Baxter Office Building, Fort Mill, SC (sold)

8x10, oil on canvas panel

I painted this in the charming development called Baxter in Fort Mill, SC.  There are over 2000 houses and condos, along with a main street with stores, restaurants, and offices.  I was painting what I thought was a house, but it was actually an orthodontist office.  One of the doctors walked out and bought my painting to give to the other doctor for Christmas. 

This was one of the Tuesday morning plein air activities I do with about 12 other painters.  We always have lunch afterwards and discuss art and also solve the world's problems.  The restaurant owner is going to give us a showing this spring, so we will go back to Baxter and paint more before than.

My sister and her husband are coming for Christmas and will stay a while after the holiday, so I will not be posting any for about a week and a half.  I have been painting and have much to show.  However, we have rain today and the rest of the week, so I can't take good photos.

Here's wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Connie

Broken Windows

8x10. oil on canvas panel

I chanced upon this old building with most of the windows  broken out.  The light was just right, reflecting a nice blue in the remaining windows.  I thought it strange that none of the windows matched.  Perhaps it was a do-it-yourself with whatever windows were available.

Computer

My computer in at the manufactor's hospital getting a new motherboard.  I am using an old computer and cannot download photos, so I will not be posting art until my computer's return--probably in 2 weeks. 

My best wishes for happy holidays at your house!

Connie

November

8x10, oil on canvas panel

Well, Thanksgiving is over and it's back to painting.  We had one daughter, one son, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law, 3 grandchildren and 2 dogs.  A good time was had by all!  This seems like a good opportunity to sneak in a photo of 2 of the grandchildren. 

Emma and Ethan, 9 and 7.

Matthews Shed

8x10, oil on canvas panel

I've been out of town, but did manage a little painting.  I finished this one and started another landscape.

I began this as a plein air study in Matthews, NC, a small town close to me.  This shed belonged to quite an imposing house, but I preferred the humble shed. which meant I would have to set up in the yard.  I knocked on the door to ask permission, but no answer, so I set up anyway, prepared to apologize.  I suppose they were at work because no one ever appeared.  Some people are delighted to have someone paint and show great interest.  A few people are not quite as gracious.  Oh well--all's well that ends well!

Into the Woods

10x10, oil on canvas panel

This path does not lead to the woods.  It parallels Park Road here in Charlotte.  Sometimes

thinking up a name for a painting is a head scratcher, but this one just popped into my head and I liked it.

The rocks were really huge and the sun was hitting them just right.  It was a perfect spot.

The Creek at Willow Wisp Farm

8x10, oil on canvas panel (on eBay)

Several years ago I took a workshop from Camille Prezwodek at Willow Wisp Farm in North Carolina.  Camille is a colorist from California.  As you can see, it didn't take completely.  I do love color and am

working on pushing it more.  However, I think I am a

tonalist at heart.  I think all that drawing I did made me  much aware of value and tone.

Shrimp Boat

12x12, oil on canvas panel

This is another version of Sea Horse which I published earlier.  I am working on 2 other

paintings of shrimp boats, also in a square format.  I blurred the line between the water and land

in this one. making it slightly abstract.

Field and Stream (sold)

9x11, oil on canvas panel

I painted this in preparation for painting a larger one.  Trying to solve the

problems early!  I find I am using a painting knife more and more

and really like it.  It's easier than a brush to pop in some

pure color.

I put this on auction on Daily Paintworks today.

The Orange Roof

5x7, oil on canvas panel

Noda Garden Shed, Charlotte, NC (sold)

8x10, oil on canvas panel

Noda stands for north of Davidson, an idea probably borrowed from Soho in NYC.  Noda is Charlotte's art district.  The houses are wonderful-old and full of character, but the light was not good for them, so I chose to paint a backyard shed.l

Sea Horse

11x14, oil on canvas panel

This is a study for a larger painting.  I pushed the color a little, flattened the yellow space, and used a painting knife for some areas to give some extra texture.  It's named Sea Horse because that's the name of the boat.  I just chose not to paint it, although I may change my mind.

Across the Street, Weddington, NC

'8x10, oil on canvas panel

I painted this en plein air, carefully positioning my canvas, palette, and easel in the shade, all the time trying for the best angle for a strong composition.

As I painted the sun moved and I was no longer in the shade, but didn't realize it.  Oh my, my painting was gorgeous--I created a masterpiece!!!  And then I took it inside.  It was

dead in the water, dull and lifeless.  Painting in the sun makes your colors look bright, so the artist tends to mix duller colors without knowing it.

So I brought it home and repainted many of the passages in brighter colors.  It does look so much better, but the spontaneity has been lost.  Most of the time reworking a painting works for me

and sometimes it does not.  Hey, there's always tomorrow.

Sunday Afternoon at Reedy Park (sold)

12x12, oil on canvas panel

I was thinking of Seurat's Sunday Afternoon at la Grand Jatte when I named this painting.  This was

painted last week, and I forgot to post it.  I think I have

let my life get too busy.

I painted this morning in a friend's garden.  It is a cloudy day so not the best

weather, but good practice.  The good thing is is will rain tomorrow, so I came home

and limed and reseeded the yard. (yawn)..time for a nap!

Fallen Tree, Reedy Park, NC (sold)

10x10, oil on canvas panel

Reedy Park was a hubbub of activity while I was painting.  There were

people fishing, hiking, and even a group from

a horticulture class identifying native plants.

I thought this painting might work well with a couple of figures, and since there

were plenty to look at I added two.

Dirt

detail,  oil

I'm back from the wedding and festivities.  It was a joyous time and great fun.  An added bonus was

that I got to spend a few days after the wedding with

some high school friends.  I enjoyed each and every moment.

If you read this blog regularly, you may remember that I dropped a painting,

wet side down, while returning to the car after a painting trip.  Above is a detailed photo of some

of the grit, dirt, and pebbles that stuck to the painting  It's dry now, so tomorrow

I'll try to get it off and repair the painting.  Hope to post it tomorrow night.

The Garden Shed (sold)

11x9, oil on canvas panel

Most landscape painters lament the fact that everything is so GREEN .  While this is hardly an epiphany,

it is difficult to paint so many greens and not have your painting all

look the same.  That's why I prefer to have a building in the landscape to introduce

another color.  So finding the garden shed was quite fortunate.

I will put this on the Daily Paintworks site tonight.  You can find it by clicking on the icon on the

right hand side.  There is some stellar painting on this site.

Yesterday I painted in Reedy Park--a lake scene.  When walking back my painting fell, on the painted side , or course, and all the grit, dirt, and tiny pebbles stuck to it.  When it dries I'll brush it off, repair any places that need it, and post.  I must say, it certainly does look like authentic

plein air work!

I'll be involved in a family wedding and the attending festivities for a few days.  Please check back on the 29th.

The Quiet Street

5x7, oil on canvas panel

What's not to love about a yellow house?

Water's Edge and Fallen Logs (sold)

5x7, oil on canvas panel

I was looking down into a creek when I painted this.

Reflections, Butler Park, Matthews, NC

8x10, oil on canvas panel

Now that the weather is so delightful, I will be painting plein air more.  It's perfectly ok to paint from photographs.  I do it all the time.  But there is nothing comparable to getting

outside where you have ALL the information right in front of you.

Then there's the problem of what to leave out.  It's an excellent exercise for

the serious, and not so serious, painter.

Butler Park is just a few miles from my house, and it has so many painting possibilities.

There is a horse farm as you leave the park, and I am hoping to

get permission to paint there.

September Farm



9x11, oil on canvas panel

I am loving this wonderful cooler weather with low humidity. It makes me want to paint outside again. This is one of my favorite farm scenes to paint. The white building suckers me in everytime.

 
 
 
 
 




Storm Clouds

9x11, oil on canvas panel, damar varnich

Garlic

    5x7, oil on canvas panel

I've been out of town for quite some time, but I'm back for Labor Day and

some serious painting!  I have certainly missed my paints.

Since most of us will be cooking out for Labor Day, I decided to paint some cloves of garlic.  And just to top it off here's a 5 star recipe from Allrecipes for barbecue ribs with garlic.

                          http://allrecipes.com/recipe/barbecue-ribs/detail.aspx

8x10, oil on raymar panel

Several years ago I made a painting trip to St. Andrews, Canada.  This painting is partly made up, partly from memory, and partly from a photo.

I guess I'm just "partly" today.  Hope you have a good one!

A Small Town

11x14, oil on canvas panel

I grew up in a smaller town, probably around 30,000 at the time, but my hometown looks like the Big City compared to this little town,  Yes, that's it!  I don't remember any more buildings.

I have grown accustomed to painting mostly small canvases, so even 11x14 is bigger for me.  I think I missed the mark on this and may do another one.  I am happy

with some of the passages in this painting, but the overall look is not quite

what I wanted.  Also, I believe the drawing is a little off.

Painting is a learning experience.  Rarely does an artist do as well as he wants to do.  One reason is that our critiquing skills are always ahead of our painting skills.  I think

of each painting I do as an exercise and a practice session.  That keeps it worthwhile

for me, so rather than feel dejected, I know that every time I paint I improve a little!

Lonely House (sold)

9x11, oil on canvas panel

Whenever I paint one of those solumn, lonely looking buildings, I always think

of Edward Hopper.

Arrangement of Greens (sold)

11x14, oil on canvas panel, damar varnish

Summer Tree, Bay St. Louis, MS

8x10, oil on canvas panel, damar varnish

I've been out of town for the last week--just in case you missed me!  For once, I did not take my paints with me.  I knew there would be little time to paint and that I would just be disappointed.

I did visit a few galleries which made me want to paint even more.  My favorite is Anne Irwin (800 Miami Circle, Atlanta).  Anne Irvin has stellar painters in her stable, and if you live near, visit it.  There are also some wonderful antique stores on that short little road.  Take your purse!

Cherries

4x4, oil on canvas panel

This little 4x4 has been hanging around the studio for quite a while.  Since I just bought a pound of delicious cherries,  I thought it was time to get them together.  The photo is actually life size.

Renfro Hardware, Matthews, NC

 

8x10, oil on canvas panel

Renfro Hardware is a town treasure in Matthews.  It was established in 1900!  The perfect old-time hardware store--you can buy baby chicks, crickets, worms, seed in bulk, herbs, and anything else a good hardware store should carry.  Closed on Sunday and Monday.  I prefer it to the big box stores.

Depot, Matthews, NC

8x10. oil on canvas panel

Another painting from the picturesque town of Matthews.  Of course, the Depot is no longer used, but it does look great next to the train car.  I wish trains would make a come back...Perhaps they will if gas goes  up as predicted.

Watching (sold)

6x6, oil on canvas panel

I thought he looked so cute with his jeans rolled up and one slipping down.

Yellow Turret, Matthews, NC

8x10, oil on canvas panel

Matthews is a small town close to Charlotte,  Since I live in south Charlotte, I almost live in Matthews and go there quite often for the post office and grocery store.  It's a charming town.  More paintings of Matthews to follow. 

Still Life with Feathers, A Fishing Village

8x10, oil on canvas panel

5x7, oil on canvas panel

I had some extra time to paint yesterday!

The Forgotten Store

6x8, oil on canvas panel

I thought the looseness in this painting worked quite well for the subject.

By Itself, Sarosota, Florida

6x8, oil on canvas panel, damar varnish

I never wear orange, I have no orange in the house, but I LOVE it in a painting.  I think it makes it come alive and provides a glow like no other color.  This painting is essentially blue and orange, complementary colors.  Mixed together they produce a gray, side by side they produce a glow!

When I was teaching I always taught some color theory and used a poster that had a color wheel on it.  The students caught on quickly, but always referred to it as "Mr. Color Wheel."  High school students can be so much fun.

Lavender House, Key West

8x10, oil on canvas panel, damar varnish

This little colorful house nestled in greenery is so typical of Key West houses.  When I was there I ran across a historical walking tour to be taken at one's leisure.  I took the guide book and started off.  One quite nicc and typical, but modest house, was owned by some relatives of one of Elizabeth Taylor's husbands (Richard Burton, I believe) and she had visited frequently.  I didn't take a photo of the house--I can't imagine what I was thinking!!

Across the Lake, Union County, NC

6x8, oil on canvas panel, damar varnish

I painted this yesterday, but we had such a storm last night that I thought it prudent to shut down the computer.  I feel like I'm living in the tropics.  We have a thunder storm almost every afternoon or night.

By the Tracks, Macon, MS

8x10, oil on canvas panel, damar varnish

We artists love to experiment, as in "I wonder what would happen if I did........"

This was one of those times.  I usually paint on a toned panel, often using the leftover paint from the

day before.  I let it dry before I paint.  On this painting I toned with a bright rosy red, and began

painting immediately on the wet paint.  Fun!!!  I plan to try it again today.

North Carolina is having a cooler day with less humidity today.   What a relief.  I rushed out early

to mow the lawn, pick up branches, and put out pine straw.

I plan to work again when it cools off again.

Mahony's Po Boy Shop, New Orleans

8x10, oil on canvas panel, damar varnish

Backyard, June 2011

8x10, oil on canvas panel, damar varnish

In a few days I shall be removing all my paintings from ebay.  Except for the first

two years, ebay does has not done well for me.

and

I am pleased to find another site to show my work.

As soon as I get all the details worked out, I'll post a clickable icon on the

right column of this site.

Many, many thanks to all of you who bought my

work off of ebay!

Best Friends

8x10, oil on canvas panel, damar varnish

I thought of many titles for this painting, but settled on

Best Friends because these boats

have been in the same place for quite a while.

Whenever I visit my sister in Bay St. Louis I walk around and take pics.

These boats are always there and have been in the

exact. same. spot. for. years.  So surely they are best

friends after all this time, or perhaps they are

not speaking to each other.

The Farm in June, Mint Hill, NC

8x10, oil on canvas panel, damar varnish

Mint Hill is a small town close to Charlotte with many charming places to paint.  I discovered

it last year when I took some paintings there for a show.

Twisted Tree, Garden Tour, New Orleans (sold)

8x10, oil on canvas panel

Just returned from a weekend in Charleston, SC, a painter's paradise!  Love the architecture and the gardens, streets, and people watching.  It's the best place I know of in the southeast for galleries.

The galleries are numerous and have both local and nationally known painters.  I

could have stayed there for much longer, taking it all in.

This painting is from another favorite city of mine--New Orleans.

The Far Wheat Field

5x7, oil on canvas panel, damar varnish

I've been out of town, and even though I took my paints I had no time to use them.  Back home and ready to start "slaving over a hot easel"  again.  I really miss painting when more than a few days go by.

Does anyone use Pandora on the computer for music?  I really like to paint to music because it energizes me--especially rock and roll or blues.  You will love the site for selecting you own favorite music and vocalists.

One Fine Day

8x10, oil on canvas panel

Bougainvillia

8x10. oil on canvas panel

Unless you live where bougainvillea is grown, you may not know much about it.  I find it one of the more glorious plants, but I live in a zone where it will not grow.

A 'stick' of pink bougainvillea.Bougainvilleas are popular ornamental plants in most areas with warm climates, including Ethiopia, Indonesia, Aruba, the Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Singapore, the Mediterranean region, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, South Africa, Kuwait,the United Arab Emirates and the United States in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, South Carolina, and southern Texas. Locarno in Switzerland, with its mild Mediterranean climate, is famous for its bougainvilleas.






Although it is frost-sensitive and hardy in U.S. Hardiness Zones 9b and 10, bougainvillea can be used as a houseplant or hanging basket in cooler climates. In the landscape, it makes an excellent hot season plant, and its drought tolerance makes bougainvillea ideal for warm climates year-round. Bougainvillea has a high salt tolerance, which makes it a natural choice for color on coastal regions. As a woody clambering vine, bougainvillea will stand alone and can be pruned into a standard, but it is perfect along fence lines, on walls, in containers and hanging baskets, and as a hedge or an accent plant. Its long arching branches are thorny, and bear heart-shaped leaves and masses of papery bracts in white, pink, orange, purple, and burgundy. Many cultivars, including double flowered and variegated, are available. Also it needs 60 degrees in the winter for its growing condition






Twenty years after Commerçon's discovery, it was first published as 'Buginvillea' in Genera Plantarum by A.L. de Jusseau in 1789. The genus was subsequently split in several ways until it was finally corrected to 'Bougainvillea' in the Index Kewensis in the 1930s. Originally, B. spectabilis and B. glabra were hardly differentiated until the mid 1980s when botanists recognized them to be totally distinct species. In early 19th century, these two species were the first to be introduced into Europe, and soon, nurseries in France and England did a thriving trade providing specimens to Australia and other faraway countries. Meanwhile, Kew Gardens distributed plants it had propagated to British colonies throughout the world. Soon thereafter, an important event in the history of bougainvillea took place with the discovery of a crimson bougainvillea in Cartagena, a Spanish port in the Mediterranean, by Mrs. R.V. Butt. Originally thought to be a distinct species, it was named B. buttiana in her honour. However, it was later discovered to be a natural hybrid of a variety of B. glabra and possibly B. peruviana - a "local pink bougainvillea" from Peru. Natural hybrids were soon found to be common occurrences all over the world. For instance, around the 1930s, when the three species were grown together, many hybrid crosses were created almost spontaneously in East Africa, India, the Canary Islands, Australia, North America, and the Philippines.






Many of today's bougainvillea are the result of interbreeding among only three out of the eighteen South American species recognized by botanists. Currently, there are over 300 varieties of bougainvillea around the world. Because many of the hybrids have been crossed over several generations, it's difficult to identify their respective origins. Natural mutations seem to occur spontaneously throughout the world; wherever large numbers of plants are being produced, bud-sports will occur. This had led to multiple names for the same cultivar (or variety) and has added to the confusion over the names of bougainvillea cultivars.





The growth rate of Bougainvillea vary from slow-growing to rapid, depending on the particular variety. Bougainvillea tend to flower all year round in equatorial regions. Elsewhere, they are seasonal bloomers. They grow best in somewhat dry, fertile soil. Bloom cycles are typically four to six weeks. Bougainvillea grow best in very bright full sun and with frequent fertilization, but the plant requires little water once established. As indoor houseplants in temperate regions, they can be kept small by bonsai techniques. If overwatered, Bougainvillea will not flower and may lose leaves or wilt, or even die from root decay. Bougainvillea can be easily propagated via tip cuttings.[3]

From Wikipedia

What's Behind the Green Door?

8x10, oil on canvas panel

Nothing better than dappled light!  This house is next door to my sister's house in Bay St. Louis.

A Day at the Farm

Another poor photo (sigh)  We've had rain all week.  This is a small 4x6 study for a larger painting.