North Peak Rhythms

"North Peak Rhythms", acrylic on canvas, 12" x 16"

Here's my interpretation of Mt. Diablo's North Peak, started on location in Clayton in late January.   In my fantasy there's a gentle frosting of snow with a hint of poppies to come, and a feeling of spirit and peace radiates from the mountain. 

30 Day Challenge Complete!

Paintings and drawings by Nancy Roberts, created for the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge

Finished the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" yesterday.  Whew!  It was fun, difficult, stressful, and a great experience.  Got me off my duff and painting on a regular schedule, and I can already feel my skills improving.  Now that I have this momentum going I plan to keep it up (although maybe not a painting a day!)  Many thanks to artist Leslie Saeta for creating and hosting this wonderful challenge. I chose my 25 favorites from the month to include in this collage.

Day 30: North Peak in Progress

"North Peak" in progress, acrylic on canvas 12" x 16"

Started this painting today at a beautiful trailhead park in Clayton with stunning views up the northern slopes of Mt. Diablo.  It was a perfect afternoon, painting with friends on a warm, sunny January day.  I love California!

My view looking toward Mt. Diablo's North Peak



My drawing, reinforced with paint

Day 29: Growth Spurt

"Growth Spurt", watercolor on wood, 7" x 5"

My Mom was an artist and my Dad was a cabinetmaker, so painting on wood feels like coming home to me.  I love how watercolor acts like a glowing stain that lets the grain show through.  I even like the way it insists on creeping into the grain to create some unpredictable feathery edges.

Day 28: Chem 101

"Chem 101", watercolor 6" x 4"

Here's another in my series of little color studies, this time playing with an old chemistry template. The interesting flask shapes made for fun design elements. My palette was Phthalo Green, Arylide Yellow and Cobalt Violet.

Day 27: Lavish Lace

 

"Lacey, Reclining Pose", charcoal and pastel

"Lacey, Standing Pose", Charcoal and pastel

"Lacey with a Compact", charcoal and pastel

This lovely model is Lacey, also known as Lavish Lace.  She has a calm, centered quality and quiet elegance that I really enjoyed trying to capture.

Day 26: Sunburst

"Sunburst", acrylic on canvas, 14" x 11"

When I give my young students a landscape project they almost always want to include the sun.  Guess I can't resist including it once in a while myself.  This painting is inspired by one of my all-time favorite artists, American painter Charles Burchfield.  Burchfield loved nature and wanted to convey not only the look of it but also the sounds, smells, wind, rain, heat, cold, growth, decay, fleeting moments.  His work is wild and strong, and truly amazing.