I started a color study project in February 2010. Mike gave me the idea when I mentioned that I wanted to start oil painting but didn't know where to start. He suggested I start small with color studies to practice mixing color and seeing how things work against each other. The idea stayed in my head for a few months until the sunlight on a day in February was so pretty that I was compelled to start the project. I must also mention one of my favorite blog friends, Susan Lutjen O'Connor of Sulu-Design. Her Original Intent Series is always inspiring with the photographs she translates into her beautiful jewelry.

Too many options can be paralyzing, so I set up some loose limitations on myself:

I can use any medium or technique, but can only paint colors that I've seen on that day.

If I am lazy and wait until the next day, too bad!

The format is always vertical and measures 5" x 7" on watercolor or canvas board.

My goal is to finish 100 by December 31, 2011. Here are paintings #1 - #42. You can click on the links to see them larger and see the descriptions. The entire set is on my Flickr account here.

So far I'm really enjoying this project. It makes me notice my surroundings more, and try to think of different color combinations and palettes that I usually don't gravitate towards.

I plan on ending this at the end of this year, but may do it again from time to time.