Woman in Gold, Female Portrait, Mixed Media on Canvas,11x14 Oil Painting

 

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This is a mixed media painting, using gold gesso, gold acrylic paint, ink, stamps and oil paint. I was inspired by seeing Gustav Klimt's work in Vienna and found his technique for painting skin as fascinating as all that gold. This was my response to the Pieces of 8 painting group's challenge for December, using materials I have not used together before. The gold is more metallic than it looks online.

Carmen

I Have a Little Shadow, Watercolor Print, Painting of Child in Pink

 

Print for Sale on Etsy

 

I love the fact that this painting has drama created by the light, yet the subject is soft and feminine. I painted watercolors for a very short time before returning to oils, and this was one of my favorite works. The original sold, but giclee prints are available on Etsy in varying sizes.

Wishing you all a calm, peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Carmen

Snowy Farm, Christmas Greetings, Oil on Canvas Landscape

I haven't painted too many snow scenes, so found this one in the archives. This is the Pennsylvania farm where our daughter and her family live. We look forward to the day that they live closer to us, which would be especially nice at this time of year. If we had our way, all our children would move here right now!

Carmen

Reflections on Breakfast, Oil Painting on Gold, Daily Painting Print

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I see so many sights when I walk on the beach, including closeups like this one. Prints are available in various sizes and prices, on paper or canvas. 

 

I bought myself a Bluetooth Hat, which is so clever, especially for people who don't like earbuds. You can listen to a book or your music library on your phone, but in your hat while doing your morning walk! 

The only drawback is that I live in Florida, and if the weather isn't cool, I roast. I'm glad that it does occasionally get cool; one day it's 80, another day it's 50...that's my cue to don my Bluetooth Hat and hit the road (or the beach)

The Gondolier, Oil Painting, Original Art, 8x10 Venice Scene

$130, Click to Buy

Since we are now into the Christmas season and I have had no time to paint, I am re-posting one of my favorites, a scene in Venice. It brings back wonderful memories of that very unique place. 

Yesterday our painting group, Pieces of Eight, had our Christmas party, which is always a hoot. 

From left to right: Donna Vines, Carol Schiff, me, Jean Thomas, Mary Warnick, Denette Schweikert, Kathy Garvey, and Fay Picardi. 

Carmen

Oil Painting "Rough Surf" Seascape, Small Daily Painting Original Art

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This was my second painting from our group's plein air day at the beach, a tiny 5x7-inch seascape. We meet a lot of nice people when we are painting on location. One group had just ridden 30 miles on bicycles, and it was only 10 a.m! People like that make me feel like a slug, but when given a choice between painting and exercise, painting usually wins out. If there is a creative fire within you it won't be quenched by pushups.

Carmen

Window on the Beach, Oil Painting, 7x5 Florida Seascape

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My painting group gathered at the beach on a beautiful Florida day last week and did some plein air painting. That is always an invigorating experience, and I was happy with my little picture. In picking my spot I noticed how vivid the water looked when viewed through the sea grape window. When I walked to the crossover and looked at the beach with nothing framing it, it didn't seem nearly as saturated with color. I'm sure my friend Qiang Huang could explain this to me in technical terms because he knows everything about optics and about art.

My cartoon today is one I did for a T-Shirt. It's called "The Pleininator" and features a hat with a brush holder, paper tower holder, citronella candle, cup holder, and viewfinder. My inspiration was when I painted in a cow pasture with weeds, bugs, and extreme thirst.

Carmen

Dora Canal, Oil Painting, 24x18 Florida Landscape

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Our painting group, Pieces of Eight, was in Mt. Dora, Florida, and we went on a cruise across the big lake to the beautiful Dora Canal. The canal is pretty short, and turns into this lovely river. There is something so intriguing about a swampy river with cypresses and live oaks. The more you look, the more you see, like the plants that grow on the oak limbs, or (though not in my painting) the occasional gator eyes and nose peeking from the water.

I've decided to add the occasional cartoon to my blog, as a kind of journal illustration of what's going on in my life. Hope you like it.

Carmen