50 Projects: 52 Weeks (26. An Autumn Sunset)

Misty. Ethereal. Chilly. Warm. Autumn is my favorite season and I know that I am going to miss the colors changing in Wisconsin. Colorado doesn't get the spectrum of colors like the shores of Door County or the hillsides of Devil's Lake would. Inspired by a sunset, this is another painting I hope to put on Etsy soon but deserves a little blurb here. 

Layering and representing streaks of sunlight is challenging for me to paint. I am probably my own worst critic. But this one has been a work in progress for, years? I don't even remember when I started this.

But, just put on a sweater and think Fall. Chai anyone?

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (24. Teal Squares)

Because we just had to make our cans of Oops! paints go as far as they can, you're probably going to see a slew of projects with the same colors over and over. Don't judge. This was a hand-made floating shelf/cube thingy that I bought at Goodwill for $2.99. At first, I tried to sand and stain it. Horrible idea because the stain didn't take well.

It's the teal paint from our bedroom and it's a pretty fun display for Steve's (massive) collection of (empty) beer bottles.

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (22. A Long Time Painted: Color in Our Lives)

The Bedroom Wall

The Bath

The Living Room

Steve and I painted one wall in each room. I'm not sure if I mentioned it before, but I decided to include photos from all three. We needed color in our lives. We knew we would be living in the apartment for at least another year and decided [what the hey?!] and why not paint one wall in each room. We can think Home Depot for the Oops! paints that we bought because we saved (we calculated it, dorky, I know!) at least $60 on paint and supplies. We bought $5 gallon buckets of paint that were rejected in their Oops stash in the colors we wanted anyway. We have plenty of extra paint and plenty of other projects, too. Here's to a little color!

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (21. Sunset at Devil's Lake: A Two-Piece Wedding Landscape)

For the beautiful bride and groom. Devil's Lake State Park in Baraboo, WI. I've been working on perfecting reflections and water. It's a challenge to paint, but I love the way this one turned out. 

Congratulations, Mike and Jen!

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (18. Ainsley's Blossom)

Happy Golden Birthday, Ainsley Truth Dudek!

Steve and I got to celebrate our dear friends' baby girl's first birthday this past weekend in Estes Park. The sun came out along the drive up and it was a gorgeous day for a celebration. 

Jen always wanted a painting and I could think of nothing better than a beautiful rose. I took inspiration from a photo I took in New Zealand at the Hamilton Gardens. 

I had a blast painting this one afternoon and I'd definitely do it again!