Fire Flower Off to Its New Home!

Fire Flower
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
8″ x 6″
©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

Always makes me happy to see one of my babies off to a good home.  John is happy it is off the shelf. Can’t help but smile.

Sep 2018 30n30: Collage

Another push to paint everyday for 30 days is done!  I can not thank Leslie enough for all her work and support of artists all over the world.  There did not seem to be as many artists participating as in the past but the work was good.  As for me, I am energized.  My vacation amidst the fall colors of northern New Mexico and Colorado and a wonderful but short stop at the Georgia O’Keeffe museum in Santa Fe was inspiring. I am ever grateful for the encouragement from my family, friends and fellow artists.  I do hope we do it again in January.

Here is my collage:

September 2018 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

 

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Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

Sep 2018 30n30: Moonlit Waterfall

A not so 10 minute painting!

Moonlit Waterfall Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas 6″ x 8″ Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

 

Since I am both a worship artist and a prophetic artist at Emmanuel Fellowship Church, I find that painting quickly is essential on those Sundays I find myself “on deck” as we call it.  You can imagine painting on a 22″ x 28″ canvas during two 45 minute worship services can be quite daunting.  I am always on the look out for tips to help me paint quickly.

On one of my searches on YouTube I discovered Ryan O’Rourke and his 10 minute painting lessons.  I enjoy watching his videos as I am walking on my treadmill.  His Moonlit Waterfall Landscape lesson is one I actually decided to try and paint.  I took notes and here are some of the things I learned:

I used the paints I normally use.  His palette included(I took my notes from his video)

Liquitex’s

• Primary Blue
• Primary Yellow
• Burnt Umber
• Mars Black
• Titanium White

My palette consisted of

Winsor Newton’s

• Ultramarine Blue
• Cobalt Blue
• Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue,
• Titanium White

Golden’s

• Burnt Umber

Liquitex’s Heavy Body

• Mars Black

I tried to follow along with his video for my time table and I am embarrassed to say his 10 minute painting took this artist a total of 54 minutes and probably a bit more.  I did this last spring and my notes are just a wee bit old.  However since I just glazed the painting, I am using it for my final 30 N 30 painting.

The brushes I used:

• Large Square Brush
• Medium Square Brush
• Small Square Brush
• Small Round Brush

My timed segments were:

• 15 min
• 60 min
• 30 min
• 30 min
• 54 min

For a Grand Total of 189 minutes for my 10 minute painting.  I have to admit part of my problem was seeing exactly what he was painting.  For instance, it was difficult for me to see the sketched rocks.  I also had to figure out some of the things he knows instinctively how to paint.

I thoroughly enjoy watching him and will continue to do so.  He has changed his channel to Stay Creative from 10 Minute Paintings.  You can also become a Patreon for a nominal fee.  I applaud him for his growth and for his dedication to share his knowledge through his channel.

His use of Mars Black intrigues me and I did like using it in this painting.  I don’t use Liquitex student grade paints for a variety of reasons but I suspect my painting would have gone quicker had I been using a thinner paint.  All in all I give Ryan O’Rouke a thumbs up as Siskel and Ebert used to say in their reviews of movies.

 

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Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

Sep 2018 30n30: Healing WIP

More work on the clouds.  I think I have ruined the entire thing.  Oh well,  there is only one way up when you’re at the bottom. Right?

Healing 3 detail
Acrylic on Canvas
WIP
©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

Healing 1
Acrylic on Canvas
WIP
©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

 

The original:

Healing Acrylic on Canvas WIP ©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

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Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

Sep 2018 30n30: Mermaid Paisley

I limited myself to a certain number of colors for this paisley page. I played with color and shapes in each image.  I also played with using Sakura moonlight pens over other colors with line and an attempt at blending which worked somewhat in a few of the floral shapes.  Metallic dots on top of blue in another.  I would never use neon colors on a canvas because they shift quickly over a short time if exposed to light – but on paper – they sure are fun.

Perhaps a mermaid might collect these.  I think they look like they belong in water, don’t you?

Mermaid Paisley
An experiment in pen and ink
8″ x 10.75″
Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

Sep 2018 30n30: Healing WIP

My the week has passed quickly.  We got back from our amazing trip last Sunday evening.  I am still sorting through my photos.  It was mostly a pen and ink evening week with several doctors visits with my Mom.  However, Yesterday, I was able to get the easel back up in the kitchen and work on my “Healing” canvas.

The portion in the sky that particularly bothered me was this:

Healing 1
Acrylic on Canvas
WIP
©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

It was too busy and I didn’t think it made any sense in the painting.  I worked on a glaze to even the top colors of the painting.  I hope this is unifying it a bit.  I will put another layer on it today and then begin the sky under the left cloud.  I think that area doesn’t make much sense either.

Tell me what you think please.

Healing 2
Acrylic on Canvas
WIP
©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

 

The original:

Healing Acrylic on Canvas WIP ©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

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Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

Sep 2018 30n30: Paisley Fever Christmas

Well you might as well know- I am off in Colorado with my hubby and friends.  Yea!  Our first vacation in quite a while.  Hopefully, I am getting lots of wonderful reference photos.  Looking for some color and some Aspens as well as FUN!

This paisley pattern is done in complimentary colors of red and green.  I must say this one was a challenge.  However, I think it turned out very well.

Red & Green Inks and Water Based Markers:

Red and Green Paisley
An experiment in pen and ink
8″ x 10.75″
Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

 

 

Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

Sep 2018 30n30: Paisley Fever Metallics

Oh – I’m in love with metallic inks even though you really should use them sparingly. I don’t use metallic acrylic paints in my paintings because the paints are quite opaque unless you add them to another paint for a reflective effect.

This page turned out looking light and airy with shimmers.  The negative spaces certainly matter with metallic inks.  You can see the effect of not leaving the white of the page in one of the smaller paisley patterns.  It isn’t unpleasant but the values of the metallic inks seem to me very close making them blend together into one shape.

Metallic Inks and Water Based Markers:

Metallic Paisley
An experiment in pen and ink
8″ x 10.75″
Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

 

 

Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

Sep 2018 30n30: Paisley Fever Analogous Colors 2

More Analogous Colors, the metallic inks don’t show up as well in the scans and the pen marks aren’t as lovely as on the paper.  Oh well, they’re studies.

I have found that it does matter how the inks come off the nib onto the paper.  It is a lot like painting with the Sakura pens because of the way the ink flows from the nib.  Other pens are more like coloring with pencil or drawing with ink.

Orange, Brown, and Gold Inks and Water Based Markers:

Orange, Brown, & Gold Paisley
An experiment in pen and ink
8″ x 10.75″
Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

 

Black, Grey, and Silver Inks and Water Based Markers:

Black, Grey, & Silver Paisley
An experiment in pen and ink
8″ x 10.75″
Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

 

Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

Sep 2018 30n30: Paisley Fever Analogous Colors 1

Playing with analogous color schemes is a lot of fun.  I realized I need a greater variety of most of the colors.  I have plenty of greens and blues but regardless of the brand (or name), many of the inks are the same hue.  I will post my color charts later.  I have learned I can draw on top of the Sharpie pens with my Sakura pens and it shows a subtle shift in color.  You will have to look close to see it.

Pink & Red Inks and Water Based Markers:

Reds & Pinks Paisley
An experiment in pen and ink
8″ x 10.75″
Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

Blue and Green Inks and Water Based Markers:

Green & Blue Paisley
An experiment in pen and ink
8″ x 10.75″
Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

 

 

Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

Sep 2018 30n30: Paisley Fever Mardi Gras

Again from a coloring book.  I was very bored with this particular page.  I wondered what could I do with it.  I decided to add texture and play with carrying the colors throughout the page. For example, if you follow the blue, it will lead your eye to  shapes all over the page but in different colors and textures.  The same is true for orange and green.  Other colors are added for effect to make a shape or pattern within a shape to pop.  Check out the purples to see what I mean.

Mardi Gras Paisley
An experiment in pen and ink
8″ x 10.75″
Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

Sep 2018 30n30: Paisley Fever 1 & 2

Rediscovered a coloring book I was using as a demonstration tool in a pen and ink workshop.  Since I am still recovering in a myriad of ways, I have been using this book and my pens to explore color and pattern.  These two are an experiment in  browns, green, and oranges.  I don’t know if I should put them on the 30N30 blog as they are not really original nor are they paintings.  They do take quite a bit of time and I am learning a lot from doing the studies.

Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

Sep 2018 30n30: Healing

I’ve been very successful at creating nearly every day but no so successful at the blogging every day.  Lots of appointments and commitments are taking me away from my blog.  I sure need to learn how to use my smartphone a little better.

Today, I was back on deck at Emmanuel Fellowship Church as a worship artist.  This painting has been a WIP for a long time but progress was made today.  I am excited to finish this landscape.

Healing Acrylic on Canvas WIP ©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

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Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

Sep 2018 30n30: Paradise Memory

The pops of color God paints for me in the forms of flowers, sunrises, and sunsets fill me with joy no matter where my heart might be at the moment.  This little painting is a semi abstract of one of my favorite flowers: Bird of Paradise.  They don’t grow in West Texas and if you get a chance to see them in their native climate, well, Pictures or paintings just don’t do them justice.

Paradise Memory
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
5″ x 5″
©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

 

Sep 2018 30n30: Pink N Purple Paisley Final

Pen and ink paisley pattern is finished!  This took several hours through several days.  I am learning a lot about “painting” with pens.  Just as I have to love a brushstroke in painting, I am learning to love a pen mark and the color of the paper is okay to show through.  I am sure if I copied this on my computer I could make a more graphic design.  However, you can definitely see my personal pen mark in this.

Purple N Pink Paisley Study Final
Pen and Ink
6″ x 8″
NFS
©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

Purple N Pink Paisley Study
Pen and Ink
6″ x 8″
NFS
©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

 

Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

Sep 2018 30n30: Pink N Purple Paisley Study

Paisley patterns have always intrigued me.  So, working in my sketchbook with pen and ink often brings me to these patterns.  I have been experimenting with color while coloring in a paisley pattern book.  Some of the patterns are interesting but most are just vehicles for practice.  This one, however, is an original and a study with purple, pink, and silver pens.  I will post it again when it is finished.

I drew a lot of circles and did not like the look.  Now I am going back over the circles with solid shapes.  Tell me what you think.

Purple N Pink Paisley Study
Pen and Ink
6″ x 8″
NFS
©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

 

Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

Sep 2018 30n30: Turtle for My Sister

I didn’t fret too much about not painting yesterday.  Mom and I went to church and I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon with John and my Mom.

June held a trip to Jacksonville, Florida visiting my Mom and my sister.  I surprised my sister with this painting.  I didn’t know she loved turtles so much.

Loggerhead Turtel Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas 6″ x 8″ NFS ©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

This little guy gave me a little trouble.  My reference photo left a little to be desired and it took me a while to see he needed another “foot” at his back.  I decided the ocean floor needed a little adjusting.  The reference photo was a little cluttered.

Loggerhead II WIP

This is the beginning draft of the little guy.

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Logghead Turtle 1

Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

Sep 2018 30n30: A Heart for Turtles

Painting again in a 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.  Thank you Leslie Saeta!

I have several goals for this month.

My not so complete list:

• Paint as often as I am able
• Paint along with another artist – maybe 5 times
• Finish one large painting started before I broke my wrists
• Finish one medium painting begun before the above mentioned incident
• Paint small canvas ( 2 – 4 inches) for the Christmas season
• Paint several favorite vacation scenes
• Go on a 4 day trip with my hubby and take lots of photos

Today’s painting is loosely based on a vacation painting which actually was in a small reserve pond.  There were too many turtles to count and they weren’t sea turtles. I was also influenced by my sister’s love for turtles.

A Heart for Turtles Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas 5″ x 5″ ©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

 

Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

September 2018 30 N 30 Blog

 

 

Feb 30n30 18: Final Collage

The 30 days is over.  I am a little sad it is over but very encouraged.  I have worked everyday and this challenge has done so much to help me heal and get motivated again. I am sad I didn’t get to visit more of the other artists pages.  Hopefully, I will correct that soon.

You will hear more from me in 2018!

Feb 30n30 2018
Collage
©Suzan Hughes Kennedy

 

Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

https://www.saetastudio.com/february-30-in-30-blog

Feb 2018 30n30: Paige’s Ornament

Today, my kitchen tile was grouted.  This little ornament was finished yesterday.  Can you find the names in the design on the back side of the ornament?  It was fun playing with the color and pattern on this little cutie.  I have a good start on this year’s Christmas ornaments.

The Front:

Paige’s Ornament
Acrylic on Wood
©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

The Back:

Paige’s Ornament
Acrylic on Wood
©Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

Be sure to check out the other participating artists at:

https://www.saetastudio.com/february-30-in-30-blog