Day 7 -30 day challenge- Afternoon Rest

When I was growing up there was a wonderful zoo here in NH called 

Benson’s Animal Farm in Hudson, NH. 

It closed many years ago (30 yrs?) and it has now been refurbished as a wonderful 

walking path with many places to sit, bring a picnic and just relax. 

The Ape house is still there along with a few other landmarks which 

make the park unique and interesting. The paths complete around 3.5 to 4 miles.

The park is alive with joggers, families with strollers and toddlers and even dog walkers. The place has been revitalized by sheer donations and people who volunteer their time to help groom and maintain it. If you haven’t been, it’s worth a visit. (At no charge)

Afternoon Rest - 6x8 oil by Dee Lessard

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Day 7 -30 day challenge -Tufted Titmouse

I have been painting nearly every day, though not always to completion. 

I can tell you a little secret. I’ve been a a little distracted the last couple of days

 and have neglected to post something on my blog.

Below ...you will see my distraction...

But first, here is a Tufted Titmouse I painted yesterday!

Tufted Titmouse 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard

This is available here: Click to Bid 

A future painting subject!

Meet Lily! She is a 13 week old Cavachon. 

(a Cavalier and Bichon blend)

She has the sweetest disposition and has already stollen our hearts!

We had no intention of getting a second dog (at least not so soon)

But the opportunity fell in our laps. Our 9 yr old Rosie (miniature Schnauzer)

has a disjointed nose at the moment...but is slowly coming around!

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Day 6- 30 day challenge- Misty Haze

I love the mystic and mysterious look that fog gives. 

Here is a painting I did from an image I took some time ago.

It’s fun to play around with how to create the effect in a painting. 

It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.

This painting is available by auction. 

Go here to see more details: Click to Bid

Mystic Haze 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard

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Day 5- 30 day challenge- A Day At The Beach

Today I worked on painting a little girl. She is actually one of my high school friends granddaughter. It’s loose enough that it could pass for any little dark-haired girl at her age. I’m really pleased with the outcome. My intention here was to get the likeness without too much detail. Detail is one of my hang-ups. This is where time limits help. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when details are fun and work. But I’m trying to do some stretching in different areas during this challenge.

A Day at The Beach - 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard 

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Day 4 -30 day challenge-“Aussie”

Someone sent me pictures of this beautiful Australian Shepherd a while ago. 

I can’t remember who or what this little guys name is. 

So, I’m naming the painting “Aussie”. This is a very beautiful and smart bread. 

This is available for auction here: Click to Bid

(This is also available as a “Buy Now” option which will end the auction)

Aussie - 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard

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Day 3 -30 day challenge-Winter Cardinal

I love birds, so here’s one I was happy to paint yesterday. We have many cardinals in our area. A beautiful bird with a wonderful song!

This is available for auction. To see the site where I post it from and to see details about the auction go here: Click to Bid 

(This painting is available as a “Buy Now” option which would end the auction)

Winter Cardinal - oil by Dee Lessard

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Day 1 -preparing for 30 day challenge

Hello from the north coooold country of New Hampshire! Brrrr. I’m willing to bet there are more creative people in states like mine! Those who don’t really ski (or at least not in the deep side of winter) and need to keep busy. What better way than to write, get into theatrics, learn to play an instrument, photography, cooking and of course painting! (As you know, these are only a few creative outlets...there are SOOOO many!) We’re stuck inside anyways, so we may as well find something fun to do! BTW, did you know that NH was the home of many well known writers like John Irving, Robert Frost, Jodi Picoult and Dan Brown? Talented actors from NH are Seth Meyers and Adam Sandler. Famous artists: Maxwell Parish and many other more modern ones!

Gwen by Dee Lessard 

Above  is a painting I was commissioned to do. Gwen is her name and the parents received it in time for Christmas. I have hardly posted anything on my art blog because, well quite frankly, life just took over. I have only been able to get into the studio this past year primarily because I was committed to doing a couple of portraits. For that I am thankful. I’m not sure I would have made time otherwise. So many things happened in 2017 that kept me and our family busy and occupied. But 2018 has started out in a positive and upward motion and I hope it remains that way. The 30 paintings in 30 days challenge that I have done in the past has been changed to February this year! I was so excited to see that change because I run my own business and need January to get my tax info done. So, now we are on Feb 2nd and I still haven’t posted for day one! Uggg. The pressure! So, I am starting with showing you Gwen. And an image of me preparing some panels for the challenge. I am going to do my best to post each day....but may have to do two postings in one day. I’m not sure I can actually finish each painting....but even if it’s half done...I will post it. The main reason why they have this challenge is to just PAINT! So, I’m using this time to get back into the routine. I hope you will follow along. I would love to hear your feedback. Painting in the studio is a lonely place (though I don’t mind) but it’s nice to connect with the outside world. I love hearing from all of you who follow what I am doing.

Preparing for the 30 day challenge-day one!

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Day 9 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge -Spring Break

Here is the painting finished! 

It has been a challenge to do this challenge this month. 

I have a wedding to attend tomorrow and I'm not sure I'll be able to paint 

tomorrow night. So, If you don't see a post on Sunday, you'll know why! 

Thanks to my sweet friend Sandy for suggesting the name for this piece!

Spring Break 10x8 oil by Dee Lessard

This painting is available for purchase.
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Day 7- 30 paintings in 30 days challenge-Antique Kindle III

This is a subject I have painted before! I have varied the set up each time.
I decided to call this an Antique Kindle series!

Antique Kindle III 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard

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Day 6 -30 paintings in 30 days -The Guardian

I am having so much fun doing a variety of subjects for this 30 day challenge.
But honestly, I think I especially love the animal paintings. Dogs are man's best friend.
I couldn't help doing this one. German Shepherds are in the top 10 smartest dogs
(if not THE smartest. Not sure of the actual stats).
They can be fiercely protective too and that's why I gave the name to this piece.

The Guardian 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard

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(or Buy Now before auction begins)
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Day 5 -30 paintings in 30 days challenge- Hot Chick

I decided to be a little playful and use some bright colors!
And of course birds are some of my favorite subjects to paint. We have had 6 chickens for over the last year and it has been entertaining. A few of my friends own chickens and this was one of theirs. Now my husband is asking when I'll paint one of our girls. Soon...very soon!

Hot Chick 5x7 oil be Dee Lessard

This painting is available by auction
(or Buy Now before the auction starts)
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Day 4 -30 paintings in 30 days challenge- Rocky Coast

Tonight was tough to paint...especially trying to complete one! I almost didn't do it!

My husband and I were out to dinner celebrating our 34th anniversary.
When we got home, my husband brought me to the back yard
where he had hung white lights under the pergola, put out new linen
and had out a bottle of wine. All that along with candles and music.
He's such a romantic...and definitely a keeper!

Now you know why it was hard to focus! But here's what I finally painted.
I love the ocean and I hope I captured the feeling of our Eastern coast!

Rocky Coast 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard

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 (or through BUY NOW before the auction starts)
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SaveSave

Day 3 -30 paintings in 30 days challenge -Kiss Me

I hope you are all enjoying a nice long week-end!
Here is an example of wildlife that has found their home in our backyard. For those who don't know, my husband is a master gardener and has created a beautiful paradise in the city. We have a koi pond that he built and he loves it when the wildlife find their home here. Below was one such critter!

Kiss Me  6x6 oil by Dee Lessard -SOLD



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Day 2 -30 paintings in 30 days challenge-Lupins

Most people who live in NH or come here to vacation in our beautiful White Mountains knows this iconic place! Every year this location celebrates the bloom of the beautiful lupins which cover the hills and fields for miles. Can you guess this location?

Last year I started this painting in plain air (on location) and finished it tonight with photo references I took that day. I'm happy to finally have it finished. It is for sale, but I have decided not to auction this piece. For more information, click on the link below.

Lupins by Dee Lessard 8x10  $295

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Day 1- 30 paintings in 30 days challenge- Pink Peonies

Here is a painting I started a couple of months ago! I thank God for this 30 in 30 challenge to get me back to painting! For those who are not familiar with this challenge, I will try to paint one painting every day for 30 days. Most of the paintings I will be listing are small ones but I have some slightly larger ones I started a while back and plan to use this time to complete them. If they are available for sale, I list them at an artist auction site called DailyPaintWorks.com and will link them below with the description. I hope you are able to follow me this month. When I did this in January, I was VERY encouraged by the friends cheering me on, reading their comments and watching the bids (and seeing what paintings drew in the most interest!)

Feel free to forward these posts to your friends and ask them to sign up for getting my posts by email HERE and look on the left side under my picture for a box to subscribe for my posts by email. (*IMPORTANT: you need to look in your in box to VERIFY before it becomes active.) Then all posts I make here will arrive in your email in box.
I will be doing a drawing to give away a small painting for those who are on my subscription!

Pink Peonies by Dee Lessard  6x8 (available)

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or to see more information CLICK HERE



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Dappled Light in fall foliage

 Here is a painting you've all seen already. But I did not offer it for sale.

After encouragement from my artists friends and also from 

family members to leave it alone, and seeing that there was a lot of 

interest in this style, I have decided to put it on the auction block!

Have fun!

Dappled Light 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard -SOLD

There are still a few paintings left for auction. To see them click HERE

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:

Subscribe to Dee Lessard's Fine Art of Living! by Email

Feel free to forward this to your friends so they too can be entered.

(VERY important: Don't forget to go to your in box

and click on the confirmation link that is sent. This final step

activates your subscription to my blog and gets you into the drawing).

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!

To see other available paintings, click HERE

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