kentucky bluegrass

 
This is based on a photograph that I took while on a work trip with my church in July. We attended an open mike night in a nearby town. Great taste of local culture. We were inside and there was a strong light right over the guy in the white shirt. Am trying to edit photos down and figure out what works and doesn't. Was fun to do some figurative work after so many still lifes. This is painted on a 6 x 12" gallery wrap canvas.
$165.00(includes shipping)

green grapes and apples

 
I have a new appreciation for you artists who paint various fabrics into their work. I really did not know how to handle the stripes in this piece. Almost scrubbed it but trudged through as a learning experience. How do you handle shadows and light variations? Need to look at Gwen Bell's work. She is a master at fabrics. Love her cup series.
This is painted on a linen 8x10" canvas.

$175.00(includes shipping)

green grapes in wedgewood

 
I really do not like to use my left brain much. Had to use it a lot yesterday. Had to figure out a lot of techno things. This included reading instructions. Ugh! But...after many hours of frustration and and muttering a few unkind words at my computer, I figured some problems out. I am giving my left side a much needed break today.
This piece is painted on a 5 x 7" linen canvas. $125.00 (includes shipping)
Happy weekend to all.

blooming onion

If you need help naming your paintings, I am open for business. It is so hard to think of titles. Hard enough to come up with new set ups and then.....you have to come up with a name. Sometimes it is easy but more often than not I just settle.
This is painted on a 5 x 7" linen canvas.SOLD

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riding into the light

The reference for this painting was a photograph I took in Audubon Park in New Orleans. She was a pretty casual rider. Flip flops and tube top. Painted this on an 8 x 10" linen canvas.
So many things to celebrate. My son just graduated from Auburn University yesterday! So proud of him. Starting a job in China in January. Great guy with a bright future.
I am also joining a great group of painters on FreshPaintDailyPainters. Have admired the work of many of these artists for a while. Looking forward to learning more about the others. Check out the site. I am so new to it that I have quite a bit to learn. Just glad to be back to painting after a few days absence.
Click on this painting to see it larger.SOLD

sweet onion

 
It was nice to paint one painting at a time today. I chose a set up that was pretty challenging for me. Lots of variations of white. This is painted on a 5 x 7" linen canvas.$120.00(includes shipping

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Millie X Two

 
Are you confused? I am. I have a friend who commissioned me to paint her recently deceased schnauzer. Wanted one painting for each daughter. Decided to paint these 5 x 7"'s in one shot. Set up the two canvases on the easel and got to work. Never done this before and do not think I will do it again. Really confusing. It was kind of an experiment in how differently artists can portray the same subject even when painting at exactly the same moment. I did not have any great method or strategy. Kind of jumped all over the place. {much like my everyday life.) You can see that there are differences. Don't look too long or you might get sick. Should I have posted a warning at the top?

just a little peek

 
This is a commission piece of my friend's grandsons. Isn't it such a typical picture of little boys? They look so curious. Wonder what trouble they are ready to get into? I hope something that won't get their outfits too dirty.
This is painted on an 11 x 14" canvas.

pears in planter

 
Another creative title. I could have named it "pears in a tarnished silver planter with weird scalloped edges that were hard to paint". Decided to paint the pears with leaves one more time. The leaves are getting a bit
shriveled. Painted this on an 8 x 10" linen canvas. Am okay pleased with it. Wish i had placed the cherry blossoms a little further out. Speaking of cherry blossoms, they are fake. Not just now blooming in Biirmingham. Don't think they could handle 100 degree temps. I am wondering how you guys feel about fake flowers. I personally have only two types of fake that I will use in set ups. I have some very good silk sunflowers and these cherry blossoms. I guess depending on the way you paint it may or may not matter. Wonder what you flower painter's take is on this.8 x 10

junaluska pear

 
Just got back from a visit with my sister and parents in North Carolina. Picked this pear before I left. Always fun to have a fresh one with leaves. Painted this on a 5 x 7" linen canvas. Still struggling with small canvases. I tend to paint items too large with little background left. Need to remember what Qiang Huang taught and that is to create a stage including the background. I tend to focus on the items and background is an afterthought. Anyway... I am glad to be home after traveling. Hope to paint a good bit this week.

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morning melody

 
Wow. Sensory overload. New Orleans! Just returned from visiting my son this weekend. New Orleans is packed with incredible. The architecture and history are amazing.
Walked in Audobon Park Sunday morning. Fortunately i decided to take a stroll instead of going for a workout. Normally I would have my ipod on pretty loud while I was speeding past the sights. Decided to stroll with my camera. This guy was tucked away under a shade tree playing his violin.
Took some more pictures that I hope to paint. I feel like this might have been a lesson for me to slow down a bit and smell the roses. I probably miss lots of beautiful things as I go speeding by. Painted this on a linen 8 x 10" canvas.

Strumming in asheville

 
If you like the texture in this painting it might be because it fell off of the easel on to the concrete when I was trying to photograph it. A few ants and crepe myrtle blossoms add to the total effect. This was a request from my son who has just graduated from college and is now working in New Orleans. He liked the musician I painted earlier and asked if I would paint it for him on a very large canvas. This is painted on a 24 X 36" gallery wrap. Out of my comfort zone. Oh, did I mention that he just made the request two days ago because we are going to visit him this weekend? Sure Clint. You know he has to be a great kid if I did it.
I really think he has ulterior motives. I sign my paintings c. carmichael. He is planning on using these paintings as a chick magnet. Girls love those artsy types. My brother is a very nice painter and used to give girls he was dating paintings he had done. It never failed that as soon as he would give them a picture they would break up. Except for his final girlfriend/wonderful wife Amy.
I will post again in a few days if I don't melt in Nawlins.

A walk in the Park

 
It feels good to get a painting under my belt. First time back since being in Kentucky. So...I paint a scene from China. Makes sense to me. My son took lots of great photos and this is loosely based on one. Lots of editing. This one might not be finished but it is for now. I have a few photos from my Kentucky trip that I might try to paint.
It sure was fun looking at all my artist friend's blogs when I got back. Felt like Christmas opening up your blogs and seeing what you had painted while I was away.

new porch

 
Only got to create one work of art last week but it was a doozie. This is a photo of the porch and ramp we built for a great family in Kentucky. Their old porch was rotten and they needed a ramp so that a handicapped relative could come visit. The beautiful youth pictured here as well my very knowledgable friend Jimmie built this structure in five days. A crew will come in today to do the finishing touches. It was quite an experience for us all. We took 45 youth and 18 adults and worked on 9 different projects. Made lots of new friends from my church and from Kentucky. We were all a little dirty and sweaty in this photo after working a long day, but.... look at those smiles!
Hope to start painting tomorrow. Few more loads of laundry to do.

Whats for Dinner?

 
It's been a good day. I had so much fun painting this little 6 x8". I smiled the whole time. My son took this photo in Lijiang, China. A beautiful, rural area. This rooster was heading in the house to have dinner and watch a little TV. My son said the chickens roam freely inside and out. As beautiful as my sister's rooster, Mr Wonderful was, I know it was not allowed in the house.
So happy to report that I am making a little progress figuring my mac out. I know how to add images now so hopefully the images you see will look better. Yesterday's photo was an all time low.
I will not be posting for a little more than a week because of the trip I mentioned yesterday. I will miss you guys. Will look forward to seeing what you all have painted when I get back!

green on green

I apologize for painting the bowls again but I am a little pressed for time and composition comes a little easier with them. I also am sorry for the glare on this photo. I am leaving in a couple of days for a nine day work trip with the youth at our church.We will be in the appalachian area of Kentuckyhelping a few folks make their homes more liveable. So.....trying to squeeze in some painting before I leave. Hopefully I will get one more in tomorrow. And you are thinking...hopefully it won't be bowls.

Mama Time

I painted this from a photo I took last weekend in north Alabama. These were the friendliest cows. There was also a very friendly mule there who wanted to have his picture taken. I am surprised he is not in the corner of any of my shots. I kept having to move because he would get right in my camera view. Wish I had had something to give him. I should have at least taken his picture.
This was my first time to paint white cows. Quite a challenge. Everybody needs a challenge. Yesterday was very challenging because I had a failed attempt at a painting and then tracked ultra marine blue through my house until I discovered it in several places on my bedroom carpet. I don't like that kind of challenge.
This is painted on an 11x14" linen canvas.SOLD

summer harvest

Wow. The creative juices were flowing for this title. It's hard when you have painted basically the same set up three times in a row. But...this one is HUGE. 18 x 24". I struggle to keep the same character on larger canvases. I think I am happy with this. I honestly can not see the image as well as I would like because I am using my laptop. I broke down and replaced my 7 year old dell desktop with an apple that don't know how to use very well. Yep, it goes back to me not being patient enough to figure it out. I am getting there. Sorry if this is a bad photo.
Enough of the beautiful bowls for a while. I have a couple of photos that I am excited about painting.

pre fajita

 
I am not really making fajitas. So hard to think of titles sometimes.
Thanks for all the kind feedback yesterday. It is so nice to have some still life items that you can get excited about. I can think of lots of possibilities with these bowls and plates. Who gets so excited about dinner ware?
I am headed out to a weekend art show. I hope everyone has a great holiday!