Grape Painting "In the Vineyard" 9x12" Oil Original

When I was on my girls trip to North Carolina last month, one of our side trips was to a vineyard.  It was a beautiful place with a mountain stream weaving through the grounds and row after row of grapes growing up the side of the mountain.

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I have been interested in painting fruit still on the tree, so I took the opportunity to stick my camera into the vine and capture this miracle in action.

It was a beautiful sunny day, but deep in the vine, the sun was dappled.  What could be prettier than nature's bounty.

I have recently listed about 75 paintings for sale at 1/2 price for a short period of time.  Click here to check them out.  This is a time limited sale, so if you see something there that you like, do not hesitate.  In a few weeks the items that did not sell will go back to regular price.  Think Christmas!

     

Daily Painting, Sunflower Painting, 6x12" SOLD

I wanted to squeeze in one more sunflower painting before the trees are bare and the snow starts to fly.

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This tall sunflower is not as perky as he once was, but I had lots of fun with the format and my trusty palette knife.

I don't always plan to use a palette knife, some paintings just demand it.  This is one of those.  It was one of those paintings that was just fun to do, one that left me relaxed and happy.

I wish I could say, they all have that effect on me.  Does painting always make you happy, or do you sometimes end up drained, with tense shoulders and neck?

Let's hear it for the happy ones!

Daily Painting, SOLD "Red Berries and Leaves" 8x10" Small Landscape

The image for this painting came from an autumn hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  I love being there this time of year when color is everywhere.

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I was attracted to this image because of the unusual color and also by the abstract qualities of the branches.

Blogger is up to it's old tricks this morning, not behaving at all, and insisting on putting my second image at the top of the post.  I had this problem a few weeks ago, then it magically disappeared, now it is back!  ARGH!!!!!!!

Daily Painting, Apple on the Branch, 6x8, Oil SOLD

Last week I posted an apple, growing on the tree in my favorite North Carolina orchard.  Today I am posting another apple painting from the same location.

I think North Carolina must be the land of milk and honey.  Everything seems to grow so well there.  I have a little garden at my second home there, and it seems to flourish whether I am around or not.  Maybe even better when I am not there.  I tend to "mother" a lot of plants to death.

Never the less, I am always astounded when I witness perfectly good fruit hanging around on trees! It seems like such a special sight to me.   I guess I have spent too much time in super markets and too little time on the farm.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.......go pick an apple!

Mossy Oak, 9x12, SOLD

A very nice woman sent me several of her husband's gorgeous photographs, and asked if I would paint from them.  I was happy to do so and today I want to share one with you.

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The photo showed an old oak, back lit by the late afternoon sun.  I did my best to capture the sun's glow.
I sent her several images along the way, asking for her preference about this and that.

I feel this was a real achievement  between the  three of us.

We will be working together on several more pieces.  I am sure they will become family favorites because of the interaction of these two wonderful clients.

Daily Painting, "Apple on the Tree" 6x8", Oil Original, SOLD

My favorite place to be in the fall is North Carolina.  A few weeks ago we were visiting our favorite orchard there and found the trees full of gorgeous red apples.

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The orchard was over run with customers buying fresh apples, cider, jams and jellies, and my favorite..............fresh baked goods!  You have not lived until you have bitten into one of their fresh apple cider donuts or apple fritters or pies.  I was lucky to get out of there with only one sack of donuts in my arms.

As a kid in Ohio, fall brings memories of fallen leaves and hay rides.  After the hay rides we always had hot donuts and apple cider, so I love repeating this tasty treat every fall.

Even here in Florida, there is a tiny taste of fall in the air.A few days ago my friends and I met for lunch and SAT OUTSIDE instead of seeking out air conditioning.  Actually, I always think the October and November are the best kept secret in Florida.  Gorgeous weather and lots of outside activity.

Landscape Marsh Sunset Painting, 12x6" SOLD Daily Painting

I have been working on a few commissions lately.  I find it to be an interesting project as I am working from the viewpoint of someone else.

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In this case, a wonderful woman, Nancy, has sent me images that her talented husband photographed, and asked me to interpret them in oil.  I have really enjoyed working with Nancy, as she is open to my suggestions and at the same time, is able to communicate to me exactly what she wants.

I find it to be much more harrowing than simply painting for myself, but also very exciting.
We went for a non-traditional composition in this case, which we feel will compliment her other artwork.

On this piece, I was able to stop trying to over think and paint the way I think she would like it (tighter, more lost edges, softer color????) and just paint the way it seemed to naturally flow.  The result.....I loved it and so did she!  Thank you Nancy, for having such confidence in my work.

Plein Air Landscape, 6x8, Oil SOLD

I don't often paint out of the studio, but recently I spent a week in North Carolina with my paint group, Pieces of Eight.  We didn't paint as much as we usually do on our retreats, but we did get a few days in.

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We went to a beautiful location, Grandfather Vineyard, near Boone, and painted on the grounds.  Tables and chairs we set up on the bank of the stream and customers would bring their bottles of wine and glasses and enjoy an hour or two.

It was a beautiful, sunny fall day and we enjoyed our painting session.  When we had put our brushes away, we purchased a few bottles of wine and enjoyed a lively art discussion in this wonderful location.  I took lots of photos and have several from Grandfather Vineyards that I plan to paint soon.

Floral, Still Life, Sunflower, Daily Painting, Oil, SOLD

A couple of years ago, I spent a wonderful week at Seven Devils, North Carolina with my group of art buddies, Pieces of Eight.  Cindy, who hosted us that year, proved once again to be the perfect hostess.  She had many art related activities planned for us.   We toured museums, galleries and several artist's  studios.  I didn't get much painting done, but I made up for it with plenty of inspiration from my photos.

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I photographed this sunflower at Grandfather Vineyard, and painted from it in my comfortable studio.  I hope someday I get to the point of knowing what a painting will look like before I start it.  I am not there now.  I started this with something completely different in mind, but I am happy with the results.

I enjoy doing works with plenty of texture.  I think it brings an additional quality to the piece and I like the way viewers want to reach out and touch it.

Are you able to choreograph where you want your painting to go, or are you flying by the seat of your pants like me?

Still Life Daily Painting, Wine Bottles SOLD

One of my favorite times of the day is late evening when I can grab that book or turn on the television to my favorite show and relax with a nice glass of wine.

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I set some bottles up in the window sill to get the back lighting, and also got a nice reflection under one of the bottles.  When I started digging through my canvases, I found a 6x12" which was perfect for the composition.

The perfect kitchen decor!