My 4th Solo Exhibit!

I know I keep apologizing for not keeping my blog updated, but the truth is between painting, hosting art groups at my studio, marketing, keeping my Facebook page updated, my blog always seems to take a back seat.

But I did want to announce my upcoming solo exhibit, titled "The Unstill Life: an exhibit of original oil paintings by artist Lynn Cyr. By using strong color and light, Lynn shows us how dynamic and narrative still life paintings can be". The show will last for the entire month of November, and will be located in Fort Kent, Maine, in the beautifully-redone Blake Library Gallery. This is my 4th solo exhibit already, so I'm pretty excited!

Hope you can make it :-)

"Apples & Vase", plus a video DEMO!

"Apples & Vase"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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I've been wanting to do a video demo for so long; I finally bit the bullet and decided to post this one, despite it not being "perfect". I love this little painting, which happens to have one of my favorite color combos - red and turquoise!

Here's a link to the time-lapse video of it on YouTube (some folks have had issues viewing it, so if this happens, let me know!). And for you "daily painter" followers out there, I'm sure you'll notice a Carol Marine influence in my painting approach. That's because she's been a huge source of inspiration for me over the years, and I've studied her work extensively. 

"Magic Carpet Ride"

"Magic Carpet Ride"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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After a mini-hiatus from doing my daily paintings, it's time to get back into the saddle! The good news is that I have been painting; just trying to get a few larger pieces done for some shows I have this summer. Here's one I did to help loosen me up.

Painting Giveaway Winner!!

I just realized that I completely forgot to announce the winner of my painting giveaway from back in January... wow, I'm way, way behind...

The winner was Chantal D., who happens to be an old friend of mine from high school. How cool is that :-) And we managed to get together for coffee so I can hand-deliver her painting, which was great since we had SO MUCH to catch up on!

Here's the painting she chose, which was definitely one of my favorites, too. Good choice! :-)

"The Great Escape"

"The Great Escape"

16" x 20" Oil on panel

(I'm preparing for an upcoming exhibit, so this won't be available for purchase just yet)

I was going through some of my reference photos and came across this one I took of a clementine with its peel all curled up. I 've always loved this color combination - the oranges and blues. It's still a bit weird for me to be painting larger pieces after all these 6x6's a few months ago.

Painting Giveaway!

A few weeks ago, I hinted at a giveaway on my Facebook page, and I'm finally ready to announce it. Because I'm so grateful for all the support I got during my "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge, I wanted to thank you, my fans, by giving you a chance to win one of my 30 Daily Paintings of your choosing (unless it's already been sold).

The rules are pretty simple; all you need to do is Like my Page on Facebook, then Join my Newsletter! That's it :) The newsletter is something I send out very rarely (maybe 3-4 times per year), and usually includes new paintings I've created, art exhibits I'm participating in, or anything else worth announcing. I promise not to bug you too often ;-)

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So here's what you do:

1) "Like" my page on Facebook, if you haven't already: https://www.facebook.com/LynnCyrArt

 - AND -

2) Join my Newsletter: http://www.lynnlovesart.com/newsletter-signup.aspx

...and for additional entries:
3) you can also Share this contest with your friends! You can do that on Facebook using the "share" link from any of my contest posts, or on your own blogs (if you do, make sure to leave a comment here letting me know).

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The contest starts right now and ends on Friday, February 22, 2013 at 10pm (Eastern Time).

At closing, I will gather all the names and pick one at random, which will later be announced on my Facebook page. You'll then get to choose which painting you want (each one is 6x6"), which will be shipped to you at no cost (please note that the awarded painting will not be framed). Only one winner will be announced.

Thank you, and good luck!! :-)

"Sleeping on the Job"

"Sleeping on the Job"

18" x 24" Oil on canvas

(I'm preparing for an upcoming exhibit, so this won't be available for purchase just yet)

After a month of painting tiny 6x6" paintings, I was itching to work on a larger piece. I loved the way the cast shadows here enhanced the composition (which would otherwise be a bit bland). I also really like complimentary colors. I would love to see this in someone's kitchen! 

"30 Days of Paintings" - So what have I learned?

"30 Days of Paintings"

So what have I learned during this "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge? For starters, I didn't think I'd have enough ideas to fill up an entire month! But even now that the challenge is over, my head is spinning with thoughts of what to paint next.

It's true what they say: "Every day you don't practice, you're one day further from being good." I wish I remembered where I got this quote because it's an excellent one, but it's become my mantra this past month. I look at my earlier paintings from the beginning of the month and compare them with my newer ones, and am amazed at the improvements I've made already (in just a MONTH!!). From brush technique, to composition, to color mixing… it's baffling how much a person can learn just by painting one small painting a day.

I've already thanked Leslie Saeta profusely for creating this challenge, and the letters she's received from other artists have made it into the latest Artists Helping Artists podcast (including mine!).

And although I'm really loving this small, square format, I'm looking forward to working on some of my other larger pieces that are already in the works! I hope you'll continue to follow me here on my Blog, or on my Facebook Page. I'm also a new member of DailyPaintworks.com, and I hope that you'll come visit me there too!

"Sweet Rewards"

"Sweet Rewards"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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I wasn't sure what I was going to paint for my 30th painting in this challenge. I sort of wanted it to be special, a final "hoo-rah" of sorts. Then it hit me... why not paint my absolute favorite treat? I don't indulge in sweets much (I'm more for the salty/crunchy type), but of all things sweet, this ranks pretty near the top of the list for me. I love this time of year because you can find them everywhere! So now I can finally say this 30-day challenge has been met, with "flying colors"! :-)

SOLD - "Rustic Charm"

"Rustic Charm"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

SOLD

I can't believe this is the first time I've painted this mini pitcher. I bought this pewter gem at a garage sale many, many years ago, and I think I paid 50 cents for it. I always intended on using it in a painting (someday!), but never managed to find the right setting. I love it here paired with this pinecone. I just adore the colors and mood in this painting...

"Ready to Mix"

"Ready to Mix"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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You might be surprised to know that I (almost) only use these three colors in all of my paintings. Plus white, of course. But it's amazing just how many colors a person can create with just red, blue, and yellow, and a little white (I love how Carol Marine emphasized this so much during her workshop, too). I think it gives an artists' work so much consistency by limiting the number of colors used in a painting.

"Light Me Up"

"Light Me Up"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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This painting proves that you can truly find inspiration anywhere - even in a lightbulb! I only have a few days left in this 30-day painting challenge, but I plan on continuing, as much as I can fit it into my schedule at least. It's really amazing how much I've learned in just a short amount of time!

"Red High Heels"

"Red High Heels"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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I love these shoes! They're so red, so shiny, and sooooo.... uncomfortable! I'm a sucker for shiny things, and when I saw these shoes, I just had to have them. Except that they're so bad for my feet. I can only wear them when I know I'll be sitting most of the time. Why do us women torture ourselves so much? ;-)

"No Soup For You"

"No Soup For You"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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In case you don't get the meaning of the title: saltine crackers go great with tomato soup, right? Well, no luck here - all you're getting is the tomato. You probably still don't get it, unless you're a huge Seinfeld fan ;)

"Tomato Reflection"

"Tomato Reflection"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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I haven't painted reflections too often. This one was a challenge, mostly because I had a tough time getting the colors right on that upside-down shiny, metal bowl. I hope it "reads" good, but I am happy with the reflection of the tomato in it.

"Egg Face"

"Egg Face"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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It's crazy how the spotlight I use on my subjects gets so hot that it can cook an egg! I had to crack open a new one for this painting since the one I used earlier lost its freshness. At least this one's yolk was normal size :)

"Be My Yolko Ono"

"Be My Yolko Ono"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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I felt like painting an egg yolk again, so I used my cute little thrift store plate again. I really love the complementary colors in this one! That plate is actually a little saucer, and yes... the yolk was super tiny in that egg. I think I got gypped.

"Blue Plate Special"

"Blue Plate Special"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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More thrift store finds! I found this super cute white & blue plate at a thrift store this week, then right before I left, the blue mug caught my eye. On this insanely cold week (-45° F with the windchill! yikes!), I figured a blue theme was appropriate :)

"The Matchmaker"

"The Matchmaker"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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I'm a few paintings behind for my challenge, but I'm hoping to make up for it before the end of the month. I was traveling last weekend, so it made it tough to get a painting a day done! I'm also running out of food to paint, but I thought this matchbox would make a cute subject :)

"The Lone Apple"

"The Lone Apple"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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I honestly didn't know what to paint today... I didn't have a lot of free time left in my day, so I figured I'd go with a super simple subject. I always love painting apples anyway :) I really like this shade of green on the background, too. I should've kept a note of what colors I used to mix it!

"Shark Tank"

"Shark Tank"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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This is somewhat of a different composition, but I like how the three pears are surrounding that poor apple, hence the title :-) Those yellows were tough too, but I wanted the red apple to really stand out, so I purposefully chose to go monochromatic with the background.

"Three Amigos"

"Three Amigos"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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I had a lot of fun painting these juicy tomatoes! Unfortunately, I ended up with a bad glare again on the right, but I'm happy with this painting. The muted background really makes the tomatoes pop!

"The Perfect Fit"

"The Perfect Fit"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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I just had to paint this cup again! I wanted to try a tighter composition for this one, and I like how the pear makes this nice cast shadow on the background. I also like how that shadow is also cast on that apple in the back.

SOLD - "Turnip Trio"

"Turnip Trio"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

SOLD

After going back to my usual pears yesterday, I thought I'd try a totally different subject, one that I never painted before. I had to wipe this painting a few times and start over, but I'm really, really pleased with the end result. I love the green background against the purples of those yummy turnips. 

"Backlit Pears"

"Backlit Pears"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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I'm baaaaacccckkk! Okay, after a few days of "iffy" paintings, I'm glad to say that I haven't completely lost my ability to paint. It can sometimes feel that way for us artists when things don't go quite right. When that happens, I usually revert to a subject I really love and am familiar with - pears! I think these are Bosc pears, which are taller and slender, and more yellow. I love how they contrast with the darker, grayer background.

"Any Way You Slice It"

"Any Way You Slice It"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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I've painted oranges a few times, but this time I wanted to try and make it looser and more painterly. I had to admit, this was a tough one... But I love the colors here - they kinda make me want to be on a beach in Florida right now!

"Egg for One"

"Egg for One"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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The empty shells were surprisingly easy for me to get right - but that ramekin! Woah, that was a tough one... it still doesn't look quite right to me, so I think I may need to try my hand at that again. I do love the color palette on this painting, though. Feels very soothing.

"Superbowl of Apples"

"Superbowl of Apples"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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Some paintings are just harder to photograph than others, and this is certainly one of those! I'm a day late on this one because the lighting was just awful last night in my studio. But I am very pleased with the painting! This is my first attempt at painting fabric folds, which wasn't easy!

"Leaning Tower of Cups"

"Leaning Tower of Cups"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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I squealed with excitement when I came across these awesome vintage diner mugs at a thrift store last year! My favorite color is teal, and it's one of the primary colors in my studio as well. When I saw these ceramic beauties, with their shiny teal interiors, I just had to have them!

"Stir Fry Prep"

"Stir Fry Prep"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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More red peppers! Thought I'd have another go at these beauties. I especially love the juicy shine on the pepper, and the bright background underneath it. All in all, I"m pretty pleased with it.

"Paint The Town Red"

"Paint The Town Red"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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Wow, I had a really hard time photographing this one - so much glare!  I had a fun time painting all these reds, though. They certainly were a challenge!

"Our Family Bond"

"Our Family Bond"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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Is it okay for artists to be completely in love with one of their paintings? If so, this is one of them! I'm so happy with how this one turned out. The only part I struggled with was finding a title - then I realized it represents my own family (my parents, myself, and my two siblings). We certainly have a special bond, even though we refer to ourselves as "The Griswolds" every so often ;-)

"Cherry Love"

"Cherry Love"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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I'm really liking painting cherries, especially these beauties. I love how cherries look like hearts when propped up this way, and I also like how they contrast nicely against the bright white background. And of course, the intertwining stems are super cute :)

"The Third Wheel"

"The Third Wheel"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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Whoever said that doing daily paintings would get easier by the day was completely wrong! Had a really tough time with this one, but I'm okay with how it turned out in the end. When does it start to get easier?

"The Conga Line"

"The Conga Line"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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Yay, back to the fruity stuff! :) I always love simple compositions, but this one was especially fun. I like how the stems are reaching out for the cherries, almost as if they're dancing the Conga ("I know you can't control yourself any longer").

"Tea Time"

"Tea Time"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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Can you tell I ran out of fresh fruits and veggies at my house? I finally went shopping, so you'll hopefully start seeing more food paintings soon. Although I'm really enjoying painting these everyday objects, too!

"Golden Boy"

"Golden Boy"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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Well, this was already a better attempt - only had to wipe down once! I imagine that it'll get increasingly difficult to find new things to paint every single day, but my studio is filled with inspiration. I guess just have to look!

"Lead the Way"

"Lead the Way"

6" x 6" Oil on panel

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It's official! I've started the Daily Painting challenge, and this is #1 of 30 (but hopefully I can keep at it much longer than a month). This was harder than I thought! But I'm sure it'll just get easier as I go... I had to wipe this one down 3 times before ending up with this final painting.