Daily Painting, "Blue Ridge Barn" 6x8"

During the hot summer months, we leave hot and humid Florida and head for the mountains of North Carolina.

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96

I am always attracted to the many shapes and character of the old barns that are found around every corner.
This one is located in the Smokey Mountain National Park, at the visitor center next to the Cherokee entrance.

It is not an original barn, but a replication that stands on the "pioneer farm" that is behind the center.

I cannot wait to get back in the cool and beautiful mountains this year.  Where do you go for summer vacation?

Daily Painting, "Intrecoastal Dock" 8x10, Oil, SOLD

If you have ever driven US1, down the eastern coast of Florida, you have probably seen the scene replicated many times.

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SOLD

With every major storm or hurricane, these old docks become fewer and fewer.  Many were destroyed in our area during the four hurricanes we experienced in 2004.  Boats dangled from trees or were thrown across US 1.

This depicts a much calmer day, just as the sun is starting to leave the sky.

The beautiful colors of the sky reflect in the water.

I hope your day is calm and colorful too!

Daily Painting, "Lowering the Sails", Original Oil

My husband and I used to own a sail boat.  Living on the coast of Florida, we spent a lot of time sailing the intercoastal waterway.

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95

We loved to find a special little spot, throw out the anchor, lower the sails, and have a little picnic or a glass of wine.

Our best times were with our friends and boat co-owners, Rose and Randy.  It was so pleasant to spend time with them without the distractions of everyday life getting in the way.  No noise, no phones, just good friends and good food.

Daily Painting, Original Oil Landscape, "Beach TIme" SOLD

Now that summer is officially here,  I thought I would post my latest beach painting.

SOLD

A day at the beach is always a good day, and for me, morning is the best time to visit.

I added a little texture to the panel, before painting, and then used my palette knife to describe the sea oats and other beach vegetation.

Hope you enjoy your first summer weekend!

16x20" Palette Knife Daily Painting, "Coastal Collision"

A few years ago, I was in the low country of South Carolina, when I did a photo shoot on the marshes.  I love the look of the marsh when a big storm moves in on it's way to the coast.

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595.

When the cool ocean breezes collide with the hot air over the interior of the state,  it produces monster rains.  Usually they are fierce, but short, dropping their rain and moving on quickly.

I like to build up layers of thick paint, with plenty of texture and colors.

When the rains come, you know the long hot summer days are here again.

Daily Abstract Painting, "Fire and Ice" 8x9"

This little piece is a mixed media abstract painted on a wood panel.

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90

It started out with molding paste, and acrylics.  Soon I switched to oils and a palette knife.

As you can see here, I included a bit of screening.  There is also some silver foil, which is not very visible in these images, but gives off a nice reflection in the evening.

There is also plenty of texture!

Daily Painting, Landscape, "Mountain Majesty" 6x8" SOLD

I enjoy doing these little wildflower paintings.  This one is from a photo taken in 1968 when I lived in Denver.

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95

Of course, back then, I didn't paint.  I was busy being an Air Force wife, with two babies in tow.

The mountains have not changed much over the years, but everything else has.  The babies have their own babies now, my husband is long retired from the Air Force, and I spend my days painting.

What was once a way of life for me, now seems like a distant dream.  Maybe that is why God gave us mountains and oceans, so that we would have some consistency in our lives.

Have a great weekend!

Daily Painting| Wildlife Art | Bird Painting| Small Oil Painting | The Hunt by Carol Schiff 8x10" Oil SOLD

We spent a few days on Sanibel recently.  It is such a lovely experience, like living in the middle of a nature preserve.

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150

I ran into this guy on an early morning walk.  He was under the causeway and all business.

It was only a matter of minutes before he had his breakfast.

It must have been a favorite fishing spot in the area, because he was surrounded by lazy pelicans (they were watching, not working) and several fishermen in boats.  None of this seem to bother him.



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Daily Abstract Painting, "Abstractions of the Mind" 20x16", Oil

Abstract painting is not the norm for me, therefore, it is usually not relaxing either.  For some unknown reason, this one was the exception.

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495

Planning probably made the difference.  I have a DVD of an abstract artist who advocates just slapping on color and letting it go where it will.  It works well for him.  For me, not so much.

So I found an old canvas, one I had started a painting and never finished.  I sketched in the basics of my composition and then reviewed some of my images and decided what colors I wanted to use.

Some areas show  pieces of the original painting peaking through.

It was a nice change of pace from my usual painting techniques.

Daily Painting | Abstract Painting | Small Oil Painting | Wishful Thinking by Carol Schiff | 14x11" SOLD

Well, it has happened again.........I had the urge to try my hand at abstract again.

SOLD

I was determined to do a mixed media  abstract, get out my many Golden mediums, and just have a fun day playing.  Kind of like kindergarten.  Why did I think that?

Don't I know that mixed media abstract is one of the most stressful things I can try?  Why don't I remember that my mind goes blank, that I'm not one of those people that can stand in front of a blank canvas and pick up a brush without a plan?

Why do I always think, this time it will be different?

Well it wasn't.  I worked at least 4, maybe 5 hours with my Golden mediums, getting the texture just right, carefully choosing the acrylic colors, blah, blah, blah.  It was a mess.

The next day, I sanded down as much as I could,  turned to my beloved oils, and ended up with this result.  Something I can live with.  Something that might give me a tad more confidence the next time I decide to do an abstract.  Something that I really kind of ........ like.  NEVER GIVE UP!!



www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com
www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com

Daily Painting, Sailboats "Fun In The Sun" 6x8"SOLD

Living in Florida, we have lots of areas of water and lots of sun.

SOLD

When we had our sailboat, we would often spend Sundays on the water.  One day, we came upon a regatta of small boats, swirling around, completing their course.

We got out of the way and anchored, broke out a bottle of wine and settled in to watch the action.  The activity went on for some time with over 30 entries in the race.

Just one of the many reasons I love living in Florida!

Have a great day!

30x40" Original Oil Painting "A Spinnaker Day" SOLD

For years, I have been painting small daily paintings, day after day, month after month.  I liked the instant gratification,  starting a new project every day, no build up of huge inventory to clog my closets and under my beds.

SOLD

Now, I find myself getting a little bored with the same routine and I'm trying to fit some larger pieces into my schedule.

This one was very interesting to do.  It is a palette knife painting and I had lots of fun working on it.  I have changed my technique with a palette knife and ended up with a painting with plenty of texture.

I enjoyed working on this piece and plan to attempt more large works on a regular basis.