Friday, January 28, 2011

morning light


I painted this scene on a 20 x 20" gallery wrap canvas. I primarily used a palette knife in this piece. This is the second time I have painted from this photo. I did it on a 6 x 6" panel several months ago and was happy with the results as was the purchaser from Canada. I told him I would let him know if I ever painted it larger so that he could have first dibs. Now I have lost his contact info. Sorry.
I really painted this for an art competition. There is a town in North Alabama( Moulton) that has an annual chicken and egg festival. They have asked artists to submit work dealing with that subject matter. No problem for me because that is one of my favorite things to paint.
I loved the light in the reference photo. It was early morning at my sister's home and the rooster was perched in front of a corn field.sold
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Thursday, January 27, 2011

Pink II

 
Painted these two on a 6 x 6 panel. They still looked inviting on my still life table so I decided to paint them again on a different size and type of surface. I feel like my style changes a bit depending on the type of panel or canvas I use. This panel was not as slick because I painted over a scrubbed painting. There was some nice texture there that helped grip the paint.
I am kind of proud of my last two rose paintings. Never felt that successful with them before but I like these.
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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

joy

 
Joy is the name of this painting and the way I feel to be finished with it. Two pretty full days. Think I am happy with it now. The little girl in the middle caused me to gain two pounds yesterday. I could not get her right and snacks always give you a fresh perspective on things. I know I could have spent those break times cleaning or something but eating seemed like a better idea.
As I said in one of my earlier posts, these little girls were lining up for swim time. I loved the body language. The girl in the back looks apprehensive with her hunched shoulders and swim ring in position. The big smile on the girl in the front. I still remember the way I felt before going swimming when I was young. Not much better.
Going for a well deserved walk now.
This is painted on a 24 x 36" gallery wrap canvas.
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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

bowl of cherries


Painted this 5 x 7" this weekend. I have admired so many of my artist friend's cherry paintings. I don't feel like I have been that successful when I have painted them.
Back to my huge girl painting now. I have gained two pounds today stress eating through the painting. Trying to finish it so I won't do that tomorrow. It is coming along pretty well. So is my waistline.

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in progress

 
I am posting this so that I will feel pressure to finish it. I am painting a photo that I took about 25 years ago. I worked at the girls club of Birmingham for three summers. I would take the girls on field trips and conduct day camps. It was alot of fun because i worked with good friends and even my sister one summer. The girls enjoyed getting away from the club for special trips and days at an area camp. The girls were lining up to go to the pool in this picture.
I am painting this on a 24 x 36" canvas. Karin Jurick starts with the hardest part (I don't think anything is hard for her) so I am trying to do that by starting with the faces. If I can get them right I will be home free and enjoy painting the rest. So....here's hoping.
I also wanted to mention the beautiful watercolor above the monitor. My brother painted it several years ago. It is a picture of my husband's grandfather standing in a tobacco field. He is a very talented artist with no time to paint at the present. One day.
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Monday, January 24, 2011

pink


Roses are hard! Qiang Huang makes them look easy. I was fortunate to take a workshop with Qiang last February. The participants in the class wanted to watch him paint roses because he is the" very best". He makes it look effortless but even he struggles with it. He does not typically draw his still life's out but he does do a detailed sketch of a rose with a pencil on his canvas when painting them. He thinks about every stroke before he lays it on the canvas. I tried to do that but I mostly laid down the wrong stroke or color. Hard! I guess that is why his roses look so fresh and not overworked. He is an excellent artist and a great teacher. Would HIGHLY recommend his workshop.
This is painted on a 6 x 12 " linen canvas.
SOLD

Saturday, January 22, 2011

two of mine


This is a picture of my 23 year old twins 21 years ago. I loved the light hitting them . The photo captured so much of their personalities. Clint, the one on the left was always very active and loved to snuggle and Ben on the right was pretty calm and was not a big fan of snuggling. So thankful for both of them and the lovely memories.
This is painted on an 8 x 10" linen canvas.
MINE
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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

tres pears


I had to go back to my 10th grade French class to come up with this title. I have no idea how to say pear in French. I wish I did. I have painted three pears so many times that it is a bit hard to come up with names. Never get tired of painting three pears though. This is painted on a 5 x 7" linen canvas.
Hope your weather is not as gloomy as ours. Ugh!SOLD
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Sunday, January 16, 2011

parting ways

 
More swans. Painted these beauties on an 18 x 36" gallery wrap canvas. There were so many great reflections on the white feathers. It was a beautiful day when I took this photo so the sky was cobalt blue. Maybe I should say Carolina blue because that is where I took this photo. Not sure what shade Carolina blue is?. I bet I'll get some help on this.
This one is really nice in person. It was kind of late in the day for me to take a good photograph. I am feeling more and more comfortable with painting large canvases. Thank you all so much for your kind and encouraging comments. Everyone of them mean a lot!
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Saturday, January 15, 2011

Belle

 
Took this photo as I was leaving my friend's home in Nashville. Belle came to the window to say good bye. This is a gift for my friend, Elizabeth, who opens her home to me when I come to Nashville for shows a couple of times a year. Belle is such a sweet dog and brings lots of happiness to her family. I took this photo in December so the bits of light you see in the window are tree lights and gold balls. This is painted on a 6 x 8" linen panel.
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Friday, January 14, 2011

attitude





This is painted on a 5 x 5" cradled panel. Fun to do a quick painting after some time consuming large ones.
I want to introduce you to one of my Birmingham friends who is new to the blogging community. David Nichols is a very accomplished artist that I have had the pleasure of knowing for a couple of years. He was set up across from me at the very first art show I participated in. He helped relieve some of my first show nerves. He is as kind as he is talented. He does a wide variety of work so I feel sure you will enjoy following his blog.
SOLD

Thursday, January 13, 2011

moving on


Lets just pretend it went well when I photographed this today. This is big for me. 24" x 24". I have a hard time photographing big paintings. Wait...I have a hard time photographing small ones too.
These geese were visiting Lake Junaluska this Fall. They thought I might have something for them so they were walking (do geese walk?) right up to me . Most of the birds who visit, don't leave because they have a good thing going. People feed the ducks, geese and swans all day long. Lake Junaluska is too small for skiing and watersports so it's all about the view and birds. I like that.SOLD
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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

junaluska swans

 
I took several photos of these swans at my parent's home on Lake Junaluska. Swans are so calming. I painted this on a 16 x 20" gallery wrap canvas. Intentionally left it graphic. Trying to use as few strokes as I could on the swans. Think I like the outcome.
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shallots on a plate

 
Painted this 8 x 10" on a panel with a slicker surface than I like. I felt like I was pushing paint around. When I paint still life I typically use linen canvases because I like a little grip. I also think the linen texture adds interest.
Have a good day and WAR EAGLE!
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Monday, January 10, 2011

Carol's Crib

 
I have spent a little time straightening up my studio/garage so I thought I would let you see my space. Yes, this is as good as it gets. Impressive isn't it? I wonder if everyone decorates their garage with oil paintings? My husband enjoys the scene when he pulls his car into my studio every night? I honestly like my space. I can be as messy as I like. I have plenty of other areas in my home to paint but I like my set up. When I paint from photos I move into a study on the same level and paint from my BELOVED mac. I have only had a mac for six months but I won't go back. I use an easel that I bought from Karin Jurick on the desktop. A great easel for paintings that are not too big.
I paint still lifes in my garage. If you look amongst the clutter you will see a three sided wooden box for set ups. I have most of my still life options on the shelves in the corner. See my colorful bowls? Like to keep them close.
If you look even closer you might see Waldo. No really, don't look too closely. I spy fishing rods.
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Sunday, January 9, 2011

radishes and apples

 
I painted this a few months ago but decided to post it again because I really like it. I think it is still available. It is in an interior shop in Tuscaloosa, AL. I felt like the radishes were as pretty as flowers so I highlighted them in a vase. This is painted on an 11 x 14" gallery wrap canvas.
Question for you bloggers out there. If you mention an artist's name in your blog, how do you highlight it so that the viewer can go directly to the site?
There is a buzz in the air in our area because we are supposed to get snow. A rarity for us. Lots of fun if the power stays on.
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Saturday, January 8, 2011

lemon water

 

This is the first time I have painted whole lemons in a while. I have always struggled with getting the temperature right. They are such a cool yellow. I am very happy with the way these turned out. It is amazing to me how much more painting confidence I have if I can do it daily or almost daily. I know it is hard for most people to do achieve but it is such a great practice. I have so many painting ideas swirling around in my undiagnosed ADHD head. I have five pretty big art shows between now and the end of May so I am on a mission. Taking advantage of the time while I have it.
This is painted on an 8 x 10" linen canvas.
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Friday, January 7, 2011

charleston side street


I tried to channel Tim Horn today. http://horndesign.com Check his work out if you are not familiar with him. I took a plein air workhop with him a few months ago. I did not do very well at the workshop but I learned a lot. Some of the basics he kept repeating were, "big shapes, thick paint". Everything is in the light or in the shadow. ( If I tell you anymore I will have to charge you) So...as I was trying to work from the photo that I took in Charleston I was trying to recall some basics. I do not do landscapes yet but hope to one day. Taking another plein air workshop in February with a great artist, Ann Blair Brown. We will work on painting coastal light. I don't know her website but you can google her. She is awesome. Her interior scenes are spectacular.
Check out tim's figurative work too. So much character. Trying to talk him into doing a workshop on figures. Ann and Tim are so great at expressing light in their work. Something I aspire to do one day.
This is painted on a 6 x 12" canvas.Sold
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Thursday, January 6, 2011

paint me


I dropped this painting too. No kidding. I have this very elaborate system that I can not believe continues to fail me. I place the painting in an oversized box lid facing away from the sun. I very carefully place it upright on an old rolling office chair and then I mosey back to my camera mounted on a tripod. You would think after numerous paintings have been catapulted to the ground by the wind that I would secure the box lid to the chair and not mosey back to my camera. I will touch up the office chair scrapes and concrete granules tomorrow but for now you can see the damage in all its glory. I don't make these things up.
I photographed this lab in North Carolina this Fall. He was not thrilled by my camera and me. I interrupted his nap when I opened the door to his master's shop. I think I could have stayed there a few more minutes and he would not have lifted his head off his paw. Not much sweeter than a lab. This is painted on a 12 x 12" cradled panel. Fun to do a dog when it is not a commission.
In case you guys that don't live in the South are not familiar with the word mosey , it means to walk slowly enjoyng the sights around you.SOLD
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Wednesday, January 5, 2011

vegetable medley

 
This is a big one. 18 x 24". Working hard to try and paint some larger pieces. I am feeling a bit more comfortable with it. I got two larger brushes that I really like so that makes a big difference. I guess it is common sense to go to larger brushes with larger canvases but I told you before I am a slow learner. I still MUCH prefer small canvases.
The colors in these bowls excite me every time I look at them. They are great at brightening up a dreary day. Add a few colorful vegetables and you have a party on a canvas.
I am happy to share that I was juried into Daily Painters Originals. I have followed this website for a few months now and have greatly admired the artists showcased. A very diverse and talented group of painters. It is so nice get to know other artists and share information and advice. I have really enjoyed getting to know the wonderful artists on Fresh Paint Daily Painters and the Alabama Daily Painters. I look forward to joining this fine group of artists as well!
Thank you all for your interest in my work. Your support means so much to me!
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Tuesday, January 4, 2011

persimmons past prime

 
Thanks for your concerns for my parent's home. Change of plans again. My brothers and the insurance folks are handling everything for now. There was lots of damage so we are having to leave it to the professionals to move out,clean up, and re-do. It will be okay sometime.
Okay, how many of you have eaten a persimmon? I have had these in my studio for three weeks and finally got around to painting them yesterday. They are on the mushy side now. I have painted them before but never tasted one. Am I missing out?
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Monday, January 3, 2011

A little time

What I thought was going to be a big week for painting has diminished to a wee bit of time.Thought I was all set to paint after traveling and undecorating. My parents just found out that their second home in North Carolina has been flooded from a burst pipe on the THIRD floor. Headed up there in the morning to see how I can help. This is a home our whole family has had wonderful memories in for twenty years. Think it is pretty bad according to the security people. May get a chance to paint something else small today but if I am MIA for a couple of days you will understand why. This is painted on a 5 x 7" canvas.
Hoping 2011 will be a great year!!
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