Day 2 - Seashell on Gold SOLD

10" x 10" Oil and mixed media on panel

For the background, I collaged gold leaf and paper onto the wood panel support. The paper was wrapping for Buddhist burning papers I got in Chinatown last week: a soft, nubbly paper that has a wonderfully satisfying way of soaking up the brown finish so the gold leaf over it just glows.

Then I painted the seashell on top in oils. The white pearlescent seashell contrasts nicely with the warm reflective foil. In some places I rubbed the oil paint quite thin, so the foil shows though in some of the warm midtones.

Also: I signed up for a new online gallery just now, one that's been getting a lot of attention. Check out my portfolio on Saatchi Gallery.

Day 1 - Two Pears on Gold - SOLD

My first of 30 paintings in 30 days!

This one is 10" x 10" and I painted the pears on a gold leaf background - a new technique I am trying out.

I prepared the canvas by applying a layer of golden leaf (which are very thin sheets of faux gold foil) and painting it with brown for an antique-looking background. The oil painting was then done on top of the golden background, which makes the finished painting glow and reflect the light in places. The appearance of the painting shifts according to the light and angle, so as you walk by it gradually changes.

Unfortunately the foil and the wet paint make it difficult to photograph without getting a pale "haze" over the image, so the actual is a bit more saturated in tone and color.

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30 Paintings in 30 Days

So now I'm on to my next challenge - creating a new painting every day for a month. Starting next Monday I'll be posting a digital photo of a new oil painting, created just that day, every day. You can check in periodically to watch my progress and post comments. You can even request a daily email for when I upload the new painting (enter your email address in the right column). And if you are really inspired, you can buy a painting!

Thanks for following along, wish me luck!