A Calm Afternoon

8x10, oil on canvas panel

When I was raising my children and working, I always multi-tasked.  If I was helping with

homework, I was folding clothes.  If I was talking on the phone, I was unloading

the dishwasher.  We all know the drill and we all have done it. 

I was always thinking of what I needed to do next before I had

even finished one chore.

But painting is different.  I'm always in the present when I paint, and it's the closest

I come to meditation.  Just like the title above, I am always

calmed by painting.

Night at the Farm

8x10. oil on canvas panel

Two Barns, Stars Over North Carolina

5x7, oil on canvas panel

5x7, oil on canvas panel

Pampas Grass

9x12. oil on canvas panel.

I intended for the pampas grass to be the center of interest in this painting, but it's too far to the right.  Generally, the center of interest should fall about 2/3 of the way from the top, bottom, or sides, following roughly the rule of the golden mean.

So I am saying the center of interest is the old garage and the secondary area of interest is the

light on the fence.

One of the fire barrels also has a nice light on the side, but it doesn't show well

on this photo.

Night Falls on the Farm

5x7, oil on canvas panel

This is my first time to paint a night scene, and I loved doing it. Expect more.

The Wedding Dress

10x10, oil on canvas panel

Over the years I have collected boxes of photos and slides for painting references When sifting through my arsenal I always pause at the wedding dress, consider it, then put it back and choose another. I finally decided it. was. time. to "get 'er done"...so here she is.

I saw True Grit this weekend. The Coen brothers have triumphed once again. I loved the language, the acting, and the story-- a stellar movie.

Farmhouse among the Brambles

24x20, oil on stretched canvas

Finished today! And at last the snow has melted enough that I can photograph in my usual place--the driveway.

This one has been making the rounds so you may have seen it, but in honor of our new year and for a great laugh, here it is.

Dear God,

All I ask for in 2011 is a fat

bank account and a

slim body...please

don't mix these up like you

did last year.

Amen

Work in Progress

24x20, oil on canvas

I saw the Wolf Kahn exhibit at the Melbery Gallery last week. and was so excited and inspired that I went directly to the art supply store and bought some large canvas. I have been painting mostly 8x10's for eBay, but I'm not doing very well with it these days. Also the prices I have to ask on eBay are low, and this does not support the other venues I sell in. So I think I'll paint some larger ones for a change and take a break from eBay.

Happy New Year to you all!

Fixing 'er Up, St. Andrews, Canada

8x10, oil on canvas panel

If you've never been to St. Andrews, Canada, I highly recommend it. It seemed like going back in time when things were a little slower, and nothing was too new, shiny, or slick. I was there about 12 years ago, so it may have changed, but I hope not because I have such fond memories of it.

At one time we were painting at a fish cannery which was practically on the water so the boats could bring the catch in immediately. The guys working there enjoyed watching us paint, probably a good boredom buster from their everyday activities. One asked if we like salmon and, of course, we said "yes!" He came back on a bobcat carrying a huge box on the blade. It must have weighed about 50 pounds. We ate well that night.

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.