"Take 10" - first challenge painting

In January I painted 30 paintings in 30 days - a great experience!
Yesterday I talked to my best friend and she asked me (actually nagged me) to keep on doing daily paintings.
 
No, I don't think I should or even wanted to commit to this.

But: as I love the idea, I've decided to - from time to time - challenge myself to paint 10 paintings in 10 days. And I'll call the challenge "Take 10". I think that is a manageable approach, don't you?

The motto for these first 10 days will be SPRING! (not very original, but I'm sure we're all ready for Spring...). So here is the first of my "Take 10 - Spring" paintings.

 "Spring Flower - 1"

Oil on panel, 4" by 4"

USD 65 (plus shipping)

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Balancing Lines

It's all about balance, isn't it?
Green is walking a thin line here, but so far he's doing ok.
Balancing. Concentrating on reaching his goal, not worrying about the small stuff. Details - like the little 'bumps' on the top of the LEGO bricks...

The balancing is something I have gotten very familliar with this month. Trying to balance 'real life' - working full time - with the '30 in 30' challenge of painting one painting each day.
Concentrating on the goal. Although I would be ok with taking some days off from painting, I still have the ambition to paint each day and to prove to myself that I can do it.
Which leads me to not worrying about the 'small stuff'. Like doing the laundry. Or grocery shopping. Or getting enough sleep.

Still, Green and I agree: it's worth it!

"Balancing Lines"

Oil on panel, 5" by 5"

USD 65 (shipping included)

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This is painting Nr 22 in the "30 in 30" challenge, the paintings are also posted on my Facebook Artist Page Regula Scheifele Fine Art - I'd love to have you follow me on Facebook!

Mike's Car Parts

Another of the toy cars - I almost missed this one!

"Mike's Car Parts"

Oil on panel, 5" by 5"

USD 65 (shipping included)

This is painting Nr 21 in the "30 in 30" challenge, the paintings are also posted on my Facebook Artist Page Regula Scheifele Fine Art - I'd love to have you follow me on Facebook!

Counting Colors in the Rainbow

Well, I'd say Green has settled in and is part of the team now. Or rather - part of the rainbow!
The title for this painting comes from an old song. I remember as a kid listening to some of my mum's LP's and singles and coming across a song called 'Counting Colors in the Rainbow'. I remembered it while setting up this still life - if you want to listen to it, scroll down...

"Counting Colors in the Rainbow"

Oil on panel, 5" by 5"

USD 65 (shipping included)
- sold -

This is painting Nr 18 in the "30 in 30" challenge, the paintings are also posted on my Facebook Artist Page Regula Scheifele Fine Art - I'd love to have you follow me on Facebook!

And here's the soundtrack to this painting - not much of a video, but such a sweet song - and good voices!

Free Time

Back to painting. My toy cars (or rather my nephew's toy cars) are enjoying their free time. Always a good thing, but even more so for the emergency services!

"Free Time"

Oil on panel, 5" by 5"

USD 65 (shipping included)

This is painting Nr 17 in the "30 in 30" challenge, the paintings are also posted on my Facebook Artist Page Regula Scheifele Fine Art - I'd love to have you follow me on Facebook!

Team Effort

Yes, Green got off to a rocky start - although in the end it was all a misunderstanding - but now he got his second chance and can show his qualities. He is reliable and definitely a team player!

"Team Effort"

Oil on panel, 5" by 5"

USD 65 (shipping included)

This is painting Nr 15 in the "30 in 30" challenge, the paintings are also posted on my Facebook Artist Page Regula Scheifele Fine Art - I'd love to have you follow me on Facebook!

Toyville High

You remember my post 'Pleasantville Cat' and the reference to the perfect world shown in the movie 'Pleasantville'?  - Well, 'Toyville' is as charming and happy, but definitely more colorful. Even the sheep are happy. And I suspect the kids in the Toyvilee High school bus are singing... because they are happy... (scroll down for the sing-along soundtrack to this painting!)...

"Toyville High!"

Oil on panel, 5" by 5"
USD 65 (shipping included)

This is painting Nr 14 in the "30 in 30" challenge, the paintings are also posted on my Facebook Artist Page Regula Scheifele Fine Art - I'd love to have you follow me on Facebook!

And of course the soundtrack just HAS to be 'Happy' by Pharrell Williams. I'm sure you've all heard the song by now, but have you seen the video?
Enjoy. And... clap along!

A different Point of View

A few days ago, Green got his first supporting role. As you might recall things did not go according to plan.... Now I'm happy to see that all of you have opted to give Green a second chance - but also I have received important information regarding what really happend. Sometimes you just need to take a different point of view!

So while we were watching Green in his supporting act, that's what he saw: his parents (Daddy Blue and Mum Chartreuse) came by to see how Green's doing. Surprise visit - so of course Green got all excited and forgot what he was supposed to do.
Totally understandable, and nobody holds a grudge anymore!

"Point of View"

Oil on panel, 5" by 5"
USD 65 (shipping included)

This is painting Nr 12 in the "30 in 30" challenge, the paintings are also posted on my Facebook Artist Page Regula Scheifele Fine Art - I'd love to have you follow me on Facebook!

Founded in 1863

So, the first third of the 30 in 30 challenge is done, this is painting Nr 11.  It's funny how these little wooden toy cars are moving right into my comfort zone! It is almost relaxing to paint them!

'Founded in 1863' refers to the International Committee of the Red Cross - it was founded in 1863 in Geneva by the Swiss Henry Dunant. While its mandate is to protect victims of international and internal armed conflicts, the red cross has become a general symbol for first aid and protection. It was probably formed by reversing the colours of the Swiss flag, which is a white cross on red ground.
Being Swiss, I'm of course very proud of the Red Cross....

To support this good cause, 100% of the sale will donated to the Red Cross!

"1863"

Oil on panel, 5" by 5"
USD 65 (shipping included)

This is painting Nr 11 in the "30 in 30" challenge, the paintings are also posted on my Facebook Artist Page Regula Scheifele Fine Art - I'd love to have you follow me on Facebook!

Out of Line

Green again.
As our little friend, the basic green LEGO brick seemed a bit apprehensive last time, the powers that be (LEGO high command) assigned a supporting role to Green. As in 'support somebody else' - this was the test run.

As you can see, Green does support - but only halfheartedly. I'm not sure if he intended to thrust himself into the spotlight or is just still really shy and wanted to get away. Whatever, Blue was not happy....

What do you think, should Green get another chance even though he stept out of line? - hmmm... let's wait and see!

"Out of Line"

Oil on panel, 5" by 5"

USD 65 (shipping included)

This is painting Nr 9 in the "30 in 30" challenge, the paintings are posted both here on my blog and on my Facebook Artist Page Regula Scheifele Fine Art.

Pleasantville Cat

No, I didn't mean to write 'car' -  are you curious about the title? - read on...

I must say the 30 in 30 challenge is a great experience, and it's almost funny how I'm switching from being happy with my efforts to being... annoyed? But it's all worth it for painting a piece like this. I only got to paint late in the evening and didn't expect to finish. I also skipped the sketch, just started laying in the colors - and suddenly the painting just 'paint itself' and I must say I'm really happy with the result!
.. and what's even better: I still liked it in the morning!

"Pleasantville Cat"

Oil on panel, 5" by 5"

USD 65 (shipping included)

 

Now, the title: this little toy fire engine reminded me of the 1998 movie 'Pleasantville'. Two teenagers get sucked into their favorit (black and white!) sitcom. In Pleasantville, everything is just perfect, "it never rains, the highs and lows rest at 72 degrees, the fire department exists only to rescue treed cats, and the basketball team never misses the hoop."

Slight problem (amongst others): the fire department don't know how to react to an actual fire... watch this scene from the movie and you'll understand the painting's title! (AND it's a great movie!).

This is painting Nr 8 in the "30 in 30" challenge, the paintings are posted both here on my blog and on my Facebook Artist Page Regula Scheifele Fine Art.

Playing it Safe

The basic green LEGO brick is ready to play - but it seems he is a bit anxious and is playing it safe at the moment. Let's see if he gets more adventurous during this January challenge... ;-)

"Playing it Safe!"

Oil on panel, 5" by 5"

USD 65 (shipping included)

 

This is painting Nr 6 in the "30 in 30" challenge, the paintings are posted both here on my blog and on my Facebook Artist Page Regula Scheifele Fine Art. Also have a look at Leslie Saeta's blog to see the wonderful art that's being produced by around 400 artists each day as part of the 30 in 30 challenge!