View From the Bridge

"View From the Bridge"
16" x 20"
Oil on gessoed panel

The greens had become weary of themselves.  It had been a long season of verdant perkiness.  "Enough already," I heard the distant shoreline whisper, "let's get on with the show."

Fall at the Chicago Botanic Gardens is such a luscious departure from the spring and summer green that I find myself photographing the landscape more than the flowers come fall.

I thought this would be a nice painting on which to end the year.  Thank you for being nothing but kind to me as I've put my "stuff" out here on a daily basis, for almost six months.  I appreciate all of you. 

DPW

Carol  

Group Hug

"Group Hug"
8" x 10"
Oil on canvas panel

The pears knew their days were numbered.  They could smell the aroma of vanilla roasted pears wafting from the kitchen.  


There was no green left on the three pears I had used for the single portraits.  They ripened to this rosy-golden glow in short order.  I showed the dimpled blemish on the left-hand guy, just to see if I could do it.  It took a lot of looking and squinting to figure it out.

Thus ends my pear quest.  Thanks for looking.

Dailypaintworks
My DPW Gallery
brushstrokes@comcast.net

...Carlisle

"...Carlisle"
6" x 6"
Oil on canvas panel

Third in the pear series is this strange-stemmed critter.  It came out of the side of his top, like a beak.  I opted not to change his unusual feature, but to document it.  

Carlise, here, hailed from the Wisconsin contingent.  He arrived on the same day as two other gifts of pears. When it rains, it PEARS.  Pine boards seemed like an appropriate base for this entry.  

Dailypaintworks

My DPW Gallery

brushstrokes@comcast.net 

...David...

"...David..."
6" x 6"
Oil on canvas panel

David, here, was feeling his oats when it came time for him to be immortalized.  Since he couldn't be chiseled from marble, like his namesake, he opted to pose on samples of marble pieces for a fireplace surround.  


I was thrilled to have found the time to paint the gifted pears from life.  It's great practice.  But it also meant that I got to keep some fresh ones for myself, having brought them to my studio.  As I mentioned, the rest have become yummy desserts.

Dailypaintworks
My DPW Gallery
brushstrokes@comcast.net

Thank you for stopping by.
Carol

Harry...

"Harry..."
6" x 6"
Oil on canvas panel

"Tis the season, and especially for pears.  This beauty, we'll call "Harry" and a slew of his friends, who shall remain nameless, at least until tomorrow, arrived on my doorstep in time for Christmas.  

The Domestic Goddess in my kitchen made Pear Tarts and Vanilla Roasted Pears, and a concoction to add to my morning oatmeal. Thank you, one and all for the pears! 

And I still have pears to paint, too—I hope.  

Thank you for visiting.  I appreciate your comments and your ongoing support of my little effort, here.  

DPW

My DPW Gallery

brushstrokes@comcast.net

Trees of Life

"Trees of Life"
15" x 9"
Watercolor on paper

Sometimes life can't be supported merely by one trunk.  It might take more to hold up all that teeming protoplasm.  


Take the cookie sheet out of the freezer and peel off the plastic wrap be prepared to deal with what has been going on in your absence. There will be ice crystal patterns if it is cold enough.  If you want more texture, sprinkle a wee bit of salt at this point, where you want a snowflake effect.

Keep an open mind to the possibilities.  The "tree trunks" were two large wrinkles that either became very hard-edged or I made harder by stroking not-too-wet paint up to the dry "trunk" lines.

Working the wet areas is a lot of fun.  Keeping the paper wet while on the cookie sheet is the trick to soft edges and being able to work the positive and negative shapes.  Pull off the waxed paper only as you intend to work on an area.  Once it's dry it becomes like working on any other dry painting.

I have sprayed water underneath the art to retard the drying process.

Dabbing with a dry Q-Tip is a good way to correct mistakes. Or use a clean, damp brush to wipe out mistakes, but don't press or scrape too hard.

Make sure not to paint with too much water, it'll make backruns or blossoms.

Enjoy the process.  It's different and fun.  Most watercolorists don't get the luxury of painting slowly into damp paper, acting like oil painters.

For more information on this technique please Google Kathleen Conover.  

Dailypaintworks.com
My DPW Gallery
brushstrokes@comcast.net

Thank you for visiting.
Carol

Christmas Squash

"Christmas Squash"
9" x 12"
Oil on canvas panel

Merry Christmas!


I chose this colorful squash to adorn my Thanksgiving table weeks ago.  It did that job, then got moved to a less spectacular spot, and left there with the promise to be painted.  It waited for me to find a moment—without developing a blemish or signs of aging.  We should all be so lucky. 

I don't know what kind of squash this is, but I hope to open it on a cold afternoon and bake it.  I loved the colors in the real item. I am anticipating a yellow pulp inside, but don't have any idea what surprises await.  If you know what this is can you let me know?

DPW
My DPW Gallery
brushstrokes@comcast.net

God bless you, one and all.
Carol

Other Worlds

"Other Worlds"
15" x 9"
Watercolor on paper

There are worlds where the lowly feather is looked upon with wonder and awe. 

I cut out waxed paper shapes: feathers, circles, crescents, leaves, and arranged them on the saturated watercolor paper, then brushed on deep values of paint.  It didn't go under the waxed paper, which had become saturated and flimpy.  

I immediately covered the whole thing with plastic wrap and squooshed it where I wanted wrinkles.  I put a magazine on top of the plastic wrap to weight it slightly. Don't use anything of value, it could absorb paint. Then put the whole thing on a level shelf in the deep freeze. (remember it's on a cookie sheet) Or outside if you have below zero, not just below freezing, temperatures.

Now go away.  Forget about it for a day or so.  You won't see my next installment until the day after Christmas.  So go eat some fruitcake, drink some egg nog,  or staple mistletoe wherever you plan to spend the next couple of days.

DPW site

My DPW Gallery

brushstrokes@comcast.net

I mean it, don't peek or peel up that plastic wrap.  Santa's watching.  

Carol

Blue Ice

"Blue Ice"
9" x 15" 
Watercolor on paper

Like flotsam along the bank of a steam, nature has a way of tossing her castoffs in an attractive way.  

This series is done on a 90 pound  French, Cold Press paper.  That means, 100 sheets in a given size weighs 90 pounds.  Watercolor paper comes in 140 pound, 300 and 450 pound weight.  The texture of the cold press hand made paper is slightly bumpy.  Hot press is smooth, like it was pressed by a hot iron.  And then there's rough. 

Do this part of the project on a cookie sheet.  It'll hold the amount of liquid you'll need to be successful.  Thin paper worked nicely with this process. The paper absorbed the water and paint. Moisture didn't just sit on the surface, so it froze all the way through it, too.  To be continued...

 DPW site

My DPW Gallery

brushstrokes@comcast.net

Ginkgo Moons

"Ginkgo Moons"
9" x 15"
Watercolor on paper

Crystaline images frozen in time is a series I've created using a non-traditional technique and a few tried and true ones.  These are not brand new, but you'll find them to be of interest, nonetheless. 

Kathleen Conover is an artist who succeeded in utilizing the inclement Michigan winter to enhance her own capabilities. Sub-zero temperatures in particular, allowed her to develop her unique style.

When I learned that she froze watercolor paper, sloppy wet with paint, I looked at my deep freeze with renewed interest.  Over the next few days, I'll be exploring the ins and outs of what I've learned.

DPW
My DPW Gallery (over 165 of my paintings)
brushstrokes@comcast.net

Thank you for visiting. 
Carol

The Yolk's on Humpty

"The Yolk's on Humpty"
12" x 12"
Oil on hardwood panel 

It's my birthday—The Winter Solstice—the longest night of the year.  This whimsical piece demonstrates how I feel about life. Sometimes ya balance, sometimes ya break. Better learn to make omelets!


My recent egg paintings prompted someone to give Ol' Humpty, here, to me.  He was from a Happy Meal.  I collect small chairs, nests and birds, so Humpty seemed like a logical addition.


DPW
Brushstrokes@comcast.net
My DPW Gallery

Thank you for visiting the birthday girl today.
Carol

Crescent Door

"Crescent Door"
12" x 12"
Oil on canvas panel

It was a hike to the outhouse on the edge of the property, but in the summer when we used it, the stroll was worth the effort. 

This was a quick study.  A warm up. An exercise in looseness, bold strokes and interpretation.  I struggled to take it past a non-committal stage with regard to value.  I darkened the leaves in the foreground and the tree trunks, too.  I don't know if it's a success or not, but the two-seater is kind of cute.

DPW
My DPW Gallery
Brushstrokes@comcast.net

Carol

From Whence...

"From Whence..."
6" x 6"
Oil on canvas panel

Where did I come from?  Well, darling, I found you in Colorado.  I wanted a red one, but red was not to be had.  Blue suits me fine enough.  But if you want the truth, I guess I'd have to say you were made in China. You're resin.  Painted.  The shell is real, though.  Organic.  Wisconsin.  

Here's another in my series on gray, textured backgrounds.  I make them up weeks in advance so I don't have to think about what color to put behind each object. It's neutral and whimsical. 

DPW

My DPW gallery

brushstrokes@comcast.net

Thank you for coming by today. 

Carol

Pose and Repose

"Pose and Repose"
9" x 12"
Oil on canvas panel 

This time of year peppers are feeling less than PEPPY.  I found these three lazy guys lounging on the table next to my drawing board after a photo shoot. They lolled and recounted the merits of green versus red.  The yellow guy was fast asleep...  figures. 


These were fun to paint!  I'm learning to use the Cadmium colors and to mix viridian to it's best use, too.  But viridian stains my beautiful Rosemary and Company Ivory bristle brushes.  Any wisdom on this problem?

Dailypaintworks.com 
Brushstrokes@comcast.net
My Gallery

Thanks!!!!
Carol

Fishing Hole

"Fishing Hole"
18" x 18"
Oil on wrapped canvas

We found the place where we had been told we'd catch a few. It was peaceful and accessible.  But what about that pond back in the distance, is that a better spot? 


I painted this with the sole intent of depicting a lovely autumn day in the forest preserve near my home.  Then two men told me it looked like a fishing hole, so the name stuck.

DPW 
my DPW Gallery
brushstrokes@comcast.net

Winding Through

"Winding Through"
10" x 8"
Oil on canvas panel

There were narrow places in the stream that you could step over, others wide and deep enough for fish to gather.  Every step of the way was intriguing and teeming with life.  


If you look closely at this piece you'll see the calligraphic strokes of my rubber tipped shader. I toned the canvas with burnt umber so those marks reflect the underpainting, and not white.  There are times when this technique just feels right.

DPW
my DPW Gallery
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Yellow Roses and Lilacs

"Yellow Roses and Lilacs"
9" x 12"
Acrylic on canvas panel

I found these beauties stuffed in a two-pound coffee can, awaiting their transfer to a more elegant vessel. It was a lot like seeing the Sugar Plum Fairy in bowling shoes!  

Unlike the other rose bouquet from yesterday, full sunlight bathed them, and there wasn't much of a blush in the background.

This piece is already sold. It sits on an easel in a lovely "Bed and Breakfast" in Colorado.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Carol

Cluster Roses

"Cluster Roses"
12" x 9"
Acrylic on canvas panel

The morning light kissed the tips of these colorful blossoms so gently and passionately, that the background fairly blushed.

I tend to paint decorative pieces like Cluster Roses in a series, too. This is one of several I did as a learning experience.  I'm pleased with the outcome.

See this and the other things I do on Dailypaintworks.com.  If you're shy or concerned about purchasing art through an auction, please email me to work out the details.  Brushstrokes@comcast.net.

Thank you for looking in today.

Carol

Five Cousins

"Five Cousins"
9" x 12"
Oil on canvas panel

It looks like Cinderella's used car lot! And to some extent, it is.  These are all "used" pumpkins that were given to me after the pumpkin holiday—all but the long, horizontal one.  It's an Amish cooking pumpkin I bought myself.  It was, however, dark green and orange two months ago.  I'll slice it and bake it soon. 


I stacked these to fit one of the canvas panels I had prepped for just such an
occasion.  I enjoyed using variations of the same colors to define five different entities.

I'm trying something new. You know the drill.  I hate to keep restating it.

DPW
my DPW Gallery


Thank you for stopping by,
Carol

Pet Milk Sleeve

"Pet Milk Sleeve"
6' x 6"
Oil on canvas panel

Back in the day, I mean a lot of days ago, years even, coffee drinkers used Pet Milk instead of cream for their coffee.  It came in a can that needed to be punctured with a triangular punch.  Then punctured again on the other side of the lid to let air in.  It was convenient but not pretty, so Pet Milk "sleeves" were made to make them presentable for table use.  It has a large hole in the bottom so the can could be pushed out when it was empty.  


This "sleeve," for lack of a better word is marked Germany.   It has auditioned for and gotten bit parts in many of my paintings.  This is, however it's first leading role.  Brava!

This little piece can be purchased on DPW or directly from me if you read my blog and find out that's even possible.  Of course it is!

Thanks!
Carol

White Peony on Black #2

"White Peony on Black #2"
10" x 8"
Acrylic on canvas panel

Here is another in the series.  The patterns are arranged differently, yet the essence and elegance remain the same. 

This is another example of my faux finishing background.  I love pattern, texture and decorative art.  And it's a super way to feature a painterly, single bloom.

See it on DPW.  Buy it there, too.

Thanks!

Carol

White Peony on Red"

"White Peony on Red"
10" x  8"
Acrylic on canvas panel

Another peony and pattern adds to the texture this time. The addition of symbols and coins gives it an oriental flare.

I had made several in the black and tan combination when it felt right to add another color.  This brick red was a good choice. 

Dailypaintworks.com is the place to see this and my other pieces, and to purchase them. 

Thank you for taking the time to look.

Carol

White Peony on Black

"White Peony on Black"
8" x 8"
Acrylic on canvas panel

I combined a limited palette with texture, pattern, and a single bloom to make this whimsical, decorative piece.

This is the first in a series of similar paintings I'll be posting over the next few days.  It would make lovely table top art when framed. 

This and all my pieces funnel into Dailypaintworks.com where they can be viewed in my gallery or purchased at auction.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Carol

Watery Lily

"Watery Lily"
12" x 24"
Acrylic on wrapped canvas

The small, corporate pond was unremarkable by day, but by night she donned a sophisticated alure in the reflected light of nearby shoppe lights. 

I'm unaccustomed to painting in this realm... dark, really dark values.  This low key painting is one of the few you'll ever see from this artist.  I'm just not comfortable here.  In fact, it kind of makes my heart palpitate, like I'm suffocating to paint this dark.  But it was an experience! 

Watery Lily funnels right into DPW.  If you're interested in purchasing it, or looking at the rest of my paintings in my gallery, click here. 

Thanks!

Carol

Hydrangea Study

"Hydrangea Study"
8" x 8"
Watercolor on paper

These were transitional plantings between garden rooms at the Botanic Gardens. The blooms and buds and incidental plants caught my eye as I passed. Dots and lines in particular. Not just the pretty petals. 


This was a refresher in using masking fluid. I masked layer after layer of dry paint.  It worked nicely. I especially like the blue-green leaves on the right. They're so cool in temperature in the midst of quite a warm painting.

See it in my gallery on Dailypaintworks.  It'll be there with 150 of my other paintings, all lined up and perky. Not just stacked, propped or dangling from Fireline in my studio.

Thanks for checking in on me.
Carol

Door County Sunset

"Door County Sunset"
6" x 6"
Oil on clayboard panel

We were in Door County on the beach with all the white rocks, but they didn't look white in the diminished light. Diminished as far as the beach goes, but the sky light was absolutely gorgeous over the water. 

I painted this piece on clay board. The paint just wouldn't slather, in the thin way that I use it, so I did most of this painting with my finger—not even my index finger!  My ring finger on my right hand.  Couldn't believe how the paint smeared using it.  HOWEVER, there are three cadmium colors present, so I did it quickly, washed thoroughly and hope I don't succumb to some dreadful artist's disease.

It's for sale and purchase on DPW.

Thanks,
Carol

Light in the Woods

"Light in the Woods"
8" x 8"
Acrylic on panel

When the light peeked between the tree trunks at this bend in the stream, it was time to wrap it up for the day. The hike back to the road would use up the rest of my daylight.  


Actually, I didn't stand anywhere near this lovely place to paint it. It is, in fact another attempt at using a palette knife, while looking at a photo.  There's a composition similar to this by Linda Wilder, so I can't take credit for the place, but I did paint this with my own colors and my own take on it.

This one is not for sale.  It was just for practice, but I thought you'd enjoy seeing it.

Carol

Lily Lake, Spring

"Lily Lake, Spring"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard panel

I drive past this reflective lake regularly.  It's close to the road, with an easy-to-access parking lot. I'm amazed how often sections of the water are perfectly still, while others are wind-swept.  Lily Lake seldom disappoints.

I enjoyed painting the past few paintings listed as being painted on hardboard panels. The surface is a delight to work on. It's smooth, yet has tooth, and is rigid, so there's no bounce back.  I like it. A lot.

This painting, like most, can be seen in my gallery and purchased on Dailypaintworks.com.

Thank you for stopping by.
Carol

Salt and Peppers

"Salt and Peppers"
10" x 10"
Oil on wrapped canvas

Red pepper was caught snuggling up to a shapely salt shaker. There is was stroking her curves like a gigolo.  Yellow pepper groveled at his feet—begging him to stick to his own kind. 

Soon after painting pears, a year or so ago, I tried peppers. I liked what they had to offer in the way of translucency, highlights and shadows.  Their stems were great fun, too.

Dailypaintworks is the place to find this and a pretty hefty array of my paintings.  Check 'em out by clicking here.

Carol

Pikes Peak Morning

"Pikes Peak Morning"
8" x 10"
Oil on wrapped canvas

From the overlook near Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is a view across many miles of uncluttered terrain that begins with scrub oaks, through pine trees, rock outcroppings and the foothills leading up to Pikes Peak.  It's free for the stopping.

This is a study for a larger painting.  I have collected many images of this view, and hope to do it justice some time soon.

This small piece can be purchased on Dailypaintworks.com.

Thank you,
Carol

Rusted Gate

"Rusted Gate"
6" x  6"
Oil on hardboard panel 

I drive by this fence once a week, and  it remains as undisturbed as you see it here.  It's a back road to my destination, and easily missed if you're watching the curvy, hilly road.  But I'm vigilant for subject matter, and my camera is ever present.  In fact, my photo on my blog was taken by ME at a traffic light as I held the camera on the steering wheel.  Ya just never know...  

I painted the background last night. The fence tonight. I wanted the landscape to be dry enough to paint on top of, instead of plowing into it with wet paint. I managed to do most of this with a rigger and a maulstick.

See it, buy it on Dailypaintworks.com. 

Thanks a bunch!
Carol

Handles

"Handles"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard panel

I saw these three items with nothing in common but "Handles," and put them together.  I liked the reflections in the borrowed, Art Deco pitcher.  Thanks, dear friend. 


The squash is a decorative item leftover from Turkey Day.  The osage orange, which is NOT orange at all was found alongside the road. It's also called a hedge apple.  Reportedly, it's supposed to keep bugs away.  We'll see about that.

"Handles" can be seen and purchased on Dailypaintworks.com.  Or you can contact me directly, as always, via email.

Thank you for taking the time to look today.
Carol

Storm Over the Pond

"Storm Over the Pond"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard panel

The sky wore a convincing look of winter as it rolled across Wisconsin's farmland, despite the balminess of the actual temperature.  


I toned the board with burnt umber.  Which means, I rubbed the white with a warm brown, then wiped it off.  You can see it through the clouds, in the water, and trees.  I love this look in landscapes. It unifies everything painted on top of it.

This painting is for purchase on Dailypaintworks.com.

Thank you for looking in today.
Carol

Fresh Eggs

"Fresh Eggs"
8" x 8"
Oil on hardboard panel

The crate had tipped, but you know those brown egg shells, they're tough;  irregular in shape, size and color, too. 


I acquired this cute egg crate from an artist-friend. She would have enjoyed seeing how I used it.

This painting is for purchase through a Dailypaintworks.com Auction.  Or just visit my gallery on that site by clicking here.

Thank you for visiting today.
Carol

Lieutenant River

"Lieutenant River"
16" x 20"
Oil on gessoed panel

"We're going to Old Lyme for lunch. You'll like it there.  Artists used to paint there," said my daughter. I was from Illinois, a guest. What did I know about Florence Griswold or the Lieutenant River?  

It was 1997 when Natalie got her Masters in Psychology.  We did lunch in Old Lyme.  I was new to Impressionism, but tumbled hard into an infatuation, then love with what and where the American Impressionists painted. The terrain in Old Lyme was similar to what the European Impressionists were accustomed to painting. Florence had a huge home, a porch, flower gardens and in her back yard was the Lieutenant River.

Today there's a wonderful art museum on the grounds.  The Griswold home is open to the public, as is an art studio once used by William Chadwick.  Tomorrow I'll post a painting I copied from Chadwick called, "On the Piazza" painted in 1908 on the porch at Florence Griswold's home.

"Lieutenant River" is for sale on Dailypaintworks.com

Thank you for reading this lengthy missive.
Carol

Queen Anne's Lace

"Queen Anne's Lace"

Wisconsin fields sway with color and texture, hazy-late in the summer. The "Queen Anne's Lace"  petticoats along her sinewy roads and lanes flutter in the heat and wave in that proper queenly fashion.

Oh, boy was this fun. I put actual lace on a canvas then smeared joint compound over it. Pulled up the lace and painted over the texture.  When you go to my gallery on Dailypaintworks.com and run your cursor over the art, you can see the texture under the paint.  I've done this on many pieces, but they all sold before I could photograph them. 

Thank you for visiting today.  It's always fun to know you're there, reading and looking at what I've been doing. 
Carol

Fox River/Lieutenant River

"Fox River/Lieutenant River"
12" x 12"
Oil on canvas panel

I saw this image in a stack of photos and flipped it over to see the words "Fox River, East Troy, Wisconsin.  I needed to paint it.  It looks just like my favorite place in Old Lyme, Connecticut on the Lieutenant River where the American Impressionists painted in Florence Griswold's back yard.   


This painting was painted very quickly. I blocked in the various sections, established my sky, water and land masses. I know this place... well one of them, anyway, and I love it there. Painting it was like going on a trip.

See it in my Gallery on Dailypaintworks.com.  It's for sale via PayPal or on the DPW auction.

Thank you so much for looking today.
Carol

Marilyn's Stones, Nick's Apple



"Marilyn's Stones, Nick's Apple"
8" x 8"
Oil on canvas panel

 I was given this apple to paint when the Wolf River Apple was shown without a stem.  This one had a stem, and nice markings, too.  And the rocks were placed where she knew I'd find them.  I  love being given things to add to paintings.  And their unlikely pairings make for interesting compositions.

This piece is for purchase via PayPal through me, as are all my pieces, or through a Dailypaintworks.com auction that runs for four weeks.

Thank you for my gifts, my friends.

Carol

Melancholy Morning

"Melancholy Morning"
16" x 20"
Oil on gessoed panel 

It was morning, one of the last lovely ones of the fall. These gals were some of the few left clinging to the picket fence. I'll miss their nodding heads.

This is one of the first pieces I've painted with the addition of a new color to my palette.  Gray of Gray is the name of the tube color. I can see the influence of it in this piece, when compared to my other roses.

Melancholy Morning can be purchased through an auction on Dailypaintworks, or it can be purchased through my PayPal account directly.

Thank you for visiting today.
Carol

Heirloom Tomatoes and a Feather

"Heirloom Tomatoes and a Feather"
8" x 8"
Oil on Hardwood panel

I bought tiny potatoes and tiny tomatoes at Trader Joe's last weekend. I found the feather in their parking lot. As I dropped tomatoes into our salad, I decided to store the chosen ones in my old Lenox coffee cup until painting time. Well, this is just how I left them and decided to paint them that way.


The translucency, the cup, and the background was asking for trouble. What a challenge!  Then I applied my first brushstroke.  Oh, my!  This was my first experience with a nearly smooth hardwood panel.  Sweet!  I loved it!  I'll use it again!

Dailypaintworks.com.  You know the drill.

Carol

Coins

"Coins"
20" x 10"
Acrylic on canvas

There's a place where coins rest on bottom of the sea, all crusted over with indigenous minerals and marked with trails of migrating organisms. 

"Coins" is the last in the series of textured orbs.  It was an enjoyable experiment. There will be more after the first of the year.  I'm eager to paint like this again.  It has a freeing quality about it.  The rules of composition and color remain, but it uses a different part of my right side. 

See them all on Dailypaintworks.com in the area marked Carol Keene's Gallery.  Or click here to zoom there without having to attach your wings. 

Carol 

Frozen Beneath

"Frozen Beneath"
6" x 6"
Acrylic on canvas

As if it's been "Frozen Beneath" and bulging against its stringy captors, this orb has nowhere to go, except to its new home.  


My son and his intended closed on their new home today and this series will move in with them.  Once again, metallic paint and wrinkled plastic have helped me to capture this random smattering.

This image can be seen on Dailypaintworks.com, but is already spoken for.

Thanks for having a look today.
Carol

Orb-i-tal

"Orb-i-tal"
6" x 6" 
Acrylic on canvas

An iridescent orb hovered in front of the ancient wall as if processing information, like reading a map. It bobbed for a moment, then departed. 

Metallic paints and lots more experimentation brought about this little gem.  It's one of three in a series.  

This piece is sold, but I wanted you to see it, anyway. 

Thank you for stopping by,

Carol

Booksmart Pears

"Booksmart Pears"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

Artists seem to like to paint pears, so when I first began to paint in oil I thought I'd give it a shot.  I got pears of three distinct shapes, numerous colors and ones with stems.  Had to have stems.  I put them on a couple of books to make a little stage. 

I painted the pears with a complementary color behind them.  I found the shadows, the highlights and their various colors.  And I sold it soon afterward.  

This one can be seen on Dailypaintworks.com in my gallery, but it lives in Chicago. 

Thanks for stopping by,

Carol 

Moon Fingers

"Moon Fingers"
11" x  22"
Acrylic on panel 

Moon Fingers was a commission for a couple who wanted these colors, this texture and size.  I scooped up the ingredients, folded in a dollop of love, and let 'er rip!

This piece is not as "happenstantial" as it might appear; given the randomness of the process. Saran wrinkles surrounded a waxed paper orb. Salt peppered texture over its face, and other than that, it was a piece of cake.  Or cheese. 

Moon Fingers can be seen on Dailypaintworks.com in my gallery there/here.  This piece, however, is already being loved and cared-for. Don't go lookin' to buy it. But I will be happy to create a cousin or sibling for you.  Just not an identical twin. 

Carol 

Geranium

"Geranium"
20" x 16"
Oil on wrapped canvas

This was one of the first blooms of the season on my geranium.  Well, she wasn't quite mine at this moment.  She was still in the company of many like herself in a greenhouse nearby.  

I liked the idea of a geranium painting that wasn't traditional.  Not full blown, in a pot, or on a porch. The first tiny blossoms were documented as if this were her finest hour. The flower is painted realistically, but the background is a frenzy of fancy brushwork.

Thank you for looking at Geranium today.  She can be purchased through Paypal or from my Dailypaintworks.com Gallery.

Carol

Melon Seeds

"Melon Seeds"
8" x 10"
Oil on canvas panel

I had waited to slice into the melon until my background was dry.  Then I'd cut it open, and paint whatever I found.  What I found was melon balls in a glass bowl in my refrigerator! My daughter made a delicious dessert from subject matter.  


Round two.  I made the slice, and pulled the seeds from the cavity. One seed stuck, but one seed, one slice, one background was not a good idea.  So I slid two more seeds onto the left side, just as they had landed on another slice and painted it.

Click here to see 130 of my paintings in one spot.

Thanks!
Carol

Peg's Garden Bench

"Peg's Garden Bench"
20" x 16"
Oil on wrapped canvas

Grasshoppers snap from leaf to bloom throughout Peg's garden, where everyone, no matter how many legs, is welcome. Some flutter, some nest, some come to sit and soak up the fragrance.        


Peg's Garden Bench is a tribute to my dear friend's zest for life.  Peg has lovingly tended her front garden in Long Grove, Illinois, not just for her own pleasure, but for those who have purposely taken her road to delight their eyes.  This is a minuscule section of her great talent as a tender-of-flowers.  Thank you Peg.

Peg's Garden Bench can be seen on Dailypaintworks.com in my Gallery, where it can also be purchased.

Thanks for stopping by to visit today.
Carol

Circumventing Reality

"Circumventing Reality"
10" x 20"
Acrylic on stretched canvas 

This piece was done at the same time as yesterday's, but I had tackled robust color and a lot more texture.  It's quite lovely in person.  Wow, I was feeling my oats!

I scraped, dabbed, combed and painted in shadows on this one. There's also gold metallic paint in the goings on. Yup, I'll be doing more of these!

See this one in my gallery on Dailypaintworks. com.

Thank you for looking today.
Carol 

Concentric and Then Some

"Concentric and Then Some"
10" x 20"
Acrylic on stretched canvas

I wish I could tell you what was going on in my head as I created this piece.  I made it soon after my studio was finished when I was experimenting with color, texture and expressing myself in strange ways.  

I love making pieces like this.  I may schedule quarterly experiments in 2012.  If I put it on the calendar I may just do it!

Check this one up close on Dailypaintworks.com.  You can zoom in to see the brushstrokes on that site.  And go to my gallery by clicking here.

Carol