24 of 30 Another Hawk-wing Conch (Broken Shell Series)

Worn Smooth (Hawk-wing Conch)

5" X 7"

Watercolor

$85

Click here to purchase

I hope you aren't sick of conchs. I do live in Key West!

This conch has lots of knobs going down the body, so I'm pretty sure it is another hawk-wing. It is missing the signature "wing," but the inside coloration would also fit with that identification.

I sat down to paint and just couldn't do another straight realistic shell. Shells, being mostly shell pink or tinted with gold, have led me to choose backgrounds in the purple, blue or green families for a considerable number of paintings. I decided I needed something different.

At the end of next week, I'm taking a painting workshop with Lian Zhen. On the supply list were some paints that I didn't already own, so I had purchased them, but not painted with them. I decided to give my new tube of Joe's Red! I love it's transparency! The background here has several other colors mixed in, but in general, I was happy with not pink cheeriness of the new color!

21 of 30 Chestnut Turban (Broken Shell Series)

Beaded Beauty (Chestnut Turban)

4" X 6"

Watercolor

$75

Click here to purchase

I love the sculptural shape that this shell fragment has. I can't imagine how the long thin piece didn't get broken off, but I'm so glad it didn't!

Pretty, Pretty Pendant

Double Blossom

Ink on Shell

1" X 1"

$20

Click here to purchase it on Etsy

I just love this pendant. It is an example of alcohol ink doing what it does best. I love the pinks, reds and oranges with the contrasting lime green. I set it onto a silver square and added a red bead and a cut crystal bead to finish it off.

Day 11 - Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days

Balloons Aloft

4" X 6"

SOLD

I so enjoyed painting balloons yesterday, that I decided to do it again. I decided to "zoom in" just a bit so that the shapes would be a tiny bit bigger.

What have I learned so far during the 30 by 30 Challenge? I've learned that one of my rosy reds will bleed into other colors, even after it has dried. I suspect that I know which one it is and it will soon be replaced! After listening to Carrie Waller on the Artists Helping Artists podcast, I decided to buy the quinacridone colors before they are gone; now, I have a good excuse! The timing couldn't be better because about a week ago, I splurged on a new large palette.

I hope all the artists in the challenge are enjoying it like I am. I will say that my house needs more of my attention, but I'm hoping that this week I am able to balance things a little better.