Box of Blues

"Box of Blues"

8" x 10", oil on canvas board

What I like about this painting is the transparency at the edge of the water.  It was fun to try to capture in opaque oils, and I spent a lot of time trying.  I finally realized that for it to appear transparent, I had to paint what I saw, not what my brain was telling me!  Dah.  Also challenging was the reflected light bouncing back and forth between the side of the boat and surface of the water.  

Have a great day, ya'll!

Cindy

My Studio

My studio is pretty small, it is about 7 feet square, but it's functional, and I love it.  In the beginning, setting up a standard easel was out the the question, so I bought a small travel easel with collapsible legs.  It is easy to set up, and takes up little storage space.  Still, it hampered me.  It was not convenient enough. Leaving a wet canvas on it meant I had to be careful not to knock it over when using my computer or desk.  I searched the web many times looking for a reasonable, cost effective solution.  Finally, I saw a video of an artist who was painting a huge canvas propped up against a wall and inspiration struck.  I sketched out an easel that would be attached to my wall.  I know now, of course, that wall hung easels are commercially available, but I didn't know it then.

Here's my solution, carefully handcrafted by hubby:

and to show you the truth of my entire 7 x 7 studio:

my little bit of heaven!

Hope you make this day great,

Cindy

Pellie

work in process,

I have ANOTHER cold....yuck..

here's "Pellie", a 12" x 12" oil on stretched canvas..

Hope you have a great day, sniffle...

Cindy

Rework!

Much Better!

We really enjoyed the fall colors last week, and it inspired me to come home and repair "Fall on the Williams River II".  I kept looking at the last post and became more and more dissatisfied with it, so as soon as we got home, I started painting, putting in all the vivid colors I had just seen.  I also lightened the background hill .....

It's nice to be home.  I hope you have a wonderful day,
Cindy

"Fall on the Williams River II"

"Fall on the Williams River II"

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 8"

Hubby and I are off to the N.C. mountains to enjoy some fall colors.  We always make an effort to go.  The Blue Ridge parkway is a wonderful ride this time of year, full of oranges, reds, and yellows. With stunning long range views, we hit every overlook and never tire of the beauty.  Here in the lowcounty about the only fall colors we see are trees someone has planted in their yard just for that effect.  OK, that's a slight exaggeration, there are some deciduous trees, and of course, we have lots of red sumac, and goldenrod.

Make today a great day,

Cindy

"Seagulls at Sunset"

Finished - well, maybe.

"Seagulls at Sunset"

8" x 10", oil on canvas board

Have a great day,

Cindy

Seagulls in progress...

I am painting, and not turning out anything I feel especially good about.  Switching from acrylics to oils is a big learning experience.  I enjoy the challenge, but I am frustrated with my lack of expertise.  I have started oil painting classes with Joyce Hall, nationally known artist specializing in equestrian art.  Her paintings are out of this world beautiful.  She is a warm, funny, unassuming teacher, who obviously loves painting and teaching.  Here is my most recent non-class effort:

still  a lot of work to do on it, obviously.

Have a great day,
Cindy