Once upon a time... Lydia Host daily painting a day 8x6

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Rearrange them and it feels like the first time. M.E.K. and I painted these again yesterday. I painted this over an old painting, which always gives a nice depth, and in this case you can see the under-painting through the pear bodies, which is something I find appealing. L.

Figure study. Lydia Host daily painting a day 8x10

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Last night in figure group, we had more time than usual to finish work, this seemed to be helpful to most people, but for myself, I am not so sure! Sometimes my fast work is better. This is on an oval canvas, which just seemed to be made for this pose. In some ways I wonder if I should go back in and finish things up, but I am not going to do that because this is saying all that I want it to right now.

L.

coffee time. Lydia Host daily painting a day 8x10

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I really just wanted to paint the sugar cubes in the glass container, and the orange Lillies are still looking so pretty they had to be included as well. I am planning a larger painting that revolves around the idea of peaceful coffee time, which is a time that I don't really have anymore, but I know that it will come again ! Maybe including a newspaper,or a good book...sigh. L.

Onlookers. Lydia Host daily painting a day 8x6

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Have I mentioned how fun pears are to paint? Ha ha just kidding, I know that I have...several times. But true is true. What I enjoyed in painting this was finding the hidden colors in the fruit. L.

Strength. Lydia Host daily painting a day 5x7

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Sometimes you are strong, and sometimes you need to be when you aren't really...so you put on your bright face, and slog on. Life definitely requires strength. Sunflowers seem to symbolize that quality. L.

Keeping it neat. Lydia Host daily painting a day 8x6

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My husband and his brothers like to drink this stuff and have philosophical musings. I just liked this bottle....well okay, I like the bonding it represents, even if I don't partake! From a painterly point of veiw, it is dreamy- all of that glass and the colors and reflections. L.

Pear is Pear. Lydia Host daily painting a day 11x14

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This is a two day painting a day! I had grand plans yesterday when I started, but it really needed two sessions. I couldn't find any of my little canvas' so I just started in on this 11x14. The topic was to be the pears, but I had also bought these crazy lilies, and wow, my tangerines were still sitting there...well how could I resist? So much of the same colors in different values and intensity. The composition was fun too with the repetition of shape through out.

L.

Lean on me. Lydia Host daily painting a day 8x10

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Well, I love to paint pears and cherries...apples not so much. Part of 'painting a day 'for me is to stretch and grow as an artist, painting items that I have never painted, and improving my technique on things that really need it! I am not completely pleased with these apples, but they are where I am right now. I also like that this painting is in patriotic colors for today's inauguration- Happy day. L.

intertwined. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x10

I haven't painted on board lately, and today I did. The board sucks a lot of the oil out of the paint immediately, so that there is a dullness or flatness to them. I love the hard surface, but have come to like a certain gloss in my paint, there is probably a way to get both, but I haven't figured it out yet. Mary Elizabeth came and painted with me this afternoon, and she is posting a picture of my studio set up on her blog today; its fun to see the source, and then the outcomes that are so different. (if you click on her name it should take you there).

L.

Radish Radish Radish Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x6

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Radishes were my first painting a day subject, and I haven't painted them since, but they are fun and I will be painting them again soon. They have some important painting elements, form, contrasting color, and then line as well; the whole package. Thanks to everyone who gave me some baby painting feedback, it has been very helpful. L

Figure drawing.

Last night at figure drawing we had a new model, she has a great face that I felt I did not capture, but will try again next time. Such sadness (even though I don't think she was sad!). I just used pencil and a little watercolor..so relaxing!

I will probably not post tomorrow as I am transporting art to a little show that Mary Elizabeth Kimbrough and I are in this weekend. It will be at the Unitarian Church of Fairhope AL. a very 'arty' church, they have a gallery that we be in for the next month, if you are over that way. The reception is Sat. from 3-5 pm. 1150 Fairhope AVE. I think you could stop by any time during business hours, and obviously on Sundays!

Hope you have a great weekend.

L.

Have a great weekend.

Good Intentions. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x8

Well, I do have good intentions every January! Eating healthy is always my goal...year round, its just that I have a little trouble in the portion dept. I posted this baby that I started today ..IT IS NOT FINISHED! I am happy with the start... I keep trying to think of a painter who has painted non-freakish looking babies. I haven't ever painted a child this young before, and so in a way its an experiment. I really would love to hear what you have to say, you won't hurt my feelings...about the painting. How old does this baby appear, and does it look like "oh what a cute baby!" or "whoa, is that a baby?" you can respond on the comments of blog, or email me. I am curious, thanks.

L

Stylish Peel. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x6

My husband Jon is the master of peeling citrus! He can get a perfect spiral every time. Thought it worthy of a painting. This painting just fell off the brush, if that is an acceptable way of explaining how it went, as opposed to some paintings that are a struggle the whole way through. Pure pleasure. L.

And the people... Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x6

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I found these at a little thrift shop that just opened up, and couldn't resist painting them...ah those were the days! As you may already know, I am working towards my masters, and in doing so am forced to think about why I paint the way I do etc. My Professor, a fabulous Artist and friend, Wanda Sullivan told me all semester to paint a reflection of my life. Okay, remember the "granny" comment from undergrad, well she told me to embrace my granniness, be granny-08 (well 09 now) but not to run from who I am. What great advice huh?

L.

In the kitchen.

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Today I just had to wipe down my daily painting...trust me it was for the best. I thought that I'd show you a couple of the larger (20x20) paintings that I am finishing up for a little upcoming show. I still have to put the word Crystal on the hot sauce, and a few other dots on the Big pot painting. The baking picture is finished I think, I wasn't intending any underlying meanings, but somebody pointed out that it has "brown sugar" and "white flour" in it, which makes me laugh.

L.

peppers. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x6

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I recieved these peppers from my artist pal Vikki Finch, I was SO excited to paint them, they are so beautiful and vibrant, I feel as though I didn't do them justice. I painted them a couple of days ago. I was struck by the feared stomach virus early monday, and really am just now sitting upright...jeez. Both my husband and three year old also have been virus-ed up, my eighteen year old is trying as hard as he can to avoid contamination! I hope he can do it. Tomorrow I plan to be back on schedule! Hope your return to "real life" after the holidays has been smooth! L.

"I'm skinnier than you". Lydia Host painting a day 6x8

I painted with Mary Elizabeth this afternoon...we chatted about people who are very concerned with being thin. What it means, and why it matters. Conclusions: we are not thin...we don't want to be, we like to eat. When women reach a certain age they actually CAN be too thin. Ha! who knows.. All I'm saying is that if you work really hard to look good then I hope you enjoy it somehow, like its not worth being a miserable thin person!! I then thought that these champagne flutes might be competing.

Happy New year!!!

L.