Paintings, Company, Brunch

10x8, oil on canvas panel

I posted this about a week ago. After taking another long look, I decided it was almost divided equally between warm and cool colors. I added some warmer colors in the cooler areas, and I think it looks better.

8x10, oil on canvas panel

My sister and brother-in-law are here. We're having a wonderful, relaxing time, but I have little time to paint. They went to the mall one day and I painted while they were gone. This is from one of the photos I took a few weeks ago on the back roads off of highway 85.

My daughter (the blond one) and my neice preparing brunch for us oldies during the holidays.

Charlotte has snow.

We had a white Christmas, at least it was white during the later part of Christmas Day.

Plants and Seeds

10x8, oil on canvas panel

I managed to squeeze in a little time for painting today. I downloaded some night photos I took and can't wait to paint again.

Best wishes to you all for a Happy, Happy Holiday.

The Red Barn

8x10, oil on canvas panel

I was coming back from Atlanta on Highway 85 N, bored to tears, and decided to take an exit to a frontage road and get some painting snaps. I found this some where around Cowpens, SC. Isn't it just a wonderful barn? I plan to do several paintings of this barn.

Give a painting for a holiday gift! This will be on eBay tonight...just click on the icon on the top right.

Square Holiday Exhibit, Providence Gallery

Where can you find a large number of people crowded into a small space, sipping wine, nibbling on canapes, looking at art, and talking about art? An exhibit opening at a gallery, that's what. Two weeks ago I showed up at the Square Holiday Show at the Providence Gallery here in Charlotte. It is a group showing; all paintings in a square format. Two of my paintings were included, and one sold opening night.

Why canapes shows as yellow is beyond me! Anyone?

Sarasota Beach

6x8, oil on canvas panel

The Road Past the Farm

8x10, oil on canvas panel

I painted this on Tuesday, but after mentioning that I used my photos on the computer to paint, my computer had an unfixable break down. So now I have a lovely new laptop. It's enough like my old one that the learning curve is small, but it has a few new things that I love...for example, it will straighten out my photos in the editing site...so handy since I seem to always take slightly crooked photos.

House by the Lake, Matthews, NC

8x10, oil on canvas panel

Carol, who I met at The Charlotte Art Guild, and I ventured out for some plein air painting. It was a beautiful day, not too hot, not too cold, and not windy. I painted a smaller one first to warm up, then begin this one. I really enjoyed having some warmer colors to paint--all green can be quite soothing, but it's hard to obtain much variety.

It's rainy today so I shall be painting in the studio. I've starting using my computer to show my photos. It's not quite like being there, but closer that holding a photo. I think it must be the light from the screen. Also it's easy to crop photos and get a more interesting composition.

A friend and painting partner, who is also a graphic designer, put all our brushes together today for a photo. I thought they made a beautiful grouping and wanted you to see them.

5x7, oil on canvas panel

I did manage to paint this small one last week. It's framed because I planned to put it in a group show of small paintings. At the last minute I changed my mind and decided on an 8x10.

Pine Tree in the Front

10x8, oil on canvas panel

On my monitor, this painting looks slightly garish. In person, I think it's just right.

Are you ready for Thanksgiving? I'm suddenly in a panic, working full speed ahead. My son and family always come, and my daughter and family also arrive from "down the road.". I love Thanksgiving when we all get together. However, I am way less than ready. I have been painting which is more gratifying and fun than cleaning house. I may not be posting much until after TG since I have to make up for loss time. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday! Connie

Flowers in the Field, Sarosota, After Lunch

8x10, oil on canvas panel

5x7, oil on canvas panel

Alone, and Loving It

6x6, oil on canvas panel

I've painted this before, but I like this one best. It has a bit more contrast, and my favorite--dappled light on the building. I really love a square painting. They just seem more satisfying to me.

Off the Beaten Path

5x7, oil on canvas panel

This was painted earlier this year, but I was never satisfied with it--just not enough pizazz. Upon recent examination, I saw that I had used too many medium values, and that the painting lacked enough contrast. Aha! Enter the painting elf and all is fixed. I do like the painting very much now.

On eBay tonight starting at 35.00

For you painters out there, I am purging my library and putting many of my books on eBay beginning tonight. Just click on the eBay button on the right hand column.

Kezar Lake Series, Number 9

8x10, oil on canvas panel

I have certainly enjoyed having all those Kezar Lake photos for painting. I don't think I have any more in my arsenal. Maybe I need to make another trip to Maine!

The Red House

10x10, oil on canvas panel

Barn Shadows

6x8, oil on canvas panel

I found a new plein air painting location, and the owners are extra nice and cooperative about me painting there. They have several buildings that look exciting from all angles. I imagine I could paint there many times and never repeat a scene....not that it's bad to repeat a scene. I think that Wolf Kahn must have painted many of the same barns, yet they are all wonderful paintings. Very few artists paint a scene exactly as it appears; we each put our own spin on it.

This is on eBay starting at $49. Click on the bar to the right. This is being linked to Color Me Happy.

Hope you all had a great Halloween. I ate lots and lots of my favorite, chocolate.

All's Right with the World

8x10, oil on masonite

Storybook Farmhouse, Charlotte, NC

5x7, oil on canvas panel

I found this snug little house just a few miles from my house. It's on some rare undeveloped land here in Charlotte.

Framing Small Paintings

5x7, oil on canvas panel

5x7, oil on canvas panel

I have been painting even more than usual these past two weeks because I'm entering 4 group shows in November and December. I even have paintings I haven't posted on this blog! Yesterday I realized I hadn't done any really small paintings lately, and I like to put some on eBay. Many people who do not have original art in their home like to start off with a small painting, and I think that's a good idea. So I got busy last night, stayed up late, and painted these 2 5x7s. They will be on eBay tonight starting at 29.00. You can always access my eBay items by clicking on the icon on the top right.

So...what to do with those small paintings? First of all, buy more than one!--unless you plan to display it on a easel on a table. Second, frame it! A frame isolates the painting from its environment so that it becomes more of a focal point. Those large painting on gallery wrapped canvas can be the exception, but I'm talking big like 2 x3 feet. Above is an example from my house....3 would have been better, but I didn't have them. They are tucked away in a fairly small space and hung close together so that they become a unit. A small painting in a large space just looks lost, like a small child crying for his Mom. Folks, don't let this happen to your paintings!

Well, now that I'm on a roll, I would also like to post about wide and narrow frames. Above are examples of both. The top is an oil painting, not too large, and it needs a wide frame. The bottom is a collograph (original print) which requires a mat, glass, and frame. For these, such as prints, watercolors, etc., begin with a large, wide mat and then frame with a thin frame. If both were wide it would be too much. If both were small and narrow, the work would have no presence.

Oops, nothing like a photo to make you realize your paintings are a little crooked on the wall! Oh, well.

Connie

Seen from the Train, Maine

8x10, oil on canvas panel

This painting originated with a photo I took during a train ride in Maine.

Hidden by a Hedge, Smithtown Road

8x10, oil on canvas panel

The Long Blue Barn, Union County, NC (sold)

10x10, oil on canvas panel

This beautifully proportioned barn is actually an unromantic turkey barn....but I expect you not to tell since I'm putting it on eBay tonight. I jazzed it up a bit by pushing the color. Another plein air painting this October at Linn's place.

Barn, Milton, Georgia

8x10, oil on canvas panel

This is another I painted during the three day workshop...on eBay tonight.

The Wheelbarrow

10x10, oil on canvas panel

Just got home from the Tim Horn painting workshop--it was excellent in every way. I painted this on the second day (one of two I painted that day.) I found the scene, and it was almost perfect as it was. I moved the wheelbarrow a bit and angled it a smidge. Everybody loved it, and quite a few of the workshop participants painted it als0. It's so interesting to see the different interpretations of the same subject.

October Clouds (sold)

8x8, oil on canvas panel

I am now the proud owner of a Canon Power Shot. I kept hoping that my old camera, which was also a Power Shot but a different number, would show up. I suppose I have lost it for good.

Meanwhile I have done many plein air paintings in this beautiful fall weather we're having in North Carolina. The one above was painted at my friend Linn's house in Union County. He has so many "good" views that my plein air painting friends and I love. I'll be posting these plein air paintings for the next few weeks. Friday I begin a painting workshop with California artist, Tim Horn.

Painting above on eBay tonight.

It's great to be back!!!!

Vanished

Poof! My camera has disappeared. As soon as I find it, I'll be posting again.

Added Oct. 7---If I don't find my camera this weekend, after my garage sale, I plan to buy another one on Monday. Either way, I'll be posting next week, so hope to see you then!

Connie

Stately

7x5, oil on canvas panel

I thought this tree had elegance and personality. Actually, all trees have a personality if you look at them carefully, but some have much more than others...just like people!

Flying South

6x6, oil on canvas panel

Light Shining through the Trees

6x6, oil on canvas panel

I am home again and ready to get back to daily painting. These hay bales were older and had flattened out a little, not like the perky ones you see earlier in the year. I loved the foreshortening that made the bales look as it they were only a few feet in front of the building. The dappled light and the light coming through the trees are also a favorite of mine.

I took a break tonight and watched Diary of a Wimpy Kid at my daughter and her family's house. It's a great family movie if you haven't seen it. All the stress of fitting it and being liked in middle school. Oh, to be one of the cool kids!

Once Charming (sold)

5x7, oil on canvas panel

I am with my son and his family helping out since my sweet daughter-in-law has been ill. My posting will most likely be erratic for the next week or so. I did manage to find time to paint this one today. Both grandchildren watched the entire process. They are aspiring artists!

I am still listing on eBay. You can access my auctions by clicking on the logo on the right column.

Mary Erickson's Place

8x10, oil on canvas panel

On Saturday, Mary invited all artists in the area to come paint at her place...Sunup to Sundown!

We had a wonderful time just painting, visiting, looking, and eating lunch.

Clouds over Water, Myakka River State Park

9x11, oil on canvas panel

Big Rock at the Lake

8x10, oil on canvas panel

I recently enjoyed a day at a friends lake house with 5 adults and 6 children, all jumping in and out of the water. The big rock was the only landmark of interest that I say that day.

All in a Row

6x8, oil on canvas panel

Silos

10x10, oil on canvas panel

I love square formats.

A Quiet Afternoon

6x6, oil on canvas panel

Sunday Morning (sold)

6x6, oil on canvas panel

Sunday Afternoon

8x8, oil on canvas panel

The Garden Center

8x10, oil on canvas panel

If you have been reading this blog for a few months, you know that I love to garden. This is a painting of one of the local, not big box, plant nurseries. This year I decided to spend as little money as possible on my garden. I have rooted plants, divided plants, and gotten extra daylilies from generous gardeners. It's been lots of fun.

One thing that I really like about this painting is the contrast of value around the umbrella, which is the center of interest. Then I "pulled out" some dim shapes in the murky areas to add interest. Us painters are forever trying new ways to paint and striving for improvement. I have never met a painter, and I have met some awesome ones, who felt they had arrived and didn't need to improve any more.

Still Standing

8x10, oil on canvas panel

I am more of a tonalist than a colorist, but sometimes a subject just demands some delicious, high intensity color. This is one of those subjects that just had a mind of its own...and what a pleasure to paint!

Horse Farm

8x10, oil on canvas board