"Sea Drifter" 16x20" Oil, Boat Painting, SOLD and Studio Sale

The painting I am featuring today is a commission piece.  My wonderful client sent her husband's photographic images to me and asked that I use them as reference.

SOLD

I worked with a palette knife and tried to capture the spirit of the scene.  The image she sent me was so beautiful.  I was thrilled when she expressed her approval.

On another note, I am running my first ever half price sale on some of my  small daily paintings on my Etsy site, here.  The paintings are selling fast,  so THINK CHRISTMAS!  The sale ends November 30th and any remaining paintings will return to full price.  Below are a few of the many available.

Still Life Daily Painting "Two of a Kind" 6x8, SOLD

SOLD

One of my favorite things to paint is a pear, especially if it involves back lighting.

Back lighting makes everything look dramatic, and my husband will tell you that no one loves drama more than I do!

There is a new week ahead....make the most of it!

SEA OATS, 4x12, OIL, SOLD

A view of paradise from the top of the dunes.  It was a mighty fine summer!

Purchase here
$99.

LEMONS OF CAMPO DI' FIORI, 8X10

Campo di' Fiori is an ancient piazza in Rome where people still live and work.  I lived there for one week in a wonderful apartment that has probably been there since the days of the first pope.  On the Saturday I was there the piazza was devoted to a farmer's market. I found these wonderful lemons that taste similar to lemons we are familiar with, but are huge and lumpy.  It was a great week in Roma!

Purchase here
$149

A GATHERING OF LEMON, 6X8, OIL, SOLD

This started out as one of my usual paintings.  I don't know what happened...but I decided I like it and it was fun.

Purchase here 
$80

LONG SHADOWS, 5X7, OIL, SOLD

I have been playing with the palette knife off and on for the last month and I'm begining to get quite fond of it.  For me, it is a nice change when you get those "painting blues".

TEAPOT WITH LOTUS BOWL, 8X10, OIL, SOLD

Tea anyone?  Have you noticed that teapots are one of my favorite subjects?  I also have always been drawn to all things oriental, so, this seems to be the perfect subject matter for me.

Purchase here
SOLD

RIVERSIDE PALMS, 10X8, OIL SOLD

Lately, I have been frustrated fighting with my paintbrush, so, I tried the palette knife a few times.  It is nice to have an option when you are battling fatigue and burnout.  I think I need to go on a photo shoot in the hopes that I can get excited about painting again.  I have had this happen before and I know the cure.

SOLD

MOUNTAIN POPPIES, 5x5, OIL

I find it hard to believe that summer is gone.  One of the disadvantages of living in Florida  is that we have not had much of a weather change yet.  It is hard to get excited when instead of 95 degree days we are having 91 degree days.  If it wasn't for the stores who have displays of colorful leaves and pumpkins, we would still be wearing white!  As a result, here I am, still painting summer scenes!

Purchase here

7:15 AM, 18 SEPTEMBER 2010, MELBOURNE, FL, OIL, 6X8 SOLD

We are having the most unusual weather patterns this year.  September is not usually a nice month to be here.  It is still hot and muggy with lots of tropical disturbances which make for gray and windy days.
This year is another story.  Beautiful, dry, days that remind me of our October and November weather.  As a result, we are also having the most beautiful and colorful sunrises and sunsets.  You know what they say about silver linings..I guess this is it.

BRIDGE ON CONLEY'S CREEK, 8X10, OIL, SOLD

When I visit North Carolina, I always try to take a few walks down our road.  There is a sweet, tiny church, a nice campground, plenty of vacation cabins and this nice stone bridge.  Every time I go it seems to change.  Everyone flocks to the area this time of the year for the fall foliage, which is stunning, but the spring show is just as beautiful.   Full of pastel colors, pinks, grays, lavenders...it seems everywhere you look there is something in bloom.  It's a softer, gentler,  more muted beauty than the bright reds, oranges and yellows you see there this time of the year.

Purchase here
SOLD

THE END OF SUMMER, 5X7, OIL, SOLD

You know summer is really over when the sunflowers wither and die.   As much as I love summer, I also love fall, and I have my fingers crossed that I will be in the mountains next month, during that magical week they call "Peak".  Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina.........

Purchase here

BIRD OF PARADISE, 8X10, OIL

A fun little painting that gave me a chance to do some work with the palette knife.

Purchase here

MOUNTAIN CHURCH II, 6X8, OIL, SOLD

If you follow this blog you may remember a post from last week of a mountain church.  This is number two in what may become a small series.  I find it to be very interesting painting these little churches.  They all have their own personality.  I had an interesting afternoon traveling from one to another taking photos.  Today is Labor Day and it has been dark and rainy and seemed like the perfect time to pull out my easel and give  one of these little churches a try.  This one is located in western North Carolina in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

PURCHASE HERE

SOLD

MOUNTAIN CHURCH, 6X8, OIL, SOLD

This charming little church is located down the road from our vacation home on Conley's Creek Road in Whittier, NC.  It is a tiny place that probably doesn't hold more than 25-30 people.  It reminds me of a doll house.  It is an adorable little church in a lovely location.

Purchase here
SOLD

LEMON HALF, 7X5, OIL, SOLD

Another in my series of half fruits and veggies.

Purchase here

SUMMER MARSH, 3X5, OIL, SOLD

I was in the Big Apple earlier this summer and while there, visited the Student's Art League.  They have a great facility and and wonderful gallery, open to the public, where they display their pieces for sale.  I don't remember the name of the store next door, but rightly enough, it was an art supply store.  While checking it out, I found these little 3x5" Winsor-Newton panels.  I have never seen this size before and thought it would be fun to try a few.  It was also the perfect purchase size as I didn't have much room in my roll-aboard suitcase.

Purchase here

SOLD

BRANDY, 6X8, OIL, SOLD

Brandy is a sweetheart of a dog.  She lives with a friend of mine.  Carla and Brandy spend time visiting nursing homes and bringing a little joy into the lives of the residents they meet.  I know how important this is because my mother lived in a nursing home.  She always tells me when someone brings a dog in.  She is a dog lover from way back and it is amazing how a minute or two with a dog will brighten her day.  Thanks, Carla!

Purchase here

BRIDALVEIL FALLS, YOSEMITE, 8X6, OIL

More paintings from my recent trip to California.  Bridalveil Falls is just one of many majestic sites at Yosemite National Park.  Massive amounts of water falling almost 4,000 feet is an incredible sight, but even more incredible is that it is just one of many falls and stunning mountain scenes that you will see in every direction.  John Muir, an early pioneer, is responsibile for mapping out the park, which is around the size of Rhode Island.  He had a vision, and wanted to save this for generations to come.  Thank you , Mr. Muir for your foresite.  He made this park possible, the first time in the history of our country that land came under national protection.  Sad to say that even before this could happen, the settlers were cutting down massive Sequoia trees over 2,000 years old!

Purchase here

CRAB ON IT'S BACK, after VanGogh,10X10, OIL

Several years ago I studied the Masters, along with members of my paint group.  We spent several months on the works of Degas, VanGogh, Manet and others.  We read their life stories and did our best to duplicate their paintings.  We ended up with quite a collection of paintings which we exhibited several times and one of our group, Cindy Michaud, put together a book about the experience.  This is probably my favorite of the paintings I duplicated.  The fun of this one was the distinctive brushwork which I tried my best to duplicate.

Purchase here