check yes or no

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Another day feeling not very confident but working through it.  Pinky/purple is my favorite color. You have to work quickly when you are painting radishes because the leaves wilt on you.  I sprayed them with water so they would stay perky for the painting session.  Any other tips out there?  Don't tell me to eat them.  Not going to happen.
This is painted on a 20 x 24 x 2" linen canvas.  Listening to George Strait at titling time. :)

take your time

I have struggled a bit at the easel the last few days.  I am being too critical of myself and have done a lot of scrubbing off.  Today I just tried to keep my head up and keep working through things I was not happy with. This is painted on a 20 x 24 x 2" linen canvas.

passing day

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This painting was several things before it became sheep.  I don't even remember all the things.  I kept pushing through until this happened.  I put no pressure on myself to turn out a painting.  I did a lot of scraping so I got some nice colors left over from the earlier attempts.  This is painted on a 12 x 12 x 2" canvas.

"By seeking and blundering we learn."  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

forever and ever

This is painted on a 20 x 20 x 2".  For those of you who do not paint....this was done with a palette knife as compared to the lamb in my last post that I did with a brush.  I like both tools.  Fun to mix it up.

on the other hand

I hope this funny face puts a smile on your face. It is painted on an 8 x 8 x 2" canvas.sold

when the morning sun starts shining

Listening to Randy Travis as I was posting this.  He is one of the best!  This is painted on an 18 x 24 x 2" canvas.  The picture is a bit grainy. sold

what was I thinkin

I am excited to paint a lot of new things.  I painted this over a half finished, never going to be happy with, painting.  I don't paint a lot of horses even though I think they are beautiful animals. I am a bit intimidated by that.   This is painted on a 30 x 30 x 2".

My husband loves to watch the old cowboy shows like "Bonanza", "The Big Valley", etc...  I like them too.  I was thinking the other day how so many actors had to know how to ride and also what a big job it was to care for all of the horses on set.  You never know where my mind might wander?  :)

while shepards kept their watch

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Painted on a 20 x 20 x 2" while my family watches football on Christmas afternoon.  Augh!  Going to go make them play with me now.  Merry Christmas!

been wandering

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I was having one of those " I forgot how to paint days".  So... I got out an old painting that I decided to paint over and went at it with a palette knife.  It was a good way for me to get out frustrations.  I like the textural effects this one has.  It is painted on an 18 x 18 x 2" canvas.

guardian

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 I struggled some on this piece but I think I worked out my issues.  It is painted on a 40 x 40 x 2" canvas so I included a second photo to help see the scale.  I have been painting several large pieces lately.  Think I will paint some smalls for a change.

softer side

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This lady is all over the place.  Yep... I am.  A beach scene in very cold December.

I always want to get loose after painting commissions.  It is impossible for me to paint commissions as loosely as I would like to paint because it has to look like someone's somebody or some thing.  I have been painting over several older pieces. It is so invigorating painting with a palette knife. It is a great way to loosen your work up.  This piece is painted on an 11 x 14".

This is my favorite time of the year because I will be painting lots of new things for Spring shows.  Several ideas swimming around in my head.

first snowfall

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This is a very large piece for me.  3' x 5'. It took two easels placed together.  The jury is out as to whether I am finished.  

solemn stillness

I have enjoyed painting over a few paintings lately.  I love how some of the original colors of the piece can compliment the new painting. And...the palette knife is so freeing. This is painted on an 8 x 10 x 2" canvas.

He knows my name

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This felt good.  I needed to let loose after doing commissions. Painted on a 24 x 30 x 2" canvas. 

the nearness of you

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Snow day in Alabama! Decided to take a vacation from commissions today and paint something that makes me as happy as snow.  This is painted on a 24 x 30 x 2" canvas.

The view out of my studio window.  

from whom all blessings flow

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A potential painting for a friend.  She has three baby grand daughters.  This is painted on a 24 x 36 x 2" canvas.  I needed to paint something very loose today after working on commissions of folk's pets and various things for the last couple of weeks.  I have a couple more pets to finish and then I am looking forward to painting lots of what ever.  Painting this piece was cathartic. 

the clearing

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I took a little break from painting commissions to paint a commission.  What?

This was my first attempt at a large landscape.  A friend really liked my painting "beautiful journey" so I tried to keep the same feeling on a 40 x 40 x 2" canvas.  A totally different ball game but I am happy with it.  A lot of adding and subtracting.  That is when it gets hard because my goal is to keep it underworked and fresh.  Now... on to painting more commissions of a smaller size.

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. 

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.  

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.

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.

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.  

better together

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I found a little time to paint between back to back weekend shows.   I had a great show in Bluffton, SC last weekend.  I enjoyed my time in this charming town and enjoyed visiting with a couple of old friends and making some new ones.
I am participating in the River Arts Festival in Memphis, TN this coming Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.  A great way to finish up my Fall show season.  Always fun to visit and EAT in Memphis.
"better together" is painted on a 36 x 48" linen canvas.

jane

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I am preparing to travel to South Carolina for the Historic Bluffton Art and Seafood Festival. The show dates are Oct 21 & 22.  The next weekend I will be in Memphis, TN for the River Arts Fetival.  Woo hoo!

skinny low down

I really do not like to photograph elongated canvases.  Love to paint on them....hate to photograph.  You really lose something in the photo because of the shape.  I have had it explained to me before but I am old.  This one is painted on a 15 x 30 x 2" canvas.

Very excited to be headed to the low country in a few days for the Historic Bluffton Art and Seafood Festival this Saturday and Sunday.

low down

 I am participating in the Historic Bluffton Arts Festival Oct 21 & 22 in  Bluffton, SC. I am headed there a couple of days early to enjoy this beautiful part of our country.  

This is painted on a 30 x 30 x 2" canvas.  

always with me

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Painted on an 18 x 36 x 2".  Another soothing piece to look at during these hard times for so many.  Hurricanes, floods, fires, shootings....ugh!

This piece will be with me at my next two shows in October.  The first one is in Bluffton, SC October 21 & 22.  I will be in Memphis, TN at the River Arts Fest Oct 27-29.  Would love to see you if you are in the area!

don't look back

It's hard not to look back.  This is painted on a 15 x 30 x 2".sold

I have two shows coming up in October.  I am participating in the Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival October 20 and 22.  It takes place in Bluffton, SC. Looking forward to exploring this coastal area of South Carolina.

The next weekend I will be in Memphis, Tennessee for the River arts Festival.  October 27 29.

I better go paint.

me oh my

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This is a 36 x 48 x 2" commissioned piece for a new patron. (A very special birthday gift from her in laws!) Seeing the space where it was going to hang helped me make a couple of decisions.  It is always a challenge covering this large of a canvas but I am getting more comfortable with it.  It is hard to miss with lovely blues and yellows.  One of the favorite compliments people give me when they see my booth at shows is that is so soothing and happy.  We need more of that these days. 
Happy weekend!

I was meant for someone

This is another painting I started before going out of town.  It is painted on a 30 x 40 x 2" acrylic primed linen canvas.  My goal was to keep some of the linen color in the background.  This will be with me this weekend at the Monte Sano Art Festival in Huntsville, AL. Click on the link for more information.
Prayers for all the hurricane victims!  Hard to imagine all the loss and helplessness felt by so many.

sweet home

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I painted this 30 x 30 x 2" before I left on a trip out of the country.  I visited some beautiful places and will share some photos in the coming days. I am a bit jet lagged now and have to get ready for one of my favorite shows this upcoming weekend.  I am participating in the Monte Sano Art Festival this Saturday from 9 - 5 and Sunday 9 - 4.  It will be my first show since the spring season so I will have lots of new paintings.  Come see me if you are in the Huntsville, AL area.

runner's way

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This is a 24 x 24 x 2" commissioned piece by a friend from North Carolina.  Denise has at least ten of my paintings.  I am pretty sure that is a low estimate.  She found my work online and has been buying pieces from me for several years.
The exposure the internet provides is amazing.  (good and bad)  My painting of the white cow, "you never even called me by my name" is now hanging in France.    

shoot the moon

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 I love to paint a loose rooster.  Fun using both brushes and a palette knife to scrub the paint on the canvas.  I decided to share a picture of my new pedestal that a neighbor who was moving put in their trash.  (that was a really awkward sentence) Other peoples trash......
This is painted on an 8 x 16 x 2" canvas.  Hope you all have a great week and prayers for Texas!

i feel fine every time she's around me

Painted on an 18 x 24 x 2" linen canvas.  Have a good weekend.sold

I'll hang around as long as you will let me

Another title inspired by David Allan Coe's song, "you never even called me by my name". This is painted on a 6 x 12 x 2" canvas.sold

you never even called me by my name

She looks like she could be thinking that.  This is painted on a 20 x 40 x 2" canvas.sold

you don't have to call me darlin, darlin

I was listening to some old school country music while I was walking this morning. I am going to do a series of cows using titles from the lyrics of David Allan Coe's "you never even called me by my name".  Right there....another great title. If you are not familiar with this song, you need to google it.  It will get your weekend started right.  This is painted on a 30 x 30 x 2" canvas.

tight squeeze

 Painted on a 4 x 12 x 2" canvas.  Painting some smalls for upcoming Fall shows.  I start out in north Alabama in middle September with the Monte Sano Art show in Huntsville, AL.  The next weekend I am one town away in Decatur for the River Clay Art Show.  The word town made me chuckle.  I don't know if that is southern or old fashioned.  I guess you mostly hear city now.  What constitutes a town versus a city?sold

strike a pose

This was fun for me to paint because my Ruthie looks much like this kitty.  This is a surprise for a friend's son.  I have seen this look before. 

bottled up

I traveled to North Wilkesboro, North Carolina last week to take some work to Taupe Gallery.  I met the owners at a show in NC and so appreciated their enthusiasm for my work that I decided to trek up there with some paintings.  It is a beautiful gallery in a gorgeous area.  Mountains all around.  Mountains are always worth the drive.
I hit some of my favorite places on the way home.  This French seltzer bottle was a new purchase along with another globe jar dating back to the late 1800's.  My love of bottles goes way back to finding them at my grand parent's farm when I was little.  It is nice to justify the purchases because I can paint them over and over.
This is painted on a 24 x 24 x 2" canvas.