Daddy's Christmas Angel

Monday, June 3, 2013

Two Additional Benefits from the A to Z Blog Challenge - A Painting A Day

"This Cluttered Universe" - acrylic painting ©Mary Montague Sikes

Today, I am highlighting two of the unexpected benefits of participating in this year's A to Z Blog Challenge, my version - A Painting A Day.

First, I was thrilled to be selected by Alex Cavanaugh for his Special Challenge Participant Feature on the A to Z Blog. Please check it out. I am delighted to have this honor!

Second, each day during the Challenge, as I created one of my animal paintings, I had some paints left over on my palette. Not to let expensive acrylics go to waste, I decided to use the leftovers on a canvas that I sketched out in charcoal several years ago. That canvas has rested against my studio wall, untouched ever since.

"This Cluttered Universe" is 30" x 42" acrylic on gallery wrap canvas. All the paint is what was left from 20 A Painting A Day creations. (Five of my paintings were done in Boone, North Carolina; one painting was created with pastels.) The only additional paint is the blue background which was done with Titanium White acrylic mixed with Pthalo Turquoise and/or Ultramarine Blue.

It was a wonderful surprise to now have another new painting hanging on the studio wall and 24 little animal paintings leaning against everything in sight. (One painting--"Casey Cat"--is hanging on my daughter's wall. "Daffodils and Dragonfly" is a pastel that is in the studio on paper and unable to lean.)

I'm not sure if this painting is finished or not. What do you think? 

Thank you, Alex and everyone who worked hard to make the A to Z Blog Challenge a big success. Cheers and happy painting and writing trails to you!

9 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I couldn't waste either - cool painting, Mary. And happy to interview you for the A to Z Blog.

loverofwords said...

You have inspired me to get back to painting. Will check out a class for the summer.

Julie Flanders said...

Enjoyed the interview over at the A to Z blog, and love this painting too. :)

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...


Thanks, Alex. Appreciate the interview!

Lover of Words, I'm glad you're going back to painting!

Thanks, Julie, for being a dedicated follower of this process. Also, thank you for loving this painting!

Jo said...

Sorry not my type of painting, I liked your animals - I am one who likes to know what she is looking at.

Son-in-law is an artist, there is a link on my blog page. You might find it interesting.

JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

Mary Aalgaard said...

I think your paintings are gorgeous and your theme, very colorful and creative. I wish you much success with your art.

Chuck said...

You already know I am a fan. Very impressionistic look to it. And a creative way to use your leftover paint!!

That interview over at A-Z was great!

I just realized your initials form the slang name of the great Cleveland, OH radio station of the 70's...WMMS. Which we who lived it simply called...MMS!

Cheers!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Monty .. oh lovely to see the cluttered universe .. I think that's perfect and what a great way to use the paints up ...

Love seeing your work and hearing more about art in general ..

Cheers Hilary

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Jo, I love the animals, but I am fascinated with paintings that touch the universe and cause me to think "What if?" "Where?" "Why?"

Mary, thank you for visiting and for following! I'm excited by my art at this moment and have my hands covered in paint!

Chuck, I really love the "Universe" painting now hanging in my studio. It is much livelier in person than on the Internet! I hadn't heard about the radio station. Thanks for sharing that info and for your support!

Hilary, I'm glad you like my "Cluttered Universe". Space and art both fascinate me, so it's a perfect combination! Thanks for visiting!