Museum Garden Aspens

"Museum Garden Aspens"

#1 of 30

8"x6" oil on canvas pad

$75.00

For the first time, I am participating in Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.  This is probably the fourth time Leslie has sponsored this challenge and it is a way for artists to get motivated and get in the studio and PAINT every day.  As of today, there are over 850 artists from all over the world!  Leslie suggests each artist pick a theme for their challenge and paint a small painting each day based on that theme.  I have chosen "Vacation Memories, or Not".  The "or not" paintings may be plein air paintings because I will be participating in a plein air workshop and event in Georgia during part of this time.   It is my hope to chronicle the vacations and trips we have taken over the years and this will be a selfish way for me to relive and remember those trips and the memories that were created.

About five minutes north of Jackson Hole, Wyoming is the National Museum of Wildlife Art.  It is a gorgeous 51,000 sq. ft. building housing some permanent exhibitions of 19th and 20th century American Art.
Last year at this time I spent a week in Jackson Hole plein air painting with two art friends.  While inside the Museum we also saw the 2013 Western Vision show with works by many of todays notable contemporary artists.  The Museum overlooks the National Elk Refuge and these aspens painted above were in the beautifully landscaped gardens surrounding the Museum.  Just one of the sights to see while in Jackson Hole!

Shades of Red

"Shades of Red"

24"x36" oil on gallery wrap canvas

$995.00

"Shades of Red" is my most recent painting that I just finished up yesterday.  There is a lot of juicy color all over the canvas.  The barn alone has so many reds, violets, deep purples and pinks.  The wooded hillside of trees has so many deep rich colors which really sets it apart from the fields surrounding the old sturdy barn.  One aspect that I really worked on is edges and I had a lot of fun putting in many small details that I am sure you cannot see in this photo.  

Next week I will begin painting in the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge started by Leslie Saeta.  Last time I checked, there were just over 700 artists from all around the world participating.  My theme will be "Vacation Photos, or Not".  I hope to paint (and blog) every day  from photos we have taken on various trips but there will also be the occasional plein air piece thrown in.  I plan for most of my pieces to be 6"x8", 8"x8" and maybe a few 8"x10".  Wish me luck!!

Beach View

Beach View

16"x20" oil on canvas

$595.00 with gold frame

          "Beach View" was painted a couple of days ago in my attempt to concentrate more on clouds.  Painting clouds is way out of my comfort zone but branching out and stretching is how I grow as an artist.  I took a one-day plein air workshop last November in Charleston SC with the fabulous Bill Davidson and he showed us how many colors are up there in those beautiful skies above us.  I am learning that they can be fun and I think I will do some more!

The White Barn

The White Barn

18"x24" oil on gallery wrap canvas

$695.00

Here is another painting that I completed during my recent residency.  The photo is from a horse farm not far from where I live.  This photo had a lot of strong shadow shapes along with some bright sunlit areas and those two things drew me to paint this scene.  I felt I captured a lot of depth in this one and am really pleased with the way this one turned out.  I hope you like it too.

Let There Be Light

Let There Be Light

24"x24" oil on gallery wrap canvas

$795.00

This is a painting that I completed during my recent artist-in-residency program.  The photo was taken at Bass Lake in the mountains near Blowing Rock NC, about 2 1/2 hours from Charlotte.

Bass Lake has a very walkable pathway running along the banks.  The sun rays were hitting the tree trunks just beautifully and we were lucky enough to catch this photo.

Rainbow Woodland

Rainbow Woodland

24"x36" oil on gallery wrap canvas

$995.00

This is a recent painting using a photo taken by my husband while we were in Yellowstone.  Granted, I took great liberties with this one regarding the colors but that is what artists do!  I experimented with a couple relatively new colors (for me) by Charvin called Coral and Intense Pink and I really like how it turned out.  Not sure you can see the true colors on  your monitor but take my word for it, it is colorful!

Out To Pasture

Out To Pasture

20"x30" oil on canvas

$895.00

Since March 1 of this year I have been immersed in a four month Artist-in-Residency program at Butler Studios.  I was fortunate to be one of four artists in this inaugural program and we were given the opportunity  by Curt Butler to paint 24/7 in the studio.  My focus was to create paintings that allowed me to feature dramatic light and shadow and oftentimes bold color in my landscapes.  This residency forced me to learn to create and/or solve problems on my own without Curt being there to rescue me or give me a pat on the back.  It was a wonderful learning experience and I am very grateful for this opportunity.

At the reception which was held June 27, I had 13 pieces which I felt made the cut.  I worked unsuccessfully for a couple of weeks on one particular 30"x40" which I never could seem to bring to life so it is still turned backwards "in the corner" and will remain there until I can make it behave!

I will be posting now on a more regular basis and will continue to post more of my paintings that were featured in the reception.  

Figure Studies

Grace & Lindsey

14"x11" Oil

I am very blessed to have four beautiful and healthy grandchildren.  In the past few weeks I have attempted the difficult task (for me) of trying to capture them in paint!  It has been a great learning process by helping me to see the subtle value shifts.

Ben

12"x9" Oil

Lindsey

rough sketch

Here are three studies featuring my three younger grandchildren who are now 11, 8 and 4.  These are from photos taken a couple years ago.  My oldest grandchild, Cameron, has not yet been captured.  I am looking for the perfect pose.  It is hard to catch him sitting still because he plays so many sports!    I will keep looking and he will be my next target!

String Lake

String Lake

8"x10" Oil on Canvas

$295.00

Last September I spent a glorious week in Jackson Hole, Wyoming with two artist friends.  We spent the week plein air painting, driving all over Grand Teton National Park, eating (a favorite pastime) and trying to do as much gallery hopping as we could to soak up all the gorgeous artwork displayed in the galleries in downtown Jackson.  We also timed our visit to be able to see the Western Visions Show at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and what a fantastic show that was!

One morning we walked around String Lake snapping photos at every turn and this composition caught my eye.  I recently painted this small 8"x10" for the Guild of Charlotte Artists winter show.  The reception was last night and I was honored to receive an Honorable Mention for it.  I almost fell off my chair when they called my name!  My plan is to use this study for a larger canvas, so stay tuned!

By the way, we just installed photoshop elements 12 and one of the options it gave was to have this frame around my painting so I went for it this time.  Something a little different.

A little bit of organization

ORGANIZING MY TOYS

The month of January usually propels most people to organize, de-clutter and rearrange.  I am no exception and decided to tackle a portion of my studio where many of my "toys" are.  My paint tube supply has grown and grown and I felt the need to group them by color so I can easily reach for a color that I need.

The fabulous Dreama Tolle Perry has a category on her website with a listing for her "Favorite Things" and I have been eyeing this ArtBin IDS box and felt this was my solution to group all my paints so they can be easily seen.

I ordered two ArtBins from Amazon for my smaller tubes of paints and then discovered some very similar plastic containers in our garage that were not being used that would be perfect for my larger tubes.  I have positioned this small bookcase to the left of my easel so all my colors are readily available.  Of course, artists who use a limited palette of colors do not have this problem but my collection of paints was getting out of control and this solves my dilemma.

Dreama uses this box to stand her tubes up so she can easily squeeze out more paint on her palette while she is painting her demos at her workshops and if it is good enough for Dreama, then it is good enough for me!

Set Apart

Set Apart

8"x10" oil on wood panel

$295.00 

There is nothing like doing a still-life painting when you have to dust off your paint brushes after taking a little painting hiatus.

It is the new year and I have so many ideas turning in my head.  I have been looking at a lot of photo references and have several projects in mind, so please stay tuned!

Beatrix Potter Cross Stitch

Grace's Cross Stitch

16"x23" approx

Do NOT adjust your screens!  This is NOT an oil painting!  This is a very detailed Beatrix Potter counted cross stitch that I recently completed for my youngest grandchild - 4 year old Grace.

As I have done for each of my other three grandchildren, I have lovingly created a cross-stitch sampler for them to always treasure.  Before this, I usually completed the sampler within a few months of their birth and the sampler hung in their bedroom near their crib.  The only difference this time is that Grace is old enough that she can now READ what I have made!

These samplers hopefully will be treasured by them and will hang in their homes as they grow up, marry and eventually become parents.  Each of my grandchildren know that I love them very much and it is my hope that they will treasure this gift to them and treat it as an heirloom.  

Providence Gallery Holiday Show

River Stream

24"x30" Oil on Canvas

$995.00

This coming Saturday evening, December 7, 2013, will be the annual Providence Gallery Holiday Show.  Each of the artists in the Gallery will have two pieces hanging for the opening night and the art will be displayed  through the month of January 2014.  Early December is a very busy time for galleries and for those of us who enjoy seeing all the beautiful pieces displayed as we hop from gallery to gallery.  

Winters Gold

24"x30" Oil on Gallery Wrap

$995.00

This is another of my pieces that will hanging in this show.  With all the cold weather we have been having, this is a very appropriate  and inviting scene with all the snow drifts clustered around the buildings and up into the woods behind the barns.  

I would love to see you if you are in the area on Saturday night.  Providence Gallery is located at 601-A Providence Road in Charlotte NC 28207.  Hope to see you there!

SASI Art for Christmas Show

Some of my paintings displayed at SASI

     This is a collage I created  of several of my paintings that are a part of the 2013 Art for Christmas Gift Show at Southern Arts Society in Kings Mountain NC.  The Open House was this past Sunday, November 24, 2013, and the sale will be open daily (except Mondays) until December 28, 2013.

     When I was there last week, the busy volunteers at SASI were at their creative best in turning The Depot into a winter wonderland and decorating the tables and walls with all the fabulous pottery, handmade items and beautiful artwork created by over 75 regional artists.

     The Kings Mountain Art Center (The Depot) is located at 302 N.Piedmont Avenue, Kings Mountain NC 28086.  The phone number is 704-739-5585 and their beautiful website is www.southernartssociety.org  Get started on your Christmas shopping and mark some items off your list!!  Admission is free!

PAP-SE Workshop in Charleston SC - Part 2

 photo of the Shem Creek marsh I completed on Thursday afternoon

     For Day 3 we returned to Shem Creek to watch the very entertaining Larry Moore create one of his famous boat scenes from the dock.  He is a master of drawing lines that follow the rules of perspective to create believable weather-beaten fishing boats.

Larry Moore explaining hard/soft edges and the warm/cool vibrations of color temps.

     Each of these three masters imparted so many wonderful techniques to use.  It is now our duty to study and paint, paint and paint some more!

     It was exciting to meet so many PAP-SE members at the Wet Paint Show on Friday night which showcased all their efforts that they created all week long.  Their beautiful paintings were in three different galleries along Broad Street.  Again it was so exciting to see their beautiful creations in person.    

      This workshop was a great excuse to reunite with four friends.  We had taken a workshop in Atlanta back in 2012 and this was a good way to reconnect with them and spend some good ART time with them. We ate our way through Charleston and sampled the delights at Magnolias, Slightly North of Broad, Vickery's, Water's Edge and Eli's Table.  We even made a late-night run to River Street Sweets near the market for some pralines!

     It was an incredible week and I am so blessed to have had this experience.  It was exhausting but SO MUCH FUN.

PAP-SE Workshop in Charleston SC - Part 1

     This past Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I was one of 15 lucky students able to participate in a three-day PAP-SE workshop in Charleston sponsored by PAP-SE and Galerie on Broad.  Each day we had a different instructor painting in a different location.  Jim Richards, Bill Davidson and Larry Moore were the fabulous instructors this year.  They each did a demo in the morning, followed by lunch and then we fanned out and it was our turn to try to create something based on what they taught that morning.

     Day one started with a demo across the street from the gallery.  Jim Richards painted his light-filled street scene emphasizing sunlight and shadow in a value sketch of three values.  He then added color slowly to create an inviting Broad Street scene.

Jim Richards using a piece of cardboard to blur, soften and lose the edges.

     Day two took us out to Shem Creek Park where Bill Davidson showed us how to construct a marsh scene where composition and design are paramount and showed how shape and value are critical to a good painting.

Bill Davidson showing how to create depth in his marsh scene.

Tomorrow I will finish my recap with Part 2.

Jane's Hydrangeas

Jane's Hydrangeas

11"x14"

Oil on Panel

          Before my summer hydrangeas lost all their color, I wanted to capture them one more time in paint.

          This painting will be given to two very dear friends of more than 40 years when we fly to visit them later this week in Birmingham, Alabama.  Long-term and true friends are rare and golden and we are very fortunate to have Jane and Gene in our lives.  We have shared so many wonderful adventures and memories with them over the years and have travelled to so many wonderful locales with them.  Can't wait to see them and create new memories with them.  We are truly blessed!

Haywood County Barn

Haywood County Barn

11"x14" Oil on Canvas

     This is a perfect example of what five years growth in art will do!

     We recently had the interior of our home painted and I have been slowly putting things back where they were and in many cases doing a bit of rearranging to change things up a bit.

     This old barn is in western North Carolina and is across the highway from a cemetery where generations of my family (including both of my parents) are buried.  It is a place I have visited hundreds of times since I was a very little girl.  I did not want to rehang this older painting which I painted several years ago so I decided to paint a new one today and the older, original version is below.  Notice that I went outside the lines a bit on this newer one.  My teacher would be proud!

The Blue Door

The Blue Door

9"x12" Oil On Panel

$325.00

     This is a plein-air piece done in downtown Matthews along the side of Matthews Elementary School.  The more I painted, the more it began to resemble an adobe hut in Santa Fe!  The school really had a bright blue side door but the colors for the brick that I chose made it look more and more adobe-like.  Go figure! It is whatever you want it to be!

Summertime Arrangement

Summertime Arrangement

24"x24" Oil on Canvas

$695.00 framed

     This past Wednesday I attended a one-day still-life workshop.  We spent the morning doing quick value studies from a multitude of set ups ranging from a pair of scissors hung on a wall to red plastic chillies.  For the afternoon session I decided to paint some luscious pink hydrangeas brought in by one of the other workshop attendees.  

     Granted these flowers may not resemble pink hydrangeas but I was pleased that I was successful in using a variety of brushstrokes and palette knife swipes to render the suggestion of flowers.

The Bag

The Bag

6"x8" Oil on Raymar Panel

$125.00 framed

     In my attempt to teach my eyes to "see", I have been trying to focus a little more on still life setups. 

     This is a bag from Tiffany's from my trip to New York City last November with my daughter Kim.  She bought a ring for herself and I kept the bag as a prop! 

Happy

Happy

10"x8" Oil on Panel

$295.00 framed

     I'm back!!!!  I have been off the radar for about a month with this blog.  I think I just allowed myself to get out of the routine of blogging.  I've been in a artistic slump like all artists go through occasionally but I think I am about to the end.  Thank goodness!!  

     During the month of May I have been participating in Leslie Saeta's 30 days of marketing and I have learned SO MUCH.  The amount of information and  knowledge that is out there is totally amazing and it is slowly filtering into my brain.  Thank you Leslie for sharing with all of us artists out here...we have all learned so much this past month.

     This "Happy" painting is my rendition of a handful of posies just waiting to be given to someone.  The energetic brushstrokes just made me "happy" when I look at it so I decided to call it just that! This painting is one of two entries that I have entered into the Guild of Charlotte Artists judged show at Christ Episcopal Church here in Charlotte at 1412 Providence Road.  There are over 80 pieces of artwork hanging so stop by and walk the halls to view some beautiful and colorful paintings.

Collage

Collage

      The month of May is stretching me to expand my technology horizons!!!!!  Leslie Saeta has invited artists to participate in her 30 Days of Marketing Challenge.  Today's challenge is to create a collage of some of our paintings and this is what I created in about 10 minutes!  One of Leslie's favorite phrases is: "It's easy!"  Sometimes she is right and sometimes she is wrong, but this really was easy.  Leslie, I need to trust you more often!  Thank you for making me stretch and accomplish things that I have never done before.

Twilight

Twilight

24"x12" Oil on Linen

Gallery Wrap

$425.00

     I am participating in Leslie Saeta's 30-day marketing challenge.  Our mission today (day 2) is to select a painting that we really like that still has not found a new home.  

     "Twilight" is my interpretation of a grouping of trees in Yellowstone National Park.  The color on my monitor does not show the true colors of this painting but take my word for it, it is unusual and colorful!  Granted, this clump of trees did not have turquoise or lavender foliage but this painting certainly does!

Around the Bend

Around The Bend

16"x16" Oil on Canvas

$500.00 framed

     This is a high-key painting from a photo we took several years ago on a trip to Yellowstone National Park.  We were driving through the Hayden Valley area and came across several cars pulled off to the side of the road - a sure sign something like a black bear has been sighted.  It wasn't a bear but a fox den and when we got our binoculars out we could see mama fox and a couple babies sunning themselves in the bright June sunshine.  

     I took a lot of artistic license with this photo and really changed it up to suit my purpose.  I have painted this photo before and that painting was much more literal.  I much prefer this version with its bright colors.

Pink Riot

Pink Riot

12"x12" Oil on Canvas

$350.00 framed

     "Pink Riot" is just a fun little piece that I did with a palette knife that hopefully will catch the eye of someone who needs a little PINK in their life!  What pre-teen girl's bedroom or even a laundry room, kitchen or bathroom couldn't  use some color to brighten up a corner.

     This is one of several pieces that I will have for sale at the 31st annual Charlotte Country Day School Art Sale which will be held at the Cannon Library on the CCDS campus.  The art sale will be held beginning Thursday, April 18 and will continue through Saturday, April 20.  This will be my 4th year to participate in this art show which is their biggest fundraiser of the year-Big Saturday.  Come on out!

Beaufort Marsh

Beaufort Marsh

18"x24" Oil on Linen Gallery Wrap

Donated

     About 1 1/2 years ago, Steve and I spent a long weekend at the vacation home of a patron of mine who used to live in Charlotte but now lives in Beaufort SC.  She wanted a fall scene with the fabulous autumn colors hitting the marshes so we snapped about a hundred photos of various spots around Beaufort.  She loved her autumn marsh scene that I did for her and those photos have given me lots of subject matter for future paintings.

     "Beaufort Marsh" is from one of those many photos.  Recently I was asked by another patron here in Charlotte to donate a painting to a cause she is co-chairing and I have donated this painting to the 60th annual Room to Bloom Celebration which is an annual fundraiser for the Mint Museum of Charlotte.  The silent auction will be held April 17 at Charlotte Country Club.

Backside Barn

Backside Barn

20"x24" Oil on Canvas

$895.00 framed

     I'm sure most of you have painted a total "dud" which you hated but somehow figured out how to resurrect it.  That is what happened to this "Backside Barn".  The demolition started with the front of the barn with an opening which to me was like a bullseye  target so I painted over it and boarded up the wall!  Bringing the sky color onto the walls of the barn changed its appearance immensely changing it from brown tans to these high key colors.  

     I'm not ashamed of this one now!

Winters Gold

24"x30" Oil 

Gallery Wrap

     This cluster of buildings sitting in the snowy woods gives me a real sense of coziness and solitude.  All the cool blues, both in the shadows and on the rooftops, contribute to the comfortable yet wintry setting.  Yet the pops of gold let you be assured that the sun is still shining and hitting the sides of the buildings and warming the insides.  Wouldn't you just love to be holed up in this cozy place reading a good book while waiting for the spring thaws?

Morning Light

Morning Light

16"x16" Oil on gallery wrap canvas

$425.00 

     Have you ever looked through a clothing catalog and see a photo with a color palette that really catches your eye?  That happened to me when I looked through one and came across a photo with a woman wearing a winter coat and hat sitting in a grassy field with mountains off in the distance.  I really thought the colors were so eye-catching that I decided that I would love to incorporate those colors in my painting and that is how this painting was created.  I am rather pleased with how this turned out but I hate to shop and therefore rarely look at catalogs.  Maybe I should to get some more color inspiration!

     Today marks my one-year anniversary blogging.  I don't blog on a weekly basis but feel I need to get more regular with my posts.  I owe it all to attending that fabulous workshop with Dreama Tolle Perry and Leslie Byrd Saeta just a little more than a year ago.  They stressed how important it is to SHARE your art and I must say I love looking at what others share with me via Facebook or through the numerous blogs I subscribe to in my e-mail.  Art enriches my life!  I hope you enjoy some Morning Light!