Day two of my twelve days of painting was wonderful to work on. I'm not sure what the sudden draw to watercolors for me has been, but there's is an iridescent, over-all lighted touch to the finished paintings that I am simply adoring. I did a study from life of these pomegranates (if you follow me on Instagram you may have seen it!), but this finished painting is one that I have long been wanting to create. It may be the nostalgia of home that seeing and picking (and painting, I should say) fruit fresh from the tree, but these pomegranates really sang to me when I saw them. Moments like that come and it's no longer a "want" to paint something but a "need." 

This painting is available in my shop. Check back tomorrow for the second painting! :)

And don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY! for your chance to win an original watercolor of mine. Good luck!

The first painting for the 12 days of Paintings and Christmas means so much to me. It's of the most beautiful iris flower farm near my home where I grew up. Every year they have a "paint out" where artists flood their farm and gardens to paint the scenery. I would go there and participate, and it was always so magical. I started my art career around that age and time, and I still gain momentum thinking of those experiences.

I had a photo tucked away in my files of the iris farm in the early morning, and over the years I've been wanting to paint it. When I was gathering my images and places to paint these next twelve days, this image came to mind immediately! It's always special to finally paint a piece that has been in my mind for years, even more special when it holds so much significance.

This painting is available in my shop. Check back tomorrow for the second painting! :)

And don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY! for your chance to win an original watercolor of mine. Good luck!

There are so many post I am preparing to post soon. Everything from still life paintings, landscapes and plein air studies from my trip to AUSTRALIA!!! But until then, what could be a better time than now?! Because it’s time for a GIVEAWAY! Win this original watercolor/gouache painting, 6x6in., by yours truly. I haven’t done a giveaway for nearly two years, and I’m beyond excited for it! In addition to the giveaway, for the next 12 days, I will be posting a petite oil or watercolor painting for sale, just in time for Christmas. Details to follow. Good luck!

In order to be entered to win you must follow the rules on either Facebook, Instagram, or both! There is one more way to enter, exclusive to my blog, and that is to PIN this image to Pinterest! Comment anywhere (here, Instagram, Facebook) on one of my posts that you've pinned, and you'll be good to go!

FACEBOOK:

1. Like my page Sarah Croft Nightingale Art AND the Facebook post!

2. Tag at least TWO friends in the comments on the Facebook post (each additional comment with a tag counts as an entry)

* Bonus Entry – Share this giveaway photo on your page. Comment with “Shared” if you choose to complete the bonus entry

INSTAGRAM:

1. Follow my Instagram account @sarahcnightingale

2. Tag at least TWO friends in the comments (each additional comment with a tag counts as an entry) * Bonus Entry – Share this giveaway photo on your page. Comment with “Shared” if you choose to complete the bonus entry AND #NightingaleGiveaway *Additional ways to enter on Facebook

Some restrictions apply:
– Must be over 13 to win.
– Must live in the USA (or be willing to pay for shipping).
– Giveaway closes Saturday, December 12th at 9pm CST.

You may have seen on my Instagram of Facebook page if you follow me there, but the day I painted this meadow tree was just as nostalgic-like as the day I encountered it. Here is what I said of it:

I know that it is technically Autumn as of today, but these peonies are nothing but midsummer in my mind. When I took the photo reference for them a couple of years ago, in the middle of summer, it was while I was staying at my sister's home a few states away. She had the most gorgeous vase of these flowers grown in her sister in law's back yard. Is that what we love so much about flowers? That they resemble the giving done in summer?

Below is my progress shot of this piece. I love it just as much in progress as I do completed, and I photographed it just as the sun was going down so those whites are really glowing! I have a special person and place in mind for this piece, and I am so excited to give it to said person. Now that it's Autumn, I have a hankering to paint more landscapes and portraits. It seems to be this way every year, but I can't wait to get started!