Gloria J Zucaro's "Sunset at Sea" Pastel

My pastel painting today is from a photo by Michael Yates.  He posted it in 2010 to Paint My Photo which is a copyright free site.  I painted this for the Daily Paintworks Challenge of the week.  The challenge was to paint with your non-dominant hand and was suggested by Christine Holzschuh.  I knew when I saw the challenge that I would try a landscape/ seascape.  I had recently had an email from a friend in Hawaii who is an artist on vacation from Illinois.  Lucky her!  We just had some ice, then a downpour of rain and thunder!  Anyway I didn't want to use her photo because she might get really mad at me!  My friend Corrine had told me about Paint My Photo.  I went to their gallery of photos and searched for "Hawaiian sunset".  Believe it or not this was the only one I found with that tag.  I was true to the challenge until the very end when I forgot one time and found myself changing to my right hand to get the mast drawn in as straight as I could.  I quickly switched back to my left hand.  Working with the opposite hand was not easy, and I have a stiff neck from holding my body in a different direction.  But other than that I found I could accommodate to it.  Maybe my brain grew a little? Ya think?!

Click on image to enlarge....SOLD

16"w x 12"H on Canson Mi-Tientes Pastel Paper.

To Purchase 

Gloria J Zucaro's "Door County Barn"

Today I finished this oil painting of a barn from a photo I had taken in Door County, Wisconsin last Summer.  It is so sad that so many barns are not being kept up and are falling down and disappearing forever.  Many of the new barns going up are called pole barns that you can buy in a kit at a farm supply store.  Although some are pretty nice looking, they just don't feel the same to me as the older traditional barns. 

Linking to Paint Party Friday and The Daily Paintworks.  For those of you living in the Chicago area or Lake County specifically, my original oil painting "Fone Home" will be on exhibit at the Robert T. Wright Gallery in Grayslake, IL for a month, in the Lake County College Members Show.  The opening reception is January 18th from 7 to 9 PM.   19351 W. Washington Street, Grayslake, IL 60030

"Door County Barn"

8"x 8"

This is on an artist quality canvas panel.  Click on image to enlarge.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting please click on "Door County Barn"

Gloria J Zucaro's "Symphony"

8"H x 8"W Oil on Panel

SOLD

This painting is from a wonderful photograph taken by Pamela White Murphy.

http://shootandpaint.blogspot.com/ . 

It is the May "Shoot and Paint" prompt offered by Pamela and Ria Hills for their monthly challenge.

All mediums are welcome.  Check their site to see other artists' entries.   This is also my Paint Party Friday entry.  http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/  Happy PPF everyone.  Can't wait to see what you've been up to!

Gloria J Zucaro's "A Bird on the Bod is Worth?!"

7"H x 5"W Pastel on board

$65.00 unframed/$10.00 S&H

Framing Options tab at top of blog page

The inspiration for this painting is from a photograph of a statue in Florence, Italy taken by Lee A Brown and offered for the April challenge on his website called "A Day Not Wasted".  I am hoping that even though I just posted, that this got in just under the wire! My artist friend Judy and her husband just got back from Arizona.  Judy is a pastel and watercolor artist. So when she is in town I try to do at least one pastel painting a week. We will be joining Bonnie Paruch for a "Flowers and Gardens of Door County" workshop in August at The Clearing Folk School. It is a great week of all day painting, and eating fabulous home cooked meals with 18 painters,18 woodworkers, and 18 poets!  We have a party on Friday night to show and tell all our works accomplished for that week.  

Gloria J Zucaro's "Pick Me Up At Eight"

5"H x 7"W on Stretched canvas Original Oil painting

See framing options tab above.

This week's Daily Paintworks Challenge is to crop a larger reference photo using any part of the photo that you wish.  To me there were a couple of areas that caught my eye.  this vintage automobile and the circular porch roof.  Here is the reference photo.  Which areas would you have chosen to paint?

Gloria J Zucaro's "How Are Ewe?"

6"H x 6"W Original Oil on Panel
Questions?

This weeks Daily Paintworks Challenge is called "The Up-close Animal Challenge" offered by Taryn Day.  Taryn did a sheep's head.  I decided I would also do a sheep, but a different one which I again searched for my reference on Wet Canvas in their image library.  For some reason I was spooked by the look of the sheep's eyes!?  So instead of running away as fast as possible, I just stared him down.  And guess what he said to me "How are Ewe?" in a very soothing and soft voice.

Gloria J Zucaro's "Even While Sleeping!"

6"H x 6"W  Oil on Panel

Questions?

The Daily Paintworks challenge this week is a "reclining" figure.  I didn't have a photo of a reclining figure, so I used one of the images on Wet Canvas.  WC has a huge image library of copyright free photos.  This young man has fallen asleep with his phone open, hence the title of my painting.

Gloria J Zucaro's "Race For The Eggs!"

6"H x 6"W Original Oil Painting on canvas panel

Sold

Well, I am finally home and well enough to paint!  I had a wonderful 10 day trip to the pacific     Northwest to visit an old friend in Anacortes,Washington for 3 days then drove down Whidbey Island to the town of Langley.  The Whidbey Island Fine Art School operated by Cary Jurrians was hosting a Dreama Tolle Perry workshop for 5 days.  I was intrigued by Dreama's use of transparent oils in her paintings and her wonderful writings and paintings in her blog posts, so just forced myself to take a trip out to see her in person! LOL!  Any excuse!  I am so glad that I did because Dreama is a wonderful instructor and a fun and giving person.  I met lots of other artists from across the USA, too, and we hope to keep in touch.  Cary was an absolutely wonderful hostess with fresh fruit, coffee and homemade baked goods every morning.  Faye Castle , the class monitor was such a help with any questions about supplies, restaurants, and putting out all the goodies every day. Cary and her husband hosted us for dinner on Sunday with the most wonderful homemade breads, choices of pasta, salad and fresh berry cobbler for dessert.  I stayed at a lovely B & B called Country Cottage of Langley operated by Tom and Jacki Stewart.   A beautiful waterview room with delicious breakfasts every morning.  They were eager to arrange meal times and anything else you might need.  The last night I was there I came down with  "stay up all night" stomach issues.  They were so kind and brought crackers and gingerale, ginger tea, ginger chews to try to ease my upset.  I slept later than checkout and they gave me help with the suitcases to the car and insisted I take a banana to see if I could keep that down a little later.  That trip home was not the best I have ever experienced!  But all is well!

Now for the painting above...This is the weekly challenge from the Daily Paintworks site.  The theme is anything Easter.  So here is a still life of one of my Easter decorations.

Gloria J Zucaro's "Just Call Me Rosie the Riveter"

8"H x 8"W Original Oil on Raymar Panel

Questions?

This is my entry for the "You Know the Drill" challenge offered by Eileen McCoy on the DailyPaintworks.  I am also using this as my Paint Party Friday post this week.  Happy PPF!

I love my electric drill, which for me is really my electric screwdriver.  I mainly use it when framing my paintings or taking down curtain rods, etc.  I wasn't liking my drill all alone, but once I added the flower, I felt good about it.  

Gloria J Zucaro's "Lamb Chops With Potatoes"

6"H x 6"W Original Oil on Raymar Panel

Questions?

This painting is for the Daily Paintworks weekly challenge.  The subject matter was "raw meat" as in the famous Dutch paintings of yesteryear.  I chose to buy some lamb chops and make my lamb chops with onions and potatoes.  Recipe...Cover bottom of glass baking pan with Olive Oil.  Slice a large onion and place in the bottom.  Slice white potatoes and place over onions.  Place Lamb chops on top of the potatoes. Sprinkle all with salt and pepper.  Add small pieces of fresh or canned peeled tomatoes around the top of the lamb.  Add water to top edge of chops, add bay leaf.  Cover with foil and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes, uncover and let  cook another 15 minutes.  Serve in bowls with juice and crusty Italian bread.

Gloria J Zucaro's "Chocolate Birdsong"

8"H x 8"W Original Oil Painting on heavy textured under painting.

To see more detail click on photo to enlarge.

$50.00 unframed Email Me or go to Ebay.

The Daily Paintworks challenge for this week is to paint your sweet Valentine treats before you eat them!  Of course this meant that I had to go buy some fancy chocolates to paint, and while I was there at this really neat store that features all the seasonal holidays with food and home decorations, I had to buy this cute little bird and the pink plate, too!  Yippee!  Now I can eat them..or maybe I should wait until tomorrow?! (2/14)

Gloria J Zucaro's "Green Plate & Ham"

6"H x 8"W Original Oil on Stretched Canvas

$99.00  Framed    S&H to your ZIP
To Purchase, email, me at gloria@gloriajzucaro.com

The Daily Paintworks Challenge for the week of January 8- 14 is to paint a picture of your breakfast.  Well, this was not my breakfast because I couldn't cook in the studio!  I actually had 2 slices of bacon, two fried eggs, and a healthy juiced fruit and vegetable combo that was made from 1 beet, 1 carrot, 1 apple, 1 orange and a one inch square of fresh ginger.  Oh, not to forget the large cup of Colombian coffee  "straight"!
I painted this over a previously used canvas.  I have photos of the canvas and my value study below.

I haven't posted for a week because my children celebrated Christmas with me on the 7th. of January.  I was busy last week with some extra shopping and wrapping, and preparing or picking up food for the weekend.  So the ham in this picture is part of a Honeybaked ham we had.  I still have too much leftover, even though they each took some home.  Ham anybody?! 

Gloria J Zucaro's "Purple Apple,Blue Orange,Green Lemon"

6"H x 6"W Original Oil on Canvas Panel

$95 Framed    S&H to your ZIP
To Purchase, email me at gloria@gloriajzucaro.com

This weeks challenge from the Daily Paintworks site is called "Change the Color!"  My original and actual colors were red apple, yellow lemon and an orange orange.  The soup bowl is actually shades of teal,blue/ green, & purple.  This was hard but fun!  I did the value study over my first panel with the four 10 minute pumpkin paintings on it that I had done for that challenge in October.   The colors underneath were orange, yellow and blue/green.  It made it a little confusing when I started my value study and painting, but once I got in most of the basic colors it felt better.

The Old Mill Challenge "Sunset & Twilight"

8"H x10"W Oil on Utrecht Canvas Board  This painting is available through the Daily Paintworks Auction site.  Bidding starts at $47.00 and 10% will be donated breast cancer research.  The "47" project is in response to a challenge by Kimberly Conrad from Contemporary Fine Art International.  All are welcome to join in the challenge. 

The challenge this week is presented by Jean Nelson.  I chose to do it in a triadic color scheme.  I first toned the canvas with cad red medium.  After it dried I proceeded with a triadic color scheme of cad orange, viridian, and manganese violet letting the toned background show through for a sunset feel to the painting....my favorite time of day with landscapes!

Gloria J Zucaro's "Monument to Ruth"

3.5" Square Official Zentangle Tile(140lb. Watercolor paper)

$3.00 unframed

Framing Options tab at top of blog page.

This is in the Daily Paintworks auction.

The "I am the Diva" challenge this week is to do a duo tangle using only the patterns of "Hibred" and "Stircles".

This is somewhat difficult because some other patterns tend to creep in while you are not looking!  It is like having to paint with a very limited palette, a challenge indeed! 
I decided to do a second one with a subject.  It is called "Monument"

3.5" Square Official Zentangle Tile(140lb Watercolor Paper)

$3.00 unframed

This will also be up for auction at Daily Paintworks

I didn't realize it at the time I was drawing it, but the death last night of an artist friend, Ruth Bolotin, may have influenced my thoughts.  We will miss her sweet smile.

Gloria J Zucaro's "It Is Tough Being The Queen!"

3.5"H x 3.5"W Original Pen & Ink Drawing on Official Zentangle Tile

(140lb watercolor paper)

$3.00 Unframed.  For Framing Options see tab at top right of blog page.

This is in the auction on the Daily Paintworks Site.
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/51442

My drawing tonight was inspired by something I heard on the news.  Apparently in the last 10 years there has been an unusual increase in people who live alone.  Although it is only about a 1% increase and is probably mostly young people starting their careers and marrying later, there was also a large increase of seniors living alone in the Midwest,especially,which is where I live.  So I thought about how I look at it.  I am the queen of my household, with no schedules to meet for another.  I may stay out after most people would go home to cook dinner for the family.  I can decorate my castle as I wish with no consultation with another..except my pocketbook. I can watch any TV show I like at anytime of the night or day, and play my music loud(with consideration for the neighbors!) etc.,etc.  But on the other hand, if something is funny on TV you have no one to laugh with.  If you come home late for dinner and just eat a bowl of pop-corn, that is not so good for you.  If you always have to do all the laundry, all the cleaning, all the cooking, all the yard work, all the bill paying, all the car maintenance, IT IS TOUGH BEING THE QUEEN!  Sometimes you just wish you had someone to take care of you!  But thank goodness...I have wonderful children(and grandchildren) close by and and some further away who keep in close touch.  As an artist I have many artist friends that I see several times a week and who will always help out in a crunch.  So all in all, I am very lucky to have my little kingdom ,er Queendom, all my own!   Disclaimer!  I am not sad or lonely, just pensive this time around.           This is my Paint Party Friday entry for this week.  Go see all the wonderful artwork offered by the many artists who go to the party hosted by Eva & Kristin!

Gloria J Zucaro's "Tax Time Tangle"

2.5"H x 3"W on official Zentangle tile, 140lb watercolor paper.

$3.00

Listed in Daily Paintworks Auctions.
http://dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/50549
see framing options above on menu bar

I did this original tangle with dollar signs,plus signs, blanks and squiggles representing signature spaces,dollar bill shapes and some tears, of course!  This may be matted and framed under glass, email me for price, or sent in a protective clear bag to be put in your album or to frame yourself.

gloria@gloriajzucaro.com 

Gloria J Zucaro's "The Groovy Diva"

3.5"H x 3.5"W Original Pen & Ink on Official Zentangle Tile(140LB Watercolor paper)

$3.00 unframed

For Framing Options see tab at top of page

This can be purchased through the Daily Paintworks auction site
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/53483

This tangle is for the Monday May 7 Diva Challenge.  http://iamthedivaczt.blogspot.com/   

The pattern that is featured is "Groovy" the creation of "Eden" on the "Cuttin' It Up...and Sewing It Back Together" site.  This was a tough one!  It is the curvy pattern in the middle touching all the others. You have to make a continuing line of s-shapes, then the next line is backwards S-shapes, so that you form what looks like beads strung together.  Then each row of beads has diagonal curving lines inside each bead and the next row has those lines going in the opposite direction inside each bead!  Once I got the hang of it it was fun.  It did take a lot of concentration though.  Be sure to go to the Diva's site to see all the other artist's interpretations of this pattern.