Recap - 30 Paintings in 30 days challenge!

Well, I did it! I am so thrilled at all of the support and also all that I have learned by this little discipline! There is another challenge scheduled in September.

I plan to participate, but I may also do one of my own.

I'm thinking of May. (I'll keep you posted). In the meantime, I will
be giving away a FREE painting! If you are already

getting this post by email, then you are already in the drawing.

Otherwise, you can sign up here:

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GOOD LUCK!

January 2016 by Dee Lessard

Collage of all 30 paintings done during the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge!

Day #30 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge!

It has been such an amazing 30 days! I have sold almost all of the paintings I did.

I'm so shocked! But very, very encouraged! I appreciated all the encouragement 

and supportive emails from many of you who have followed this journey. 

I have been so blessed through all of this and am wanting to pass a blessing onto someone else.

The painting below is a gift to a special lady named Sharon. 

I hope you have a wonderful birthday tomorrow!

Peaceful Breeze 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard

NFS

Day #29 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge!

I am working on my Landscapes. 

It's very different than doing portraits or still life subjects.

The diptych I did a couple of weeks ago are going to be 

worked on this week-end and reposted. You'll have to give me feedback!

I love the effect of light on things and tried to get that on this painting below.

In The Pasture 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD!

Day #28 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge!

I am so happy to live in a state where we are so close to so many beautiful sights. 

30-45 min an any direction brings you to the mountains, 

the lakes region or the ocean! How glorious and blessed we are! 

And truly a painters dream!

The Wave 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD!

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Day # 27- 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

This is one of my favorite subject matters. 

I love to get the glow of the fruit as light goes through it. 

I'm getting ready for a large still life show that I was invited to 

exhibit along with two other artists. It's not until the fall, 

but it was scheduled 3 years ago! It's quite an honor to be invited 

to exhibit at the Whistler House in Lowell, MA

Grapes 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard -SOLD

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Day #26 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge!

We have an Audobon Center and Preserve

 just a few miles from our home. It has the most wonderful trails 

where it's ideal for bird watchers and nature lovers.

Here is an American Goldfinch.

Goldie 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD

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Day #25 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge!

What fun this month has been. I especially had fun today painting this 

sweet baby creature! I could've been over-enthusiastic on sweetness because 

Monday's are the day I watch a precious little 6 month old nephew.

He too is the epitome of cuteness and sweetness! ❤️

Lambkin 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard

This is available by auction. Click on link for more info:

Day #24 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge!

I was really inspired by the colors in the sky of this setting sun. 

The reflections on the water and the snow were so much fun to paint. 

This was a friends back yard and they affectionately
refer to their property as "the shire".
(I'm sure living in NH has something to do with it!) 

So it was fitting to name this painting just that!

The Shire 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard -SOLD

Day #23- 30 paintings in 30 days!

OK, So I know I already did a a cardinal, but this one is an ADULT one, 

where the other one was young! The other one sold so fast,
and many of you were bummed.

So, here is another one for you to bid on! Good Luck!!!

On Watch 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard -SOLD

Day # 22 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

I love dogs! I have wanted to ask my friends to send me pictures
of their furry friends to add to this challenge. I decided for now,
I had enough to work on to get me through these 30 days.
But afterwards, I would love to have people send me images 

of their dogs for me to use royalty free to paint from. So, in the next couple
of months, keep that in mind and start looking through your pictures!

The Great Dane.  6x6 oil by Dee Lessard -SOLD

Day #21- 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

When it's cold like this, I like to think about warmer days! Like spring!

So, in case you are needing to think spring...or even maybe Mothers Day, here's some inspiration!

(I'm humming a song, can you guess what it is?)

Tip-Toe  5x7 oil by DeeLessard -SOLD

Day # 20 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

Here is another figurative painting. This is a rower we caught just chilling.

It's been a long day, but I finished!

The Rower. 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD

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Day #19 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

We have an amazing sanctuary in our small back yard (small of course is relative).

 We live in a small city, and have a double city lot. 

My husband has created a gorgeous surprise paradise with his master
gardening skills.We get so excited to see these beautiful animals
stop and visit, or better yet, make their home here.

Snow Bird. 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD

To see other available works go HERE

Day # 18 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

It's the 3rd week. Yahoo! It's been such an amazing journey
doing this consistently for 18 days!I have been learning so much
doing this challenge. Most especially that I am having fun again. These last couple
of years have been a roller coaster ride of events that have kept many tops spinning. 

But THIS year, my resolution was to get back to painting and have FUN!
It's working!!! Here is a reflection of one of my hobbies I enjoy
(not so much this month as my focus is on accomplishing this feat.)

Antique Kindle 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard
SOLD

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CORRECTION!

Sorry for any confusion. It was VERY late when I posted the last post. 

This is in fact a DIPTYCH (not a triptych)!

Day #16 + #17 -30 paintings in 30 days challenge

I decided to try doing a diptych. So here it is!

As you can see each side can stand on it's own and be framed
without needing it to be part of the diptych. 

I did this in a different style than I usually do, but I had fun with this process!
Each side is auctioned separately.

Marshland (left) 4x6 oil by Dee Lessard

Marshland (right) oil by Dee Lessard

Here is the Marshland diptych together:

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Day #15 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

My husband and I decided to raise a few chickens for fresh eggs. I can tell you that our chickens are QUEENS of chickens because they are very well cared for. I believe these are the most expensive eggs I have ever had. But aside from that, they are entertaining and some breeds are really beautiful. 

And though ours are beautiful, they have yet to make it into one of my paintings. This one below was one we saw at the Fryeburg Fair this past fall and I was struck at how fancy and colorful they can be.

Fanciful Fowl. 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD

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Day # 14 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

My husband is a master gardener and is an artist in the field of gardening to name one of HIS many talents!

We (oops I mean HE) grows a couple of beautiful hydrangea plants. At the end of the summer season, he will go around and pick the last of the flowers before the first frost. This hydrangea was clipped when it was still green. But as it dried in the vase it became this beautiful blue-ish green that is gorgeous. I still have it! (Of course the painting is while it was still fresh!)

Endless Summer  5x5 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD

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Day #13 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

 I was away for a 5 day Plein Air painting trip on the east coast during the summer.

This little girl was so adorable that I asked if I could photograph her. She is so captivated with her exploring. I feel that way too when I'm at the beach!

Treasure Seeker 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard -SOLD

Day #12 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

It's been snowing tonight and I think it effected my mood, so I went with it!

This is not my usual genre, but I have been working a little more with landscape.

 Snow is not my thing. But I made the best of it by painting it! 

(It beats shoveling it!)

Winter Path 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD

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Day #11 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

I'm trying very hard to be faithful to my followers who have expressed their anticipation each day as I post a new painting! I Don't think I have ever painted for 11 days in a row! With work and life events it just hasn't happened until now! I guess the intentional focus of doing this challenge and knowing that my friends are watching, keeps me accountable to my promise of completing this challenge!
Thank you for following!

Backyard Visitor 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD

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Day #10 - 30 paintings in 30 days

This was a fun challenge that my husband encouraged me to do.

He belongs to a FaceBook group called, The official CS Lewis group.

We are huge fans of his work but especially the Chronicle of Narnia series.

Of course Aslan would look much tougher than I have him here, but seeing that this is uncharted territory for me, I was quite pleased with the end result. 

Courage Dear Heart  5x7 oil by Dee Lessard 

This is available for auction. Click on link below:

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Day #9 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

I know the Holidays are over and it is a bit anti-climatic to post a paint of ornaments!
But this is something I have wanted to do the last two years! But the tree is always put away and the mood is gone by the time I remember it. But this year I knew I would be doing this 30 day painting challenge and someone gave me idea's about subject material that I could use. In this case, the idea was to do next years Christmas card or even use it as part of a calendar!

Reflections of the Holidays  5x7 oil by Dee Lessard

This is available for a short time on auction:




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Day #8 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

Here is a painting I actually did not too long ago!  I have a few "wild cards" ...paintings I already had finished in the last month or so but never posted. I needed a night off tonight. This one is also available at auction, but this one comes FRAMED!

Quite A Pare   4x6 oil by Dee Lessard

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Day #7 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

I love Vintage images and even more of little children! This one I painted today! 

I absolutely love doing paintings in the sepia colors. This was fun bringing to a more finished level this way!

Vintage Child  6x6 oil by Dee Lessard

Day #6 - 30paintings in 30 days challenge

Here's a favorite subject of mine! I love doing animals! This one is our sweet little 12 lb furry baby. 

We nickname her "the Doorbell" (not her real name of course) because she often alerts us when someone is coming up the walk, 

long before they even knock! She is a white Miniature Schnauzer. ❤️

"My Doorbell" 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD

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Day #5- 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

This was a fun piece because of the blue Ball Mason jar! I just loved capturing the light going through it and the spectrum of color as a result.

Fruitful 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard

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Day #4 of 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

Dappled Light 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard

This is different for me. Totally wet in wet painting. (Aka Ala-prima painting)

I already see things I need to refine once it's dry. I used so much paint though, I'm afraid it's going to take weeks to dry!

I'm sure I will repost this after the 30 day challenge is done and I can go back in and "fix" things.

Day #3 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

Tea Anyone?   6x6 oil by Dee Lessard

I thought I'd get this painting done early in the day. Nope. Again getting in under the wire ...at midnight! LOL. I have to work this out so I can get it done earlier! I love doing fine china. My challenge today was getting all the detail in while the paint was still wet. I usually let the underpaying dry before tackling the design stuff. Still fun and challenging. Below is a link if you would like to learn more about this painting! 

 

Day #2 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

Dinghy 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard-SOLD

This was a fun piece to do! I actually had the underpainting done about 9 months ago.
I finally got it finished. I guess this is the purpose of the challenge...to paint!
I'm pretty pleased with the outcome!



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Day #1 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I am starting a challenge for January. It's called 30 in 30.

Basically it's to paint 30 paintings in 30 days. Leslie Saeta, an artist in California, hosts this artist challenge twice a year. I've signed up twice in the last few years and never followed through. SO, this year I will do my best to do as MANY small paintings as I can...and hope to meet the goal of 30. Here's keeping my fingers crossed that I can do it! Have fun putting a bid on the ones you like.

Mountain View 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD

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Portrait of Martha Bouton Cilley Clarke, NH's first DAR State Regent

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Here's to a happy and healthy 2016 for all of my fans, friends and family!

I was honored to be asked to paint a portrait of someone who lived a LONG time ago.

Here is a black and white photo I referenced, courtesy of the
Moffatt-Ladd House in Portsmouth, NH. 

Mrs. Martha Bouton Cilley Clarke

 Finished painting size(size is 26x30.)

 Here is a little history about Mrs Clarke and why I was asked to do this painting:

She was NH’s first State Regent of the NHSODAR (NH State Organization, Daughters of the American Revolution) serving from 1891-1895.

Her portrait was a State Regent’s Project during the 125th Anniversary of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution.  It will hang at DAR Headquarters in Washington, D.C.  The NSDAR website is www.dar.org and the Museum Period Room where the portrait will hang is the NH Children’s Attic – here is a link to the virtual tour of the room is http://www.dar.org/museum/current-exhibition/new-hampshire. 

I am SO excited to have a painting hanging as a permanent piece in a national museum!

What an honor! Thank you Phyllis Gagnon, the current NH State Regent (term 2013-2016) for the privilege to be a part of this wonderful project.  I hope to go down in June for the unveiling of this during the week they have heir national Congress meeting. If you are in DC, you should check it out! (My brother in law lives in DC and says the DAR museum is their best kept secret!) Either way, you can see some of what this museum is like here: www.dar.org

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