#30in30 - Week Two - Everything is coming up roses

Another week of the Leslie Saeta 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. My goal is to use all of the textural supplies I have on hand, and maybe sneak in a few new ones :) These paintings are purely experimental, trying out textures and backgrounds. Sometimes experiments are better than resulting finished works, but they often continue to evolve so grab them fast.

MINI TEX ROSE III 3“ x 4” Mixed Media $35 - Day 8 #11
The rose is very abstract under it’s coating of beige and white sand. The bright citrus makes this artwork special and gives it a modern flavour.

MINI TEX ROSE IV 3”x 4” Mixed Media $35 - Day 9 #13
This is also modeling paste, but with a grey background and a single diamanté in the centre. It’s striking and I may create a larger piece along these lines.

MINI TEX ROSE I 3” x 4” Mixed Media $35 - Day 10 #10
I always admired master plaster work in stately homes in Europe and later learned how to make flowers for wedding cakes from thick icing sugar. This seems like a natural progression. I’ve wanted to play with modeling paste for a while now and thoroughly enjoyed it: I love that it stays crisp and doesn’t lose shape as it dries.

MINI TEX ROSE II 6” x 6” Mixed Media $55 - Day 11 #13
I love the format of this one. The birch panel is slightly off straight so it needs framing, but that would only enhance it.

MINI TEX II 3” x 4” Mixed Media $35 - Day 12 #23
I started this by applying Golden Quinacridone Magenta then a thick layer of crackle using a palette knife and when dry, a coat of Sheepskin Plaid Chalk paint on top. Crackle needs to dry for several days before sealing and keeps changing till completely dry.

MINI TEX III 3” x 4” Mixed Media $35 - Day 13 #4
I started this by applying Golden Turquoise, a lovely rich pigmented paint. Then I applied crackle, dried, a layer of Sheepskin Chalk paint and then dried again for 3 days. I wasn’t thrilled with the result as I prefer larger cracks. Then I remembered a tip to paint thickly in one direction, so I will give that a try with the next one. In this case I painted a little beach scene with Matt paint.

MINI TEX IV 3” x 4” Mixed Media $35 - Day 14 #8
As I predicted I added to the magenta painting. I coated the crackle with gloss soft gel and then added extra dollops and dropped in paint before it was dry. Next I painted impressionist brushwork in various irridescent and interference paints taking care not to coat the magenta under paint. I love the resulting little floral. Another one I may try to reproduce in large size, certainly the colors and flowers.

Although there are hundreds of artists registered, only about 150 new paintings are posted on the blog each day. Some artists are painting each day but not completing a daily painting, others haven’t figured out how to post and yet others only have a few spare hours a week so post when they can. There is a core group that manage to create a new piece each day and they should be applauded. Visit the challenge blog and see the amazing variety produced.

https://www.saetastudio.com/september-2018-30-in-30-paintings

TIP - Click on the images you like and it usually takes you to the artist’s own website so you can see more of their work, or for the more organized, to a page where you can buy them. I’m just happy o get it posted without missing a day:)

Check out what’s on sale at Artfinder this week, here. artfinder.com/sea-dean

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