GO GATORS!!

In honor of my granddaughter who just got accepted into the University of Florida!!

Photographed today at Viera Wetlands.  This is one of three gators we saw....just one of the many joys of living in Florida.

Not my usual post.....just wanted to wake you up!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

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.

SOLD

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.

Daily Painting, "The Sun Kisses the Sea" 8x10 SOLD

This painting is another from my trip to Sanibel Island earlier this summer.

Purchase here
SOLD

It is very much a nature reserve with stunningly beautiful scenes in every direction.  I am sure the people who reside there become jaded, maybe they long for that haunting beauty of a desert.

Where ever you live, there is beauty, you just have to be able to see it.

Daily Painting "Morning Sail" 6x8 Oil Landscape SOLD

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. 
--Mark Twain 







Purchase Here
SOLD

The thing about sailing, is that it looks like a lot more fun than it actually is.  I know, I know, that's just my opinion, so please don't get upset!  I enjoyed my days on the boat and I still love to spend an afternoon sailing.

Now, when I see a sail boat heading out on a beautiful sunny day, it seems like a little piece of paradise.
The real thing  almost never beats out imagination.  It's easy to forget the day the sail ripped or the day we sailed home in a raging storm with lightening strikes all around us.

Today, I will imagine....and paint about it.

Happy Birthday to my baby girl, Shelly!

Daily Painting, "Beach Vollyball", 6x8" Oil SOLD

When you are a teenager, or in your twenties, this is what many would think of as the "perfect day"

Purchase here
SOLD

These days, I much prefer to paint it, than actually do it!  I do remember those days when there was never too much sun, spending the day encrusted with salt and sand.

When I go to the beach these days, it is early morning or early evening....and hopefully October!  The best kept secret  in Florida is that October and November are the months WITH PERFECT WEATHER!!

Daily Painting, "Sanibel Beach Cottage" 6x8, oil SOLD

Still posting paintings from my trip to Sanibel.  How could I pass up this adorable cottage on the beach?

Purchase here
SOLD

The lucky owner's get to view the sea from every window!  Of course, being the practical gal that I am, I cannot help but think how scary it would be during a hurricane.  In Florida, when a hurricane is threatening your area, if you live on the beach, you must abandon your home and find another place to stay until the storm has passed.

I am sorry to say that this little beauty would probably not survive a direct hit from a bad storm.  Not to mention the incredibly high insurance cost for such a location.  Even paradise has it's drawbacks.

See, I told you I was too practical!

Daily Painting, "Going Coconuts", Landscape, 6x8, Oil

This is another of my daily paintings from my trip to Sanibel Island in May.

Purchase here
95

My daughter and I were getting our exercise, taking a little walk before it was too hot one morning, trying to dodge all the people on bicycles without getting hit, when I saw this palm loaded with coconuts.

We live in Florida and see lots of palm trees, but our area is further north and coconut palms are not as common there.  There is a lot going on under those palms, all kinds of fibers hanging, old dried up fronds and other miscellaneous materials and of course, the coconuts.  It almost has an abstract quality.

Enjoy!

Daily Oil Painting, Birds, "Waverunners" 12x12" SOLD

These birds were my constant companions on early morning walks on the beaches of Sanibel.

SOLD

After 40+ years of seeing the sun rise over the Atlantic, it seemed odd to see it rise from behind the dunes at the Gulf of Mexico.

I used both brush and palette knife on this one.  I like the contrast of texture achieved in this way.

The birds ignored me and my camera, knowing they could move much faster then I can.

Carol Schiff

Daily Painter, "All In A Row" 4x12" Original Oil SOLD

Last month we spent a few days at Sanibel.  Each morning I would walk down the path to the sea, surrounded by sea grapes.

SOLD

As I would approach the the beach, the tops of brightly colored tents would come into view.

Soon the beach would be alive with beach goers, some of which, spent the whole day under the tents.  One group of men would carry table and chairs down each morning, and spend the day playing dominos on the beach.

I was more of a wimp and  limited my beach time to early morning and early evening,  less crowds and less heat!

Daily Painting, Oil, "The Beach at Sanibel", 6x8" SOLD

A recent trip to Sanibel brought me plenty of images to paint. Of course, the beach had to be the star.

SOLD

I had not visited the area for many, many years, and I must admit that I forgot how beautiful it is.  The water is aqua and clear, much like the tropical waters of the Caribbean Islands.

I passed this little group of sea oats every morning on the path to the sea.  My favorite activity was to walk the beach as the sun was rising, with only the occasional fisherman or shell hunter and lots of pelicans and gulls  for company.

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.

Purchase here
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.

Purchase here
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, 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!

Daily Painting, Original Oil, "Pelican Portrait" 8x6" SOLD

Here it is FRIDAY and PELICAN WEEK is quickly drawing to a close.

SOLD

Today, I am posting several of my favorite pelicans from the past.  This guy was hanging out at a fishing pier, waiting for a chance to get lucky with a fisherman's catch.

SOLD

This group looked like they were out on patrol.......maybe looking for unlucky mullet or possibly chasing the herons away.

SOLD

I found this one, early one morning, hanging out at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club.  So, of course, I called this painting "Just hanging out".

And now, one more..............

SOLD

Hey!!!  WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING HERE?????!!!!???

Isn't that just like a couple of gulls to barge in where they don't belong!

I am taking the weekend off, to celebrate the holiday, so I will see you Tuesday for the final post of PELICAN WEEK.........NO GULLS ALLOWED!

Daily Painting, Original Oil, Birds, "The Loner"

A wonderful bird is the pelican.........

Purchase here
100

His bill will hold more than his belly can.

He can take in his beak
Enough food for a week.........

But I'm damned if I see how the hell he can!
Unknown

That is a little poem from my childhood days.  I lived in Ohio, my grandparents in Florida.  My grandmother had a postcard of a pelican that included that poem.  Florida seemed like a magical place to me then, and the poem stayed with me through the years.

Join me tomorrow for more of Pelican Week!

Daily Painting, Birds, "Pelican Patrol" 6x18" sold

You may notice that these are not your everyday type of pelicans.  Most pelicans are brown and gray and kind of dull, unless they are a breeding male, their heads turn yellow during breeding season.

sold

These beautiful birds, are larger, and a little on the rare side.  I found these in Sebastian, Florida where a large colony lives.

I think they are much more attractive with their brightly colored orange beaks and feet.  They seem to get along just fine with the brown guys.

Daily Painting, Floral, "Red Hibiscus" 6x8" SOLD

Hibiscus is one of my favorite flowers.  They are very tropical, hula girls always have them behind their ears, and they come in a variety of colors and sizes.

Purchase here
SOLD

This is a common type that I found planted behind the Eau Gallie Library.  I went there early one morning on a photo shoot, looking for stray pelicans and egrets that usually hand around the fishing pier behind the library.  No birds in sight.....also no fishermen.  I was just about to drive away when I noticed the flowers, turned to the morning light.

So, it was not a wasted trip after all.  It is always a wonderful feeling to be out in nature in the morning stillness.

I am trying to get my art to Times Square...you can help.  Just click here and click on the "collect" button at the top of the page!

Happy Weekend!