work day- luckily I had 30 minutes before I started work to get this one in- and also it is very fortunate that  the Art Complex has so many beautiful trees to paint! Still a limited palette but I added ultramarine blue and cad red medium to the mix.

We got a lot of rain and thunder right after I pulled the easel inside! Yikes!

#5 - Maple Tree in Marshfield Cemetery

                                This morning I used oils- and painted with a limited palette I saw on one of the challenge blogs - looking at all the other challenge paintings on Leslie Saetas  30 in 30 blog is so educational and fun! Oils are great but I usually paint in acrylics- again- challenged! But I love the squishiness and oiliness of the medium. Plus it stays wet on the palette.
This is prussian blue, alizarin crimson, cad lemon and white. I liked the palette a lot- but didn't have good turps- I need to get some Gamsol ( the best turps). I keep struggling here!
Cemeteries have great old trees.

                                               

#4 tree in Front Of the North River Audubon Society

I am trying to find out the type of tree this is - on Summer Street in Marshfield- is it a cherry?
I used acrylic but not happy with the medium- switched to oils! Feels better.
Still finding this challenge really hard but loving it too. Sorry about the glare on the photo...

!

#3 tree- Union Street Marshfield- 8"x10" acrylic

This morning it was raining- oh I do love a rainy morning ! I will often paint in the studio but I've decided that for this tree challenge I will work only from life, rain or shine. SO- I sat in my car! I listened to a podcast- Ted radio hour "quiet" while I was painting. I often paint in silence - today I needed a little distraction. This project is evolving into a meditation upon trees and I hope to learn more than just how to paint them better. A lot of friends are sending me photos and stories about trees. It's wonderful and I so appreciate it!

My car studio. I'm left handed so its best to sit in the passenger seat!

My attempt. I could do more on this one but- I'm at work today- no time!

#2 Tree- Hickory in my front yard. 8"x10" acrylic

I planned to drive down to the Audubon today to paint but my daughter is home and I wanted to be here when she got up. I set up in my yard - the light on this tree was pretty. It's a massive shagbark hickory- squirrels love the nuts. It turn a beautiful yellow in the fall and my yard positively glows. I love the dappled light on the trunk. I am super challenged trying to paint the foliage masses. 

30 Trees in 30 days- #1- Alden Studio tree- 8"x10 " acrylic

Sleep was not in the cards for me last night- I was stressing about how I was going to fit in painting a tree a day. What was I thinking! I'm so busy!!!!
Also doubting the whole tree idea. I had to work today (ironically I spent the day painting a giant mural of- trees!- ) but during my lunch break at 12:00 I painted one of the many beautiful trees on the grounds of the Art Complex Museum. I spent maybe 30 minutes on this one. The whole idea of this challenge is to paint every day- even if it's a loose and messy painting and also learn how to approach trees. I always feel intimidated by them so I am embracing this. I'm sticking with an 8"x10" format for consistency. You can see mine with all others here on Leslie Saetas blog. I'm so glad she does these challenges- her blog talk radio podcast "Artists Helping Artists" is good to listen to too!