Created Especially for You

A Special Offer for "A Painting a Day" Enthusiasts

My "A Painting a Day" Project has officially ended. An amazing 25 of 30 paintings have sold, many amid some lively bidding! I am so touched by the support my work has received and the generosity of collectors who joined me in this charitable challenge to benefit The Lake County Haven.

After many of the pieces had sold, some viewers asked if I would be doing more pieces of a particular subject. To keep things fresh and interesting, I varied my themes and subjects from day to day, purposely trying not to be repetitive.

Many of the subjects were very popular, so today, I present the opportunity to have you commission a piece based on any of the paintings offered for auction this month. OR you may even request something completely different! I also invite you to take a second look at the pieces still available or visit my website to view many of my other works.

The pieces I create are one-of-a-kind, no two will ever be exactly alike and any new commission will be unique.

Simply click on the listings to the right to view any piece and you may contact me directly with any questions or inquiries. A portion of the proceeds from all new commissions from this offer will be donated to The Lake County Haven.

So...it's not too late. I hope you will honor me with the opportunity to create something "especially for you."

"Postcard from Paris"

"A Painting a Day" to Benefit the Lake County Haven

7" x 5" Pen & Ink with Watercolor on Parchment SOLD

This painting is sold with the frame shown above when bid meets or exceeds the "Buy It Now" price listed. 10" x 8" Seville frame.

Today's creation is the final piece in my "A Painting a Day" Project.

"Postcard from Paris" is intended to bring a bit of 'armchair travel' into your day. Whether you have visited Paris or dream of traveling there someday, I wanted this piece to evoke the grandeur and elegance of one of the world's great cities.

A stylized pen and ink drawing of the Eiffel Tower has been overpainted with bright washes of watercolor to resemble an antique photograph. Hand-lettered text adds the finishing touches to complete this 'day-trip' to Par-ee. Bon voyage!

Each 24 hours of this project has been a 'day-trip' for me. A creative journey, an artistic adventure! I have enjoyed (and at times, stuggled) bringing these paintings to you each day.

But my creative struggles are nothing compared to the dire circumstances facing the hundreds of homeless here in Lake County.

Thank you for allowing me to share my work with you and bring awareness to women in need. The great work of The Lake County Haven staff and volunteers and the clients they empower is an inspiration. I am so pleased to be able to use my time and talent to help this worthy cause.

A very special THANK YOU! to those who have purchased the paintings offered each day. Your support is greatly appreciated and I am honored that you chose to join me in this charitable challenge!

"Chamomile"

"A Painting a Day" to Benefit The Lake County Haven

5" x 7" Watercolor on Paper SOLD

A bumble bee looks to alight on the fragrant Chamomile flowers. Chamomile is the common name for several daisy-like plants. These plants are best known for their ability to be made into an infusion which is commonly used to help with sleep and is often served with either honey or lemon. Chamomile is also known to reduce stress.

This painting is sold framed as shown when bid meets the "Buy It Now" price listed. 8" x 10" Versailles Frame with white mats.

"Teacups"

"A Painting a Day" to Benefit The Lake County Haven

5" x 7" Watercolor on Paper SOLD

Today's subject is a stack of delicate china teacups. Purchasing this painting will, in part, help The Lake County Haven fulfill its mission to empower homeless women and their children to achieve permanent, independent living.

As this project comes to a close (only 2 more days!), be sure to take a second look at the pieces that are still available. Simply click on the post listings to the right.

Art is the ultimate home accessory...the final finishing stroke on the canvas you call home. Art can play an important role in making your home special and unique. Collecting and decorating with art will allow you to more fully define and express your personal style. Surrounding yourself with art that you love will inspire you and elevate your mood.

These small pieces will easily add beauty and interest to any small wall. They can also be part of a larger grouping, nestled on a shelf, or placed on a vanity or tabletop to delight you and your guests.

This painting is sold framed as shown when bid  meets the "Buy It Now" price listed.  9" x 11" Pewter frame with white mats.

"Lady's Slipper Orchid"

"A Painting a Day" to Benefit The Lake County Haven

5" x 7" Watercolor on Parchment SOLD

Orchids are known for their delicate beauty and exotic character. There are over 25,000 species of orchid, more than any other flower. Evolving through an intricate and interesting history, the meanings of orchids include love, beauty, luxury, and strength. In Europe, orchids were used as a main ingredient in love potions.

Purchasing this painting will, in part, help The Lake County Haven fulfill its mission to empower homeless women and their children to achieve permanent, independent living.

Founded in 1992, the Haven fulfills its mission by providing shelter, housing, and professional services in support of its residents and graduates.

This painting is sold framed as shown when bid meets the "Buy It Now" price listed. 9" x 11" Versailles frame with palm white mats.

"A Pair of Pears"

"A Painting a Day" to Benefit The Lake County Haven

5" x 7" Watercolor on Paper  SOLD

This simple pastiche was influenced by the palette and technique of one of the artists I most admire, Paul Cézanne, I attempted a small still life with these pears.

Cézanne had a unique method of building form with color. Instead of using the contrasts of light and shadow to create dimension in his subjects, he devised and refined a system of extremely gradual color gradations placed next to one another to build forms.

Studying the Masters by creating pastiches (stylistic imitations of an artist or genre) is a great 'back to basics' exercise that I thoroughly enjoy.

This painting is sold framed as shown when bid meets  the "Buy It Now" price listed.  9" x 11" Roman Bronze Frame with white mats.

Purchasing this painting will, in part, help The Lake County Haven fulfill its mission to empower homeless women and their children to achieve permanent, independent living. Founded in 1992, the Haven fulfills its mission by providing shelter, housing, and professional services in support of its residents and graduates.

"Vintage Berries"

"A Painting a Day" to Benefit The Lake County Haven

5" x 7" Watercolor on Parchment SOLD

Berries, juicy and ripe for pickin'. Makes me want to pull out that recipe for "Triple Berry Pie."

This painting is sold framed as shown when bid meets the "Buy It Now" price listed. 8" x 10" Madrid Black frame with easel back.

"Milk & Cookies"

"A Painting a Day" to Benefit The Lake County Haven

7" x 5" Watercolor on Paper
SOLD

This painting is available framed as shown when bid
meets the "Buy It Now" price listed.
11" x 9" Chelsea Black frame with white mat.

What is more inviting than a cold glass of milk and your favorite cookies. Yum! This afterschool snack is waiting for Julie.

Purchasing this painting will, in part, help The Lake County Haven fulfill its mission to empower homeless women and their children to achieve permanent, independent living. Founded in 1992, the Haven fulfills its mission by providing shelter, housing, and professional services in support of its residents and graduates.

A Second Look

"Chambered Nautilus"
5" x 7" Watercolor & Gouache on Parchment
8" x 10" Madrid Black frame with easel back

"A Painting a Day" to Benefit The Lake County Haven

My "A Painting a Day" project is entering its final week and I thought that visitors to this blog might enjoy taking a second look at the pieces that are still available for purchase. Please contact me via e-mail at stephanietoral@comcast.net if any piece catches your eye or if you have any questions regarding pricing and framing. Remember, too, that most of my work is done on commission, so if you would like me to create an original piece, or series of paintings, feel free to contact me at any time.

THANK YOU to all of my collectors who have made this project such a success! As an artist, I feel that I have an obligation to use my time and talent to bring a bit of joy to others through my art and to give back to my community. I am so very pleased to be doing this project to support of the important work of The Haven.

"Vintage Tulip"
5" x 5" Watercolor & Gouache on Parchment
8" x 8" Renaissance Black Frame with easel back

"Figure Study"
5" x 7" Watercolor on Paper
13" x 18" Roman Bronze Frame

"Watchful Gaze"
5" x 7" Watercolor on Paper
8" x 10" Chelsea Black Frame with white mat

"Study of Walnuts"
7" x 5" Watercolor on Paper
10" x 8" Madrid Black Frame with easel back

"Pointe Shoes"

"A Painting a Day" to Benefit The Lake County Haven

5" x7" Watercolor on Paper
SOLD

 A story of hours of classes, rehearsals and performances are told is this pair of well worn pointe shoes pulled down off the closet shelf, taken out of the box and unwrapped. I enjoyed capturing all of the detail and various textures in these shoes.

This painting is an example of how I often 'draw' with the paint. I apply the paint very slowly with a small round brush, building layers of color and adding detail very much like I would with a pencil.

Purchasing this painting will, in part, help The Lake County Haven fulfill its mission to empower homeless women and their children to achieve permanent, independent living.

Founded in 1992, the Haven fulfills its mission by providing shelter, housing, and professional services in support of its residents and graduates.

This painting is sold framed as shown when
the bid meets the "Buy It Now" price listed.
9" x 11" Grande Alabaster White frame
with white mats.

"A Painting a Day" in the News

My "A Painting a Day" project attracted the attention of Chicago Tribune reporter, Amy Alderman. She spoke with me and The Lake County Haven Executive Director, Laura Sabino last week. Her article about the project was recently featued in the Chicago Tribune main edition as well as the TribLocal section. I am so pleased that the project has help to bring awareness to the problem of homelessness in Lake County and to the great work of The Haven. To read the article click here.

Author and Blogger, Rebecca Keil, recently called to ask if I would be interested in sharing my thoughts on my creative process and discussing the "A Painting a Day" project at her blog. You can read the interview here.

"Figure Study"

"A Painting a Day" to Benefit The Lake County Haven

5" x 7" Watercolor on Paper
Contact Stephanie to purchase this painting

This painting is sold framed as shown
when bid meets the "But It Now" price listed.
13" x 15" Roman Bronze frame.

This simple figure study is loosley painted.



A portion of the proceeds from the purchase of "A Painting a Day" will support the mission of

The Lake County Haven to empower homeless women and their children to achieve permanent, independent living. Founded in 1992, the Haven fulfills its mission by providing shelter, housing, and professional services in support of its residents and graduates.

"Vineyard Vintage"

5" x 7" Gouache/Pen & Ink on Parchment
SOLD

"A Painting a Day"
to Benefit
The Lake County Haven

A Cedar Waxwing, a frequent Napa Valley vineyard visitor, is perched, poised to pluck a ripe Cabernet grape ready for harvest.

This gouache and pen & ink piece truly encapsulates my 'signature' style. I love combining pattern and graphic elements, such as text, with traditional themes and drawing techniques.

This aesthetic really resonates with my collectors and I will continue to produce pieces that evoke this same feeling.

Purchasing this painting will, in part, help

The Lake County Haven fulfill its mission to empower homeless women and their children to achieve permanent, independent living. Founded in 1992, the Haven fulfills its mission by providing shelter, housing, and professional services in support of its residents and graduates.

This painting is sold framed as shown when
the bid meets the "Buy It Now" price listed.
13" x 15" Roman Bronze Frame.

"Watchful Gaze"

5" x 7" Watercolor on Paper
Contact Stephanie to purchase this painting

"A Painting a Day" to Benefit The Lake Couny Haven

The Siamese cat is a fascinating breed: Intelligent, inquisitive, energetic and extroverted. It is difficult to divert one's attention away from their exquisite, hypnotic, cerulean blue eyes.

Today's painting was an exercise in 'controlled chaos.' I laid down large sections of water and then added the paint and simply walked away, letting the water and paint mingle without my guidance.

I love the spontaneous quality of watercolor and the 'happy accidents' created by allowing the force of the water on paper and water on paint to influence the final outcome of a piece.

Only after the washes had dried, did I add detail. I did not add much. "Less is more" in some cases and often, the most difficult decision I must make when painting is when to stop.

This painting is sold framed as shown.
9" x 11" Chelsea Black Frame with 8 ply white mats.

In the finished piece, the paint and water combined to enhance the mysterious character of this beautiful cat.

A portion of the proceeds from the purchase
of "A Painting a Day" will support the mission of The Lake County Haven to empower homeless women and their children to achieve permanent, independent living. Founded in 1992, the Haven fulfills its mission by providing shelter, housing, and professional services in support of its residents and graduates.


TribLocal Spotlights "A Painting a Day"

TribLocal reporter, Amy Alderman highlights my "A Painting a Day Project" in today's online Triblocal. Here is an excerpt:

The online auction bell recently rang when a Libertyville artist, Stephanie Toral, began posting her watercolor paintings on eBay as part of a fundraiser to benefit Haven.

Toral’s posts of small watercolors with images of butterflies and poppies and a winter landscape of a faraway barn are part of her month-long fundraiser for Haven.

“Do something creative everyday, is a mantra I embrace,” Toral wrote in a press release. “The discipline of creating a small painting each day is an exciting challenge that will allow me to explore that which inspires me, and to experiment with a variety of subjects and techniques while supporting a cause that is so very close to my heart.”

Toral has been dedicated to Lake County Haven as a member of the non-profit’s Women’s Auxiliary for more than ten years.

Click here to read the entire article.

"Poire"

"A Painting a Day" to Benefit The Lake County Haven

"Homelessness can happen to anyone. We are all susceptible to economics and our own human condition. Luckily, I discovered the Lake County Haven which provided me with a safe living environment while I concentrated on rebuilding my life."

- M., a former Lake County Haven Client

A portion of the proceeds from the purchase of "A Painting a Day" will support the mission of The Lake County Haven to empower homeless women and their children to achieve permanent, independent living. Founded in 1992, the Haven fulfills its mission by providing shelter, housing, and professional services in support of its residents and graduates.

5" x 7" Watercolor & Gouache
on Parchment.
Sold framed as shown at right.
SOLD

This painting is sold framed as shown.
8" x 10" Madrid Black Frame.

Fall is my favorite time of year. Lately, I have found myself inspired to paint a few images that, for me, epitomize the essence of Autumn.

I love to decorate my home for the seasons: changing my floral arrangements and centerpieces, placing seasonally themed small accessories on tabletops and bookshelves, and placing little framed pieces of art, such as the piece I created today, on a powder room vanity or on a small wall in my foyer.

Bringing new accessories out when the seasons change is a great way to 'freshen up' a room, lift your mood and put you in the "spirit of the season."

"Vintage Dragonfly"

"A Painting a Day" to Benefit The Lake County Haven

7" x 5" Watercolor/Pen & Ink on Parchment
SOLD

This painting is sold framed as shown
when price meets the price listed in the description.
10" x 8" Renasissance Black Frame.

in-spire Verb/inˈspī(ə)r

To fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative: "Their courage inspired her".

I am inspired by the courageous women who seek help from The Lake County Haven and the staff and volunteers dedicated to empowering these women in need.

What began as a personal challenge to "do something creative every day" has evolved into an extremely rewarding experience with a much larger purpose than I first imagined. I am very grateful for the opportunity to use my time and talent to help The Haven in its mission to help women achieve permanent, independent living.

Purchasing this painting will, in part, help The Lake County Haven fulfill its mission to empower homeless women and their children to achieve permanent, independent living.
Founded in 1992, the Haven fulfills its mission by providing shelter, housing, and professional services in support of its residents and graduates.

"Monarch on a Lily"

"A Painting a Day" to Benefit

The Lake County Haven

 

A monarch butterfly gently settles on a fragrant lily.

6" x 9" Watercolor on Paper SOLD

"Happiness is like a butterfly which,

when pursued, is always beyond our grasp,

but, if you will sit down quietly,

may alight upon you."

- Nathaniel Hawthorne

Purchasing this painting will, in part, help The Lake County Haven fulfill its mission
to empower homeless women and their children to achieve permanent, independent living.
Founded in 1992, the Haven fulfills its mission by providing shelter, housing, and professional services in support of its residents and graduates.

This painting is sold framed as shown when the bid meets the price listed in the description. 10" x 13" Greenwich Black frame with 8 ply white mats.

"Orchard Fresh"

"A Painting a Day"

to Benefit The Lake County Haven

7" x 5" Watercolor & Gouache on Parchment
SOLD

This piece is sold framed as shown when bid
meets the price listed in the description.
10" x 8" Rustic Black frame.

Usher in the fall with freshly picked apples and Grandma's favorite recipe. Decorate for the harvest season with this vintage-inspired gem. I have several small framed pieces in my home that have a distinctive seasonal theme and I switch them out with the changing seasons.

I am enjoying making these antique looking pieces. The stains left by the tea, water and paint add character and a certain charm. I loosely painted the apples on top of a tea-stained piece of parchment partially printed with my grandma's recipe for apple jelly. I really let the paint and paper dictate where the color would finally settle on the piece. I find all of the ripples and drips very interesting. I prefer watercolor to other paints just for this reason. The water is a force unto itself and it will flow and settle with or without my hand guiding it. I often will just put down water onto the paper, then drop paint into and let them mingle as I walk away from a piece. When I return, I am usually pleasantly surprised with the result.

Purchasing this painting will, in part, help The Lake County Haven fulfill its mission to empower homeless women and their children to achieve permanent, independent living. Founded in 1992, the Haven fulfills its mission by providing shelter, housing, and professional services in support of its residents and graduates.

"Black-capped Chickadee"

"A Painting A Day" to Benefit The Lake County Haven

7" x 5" Watercolor on Paper

SOLD

For this subject I decided to return to a clean, more realistic painting style. I love painting birds because of the detail involved and chicadees are one of my favorite birds. They are cheerful, friendly birds. I have been able to watch them at the feeder in my yard, bouncing delightfully from branch to feeder, feeder to branch, to feeder again!

This painting is sold framed as shown
when bid meets the "Buy It Now" price listed.
11" x 9" Contempo Black frame with white 8 ply mats.

"When piped a tiny voice hard by,

Gay and polite, a cheerful cry,

Chic-chic-a-dee-dee! saucy note

Out of sound heart and merry throat."

                                     -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Purchasing this painting will, in part, help The Lake County Haven fulfill its mission to empower homeless women and their children to achieve permanent, independent living. Founded in 1992, the Haven fulfills its mission by providing shelter, housing, and professional services in support of its residents and graduates.

Welcome!

About the "A Painting A Day Project"

to Benefit the Lake County Haven

"Do something creative everyday," is a mantra I embrace. In late August, I was looking for a creative challenge to push myself to be more innovative and focused when creating new art. So I decided that I would create a small painting each day during the month of September.

The discipline of creating a small painting each day is an exciting challenge that will allow me to explore that which inspires me, and to experiment with a variety of subjects and techniques while supporting a cause that is so very close to my heart.

I have been involved with The Lake County Haven's Women's Auxiliary for over ten years, designing invitations for The Haven's annual Gala fundraiser and donating original works of art to their auction. It did not take long for my idea to evolve from simply a creative exercise to an awareness/fundraising event for The Haven.

In Lake County alone, there are approximately 950 homeless people. The majority of those people are women and children. Many are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. Others are addicted to alcohol or drugs. Most are grappling with serious physical and mental health issues. Nearly all are unemployed, underemployed, heavily indebted, and/or unable to pay rent. As an artist, I feel that I have an obligation to use my time and talent to bring a bit of joy to others through my art and to give back to my community. I am so very pleased to be doing this project to support of the important work of The Haven.

The response to the project has been tremendous! I would like to thank everyone for their encouragement, support and purchases. This is such a fun and rewarding experience and I look forward to "painting my days away!"

I hope you will help to spread the word to any Friends of The Haven or any art lover you may know.

If you are visiting for the first time and would like to receive my  "Painting of the Day" emails, please contact me at stephanietoral@comcast.net.

To view all of the paintings I have created to date, just keep scrolling. Enjoy!