detail of mandala in progress: gouache on paper © linda dalal sawaya 2014

 this is a detail of my mandala painting in progress! just love this process—it is a spontaneous  process within a defined structure with particular steps along the way, and areas of contemplation to allow the images to emerge.

 

this is my third mandala done in this way, since a friend taught me in 2004. i painted two and then there has been a long dry time. i am so grateful to be back in the experience of creating this new one. it is very energizing and surprising! such a blessing and a creative expression.

art saves lives! peace, love, and blessings to you in the new year! do what you love...this is all we have, this moment.

abstract small oil painting on canvas by linda dalal sawaya

 

this is a makeover of a painting i did last night for the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge! today is day 24 and i must confess that several of them were painted over. 

this is all about practice: it is good practice for me to paint, and good practice to let go of any attachment to them. this one is 6 x 6 inches.

i love this abstract one. do you?

30 paintings in 30 days: baba on the couch: acrylic on canvas by linda dalal sawaya, photo by rima

i have been enjoying leslie saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge this month and have only posted a few of my paintings, as i am mostly working in oils, in which i need practice, so this has been a great way to do that, but not necessarily are they all great paintings.

i am more comfortable and adept in acrylics, and this portrait of baba ghannouj, my little yorkie mix was based on a photo my dear friend rima, visiting from lebanon took a few days ago is painted with acrylics on canvas in two sessions. even though baba has been with us for 5 years, this is my first portrait painting of him! what have i been waiting for?

probably for him to sit still...so this is based on a photo, which is wonderful and truly captures his spirit. what a doll!

thanks to my friend, rima for the great shot!

it is a small canvas 8 x 8" and is not for sale! of course i could sell prints if you love it as much as i do. email me if interested! love my baba!

oil painting: pomegranate from life! by linda dalal sawaya

practice, practice, practice! i am happy that i signed up for 30 paintings in 30 days, as it is forcing me to paint every day. i am working in oils, which i have some experience with but no where near enough to be proficient. so even though this is day 14 and i have done almost that many paintings, this is one i feel happy enough about to post here on my blog.

two issues: i normally work from memory and imagination, and in acrylic or water based media. the "juice-iness" of oils is very appealing, and yet very difficult to work with. i painted this from observation over yesterday's painting of a lotus flower that was not too fabulous...and the oil paint was still wet.

i love pomegranates; this one came from my kitchen—a great subject for a still life, quickie painting: did it in about an hour, as it is a small canvas, about 5 x 5 inches square. maybe this one is a keeper? if i eat the pomegranate tonight, i still have two more in my kitchen to use for upcoming practice paintings. what fun!

palm tree in oil on canvas, small, 5" x 5"

 

i decided at the last moment (not on january 1, but on january 3) to join a 30 paintings in 30 days challenge inspired by my session at Studio 30 painting in oils from a live model yesterday. it was fun, and i can certainly use the practice! so this little palm tree is a quick study done on canvas.

this is the portrait i painted in the 3 hour session yesterday with a model on a 12" x 12" panel with oil paint. i will work on it further to get it to where i feel happier with the result! i know doing a painting every day (which was my initial inspiration to start this art blog a few years ago) will bring much joy, practice, and improvement to my art.

thanks for viewing! comments are always welcome! 

peace, blessings, and all best in the new year!