Painting, The Constant Companion

Texas Hill Country - oil on canvas panel - 6.5" x 10.5" 

A little plein air painting

This painting was done North of Austin in a small town called Fredricksburg.

View from Pala 

Oil on Canvas Board - 9" x 12"

This painting was done on a reservation just north of San Diego. My friend wanted to paint sycamore trees so we went out looking for a good spot and landed here. There was a sweet medium sized dog that followed us around during the day and stayed by me as I painted. I don't think he belonged to anyone and if I didn't have several pets already at home, I would have adopted this fellow.

Changing Light - Oil on Muslin - 8" x 14" 

Crazy Day for Painting!

This painting was done en plein air at a lake in Escondido. There was suppose to be a group of us there from PAPASAN but only four showed up and only two of us painted and finally, when the weather got really bad, I was the only one left. The light was changing constantly and all I could muster was my impression of the place but I think it turned out well. I guess when you paint outdoors you have to take into account that anything goes. I actually enjoyed the challenge.

Old Town Mission 

Oil on Canvas Board - 9" x 11.75"

This painting was done this morning. This mission is in an area called Old Town in San Diego. It is historic buildings with old time shops and museums depicting the life and times of San Diego in the mid 1800s.

Balboa Bridge - Oil on Board - 9" x 9" 

This painting was done at the bridge to the entrance of Balboa Park in San Diego. Changes are, if you have visited the park, you have walked along this bridge. The architecture in Balboa Park is Spanish Baroque and very interesting. I hope to do more close ups of that. However, this time I was interested in the perspective challenge that this view presented to me.

Lazy Boats - Oil on Board - 12" x 9" 

On Coronado Island

This painting was done yesterday on Coronado Island. It is West of San Diego and only 5 minutes from my house. I haven't discovered all there is to paint there but here is a start

Lake Powell #3 - Oil on Board - 8" x 10" 

This is a third in the series of paintings I did while painting on a house boat. The canyons were magnificent and were really difficult to paint because of their beauty and detail. When painting this I realized how much the indigenous Indians were inspired by this area in making their jewelry and clothing. If you would like to purchase this painting for $175.00 you can send me an email at: judith@judithdagostino.

29th Street - Oil on Board - 9" x 12" 

On the Street Where I Live

I thought I was going to do the alley yesterday but the light wasn't right so I did the front. I ran into some problems because there was a party two doors down and the parking kept changing.

Arboretum - Oil on Board - 10" x 12" 

Balboa Park, San Diego

Yesterday, I went to Balboa Park and decided to do the Arboretum. It was a beautiful sunny day and I was anxious to get out and paint. Unfortunately, I forgot my white paint and paper towels. I managed to make due with paper napkins and unbleached titanium white which is sort of a puddy color tending towards the cool side. I had to add cad red to it and mess around with it a lot. I started off with an underpainting using a whipping out method so I could create value changes and then from there painting with thicker paint. It was a challenge but this is what I came up with. Needless to say, I am going to Dick Blick for some Titanium White today. Maybe I will paint the alley today

San Diego Tide Pools 

Oil on Muslin on Board - 5" x 7"

This little painting was an exercise. I just got a new little Cannon camera and I wanted to take some photos of people in action and then paint them. This is the first of hopefully a series. What do you think?

Pedaries Mountain Stream 

Oil on Canvas - 24" x 18"

This is another painting inspired by my travels last summer to northern New Mexico. This area of the southwest is so diversified and beautiful. There is a gazillion paintings to make from this area. I am hoping to visit there once again - perhaps this summer. This painting is beautifully framed in a rich burgundy wood. The painting floats in the center. If you are interested in purchasing this painting for $1,500 plus shipping, you can reach me at: judith@judithdagostino.com

RAIN IN THE VALLEY 

Oil on Board - 9" x 12"

Well, here it is, the painting for the May give-a-way. If you want it, send me an email and I will put you in the drawing. This painting will be the last of my give-a-way paintings for awhile. I have enjoyed giving these little paintings away but it is time to start selling them for money...lol...

Ramona - Oil on Board - 9" x 12" 

Artist Retreat

I did this painting en plein air at a new "artist retreat, school, what have you in Ramona, California which is located about 45 minutes from San Diego. I went out there to check out the area and the facility because I am thinking of conducting a plein air workshop this coming October at this retreat. I was really impressed with the facility and the folks that own it - both are artists. If you are interested in learning more about the workshop, drop me a line and I will tell you more about it.

Columbus Park View - 9" x 12" - Oil on Canvas Board 

A little Slice of Heaven

I have started walking my dog at this park down the street. It is a sports a man-made lake where people who like to fish can enjoy the stocked lake. OK, it isn't a "real" sporting event but a relaxing one where people can get up early in the morning to commune with nature. I came across a grandmother fishing with her grandson who was probably 16 years of age! How sweet is that? There is a guy name Bill. He must be 80. He has told me he would be happy to teach me to fish there and gave me some fish bait advice. Then there was this photographer who sat for a few hours waiting for the crane to fly, skid across the water and walk silently and gracefully along the shore. I loved it there and so came back the second day without my dog. I didn't paint the lake however but stood at one of the paths painting the backdrop to the lake. This is what I came up with.

Looking from the Japanese Garden - Oil on Canvas Board - 12" x 9" 

This painting was done in Balboa Park looking down a hill near the Japanese Garden. This park has so many beautiful vistas I don't think I could run out of places to paint.

APRIL PAINTING GIVE-A-WAY 

Paseo de Feliz Park #2 - Oil on Board - 6" x 9"

Dear Friends,
This is my April painting give-a-way. If you would like to have this painting then I need to put you in the drawing, please send me an email via Squidoo. Even if you have won before or have asked me to put your name in everytime, you must send me an email to be considered for this painting. Good luck!

Catalina Mountains looking East 

Oil on Canvas Board - 9" x 12"

What can I say? This is a never ending subject for me since it is in the hood! :)

La Jolla Cove - Oil on Muslin - 10" x 14" 

La Jolla cove is in southern California. I painted this on location. The thing that attracted me to this scene was the contrast of the low lying fog to the warm cliffs in front. If you are interested in purchasing this painting you can reach me through Squidoo - the link is on the right upper side of this page.

Picacchio Peak - Oil on Canvas Board - 9" x 12" 

This is a plein air painting of a small mountain peak just north of Tucson, Arizona. It lies east/west and throughout the day has many light situations that can be very dramatic. It is a popular subject for many painters. If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you can contact me at through Squidoo. The link is to the right of this page.

Catalina State Park 

Catalina State Park is a beautiful place to hike, picnic and paint. If you would like to purchase this painting you can send me an email through squidoo. Just click on the link at the right of this page.

A LATE MARCH GIVE-A-WAY 

Better Late Than Never

Ok, I forgot! Ugh! I have been trying to keep up with things but honestly, I have been having a hard time of it. I thought posting all the time would be easy but it isn't when your computer is going down because you are a hack and you can't keep your fingers off the computer. To top it off, I bought a macbook because I wanted a mac system (I heard it is best for artists) and I needed a lap top. Well, it is easier...I already have a new website built with the mac. But, it is harder because it is a new and different operating system that I have to learn about and old habits die hard. For example, I completely destroyed one of my external hard drives by putting it into my mac which I was told I could do to transfer information. But, unlike my IBM clone, I had to remove my drive differently and boom, it earased everything. So, I bought a program on line to retrive my files and I am still trying to figure out that but I think I have made lots of progress today. OK, I know you don't want to hear all my rants and raves.

Here is the new painting up for grabs. The painting is a plein air painting, oil on board, 12" x 9" done at the Japanese Gardens in Balboa Park, San Diego. Send me an email through Squidoo and I will put you in the hat for the drawing. I will only wait a week so get your name in.

Light Burst - Pastel on Board - 24" x 18" 

This pastel painting just got into a juried regional competition at the San Diego Museum of Living Artists. This place is truly amazing. They put up a show every month. The shows are always juried and juried by different people all the time.

FEBRUARY PAINTING GIVE-A-WAY 

Hanging Pear, Drowning Radish - oil on board - 9" x 5"

Hurry and get your name into the drawing now! I will contact the lucky winner within the next 7 days. If you have won before, you can win again. There is no limit to the amount of times you can submit your name.

DAY'S END - OIL ON BOARD - 24" X 39" 

Ethereal Landscape

This painting was completed today. It is one of a series I am doing which are all ethereal landscapes. Most of which come from my imagination and is a place of beauty and peace. I hope you feel the same way about them. If you are interested in purchasing this painting for $3,500, just send me an email at judith@judithdagostino.com

MAGIC SKY 

Oil on Board - 24" x 39"

I love to paint paintings about imaginary places. These are "favorite places" in my mind. They are places I want to step into and stay for awhile. I hope they give you the same feeling. If you would like to purchase this painting for $3,500, you can reach me through this site or judith@judithdagostino.com

JANUARY PAINTING GIVE-A-WAY!!! 

FREE PAINTING

OK, I have decided to give away this painting. You have three days from today to send me an email now if you want this painting. WHEN I SELECT THE WINNER, I WILL PUT YOUR NAME UP ON THIS SITE. THEN, YOU WILL HAVE THREE DAYS TO RESPOND.

Pendaries VIII - Oil on Board - 24" x 30" 

I am still working on my portfolio and this is one that I just added. I have two new ones on my easel and a myriad of others I haven't taken photos of yet. I am always busy trying to keep up with everything. I need a secretary.

HANGING PEAR, DROWNING RADISH 

What a Pair!

Well, my cat knocked over my Amarilla plant that was already top heavy before I could paint it...so instead, I did this little still life. It is 9" x 5", Oil on Board. If you are interested in purchasing it, send me an email.

Italian Sustenance 

Olive Oil and Crusty Bread

Well, this wasn't easy too paint since it is one of my favorite things and I am on a cleanse! My cat wanted to get into the action too. I found her siting in the still life box. I guess I should paint her. Today I am going with my friend to look for still life cloth and maybe some new objects. Until then I probably should paint my Amarilla plant before the flowers die.

Lemon and Water 

Where's the Tequilla?

I did this one yesterday. I decided to do a series of still life paintings using glass. I guess I will have to start hunting at yard sales! One of the reasons I am doing this is because it is easier for me to do a still life painting each day or every other day while I am still working on a larger body of landscape paintings. I will be putting together that body of work to peddle to some new galleries I would like to represent me. If any of you have galleries that you think would like my landscape paintings, let me know...send me an email. This lens method of communicating and sharing work and ideas is great and also should be a resource for making connections. Don't forget to stay tuned on the give-a-way. It will be obvious when I post it.

Pendaries Mountains - 24" x 39" - Oil on Board 

Back on Track

I have been away from my lens for a month and feel bad but I have been painting the whole time. Life gets in the way such as holidays, travel and parties...that's the fun stuff. I won't talk about the stuff that isn't so much fun like computer rehabs. Anyway, I am positing this painting that I just finished. It is at the framers. I did a small sketch first and then from that sketch I did a larger painting. I think it turned out well.

DECEMBER GIVE-A-WAY 

Holiday Cheers - Oil on Board - 7" x 5"

This painting was done with the holidays in mind. A great time to get together with friends and family. I am having a big Thanksgiving. My family is coming over plus some close friends to help me celebrate. Can't believe it is just around the corner. This painting will be given away in 7 days from today which I believe will be Thanksgiving!!! Please enter the give-a-way drawing by sending me an email through Squidoo.

NOVEMBER GIVE-A-WAY PAINTING! 

THANKSGIVING GOURD - OIL ON BOARD - 5" X 7"

In celebration of the Thanksgiving season, I wanted to giveaway something appropriate to the season. I hope you like it! If you want this painting, send me an email through the Squidoo site. Just go to my picture on the right and just below that there is a link called "contact". Click on that and send me an email with "I want that painting" in the subject line.

This is a time for thanksgiving and I thank all of you who have followed my lens faithfully and to all my art buddies out there. I thank you for your friendship.

UNIVERSITY FARM - OIL ON BOARD - 9" X 12" 

PLEIN AIR FIELD SKETCH (SOLD)

This painting was done on a small farm in the center of Tucson. The farm is owned by the University of Arizona and there are some lovely spots to paint there. I liked the way the light was coming over the mountains and wanted to create a simplicity in this painting ad let that light be the subject matter.

CATALINA CLOUDS - Oil on Board - 10" x 14" 

On the street where I live.

This painting was done at the beginning of the street where I live. The clouds over the mountains are particularly beautiful this time of year. It is true that you really don't have to go far to find something to paint!

DON'T FORGET THE FREE PAINTING-GIVE-AWAY....located below this module...check it out.

A FALL AFTERNOON 

OCTOBER GIVE-A-WAY!

In commemoration of the fall season, I am giving this painting away. If you want it, please send me an email using Squidoo. Click on the link just below my picture on this lens. If you have trouble doing that, you can send me an email at: judith@judithdagostino.com. You have 7 days to respond and then I will pick a name out of a hat and notify the winner.

Check out Jan Dale's response in the guestbook at the end of the lens to see her reactions to the painting she just received in the September give-a-way. Or, better yet, go to her lens...it is listed to the right under "Lens Roll".

SEPTEMBER PAINTING GIVE-A-WAY-LUCKY WINNER 

JAN DALE FROM MICHIGAN IS THE LUCKY WINNER OF SEPTEMBER'S PAINTING GIVE-A-WAY BELOW!

ROCIADA, NEW MEXICO is the September gve-a-way painting. This painting is a plein air painting done in New Mexico recently. It is oil on board, 7" x 12".

MAZARA'S PIZZARIA 

A Field Study done in San Diego

This is a painting I did the other day while standing on a corner in South Park, San Diego. It is an interesting corner with Rebecca's coffee shop on one corner, an ice cream shop and book store on the other, a convenience store on another and finally this one which I painted, a pizzaria/Italian restaurant on the other. I have painted Rebecca's, I have painted the pizzaria and not sure which corner I will do next.

This painting is titled: MAZARA PIZZARIA - oil on board - 8" x 13"

THE WINNER OF THE AUGUST GIVE - A - WAY SPEAKS OUT! 

You can be a winner too! Just keep checking here for the painting I am going to give away!

LOOKING TOWARD MEXICO - Oil on Board - 9" x 12" 

Plein Air Field Study

One day, a Stef and I went out painting...we found a spot just on the tip of California looking into Mexico. It was a great day. We had lunch first as always when I am with Stef since she is a "foodie" like me. Then off we went to look for the perfect spot. I swear that plein air painters spend their life looking for the perfect spot. Anyway, it was great fun. We painted near the reserve.

HOTEL CONGRESS KISS 

Oil on Board - 14" x 16"

I like to do figurative painting but it isn't easy as going outdoors and setting up or putting up a still life for that matter. But it is fun. There is a place called Hotel Congress where Dillinger use to stay when he was "visiting" Arizona. It is a vintage hotel and really wonderful. The owners are really into art and have bought several of my paintings some that hang at the hotel lobby and in the rooms and others they keep at their home. This is an example of a painting done in that environment. The hotel is fun. They always have lots of entertainment of all sorts and there is always an art show. But what I like most of all is that I can bring my dog into the bar/lobby. I love that...so European.

Just so you know, Kim, the lucky winner living in Texas has received my painting. I am hoping she says something about it here. We shall see, keep tuned because, the next painting will be coming up shortly. You must be sure that when you see the post...and only when you see the post, you have 7 days to send me an email. Don't just tell me you want to be in the running for anything I put up. The idea here, if you haven't figured it out yet, is to get as many people to my lens as possible. It also means that I really want you to drop by often.

I am going to San Diego Saturday and will be doing lots more paintings. I hope to get out every day. I may post some while I am there if I can figure out how to use my son's laptop.

Daily Painting Progress 

A Place for Contemplaction - Oil on Board - 12" x 9"

Here is a second painting I did looking in the opposite direction. Balboa Park has a lot of beautiful views. I have been working with a different palette than my usual "whatever I feel like it" palette. I think it has helped my work be more cohesive. If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you can write to me at:Judith@judithdagostino.com.

Changing Light - Oil on Muslin - 8" x 14" 

Crazy day for painting!

Monday I went to Escondido and painted at a Lake. There was suppose to be a whole group of us but the weather was too inclement for most. Of course, I had to try. I got rained on, the wind started to whip up and it got really cold. However, after some time, the sun came out briefly and left me with this impression. I say impression because as soon as it was there, it was gone and I had to go with my gut instincts and what I had viewed while watching the light change so many times it was crazy making for painting plein air.