True love

I painted this still life from a little different perspective. I was slightly looking down on it. I am trying new things during this stay at home time. Hopefully some good will come from all this bad.
This is painted on an 8 x 10” canvas.

trust in you

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Expressing myself a little differently these days.  I plan on working with the figure a bit more in the coming days. This is painted on an 11 x 14" canvas.  Hope you are staying well.

you break my chains

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Happy Easter!  Think we will remember this one and be so thankful to celebrate with others again soon.  Be well!
Painted on an 8 x 8" canvas.

have hope

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This little chick was painted and repainted two or three times until I was happy with how simplified I got it.  I was trying to break it down to the the basic shapes and values.  I had it painted a bit more realistically but I scrubbed it out and was happier with this.  Painting loosely and simplified is much harder than it looks.  I have not been painting as much but when I do, I am trying to be more thoughtful. This little chick is painted on a 6 x 8 x 2" canvas.  Please visit my website sometime if you have some downtime during this strange, stay at home, time. You can click on to the link at the top right of this page.

Stay safe!

me too

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This cow's expression shows my love and hope for your safety.  Stay safe!  This is painted on an 8 x 8" canvas.

silence is golden

Painting in my comfort zone.  Hope you are okay and staying home if you can.  Hope you can find something that brings comfort to you during these hard days. This is painted on a 6 x 12" canvas.  Visit my website by clicking at the top right of the page for more information about purchasing my work.

solace

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Just a happy painting during these not so happy times. 6 x 8”. Please stay home if you can. Prayers for all!

back off

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This painting expresses my feelings of when people get too close to me when I am out walking. I do my part to keep a safe distance but it seems like others are too wrapped up in conversation to do like wise.  Do your part and stay home and when out exercising, keep your distance.

Hope this defiant chick brings a smile to your face. Stay safe.

day job

I am not sure what their night job is?  Laying eggs. I guess. This is painted on an 8 x 10" canvas.

I hope you are one of the lucky ones who is staying home. I am thinking and praying for all those who are having to work in the midst of this virus.  Prayers for our world.  

Still the one

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Painting some things that might make you smile during this terrible time. This is painted on an 8 x 8” canvas. Check out my website for more information.
Lets join together and say prayers for our world. 

these days

I have not painted a cow in a while.  That is pretty unusual for me because they are one of my favorite subjects.  Who could resist smiling at a face like this?  This is painted on a 24 x 24 x 2" canvas.  All of my shows for the Spring have been postponed or cancelled.  Email me for information on any of my art. I sell it. :)

Please stay safe and at home if you can.  I am saying prayers for all of our workers who can not. 

socially distant

I hope you are all coping okay with being "cooped" up. Get it....? chicken painting, "cooped up".? Maybe I am going a little stir crazy from all that is going on and not knowing how long it will last.
I like this painting but it is a little darker than my usual. I built a lot of texture with acrylic paint underneath the rooster that is painted with oils.  I used palette knives to apply the paint.  Who knows what will come out of me this next couple of months.
Please stay safe and at home if you can!  "Socially distant!"  We are going to be so tired of that phrase.

chick break

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I am working on a large commission that has a lot of pattern so I needed a little organic shape break.  I am not a detailed person so it is good to challenge myself.  Just not too often. :) Yeesh!  This little chick is painted on a 6 x 8".  It was one of my sister's chicks so I have painted it a few times.  I like the way it is standing tall.  Something we all need to try and do during these scary days. Stay in and stay safe. 

rise above

Painting away the gloomies. This is painted on a 16 x 20" linen canvas.  It always makes me happy to paint an expressive rooster.  Try it!

I had a great show at ArtXtravaganza in Knoxville, TN.  It is always fun to visit with old friends and make new ones.  I like my job.

Wash your hands.

act out

Felt like painting something colorful on a very rainy day. First of all, I added texture with thick, acrylic paint . I let that get good and dry and then used oils with a palette knife to paint the rooster. It is painted on an 11 x14” canvas.
I will be in Knoxville, TN for ArtXtravaganza at the Webb School this Friday through Sunday. Come see me if you are in the area! 

midwinter

 I will be in Knoxville, TN this weekend for ArtXtravaganza that is held at the Webb School.  The hours are 2- 8, Friday, March 6 and 10- 6, Saturday, March 7. Sunday hours are 11-4.  I would love to see you if you are in the area!

This is painted on a 12 x 12 x @' canvas.

good hair

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I seem to jump all over the place with my subject matter but it all has one thing in common.  I paint things I love.  I think it shows in your paintings whether you have feelings for your subject matter. I was one of those little girls who always wanted a horse.  I never had one of my own but was fortunate to ride with friends some along the way.
this horse is painted on a 24 x 30 x 2" linen canvas.

carry me through

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How's about a little color?  I have been keeping tulips around through this gloomy winter.  The colors are a definite pick me up.  This is painted on a 16 x 20" linen canvas.

I will be in Knoxville, Tennessee March 6-8 at ArtXtravaganza.  It is held at the Webb School gymnasium.  I would love to see you if you are in the area!

whimsy

Painting something warm and of another season was my answer to many rainy and gloomy days we have had in February.  We could all use a good dose of sunshine.  This is painted on an 11 x14" canvas.

garden party

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I just returned from a get away to the North Carolina mountains with my Mom and sister.  Western North Carolina has been a huge part of my life.  I grew up vacationing there and my parents owned a home at Lake Junaluska, NC for twenty five years.  I feel like it is in my blood and I am happiest when I am in the mountains.  We even got a snow while there.
I took some new work to a gallery I am in in North Wilkesboro, NC.  Taupe gallery has incredible artists. Jim and Steve are the owners and they are the best!  It is a gem in a small town.  Many of their artists sell more out of this small town gallery than the big city galleries they are in.
Check them out if you are in the Charlotte, Boone, Linville, NC area.
This haughty, white hen is painted on a 6 x 8" canvas.  I will be in Knoxville, TN March 6-8 for Artxtravaganza at the Webb School.  I would love to see you if you are in the area!

Sister golden hair

I painted this piece  entirely with palette knives. It felt good to push paint around and let the figures develop. It is painted on a 12 x 24” canvas.
 I am taking a few days off to travel with my mom and sister to a gallery I am in in North Carolina. Taupe gallery is in North Wilkesboro. It is a great gallery and worth a trip if you are in the area.

lemon drop

There is just something about lemons.  I love the sunny, yellow color.  I never seem to tire of painting them.  This is painted on a 20 x 24" canvas.

sunrise

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This was my demonstration painting for day two of my last workshop. It is painted on a 12 x 16” canvas. Teaching two times in close succession has kept my work a little fresher.  You remind yourself of what is important in painting when you are trying to pass information on to others. I will probably schedule another workshop for this summer. I have really enjoyed meeting and working with new people to experience the joy of painting. 

Flower power

Hoping this painting brightens your day. I painted it before my students arrived for my workshop last Friday. I tried to say a lot with a little. This is painted on a 6 x 8” canvas. 

how deep is your love

This is the demo I did the first day of my workshop.  It is painted on a 12 x 12 x 2" canvas. The first day we  did still life set ups and focused on composition, minimal and loose brushwork, and fresh color.  Among many other things.  I had a great group with many different levels of experience.  Participants are pictured below with some of their  pieces.  My studio is lonely today.

after the storm

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I painted this for a patron of mine from Texas. This is painted on an 8 x 10" canvas. 

got to give it up

Thank you to Marvin Gaye for this title. You have got to give it up to keep from overworking a piece. I am not sure what he meant by that lyric {dancing :) } but it spoke to me after I kept touching parts of this painting up. Just stop!  This is painted on an 18 x 24" linen canvas.

I am teaching a two day workshop this Friday and Saturday.  Always helpful for me to remind myself of the things that are important to pass on to others.  I always learn new things from the students too!  A fun time for all.

Complimentary

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I love painting radishes but have not figured out how to keep the leaves from wilting. They look so pretty in the produce section but as soon as I get them in my studio they start to get sad., This is painted on a 12 x 12” canvas.

cutie

Gloomy days are good days to paint bright things.  I love orange and deep pink together.  This is painted on a 6 x 12" canvas.sold

let it fly

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This was a warm up painting I did before teaching my last workshop.  We were focusing on painting animals loosely so I was practicing what I was about to preach.  I was happy that I was able to portray his cocky personality with bold and minimal brushwork.  That comes from lots and lots of practice. I do not often get it right.  This one made me happy. It is painted on an 8 x 8" canvas.

comfort

Today was a good day to paint something bright and up lifting.  It is a little gloomy here in Birmingham so I needed some brightness.  Deep pink is my favorite color. This is painted on an 8 x 8" canvas. The color of the background is not very accurate.  It is a little warmer than this photo portrays.  Sold

forgiveness

I am preparing to paint a 36 x 48” canvas that includes tulips so this was a nice warm up. White tulips symbolize forgiveness and worthiness. Google told me so it is true. This is painted on a 15 x 30” canvas.

since you said goodbye

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One of my favorite things to paint.  Glad some others like it too. This is painted on a 16 x 20".  Hope you have a great weekend.  It is sunny here in Birmingham so that makes me happy!

I have a spot left in my February 7 and 8 workshop here in Birmingham if you are interested.  Email me at carolcarmike@att.net for more information.

tah dah

This little chick looks like he just finished his chicken dance and is taking a bow.  My imagination? :)
Trying to stay loose while painting and focus more on expression than exactness.  I painted this chick with one larger brush and stayed way back from my easel.  If you want to paint loosely you have to implement these practices. I painted this on a 6 x 6" canvas.

I feel fine

This was the demo I did at my workshop last Friday.  We focused on painting simple still life pieces. I titled this painting after a James Taylor lyric. It is funny how it coincides with the short story I would like to tell.  Thursday afternoon and early Friday morning before the workshop participants arrived, I was doing a little practice / warm up painting.  I painted two scrapers.  ( I scrubbed them out) Not a good feeling when these folks were paying to come learn from me.  I was pretty shaken but felt that if I slowed down and listened to the the information I was sharing with them that I would be fine.  I was teaching to the teacher. It all worked out and I had a very talented group.  I am not able to show you how well they did because we had a rainy Saturday and did not go out and take photos.  Glad we got a group photo on Friday.

This piece is painted on an 11 x 14" canvas.

warm up

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I am teaching a workshop at my home studio this Friday and Saturday.  We paint from live set ups and talk about color, composition and brushwork.  I think still life is a great way to start your painting education.  I was doing a little practicing today.  This is painted on an 8 x 8" canvas.
This workshop is full but I have one opening in my February 7 and 8 class.  Email me at carolcarmike@att.net for more information.

A cup of sunshine

Painted on an 8 x 10”.
I have a couple of spots that have  opened up in my workshop next Friday and Saturday. January 17 and 18. Email me at carolcarmike@att.net for more information. 

Stormy

Painting a rooster is good therapy for me. This is painted on a 12 x 12” canvas. Not that I need therapy. :)

counting sheep

I am not sure if this video is going to work but I thought I would give it a shot.  This painting is a 20 x 60" so it is extremely hard for me to get a good photo.  I painted this over a third of an old tryptic. I like this much better than what was underneath.sold
Happy New Years!! 2020!!

out with the old

I painted this over an old painting that I never felt good about. I do this fairly often and it is very rewarding. The old painting alway adds interest from the colors and textures that show through. This is painted on a 24 x 24” canvas.
Hoping this year brings you all lots of good things!

feeling thankful

Loving the freedom to paint what ever strikes my fancy.  This girl did.  She is painted on a 12 x 24" canvas. 
I am trying to get organized enough to share some of the many commissions I have done in the last several weeks.  Today I just felt like painting.

Lemony

I painted something bright on a wet and gloomy day here in Alabama. Lemons and paper whites brighten up any spot. Hope you are finding some time to enjoy this season. I am slowing down and enjoying time with family.
This is painted on an 8 x 10” linen canvas.

winter wonders

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A couple of items that make this time of year special.  Paper whites and juicy oranges.  This is painted on a 6 x 12"linen canvas.
It may seem that I have not been painting much lately but that is far from the case.  I have spent the last month or more painting commissions that I can not share.  I am going to concentrate on painting from life for a while.  I have everything painted that I had to have ready by Christmas.  Feels good!

sweeten's cove

This is a commissioned piece for my cousin.  It was fun to challenge myself with a landscape.  I tried to keep it representational, but loose.  That is my favorite type to look at.  This is painted on a 36 x 48" canvas.  I hope he will enjoy looking at it over the years.  My husband kind of wants to keep it. :)

small things

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I have been painting tons in the last week but not posting things because many are Christmas surprises.  I am also painting for my annual Open Studio this Thursday night.  My home studio will be open from 5-8 November 21.  Email me at carolcarmike@att.net for more information.
This is painted on a 6 x 8" canvas.

let hope fly

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Painted on a 4 x 6" canvas.  Red!  Have to love it!

I will be in Covington, LA this Saturday and Sunday for the Three Rivers Art Festival.  Nov 9 and 10. Come see me if you are in the area.