Today I finished my 11th drawing (16th art piece) during the Challenge. Here it is:
"Time for tea" (graphite on paper; 6"x6")
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Monday, September 28, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 27 & 28
Yesterday and today I was working on the two recent drawings. I finished one of them.
"Tea with honey" (graphite on paper; 6"x6")
Saturday, September 26, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 26
I started working on two drawings of a ceramic pot and a tea pot. Here is today's progress (I had only 1 hour):
Friday, September 25, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 25
I finished the watercolor painting of a waterfall. I added an observation deck with tourists looking at the Falls and taking pictures of this beautiful site.
"On the Falls" (watercolor on paper; 6"x9")
Thursday, September 24, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 24
I was able to finish the second drawing with the ceramic pots that I have found at my parents' house.
I will paint them in acrylic as well. But here is the graphite version:
"Pots of luck II" (graphite on paper; 6"x6")
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 23
Today I finished one of the drawings with the clay pots that I found at my parents' house.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 22
Today I was working on a watercolor during art lesson which I give on Tuesdays. My student wanted to paint a waterfall she saw in China. Here's my work in progress:
P.S. I'm also working on still life drawings which I hope to finish shortly.
Monday, September 21, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Days 20 & 21
Yesterday I spent a wonderful day with my family walking outside. It was a great chance to refresh my mind after 19 days of rushing drawing/painting. 2/3 of the path is over but I managed to complete only 7 drawings and 4 paintings... I decided to come back to drawing and finish the still life series in black and white. Here are the two drawings I'm working on now.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 19
Today I was able to start and finish one painting. Here's one more still life with clay mug and vase.
Untitled yet (acrylic on canvas panel; 8"x6")
Friday, September 18, 2015
DAILY PAINTWORKS News: DPW Spotlight Interview: Anna Starkova
DAILY PAINTWORKS News: DPW Spotlight Interview: Anna Starkova:
Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.
To enter to win Anna's painting, "Dreams of Rose" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.
From Anna's DPW Gallery Page:
There is no bigger passion in life for me than art. The greatest satisfaction for me is taking an image click to read more)
from my head and making it come to life. I'm constantly observing the things around me and when something sticks in my head; I want to go home and drop everything and paint. I love working in various techniques like oils, acrylics, watercolors, graphite and switching between them gives my brain extra exercise. I do not limit myself when it comes to different subject matters and mediums. (
Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.
It all started when I was a child. I liked painting with watercolors and gouache. I would paint landscapes and floral still life. My sister and I were both obsessed with horses; which also became one of my favorite subjects to paint. We had a book about horses with beautiful pictures of them which I tried to recreate in watercolors.
Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?
Oh yes. After high school, when I was on a crossroad between choosing a university and degree program; I was advised by my parents to go for a degree in business management. I wanted to become an artist but in Russia where I'm from, it's extremely hard to become a successful artist. So I pursued business education and rarely painted.
Several years after I finished business school and work for a big advertising company, I decided to continue my business education. I pursued a Master Degree in Project Management in Boston, MA. My experience of relocating from Moscow to Boston was revolutionary for my brain and soul; because of it I started painting again as a stress relief. The more I painted the more I felt my passion for art. So I decided to be a part-time artist painting in my leisure time which changed when my husband and I had a baby and now I'm a stay-home mother who has a couple of hours a day for herself which I devote to painting.
What mediums and genres have you experimented with?
Watercolors and gouache were my first. In Boston I started painting with oils and acrylics as well as graphite drawing.
Which ones have "stuck" and which ones have fallen away?
I still paint with watercolors occasionally. I really like working with oil and acrylic paints. After having a baby, I had to shift to acrylic painting and graphite drawing because of the smell that oil paints have. Hopefully, one day I will have a studio with a good ventilation system and I will be able to do oil painting again.
Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?
I'm really focused on acrylic painting at the present moment and I want to explore the full potential of the paints. I have a lot of ideas in my head that I want to paint with acrylics, from realistic landscapes and still lives to abstract expressionism.
Who or what inspires you most?
My biggest inspiration comes from nature. I can watch beautiful views infinitely trying to capture details, lighting, and mood.
What does procrastination look like for you?
With the baby I became more organized and whenever I have free time I do not waste it and go directly to painting; but sometimes it still happens that I submit an application for a show last minute.
What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?
Getting more organized and doing housework quicker. I only have time when my son is sleeping, so I paint during his naps and do everything else another time.
How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?
Ideas usually come when I'm outside observing, or sorting my old or friends' photographs. As for abstract painting, I choose colors and start playing with brush until something strikes in my head and I "see" the painting.
How do you keep art "fresh?" What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?
I have so many subjects that I want to paint and explore and switching the various themes around keeps me engaged with the process and keeps works looking vibrant. Though, sometimes I feel like I'm hopping from one subject to another instead of painting in a series; but I feel like I'm far away from burnout yet.
What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist?
As a self-taught artist, my art career is a continuous learning process. At this moment I feel that composition has become a focus of my learning. I have been exploring with my mother's silver serving set by creating many different compositions for the September "30 paintings in 30 days" Challenge that I have signed up for. I took about a hundred pictures and now I'm looking back at them and I see how some of them work really well and some don't.
What makes you happiest about your art?
The best thing about my art is that through my art I can transfer my emotions about the subject and I can show a piece of me and open a door to my world. I feel so happy when the spectator can feel the emotion and mood on the canvas coming from my work. I choose subjects that have had an impact and connection with me; when an outside observer shares that same connection with my work as I do; there is no greater compliment and that is when I'm most happy!
Thanks, Anna!
© 2015 Sophie Catalina Marine
Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.
To enter to win Anna's painting, "Dreams of Rose" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.
From Anna's DPW Gallery Page:
There is no bigger passion in life for me than art. The greatest satisfaction for me is taking an image click to read more)from my head and making it come to life. I'm constantly observing the things around me and when something sticks in my head; I want to go home and drop everything and paint. I love working in various techniques like oils, acrylics, watercolors, graphite and switching between them gives my brain extra exercise. I do not limit myself when it comes to different subject matters and mediums. (
Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.
It all started when I was a child. I liked painting with watercolors and gouache. I would paint landscapes and floral still life. My sister and I were both obsessed with horses; which also became one of my favorite subjects to paint. We had a book about horses with beautiful pictures of them which I tried to recreate in watercolors.
Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?
Oh yes. After high school, when I was on a crossroad between choosing a university and degree program; I was advised by my parents to go for a degree in business management. I wanted to become an artist but in Russia where I'm from, it's extremely hard to become a successful artist. So I pursued business education and rarely painted.
Several years after I finished business school and work for a big advertising company, I decided to continue my business education. I pursued a Master Degree in Project Management in Boston, MA. My experience of relocating from Moscow to Boston was revolutionary for my brain and soul; because of it I started painting again as a stress relief. The more I painted the more I felt my passion for art. So I decided to be a part-time artist painting in my leisure time which changed when my husband and I had a baby and now I'm a stay-home mother who has a couple of hours a day for herself which I devote to painting.
 |
| Dreams of Rose (click to view) Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Anna's interview. |
What mediums and genres have you experimented with?
Watercolors and gouache were my first. In Boston I started painting with oils and acrylics as well as graphite drawing.
Which ones have "stuck" and which ones have fallen away?
I still paint with watercolors occasionally. I really like working with oil and acrylic paints. After having a baby, I had to shift to acrylic painting and graphite drawing because of the smell that oil paints have. Hopefully, one day I will have a studio with a good ventilation system and I will be able to do oil painting again.
 |
| Melting Light (click to view) |
Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?
I'm really focused on acrylic painting at the present moment and I want to explore the full potential of the paints. I have a lot of ideas in my head that I want to paint with acrylics, from realistic landscapes and still lives to abstract expressionism.
Who or what inspires you most?
My biggest inspiration comes from nature. I can watch beautiful views infinitely trying to capture details, lighting, and mood.
 |
| Shades of Rose (click to view) |
What does procrastination look like for you?
With the baby I became more organized and whenever I have free time I do not waste it and go directly to painting; but sometimes it still happens that I submit an application for a show last minute.
What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?
Getting more organized and doing housework quicker. I only have time when my son is sleeping, so I paint during his naps and do everything else another time.
 |
| Spring is in the Air (click to view) |
How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?
Ideas usually come when I'm outside observing, or sorting my old or friends' photographs. As for abstract painting, I choose colors and start playing with brush until something strikes in my head and I "see" the painting.
How do you keep art "fresh?" What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?
I have so many subjects that I want to paint and explore and switching the various themes around keeps me engaged with the process and keeps works looking vibrant. Though, sometimes I feel like I'm hopping from one subject to another instead of painting in a series; but I feel like I'm far away from burnout yet.
 |
| Tea Rose II (click to view) |
What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist?
As a self-taught artist, my art career is a continuous learning process. At this moment I feel that composition has become a focus of my learning. I have been exploring with my mother's silver serving set by creating many different compositions for the September "30 paintings in 30 days" Challenge that I have signed up for. I took about a hundred pictures and now I'm looking back at them and I see how some of them work really well and some don't.
What makes you happiest about your art?
The best thing about my art is that through my art I can transfer my emotions about the subject and I can show a piece of me and open a door to my world. I feel so happy when the spectator can feel the emotion and mood on the canvas coming from my work. I choose subjects that have had an impact and connection with me; when an outside observer shares that same connection with my work as I do; there is no greater compliment and that is when I'm most happy!
Thanks, Anna!
© 2015 Sophie Catalina Marine
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 18
It was a very busy day but I found some time to add buttercup flowers on the new painting. But I cannot figure out how to name the painting. If you have ideas, let me know in comments!
Untitled yet (acrylic on canvas panel; 8"x6")
Thursday, September 17, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 17
Started a new acrylic painting (#10 during the Challenge). Tomorrow I will add some field flowers like cornflower to finish it - what do you think? Love the new theme I have chosen!
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
30 painting in 30 days - Day 16
I was able to finish the two paintings I started yesterday! Here they are. I missed the color :)
"Terracotta and Blue" (acrylic on canvas panel; 8"x6")
"Siesta" (watercolor on paper; 8"x6")
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
30 paintings is 30 days - Day 15
Day 15 of the "30 paintings in 30 days" Challenge: I have started two different paintings (#8 and #9) - one is a watercolor study of a cat laying on his back; second is an acrylic painting of a clay jar. Both in progress.
Monday, September 14, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 14
Finished my seventh drawing! Here is a "Tea rose III" (graphite on paper; 7"x7")
I think I will continue the Challenge with painting in color with acrylics. I love drawing but I really miss colorful palette!
Sunday, September 13, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 13
A third drawing of a silver tea cup with a saucer and a rose (a seventh drawing during the Challenge) is in progress:
I think this will be my final graphite drawing during Challenge and I'll continue it with painting with acrylics. I have in mind several compositions with clay jars and vases. And of course field flowers! Drawing is fun but I really want some colors at the moment. I hope you enjoy my drawing - please share your thoughts in comments!
I think this will be my final graphite drawing during Challenge and I'll continue it with painting with acrylics. I have in mind several compositions with clay jars and vases. And of course field flowers! Drawing is fun but I really want some colors at the moment. I hope you enjoy my drawing - please share your thoughts in comments!
Saturday, September 12, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 12
Completed my sixth drawing on the Challenge - a second one with a silver tea cup and a tender rose. A third drawing with a tea cup is in progress. Each drawing is great but together they will become a wonderful triptych! What do you think?
"Tea rose II" (graphite on paper; 7"x7")
Friday, September 11, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 11
I loved drawing a silver tea cup a lot! So I decided to draw additional two compositions with the same tea cup and a rose. Here is a new drawing in progress:
I hope that you like my drawings too! Please let me know what you think - comments are welcomed!
I hope that you like my drawings too! Please let me know what you think - comments are welcomed!
Thursday, September 10, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 10
Finished my fifth drawing during the Challenge! This silver tea cup I found at my parents' house and I couldn't resist drawing it. I love the light reflections on it's silver sides and I will try to paint it with acrylics later.
"Tea Rose" (graphite on paper; 7"x7")
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 9
Today is the Ninth day of the Challenge, but I have only started my fifth drawing. Here is work in progress - a silver tea cup with saucer and a rose.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 8
Finished the drawing that I started yesterday - "Two shot of rose" (graphite on paper; 7"x7").
I really enjoy drawing silver serving items as well as roses. I hope I will be able to finish several more of such drawings this week and will move on to drawing clay jars and vases next week.
I really enjoy drawing silver serving items as well as roses. I hope I will be able to finish several more of such drawings this week and will move on to drawing clay jars and vases next week.
Monday, September 7, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 7
Today is the seventh day of the challenge, I was able to start the forth drawing. Here is work in progress:
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Saturday, September 5, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 5
Day 5 - started a new drawing with an old silver candy basket and a beautiful rose - drawing in progress.
Friday, September 4, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 4
Day 4 of "30 painting in 30 days" Challenge - new drawing is finished. "An old silver creamer and a rose" (graphite on paper; 7"x7"):
Thursday, September 3, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 3
Day 3 of "30 painting in 30 days" Challenge - new drawing of an old silver creamer with a rose in progress:
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 2
Had a chance to finish the drawing! Hurray! Here is "An old teapot and a rose" (7"x7"; graphite on paper)
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
30 paintings in 30 days - Day 1
Day 1 of #30paintingsin30dayschallenge
Work in progress. #30in30 #30paintingsin30days #stilllife #drawing #grahite #jar #blackandwhite #rose #drawinginprogress
Work in progress. #30in30 #30paintingsin30days #stilllife #drawing #grahite #jar #blackandwhite #rose #drawinginprogress
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