Floral Still Life, "Trois Roses Dans un Vase, 8x10" SOLD

Have a great week!

Small Seascape, Ocean Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, "Sunrise", 6x8 Oil, SOLD

Although I do not live on the beach, I am very close, so it is easy to jump in my car with a cup of coffee and a camera.  That is just what I did on this morning.

SOLD

It is my favorite time of day at the beach.  Very few people, maybe an occasional fisherman, just me and the surf and the birds.  The surf is usually quiet, as though it is still sleeping too, and the birds are very busy, running around looking for breakfast.

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Of course, when the sun finally breaks over the horizon, it is glorious.

I hope that you will remember this post on your next vacation to the sea, and you will take the opportunity to share a very special moment with nature.  I know you will not regret it!

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Female Profile "Courtney", 6x8" oil portrait

Still working with a few head studies to practice skin tones, as well as features.  On this one, I tried very hard to capture a likeness as well as the proper skin tones.

$80 + 10

She has that beautiful ivory skin, full of blues, lavenders and peaches.

It took several tries to capture her cute upturned nose just right.

I have not done portraits for many years and find that I am enjoying the challenge this week.  It's always good to push yourself now and then.

Recital, 9x14" Pastel, SOLD

Today, I am posting something quite different........for me. I have not worked in pastel for almost ten years, but when a friend asked me to paint her two granddaughters in the medium, I could not refuse her.

SOLD

We were both happy with the results of the first painting.

I love the fresh color of pastels, but I found it much more difficult than oils when I tried to nail the image
Hilda, I don't know how you do it!!

My client has two matching frames that she wanted to use.  Both paintings feature her granddaughters at the piano and the frames came with a clever mat  featuring sheet music.  My sweet husband helped me remove the old image and insert the painting.

I am working on the second painting now and will post it in the future.

Florida Landscape | Daily Painting | Tropical Painting | Heading Home by Carol Schiff | 12x24" Original Oil Painting, SOLD

If this looks familiar to you.....it's because I have painted the scene before.  If fact, the first painting, which is smaller, was licensed and produced as wall decor on wood planks by Arthouse LLC.

SOLD

This is a view of the Indian River, part of the intra-coastal waterway in Florida, as viewed from Grant Florida.  It was late afternoon (just before sunset) on a gorgeous November day.  I took many photos and have painted about a dozen pieces from this one photo shoot.

I used a palette knife technique that I like to call "color weaving".  It gives lots of texture and soft changes of color.

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

Daily Painting, Small Landscape "A Touch of Fall" 6x8" Original Oil SOLD

We spent a few days in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains last week.  Mother Nature out did herself with perfect days in the mid 60's, blue skies and the trees in peak color.

SOLD

This scene is our next door neighbor and I couldn't ask for more.  The brilliant red house nestled into the fall foliage and everything reflected in the lake at the front of the property.  

If you have not taken the time to celebrate autumn.......do it now!  Go carve a pumpkin :)

It was hard to leave the mountains and return to Florida where it is still hot and humid.  

This is the third time I have written this post.  It appears Blogger hates me.  When I try to publish....the whole thing suddenly disappears.  Is anyone out there having any problems with Blogger, or am I the only lucky one?

Don't forget to check out my painting sale at my Etsy site where I have listed paintings at 1/2 off for a short period of time.

Floral Painting, "Memories of Summer" 6x8" SOLD

This year seems to be flying bye and winter will soon be on us.  I am still thinking summer, or at least early fall, in my mind.

SOLD

Cone flowers are one of my favorites.  They don't grow in central Florida, but we see them everywhere in the mountains of Carolina.   There is something about their shape that attracts me to them.  I like the way the cone stands erect and the petals droop down.

I also like that they come up every year.  I only want to plant them once!

Today is the first of November, and I should be thinking about pumpkins and turkey.  I must have that denial thing going on!

Daily Painting, Pelican, Florida "Hunker Down" 6x8", SOLD

The number one rule in Florida, during hurricane season, is learn to "hunker down".

SOLD

It simply means,do what you can and then wait it out.  Prepare for the storm, bring in supplies, get lots of books to read, stay dry, and wait!

This pelican had a "hunker down" attitude about him, with no hurricane in sight.  Actually, I think he was sleeping or at least, resting, but whenever I see one in this position, I think "hunker down".

I hope you have a chance to "hunker down" today.  It is not always a bad thing.......it's sometimes pleasant to  have time taken out of your hands and be forced to just rest.

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

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

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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 







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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 "Satisfaction", Cat Portrait, 6x6" SOLD

Retagene, who is a friend of mine from Etsy, sent me an image of her cat, pretending to be asleep in the sun.  I couldn't pass up the chance to do a daily painting.

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SOLD

Kitty's owner, Retagene is such a talented artist herself.  She has many interests  so if you want to visit her Etsy site you can find it here.  I love her cards and re-order time and again.

He (she) looks so satisfied, sitting in the sun.  That is something my paint group, Pieces of Eight is going to be doing lots of in a week or two.  We go on a week's retreat to the mountains every year and that time is fast approaching.  Plenty of painting, sightseeing, photo-shoots, cooking, wine and just all around good times with long time friends.  Thank you Cindy, for volunteering your house.

Daily Farm Painting, "Valley View" 7x5" SOLD

Red barn, green grass, a little fishing pond.....what more could you ask for on a lazy summer day?

SOLD

This farm is down the road from us on Conley's Creek Road.  I must have painted it 30 or more times.  Each time, I think I have said everything I can, but then I find myself drawn to it again.  A different angle, or new time of day.....it pulls me in time after time.

Set in the valley, I pass it each time I leave my house.  It is the most picturesque spot I know.  Surrounded by mountains and with a curvy drive, the light effects are always spectacular.

Landscape, "Barn on Thomas Valley Road" 6x8" SOLD

When we are in the mountains of North Carolina, we pass this barn on our way to town.  It sits between the mountains on the shores of the Tuckaseegee River, on a beautiful little winding road.

I love the rural life style.  It reminds me of my childhood in Ohio.  I never lived on a farm, but my cousins did and I would visit often.  In these fast paced days of rushing from one spot to another, those lazy, hazy days of the past seem very attractive.  I am fortunate to get a taste of that life now and then.

Hope you find a peaceful moment or two in your day.

One another note, I was checking my stats to what  referring URL's send traffic to my blog and noticed that  many of my readers come from one specific blog.......www.CarolMarine.blogspot.com.  Carol was kind enough to include  me on her blog list several years ago.  I know you are all familiar with her work as she is "Queen of Art Blogs"  but she is also a wonderful kind woman.  So, thank you Carol!  If you have not been to her blog today, please stop bye.

Daily Landscape Painting, "Blue Ridge Switchback" 6x8 SOLD

Today's daily painting is one of my favorites.  We decided to take a drive to Water Rock Knob, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in beautiful North Carolina.

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It was a beautiful, clear October day and I tried hard to capture the clear skies and gorgeous fall foliage.

Living in Florida for 40 years, I miss the fall colors and smells I remember from my childhood in Ohio.  It is  the best part of my visits to North Carolina and I try to get there in mid-October every year.

As a child I loved to rake the leaves into a pile and take a running jump right into the middle.  In those days we would rake the yard and then burn the leaves.  There was nothing better than walking to school on a sidewalk covered with leaves, crackling under my feet as I shuffled along.  Evenings conjure up memories of hay rides followed by warm donuts and cider.  That's before the days of Dunkin Donuts, these were home made and covered in sugar and cinnamon.

I am sorry my grandchildren will never have those memories, but I know when they think back on their childhoods they will find something equally as pleasing to remember.

Daily Landscape Painting, "Off the Parkway" 16x20

If you follow my blog, you know I spend lots of time in the mountains of North Carolina.  We have a little house just outside Smoky Mountains National Park.  We travel  back and forth between the mountains and the beaches of Florida several times a year.

NFS

This is not a new piece, but I realized that I have not posted it before.  I painted it several years ago and it hangs in our mountain house.  I was a less experienced artist at the time and I took some artistic license to achieve, what I thought, was an interesting composition.

Now, when I look at it, all I can see is the inconsistent light patterns.  I could easily "fix" it, and maybe someday I will.  But for the time being, it will stay the same.

I remember going to a museum to see a exhibit of VanGogh and Monet once.  None of the paintings were ones that I recognized.  They were all earlier works that somehow survived the years.  They were also less than perfect.

How do you treat your earlier works?  Do you ever re-work them?

On another note, yesterday the wonderful artist, Julie Ford Oliver ( who ironically was also blogging about reworking a painting) mentioned that she had taken word verification off her blog to make commenting easier.  I loved that idea and implemented it quickly.  Thanks, Julie!

FLASH SALE TODAY and TUESDAY!

If you read my blog on a regular basis, you know I have been waiting for this day!  Today is the "Flash Sale" at One King's Lane  where they will be showing and selling nine of my paintings made into wooden signs.

They chose a mix of representative and abstract pieces.  Check out the sale and you will see a much better image, with the wood grain showing through as well as the other  pieces they are offering.  

  So what are flash sales? Simply put, flash sales are a time-limited offer of high discounts.

The offers are ‘abrupt’ and lasts for a tiny window period – a brief time. It is also one of the safest deal takings. In other words you have to avail the opportunity as soon as you are offered the services. 

 These limited-time deals offer attractive discounts averaging 50% off retail prices.

At the One King's Lane site, find the sale listed as wood wall decor signs.  The sale is on through August 29th.

This is all new to me, but those in the know tell me flash sales are the hottest thing around.

Wood Sign by Artehouse LLC

I am happy to announce a new and exciting project with my artwork.  I recently entered into a licensing agreement with Artehouse LLC.  They make wood signs in different styles, many with a retro feel.

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They have chosen six of my works to market in an upcoming "Flash Sale" at One Kings Lane scheduled on Monday the 27th.

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I hope you will stop bye  One King's Lane and check out this fun sale.  Go to the site and find the sale listed on the sidebar on Monday.  They will tell you when the "Flash Sale" starts and even send you a reminder.   There is a chance the sale will be delayed a few days.....I will keep you updated.

Have a great weekend!