Day 31 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Looking back at 30 days

As I look back at this snapshot of 30 paintings, I extend many thanks to the Artist Leslie Saeta who hosted this challenge. There were 1483 artists around the world who participated in this challenge, which is really impressive!! Also really feel blessed and thankful for the support and appreciation I received from home, friends and family which helped me focus on this creation. Feeling really encouraged! This is the third time I participated in this challenge and I will do it again!! Love Love Love it!!

click on image to view larger

Day 30 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Anticipation in Green

And... the Grand Finale is... Hungry for Pear!! My friend friend suggested Anticipation in Green!! Loved the new title!
I absolutely enjoyed this journey of 30 paintings and these 30 days have been the most productive! Feel very accomplished. The challenge in this painting is the background fabric is almost the same color as the pear and the knife - a shiny surface!! I used to think when I began painting few years ago ... How do you paint a metal surface without metallic paints? No more a puzzle for me, its possible!! Check it out:

click on image to view larger

Anticipation in Green - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_030

Available here

Day 29 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Vine Tomatoes

Ok fine, I created few tomato paintings already, but not these Vine Tomatoes that came fresh from the farmers market.. So I had to do them!! And actually I use lot of tomatoes in my cooking and salads equally, so I have them always handy!!

click on image to view larger

Vine Tomatoes - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_029

Available here

Day 28 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Asparagus with Tomato N Cilantro - SOLD

My husband bought Asparagus from the farmer's market on the weekend. This is a vegetable that I have never painted, so took up the challenge along with my favorite tomato and cilantro!!
click on image to view larger

Asparagus with Tomato N Cilantro - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_028

SOLD

Day 27 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Apple medley with a Kiss

This is again Apple, but I have been wanting to try out this setup for a long time. The set up is inspired by artist Elena Katsyura (google her to look up her still life) - I love her paintings. The still life is based on objects reflecting back into a metallic surface (silver, copper, bronze etc). Looking at her paintings during 30 in 30, I badly wanted to try such reflecting objects. Can you guess what kind of bowl I might have used for my setup?

click on image to view larger

Apple Medley with a Kiss - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_027
Available here

Day 26 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Strawberry Infused Water With Sweethearts

A little different than usual, the water is infused with Strawberries. So still sticking with my fruits and vege theme! In addition the Sweethearts make it perfect for Valentines.
click on image to view larger

Strawberry Infused Water With Sweethearts - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_026
Available here

Friends - only one last week left for this "special pricing" 30 in 30 for $30!! Contact me on preranap@hotmail.com if interested. Look up the link above for all available paintings.

Day 25 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Reflections - Jolly Rancher Gummies - 2

Here's the second painting - Jolly Rancher Gummies.

click on image to view larger

Reflections - Jolly Rancher Gummies 2, 6 x 6  inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_025
Available here

The above is second part of the Diptych. Below is a picture of both together:

Reflections - Jolly Rancher Gummies 1 and 2, ea is 6 x 6  inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Day 24 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Reflections - Jolly Rancher Gummies - 1

Yes Yes... I said I will do fruits and vegetables this month. But the other day in Walmart, I saw an attractive package with fruit pictures on it. I could not resist buying it for 30 in 30. Even if it is gummies, it is in the shape of fruits and vegetables - Works for me!!
To make it challenging, I kept these gummies on a glass for painting reflections. See which one you like.
BTW, I couldn't fit all 6 flavors in one 6x6 painting, so I decided to do a diptych. So next blog will be on the second set of fruits.
click on image to view larger

Reflections - Jolly Rancher Gummies 1, 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas

Code# PK_15_024
Available here

The above is first part of diptych painting. Together the 2 parts look as below:

Reflections - Jolly Rancher Gummies 1 and 2, 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas

Day 23 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Three C's for Salad

This is going to be my salad for Lunch tomorrow - Three C's being - Cherry Tomato, Cucumber, Carrot. Love how it came out. The Carrot does look like it is sticking out! And did you notice the reflections on the cherry tomatoes, the blue cloth reflecting on it as well as the carrot and cucumber. Each C has the reflecting color from each other - love it!!

click on image to view larger

Three C's for Salad - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_023
Available here

Day 22 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Dancing Onion

Today it was late for me to come to my studio after finishing the chores. I had almost given up, but thought I will paint half an hour or so and then do it the next day. I am glad I decided that, because once I got started, I did not realize it was almost 3 hours and I finished the painting including the documentation time!! So Happy dance for me along with the dancing onion.
click on image to view larger

Dancing Onion - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on canvas panel

Code# PK_15_022
Available here

There is special pricing being offered for the "30 Paintings Jan 2015". All paintings are priced at $30 for the month of January 2015. This is for introducing my art to collectors and also to make it affordable for anyone to purchase an original piece of art.
Display idea:
Such paintings will look beautiful in a small space on a mini easel. Or a group of similar themed paintings can be framed together in a collage.

Day 21 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Green and Red Apple with Kisses

I am happy with this!! I went to Walmart yesterday and saw lots of valentines candies right in front. Bought my favorite kisses and couple others to paint along with the fruits and vegetables - Valentines day coming up!!
click on image to view larger

Green and Red Apple with Kisses, 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_021
Available here

Day 20 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Before the Strawberry Lemonade

Hurray!! two thirds of the challenge done!! 10 more days to go!! Here is my painting for day 20.. assembled all things for making Strawberry Lemonade.. Also new in this is trying to paint glass of water!! I like this, but next time I am going to try using a dark background for doing glass objects, just to see how it comes out..

click on image to view larger

Before the Strawberry Lemonade - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_020
Available here

Day 19 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Citrus Wedges

Another one of those that I haven't done as much before.. Citrus Wedges. Again I tried painting loose and I am happy with it. The Orange color though gives me trouble now. On the shadow side it becomes too dirty and looses its orangeness. Looks ok though..

click on image to view larger

Citrus Wedges - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_019
Available here

Day 18 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Open Pom - SOLD

I have been meaning to practice to paint more loosely and was inspired by artist Carol Steinberg, whose daily paintings I have been following during this 30 in 30. This one is as much as I could loosen up. While painting this way, I almost thought this thing is not going to look like a Pomegranate. But I am really happy with how it came out. If you notice, there is no painting of individual pom seeds... but if you look at overall painting, it is of course an open pomegranate!! What do you think?

click on image to view larger

Open Pom - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on canvas panel

Code# PK_15_018
SOLD

There is special pricing being offered for the "30 Paintings Jan 2015". All paintings are priced at $30 for the month of January 2015. This is for introducing my art to collectors and also to make it affordable for anyone to purchase an original piece of art.
Display idea:
Such paintings will look beautiful in a small space on a mini easel. Or a group of similar themed paintings can be framed together in a collage.

Day 17 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Strawberry Trio

Strawberry is another fruit that I have never painted before, so took up a strawberry painting.When I was thinking of Fruits and Vegetables theme, I thought I would soon get bored of painting these all 30 days, But I am actually enjoying it. There are so many others to try out.. feels like unlimited possibilities!!
click on image to view larger

Strawberry Trio - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_017
Available here

Day 16 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Tiny and Large Apple

Happy Dance!! Starting second half of 30 in 30!! These are 2 different kinds of apples. Lot of the fruits that artists paint are so common. When I do the setup, it does not look exciting. But as I start observing the lights and darks, it is fun to find different patterns in the the fruit and it makes the effort interesting. The most common pattern I find in all fruits and vegetables done so far is the heart. See closely, you will see it too...
click on image to view larger

Tiny and Large Apple - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_016
Available here

Day 15 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Back to Back Avocado

Hurray!! Today marks exact half of the 30 in 30 challenge!! Feels really good to have all 15 paintings so far. For a long time, I wanted to try out painting Avocado and this is it - very happy with the results.
click on image to view larger

Back to Back Avocado - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_015
Available here

Day 14 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Simply Lemon

After yesterday's tough fighting with the peeled Tangerine and its reflections, I was pretty tired. So decided to do something very simple, with Yellow and no glass or reflections etc.. Lemon was a perfect thing to paint today. I used to be very hesitant in painting Yellow objects, but I have a few already and its getting easier!!

click on image to view larger

Simply Lemon - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_014
Available here

Day 13 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Peeled Tangerine Reflections

Catching up with yesterday's painting. This was the most tedious painting so far... phew, I thought I will have to scrape it off. After looking at it with fresh eyes this evening, I worked on it some more. This is the best I can do on this one... Let me know any comments or suggestions to improve it.
I think I chose a complicated setup for a simple thing. The Tangerine kept on glass did not have a clear shadow and the light reflections on the glass were quite a few - not only the tangerine reflection, but the background cloth reflected on the bottom glass as well. Here it is:

click on image to view larger

Peeled Tangerine Reflections, 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel 

Code# PK_15_013
Available here

Day 12 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Orange Bell Pepper

Friends, here is Orange Bell Pepper. Here in southern California, we get 4 different kinds of Bell Pepper - Green, Red, Orange and Yellow. Today looking at my set up with Orange Bell Pepper, my husband touched it to see if it was real... he thought it was fake :)  I buy the Red and Green most commonly. So I think I should buy the Yellow and Orange once in a while..

click on image to view larger

Orange Bell Pepper - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_012
Available here

Below is a collage of 4 Bell Peppers together I did during this 30 in 30 challenge... check it out, I am so happy with how this turned out!!

In the collage, each painting is 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel. Available on my Etsy Store. Or email me if you are interested - preranap@hotmail.com

30 in 30 Jan 2015, Bell Pepper Collage. 

Day 11 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Yellow Bell Pepper - SOLD

Today I went and bought weekly fruits and vegetables, made sure to buy for painting. Normally I don't use yellow and orange bell pepper, but after doing earlier 2 - the green and the red one I had to make a Yellow and an Orange. That too with triadic color scheme. Today I picked Yellow and tomorrow will be Orange!!
click on image to view larger

Yellow Bell Pepper - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_011
SOLD

Note: There are green horizontal lines seen on the bottom of the painting. These are not in the painting, its the camera acting up.. will post a better picture later,

Day 10 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Peeled Tangerine - SOLD

Wow!! so far reached 1/3 rd of 30 in 30 challenge!! Hope to continue till the end and churn out 30 paintings at the end of it. Today I am repeating the tangerine, but I always wanted to paint a peeled tangerine, I have seen many artists doing it. It looks very artistic and the bonus is that you can eat at the end of the painting session. I already ate mine!! :) Here is my version of peeled tangerine:

click on image to view larger

Peeled Tangerine - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_010
SOLD

Day 9 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Slice Wedge Ring

Long time I wanted to try painting Onion Ring. Today was a perfect opportunity since I don't have much fruits and vegetables left in my refrigerator! Weekend is approaching and time to buy new produce!

click on image to view larger

Slice Wedge Ring - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on canvas panel

Code# PK_15_009
Available here

Hope you are enjoying my daily paintings. I would love to get your comments!

Day 8 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Orange Explosion

This is a Persimmon, Orange and Carrot - all Orange and hence Orange Explosion. I experimented with complimentary color scheme on this painting. On the color wheel, complimentary color is the opposite - so Orange and "Blue Green".

click on image to view larger

Orange Explosion - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_008
Available here

There is special pricing being offered for the "30 Paintings Jan 2015". All paintings are priced at $30 for the month of January 2015. This is for introducing my art to collectors and also to make it affordable for anyone to purchase an original piece of art.

Display idea:
Such paintings will look beautiful in a small space on a mini easel. Or a group of similar themed paintings can be framed together in a collage.

Day 7 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Nectarine Apricot Banana

I picked up 3 different sized and colored fruits from the basket and took about 15 minutes to get an interesting set up under light. It was fun to work with the trio. Yellow fruits or object are challenging for me. I think I am afraid of ruining the yellows, so I have hard time painting the shadow side of these objects. So Banana was a perfect exercise today!!

click on image to view larger

Nectarine Apricot Banana, 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_007
Available here

Day 6 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Cucumber Slice Tomato Wedge - SOLD

Last 2 days I did a Red and Green Bell Pepper. I so wanted to do the Yellow Bell Pepper next, but I did not buy it last weekend. So I will save that for next week. In the meantime, for day 6 I did cucumber slice and  tomato wedge that can go in salad. This is a persian cucumber, much smaller than the regular cucumber and I love it in salad or even for juicing!!

click on image to view larger

Cucumber Slice and Tomato Wedge - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_006
SOLD

The cucumber slice and Tomato wedge are resting on the full cucumber that is kept behind. Tomato inside seemed to be a challenge at first, but I think I got it.

There is special pricing being offered for the "30 Paintings Jan 2015". All paintings are priced at $30 for the month of January 2015. This is for introducing my art to collectors and also to make it affordable for anyone to purchase an original piece of art.
Display idea:
Such paintings will look beautiful in a small space on a mini easel. Or a group of similar themed paintings can be framed together in a collage.

Day 5 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Red Bell Pepper

Here's another triadic color scheme - Red, Yellow and Blue, red being the dominant color in this one. I had a Red bell pepper, so could right away try out a different triadic color scheme. See which one you like, the Red or the Green Bell Pepper.. I think the Green Bell pepper scheme looks more vibrant than this one.

click on image to view larger

Red Bell Pepper - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_005
Available here

Day 4 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Green Bell Pepper

I had decided to paint Green Bell Pepper. But needed to change the background colors. Looked up Google, and I came across different color schemes. I decided to experiment with the triad color scheme, explained at the end of this post. First take a look at my Green Bell Pepper.

click on image to view larger

Green Bell Pepper - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

 Code# PK_15_004
Available here.

How are you enjoying my paintings so far?

Here's about the triad color scheme: By definition - "A triadic color scheme uses colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel". Triadic color harmonies tend to be quite vibrant. To use a triadic harmony successfully, the colors should be carefully balanced - let one color dominate and use the two others for accent.

I used the Green, Purple and Orange colors; Green being the dominant color.

I am happy with the results of this experiment, the painting did turn out to be very vibrant!!

Day 3 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Backlit Tomato Slice

Today I was out whole day, went to Griffith Observatory in LA and then Olvera Street in downtown LA. So I was very tired by the end of the day. But I made a point to paint for day 3 otherwise I would get behind in the very beginning. Besides tomorrow is Saturday, so I can take rest.
I always had thought of painting a tomato slice with light from behind. This is what I got - not sure if I am very happy with it, but will see tomorrow with fresh eyes!!

click on image to view larger

Backlit Tomato Slice - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_003
Available here

There is special pricing being offered for the "30 Paintings Jan 2015". All paintings are priced at $30 for the month of January 2015. This is for introducing my art to collectors and also to make it affordable for anyone to purchase an original piece of art.

Display idea:
Such paintings will look beautiful in a small space on a mini easel. Or a group of similar themed paintings can be framed together in a collage.

Day 2 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Half Plum Reflection

On Day 2 I felt like doing a plum to change up the colors and to make it interesting, I cut it in half for painting. for adding more interest, I put glass under the plum to get reflection.

click on image to view larger

Half Plum Reflection - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas

Code# PK_15_002
Available here

Painting is all about keen observation. Notice the dark shadow area under the plum. Normally if it was not glass under it, the shadow would have been darkest right under the fruit and then lighter downwards, But since there is glass under it, right under the fruit, shadow is light. Plus the edges of glass need to be painted quite differently.

There is special pricing being offered for the "30 Paintings Jan 2015". All paintings are priced at $30 for the month of January 2015. This is for introducing my art to collectors and also to make it affordable for anyone to purchase an original piece of art.

Display idea:

Such paintings will look beautiful in a small space on a mini easel. Or a group of similar themed paintings can be framed together in a collage.

Day 1 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Satsuma Tangerine - SOLD

Happy New Year to all!
January 2015 Day 1 painting challenge is starting with a dose of vitamin C. This is a Satsuma Tangerine. Living in Southern California we are blessed with a variety of fruits and vegetables, which is my theme for the Jan 2015 Challenge. Yesterday I went to the produce store, I found 3 different kinds of Oranges (in the peak season there could be up to 7 varieties of oranges). I love this variety since it can be peeled very well and the taste is refreshing to eat.

click on image to view larger

Satsuma Tangerine - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_001

SOLD

I have decided to participate in "30 paintings in 30 days" challenge. For this challenge I am creating 6x6 inches Still Life Oil paintings with the theme - "fruits and vegetables".
There is special pricing being offered for the "30in30Jan2015". All paintings are priced at $30 for the month of January 2015.
This is for introducing my art to collectors and also to make it affordable for anyone to purchase an original piece of art.