jack

Jack is my next door neighbor so I feel like I know him pretty well. We have a fairly large yard and a creek below our house and Jack enjoys exercising there.  He is a beautiful Boykin Spaniel and around a year old.  My friend surprised Jack's "Dad" with the painting for his birthday.  This is painted on a 20 x 20 x 2" canvas.

so....I heard there was a party....

This lady looks like she likes to party.  You only think there is sand in her bucket. This is painted on an 8 x 8 x 2" canvas.

chick flick

I am going to do Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings  in 30 days challenge this September.  She suggested we think of a theme and possibly paint them all the same size.  She is going to paint 30 things about her that people may not know. There are around 700 painters from 20 different countries taking part.  It is a great exercise to discipline yourself to paint every day.  You can paint ahead or miss a day if the need arises.
I have a good many new images of chicks so my theme is going to be.......surprise....baby chicks.  Some are going to be painted in teacups..... because....I just like that.  I am going to paint on 6 x 6 x 2" canvases and sell each one for $85.00 plus $8 for shipping.  

getting there

The last of this bike series.  For a while anyway.  This is painted on an 11 x 14 x 2" canvas.

wicked

I do not typically get frightened at scary movies.  I am much too cynical for them.  The wicked witch of the east did make an impression on me.  I can still see her flying on the bike past Dorothy's house during the tornado.  Scary stuff.  For some reason I kept thinking of her while I was painting this. Maybe it is the black bike.

I included the photo that was my inspiration for this painting.  A good example of how the photo is just a jumping off point.  I made several changes as I got into the panting.  It was hard faking the front of the bike that was hidden by the bench.  I pulled up some other pictures of bikes from the side to help.  Still not sure about that part.  I originally painted her shirt white and her bag straw.  It was not working for me so I changed it.  One thing that is risky in this painting is how close to the center of the painting the red and white bag are.  I still think it works.  this is painted on an 11 x 14 x 2" canvas.

I am having a workshop at my home in a couple of weeks and we are focusing on working from photos.  The pros and cons.  I know there are some out there who think you should always paint from life and not photos.  I am not that fast of a painter.  This lady was going very fast.  

My workshop is full but email me if you are interested and I can put you on the waiting list or let you know about the next one I will do in January or February.

looking back

  I recently had an opportunity to get together with some college girlfriends at the beach. One day we ventured out to Rosemary Beach and I stalked people on bikes while my friends did a little shopping.  I really feel like a creeper sometimes.  I think men would really have a hard time doing what I do.  Who is going to believe he is going to paint the girls he is photographing?  I try to be fairly discreet while I am snapping away because I am looking for candid shots.  I am waiting for the day that I am arrested and my mug shot is in the local "busted" paper.  Maybe Karin Jurick will paint it.

This is painted on an 11 x 14 x 2".  I have two more that I am going to do for this series. 

over yonder

I am happy with the way this turned out so I think I will paint it on a large canvas.  This one is painted on a 6 x 12 x 2".sold

ava

  I painted this yesterday while being filmed by Ava Lowrey, a documentary filmmaker and grad student at Duke University.  She is making a documentary about women artists in Alabama. Click on her name to see some of her work.  She has a short film included in this weekend's Birmingham sidewalk Film Festival.  

"ava" is painted on a 12 x 12 x 2" canvas.sold

star

Yes, I am spending lots of time in my studio these days.  Lots of commission work and painting for upcoming shows.  This is another 30 x 30 x 2" hereford.  She had a great star marking on her forehead.  sold

maddie

Maddie was commissioned by my friend to give to a special friend of hers.  I happen to know a little about the recipient because he was at least one of my son's AP English teachers his senior year of high school.   I won't say how long (partly because I don't know) Mr. McBride taught English in Tuscaloosa. I know he taught a lot longer than he had to because of his love and concern for the kids. I think the school talked him out of retiring year after year.
Maddie is his beloved golden retriever.  I don't think I have ever seen so much expression on a dog's face.  This was a lot of fun to paint.  It is painted on an 11 x 14 x 2" canvas.

willie

"Willie" is a commissioned piece and is painted on a 30 x 30 x 2" canvas. I took the picture of this hereford at Balsam Mountain, NC. The picture reminded a patron/friend of a calf she showed in her 4H days.  I think hereford's are some of the most handsome cows because of their coloring and furry coat.  My favorite part to paint has to be the ears and the bangs.  Well...then there are the eyelashes......hard to pick.sold

 I still have some space in my September 6 and 7 workshop if you are interested.

catherine and andrew

This is a commission piece for a family here in Birmingham.  It is 3 x 3' so I included another picture to help visualize the scale.  Catherine and Andrew's mom  was born and raised in eastern Tennessee. The family spends a lot of time there so we chose to have the kids running through a field that looked reminiscent of this area.  I happen to be very familiar with this beautiful area because  my husband's mom and many family live there. I feel blessed that my kids got to spend lots of time playing on the farm in White Pine, TN.  Nothing quite like the rolling green hills and Smoky Mountains in the distance. sold 

 I still have space in my September workshop.  We are going to be concentrating on bringing light and life into your paintings when using photos. Discussing interesting composition, brushwork and color. Email me with questions! carolcarmike@att.net

Lilly

 Lilly belongs to some Texas patrons.  She is such a classic looking beautiful lab. She is painted on a 12 x 12 x 2" canvas.sold







This is the newest addition to the Carmichael clan.  Callie Sue. She is a 6 1/2 week old golden doodle puppy.  My cat Ruthie is not sure what to think of her.  This is a picture of their first meeting.

dairy baby and workshop announcement

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I was in north Alabama this weekend visiting my sister and there was a dairy farm not far from where she lives.  The cows were NOT interested in me.  They were all about the grass.  I almost always paint cows that like me.  I like to think they do anyway. This baby took a short break from grazing to give me a pretty face.  This is painted on an 8 x 8 x 2".

I would like to announce a workshop I am having at my studio this September 6 and 7.  The hours will be 10-4 Saturday and Sunday.  Please email me for more information!!  carolcarmike@att.net 

holding tight

This is a commission piece for a family in Louisiana.  I like the intimacy expressed on their faces.  I hope they continue holding hands for a long time.  The time seems to pass by too quickly that children are comfortable holding their parent's hand.  Hopefully this painting will preserve a special time in their life.  This is painted on an 11 x 14 x 2" canvas.sold

critts

This is a painting of some of our "way back" friends.  I am so thankful for friends.... old and new.  We have lots of history with these two and hopefully lots of future.  This is painted on an 8 x 10" linen panel.sold

charolais on chartreuse

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A French cow on a French inspired color.  Chartreuse was named after a French liqueur.  The liqueur is a yellowish green color.  I love the color but I do not think I want to drink anything this hue.  This is painted on an 8 x 8 x 2" canvas.

Have a good weekend!

time well spent

A good way to spend some time this time of year.  This is painted on an 11 x 14 x 2" canvas.sold

cinnamon girl

Yep.  My work is all over the place.  It just comes down to painting what makes me happy and today this girl struck my fancy.  This is painted on an 8 x 16 x 2" canvas.sold

double take

 I struggled seeing where the front cow and the back cow separated.  I took the picture of these two in Balsam Mt, North Carolina. It took me going out of town and looking at it when I returned to finally see the separation.  This is painted on a 30 x 40 x 2" canvas.  I really do not feel that this photo of the painting does it justice.  Looks kind of washed out.sold

sidelonghorn

I made a new word. I am enjoying painting these beautiful animals.  The horns are so handsome and the hides are beautiful with all the patterns and spots. This one is painted on a 22 x 28 x 2" canvas.  

beach toddle

I loved this little toddler's style. This is painted on an 8 x 10 x 2" canvas.

"won't you be..... my neighbor ?"

You have to sing the title of this painting.  Big pause after "won't you be".  Those of you who do not know who Mr Rogers is will think I am even crazier than the ones  who are familiar with him.  I think Mr Rogers had a a slight cock of his head when he got to this part in the song.
This is the first Longhorn cow I have ever painted.  The herd that I photographed live in Eclectic, Alabama.  We do not see a lot of long horns in our state so these  generate a lot of curiosity.  They seemed to like the attention and some came right up to the fence.
This one is painted on a 20 x 40 x 2" canvas.sold

chill

This cow looks pretty comfortable.  If I am approaching a group of cows that are lying down my goal is for them to stay that way. I try my best to slink up so that I do not rile them.  This cow was very chill.  I think one reason so many people enjoy cows is because they are calming.  Especially if you do not own them.  

This cow had beautiful eyes that were asking me to take her home.  She is painted on a 24 x 24 x 2" canvas.sold

game change

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This was supposed to be a red, and blue 4th of July themed still life.  I started with beautiful cherries and blueberries.  Played around with that and was not happy with any of the set ups. Decided to punt our national holiday theme. Decided to add lemons and let it be composed of the three primary colors.  Was not pleased with that either so this is what you are left with.  I have to be happy with the set up or it is going to go south fast.  This is painted on an 8 x 10" linen panel.

I hope you have some fun plans for the weekend.    Happy Independence Day!!

lake life

My friend recently moved to the lake full time so I do not think she has had any time to spend in this swing lately.  This is a belated birthday present for my friend and roadie, Lynn.  She has been one of my biggest supporters, helpers, and most importantly ....friends.  She and her husband have been great friends of ours for 30+ years.  This is painted on an 8 x 10 x 2" canvas.  sold

peeps

I liked the curious posture of these two.  Something interesting must have been going on to their left. This is painted on a 6 x 8 x 2" canvas.sold

let loose

I just finished working on a rather tedious commission so I was ready to let loose. I am usually forced to tighten up to capture certain subjects when I have commission work.  I enjoy that but I LOVE painting whatever and as loose as I want.  This cow has one of those "go eat #(*$%" looks.  Hope you are not feeling that way today.  This is painted on an 11 x 14 x 2" canvas.

Have a good weekend!sold

muscling it

I enjoyed watching this young boy work his net.  I don't think he ever caught anything but he gave it a good effort.  This is painted on a 6 x 8 x 2" canvas.

sprout

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I loved this chick's curious stance.  While painting,
I try to simplify shapes and stroke work. It may appear to the novice that it was easy to paint.  It is a skill that comes after hours and hours of painting. When I first started painting I tortured and overworked my paintings trying to add every detail.  I knew I wanted a looser look but that did not come until after  logging in lots of easel time. The more you paint, the more confidence you build to become bolder with your strokes and knowing what to edit out.  I TRY to remember what so many of my instructors have shared and that is to think about every stroke before you apply it to the canvas.  Make it count.  Sometimes I remember.

This is painted on a 6 x 6 x 2" canvas. 

"chick fi.....what?!!"

I could not resist.  It appeared to me that the chick on the left was telling the other two something.  I bet it was just something trivial.

I spent the day at my sister and brother in law's home yesterday and they had some fairly new chicks. It was so fun to hold and watch them. I took a few (300) pictures.  I am going to have fun with some of the titles.  This one is painted on a 6 x 8 x 2" canvas.sold

don't let be lonely tonight

"Don't let me be lonely tonight" by James Taylor was playing on Pandora as I was posting this picture.  I was still playing around with titles so I was easily influenced.This is painted on a 12 x 12 x 2" canvas.sold

life is good

 Is this a great scene or what?  This fellow and his lovely companion are always thinking of good reasons to go out for a ride around their camp house property. This is a very common scene so his wife and kids commissioned me to paint it for him for Father's day surprise.  How awesome is that? (so many questions in this post)
 This is making me want to give in to my husband's desire to get a big dog. I do not have anything against it I just remember how much work it is.  I Need to remember how much fun it is.
This is painted on a 24 x 36 x 2" canvas so that is my reason for including a second picture.  Hard to appreciate the scale without a visual. This is going to be hung over their camp house mantle.  Pure fun!sold

kenzie

Kenzie's owners commissioned this portrait of their beautiful chocolate lab.  I hope it brings a smile when they see it.  This is painted on an 11 x 14 x 2" canvas.sold

4 in a row

I decided to paint something that was not looking back at me today.  I have a few pet commissions lined up so this is a warm up.  None of the animals favor these onions but it still helps me to loosen up.  This is painted on a 6 x 12" linen canvas.sold

a cool place

Meet Beasley and Rosie.  A yellow and red lab that belong to a friend of mine.  She has patiently waited on me to find time to paint her beauties.  I love it when dogs smile.  This is painted on a 16 x 20 x 2" canvas.sold  

cover up

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I have finished show season and now have a list of commissions to work on.  This was just a fun piece to do between commissions.  It is painted on a 6 x 6" linen panel.
Have a good weekend!

looking up

 I met a couple at a show in Fairhope, Alabama and they commissioned this painting.  I love the little guy looking up to his grand dad.  If you are familiar with this area you might recognize Mobile Bay and Yardhams restaurant in the background.  There is a nice park that runs alongside the bay and it is a wonderful place to walk. Especially with a beautiful grandchild. This is painted on an 11 x 14 x 2" canvas.sold

joe

This is a friend's new puppy Joe.  I think the caution tape is pretty appropriate for a young lab.  I do not think I have ever seen a lab with blue eyes.  This is painted on a 10 x 10 x 2" canvas. sold

gaggle

I surprised myself today when I was thinking of a title.  I do not know a lot of goose speak so when I came up with "gaggle" and then looked it up and found out that it's meaning was a flock of geese I was happily surprised.  I guess I do know some goose speak.  I took the reference photo for this painting at Lake Martin a couple of years back.  This is painted on a 20 x 40 x 2" canvas. Sold