Colorado Gold

Jenni Twidle

Sylvia Young

Roger Akesson

Charlotte Tanner

Barbara Benik

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Colorado is famous for its autumn foliage; aspen trees in the high country change to golds, oranges and reds. It seems this year things are a bit ahead of schedule. I managed to grab some photos this week with the trees at their prime, not more than 30 minutes west of Denver proper.

Colorado Gold

It's a beautiful time of year, and the temperatures are practically balmy in the mountains.  Who knows how long that will last, for in Colorado we say that if you don't like the weather, just wait a minute.  It's always changing!

 I hope this photo inspires you in your art work.  Happy painting!

Remember to follow the "Rules of the Road" on the right and send me your images as an attachment to your email.  The October challenge will be posted about Sunday,October 21, 2012.  Thanks to everyone who participates, and good luck.  

March 2012: Still Life With Dark Field

Jean Nelson

Sylvia Young

I taught a still life workshop in February, and the group created three arrangements to work from.  After a series of thumbnail sketches, each artist settled on one to develop further into a finished piece of art.

Still Life on Dark Drape

Good luck to you all with this painting challenge!  Remember to follow the "Rules of the Road" on the right and send me your images as an attachment to your email.  The April challenge will be posted on April 1, 2012.  Thanks to everyone who participates, and good luck.   Happy Painting!

May 2011 Challenge: Sunflowers

Submittal Deadline:  Sunday, June 5, 2011

11:59 PM MST

A 5-Week Challenge

Catherine Hale

Ann Hyde

Rebecca Wang

Maria Soto Robbins

Millie Nguyen

Horst Hittenberger

 Helen Eaton

Nancie Johnson

William Cook

 Murilo S. Romeiro

Sylvia Young

Jean Nelson

 Ann Hyde

Ann Hyde

Bernie Victor

 Charlotte Tanner

 This month's challenge comes from last fall's discovery of a massive sunflower field in the country north of Denver.

Colorado Sunflower Field

I'm certain I had sunflowers on my mind when I chose this photograph because I watched my favorite Dr. Who 11 episode over the weekend - Vincent and The Doctor.  Need I say more?

You will have five (5) weeks to work on this challenge.  Remember to follow the "Rules of the Road" on the right and send me your images as an attachment to your email by June 5, 2011, when you also will be able to see what I have in store for you for the June challenge. Thanks to everyone who participates.

Happy painting!

December 2010: Flowers in Glass Vase

Submittal Deadline:  January 2, 2011

11:59 PM MST

A 5-Week Challenge

Nancie Johnson

Catherine Hale

Linda Popple

Angela Sullivan

Sheryl Chew

 Sherry Thurner

Sylvia Young

Horst Hittenberger

Hi, folks!  Thanks for all of your great paintings of the apples.  We had a lot of submittals this time, and I'm pleased that so many of you were inspired by the photo.

Now, on to another still life, but this time a vase of flowers.  This photo has a little different perspective - looking down on the vase, so the top rim and the bottom of the vase where it meets the table are those ellipses we have seen before (March 2010  Challenge:  Malibu Fountain).  They are from different angles, though, so they should look different if you choose to render them correctly.  However, if the prespective makes you crazy, and you prefer to paint from a more "head-on" view, go for it!

This setup has both a complementary color scheme and a strong light/dark pattern.  I'm eager to see what you all can do with this subject.

 Flowers in Glass Vase

You will have five (5)) weeks to work on this challenge (extra time for winter holidays). Remember to follow the "Rules of the Road" on the right and send me your images as an attachment to your email by January 2, 2011,  when you also will be able to see what I have in store for you for the January challenge. Thanks to everyone who participates.

Happy painting!

September 2010 Challenge: Garden of the Gods

 Loretta Sampson

 Tilen Ti

Irina Rehviashvili

Rebecca Wang

Nancie Johnson

Sylvia Young

Yasha Sharma

Karin Naylor

Sylviane

Radha Krishnan

Jenni Twidle

Marie E. Sautier

Byannick

 Charlotte Tanner

 Murilo S. Romeiro

 Jean Nelson

This month's picture shows some of the spectacular rock formations at Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs.  It's an easy walk from the main parking lot south along the trail loop that takes one right up to these giant spires.  And if you ever visit Colorado, make this a destination.  It is a beautiful place.

You will have four (4) weeks to work on this challenge. Remember to follow the "Rules of the Road" on the right and send me your images as an attachment to your email by September 26, when you also will be able to see what I have in store for you for the October challenge. Thanks to everyone who participates.

Happy painting!