Millie's Vision of Art

Spools of Thread

2012-02-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

Watercolors on 6" X 6" canvas
Done from The Rookie Painter challenge photo.

This is my first experiment to paint watercolors on canvas. I bought this paste a year ago and I just now used it to prime my linen canvas. The surface made me feel that I was painting acrylics, although all paints are watercolors. The fun thing is if you make a mistake, you can just wipe it off and re paint again. I've made a lot of mistakes because I had to rush rush for the deadline. I've got no time to fix my mess, but I will do so in spare time, which I wonder when!!! I'm taking a ceramics class right now, at the local university. No, we are not making pots nor bowls. It is more like sculptural items and I just love it. It is so much fun.

Thank you for looking. Any comment is greatly appreciated.

Tomatoes, Big and Small

2012-01-22T23:14:00.000-08:00

Acrylics on 12" X 12" canvas

This is my interpretation of the PADT beautiful challenge photo.
At first, I was intimidated by the sight of leaves. Yes, I have a fear of painting foliage. But I needed to make a painting to match my previous Stack of Bowls, so I decided to include just a few leaves. I'm happy with my painting and I hope you like it too.

All comments are very much appreciated, thank you!

Stack of Bowls

2012-01-11T23:29:00.000-08:00

Acrylics on 12" X 12" canvas

As I plan to soon enroll in ceramics again, at the local University, I've tried to paint as much as time permits. Now if I could get in the class, maybe my paintings will stop for a while. We'll just see.

Here my work was done from The Rookie Painter challenge photo. This is the first time I ever painted strawberries and I'm quite pleased with them.

Winterland

2012-01-11T17:49:00.000-08:00

Acrylics
6" X 6" linen canvas
This my second painting for the Virtual Paintout since I found it fun to paint from the Google Street View.

On A Winter Day

2012-01-08T20:26:00.000-08:00

Acrylics
6" X 6" on linen canvas
This month, the Virtual Paintout challenge is Colorado, USA. I 've begun to like this challenge, using the Google Street View to find the spot to paint. In real, my painting looks like a Christmas card. I wish I had painted this before Xmas and used this as my greeting card. Well, it is still not late...
HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone
and may the NEW YEAR bring you all Good Health, Happiness and Success in all your endeavors!

Still Life with Oranges

2011-12-15T11:21:00.000-08:00

Acrylics
11" X 14" on canvas
Anybody's experiencing Google blog format being changed today? I'd been trying to upload this image for hours...in vain today. The Google blog format is different today and there was no way I could get in to upload my painting. It was frustrating. I had to send out a couple of emails, asking for help. So far, no answer back, but now on my desktop computer, I suddenly could get in. But on my laptop, it is still...weird.
Anyway, this was done from A Nos Pinceaux challenge photo. Hope you like it.

Eureka, I found it!

2011-12-10T22:16:00.000-08:00

Acrylics
8" X 8" canvas
I've always been wanting to take up the painting challenge on this Virtual Paint Out website. However, I never had time or patience to follow the requirements. For this month, it is Eureka and this is where I reside. I could have gone anywhere to snap a picture and use it as photo reference easily. But the requirement is to use the Google map to choose a spot in the assigned city, region or country to paint from. And so this is the spot in my picturesque region. This is the common scene around my city.

A Bowl of Fruit

2011-10-30T11:44:00.000-07:00

Acrylics
6" X 6" X 2"
Done from The Rookie Painter photo challenge.
There have been so many wonderful art challenges that inspire me so much. But I just have no time for everything :-( Lately, I'm into...ceramics. It is also very exciting and I have been having fun hand building things. I still struggle at throwing on the wheel. Hopefully, with practice, I will be able to make some thing nice.

Girl with Pearl Earrings

2011-10-13T00:45:00.000-07:00

Acrylics 8" X 10"
Done from the ADNW photo challenge.
The last time I painted was two months ago. Have been so busy, because I went back to school. I am not going for another degree. I just want to work my mind and body. I also take up yoga and taichi which made me feel so good. I feel like a full time student, going to school 4 days a week and have lots of homeworks to do too. I am not complaining, for I enjoy all that I'm taking.

My Favorite Mug

2011-08-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

Acrylics on 10" X 10" canvas.

I love this challenge to paint a mug. This is my favorite mug which I had bought in Switzerland years ago. I always smile, seeing the cows staring back at me. It was so fun doing this.

Peacher

2011-08-04T23:47:00.000-07:00

Acrylics on 8" X 10" stretched canvas

My title is not wrong spelling, I just combined the word Pitcher and Peaches into one short word.
Due to my trips and busy life, I was not able to paint for almost two long months. I was itching to paint this lovely challenge photo as soon as I saw it a couple of weeks ago. But I could not really sit down until yesterday. I enjoyed painting it so much and hope you like the result as much as I do.

Thank you for looking.

Black and White

2011-06-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

Acrylics
4" X 6"
Painted with permission from the lovely Kristin Espinasse on the French-Word-A-Day's website. I stumbled on her blog a few months ago and I'm now hooked. She writes anecdotes about her life in France. Her stories are honest and full of humor. She's got so many nice photos that inspire me. This is the first one Inspiration urged me to do. Although I'm still having jet lag, coming back from my China trip, just a few days ago, I made my time awake useful by painting these two beauties, black and white.
I used a small canvas because I was not sure how I could paint this black beauty. I was afraid it would be a boring black mass. Now I wish I had used a larger canvas, for it would have been much easier with freer paint strokes. Nonetheless, I like the result.

Bijou at the Beach

2011-05-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

Acrylics
6" X 6"
It was my dog Bijou's first time at the beach. For a moment, we had thought we would lose her because she felt so free and was running wild. Just when we gave up running after her, she came back to us.

2011-05-17T18:14:00.000-07:00

Watercolor
9" X 12" on Arches 140lb CP paper
Cats have never been my favorite subject. This is only the second time I ever painted a cat. Although I do not feel it is my best yet, but I did see an improvement :-)
Done from the DPW challenge photo.

Veggies

2011-05-09T15:38:00.000-07:00

Acrylics on 5" X 7" canvas

Done for the DPW challenge. Ever since I "discovered" the challenges on this website, I'm on Adrenaline rush to paint. This is what I've got in my fridge, and dinner was delayed for me to do this challenge. Luciky, I've got an understanding husband.

Sun Kissed

2011-05-06T19:33:00.000-07:00

Acrylics on 6 3/4" X 8" solid wood with curved corners

This is a challenge from Daily Paintworks website.

I always love painting people, so the challenge was very exciting for me. When I was growing up and did not have dolls to play with. I drew girls on paper and I also drew dresses to clothe them :)

Zoe

2011-05-01T17:59:00.000-07:00

Acrylics 5" X 7"
Done from the ADNW challenge photo. I enjoyed painting this beauty tremedously.

You and I

2011-04-16T13:48:00.000-07:00

Acrylics on 5” X 7” canvas

This was done from the PADT challenge photo. A quick and simple work to make me happy after a long time of no painting.

Japan in Agony

2011-03-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

Watercolor
7" X 10"

I have lived through the shaking of the earth many times, but never really witnessed or seen on TV, anything like what had happened in Japan last March 11, Japan's time. Suddenly, I felt the urge to paint even though I was so busy.

Japan with her resilience will rise again. I wish the people of Japan the best and pray that their recovery will come, sooner than later.

Taste of Honey

2011-01-18T13:59:00.000-08:00

Watercolors

7" X 10" Arches HP WC paper

This was done from the PADT blog challenge photo.

A Stroll in the Park

2010-12-11T15:01:00.000-08:00

Watercolor
12" X 16"
on Arches 140lb CP paper
This is my biggest challenge since I am quite nervous about painting landscapes. I always feel I cannot paint vegetation well. But when I saw the challenge photo at A Day Not WastedI decided to take on the difficult task. It was not an easy feeling with the foliage. Nonetheless, I hope it looks ok.

2010-11-22T09:28:00.000-08:00

Watercolor

7" X 10"

Done from the Studio Atelier challenge photo.
I ran out of pink, so my pink apple is done with the colors I have :-)

Many people have shown surprise that my works are watercolors. They have thought they were oils or acrylics. Not that I want them to be that way, it is just me often feeling that I need just one more stroke and then ending up with many strokes later. I guess that is my style!
Hope you like it. I appreciate all constructive critique. Thank you.

Fuyu Persimmons

2010-11-12T12:49:00.000-08:00


Watercolor

I just came back from Los Angeles. The weather there in the Fall is still like Summer. People still wear shorts and light clothings. Now back home to Northern CA, it is BBRRR cold. While in LA, I also visited my childhood friend and she has a Persimmons tree in her back yard. I love persimmons and had never tasted one, off the tree. Oh my, they are just so good and sweet, unlike those sold in the supermarkets. How I wish I could grow one like that in my backyard.
I felt so inspired that I had to paint them soon after my return home. Enthusiasm helped me breeze through my sketch and painting without any difficulties. I love persimmons.

Gem of a Fruit

2010-11-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

Watercolor

7" X 10"

Arches HP 140lb WC paper

Done from the PADT blog challenge photo..

I love pomegranates, and so when this challenge photo came along, I could not resist painting it. Enthusiasm has helped me finish it smoothly. Hope you like it, or if you could give me any constructive critique, it will be much appreciated. Thank you.

Sun-Kissed Lemons

2010-10-17T14:30:00.000-07:00

Watercolors

7" X 10" Arches HP WC paper

This was done from the PADT blog challenge photo.
I seem to love challenges. For I'm quite busy, and yet when I saw this challenge, I had to stop all things to do it. Hope you like it. However, I welcome all constructive critique. Thank you.

Still Life

2010-09-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

Watercolors

7" X 10"

Arches HP 140lb WC paper

This was done from the photo challenge on the Paint And Draw Together Blog. The first time I had ever painted an apple was in my beginning painting class. I did it in oil. This is the second time I painted an apple.

As usual, it was the adrenaline rush that had helped me finish it. For, I have to soon pack for a trip, but I just wanted to participate so badly that I had to paint. In watercolors, because it is faster for me.

Black Beauty

2010-09-17T20:51:00.000-07:00

Watercolors

9" X 12"

I just came back from a trip, still not yet back to normal. Yet when I saw the challenge from Paint And Draw blog, I felt the rush to paint, because the deadline is...tomorrow. I could not find my watercolors paper when I stumbled on the yupo paper I bought more than a year ago. Suddenly I felt I wanted to try this paper. If I could not succeed, at least I'd get the feel how it was to paint on yupo. I was surprised it was nice in the sense that I could just wipe off my mistakes. And then I began to have fun, just smearing on colors. But now I have to check on how to preserve the painting, for one careless touch could just remove the colors!!!

Could anybody tell me how to preserve the painting on yupo paper?

2010-08-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

Watercolors
9" X 12"
This was done from the rookiepainter photo challenge. I have to admit, flowers are not my favorite subject. I'm very often motivated to paint them when there is...pressure :-( I almost gave up painting this at half way through, because my eyes almost went bonkers painting those crazy petals. I had to keep telling myself that I could do it. Hopefully this does not look like "forced labor", done under severe pressure 8D

Spring Fever

2010-04-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

watercolors 9" X 12"

I was in the mood for more flowers, although painting flowers was just a new discovery for me just the last couple of years. I am a late bloomer, discovering so many things I never knew I could do , and that makes life exciting for me :-)

Spring is in The Air

2010-03-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

Watercolors

Today is officially the first day of Spring. I'm so happy to see more sunshine now. Life is still demanding. So I am less creative, but maybe things will change with the weather being better :-)

Love in The Jungle

2010-02-20T18:20:00.000-08:00

Watercolors
9” X12”

I have been busy in real life, so I have not been active in painting. Especially after Karin of DSDF stopped the challenge, I feel less motivated :( I have been out of the loop and did not know many of you have been doing Karin's portrait. I would have loved to participate, but I guess it is now too late?
My heartfelt thank-you to those who have stopped by and left me comments. Sorry I did not know earlier to respond. Besides, I'm still new in this blogging thingy, so I fumble around :-( If I answer your comments here, will you receive my response?

Above is the painting I managed to paint, just in time for the Chinese and Vietnamese lunar New Year that just started last February 14. Hope you all like it.

Happy Hodidays

2009-12-21T18:14:00.000-08:00

Watercolors

9" X 12"

This is my last painting for 2009. Here's wishing you all...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Portrait Challenge

2009-12-13T13:26:00.000-08:00

Watercolors
7" X 10"
I often stressed doing portraits. So in the past, I had refused doing portrait commissions. But this time, with calming words from Karin Jurick of Different Strokes from Different Folks , telling us to just relax and to treat the subject like shapes and colors, I felt less intimidated. And here is my attempt. I don't think I have achieved great likeness :-( but I hope the artist, whoever she is, will like my interpretation of her photo :-)

Shall We Dance?

2009-11-20T16:07:00.000-08:00

Watercolors.
12” X 16”
The birds are from a photo taken by a friend. The background is my whole idea.

In Transit

2009-11-15T17:09:00.000-08:00

Acrylics, Size 9" X 12"
I just could not resist this K. Jurick's DFDS challenge, since I could relate to it. Recently, I have been flying back and forth and just last month, to far away South Korea. I could be one of the people in the photo, rushing to different gates, with a boarding pass and ID in hands.

Grooming

2009-10-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

Watercolors 9" X 12"
Painted with permission from photo by Yunfree.net

Moooo

2009-10-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

Acrylics on natural shape of maple wood cut. Painting is based on a photo taken by friend with some modification on the cows, background is totally made up.

Sleeping Beauty

2009-09-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

watercolors

Equine Beauty

2009-09-08T15:46:00.000-07:00

watercolors

Painted from a photo, with permission. Background is totally made up.

Moolancholy

2009-09-08T15:44:00.000-07:00

Watercolors
Painted with permission from a friend's photo.

Country Road

2009-09-08T15:26:00.000-07:00

Watercolors
Painted from a photo a friend had taken during his trip to Viet-Nam. As usual, I just use the main subject, and make up the total background since my eyes are usually too tired to copy details of the whole scene :-)

Karin's Cupcakes

2009-09-05T22:53:00.001-07:00

This was done in acrylics, based on Karin Jurick's photo for the Different Strokes From Different Folks challenge. Karin inspires me so much. Her Different Strokes challenge motivates me to paint more. I find myself looking forward to each next challenge with curiosity and excitement :-)

My dog Bijou

2009-08-21T18:02:00.000-07:00

Acrylics
This is my dog on her favorite spot, my sofa :-)

Geisha

2009-08-21T17:54:00.000-07:00

watercolors
Based on a photo, painted with permission. In the photo, it was a profile of the girl. I turned her face to a 3/4 view here. And the fan has my own design.

High Noon

2009-08-21T16:11:00.001-07:00

Watercolors
Painted with permission, from a photo of my son's Ugandan classmate.

Bundle of Joy

2009-08-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

Painted from a photo taken by a friend during his trip to Viet-Nam.