silver lining

This painting needed a little black dog.  This is painted on an 18 x 18 x 2" canvas.  I will have it and many others this weekend at The Art Event at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, TN.  Friday 5-9, Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-3.  Come see me and the other artists if you are in the area.sold

head turner

I did this 18 x 24 x 2" as one of my demonstrations this past weekend at my workshop. I tried to share some things that I think are important in making successful paintings.  Always nice to remind myself!  I will name a few of them below.  These are all things I have learned from other teachers and lots of practice.sold
Use the biggest brush possible. Quit before you think you are done.  Squint while looking at your subject to lose the little shapes.  Leaving some of the canvas showing through makes the painting appear more airy.  Have a variety of soft and hard edges. Do not apply your brush to the canvas until you have checked yourself.  Make each brushstroke count.
I had another great group this past weekend and it was nice to see all of them progress!

shelter from the storm

I am sharing a little picture story with you in this blog. The top piece is the final piece.  (I think?)  The bottom picture is what it looked liked the first time I photographed it.  I decided I did not like the top two white umbrellas so I painted them out.  Photographed it again and decided I was not sure I liked the man walking out of the canvas on the left.  Painted him out.  Took the painting back outside to photograph and dropped it in pine straw.  If you have followed my blog for a while you know this happens to me quite often.  You can not teach and old dog new tricks or change my bad habits. sold

I would love your opinion about adding the man on the left back in OR anything else.  Don't waste your time telling me to be more careful.  This is painted on an 18 x 24 x 2" canvas.

I am teaching a workshop at my home tomorrow and Saturday.  Fun!  I may schedule another one this summer. And no...it won't be on how to photograph your work.

Rose in Rosé

I kept this Rosé bottle because I thought it was to pretty to toss.  This is painted on an 18 x 24 x 2" canvas.sold

to and fro

We have thankfully had some umbrella weather here in Alabama lately.  We really needed it after a 70 day drought in the late Summer/ Fall.sold
This is painted on a 30 x 40 x 2" canvas.  I am still experimenting a little bit. 

orange coat girl

 I decided to paint a companion piece for the red socks fan.  They are both painted on an 8 x 16 x 2" canvas.
Have a great weekend!

red socks fan

Painted on an 8 x 16 x 2" canvas. 

morning rush

I got some great rainy photos during a trip to England and Scotland a couple of years back. I love the reflections that are created in the water.  I did several paintings with umbrellas that I was happy with soon after the trip.  This 30 x 40 x 2" sat in my closet unfinished for a year or so.  It was really grey and boring.  I recently jazzed it up and am really happy with the results.  Sold

dream on

Playing around a bit.  This is painted on a 20 x 20 x 2" canvas.

I had a great group in my workshop this past weekend.  They were talented and fun. It always helps me to tell people what I think is important in painting.  I love a John Carlson quote that I heard in Nancy Franke's workshop. " Too much reality is always a disappointment to the imaginative soul.  We love suggestion and not hard facts.

I have another workshop the 27 & 28th of January.  A couple of spots remaining.

My next show is The Art Event at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville.  The dates are Feb 3-5.

a little summertime

We all need a little summertime in January. I am preparing to have a workshop at my home this Friday and Saturday.  We will painting still life one day and animals the next.  I have a couple of spots in my Jan 27 & 28 workshop if you are interested.  Email me at carolcarmike@att.net for more information.sold
"a little summertime" is painted on an 8 x 10 x 2" canvas.

special

I have just returned from a family trip with happy news.  My son proposed to his girlfriend. So excited to have a very special girl in our family's future.  About dang time.

I am getting ready for my workshop that is this Friday and Saturday at my home.  Excited to get back to painting and sharing the fun with others.

This is painted on a 5 x 7" linen canvas. 

I'll go my way

Painted on an 18 x 18 x 2".