Wednesday, December 31, 2014

jilly bean

I think this is the last Christmas commission I have to post.  Jilly Bean belongs to my cousin and her daughter commissioned me to paint her.  Jilly Bean was rescued from a puppy mill.  She had multiple litters of pups so her motherly instincts are strong.  She typically carries around a toy in her mouth.  We considered including one of her "baby" toys but decided just to focus on her sweet face.  She is living the life of Riley now.  This is painted on an 8 x 8 x 2" canvas.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year! sold 

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

hocutts

This is a commissioned piece that a friend did for her son's family.  I have the pleasure of seeing this family at my church.  You see the boy's hair coming first  because they have these great mops of thick hair.  I have a feeling this little princess is going to be well protected. This is painted on an 11 x 14" linen panel.sold

Monday, December 29, 2014

gusty

Gusty has some great ears.  This was a commissioned painting that I did before Christmas.   I love the soulful look in his eyes. It is painted on an 8 x 8 x 2" canvas.
I am getting back to work today after taking several days off to spend with family.  I do not usually take this many days off from painting but it was worth it.   I have a couple of commissions to do and then will be painting for upcoming shows in Tennessee and Texas. sold 

Friday, December 26, 2014

june

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas.  I am still enjoying mine with extended family.
This beautiful dog belongs to one of my son's friends.  His wife commissioned  and surprised her husband with it for Christmas.  Funny how dogs often look like their owners.  One of my sons thought June looked a lot like her owner Thomas.  Both have pretty blue eyes.  This is painted on an 11 x 14" canvas.sold

Saturday, December 20, 2014

sandy

Sandy is the pup of a young couple who moved from moderate temperatured Birmingham, AL to pretty frigid  Rochester, MN.  Her human Mom is a physician at Mayo and her human Dad is a dentist in Rochester.  The move was quite an adjustment for them all. They happen to be two of my Dad's favorite students when he was teaching at Birmingham Southern College. Ron Alyn surprised his wife Lisa with this painting for Christmas.  It is painted on an 8 x 16 x 2" canvas.sold 

Friday, December 19, 2014

robbie's babies


These two brittany spaniels belong to my sister in law.  This was a belated 60th birthday present from her family.  They are painted on 8 x 8 x 2" canvases.
I am excited to be finished with commissions that needed to be done before Christmas.  I have lots of fun things to post after the 25th.  A good feeling!  Nice to have time to focus on the Reason for the season!sold

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

blues and greens

Great title, hmmmm?  Lots of deep thinking went into it.  No time for that today.  This is painted on an 8 x 10" linen panel.sold

I had to laugh when I was looking at the pictures of the painting. Our Callie nosed into one of them. She was not sure about the edges of the apples.   I decided to include a a picture of her so you could see the rest of her.  She is an almost 6 month old golden doodle.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

high stepper

It was fun painting a white rooster because I have not painted a lot of them.  I tried to keep the palette a little softer.  This is painted on a 20 x 20 x 2" canvas.  Tomorrow when I am painting at the Mt Brook Art Association show at Brookwood Mall I am planning on painting a colorful rooster on a large, elongated canvas.  Come by if you can.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

horning in

I don't really think this long horn minded me horning in and taking his picture. ( I get cheesier by the day.) They were pretty friendly and some came up to the fence.  We do not see many long horns around our area but I found a pasture of them in Eclectic, AL.  Isn't that a a great name for a town?   I am doing the Woodlands Waterway  art show in Houston, TX in early April so I thought it would be fun and appropriate to paint some scenes Texans might see.  This is painted on a 24 x 36" canvas.

I am still busy painting commissions and have lots of fun ones to show you after Christmas.  I will be at the Mt Brook art association holiday art show tomorrow.  I will be painting off and on from 11-8 .  The show is located on the lower level of Brookwood Mall.  There are 80 artists exhibiting work until Dec 18th.  Folks are manning the show during mall hours so you have plenty of opportunity to go by if you are in the area.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

she loves me.....

Hello again.  I have not been able to post most of my recent paintings because they are Christmas surprises.  I have been staying very busy painting a variety of subjects and will post them after they are gifted.  This beautiful little girl is also going to be a gift but grand mom does not think the receiver will see it.  She sent me several photos but we both loved this sweet pose.  She looks so innocent.  When I told her grand mom what I was going to title it she said that since she is in her two year old stage that the little one might choose, "she loves me not".  I am guessing she is hearing, "no" a lot.  This is painted on a 12 x 1 2" canvas.

I would like to announce that I am participating in the Mt Brook Art Association's holiday show for the next two weeks.  Work is displayed in the old Gus Mayer store, located on the lower level of Brookwood Mall.  There is lots of great work that you might want to buy yourself for Christmas.  There are 80 artists participating.  I will be there next Thursday, from 11-8 , painting and visiting.  Come by and say hello.  Bring your wallet and peanuts for the artist.  The hours for the next two weeks are mall hours.  

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

keeping tabs

This is a commission piece for a friend.  This is one of her sons and "his" dog.  You see who Jughead is watching.  Best of two worlds.  This is painted on an 11 x 14 x 2" canvas.

Friday, November 21, 2014

lucky 7

I have a patron from out of state who sent some pictures of all of her in laws grandchildren.  The pictures included all of their beautiful bodies.   I sent a picture cropped like this back to her and said this was more my style.  She liked the idea so here we are!  It is painted on a 12 x 24 x 2" canvas.  Very fun, don't you think?
This is a Christmas surprise.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

my girl

Strangely enough, "my girl" was playing just as I had decided I was finished with this painting.  (insert eerie music here)  No lie.  I don't think I could have thought of a more appropriate title.
This is the first of many commissions I will be working on in the next few weeks.  This is a 75th birthday surprise for a special lady.  I do not typically do faces but I could not resist attempting this awesome photo.  It could be an ad for watches, cars, sunglasses or white tee's.  It is painted on an 11 x 14 linen canvas.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

it's 5 o clock somewhere

A morning warm up before I paint a more detailed commission. This is painted on an 8 x 8 x 2" canvas. Thank you Alan Jackson for the title inspiration.sold

Monday, November 10, 2014

up close

Sold
I just returned from a quick trip to beautiful eastern Tennessee.  My mom in law lives there and we were there to celebrate my sister in laws birthday.  I also took advantage of photographing some pretty scenery and curious cows.  My first interest in painting cows was peaked in this area by my father in law and uncle's cows.  Wonder how many cows I have painted since I first began? This one is painted on a 20 x 30 x 2" canvas.

I am looking forward to traveling to Savannah, GA this weekend for the Telfair Art Festival.  The show is Friday night through Sunday afternoon.  This will be my last traveling show until February.  Phew!  On to commissions after that!

Saturday, November 8, 2014

robbie

In a bit of a hurry to post this morning because I am getting ready to travel to celebrate my sister in law's 60th birthday. She has accomplished so much in her sixty years despite being deaf from birth.  She graduated from California State, received her masters, and most recently her PHD.  She also is an accomplished athelete, winning at least five gold medals in tennis at the deaf olympics.  She is a professor at Gallaudet University in Maryland. Sold
This is painted on a 12 x 24 x 2" canvas.

Friday, November 7, 2014

land of milk and honey

This was another title inspired by what I was listening to at post time.  Steely Dan's "do  it again".  This is painted on a 20 x 24" canvas.sold
Have a great weekend!

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Balsam Mt herefords


It has been a while since I have posted or painted.  I have traveled to a couple of shows and then caught up with home life when I returned. I have one more show that I am traveling to in a couple of weeks.  The Telfair Art show in Savannah, Ga November 14-16.
I took the reference photo for this painting in Balsam Mountain, NC.  I usually do not include much background in my animal paintings opting for the focus to be on the animals instead of the surroundings.  This scenery was to nice to leave out. This is painted on a 20 x 40 x 2" canvas.  I included a second picture to see the scale.
My January and February workshops are full but please email if you have an interest in being on the wait list or for future workshops.sold

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

angus on red

I have painted this angus before with a different background and on a different size canvas. I included a picture of the first time I painted her. It might be fun to paint the same image and use different backgrounds.  Why don't you try it?sold
"angus on red" is painted on a 6 x 6 x 2" canvas.

I will be in Memphis, Tennessee this weekend for the River Arts Fest.  Friday night through Sunday afternoon.  First show for me since last May. The weather is going to be great so come see me if you are in the area.  The next weekend I am in Ocean Springs, MS for the Peter Anderson Art Festival.  I will be in Savannah for the Telfair Art show November 14-16.

My January workshop is full with one on the wait list but I have four spots left in the February workshop.  Email me at carolcarmike@att.net for more information.

Monday, October 20, 2014

new kid in town

Sold
Another painting titled inspired by what I was listening to at post time.  No creativity needed.  I was listening to the Jackson Browne Pandora channel and the Eagles happened to be singing "new kid in town". I painted this pretty furiously.  I have a lot going on in my life.  I just returned from a trip to beautiful Oregon.  This weekend I am doing a show in Memphis, TN  and the next weekend in Ocean Springs, MS.
This is painted on a 12 x 12 x 2" canvas.

I still have spots left in my January and February workshops.  If you would like more information, email me at carolcarmike@att.net.  January is filling up the fastest so don't wait if you are interested in that one.  

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

for a friend

Just a fun study for a friend who is going through a rough patch right now. He mentioned how he thought paintings of glass were cool.  Well....how about a glass with a manhattan in it?  This is painted on a 6 x 6 x 2" and is a gift for him.

Monday, October 13, 2014

out of the blue

sold
I am pretty much a loner painter.  I definitely enjoy being with people but I am also very content being by myself.  That being said......I feel like going to Nancy's workshop and hearing some fresh instruction and advice has been a huge benefit to me.  I was reminded of some basic things that are crucial to good painting.  I have mentioned them in my previous posts.  We all need to get out of our comfort zones and seek more knowledge.  You also learn a lot and make new friends from the fellow participants in workshops.
"out of the blue" is painted on an 11 x 14 linen canvas.

Speaking of workshops....I am announcing two upcoming ones at my home.  The first dates are January 10 and 11 and then February 21 and 22.  These are both held on Saturday and Sunday, from 10-4.  You can email me at carolcarmike@att.net for more information.  Something fun to do to brighten up your winter.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

harmony

I painted "harmony" specifically for a patron who has bought two other cow mugs from me.  She needed one more to complete the harmony and to be in harmony with the other two.  She is hanging all three together.  They are all 8 x 8 x 2".sold

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Friday, October 10, 2014

apple time

My friend Lynn is going to like this one.  She is a sucker for red.  I have heard that you need to put a little red in every painting.  I don't think I do.
I have been painting mostly from photos lately and have not had time to get back to one of my first loves, still life.  It is hard to fit it in sometimes.  I set up my still lifes so that I can have practice painting from real life.  These apples asked me to paint them so I found some complimentary things to go with them.
I am enjoying using the limited palette that I practiced at Nancy Franke's workshop. This is painted on an 8 x 10" linen panel.sold

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

all by myself


This was my final painting for Nancy Franke's workshop. It is painted on a 16 x 20 x 2" canvas.  One thing she mentioned several times was to look for triangles, X's and Z's in bodies and in compostion.  More interesting. This little guy has lots of those going on and  I think that was the main reason I was drawn to this photograph.  
I am personally drawn to Nancy's work because of her color palette, her loose brush work, and subject matter.  She has more energy and light than almost  anyone I know and that shines through in her work.  I am so happy to have had this opportunity to learn from her again.  She's the bomb.

Below is a picture of Nancy (yellow scarf) and her wannabes. I am the giant on the front left.  Nancy could fit in my back pocket. Sold 

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

sprite


sold
This is my first painting of the second day of Nancy's workshop.  I painted it on an 8 x 8 x 2" canvas. I struggled with the smallness of it.  We talked a lot about striving for your painting to look effortless.  I feel like I achieved that look but let me tell you it was NOT effortless. I almost scraped it several times. I am all about adding some bold strokes at the end of a painting to make it look like I started out that way.
Nancy uses a limited palette. ultramarine blue, cad red medium, cad yellow light or lemon, titanium white.  Now and then she uses a "short cut" color like yellow ochre.  One of my favorite colors! Good for warmer skin tones.  Oh yeah, now and then she uses cerulean blue.  I typically use lots of short cut colors but I used her palette for the workshop.  I am so pleased with the results that I may stick to it for a while.  I mixed cad yellow and cerulean to get the bright swim tube in the painting.

Monday, October 6, 2014

fancy free

One of the wonderful things about painting children is being able to capture them before they develop hang ups about how they look.  Before they realize that they have frizzy hair, a big nose or a crooked smile.  Children are so carefree and confident.  That is what Nancy Franke captures in her children studies.  You can add to that carefree attitude through your use of loose brushwork and less detail.  Nancy quote worth repeating, "saying a lot with as little as possible." !!!!  Okay....it is not easy.  It is a process that you get to after working very hard.  I painted much tighter when I started out but I knew where I wanted to go and kept at it.  Another thing Nancy said is that when you are having trouble, go to a larger brush.  What!!???  Yes!

This foot loose and fancy free girl is painted on an 11 x 14 x 2" and was the second painting I did at the workshop.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

four


 I mentioned in yesterday's post that I had just returned from doing a workshop with Nancy Franke in Nashville.  It was so much fun and enlightening that I will share a few of the things I found helpful over the next few posts.  I painted a total of four paintings over the two days and the one above is my first. It is painted on a 20 x 20 x 2" senso , clear acrylic primed canvas.
 We talked a lot about capturing the essence of children by portraying their attitude and getting their proportions right.  She reminded us that child figures are divided  down into four, pretty equal sections.  The head and neck taking up the top section.  Look at some of your own photos and see if this rule does not hold true.  It is a great tool.
She stresses the importance of using simple shapes, clear values, lively brushwork and surface paint texture.  She preaches," saying a lot with as little as possible."  Amen sister!
Nancy is an inspiration to me in many ways.  I will gush on about her during the next few posts.  Below is a picture of Nancy painting her first demo.  One of the things she does that makes me laugh is that when she gets excited talking about things, she kicks her leg back.  She still has a lot of cheer leader going on.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

tuckered

Tucker looks a little tuckered. And cute!  He belongs to my favorite cousin's ( I have 12 other favorites) husband .  My other favorite cousin's wife commissioned me to paint it for my favorite cousin's husband. All of my other favorite cousins and their spouses were either jealous of the gift or felt bad that they did not think of it.  Happy 60th Larry!!!

I just returned from a wonderful workshop with Nancy Franke.  You have lots of reasons to be jealous. First off, it was held in Nashville and I got to stay in my friends beautiful home. Secondly, Jeannie Smith of Warehouse 521, hosted the workshop and there were lots of great and nice artists there.  Thirdly, and most importantly.....Nancy Franke was our teacher/ friend for two days.  I will say more about that and share pictures tomorrow.
Oh yeah, incredible artist and nice person, Ann Blair Brown stopped by to chat.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

rhemi

Rhemi belongs to a college friend of mine and his wife.  They have or have had many dogs but Rhemi is extra special to her so he surprised her with a painting of Rhemi for their anniversary. I bet he just earned a lot of brownie points.    Husbands can never accumulate enough of them.
She is painted on an 11 x 14 x 2" canvas.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

i go back

Guess what song was playing when I posted this?  I promise I will not continue naming paintings for the song that is playing on my computer but.....how many names can I come up with for roosters?  Or cows? This painting title was inspired by Kenny Chesney's song, " I go Back".  This is painted on a 6 x 6 x 2" canvas.sold

Monday, September 22, 2014

gone to Carolina

Guess what song was playing as I was posting this?  I could listen to that song morning, noon and night.  Not sure what it has to do with this cow. This is painted on a 6 x 6 x 2" canvas.sold

Saturday, September 20, 2014

scout

What a pleasure to get to paint this beautiful dog.  Scout belongs to one of my friend's sons.  The painting was a surprise birthday gift.  Scout is painted on an 8 x 10 x 2" canvas.
Have a great weekend!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

uppity

This was a demo I did today for the Mt Brook Art Association.  It is painted on an 18 x 18 x 2" canvas.  We are fortunate to have a great association of artists with lots of diverse talent.  It is a little intimidating painting in front of other established artists but they were very patient with me.  I just do what I do.  Sold

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

dazed and confused


This cow looks a bit dazed and confused and that is kind of the way I feel after returning from a visit to see my son who lives in Chicago.  I returned yesterday and today I think I finally feel rested enough to get back to work.  I did not waste a minute while I was there.  sold

Clint and his mama.
Below is the view from his bedroom window. I know because he gave up his bed to Dan and me.


A view of the city from the Lincoln Park zoo. 

I walked ALL over the city including along Lake Michigan.  It was a beautiful day and the water was a gorgeous turquoise.


The amphitheater at Millennium 
Park.  


I visited the Art Institute of Chicago and discovered a new artist that I was not familiar with.  One of my favorite paintings in the museum.  The "shoe shop" by Elizabeth Sparhawk-Jones.  I just ordered a book about her.  "Elizabeth Sparhawk-Jones, the artist who lived twice"

Another favorite by John Singer Sargent.  Amazingly beautiful.  

A view of the city from inside the museum.