Dividing

"Dividing"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard

While my photos of the "Divide" were in front of me, I decided to make another small painting of that area. 

I'm enjoying making these little landscapes.

Carol

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Pond at the Divide

"Pond at the Divide"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard

I'm revisiting, by way of photos only, one of my favorite places, the Continental Divide near Winter Park, Colorado.  I shot so many photos of this little retention pond that I get to paint it over and over again.  

I'm in a landscape kind of mood tonight. I'd love to be driving around the western states gathering subject matter for the next few years. Oh, to be in the passenger seat saying, "Stop. Back up. Got it.  Thank you so much for bringing me along."

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
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Mistified

"Mistified"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard 

It was morning, warmer than I thought, and hazier than it had been in a while. I saw the lovely aerial perspective and documented it before it vanished. 

The photo was taken in October in a state park near where I live, before  Miss Autumn had her colorful way with the leaves.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
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Cattle-scape

"Cattle-scape"
5" x 7"
Oil on hardboard

Unlikely subject matter — cattle — for a rose painter.  But I enjoyed it. When people see things as they travel, they send me photos.  I like to challenge myself to capture the essence of what was in their hearts as they thought of me. In this one, it was probably the texture and color, so different from that of my zip code. 

Thank you to everyone who sends photos to me. I will eventually use them. I do appreciate your kindness and efforts.

Carol

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Green Gate

"Green Gate"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard

On my way to a friend's home in Castlerock, Colorado I saw this gate. It was ordinary in it's gameness, but made a compositional statement that I couldn't resist.  I enjoyed painting it and hope to find more gates to add to my series.  

I'm trying to add manmade items to my landscapes. I used to do it when I painted in watercolor a gazillion years ago, but stopped when I got fascinated with the trees and the lay of the land.  I'm making an attempt at a return to my roots… subject matter-wise, anyway.  And some have commented favorably.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
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Track to Chicago

"Track to Chicago"
5" x 7"
Oil on hardboard

Someone sent me a photo of this train track and said, "This track would take me to Chicago." I have no doubt it would, many do. Some get close and don't quite make it. 

I'm listening to a Robert B. Parker western book on CD as I paint little western landscapes. This one is about a train robbery. So far it's all taking place on an "Ironhorse."

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
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Dew Drop

"Dew Drop"
10" x 8"
Oil on wrapped canvas

It had rained, yet only one droplet remained on the fragrant saucer of this rose. I tilted her to dispose of the dew drop after I photographed her, since I don't know of a good reason to leave water on the petals. 

I've been painting house portraits. They seem to come in clusters, and this last batch were all rush orders for real estate agents who give them as closing gifts. I'm caught up now, so you should see me here more often.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
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Wire Gate

"Wire Gate"
24" x 36"
Oil on wrapped canvas

I pass by several interesting fences in my weekly circuit of destinations.  This is one of them, or at least it was one before the gate and its flanking companions, vanished. I suspect someone stole the gate, then there was no reason to keep the fence. I'm fortunate to have photographed her a couple of years ago.  

This is a large, labor of love. When I painted it on a six inch panel, it was more work than I thought, but this rendition proved to be even more difficult, what with all the twisted wire and every blade of grass.  I loved, however, painting the wood!  It took me back to my roots as a barn painter — a painter of barns, that is. Barns and the surrounding landscapes were my specialty when I was exclusively a watercolorist. Then, I painted every weathered piece of wood I could find. Painting this fence was a joyful return to a former passion.

Right after I finished writing this blog I read (the late) Robert Genn's twice weekly letter.  Robert has always inspired me, but tonight I feel compelled to pass on a quote in his letter. It confirms the reason I paint the things I do.  "The creative mind plays with the objects it loves." (Carl Gustav Jung)

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
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Dendrobium

"Dendrobium"
14" x 11"
Oil on wrapped canvas

A friend send me a photo of these orchids about a month ago. They've been waiting in queue to be painted, and now that I have, I want to paint more!  This was a wonderful exercise in value and limited color. I loved it. Thank you dear friend for thinking of me. 

I toned the canvas in Cadet Grey acrylic just before I began painting. It made a nice neutral ground for the white. I liked using it as a toning color. I'll use it again.

Carol

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Fragrant As She Looks

"Fragrant As She Looks"
24" x 24"
Oil on wrapped canvas 

I painted on this large painting with my friends on Thursday. In my haste to get home and finish her, I left ALL of my paints and my favorite brushes at the painting site… an hour away from home. Of course, I didn't realize it until I was ready to unload my car.  So I repeated my trek to Woodstock to fetch my precious materials. I got home at ten o'clock at night.  Oh, I did paint, but only for an hour. Then I finished her today. 

On my way home, the first time, I photographed 77 new peonies. I have subject matter for some pretty strong paintings.

Carol

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Peg's Peony

"'Peg's Peony"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

The peonies are finally blooming in my neighborhood.  I cut my own pink ones and brought them in the house, but Peg keeps hers outside where everyone can enjoy them. And yesterday I captured her candy-striped ones just as the sun was going down.  The shadows were colorful and made the white and red flowers spectacularly fun to paint.  

I love painting these twelve inch squares, as I can complete one in an evening.  It felt good to get back to my easel after a very busy weekend, which included a pastel-making workshop in Chicago. I met eight talented artists and have new friends, too.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
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