Wednesday, November 29, 2017

lola

This face makes me happy.  Commissioned by a friend.  It is painted on an 8 x 10" canvas.
I am deep into commission time.  Working very hard and not able to post most because they are surprise gifts. 

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

to see you again

Another experimental painting that I worked on at David Nichol's workshop last Saturday.  This piece is a 20 x 20".  Another quote from David, "You are not seeking perfection. You are seeking beauty."

I hope you have someone to spend your Thanksgiving with.  I am very thankful for so many and so much.  Hope you have a blessed thanksgiving!

Monday, November 20, 2017

nightfall

Still playing around with landscapes.  This one was pretty much just out of my head.  My focus is on color, shapes and a variety of texture.  Still learning.  Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks. This is painted on an 8 x 10" linen canvas.

Sunday, November 19, 2017

beautiful journey

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I had the pleasure of taking a workshop with my good friend and incredible artist, David Nichols, yesterday.  I have long admired David's work and am fortunate to have a few of his paintings in my home.
I have been playing around with landscapes but felt like I needed some more knowledge of what elements are needed to make a successful one. The reason I took from David is because his works are not traditional landscapes.  They are just suggestions of outdoor scenes that could be interpreted many different ways.
A few of his quotes I will share with you.....
"You want your paintings to be based in reality but abstract in presentation. Allow the viewer to interpret the work in their own way."
"What makes a work fascinating is when the emphasis is not placed on realism, but rather, on expressiveness."

Okay....this is not easy.  David makes it look so but he has been painting for years and owes his success to thousands of hours of painting.  Check out his beautiful work at http://www.davidnicholsart.com.

This is painted on an 11 x 14" canvas.

Friday, November 17, 2017

sunshine

I played around with acrylics some last week because of how quickly they can dry.  Me no likey.  I can't get the same brush work with them as compared to when I use oil paint.  I will probably use acrylics for certain things like underpainting but for now I am sticking with my lovely, buttery, slower drying oils.  This is painted on a 5 x 7 x 2" canvas.
Happy weekend!

Sunday, November 12, 2017

boss

I love to paint a hereford.  Well...I love to paint a white face and shaggy ears.  This is painted on a 24 x 24 x 2" canvas.  

Friday, November 10, 2017

Notting Hill Elvis

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Now for something entirely different.  Notting Hill Elvis. 20 x 20" . I wonder if some of you that have visited this area have seen him in the Notting Hill area of London.  Just like we have the guy who plays his guitar in his tightie whities in NYC.

I am preparing for my Open Studio/ Holiday Sale this coming Thursday.  I found this partially completed painting in my closet and decided to work on him again.  It was getting dark when I took this picture so it is not a great representation.

If you would like to come to my open studio, email me at carolcarmike@att.net.  All of my work will be marked at least 10% off.  Some work will be marked down as much as 50%. All paintings I am proud to have my signature on. I throw away or paint over things that do not make me happy.



Wednesday, November 8, 2017

a few of my favorite things

These are a few of my favorite things painted on a 30 x 40" canvas. I paint these same objects over and over because they are what appeal to me.  (just like cows!) . You have to paint what you have a heart for.  I hope that comes through in my paintings.

I am having an open studio sale Thursday, November 16 from 5:30 until 8.  Email me if you are interested in coming.  Come find yourself something that makes you happy.

Saturday, November 4, 2017

carolina

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I took a little break from working on a 3 x 4' commissioned piece to paint this 8 x 8"sweet face.  Listening to James Taylor's song, "going to Carolina".  A good way to spend a Saturday afternoon.