Monday, August 31, 2015

Field of Blue - Part 2

Dave's been teaching our dog, Hazel, to play dead. It's supposed to go like this.

"Sit" - Hazel sits.

"Down" - Hazel lies down.

"Bang!" - Hazel rolls to the side and plays dead.


Here's what actually happens.

"Sit" - Hazel sits.

"Down" - Hazel lies down.

"Bang!" - Hazel looks at Dave like he's crazy.

"Bang!" - Hazel begins to sloooooowly ooze over just a tad.

"Bang!" - Hazel rolls to the side but keeps her head up.

"Bang!" - Hazel slooooooowly lays her head down and sighs.


So it's not an instant gratification thing for Dave, that's for sure, but I believe that Hazel has a good chance of winning an Oscar this year. Best death scene ever!


I continued working on my bluebonnets. I'm excited about doing layer upon layer of them!

I added some white over the black so the blue of
the bluebonnets would be brighter.

I painted the flower shapes a blue/purple combo.

I added white/green tops and white speckles to the flowers.
This is just the first layer of bluebonnets. More to come!
Click here to view my gallery.  Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.
I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Field of Blue - Part 1

I got home today and found our cat, Tommy, asleep in one of our chairs. I picked him up and cuddled him for a bit and then let him sit on my lap. That little guy went right back to sleep...sitting up! He reminded me of my grandfather who I once saw sleeping while standing up leaning against a wall. Mad sleeping skills!


I started a new painting. Dave suggested that I use one of his photographs as inspiration. It's a lovely photo of a field of bluebonnets. I hope I'll do it justice.

I started by doing just a basic horizon, ground and sky.

I roughed in some trees and brush in the far background
and lay in some spots where bluebonnet flowers will go.
Click here to view my gallery.  Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.
I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

I'm running a big sale on my paintings through the end of August. Almost everything in my gallery is 60% off. I'm only keeping my most current work (paintings on page 1) at the listed prices. If there's something you'd like, please let me know by message or comment so I can manually adjust the price. Thanks!!! http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/kali-parsons-3935/artwork

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Daisies 2 - Part 3

I feel like a dump truck. Ever since the battery was replaced in my Prius the back up beeping has returned. It's supposed to make the driver more aware that they're backing up, but really I think it just makes us enter the land of pretend that we're awesome hard hat wearing construction workers.

"Beep, beep, beep, beep...."

And while it's been fun for a few days, I'll be Googling how to turn that feature off...as soon as I manage to think of it at the right time, that is.


I finished the second in a series of daisy paintings. I'm super thankful for my friend who emailed me pics of these amazing flowers! Here's the finished painting and below are the last few stages.

"Daisies 2"

I added some watered down black to the
edges of the petals.

I worked on the shadow as well as some background
features and made the centers the flowers more yellow.

I added some highlights to the stems and worked
a bit more on the vase.

I couldn't resist adding some splatters. I
loved them so much on "Daisies1"!

Click here to view my gallery.  Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.
I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

I'm running a big sale on my paintings through the end of August. Almost everything in my gallery is 60% off. I'm only keeping my most current work (paintings on page 1) at the listed prices. If there's something you'd like, please let me know by message or comment so I can manually adjust the price. Thanks!!! http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/kali-parsons-3935/artwork

Friday, August 28, 2015

Daisies 2 - Part 2

Our chickens dig tofu. I mean they really, really dig tofu. And corn, they dig that, too. Oh, and apples. I actually made a tofu/corn/apple salad for them the other day, and, by golly, those girls came a runnin' and gobbled it up like there was no tomorrow. And then yesterday morning I actually caught a cockroach and gave it to them. Do you know how much harder it is to catch a cockroach as opposed to just squashing it? "Much" is the answer. I'm beginning to suspect that my wonderful chickens are spoiled rotten.


I continued working on my "Daisies 2" painting. I'm going to resist putting happy faces on them even though they really oughta have 'em.

I added yellow centers to the flowers and worked
on the pitcher vase. I also added stems.

I added another layer to the petals and
added some texture/dimension to the background.
Click here to view my gallery.  Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.
I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

I'm running a big sale on my paintings through the end of August. Almost everything in my gallery is 60% off. I'm only keeping my most current work (paintings on page 1) at the listed prices. If there's something you'd like, please let me know by message or comment so I can manually adjust the price. Thanks!!! http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/kali-parsons-3935/artwork

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Daisies 2 - Part 1

Dave and I took down our painting/photo exhibit tonight. Some pieces sold and we bid them farewell, but the ones we are taking home...well, it's like welcoming home old friends. It's a good thing, too. While we did go ahead and hang some things in their absence, we never bothered to move nails so little paintings were left to be all lonely like in big spaces. Order will soon be restored. 


I started on a new painting this morning. It's my second in a daisy series I have planned. 

I started by roughly painting the background. 


I sketched in the basic shapes. 


I painted in the first layer of petals. 
Click here to view my gallery.  Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.
I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

I'm running a big sale on my paintings through the end of August. Almost everything in my gallery is 60% off. I'm only keeping my most current work (paintings on page 1) at the listed prices. If there's something you'd like, please let me know by message or comment so I can manually adjust the price. Thanks!!! http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/kali-parsons-3935/artwork

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Spilling Over with Joy - Part 4

I've just noticed a serious benefit of having shorter almost bangs. My glasses are almost always perfectly clean. I'm in the habit of having to clean my glasses several times daily, and since I got my haircut...well...I just don't need to. And it's totally a small thing, but I find it makes me super happy. Think of all the time I've gained!

And with all that extra time I managed to finish this painting. Here's the finished painting and below is one of the last stages. Once again I forgot to take more photos.

"Spilling Over with Joy"

I added some color to the background and
worked on the flowers and greenery a bit more.
Click here to view my gallery.  Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.
I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

I'm running a big sale on my paintings through the end of August. Almost everything in my gallery is 60% off. I'm only keeping my most current work (paintings on page 1) at the listed prices. If there's something you'd like, please let me know by message or comment so I can manually adjust the price. Thanks!!! http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/kali-parsons-3935/artwork

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Spilling Over with Joy - Part 3

I got in my car today and my Amy Winehouse CD was playing. My big guy has been borrowing my car a bit lately and I thought, "The kid finally has some great musical taste!"

But then I picked up my little guy and commented on my recent happy discovery.

Little guy: "That's not what happened. I'm sure of it. I bet he just unplugged his auxiliary cable when he got out of the car and when you started your car it reverted to the CD you already had in there.

He's likely right. But I rather dug my big guy groovin' to Amy Winehouse.


I'm still working on this painting. My time has been really limited since school started back up. But I am making progress. I'm thinking tomorrow it'll be done.

I added some shadows to the flowers. I also
added some lacy white flowers.

I increased the greenery of the bouquet
 and added some white to the shadows.

I decided that it needed more of a background
for some dimension. I also added some color
to the greenery and the background at the top.
Click here to view my gallery.  Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.
I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

I'm running a big sale on my paintings through the end of August. Almost everything in my gallery is 60% off. I'm only keeping my most current work (paintings on page 1) at the listed prices. If there's something you'd like, please let me know by message or comment so I can manually adjust the price. Thanks!!! http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/kali-parsons-3935/artwork

Monday, August 24, 2015

Spilling Over with Joy - Part 2

Today was the first day of school for the school year...and it was fantastic! I loved every second of it! And I even remembered how to teach. Seriously, when you take two-and-a-half months off from a job and then jump right back in, you tend to be just a tad nervous. But just like it has been for the past eleven years, the skills were all still in place. It's a lot like riding a bicycle.

And while I was at work today I took a moment during my lunch to text my husband, Dave, who had the house to himself with the big guy having moved out and the little guy and I back at school.


Me: "How is that quiet house?"

Dave: "I miss you."

Me: "Good answer."


While I'm sure he was dancing with joy and singing, "I've got the Whole House to Myself!" at the top of his lungs, he still managed to say exactly the right thing.

I decided that the vase wasn't quite right, so
I started working on it...unsuccessfully. I also
started darkening the background so the flowers
and the vase would stand out.

I decided that I needed to have a do-over with
the vase. Still not right, but getting closer.

I kept reworking the vase. The horizontal lines
were working so much better than the vertical ones.
I also started lightening the background a bit.

I added details to the flowers. Now I feel like
my bouquet is coming to life! Still much more to do, though.
Click here to view my gallery.  Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.
I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

I'm running a big sale on my paintings through the end of August. Almost everything in my gallery is 60% off. I'm only keeping my most current work (paintings on page 1) at the listed prices. If there's something you'd like, please let me know by message or comment so I can manually adjust the price. Thanks!!! http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/kali-parsons-3935/artwork

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Spilling Over with Joy - Part 1

Today I had an encounter with the most beautiful praying mantis I'd ever seen. It was the biggest one, too. I put my hand in front of her hoping she'd take me up on my silent invitation and step onto my hand, but she put up her dukes instead and punched at me several times. Not to be deterred, I held my ground. And eventually she took a few steps onto my hand, and then a few more, and then even more as she walked right up my arm.

It was magical....


I started a new painting. Here are the first few stages.

I'd been using this canvas as a place to put any and all
leftover paint that remained on my paintbrushes.
I decided it was time to use it as the background
of a new painting. 

I started by sketching in the shape of the pot
and the flowers/greenery.

I went over it in black.

I began adding color.
Click here to view my gallery.  Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.
I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

I'm running a big sale on my paintings through the end of August. Almost everything in my gallery is 60% off. I'm only keeping my most current work (paintings on page 1) at the listed prices. If there's something you'd like, please let me know by message or comment so I can manually adjust the price. Thanks!!! http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/kali-parsons-3935/artwork

Saturday, August 22, 2015

She Shines from Within

I bought a bottle of wine today. First alcohol I've bought in many, many years. I don't drink for a variety of reasons and this wine was to be used in a recipe. So, I bought the cheapest white wine I could find, of course. And you know what? They didn't even card me. Frankly, I think it would have been really nice of the young lady to have done a courtesy carding, but no.


Little guy: "You're kidding, right, mom?"

Big guy: "No way I would've carded you, mom."


So glad I taught my boys to be honest with me.


I finished this piece...and I titled it! The name didn't come to me until after I'd signed it. Here's the completed piece and just a couple of stages leading up to that. I was so into painting that I forgot to take more photos.

"She Shines from Within"

I added many more details to her face and
filled in the background with more color.

This is where I was just beginning to work on
her eyes. I also added some elements to her dress.
This is a project in an online art class I'm taking. I highly recommend it!

Click here to view my gallery.  Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.
I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

I'm running a big sale on my paintings through the end of August. Almost everything in my gallery is 60% off. I'm only keeping my most current work (paintings on page 1) at the listed prices. If there's something you'd like, please let me know by message or comment so I can manually adjust the price. Thanks!!! http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/kali-parsons-3935/artwork



Friday, August 21, 2015

Untitled (I'll figure out what to call it when I finish) - Part 2

I talk a lot with my hands. It rarely causes me any issues aside from my family making fun of me and that time when I was in a commercial and they gave me bags to hold to keep my hands from getting out of control. I'm grateful I didn't realize that was the goal of the bags until I was driving home and I thought, "Aha!" Happily, I still made the cut.

Well, today I'm realizing that I must've been talking with my hands all day...I actually have fatigue from it. Thinking I need to stick with talking with hands-free chatting.


I got just a bit done on this painting. With a full day and evening planned I did a little 6:00 am painting. Great way to start the day!

I began adding details to her face.

I refined the shape of her arm and added
further details to her head.
Excited to finish this piece this weekend!

This is a project in an online art class I'm taking. I highly recommend it!

Click here to view my gallery.  Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.
I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

I'm running a big sale on my paintings through the end of August. Almost everything in my gallery is 60% off. I'm only keeping my most current work (paintings on page 1) at the listed prices. If there's something you'd like, please let me know by message or comment so I can manually adjust the price. Thanks!!! http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/kali-parsons-3935/artwork

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Untitled (I'll figure out what to call it when I finish) - Part 1

It's funny. I pretty much always have a title in mind for a painting from the moment I start. But this time, even though I have a figure basically laid out, nothing is coming to me yet. I guess it needs to cook a bit more. I'm counting on the painting letting me know when it figures out what it wants to be titled. Not unlike little three-year-old me who quite unexpectedly declared to her mom, "My name is Kali," and then refused to answer to any other name from then on.

Yes, perhaps this new painting of mine has a very familiar independent streak.

I painted a canvas reddish orange and did a
light sketch with white paint of my figure.

I painted blue on various parts of the canvas
and some green on her flesh.

I added a bit more blue and green and then sprayed
the canvas with water before taking a squeegee
to the surface, moving the paint about.
This is a project in an online art class I'm taking. I highly recommend it!

Click here to view my gallery.  Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.
I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

I'm running a big sale on my paintings through the end of August. Almost everything in my gallery is 60% off. I'm only keeping my most current work (paintings on page 1) at the listed prices. If there's something you'd like, please let me know by message or comment so I can manually adjust the price. Thanks!!! http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/kali-parsons-3935/artwork

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Back to School Backpack - Part 2

So my big guy moved out of the house. My little guy moved into my big guy's room. And now my yet-to-be-painted-on canvases and sold paintings have a room of their own! And you know what? Their bed is made. Their desk is dusted. Their carpet is vacuumed. Easiest kids ever! Though I still most definitely prefer my guys.


I finished my backpack! Here are a couple of shots of the finished backpack and below are the last few painting stages.

"Back to School Backpack"

And it's functional and pretty!

I outlined all of the flowers and leaves with black
and I added some details to the petals.

A view of the other side.

I added some white...you know, for fun!

A view of the other side.

And with the leftover paint I created this!
Not sure what it will eventually become,
but it will most certainly be fun!
Click here to view my gallery.  Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.
I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

I'm running a big sale on my paintings through the end of August. Almost everything in my gallery is 60% off. I'm only keeping my most current work (paintings on page 1) at the listed prices. If there's something you'd like, please let me know by message or comment so I can manually adjust the price. Thanks!!! http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/kali-parsons-3935/artwork

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Back to School Backpack - Part 1

Today all the public school teachers in town got back to work. That includes me. So wonderful seeing everyone and it got me back in the fun school mode. I've been taking an online art class and one of the assignments was to paint a pillow cover, but I decided to be a rebel and paint a backpack instead. I'd had this very boring beige canvas backpack forever. While it was utilitarian and all, it was so darn boring I never actually left the house with it. That's a lie. I did take it to the gym once. So I grabbed that backpack and started the process of turning it into something magical that I would both love and use.

This is the backpack. I meant to take a picture before I started
painting, but I forgot. I put some sheets in a trash bag and then stuffed the
bag in the backpack so the paint wouldn't run from one side to the other.

I chose a few colors of paint. The red, pink, yellow, and blue
are to make flowers. The green is for leaves. The paints
are watered down quite a bit to a milk consistency.

I started by painting basic flower shapes all over.

My cat, Pug, was a great support.

I took the stuffing out and hung it on my clothesline to dry.

I love how the colors run together and the fun drips.
Next I'll be adding black outlines and features as well as white accents. Can't wait to put it to use! This will DEFINITELY make it out of the house.

Click here to view my gallery.  Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.
I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

I'm running a big sale on my paintings through the end of August. Almost everything in my gallery is 60% off. I'm only keeping my most current work (paintings on page 1) at the listed prices. If there's something you'd like, please let me know by message or comment so I can manually adjust the price. Thanks!!! http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/kali-parsons-3935/artwork

Monday, August 17, 2015

That Summer Feeling

Summer break is officially over for me this evening. Tomorrow I start back at work with a job I absolutely love. (I teach three and four-year-old children with disabilities in case you don't know.) And I'm sitting here reflecting on this amazing summer break I've had...and kind of wondering why it's called a "break" as I've been crazy busy.


- I've done a number of commissioned paintings in addition to my daily painting.

- I trained a bunch of wonderful new teachers.

- I've had an exhibit of my paintings.

- I started my fifth year of painting and blogging daily.

- I've taken two painting classes.

- I received a diagnosis that is fixable by surgery (that'll happen really soon).

- I helped my oldest son pack and move out of our house.

- I got my hair cut shorter than it's been in many, many years.

- I started painting much bigger.

- I learned how to do minor surgery on my chickens' feet.


I'm thinking there's more, but those are the things that pop into my blissfully exhausted little head.

What a grand summer it's been!


This is a sweet little practice piece from a class I'm taking. I love the warm summery feeling it has.

"That Summer Feeling"
Click here to view my gallery.  Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.
I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

I'm running a big sale on my paintings through the end of August. Almost everything in my gallery is 60% off. I'm only keeping my most current work (paintings on page 1) at the listed prices. If there's something you'd like, please let me know by message or comment so I can manually adjust the price. Thanks!!! http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/kali-parsons-3935/artwork