Sunday, January 29, 2017

Angelfish Oil Painting, Wildlife Painting, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting SOLD, "Angels on Parade, 8x16x.75" Oil

I am still reliving memories of my trip to the coral reefs off Key Largo last summer.  Today's painting  is inspired by that trip.

SOLD
 Something great happened with this painting......I really liked it!!  I love the texture, the hues, just about everything.  I guess I shouldn't be saying that about my own work, but I do!

I really enjoyed painting this piece and I think it shows.  I think it is important that an artist expresses their feelings in their work and I feel I was able to do that with this piece.  I was not trying to replicate an image, or colors, or even a composition.  I admit I was thinking about a companion piece to the one below.

Fishy School
Purchase here
It was a really good feeling to create these two pieces, more or less, out of my head, and I hope to do more of this in the future.

I have one more fishy piece to show you in my next post.

Thanks for reading my blog today.

Carol Schiff

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

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

A Daily Painter Questions the BIG PLAN

Traditionally, January is when we evaluate our performance over the last twelve months, and look at the direction we are headed.

Artistically, I see nothing but question marks.  I want to have a clear plan, a path to follow and mark my progress, but alas, it evades me.


I looked through my posts from last year, and picked out my favorite pieces, hoping against hope that they will tell me where I am headed.



 Abstract Expressionism?


Maybe....


Thick Paint?

 Impressionism?




 Brushwork?
 Knife?

Really thin paint?




Or does it really matter?



All this thinking is making my head hurt!  

I am happy I found this many pieces, from last year, that speak to ME.  I am happy with them which makes me happy with me.

Maybe 2017 will find me treading the straight and narrow.....but somehow, I don't think so.

Thank you all, for joining me on my crazy, unplanned journey!

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Fish Oil Painting, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting, 8x16x.75" Palette Knife Painting

This painting was inspired by a trip to Key Largo's coral reefs.  It was thrilling watching the brightly colored tropical fish in their natural habitat.

Purchase here

I started with a brush, but soon had a palette knife in my hand.


I also started with a photo, but soon found my own way.  I made the fish plumper, deleted their stripes, just enjoyed the process and the freedom to do what came naturally.

As I worked the paint got thicker and thicker.  It was a fun and relaxing day in the studio.  I came away feeling good!

Enjoy the moment!

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com
www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Lemon On Tree Painting, 9x12 Oil Painting, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting

This one has been hanging around for awhile, no pun intended!  Sometimes, it seems the most simple objects are the hardest for me.  I struggled to get the correct shape and shading on this lemon until I was ready to pull out my hair.


I should have put my brushes away that day and gone shopping, have lunch with a friend, anything but paint!


It sat in my studio for months, mocking me, this lemon of a lemon.  Finally I worked up the courage to finish it and put it away.

Some days just don't work!

Thanks for viewing my blog today.

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Figurative Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 14x18" Figurative Oil Painting "Just another Sunset", SOLD

This painting was a Christmas commission of two young sisters.

SOLD
I love the composition of this painting.  Two loving sisters, with that protective arm around the little one.


The big challenge here was to represent the beautiful sunset, without allowing it to become the bride of the painting.


 My client was wonderful, commissioning me way back in August, which allowed me plenty of time to complete this painting.



Thanks so much for viewing my blog today.


Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Dog Painting, Pet Portrait, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting, 8x10" Oil Painting, SOLD

Today's post features a commission I was asked to do.  My customer wanted a large print of the family pet to give as a gift to her daughter.  She sent me several images of her dog Bennett.

Of course, I could not do a print, without an original painting, so we decided on a 8x10" oil.

SOLD

She chose what I considered the worst image.  She wanted a horizontal painting and the image was vertical.  She didn't want the background to be too strong and in the image, the right eye of the dog was in such deep shadow, it was practically invisible.  But........she felt this image captured the spirit of her pet.  We made it work!

She was thrilled with the final image and now she owns the original and her daughter has the large print.

Commissions can often be difficult.  It is hard to get in the head of your client, and translate their expectations to canvas and paint.  When it happens...it's a thing of beauty!

Thanks for visiting my blog today.


 Carol Schiff

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Pet Portrait, Dog Painting, Small Oil Paint, Daily Painting, 6x8" Oil Painting SOLD

Several months ago, I did a post consisting of dogs I have painted over the years.  The post generated a new commission from a high school friend who follows my blog.

SOLD
She sent me several images, but this was her favorite.  I had admired this image on facebook.  It was a picture of her, with her pup on her lap, both of them staring intensely into the camera.

Sadly, this sweet dog is no longer with us.  My friend was so affected by the painting, she cried when she saw it.  I was affected by her response and got a little teary eyed too.