100 Day Art Challenge
I've taken on the 100 Day Art Challenge, a challenge to do one new piece of art per day, each available for a low price for the first person who wants it. (Please allow 2 weeks to ship) This is a way to motivate myself to keep creating something new every day. Here we go!
My boyfriend and I went whale watching in Orcas Island this fall and witnessed the most amazing power of nature - a pod of orcas hunting a porpoise. According to our guide it was an extremely rare thing to experience, we were in the right place at the right time. On the boat ride back the entire world was bathed in purple light, and a feeling of serenity and one-ness with nature I can't forget.
5.5"x8.5" acrylic on paper
This is Home. The view from the back porch in the early morning sunlight - thankful for peace and serenity. Watercolor colored pencil on paper.
Nail polish and base coat: 2 besties that just wouldn't be the same without each other. Always have your base coat buddy. 4.5"x7" ink on paper.
International Flights: some people hate them. I think of them as my own little personal time capsule transporting me to someplace exciting. This time the destination was Germany to visit some new friends, an old castle, and a slew of Christmas markets.
Ink on paper, apx. 5"x7"
The window of our apartment in Alpirsbach, Germany (that's in the black forest). I loved the poinsettia and Christmas stickers on the window. Just outside a quiet town dusted in fluffy snow awaited our exploration.
Graphite on paper, apx. 5"x7"
In the Black Forest in Germany the elevation was around 400m and snow began at about 500m, creating a distinct line in the trees where the snow began to stick and paint the hills white.
Color pencil, apx. 5"x7"
This lantern caught my eye at Hohozollern castle in Germany. I love the way the blues of the cold winter air contrasted with its warm fiery cast. Something very magical and cozy about it.
Color pencil on paper, apx. 5"x7"
If you ever get the chance to try Feuerzangenbowle (Fire Punch) at a German Christmas market, do it. Mulled (hot, spiced) wine with a sugar cube on top. The sugar cube is soaked in rum then lit on fire. It keeps you warm against the cold winter air, plus if you want you can keep the mug after paying a deposit. I took home too many mugs from my first visit, but no regrets!
Water soluble graphite on paper, apx. 5"x7"
When I was a kid, my parents had a table top German Christmas Pyramid from their European travels and it became part of our annual Christmas decor. They have a pyramidal frame with a carousel fan on top. Candles are lit below and as the air rises, it rotates the fan and spins the pyramid slowly.
One of the Munich Christmas Markets had a life-size Christmas Pyramid and I felt like I had been shrunk down into toyland to become a part of the decor myself. Magical!
Oil Pastel on paper, apx. 5"x7"
I love Cheesecake. And this piece I sketched very quickly so that I could eat it asap. It did not disappoint.
Graphite on paper, 4.5"x7"
This is a scene from a recent visit to my alma mater, Pepperdine University - Malibu, CA. The walk to and from class was pretty much always this beautiful and I made a point to never take that beauty for granted. Classes were tough and the hills were brutal but man was the scenery worth it. Still haven't lost my appreciation for this view.
Watercolor pencil on paper, 4.5"x7".
This is a sketch from Hohenzollern Castle in Germany. During Christmas, trees and other festive decorations adorn the nooks and crannies of the castle. A true wintry fairy tale.
4.5"x7" watercolor and ink on paper.
The beauty of the German Christmas markets is endlessly inspiring. This is an image from my time there with friends after the Christmas market had closed down for the night and the crowds cleared out. The lights and beauty remained.
4.5" x 7" acrylic on paper.
A sketch of the architecture at the Getty Center. At Golden Hour the light streams in through these pillars creating stark contrast that I was drawn to.
4.5" x 7" graphite on paper.
How much time until Christmas comes again?
4.5" x 7" water soluble graphite on paper
Painted from my recent visit to The Getty Museum. Such a beautiful and inspirational place. I just love the architecture! 4.5" x 7" acrylic on paper.
It was a full moon on New Years' Eve and the light on the trees in the mountains was beautiful.
There's nothing like the sight of the blue shadows of evergreen trees streaking across white snow. I grew up with this site in Colorado and while I love my sunny California, it does my heart good to get back into the snow every once in a while.
I just loved these castle guards at Hohenzollern Castle, Germany. Standing watch, solemnly scanning the country below.
4.5" x 7" mixed media on paper. This was painted with an iridescent paint so the snow reflects a subtle purple sheen in the light.
The Christmas Market in the little town of Gengenbach, Germany. Here I tried my first Eierlikör (German egg liqueur), German Sect (sparkling white wine from the region), ate some amazing bratwurst and Raclette, and drank gluwhein, all to the sound of live alpenhorns playing Christmas tunes. This market is known for their life-sized advent calendar, which is unveiled each evening at the Town Hall ("Rathaus").
Hohenzollern Castle in Germany. They hosted a Christmas market the week before we got there, and it was closed when we toured except for the gluwhein stand. You better believe I got some to keep me warm while roaming the snowy castle grounds.
4.5"x7" acrylic on paper, Private collection.
This is painted from a photo I took on a trip to Weston Super-Mare to see Banksy's Dismaland. It was the most stunning sunset I've ever witnessed and such an adorable, quaint little British beach town. On the airplane, a couple from England asked us where we were going. When we told them they were confused and said, "Why are you going there?"
Sometimes, going off the beaten track offers the best treasures. :)
4.5" x7" oil on primed watercolor paper.
Inspired by the women and men at this year's Golden Globes who took a stand for gender equality and an end to sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace. Time's Up. www.timesupnow.com
An exploration of color and light and the mood it evokes. 4.5" x 7" acrylic on paper.
I've been lucky enough to have this view out my back door for the past 4 years. I love when the fog rolls in just enough to fade out the valley below. A little slice of paradise!
5"x7" acrylic on paper.
We had a couple of stormy days in LA and once the rain passed it left everything in sort of a purple haze. But it was beautiful. This is my attempt at recreating the scene.
4.5"x7" acrylic on paper.
Painted from a photo taken at the Munich Christmas markets this past December. I love the glow of the Christmas lights against the backdrop of historic buildings.
4.5" x 7" acrylic on watercolor paper.
Liquid Gold! How do you like to have your coffee?
This 4.5" x 7" charcoal and acrylic on paper features a shiny metallic background.
The first time I tried Siphon coffee was at the Starbucks Roasterie in Seattle. I thought it was so cool and science-y that my boyfriend bought me one for a birthday gift! Now I can make nerdy coffee any time I want!
4.5" x 7" graphite and gold metallic acrylic on watercolor paper.
Who doesn't love French Press?? There's no such thing as too many coffee makers.
4.5" x 7" graphite and metallic gold acrylic on watercolor paper. It's shiny!
Painted from a visit to the beach in Malibu. This guy is plotting his next heist.
4.5" x 7" acrylic on watercolor.
Winter in Malibu. Sketched this piece at the beach in Malibu and returned home to paint the colors from memory. No reference photos, just my impression and remembering the colors I appreciated most that day.
4.5" x7" acrylic on paper.
When I saw this sunset outside my window I chose to go outside and just watch, and enjoy. I made a conscious effort to take a pause from my busy day, and just take it all in. I think it's important to take small moments to just go outside, breathe the fresh air, and enjoy something beautiful... that I don't even have to pay to see! Best show on earth.
4.5" x 7" acrylic on watercolor paper.
Someone suggested I paint succulents so I thought I'd give it a try!
4.5" x 7" acrylic on watercolor paper.
Blue and Gold California Landscape.
4.5" x 7" acrylic on paper. This one has a subtle shimmery sheen to it due to the metallic gold paint used.
This was just a fun one I painted from my imagination.
4.5" x 7" acrylic on watercolor paper.
Painted from a photo taken during California's 2017 poppy superbloom!
4.5" x 7" acrylic on watercolor paper.
A sea cave in Morro Bay. I painted with more of a dry brush technique for this one.
4.5" x 7" acrylic on canvas.
My sister pointed out this beautiful blooming cherry tree in the center of Main Street at Disneyland. I snapped a quick pic so I could paint it later. Love these colors!!
4.5" x 7" acrylic on watercolor paper.
Can't get enough of those California sunsets!
4.5" x 7" acrylic on watercolor paper.
Lifeguard stands always make a great beach meeting place. I painted this one earlier in the challenge and thought I'd do another version in ink.
4.5" x 7" ink and graphite on watercolor paper.
Ventura Pier. Sketched at the beach, painted at home. I'm trying to enjoy as many beach days as possible before I make the big move north to the PNW!
4.5" x 7" acrylic on watercolor paper.
Taking some time to go back to good old fashioned sketching - It's always so therapeutic for me.
I sketched with a 2B pencil then filled in the background with a water soluble graphite wash. I really like the depth and contrast this achieves.
4.5" x 7" graphite on watercolor paper.
For the wino in you! Graphite with metallic gold accent.
4.5" x 7" graphite on watercolor paper (with metallic accent)
This little tree is just looking out over the water, watching the weather roll in.
4.5" x 7" sharpie on watercolor paper.
This little tree is watching the weather roll in. Looks like rain. That's good. He was getting thirsty.
4.5" x 7" sharpie on watercolor paper.
Barn on the Hazelnut Farm. Sketched from my aunt's hazelnut farm in Oregon.
Apx. 5.5" x 8" graphite, ink on paper.
Oregon Tulips. I stumbled across these beauties tucked away down a hallway between storefronts. I had my sketchbook and a few minutest to spare, so I thought they deserved to have their portrait drawn.
Love the way the sun shines through the trees. This bench is just begging to be occupied.
5"x7" oil on primed canvas paper.
I love fiery sunsets. So much passion in the sky.
5" x 7" oil on primed canvas paper. Ready to be framed!
The street by the Sacre Coeur in Paris. Painted from a photo I took while there with some friends. It was like a scene out of Midnight in Paris, the three of us were the only people on that street other than an accordion player; wheezy, nostalgic notes bouncing off the shining cobblestones.
5" x 7" oil on primed canvas paper.
Back to branches! Playing with primaries.
5" x 7" oil on canvas paper, ready to be framed!
A whimsical interpretation of the rows of hazelnut trees out my back door. I like this kind of purple and yellow palette.
5"x7" oil on canvas paper.
A sketch I did of a beautiful statue at the Nike world headquarters in Portland. Love this statue.
Another statue from the Nike Campus. This one reminds me of my dad; some of my favorite memories are fishing with him as a kid.
These colors caught my eye as I was driving down the freeway in Seattle this past weekend. The city lights bouncing off the cloud cover gave an orange glow against the blue-green pines. And I just sort of liked that color palette, so I thought I'd give it a try!
5"x7" oil on canvas paper.
It was a snow day today in Chahalem, OR! Just a light dusting of snow in the hazelnut orchard that stuck around to frost the ground for just a few hours before melting away.
We're getting a lot of snow in the PNW, and it's the first time in almost a decade that I've lived in a place that gets actual winter. So, I was inspired to paint this quiet, snowy scene. I love the way that a heavy snow muffles sound, don't you? It's always so peaceful.
5"x7" oil on canvas paper. Ready to frame!
Love when the sunlight comes through this old Pepper tree in the back yard.
This digital painting will be available in limited quantity through the 100 Days of Art Challenge as a 5"x7" matte print.
Sometimes, even despite the traffic, I love L.A. :)
This digital painting will be available in limited quantity through the 100 Days of Art Challenge as a 5"x7" matte print.
I just love southern CA sunsets!
This digital painting will be available in limited quantity (5) through the 100 Days of Art Challenge as a 5"x7" matte print.
I always loved drawing horses growing up; they have such power and energy, but with grace. Love this statue of a cowboy and his rearing horse; maybe that's my Colorado roots showing.
6"x9" graphite sketch on paper.
Never Grow up! One of my all time favorite statues is in London - Peter Pan. Don't ever lose your inner child.
6"x9" graphite on paper.
I love the sight of a plane I'm about to board! It means new adventures are just around the corner.
6"x9" graphite sketch on paper.
Tea for two - there's nothing like sharing a nice cuppa with a friend or loved one. Steep, sip, and relax!
5"x7" acrylic and graphite on paper. This one has a shiny gold metallic finish, and shiny silver details on the teapot and cups.
A Parisian street near my favorite French restaurant (so far...), Le Petit Prince. The scene of a romantic date and the best meal I've had in my life, the walk back to the train from the restaurant was as magical as the date itself. Cobblestone streets. Bouncing light. Gentle music wafting in on the breeze.
This acrylic painting has iridescent accents that shine in the light, reflecting the magical mood of the night itself.
5"x7" acrylic on paper.
Nothing melts stress away like a day by the sea. This calming ocean scene features iridescent waters that catch the light in hues of purple, blue, and aqua green.
5"x7" acrylic on canvas paper.
Inspired by my excitement for an upcoming trip to Colorado - you never know if you'll be getting snow in the Spring... But that's pretty much the year-round case for Colorado. ;)
Here's a dreamy winter wonderland piece with icy iridescent colors that shine in cool blues and purples.
5"X7" Acrylic on canvas paper. Ready to be framed!
A scene from Portland; these towering industrial feats scatter the Portland landscape. I love painting with a palette knife for a change; it allows me to loosen up and really capture just the vibe of the scene without fussing too much over detail. Plus, it yields an energetic aesthetic I really love.
5" x 7" oil on canvas paper - ready to be placed in your favorite frame!
A beautiful day in Paris, painted from a photo I took while in the City of Lights, atop the Arc de Triomphe.
This is another palette knife painting, done in an impressionist style.
5"x7" oil on canvas paper.
Painted with a palette knife, this piece harkens to the feeling of Paris on a rainy night. Quiet and romantic, the tower sparkles through the rain.
5" x 7" oil on canvas.
This charming little house sat alongside the railroad at the train stop by our AirBnB just outside Munich. I just loved the whimsy of the vaguely pink color accented by colorful squares on either end wall. I wonder what type of person decided to paint their house this way. I'd probably enjoy meeting them and having a little chat, preferably over a mug of Gluwhein.
5"x7" oil on primed paper. A mix of brush work and palette knife. Ready to place in your favorite frame!
Happy International Women's Day! This one is for all men and women who wake in the morning with determination to be the best version of themselves. Go out and live with passion. Love other people. Be kind. Stand up for the underprivileged. Recognize your worth. Be unabashedly you.
5" x 7" oil on primed paper.
My wish for all the men and women out there: that you recognize your greatest personal strength (hint: it's probably not your physical strength); that you embrace vulnerability in order to connect deeply within your communities; that you lead with grace; that you forgive others and forgive yourself; that you stand up for the underprivileged; that you not allow anyone to tell you what you cannot do; that you encourage others to be their best; that you face your demons head on so that they end with you; that you love and allow yourself to be loved.
I'm loving these expressive palette knife portraits.
5" x 7" oil on primed paper.
The statues keep guard over Hohenzollern Castle (Germany) on a snowy evening. As dusk approaches, silence falls across the valley below and only a small strip of the sunset remains along the horizon.
This is painted from a photo I took on a trip to probably what became one of my favorite castles I've visited so far. (I've only been to 3, so there's still time to explore!!)
5" x 7" oil on primed paper.
The view from a Parisian apartment - tucked away, but with a glimpse of the glittering Eiffel Tower.
5" x 7" oil on primed paper.
It's that time of the evening. The time when the sun peeks through the trees, pops through the blinds, invades your retinas and gives you one last glimpse of its glory before the day is over.
Painted from a walk I took with my parents on the day we set our clocks forward an hour to allow ourselves some extra evening sunshine time. Summer's not too far, everyone! Hang in there!
5"x 7" oil on primed paper - painted with a palette knife.
Painted from a photo I took while at the monastery in Assisi, Italy. Saint Francis of Assisi is the co-patron Saint of Italy and became associated with patronage of animals and the natural environment. It was interesting to hear the account of his story and transformation from a wealthy young man to denying his lavish lifestyle and joining the monastery.
I'm not sure what it was, but something just drew me to the image of these two trees and lamp post. Maybe it's their camaraderie, or their contentment just staring out over the olive orchard there.
5" x 7" oil on primed canvas paper.
This painting celebrates the wildness of the ocean. Waves crash over the rocks and tide pools. It is a thing to be admired and respected.
5" x 7" oil on canvas paper.
The magical Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. Many know this castle as the inspiration for Walt Disney's Cinderella Castle - visiting was like a fairy tale come true.
5" x 7" oil on canvas paper.
The heartbreaking thing about painting Cinque Terre is that it is such a breathtakingly beautiful place that there is no hope of doing it justice on canvas. Here is my best attempt... so far... ;)
5" x 7 " oil on canvas paper.
This is a painting of my parents' boat, The Rosebud, leaving Depoe Bay, OR, One of the world's smallest navigable harbors.
5"x7" oil on canvas paper.
I called Malibu home for 4 years and it was some of the most challenging and influential years of my life. I was incredibly blessed to have studied in such a beautiful place, but even more fortunate to have encountered the people that I did while I was there. They challenged me to see the humanity in our differences, that diversity in background, beliefs, and opinions doesn't mean enmity; it can mean love and acceptance, and amazing conversation. It's been several years now, but I always look very fondly back on my time there. On nights sitting on the rocks listening to the surf and talking philosophically, planning bright futures, dreaming and scheming about changing the world. This painting reflects my admiration of that place, and not just because it's beautiful (which it certainly is). This painting to me is all about taking a moment to breathe, appreciate where you are, and be filled with hope and inspiration.
5"x7" mixed media on primed paper.
As this 100 Day Art Challenge comes to a close, I felt it was only fitting to paint a beautiful sunset. This painting is all about watching the sunset with a friend or loved one - knowing that you are not alone. Knowing you are loved and there is beauty out there in this wild and wonderful life. May you never forget it, may you soak it in. May you know that after every sunset comes a sunrise - a new day and a new challenge, a new opportunity to do something amazing.
This painting is a 5” x 7” oil on canvas paper. Easy to insert into your favorite standard sized frame! This painting is marked "Sold Out" but is not yet sold - it is currently available for auction on my instagram site - @jocelyndavisart. Head over there to read how to place your bid! Auction ends at 8pm PST on Tuesday, 3/20.
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There are no words to describe how grateful I am to all of you who have followed my journey through this 100 Day Art Challenge. It hasn’t been easy - I had days where I was tucked into bed and realized I hadn’t painted yet - jumped up and got to work! I’ve certainly learned a lot, gotten to paint a lot of fun things, and am so thankful to everyone who commented, liked, followed, shared, etc. It’s because of you that I have the courage to keep doing what I’m doing! Love you all!
5.5"x8.5" oil pastel on paper.
1/100 in the Hundred Day Art Challenge. In the haze of these Southern California fires, I thought the orange sky against the cool blue of the tree was an interesting color scheme.