I have tried to come up with excuses for why I am behind, like allergies, change in season, overtired, overworked and really I do have all those things going on, but are they viable excuses for why I did not paint last week? The masochist in me says 'no'. So now I am officially one painting behind and I will have to make that up at some point this week.

   Week two and I am already breaking a rule or two. Not only is this one is larger, it is also not going to be for sale. I am afraid you all will just have to forgive me for this one, but it has been a very frustrating painting week. I have been working on a new painting all week and keep hitting road blocks so I decided to do a mastercopy study hoping for an enlightenment. This one is based on a painting by a wonderful artist, Scott Christensen, who I will get the pleasure of painting with next year!

Cottonwood Sunset | oil on linen | 9"x12" | NFS

I decided to challenge myself to a fairly reasonable challenge since I have to realize I have a full time job other than painting. I will be completing one small painting a week, 5"x7" and posting them here on my blog for the remainder of this year, and with the rush of cold air breezing in it felt very appropriate to do a fall painting for my first painting.

Oil on canvas | 5"x7" | $200