Sunday, May 31, 2015

Lifeguard Shack, 8x6 Oil on Canvas Panel, Beach Scene



Palm Beach has not only luxurious homes and an abundance of Bentleys, it has a lovely public beach. Our state is quite diverse; we have scenes like the one above, also miles of pastureland with cattle, citrus groves, farmland, swamps, lakes, the Everglades, and theme parks. We have Carl Hiassen, who writes books about outlandish Florida characters. They are fiction, but I understand that his ideas come from the news. We are the state of mermaids, manatees, and hanging chads.

Carmen

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Ladies' Tea, 10x8 Oil on Canvas



I went to a Ladies' Tea at our church and I sat at this beautifully decorated table with some delightful ladies. I brought scones and clotted cream, which I learned to make from YouTube. There is nothing more delicious than clotted cream. A better name for it might be clotted arteries. But still delicious.

You can learn anything on YouTube. We have so much information at our disposal now, it's a wonder our brains don't explode. Of course, as I cram a lot more into my brain, I think some important things fall out to make more room...what was I saying?

Carmen

Monday, May 25, 2015

Sunday at the Beach, 8x6 Oil on Canvas



The beach in Ft Lauderdale was packed with people when we were there, and it was exhilarating to see all the colors and the overall cheery brightness happening. South Florida is so beautiful.

Carmen

Friday, May 22, 2015

Lily Pond, 8x6 Oil on Canvas, Landscape



My painting group had the challenge of painting like one of the Impressionists, so I chose to paint a lily pond, inspired by Monet. Of course, my painting is 8x6 inches; I saw one by Monet in the Louvre that was so huge that I had to back across the room to even make out what the subject was. It was a lily pond, of course. My colors are darker because I was using an actual photo of a pond as my guide, but I rather like the drama. 

Carmen

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Unfinished, 9x12 Watercolor Portrait


I've been painting a large piece for a show (this isn't it), and I have had no chance for daily paintings, so I'm posting this watercolor from years ago. It was a watercolor lesson in a workshop, and after the workshop ended I just never finished the painting. I really like his eyes, though. 

Carmen

Friday, May 15, 2015

Eye of the Eagle, 6x6 Abstract Acrylic Painting, Red, White and Blue, on Canvas

SOLD


I posted this abstract today because it has a patriotic flair and it fits my subject for the day. My friend, the talented poet JoAnna O'Keefe, has written a wonderful poem called America at the Crossroads. It speaks to what is happening today in our country and both the lyrics and the music are poignant and beautiful. I first heard it when I was with a large group of people, and everyone there was visibly moved, as would be anyone who has an ounce of patriotism.

To hear a snippet of the song or to purchase it, go to this link: America at the Crossroads

Carmen

Monday, May 11, 2015

Beets, 8x6 Oil on Canvas Panel, Still Life on Purple



My husband and I had a little getaway this weekend, to South Florida. We stopped off at Palm Beach's Worth Avenue, which I call Net Worth Avenue. That area has the largest concentration of billionaires on Earth, according to the hype. It certainly has the largest concentration of Bentleys. They were everywhere.

Worth Avenue ends at the beach, and it is a very beautiful beach at that. The water was gorgeous-- blue and turquoise--and I got some good photos there and in Ft. Lauderdale. I'll be doing some beach paintings soon.

Carmen

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Ghost Dance, 8x10 Abstract Painting, Oil on Canvas, Red, White, Black, Gold



For this abstract, I painted a canvas panel with beautiful gold gesso, then I mixed fluid acrylic paint with liquid pouring medium. I poured and manipulated until I got the result I wanted. I made a huge mess, as I always do with this process, but I like the result. 

Carmen

Thursday, May 7, 2015

The Little Birds, 8x6 Seascape Painting, Original Oil on Canvas




To see a more accurate picture of this painting, click on the "click to buy" link above (it just takes you to Etsy). No matter how much I lighten it in my blog, it still looks more intense and darker than the original. I've tried and tried to fix that without success, so I just have to post it with a disclaimer. This didn't always happen and I don't know why it is happening now, but if any techno geniuses out there can tell me how to fix it, I'd be glad to hear from you. 

Carmen

Monday, May 4, 2015

I Have a Little Shadow, 18x22, Watercolor Painting


Sold

I'm excited to announce that this painting won First Place in the Contemporary Fine Art International Watercolor Painting Showdown competition. I took this photo of my granddaughter when she was very young. We were waiting at the airport for my plane (your family could do that back then) and she was looking at her shadow in the sunny light. This little frilly darling grew up to be a Biomedical Engineer. I don't do many watercolors, but I'm very proud of this one and of my granddaughter!

Carmen