Winter Morning

 

 

This began as a landscape of Jackson Hole from a photo I took last Fall.  Slowly it began to turn into a wintery scene--paintings often have a mine of their own!

 

 

6x8

oil on canvas panel

95.00

Daily Paintworks

 

 

 



Your Order, Sir

 

 

10x8

 

oil on canvas panel

 

Daily Paintworks

 

 

Painting people is hard work, but I love it.  If you get a barn a little too long, no one notices, but a too long nose, a too short mouth, etc and you're in deep trouble.  I am working on my figurative painting skills and try to get at least one figure painting done each week.

 

 

 

 

In honor of Veterans Day, this is my father, who served in WW11.  He was in the Pacific on the USS Wisconsin, and wherever we lived there was always a picture of the ship in our hall.  The Wisconsin was recomissioned and served in the Gulf War.  Although my Dad was no longer with us, my Mother and my sister, and our children went to the ceremony in Pascagoula, MS.  It was an electrifying experience walking inside the same ship where my Dad had walked.





Waiting

 

 

8x10

 

oil on canvas panel

 

 

Difficult-difficult-and difficult!  I could not get a good photo of this painting.  It's not nearly as pink as it appears on my screen, has some nice green around the boat, and the sky also did not translate well.   I did work with the editing app, but just couldn't get it to look quite like the painting. You'll just have to take my word for it!  

A Riot of Color

8x10

oil on canvas panel

Daily Paintworks

 

 

 

Painted  partly from imagination and partly from a still life, this painting is an exercise in pushing the color and scooping up lots of paint on my brush.  

 





A Tree for Baby (not available)

 

 

8x10

 

oil on canvas panel

 

 

This painting is for a new baby in our family.  The baby's room has a tree motif begun with a stained glass window, so I continued the tree theme with my painting.  The "mommy" did not want anything cutesy or childish so this could theoretically go with him/her to the first apartment.  It will be framed in a white plein air frame.

 

 

The painting was painted en plein air at Little Sugar Creek here in Charlotte.  I pushed the colors slightly to go with the colors in the baby's room.

Red!

 

8x10

oil on canvas panel

95.00

Daily Paintworks

 

 

 

Although I haven't been posting regularly, I have been painting regularly.  It's just that I have such a time with this Windows 8!  It took me about an hour (again) tonight to get photos downloaded, find them (that took forever), and edit.  I wrote it all down in sequence and hope that will solve the problems.

 

 

This barn was painted from a photo I found in a stack of photos I keep around when not painting plein air.  I now belong to plein air groups, which I love.  Painting with friends is the best!



Little Sugar Creek, Charlotte, NC

 

 

8x10

oil on canvas panel

 

Today's weather was gorgeous, so two painting friends and I trekked

 down to Little Sugar Creek for some plein air painting.

Louisana Bayou

8x10

oil on canvas panel

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/connie-snipes/louisiana-bayou/173712

 

Quite a few years ago, at a small family reunion, one of our activities was taking a

swamp tour.  I'm not exactly sure where we were--my sister made the arrangements.  At that time I

was still using a camera with film.  I took a boatload of photos, but this is the only one

I can find.  I came across this one about a week ago and thought it would be

fun to paint.  You see, I had painted it once before and I wanted to see how much

my painting style had changed and I hoped, improved.

 

I have no idea where my first one is,  but I do think this one is better than the first.

 



 

 

 



Virginia Farm

 

 11x14

 

oil on canvas panel, damar varnish

 

Daily Paintworks

 

 

 

 

    I seem to have a love affair with hay bales.  I've certainly painted quite a few.  This is a studio piece painted from a photo from my Nimrod Hall days.  Nimrod Hall is sort of an artist's retreat in a rural part of Virginia.  Many people go year after year--a tradition with painting and relaxing for a  week or two.  

Passing Through

 

 

 

11x14

 

oil on canvas panel

 

Daily Paintworks

 

 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/connie-snipes/passing-through/158344
 

 

 

 

 

You may possibly be wondering where I fell off the earth.  Actually, I had to buy a new computer, and I now have The Evil Windows 8.  It has been quite the learning curve--I just today figured out how to arrive at Blogger Dashboard.

 

 

This little path was found in one of Charlotte's many parks.  I just cannot remember which one.  I certainly do remember, however,  how hot, humid and mosquito ridden it was.  I still love to paint outside, and I know it's good for working on painting skills.

Clothespin by Claes Oldenburg, Virginia Museum of Art, Richmond, Virginia

8x8

oil on canvas panel

Daily Paintworks

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/connie-snipes/clothespin-by-claes-oldenburg-virginia-museum-of-art-richmond/154903

This 10 foot sculpture by Pop Artist, Claes Oldenburg, is in the lobby of the Virginia Museum of Fine Art in Richmond.  I couldn't find much info on it, although I recognized it immediately from college art history classes.  I'm reasonably sure it is not the original one--it's too small for that, only 10- feet.  Oldenburg is still alive although in his 80's, I believe.

I was in Richmond this spring for a painting workshop with Ann Blair Brown and visited the museum before leaving for home the last day.  By the way, it was an excellent workshop.

Picking up Shells in February, Edisto Island

5x7

oil on canvas panel

This is Sharon, a college drama professor.  Don't you love the colors of her outfit--she is properly dramatic, and so much fun.  

Morning Run

oil on canvas panel

5x7

50.00

Daily Paintworks

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/connie-snipes/morning-run/153150

I don't have a dog, but I wish I did.  I travel too much now and don't think it's fair to put a pet in a kennel many times a year.  Dogs grieve for you and worry you won't come back--too much for my conscience!

So this is Gus, a friend's dog, photographed in in enthusiastic, thrilling, joyous, exploration run.

Farmers's Market, Charlotte, NC (sold)

8x10

oil on canvas panel

Daily Paintworks

This is my favorite farmers's market on Kings.  I like to cook and this one has it all--vegetables, fruits, flowers, and seafood.  It's always crowded and has a festival air about it.

On the easel today

I've not had much time to paint, but did get this one started.  It will need another hour or so.

Triple yea!!!  My camera came back from Intensive Care at the Camera Hospital yesterday.  I have been without it for more than 3 weeks and almost caved and bought a second one.

I am leaving tomorrow for a week visiting family and friends.  My granddaughter and I will be painting together, and I will also paint solo when I get a chance.

The Crooked Fence, Key West

8x10

oil on raymar panel

95.00

Daily Paintworks

This was one of those photos I took with a near perfect composition!  I hardly changed or moved 

anything.  I would love to go back to Key West and paint some of those charming

houses again.  Currently I'm relying on photos.  I don't think there is anything wrong with using 

photos.  Many artists do, but I always add to my skills when I 

paint plein air.

the Little Pond

4x6

oil on canvas panel

Daily Paintworks

This is the little pond at Pearson Farm in Union County, NC.  The other pond is referred to as, guess what, the big pond!

A Scattering of Boats

8x10

oil on canvas panel

95.00

Daily Paintworks

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/connie-snipes/a-scattering-of-boats/147314

This is a very paintable scene I found in St. Andrews, Canada.

After Work

4x6

oil on canvas panel

Daily Paintworks\

40.00

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/connie-snipes/after-work/147109

This is another painting from my restaurant series.  So fun to paint!!

Sleeping Puppy (sold)

4x6

oil on canvas panel

40.00

Daily Paintworks

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/connie-snipes/sleeping-puppy/146549

For some time now I have wanted a rescue dog, but since I travel so much it doesn't seem fair to a dog.  I suppose painting dogs and puppies helps satisfy that want for now . 

River Bank

4x6
oil on canvas panel
40.00
Daily Paintworks


http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/connie-snipes/river-bank/146172 

Light in the Woods

8x10

oil on a canvas panel

Daily Paintworks
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/connie-snipes/light-in-the-woods/145935

This painting was painted plein air at a friend's farm.  I loved the light on the area beyond the trees.

Dinner Menu

8x10

oil on canvas panel

Daily Paintworks

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/connie-snipes/dinner-menu/145763

This is another painting in my restaurant series.  I was very happy with the painting, but when I put it on line I was disappointed.  It looks washed out and somewhat colorless on my monitor.  I do hope it looks better on yours!

Mint Julep Cup

4x6

oil on canvas panel

Daily Paintworks auction--35.00

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/connie-snipes/mint-julep-cup/144987

This is a "small" done to warm up before working on a larger painting.  My camera is still in the camera hospital so I have had to rely on friends to take photos and email them to me.  I have many more waiting to be photographed and will get them done over the weekend.

The rationale behind doing a warm is to literally warm up--It should be fairly fast and unlabored looking.  Then you are ready to work on larger paintings without "working them to death."   My second painting is almost always better than my first when painting plein air.  I think it helps that I impose a time limit on the smalls--30 minutes.

Relaxing, Can Can, Richmond, Virginia

8x10

oil on canvas panel

Daily Paintworks

While in Richmond for a painting workshop, a friend took us to a French restaurant, Can Can, and I snapped a photo of the man at the bar in front of us.  We had great food and wine in a beautiful setting.  

Beach Houses, Edisto Island (sold)

8x8

oil on canvas panel

I had a ball painting at Edisto Island, even though I was there in the winter!  I just "faked" a more summery atmosphere.  It's fun to be at the beach when there are almost no people there, but buyers prefer a warmer looking painting.

The Path to the Beach, Edisto Island

7x5

oil on canvas panel

This painting is at Palmetto Moon Gallery in Edisto Island.

A Brisk Walk, Richmond, VA

8x10 

oil on canvas panel
Daily Paintworks

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/connie-snipes/a-brisk-walk-richmond-va/142169

I began this painting in an Ann Blair Brown workshop in Richmond.  I needed a figure, walked outside the gallery, and spotted the girl in the green coat walking briskly down the block.  This painting was not finished in the workshop (last day and we all left a little early) so I finished it last week.

It looks a triffle color saturated on my monitor.  It is so difficult to post a painting and get the color right!

Red Boots

5x7

oil on canvas panel

Daily Paintworks

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/connie-snipes/red-boots/141944

I borrowed a camera today so I could post.  Yea!

I saw this adorable child at the Art Museum in Richmond, VA.  He was in the process of either putting his coat on or taking it off.  He went skipping and hopping through the lobby of the museum...what marvelous energy and cute as a button.

Asian Boat

My camera status is still in limbo, so, loyal readers, I found a photo I thought you might like to see.  This painting, 24x30,belongs to my sister and brother-in-law.  They spent six weeks in Asia, and we selected the boat photo for me to paint.  Here it is in their house with the beautiful silver frame my brother-in-law made for it.

Sor-ree!

I have been painting, but am having camera issues and can't post photos.  I hope to be back in business next week,, so please check back.  Connie

Pink Azaleas, Glencairn Gardens, Rock Hill, SC

8x8

oil on canvas panel

90.00

Daily Paintworks

My Tuesday plein air group painted in Rock Hill, SC this past week.  We sort of wandered around looking for a good site.  It was a sunless day and we just weren't feeling it---SO we had an early lunch and waited for the sun!  It did not disappoint, and when we found this garden almost in town, we settled down to some

serious painting.  I managed to paint two, but was not too thrilled with the first one.  This one was looking through the garden, hence the painting of some houses on another street.  The azaleas were in full bloom which added some good color to an otherwise mostly green scene.

Water Lilies, Sarasota, Florida

 6x6

oil on canvas panel

Daily Paintworks

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/connie-snipes/waterlilies-sarasota-florida/138450

This was painted from a photo I took somewhere around Sarasota.  I was taking a workshop with Marc Hanson, master painter, sponsored by M Gallery.  Painting this scene reminded me of a little story about Marc.  Someone asked for some "painting rules".  He smiled and said, "The rule is to paint a good painting!"

Summer Haybale

8x10

oil on canvas panel

Daily Paintworks

This painting began as a demo for a painting class.  It's a fairly easy scene with an opportunity to teach dark against light and cool against warm.  Love those pretty summer days!

Working Farm, Fairview, North Carolina

8x10

oil on canvas panel

100.00

Daily Paintworks

I have, at last, landed at home in Charlotte for a while, and am so happy to be painting again.  Tomorrow I get to paint with the Plein Air Buds in Rock Hill, SC.  We paint every Tuesday, but I have missed at least 5 or 6 weeks.

This is a scene I have painted once before, but it was several years ago and I am a somewhat different painter than I was then.  It is truly a working farm with many, many good places for painting. If I remember correctly, it is owned by a large family (including a NC senator) but farmed by only one family.  They have bees and horses, but I cannot remember what crops.

Away From Home and Frida Kahlo

I've been out of town for two weeks and two days--first to Marietta, GA, then Bay St Louis, MS, Baton Rouge, LA, New Orleans, and back to Marietta.  I like to get all my visits in at one time to save on driving.  I did deliver the Asian Boat (see last post) to my sister and brother-in-law.   They framed in in a beautiful frame my BIL made and hung it over the fireplace.

On the last leg of the trip, I visited the High Museum in Atlanta with friends I taught school with for many years for the Frida Kahlo/Diego Rivera exhibit.  It was fantastic.  I had never seen any of their work outside of reproductions in books.  Neither used thick paint.  Rivera's work was quite stylized, and Kahlo's work showed her intense pain, both physical and emotional. 

I just got back home today and spent tonight gathering up art supplies for a workshop in Richmond, VA with Ann Blair Brown.  I leave Monday morning and am so excited about the workshop.  I'll try to post some while in the workshop.

The Asian Boat (sold)

30 x 40

oil on stretched canvas

Finally, you say!  I've posted.  I have been painting, just on a large one, and, mercy, they

do take a long time.

This one is for my sweet sister and brother-in-law who spent 6 weeks in Asia

last year.  They took hundreds of photos, all wonderful, but I loved

this one the most.

This is a swap out with my sister.  She is a CPA and she did my taxes for me!

I'm going to see them in two weeks and I now have to figure how to get it into the car.

I am leaving Thursday for Georgia and the painting is still wet in places--taking my

paints to touch it up if necessary and also to paint if I get a chance.

Houses by the Water, Edisto Island

oil on canvas panel
8x10
Daily Paintworks
95.00

Another beach painting--what a surprise!

This is a studio painting from a photo I took at Edisto.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/connie-snipes/houses-by-the-water-edisto-island/12622

Edisto Dunes



Edisto Dunes

4x5

oil on canvas panel

This is one of the smalls in Palmeto Moon Gallery.

The shadow at the top of the photo is cast by the frame.  I just

cropped it out for this post.

For the oil painting artists who read this blog(by the way, thank you):  I have been experimenting

with a folded paper towel, slightly wet, put in the middle of my palette before closing it up.

I have one of those "tupperware-like" palettes. 

I find that it is working.  Even the earth colors which dry the fastest are still moist after 2 days.

Edisto Island

Day, Edisto Island

6x8

oil on canvas panel
sold

I was fortunate enough to be invited to stay in a vacation house

at Edisto Island--close to Charleston, SC.

There were 2 other painters there and we painted and we painted and

we painted!  Great fun.

The weather was dreary except for one day.  On that morning I took

176 photos--wish I had taken more.

I also have a new gallery--Palmetto Moon Gallery--the only gallery on the island.

Two Paintings--Valentine and Whimsy

Southern Whimsey, Weddington, NC

8x10

oil on canvas panel

95.00

Daily Paintworks

This, unusual for me, colorful painting was done onsight at a delightful store

on the highway.  A little of everything inside and out!



The Valentine Gate

8x10

oil on canvas panel

95.00

Daily Paintworks

I meant to post this on Valentine's Day, but......I"m sure you know how it is, so many chores and

appointments.  I wish I could just stay home and paint all day.

Work in progress--2 paintings

I've been painting on larger canvases all week, but have finished nothing.

Tomorrow is a good painting day for me (meaning no other things I have to do) and

I hope to tackle them both.

Asian Boat

24x36

oil on stretched canvas

This one has not been named.

20x24

30 Days, 30 Paintings kChallenge, Painting number 21

Kelly House, Waxhaw, NC

9x11

oil on canvas panel

100.00

Daily Paintworks

We had  a lovely spring like day in Charlotte on Tuesday, and I went out with my painting friends for some much needed plein air painting.  Waxhaw, named after Waxhaw Indians, is a  small town south of Charlotte, which a one time was filled with antique shops.  Most of the antique stores have disappeared, but Waxhaw still retains a charming vibe.

Yesterday's painting was inadvertently left at friends studio before I took a photo.  The challenge ends today, and I have no painting for today.  So I did 22 paintings in all, none on the weekends this time, instead of 30.  I'm disappointed in myself for not meeting the challenge requirements, but still had fun doing what I did.

Starting next week, I plan to concentrate on larger paintings for a while, although I may do some small ones to warm up the old painting fingers!

30 Days, 30 Paintings Challenge, Painting 20

A Touch of Red

8x10

oil on canvas panel

95.00--on Daily Paintworks

This painting is actually from yesterday.  I have a new one for today, painted plein air in Waxhaw, NC.  I'll post it tomorrow night.

30 Days, 30 Paintings Challenge, days 17, 18, 19,

The Red Shed, Bay St. Louis, MS

5x7

70.00

Lake View, Pearson Lake, Union County, NC

5x7

70.00

Looking, Sanibel

5x7

70.00


I'm still behind, but working at catching up.  I have not painted on weekends, ut will this
weekend for sure.

All paintings listed on Daily Paintworks--Just click the icon on the right hand column.



30 Days, 30 Paintings Challenge

Well, guess who is a little behind!  I do have one from yesterday, but

it's too dark for a good photo.

Here's one I started today.  It's quite large--24x36, I believe, so I didn't finish

it, but hope to by Friday.

I am especially working on having a variety of edges--broken, hard, soft, and disappearing.