HH4 challenge # 9

I had to go out of town unexpectedly before I started this challenge, so I'm the guilty party that held the up the Hilton Head 4 postings for challenge #9.  Maria provided the reference photo this time.  I love this this young lady with her wonderful red purse, heavy sweater and boots admiring Renoir's "A Girl with a Watering Can" (1876).  

Some days a title comes to me before I even start a painting and sometimes I'm blank.  I was in the blank mode when I finished this one, but decided since it has felt like Mother Nature skipped spring almost everywhere this year.  I am still hoping spring will still visit us so I decided I'd name this painting "Looking Forward to Spring."

"Looking Forward to Spring"

9x12” oil on canvas

 

Maria Bennett Hock

"I am Blue", oil on RayMar

Lulu and Chris had super busy schedules this challenge and decided to give iPad painting a try.  I think they turned out great.  Isn't technology wonderful?  We can now paint anywhere with no fuss or muss in a pinch.  I have to get one of these aps. 

Christine Werst

iPad painting

"Just a Glance", iPad painting

Regula Scheifele

Challenge #6 - A Little Girl Enraptured with Renoir's Dancer

Someday, 12x16" oil on canvas

Its that time again.  This is the 6th Challenge for the HH4 as we affectionately call our bi-monthly challenge group. The four of us shared a beach house when we attended Karin Jurick's workshop in Hilton Head in November.  It is much more of a 'challenge' for Lulu & Chris since both are still working full-time, high pressure jobs.  Kudos to them.  

Challenge #6 was Maria Bennett Hock's pick and she submitted a photo of one of my very favorite subjects to paint... people in museums.  I ask you could she have found a cuter little girl looking at Renoir's Dancer?  I've taken hundreds of photographs in museums and while I've loved some of mine, never had one this priceless.  Bravo Maria.  

I Want That 
 Maria Bennett Hock

Chris Werst

Kindred Spirits
Regula Scheifele 

An interesting challenge question:  

An artist friend recently asked me, "Doesn't it bother you painting the same thing other artists are painting."  My immediate response was no, I learn so much from seeing everyone's else rendition.   I love seeing other people's ideas of composition and color choices of the same subject matter which I hope is teaching me how to make better choices myself.  

Later, I thought a bit more about why I have been enjoying challenges so much.

• First, its kind of like the surprise of opening a present.  Its very new for me and I love to opening the email with the next challenge. 
• Challenges take me out of my comfort zone.
• I decided a challenge is a little like cooking for me, I don't mind cooking dinner, I just don't always like having to decide what to cook!  So maybe its nice having a tiny bit of the pressure off in not having to decide on a paint all the time.   
• Lastly, I know I'm a person who works best under the pressure of deadlines.  
• Not that I miss the pressure now that I'm retired!!

So I ask you... why do you like to do challenges?