What Lies Ahead

2014 is shaping up to be a whizz bang year for me in the art world.  I thought I might wind down a bit for the holiday season but this will be short lived, I must be mad as I have signed up to do a 30 paintings in 30 day challenge in January by Leslie Saeta and since committing more exhibiting opportunities have come my way.
The idea with the challenge is to make sure you are in touch with your brushes everyday and for me this is never an issue but I rarely do little sketches(in fact never really), I always do a full blown try at a painting every time. Of course I do not get 30 good ones in 30 days so I am going to have to rethink and maybe do a combination of big and small works so I can meet my expectations. I think that I won't blog everyday of the 30 days as suggested as I worry that you lovely followers by email will not be happy to get 30 emails from in January so I will try and keep them down by posting a few days paintings at a time.
Recently I went by myself to a local wildlife park to take some reference photos and there were some great shots to be had but I am not very brave around animals and the number of large Kangaroos roaming free who just bound right up into your face gave me the frights! I lasted about an hour and came home and my husband kindly said he would go back and finish the shoot. This is one of the Kangaroos who was so happy to pose for the Camera. I painted a background to depict bushland,  using cling film for texture and added gum leaves once that was dry to give some depth. Only three colours used for this painting, Quinacridone Gold, French Ultra Marine Blue and Permanent Rose.
Not sure if this will be my last post before Christmas but just in case I wish you all a joyful time and what lies ahead in 2014 is just brilliant.
Watching You, Watching Me
Unframed size 38cm x 28.5cm

Comments

  1. Dear Lorraine - I think it is wonderful that you are doing that 30 day challenge. I am sure you are up to it. Your kangaroo is superb! Such a sweet pose and I love the texture and colors that you used as well. May you too have a blessed Christmas season and all the joy that this time of the year brings. Hugs

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    1. Thank you Debbie for your kind comments and Chistmas wishes I have really enjoyed our blogging together this past year. You too have a blessed time.

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  2. Beautiful textures and colors in your latest watercolor!
    I have joined the challenge too, Lorraine. I did it last year and was caught unprepared as I signed up for it the day it began. This year I have already all my reference photos picked out in a folder, supplies etc. I agree on not blogging everyday, I plan on doing the same. It will be fun to experience it together!

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    1. You do sound organised Celia, I aim to find a theme that I can paint some small ones to have when I dont have one of my normal size (1/4 is always my usual small size).It should be fun, Merry Christmas

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  3. Lorraine, how exciting to get to meet the kangaroos so closely, and your resulting watercolor is wonderful. Good Luck with Leslie's challenge. Might try it myself. Best wishes to you in 2014!

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    1. Thanks Sherry, you should join the challenge as you are so prolific anyway, hope you do

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  4. I would freak out too if they came near me!! Chicken that I am. I love this kangaroo and the background is perfect. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a really successful 2014. With love xx

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  5. I'm so pleased you've signed up for 30 Paintings in 30 Days, Lorraine. I find these challenges give me a great structure and help me stay on pace with my painting. Looking forward to seeing your paintings and to joining in myself.

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    1. It should be fun Vandy, I have been seeing your Advent blog posts by email but for some reason they dont always appear on my - blogs I follow? Have a great Christmas

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  6. Dear Lorraine:) If all your paintings will be like this one, you will have brilliant 2014! I wish you good luck with the 30 paintings challenge, but most of all I wish you a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2014!xx

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    1. You are too kind Renate, you too have the very best of Christmas cheer

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  7. Painting is the gift that keeps on giving back to you. Have a wonderful year of painting, Lorraine. I look forward to seeing all that you produce. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  8. You are a very courageous lady ! Your Kangaroo is awesome , looks so sweet, but I know they can be dangerous. Wish you some great Christmas Holidays and happy painting !

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    1. Wish I did have more courage Jane lucky I have a good willing photographer - my husband, happy Christmas

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  9. Such a lovely kangaroo, and great background! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!

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  10. Beautiful job on the kangaroo and the background!!! You always capture something so interesting. I have never seen a kangaroo up close, but my niece who lives in Perth told me she was at a beach on vacation where they were everywhere in the early morning. I think their size might worry me a bit.

    Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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    1. Funny thing was Joan there were lots of small children running around and they had no fright! Guess as adults we have fear. Merry Christmas

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  11. lovely painting lorraine ...all the best with the new challenge ! ....wishing you and your family a very happy christmas

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  12. Love this little (or big) guy. Roos can be frightening......they are not always happy to have humans around! Wishing you all the best for the New Year and with the challenge. LS's challenges are fun. I hope you find me again on my new blog....had a bit of a blogging meltdown, deleted my old blogs, deleted my google account, went to another blogging forum....but now I'm back to Google and blogger again! You have always been so kind with your comments on my blog in the past..... Thank you, Lorraine. Merry Christmas to you.

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    1. Merry Christmas to you too Maggie. I thought I had signed up for your new blog, I have tried looking with google +?? but I'm afraid I still haven't got my head around it. Hopefully your blog posts will show up if you are back with blogger

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  13. Hi Lorraine, I have just discovered your blog! I love your kangaroo - you have painted him beautifully!
    Always nice to find a fellow Aussie art blogger!
    Good luck with the challenge. I feel that I've barely recovered from the September challenge, I hadn't realised how quickly the next one was approaching. I may join you in it yet!

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    1. Lovely that you found me Wendy and I too would love to find more Aussie art bloggers. Will pop over and visit yours now, Merry Christmas

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  14. Hi Lorraine! I love your sweet touch with aquarella, I find you have a different and delicate approach! Have a Merry Christmas and a beautiful Year full of accomplishments. I'm glad you've joined Leslie Saeta's challenge. May see you there too!

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    1. Thanks Helen, you too have a great Christmas and New Year, good luck with the January challenge

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  15. Gosh you will be busy in January. Good Luck with the new Challenge. Love the roo.

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I love sharing my journey with fellow bloggers and your feedback through comments is always appreciated.