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

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

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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 "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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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, Sailboats "Fun In The Sun" 6x8"SOLD

Living in Florida, we have lots of areas of water and lots of sun.

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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 Wildlife Painting, Oil, Birds, "The Gangs All Here" 4x12 SOLD

I think pelicans must be very social critters.

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I cannot help but wonder what these are thinking.........safety in numbers?  Fishing strategies?  Chase away the herons?  Gossip???

I kind of like this idea....big fish, little pelicans.

I spent the weekend at the beach in Sanibel and had the opportunity to observe plenty of pelicans.  Did you know, the brown pelican is the only one that hunts while flying and then dive bombs into the water to catch it's prey.

That's it for Pelican Week at Carol Schiff Studio.

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

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

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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.

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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, "Blazing Palms" 6x6, oil SOLD

I really enjoy the palette knife.  It is soooo much fun pushing around big globs of paint.

I especially have fun painting water with the palette knife.  The textures seem perfect to suggest choppy water.

I caught this scene just moments before the sun started it's journey below the horizon, when it was still bathing it's light on the trees.

Appreciate the day!

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SOLD

HEADING HOME, OIL Daily Painting, 4x12"

One of the many reasons I live in Florida is the abundance of beautiful water scenes that become a part of your everyday life.  How can you have a bad day when you glance out the window of your car and find nature in all it's glory there waiting for you to appreciate.

This time of the year, I don't want to be inside.  The weather is perfect, the days are glorious and I just want to sit back and be thankful for such blessings.

As a little holiday gift to my blog readers, who bring so much joy to my life year round, I am offering you and only you, a 10% discount on any painting through the end of the year.  Just contact me direct, or through Etsy and mention this discount and I will do a special discounted listing on the painting of your choice.

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120

MONEY ISLAND, WATERCOLOR, SOLD

One of my very few attempts at watercolor. Thank you, Jini!

YOU GUESSED IT!, 5X7, ABSTRACT, OIL,SOLD

Yes, it's another marsh scene. I really am begining to enjoy these abstracts. Have I convinced anyone else to give it a try? It really is very freeing and for me, I nice change of pace from my usual struggles. Not that I would want to do only this, but, when I am able to turn one out that isfresh and has pleasing colors and values it seems to help me get ready to do my "real" paintings.

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I got interested in doing seascapes. I was at the beach with my camera and was inspired by all the beautiful blues and greens in the water. I did 3 8x10's and 4 5x7's, so far. This is the first one I did and probably my favorite.

ON THE ROCKS TOO - SOLD

I so enjoyed doing the painting last week of my granddaughter, so I decided to try one of her brother who was just down the river doing what boys do. He sat on this rock for hours watching kayaks and rafts gracefully run the rapids (or in may cases not so gracefully or so successfully).

Tomorrow I am off on a painting vacation with seven friends. We call ourselves "Pieces of Eight". We meet each week to paint and exhibit together and to "do lunch". This is our second annual trip together. We are going to the mountains of North Carolina and the seashore of South Carolina. Our plans are lots of painting, going to galleries, lots of good food and even more good wine!

ON THE ROCKS - SOLD

Remember Tropical Storm Fay? Well, I spent my "Fayday" painting. Yes, one more painting of my granddaughter. She seems to strike a pose every time I see her. She is my muse! This time she is sitting on a rock, next to the river in North Carolina, waiting for rafters to run the rapids. If you are interested in purchasing this 16x20 painting, please contact me for pricing information.

NANTAHALA RAPIDS

We visit western North Carolina several times a year. These are the Class III rapids near Nantahala Outdoor Center. When I went whitewater rafting there, I fell out way before we got this far. You have never felt such COLD water! For the complete story (with photos, before and after) click on the link to my website and then the Pieces of Eight Summer Vacation link. Anyway, this is one of my larger pieces, 30x40, in oil.

PALM ISLAND, SOLD

Several years ago, Jeff and I went on a sailing ship to the Trinidad/Tobago area of the Caribbean. It was pure heaven and this is just one of the beautiful scenes that we found in every direction we looked. If you are interested in this 5x7 painting contact me by leaving a comment and I will reply with purchasing information.