Daily Paintings

2009-06-02T15:19:00.000-07:00

This is a 10x8 watercolor on wc board of o mocking bird and pyracantha.

2009-05-28T17:02:00.000-07:00

Two more watercolors.

Walking on the beach 7x5 in. and Ducks and ducklings 5x7 in.

2009-05-26T16:59:00.000-07:00

Another 4x9 in watercolor. " Boatyard"

2009-05-25T17:22:00.000-07:00

More golf watercolors. Playing out of the fairway bunker-- 5x7 in the other two are about 4x9 in.

2009-05-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

Another 5x7 watercolor "Abandoned chair?" There are a number of good painting options at this location. I think the chaise will be coming back in some other works. Still haven't found time to do a larger works, but the desire to do so is growing.

2009-05-21T17:18:00.000-07:00

Two small watercolors today both 5x7 i nches . I will continue to slip in the occasional double image until I catch up with my self imposed one -a - day goal. I' ll be happy if I get 300 small works in a 52 week period.

2009-05-20T16:31:00.000-07:00

This 9x4 in watercolor is the second in what I will call my golf series. These are alot of fun to do. I have always thought that one of the pleasures of playing golf wanot just the game , but the beauy of the courses.

2009-05-18T16:50:00.000-07:00

Male brown towhee. This watercolor is 8x10 in on watercolor board.

2009-05-17T04:54:00.000-07:00

I have missed a couple of days . Things happen.

So, I am going to try to make it up by posting double images a couple of times per week. Both of these are4x9 in watercolors.

2009-05-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

Watercolor ( 11x14 in. ) on wc board. I did this one yesterday but didn't have time to post it. My natural light lightbulb died. It is a must for studio work in the evening. I hope to make a second posting today or edit this one by adding a second painting. Daily painting is a stern master but the benefits in terms improvement in handling paint , brush strokes and even compostion are tangible.

2009-05-08T18:35:00.000-07:00

Watercolor skectch of a Mocking bird. I captured a little bit of the attitude.

Summer vacation starts tommorrow and time to paint will be a lot easier to find.

2009-05-07T16:32:00.000-07:00

Golf is another of my addictions. I'll probably do more of these as golf courses tend to create interesting park like landscape. This a 9x5 in. watercolor.

2009-05-06T17:15:00.000-07:00

9x4 inch watercolor of nesting cardinal.

This one was fun and quick. No pencil outlines -- just quick decisive strokes.

2009-05-05T16:36:00.000-07:00

Chinese lion on Front street . Wilmington NC Historic District provides a number of paintable scenes. This is the first one I have done in sometime. The colors are really pretty good -- between my camera abilities and the monitors out there -- I hope it comes across well . Its another 9x4 watercolor.

2009-05-04T15:13:00.000-07:00

A 9x4 floral watercolor.

2009-05-03T17:35:00.000-07:00

Watercolor of a shore bird about 16x20 inches. I almost overworked this one but I think it worked out.

2009-05-02T17:14:00.000-07:00

Another quick watercolor at the beach about 4x9 on hot press paper.

2009-05-01T14:09:00.000-07:00

This is a snap from one of my sketch books. Birds are one of the reasons I like the beach. This is an interesting time of the year and you stand a real chance of seeing something unusual. If nothing unusual there is a large collection of residents to provide entertainment.

2009-04-30T16:47:00.000-07:00

Another 4x9 watercolor.

A trip to the beach ( I live 20 minutes from the ocean) should provide a change in material.

2009-04-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

Another small watercolor of a flower ( phlox)

about 4x9 inches. Its nice out, the day is short and my garden

as well a my paint box beckon me.

2009-04-28T16:44:00.000-07:00

Small watercolor about 4x9 inches.

Lets give this one a name "Open for Business"

2009-04-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

Watercolor sketch of two rudy turnstones -direct observation.Next up will be some flower pictures.

2009-04-26T15:30:00.000-07:00

This is a small watercolor of a bird at a rescue center , completed on site. I actually fininshed three small water colors ( 8x10 ) yesterday. Next week is final exam week. Summer vacation will allow me some time to learn how to take better pictures of my art work and start posting some of these for sale here and on my web site at http://www.mikersaunders/. Wish me luck!

2009-04-24T17:28:00.000-07:00

This is a 14x20 watercolor on Arches cold press paper. A composition from a combination of three photo and a couple of sketches done just north of Surf City NC not far from my home. I plan to do an oil bases on this of about the same size . I like the design and was able to work out alot of things in the process of creating this watercolor.

2009-04-23T16:57:00.000-07:00

This is an approx. 6x9 watercolor. I used two photographs for reference ( I only use my own) and took great liberties with both. Photographs only serve as a starting point -- The composition and color are dicated by what I want the painting to say. A good photograph doesn't make a good painting. Painting has different requirements.

2009-04-22T16:16:00.000-07:00

Azaleas are in full bloom. This is a small watercolor on watercolor board. I actually do alot of flowers but they usually contain two or more plants.This is only my second attempt at a " close up " , the first attempt turned into an overworked disaster. I don't really have that many disaster any longer -- but watercolor gives and sometimes it takes away.

2009-04-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

Sparrows are still hanging around the brush piles. I paint and draw other things besides birds but right now they seem to be what appeals to me the most. I teach at a community college and time is limited as I have to concentrate on end of semester tasks. Summer will provide me with the time to pursue a wider range of subject matter as well as some larger pieces. I am also trying to work up the huzpah to do a demonstration video.

2009-04-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

I prefer to draw in ink with out erasing. I like to do this quickly and let the energy of the lines speek for themselves. Musically I prefer jazz and classical. I hope someone out there finds my efforts entertaining.

2009-04-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

Cardinal (mixed media )

2009-04-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

Its that time of year again. This is a quick watercolor sketch which is mostly white paper. Something that is always alot of fun to do. In case you can't tell it is supposed to be a canadian goose.

2009-04-16T05:04:00.000-07:00

Watercolor on paper

92/3"x41/4"

Easter 09

2009-04-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

This is my first day posting but not my first daily painting. I have always been intrigued with the idea of painting everyday. If the truth be told, I found the idea admirable but intimidating. I first committed myself to two per week , but found myself sucked in and am currently doing 5 to 6 paintings per week. I expect this average to exceed 7 per week. Most will be small in size, although I have plans for a couple of larger plein air paintings. Painting every day is pushing my art in places it might never have gone. This post should show an interesting evolution as time passes. Any and all comments are welcome.

2009-04-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

Brown Thrasher