Wednesday, December 31

Reaching Shadows

"Reaching Shadows"
6" x 6"
Oil on canvas panel
The sun had risen above the horizon as I walked into the woods that morning. It cast spidery shadows down the hillside where tobogganers would soon be making their own paths.  

I painted the sky and snow over a black canvas panel, then used my rubber-tipped "Colour Shaper" to sculpt the tree trunks and branches in the wet paint. This is my last post for this year. 2014 was a year of exploration, realization and clarity. Thank you for each part you contributed to.

Carol

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Tuesday, December 30

Morning Layers

"Morning Layers"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard 
I looked out over the distant hills as the sun began to burn off a dense haze. The prismatic clouds dissipated as daylight claimed the sky.  

I love to paint skies as a warmup exercise when I come down to my studio after an absence. I make several using the same palette —whatever I squeezed out for the first one.

Carol

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Wednesday, December 24

Winter Creek

"Winter Creek"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard
The water hadn't frozen… yet. It reflected the sky dutifully in its liquid mirror, while the hills in the background poked through a frozen mist.  

Here's a snowy one for this Christmas Eve.  I'm not sure if I'm staying in town, or will get out before the snow. If I post, yippee.  If not, I'm… elsewhere.

Merry Christmas,
Carol

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Tuesday, December 23

Conifer Sunset

"Conifer Sunset"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard 
The sun had sunk into a few of the low-hanging clouds, or maybe it was already behind the pines when I noticed. It lit up the distance like those trees were the prizes on the "Price is Right."

I'm getting the hang of using my hands again after my long illness. They were mostly good for holding cups of herbal tea and petting my little dog as I convalesced. It's good to be a woman on the brink again.

Thank you all for your birthday wishes. It was a great Winter Solstice.

Carol

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Monday, December 22

Solstice Sky

"Solstice Sky"
5" x 5"
Oil on hardboard
It's the Winter Solstice. The sky is clear and filled with stars, even though the day was gloomy and gray as it's been for a week. Maybe the sun will come out tomorrow.  

Carol

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Sunday, December 21

Another Parrish

"Another Parrish"
6" x 8"
Oil on canvas panel
The sky and mountains intrigued me, as did the palm-like, yet deciduous tree. It was fun to think about painting this in Buffalo Grove, Illinois at Christmas time 2014, when the original was painted around a hundred years ago. This may be my last Parrish piece for a while, but I certainly enjoyed it.

Oh, and today's my birthday :-)

Carol

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Saturday, December 20

Winter Sunrise

"Winter Sunrise"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard
This piece is a lot like a Maxfield Parrish painting of the same name. I purposely tried to make a sky and mountains like his. The brushwork shows better in person, but you get the idea. 

Every now and then I like to slip into the shoes of an artist I admire by trying to paint one of his pieces. This one appealed to me because of the sky, mountains and the simple trees. It was fun to do and somewhat successful.

Carol

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Friday, December 19

Maxfield Clouds

"Maxfield Clouds"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard
The sky bore a striking resemblance in shape and color to a Maxfield Parrish painting. I sculpted them in colors unlike my normal palette and liked the way they turned out.  

I searched my library for my Maxfield Parrish book and, feeling bold, decided to try to replicate one or two of his paintings.  I painted two landscapes that closely resemble two of his paintings. I wanted to see if I could nail any part of the paintings… so look in tomorrow to see for yourself.

Carol

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Wednesday, December 17

Across the Sand

"Across the Sand"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard


The sun had dipped below the horizon, yet left a sumptuous display for my eyes. It would be fleeting, I knew that, but I'd remember it as it dissipated into the night.  

I'm working at re-establishing my skills from my weakened state after the flu. The heart is willing, but the hand is not as confident. It'll come back, I just need to keep painting.

Carol

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Tuesday, December 16

Evening's Promise

"Evening's Promise"
6"x6"
Oil on hardboard
The sky glowed the promise of something better, and I believed it as evening closed in around me. I could use some… better in my life. 

I've been sick for a few weeks. Pretty darn sick. I've never gone for three weeks without painting, until now. Influenza and its companion complications had flattened me since Thanksgiving. But I'm back in my studio for the first time, today and happy to be able to lift a brush, squeeze paint and smear it around in the shape of something recognizable.

Thank you to those of you who have noticed my absence, for the emails and the prayers for my complete recovery.  I appreciate all of your good thoughts.

Carol

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Wednesday, November 26

Pine Morning

"Pine Morning"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard
I wakened and found what had been a sheath of black the night before, was now a multi-layered wonderland. Even the grasses varied in color and texture.  

Here's a sky painting with a little more foreground than I normally provide.

I will be traveling for a few days. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. I'm thankful for your attention, your love and comments.

Carol

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Tuesday, November 25

Watery

"Watery"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard
I came across some water photos and felt like capturing the ripples, similar to the synapse paintings I did earlier in the year. 

Carol

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Monday, November 24

Passionate Persimmon

"Passionate Persimmon"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard

In preparation for the upcoming holiday, I was in several different grocery stores over the weekend. I noticed an abundance of exotic fruits and vegetables — not just "over the river and through the woods" fare. Persimmons were abundant and reasonably priced, so even if I don't eat it, it was pretty enough to paint. 

Carol

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Tuesday, November 18

Another Trout Stream

"Another Trout Stream"
11" x 14"
Oil on Canvas
The sky was the color of salmon flesh, yet I was thinking "trout" as the day came to a close.   

I've combined some of my technique from pastels with my oils. I used a rubber-tipped device to "squiggle" into the trees and foreground plants to make them look like what I saw in my mind's eye.  I'll do a few more to see if this is something I want to continue.

Carol

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Monday, November 17

Evening on the Point

"Evening on the Point"
5" x 7"
Oil on Hardboard 
The trees were bare, the tourists were gone, but the sky was still performing like it had all season. 

I found a photo of these houses on a point and thought it might be fun to do a study of it, just to see if I could.  It looks pretty watery, but is, indeed, a rough sketch.

Carol

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Sunday, November 16

Trout Stream

"Trout Stream"
3" x 9"
Oil on canvas
This is another of the images I shot of a movie I watched about six weeks ago. The season, the subject matter and the proportion were to my liking, because I had this tiny canvas waiting for the perfect little gem to be painted on it.  

Carol 

Friday, November 14

In the Middle of the Bouquet

"In the Middle of the Bouquet"
24" x 24"
Oil on stretched canvas
I walked into one of the new upscale grocery stores in my neighborhood to find a display of beautifully lit flowers. The bouquets were fresh and spectacular. I had a camera in my purse, so I used it.

It's been months since I've painted a rose, so I decided to paint a large one, in honor of the event.

Carol

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Thursday, November 13

Then There Was … Sun

"Then There Was … Sun"
6" x 6"
Oil on Hardboard
That morning the sun, frizzed by clouds that would burn off within minutes, lifted her head off the pillow of the island and set out to brighten spirits wherever she shone. 

I enjoyed the effort of keeping the colors clean and pure as I placed complements next to one another.  Satisfying… yes.

Carol

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Wednesday, November 12

Storm Sweepin' Through

"Storm Sweepin' Through"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard
Here on the prairie we get some pretty interesting weather patterns sweeping through. But this is not from today… or yesterday. It's sleeting here, the leaves are gone and very little is still green… or gold.  We're down to sticks.  

However, I just tonight signed up for a six day trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico to paint at Georgia O'Keeffe's Ghost Ranch in February. I'm so excited I can hardly sit still. HUGE ROSES are in my future again!  I'm starting one tonight.  A gal has to be … prepared :-)

Carol

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Tuesday, November 11

Island Hopping

"Island Hopping"
5" x 7"
Oil on hardboard
It was cold and still as the sun set, but really quite lovely. There would be no moon, so this was the last hurrah for the day. 

I saw this image and knew I could reproduce the colors pretty accurately, so I did.

Carol

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Friday, November 7

Koi Pond

"Koi Pond"
12" x 16"
Pastel on black canvas panel
I set my camera on the dock, nearly at water level with a school of goldfish and koi lolling just below the surface, to document this scene. They heard my footsteps on the wooden platform and gathered in hopes of being fed. 

I began this painting in hopes of painting one of the 24" koi in the foreground, but the scale was so unbelievable that it looked wrong. So I painted only the ten inch fish, which repeated the foliage across the pond nicely. Once again, this is the Anderson Japanese Gardens, the largest Japanese garden in the country, I learned today.

Carol

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Tuesday, November 4

Winding Path

"Winding Path"
12" x 12"
Pastel on canvas panel
The late afternoon sunlight shone through the spidery branches and cast a nifty diagonal shadow on the path that zigged and zagged through the Japanese Garden in Rockford.

I photographed it from several angles and will probably paint it again and again.

Carol

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Tuesday, October 28

Leaves in the Creek

"Leaves in the Creek"
12" x 12"
Pastel on black gessoed panel
This little creek wound through the garden, filling and emptying many different shaped ponds and tributaries. I captured it here as it turned left and headed to the koi pond. 

I went to the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford over the weekend.  The colors were at their peak and the late afternoon light was perfect for gathering subject matter.

Carol

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Sunday, October 26

Garden Steps

"Garden Steps"
18" x 24"
Pastel on canvas panel
This is my 1000th post to this blog and to Dailypaintworks.com.  I decided to do a significant piece to commemorate the event. It's a shot from the Botanic Gardens I took last week. 

I joined Dailypainters.com about four months later… not to slight that wonderful organization. 

I never, ever expected to be able to continue posting after the first week of doing it. I thought my heart palpitations would never stop, but after a month, I was merely nervous. After a year I had gotten the hang of it, and by five hundred posts I was entirely comfortable.  Thank you dear followers for your comments, your affection and for purchasing pieces when the image has moved you.

Onward!
Carol

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Wednesday, October 22

Ned's Lily

"Ned's Lily"
8" x 10"
Pastel on canvas panel
I was given a photo of this lily from Friday's visit to the Garden.  It struck me as gorgeous when I saw it. I wanted to paint it immediately, but I had other subject matter in queue. So tonight when I sat down to paint, this one simply called to me. The puddle of water at the top was especially difficult to create, but I think it looks puddly, don't you?  

I appreciate when friends share their photos with me. I can't always be in the right place at the right time, but if some of us can, it helps!

Carol

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Tuesday, October 21

Autumnal Splendor

"Autumnal Splendor"
9" x 12"
Pastel on canvas panel 
This is another image of when the light was magical at the Garden. It was in a similar spot to the painting from yesterday. I'm so happy to have been receptive to the gift of light.  

Our autumn has been colorful, but dampened by many repeated days of gray and overcast. Lots of rain, too.  It's why I'm making such a deal about the light. It was breathtaking.

Carol

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Monday, October 20

Intensely Autumn

"Intensely Autumn"
14" x 11"
Pastel on canvas panel
I was at the garden early in the morning last week when the colors seemed to be very saturated.  Every plant and blossom fairly glowed as I strolled. The sky looked to be borrowed from a post card, then within a few minutes it all went back to normal. I'm grateful to have experienced seeing a few of my favorite places in the garden during that magical light. 

Carol

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Sunday, October 19

Beets, Balls

"Beets, Balls"
9" x 12"
Pastel on canvas panel
The "exterior decorators" at the Botanic Gardens have inserted pumpkins and squashes in the beds with the autumn pansies, beets, grasses and mums. They're intimately nestled amongst the tootsies of those plants like shoe clips on plain black pumps.  

It was an unexpected delight to see the small gourds in the raised beds. What a clever and colorful idea to mingle them for the unsuspecting visitor.

Carol

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Saturday, October 18

Ornamentals

"Ornamentals"
12" x 12"
Pastel on canvas panel
I spent three hours in the sun at the Botanic Gardens today. I took 322 photos, documenting the colors and textures of the season. I have many more photos than I thought possible to use as subject matter! So I'll begin this autumnal series with cabbages, grasses and mums. 

I met several people today. Kevin and Ned told me about a peony garden in Milwaukee where I can get several years worth of subject matter in one day. Marion and I were moved to tears as we stood in front of the tiny bonsai trees, that like their ginormous cousins, were turning the appropriate colors for their species and dropping tiny leaves.

I doubt that I'll go there again this season, but maybe once snow falls, I'll go back to capture the essence of winter before I'm weary of snow.

 Carol

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Friday, October 17

Drifted

"Drifted"
6" x 6"
Pastel on hardboard 
I found a photo in a magazine similar to this scene and painted the essence of it.  I've made snow before on a larger ground, and I think, like sky, it is better large, than small with the medium and technique I use. Ya live, ya learn. 

Carol

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Thursday, October 16

Castlewood Canyon Bridge

"Castlewood Canyon Bridge"
12" x 12"
Pastel on canvas panel
You can drive over this part of the canyon under which Cherry Creek trickles.  The snaking ribbon of blue flowing under the starkly contemporary bridge is what attracted me to this scene. And if you know my work at all, architectural elements are seldom included. So this is a unique piece… for me. 

I would have been in this place right about now, but my friend that I visit has come here, instead. I'll go to see her in another season sometime within the coming year.

Carol

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Wednesday, October 15

Somewhere in Texas

"Somewhere in Texas"
8" x 8"
Pastel on canvas panel
A while ago I found a photo of this Texas landscape and kept it on my desktop. I only remember that it was in Texas. The colors, the texture, the light all drew me to this spot. I'd love to go there some day to see a place where the land is so many different colors.  

I have about four or five more panels left from the dozen or so I painted black for this landscape series. I may have to prep more, as I'm getting a lot of favorable comments on my squiggle technique.

Carol

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Tuesday, October 14

Peak and Garden of the Gods

"Peak and Garden of the Gods"
9" x 12"
Pastel on canvas panel
There's a road near both the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak where you can get a peak at both. In October of last year, this is how it looked. I loved October in Colorado last year. I'll go back again, but not just yet. 

Carol

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Monday, October 13

Pond Pads

"Pond Pads"
14" x 11"
Pastel on canvas panel
I've painted this scene at least twice before. I love the dark shadows and the reflections in this pond. I've wanted to paint it with pastel, so now I have. It was as fun as I hoped it would be. 

I'm testing old subject matter and new alike, with my black canvas and hard pastels. I'm also wearing nitrile gloves to keep my hands from looking like a car mechanic's.  Oh, what fun!!

Carol

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Sunday, October 12

Trout Stream

"Trout Stream"
8" x 8"
Pastel on canvas panel
I watched a movie last night after I finished painting and posting my missive for the night.  It had some beautiful scenery in it, so I pointed my camera at the TV screen and captured half a dozen images of things I want to paint. This is one of them. 

I've seen trout streams like this in Colorado, but this one happens to have been in Oregon.  I'd love to go to Oregon some day, even if it's just to drive through and take photos. Anyone want to take me on a subject matter trip?

Carol

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Saturday, October 11

Garden Pond

"Garden Pond"
12" x 9"
Pastel on canvas panel
I have yet to see this pond reflect blue. It's always muddy brown as I cross the bridge that spans from the parking lot to the island that is the Chicago Botanic Garden.  I've photoshopped it, posterized it and tried to make it prettier than it is, but nobody would recognize it if it were pristine. Strangely muddy is how I perceive this body of water that surrounds one of the most beautiful places in Chicagoland. 

The closeup flowers hang from containers on the bridge. The flowers in them change with the season. This was the view from August, seven years ago.  I always photograph from this bridge. Every trip to the Garden begins or ends with this vista.

Carol

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Friday, October 10

The Lieutenant River

"The Lieutenant River"
14" x 11"
Pastel on canvas panel
I was in Old Lyme, Connecticut a few years ago and again before that. This is the Lieutenant River  in the back yard of the Florence Griswold House and Museum where the American Impressionists painted at the same time the movement was in progress in Europe. Many artists summered in the comfort in her large home. They painted during the day and chatted and played games in candlelight after dark.  I've spent hours in this place, channeling the energy of our country's Impressionists who created in this place 110 years ago.

I've painted this before, but not quite like this. I'm pleased with how it turned out.

Carol

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Thursday, October 9

Polished Knob

"Polished Knob"
7" x 5"
Pastel on canvas panel
I visited many old bars, inns and homes in Wisconsin this summer. There were doors that fascinated me, and this was one of them. Imagine my surprise when I saw how shiny the brass knob was when I got up close. Of course it would be well used — being the door to the bathroom. 

I didn't use my squiggle pattern to paint this. Oh, I tried to, but the wood just didn't look… wooden, so I put on some Neil Young and let my hand stroke back and forth to his swaying rhythm.

Carol

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Tuesday, October 7

Flaming Tips

"Flaming Tips"
20" x 16"
Pastel on hardboard
 
I found this cluster of pots at the Botanic Gardens in August when I was there with friends to paint en plein air. I photographed it for the sunlit leaves and the banana plant in the background. Bananas do not grow in Illinois, unless they're in pots, such as this one was.  

I thought I'd make a palette knife painting of the photo, but I'm in a pastel mood right now, and it suited my need for subject matter, again, on a larger scale than I've been doing. I'm pleased with the outcome.

Carol

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Friday, October 3

Coleus Carnival

"Coleus Carnival"
24" x 20"
Pastel on black panel
Flanking the front door of the floral shoppe down the road from Mary and Dee's home where I stayed for five days last week was a barrel of coleus and ornamental sweet potato plants. The colors radiated in the sunshine, so I photographed them, hoping to be able to use the image … some day. 

When I saw the image on my computer screen I knew they would be my first large, three day painting in my squiggle style of pastel painting.  I'm very pleased with the results. And I can hardly wait to begin my next large pastel painting. I've become … braver.

Carol

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Thursday, October 2

Downtown Blues and Greens

"Downtown Blues and Greens"
9" x 12"
Pastel on canvas panel
This is the last of the LaCrosse paintings. I had done the ones in warm colors and decided to make one to go in a silver plein air frame I brought with me.  I didn't like it as much as three other pieces, so it stayed behind. 

What has surprised me and some of my followers is that the squiggly marks I make with my pastel also works for non-organic subject matter such as buildings. I'm not as fond of it, used this way, but I rose to the challenge and did what I set out to do.

Carol

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Wednesday, October 1

Sedum Garden

"Sedum Garden"
8" x 8"
Pastel on canvas panel
It's the end of the season for Mary's garden, but the sedum were at their peak, so I featured them amongst the sticks and stems of what was a gorgeous display a month ago when I was there. 

This piece is VERY much prettier in person… very tapestry like, but the greens photographed as black.

Carol

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Tuesday, September 30

Fourth and Main

"Fourth and Main"
8" x 10"
Pastel on canvas panel
The second painting I submitted for the plein air competition was also a pastel of downtown LaCrosse. Of course, LaCrosse is seldom seen in these colors, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.  

Carol

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Monday, September 29

Fifth and Main

"Fifth and Main"
8" x 8"
Pastel on canvas panel 
This is one of the three pieces I submitted to the plein air competition this past week in LaCrosse, Wisconsin on the Mississippi. It's in my favorite style of painting with pastel, alas, it did not win any awards.

I made new friends and met up with a couple of recently-made new friends in my travels. I enjoyed being a part of this event, and hope to participate again.

Carol

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Tuesday, September 23

At Water's Edge

"At Water's Edge"
5" x 7"
Oil on canvas panel 
How it stayed rooted for as long as it had, amazed me. A pine that close to the water's edge doesn't usually stand straight and flourish as this one seems to have. I hope my commenting on it hasn't jinxed it.  Hang in there, beauty…  

I'll be out of state at a plein air event for about five days. I will not be posting during that time, but will be attentive to email in the evening if you care to write.

Carol

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Monday, September 22

Valley

"Valley"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard 
I've been reading some old missives about applying paint to a canvas to create art, "The Boston School of Painting" by Frank Benson.  Choose the right value, he says, get plenty of paint on the brush, and apply it in one stroke — flat, don't fuzz it or fuss with it.  I'm not sure I can abide by those rules, but I tried it. Maybe it's appealing to someone.  

Carol  

Sunday, September 21

Streaming Amethyst

"Streaming Amethyst"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard
 
The sky reflected an amethyst quality onto the stream in front of me. I was tempted to wade into it with a fine mesh net to gather  the precious booty. 

I love how water takes on the colors of what surrounds it and is in it. Here, I considered the sky, weeds, trees and rocks as I painted.

Carol

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Saturday, September 20

Pine Time

"Pine Time"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard
A river ran across this corner of the ranch where my friend took me to visit. The air was crisp and we never saw a bug… so unlike summer in Illinois. 

The fragrance of pine was prominent. Maybe that's why there were no bugs, but I didn't know what other kinds of varmints there were to threaten me.  Ignorance was bliss.

Carol

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Friday, September 19

As We Came Through the Clouds

"As We Came Through the Clouds"
5" x 5"
Oil on hardboard
The captain informed us of possible bumpiness as we approached Chicago. The tops of the clouds didn't appear to be tortuous, but we cinched in our belts anyway.  He was right. Not so many bumps as rolls side to side. Beautiful to the eye — icky to the stomach. 

My last sky painting for a few days. I promise.  I needed to make them to cover while I was out of town to attend a wedding. I enjoyed the hours spent "in the clouds."

Carol

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Thursday, September 18

New Day

"New Day"
5" x 5"
Oil on hardboard
As the sun rose behind the pines, and probably over the lake, but not from where I was. I didn't have time to check further, because I liked what I was seeing from right… here. 

I love to paint little skies!

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
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