If I had a boat. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x6

Thanks to my friend Laura Worsham, who is a fantastic photographer and who also visits Maine, for this relaxing scene. I love her portraits, check out her web-site by clicking link above. Thanks to Lyle Lovett for the title! I can't wait to get out and paint some local boats when it cools off a bit. L

Cynthia. Lydia Host

Another watercolor for the Watercolor and Graphic Art Society Fall member show! This is my entry, I met this model Cynthia, at Five Rivers, where she is a ranger; if you want to rent a kayak and would like a guided tour of the bayou, she could do it. She had such a wonderful energy that I immediately wanted to paint her, and try an convey that strength and beauty.

I am happy with my result, but hey, it was all there for me!

If you live in the Mobile area, please come see the W.G.A.S. show. Opening is Thursday Sept. 3rd from 6-8pm at the Grelot Library. While dropping off my painting, I saw some awesome work.

Thanks,

L.

One a day2.Lydia Host daily painting a day 8x10

Talking on the phone with a friend today who could've really used a nice icy cold martini!

The bottle of olives were what inspired me to paint this scene. I wish that I liked to drink them, because they are so esthetically pleasing, and so fun to assemble.

cheers.

L.

tomatoe tomato

Breakfast for my Dad again! L,

One a day.Lydia Host daily painting a day 8x10

Figure study. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x6

These are some oil sketches on gessoed board from a figure drawing class last saturday. I really love working like this, its so about the pattern of the light. Like yesterday's bottle, I could go back in and clarify these images, but I like the feel of them as they are, and there is a very real chance that I would ruin them by going back in to 'fix' them. In fact the one that looks like a marble statue was like the others, but I tried to adjust somethings and had to change the approach completely. I guess they only work for me as the recording of a moment kind of thing...an extended gesture drawing.

best,

L.

Monday Ale. Lydia Host daily painting a day 5x7

I loved this bottle, and the beer was pretty good too. This is a very loose approach (obviously) and I guess I just wanted to record the idea rather than a strict rendition of the object. I could go back in and clarify, but I like it in its soft focus! L.

Carapelli. Lydia Host daily painting a day 11x14

An old Carapelli olive oil bottle provided the inspiration for this set up. Happy weekend to you! L.

cup-o-tomat's. Lydia Host daily painting a day 8x8

Ha! Walking through a thrift shop today I spied this mug, and couldn't resist giving it a shot.

I feel like it looks like my painting 101 still life....but I painted it much faster than I did when in my first painting class! Something that is funny about painting; it seems that no matter how long and hard you work you can never escape your hand. Some artists try to find a 'style', but really its already there when you start, and by experience you learn to push certain aspects, while suppressing others.

L.

chit-chat. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x6

Wednesday is fruit day. Well.... why not? I found this really beautiful painting of cherries in a cup by an artist named Don Gray I am fascinated by the ceramic cup especially. I love that it is still a painting, and yet so touch ably real. See what you think. L.

Creamers. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x6

Not sure about this composition. I just painted like a zombie today. I shouldn't have bragged about having more time to paint than ever yesterday. No nap, and broken down car interfered with my best intentions today!

My Dad is a man of many quotes and valuable truisms, here is a favorite that applies so often and to so many situations its creepy; 'Things are never as they seem' usually followed by ' remember that...'

L.

Limas. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x8

One son in grad school, one son in college, one son in pre-school, such is my life! This week is the first week of what will be my new norm; one child at home, and in school for the morning hours. I will have the most time to paint that I have had in a long time. I hope that I will use it to the fullest. I am also starting back to school, my last two semesters for my Masters in Liberal Arts. This semester I am taking a three dimensional class and I am excited to work with clay again (original minor in ceramics). I am trying some different recipe paintings in a small format. L.

Love.

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I painted this for a fundraiser. My friend (a total getter extraordinaire') Pam, has organized this event to raise money for one of her students that has Leukemia. The student is a single mother, who is a star student and wonderful young person. The fundraiser will take place at a local wine tasting shop called "Taste" next Thursday evening, here in Mobile. To make a donation, or attend this event please contact Pam ; pamjohnson@usouthal.edu be well, L.

Yellow apple. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x6

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Trying something a little different in terms of paint medium. I have mixed my own, but somehow I am inconsistent with my batches and so I started buying pre-mixed from a fancy hand made art supply company, but that got too expensive, so I found a nice inexpensive (because why should it be expensive ? all of the ingredients are fairly cheap) medium ....and I like it! I will give names tomorrow, because I left it in my studio and can't remember. cheers, L

True love is good for you!

I love beans! Give me beans in a chili, or a burrito, or on a tostada any day and I am happy. I love hot sauce as well....add a little to whatever it is I'm eating...magic! I just read an article about how both things are surprisingly good for you, which is awesome news. Now if only there is an article out there about how ice cream is actually good for you, I'd be feeling pretty healthy.

What is it that you love to eat? (is this a thinly veiled prompt for painting subjects?).

L.

make a cake!

Today I had two little ones all day, and no naps were in sight, so we baked a cake! I used a recipe that my friend and fellow artist Vikki Finch wrote about in her food column last Wednesday. Her recipe was for 'Best Strawberry cake ever'...but I had blueberries, and did I mention that I had two three-year old sous -chefs? Anyway it tastes good! The title of this post and her name are the links to her article...I can't wait to make the Muesli. L.

I had a request for this sort of painting...I struggle with the cliche' and how to avoid it.

I think in this instance...well it looks like an illustration from Robinson Crusoe!

Have a good weekend.

L.

Orange crush. Lydia Host daily painting a day 8x6

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Okay, enough with the Zinnias already! But this is my last bunch...they are on the wane. Went with the board today, I really like that it looks almost like chalk or something. As I struggle and strive to paint pictures that express things in the way that I'd like to, I try and remember that a professor from college who I admire greatly, and who is a fantastic artist, once said " I am just trying to paint one good painting..." several of us stood there with our mouths open in shock, stunned to find that our idol didn't think that he was there yet. It was a defining moment for me, and I try to remember it when I feel like a schmuck with a brush. L.

Sweetie. Lydia Host daily painting a day6x 8

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Back to stretched canvas today. I painted this with no under painting or ground,which is weird when you get used to using a mid-color as a base, it changes the whole tone of the painting. I like the darker ground because it gives my work a tiny bit more presence (I think). Anyway this one seems so sweet and light compared to yesterdays. L.

Two hearts. Lydia Host daily painting a day6x 8

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This was painted on a gessoed board. I haven't painted on board for a while, and I am always surprised by how much I enjoy it. The paint sits up high, and the non- springy surface is nice. I use Daniel Smith gesso and as I have noted before, it absorbs much of the oil in the paint giving the surface a soft almost powdery look. I will spray this with re-touch varnish before it goes out to its new home, giving a nice depth back to the rich colors. cheers, L.

Zannie Zinnias. Lydia Host daily painting a day 8x16

Vacations are good. I thought that I'd be painting all week, but instead I read a few good books, watched my boys play in the surf, and really relaxed. One day I tried to paint, but it was terrible, and then the next day a friendly laid back 'beach rat' decided to come onto our deck and then saunter off when we jumped up and down and banged our chairs...it was a fluffy 'hamster looking' rat at least, but I couldn't imagine painting and looking down to see a rat (even a cute one) sniffing around my feet!!! My lovely Zinnia-ful neighbor was also gone last week, but came home and immediately went to work pruning them back so they will continue to bloom...I was one of the many beneficiaries of this activity...so this might be a zinnia-ful week.

Be well,

L.