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

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

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

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

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

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

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

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

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

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

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

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

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

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
Carolkeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

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

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
Carolkeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

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

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

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

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
Carolkeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com