Southern NM State Fair Wins and More Art Plans

My 5 entries all won ribbons at the Fair. I also got Best of Show in the 2 dimensional art section (competing with about 70 total pieces). I was so shocked and happy. Felt like a star for a day, and I have a big 18" ribbon too. Also won a little money, yay!

I got a white ribbon on "Cap Off the Toothpaste," a red on "Silver Cup with Grapes" and "French Glazed Donut." And then I got a blue ribbon on "Silver Cup with Green Apples" and "Rhyolite Mercantile" which I had just finished literally the day of the evening I had to deliver it for set up. The bowl of apples won the Best of Show.

So now I have a display wall at home, lol.

Now I've decided to work on a collection of southwest architecture paintings. I love the feel of it (being new to NM) and so hopefully I won't get bored. The newest one is "Santa Fe Door." That's the second one and I have 2 more barely started. I hope to do at least 10, maybe even 15 or 20. In any case, I want to do a "southwest collection" that will include landscapes, architecture, and still lifes. At least a total of 20!

New long-term goal:  To become an "art-vendor" here in the city. First I have to make a collection and a website....was supposed to do that a long time ago.

  

French Donut Before and After

I thought it was finished but I decided I didn't like how green it was and wanted to make it a warmer orange. And it was easy! Wasn't a pain to do at all, and only took a short time. I'm much, much happier with it now.

Before

After

All five small donut paintings

Acrylic paintings on 6 x 8" canvas panels.

French Honey Dip Donut

The last in this group of single donuts. I want to move on to other subjects. These were fun to do and it helped me with self-discipline and speed. Maybe now I can focus more on slowing down and doing more involved work.

Glazed Donut painting

I did this today from life. It doesn't look like the actual donut, but I still like the end result. I guess i still have to work on better color matching. Neatness doesn't matter, but color and value do. And try to pay attention to brush stroke textures.

Chocolate Glazed Donut painting

Did this one from memory alone. Testing my abilities. Also did it in one afternoon--2 hrs I think. 6 x 8" on canvas panel.

Jelly Donut Bite and Cream Donut Bite paintings

I did these in the last 2 days. I've been trying to improve my self-discipline. Finishing these in a short time made me feel great. I was experimenting and practicing with style, color combos, and values. The cream one is from my reference photo, and the jelly is out of my imagination. Each acrylic painting is on a 6" x 8" canvas panel. Happiness is always donuts!!!

Donuts 2

I always wanted to do a "painting a day." Well I finally sped it up and did this one in 2 days! It is one square foot, acrylic on stretched canvas. I took me approximately 4 or 5 hours. Getting better at my painter's block. I'm counting calories now and this painting makes my mouth water. It is based on a  photo I took months ago of donuts inside the box. Coconut, a plain, a jelly, and my favorite--a chocolate covered white cream-filled.

It matches one I did a few months ago, as seen below.

Donuts

Here's my latest painting, Donuts, just finished today. I'm very happy with it. It took 4 hours of painting time, and a whole week of artist's block! :) Here's the evolution of the painting. It's based on a photo I took (last photo). And it's 12" square. Kind of small for me, but I think I like this size!

Peanut donut

Cinnamon bun and cream filled

Chocolate frosting

Darken darks and work on cinnamon bun

White cream, hilites on chocolate, and glaze on bun

Add a few crumbs, and sign!

And here is the reference photo I used. It was dull, so I "ortonized" it to bring out more vivid coloring.

Photo I created and used to do this painting.