Mango High, 6x8 Original Oil Painting on Canvas Panel

Buy Now

It is mango season and there are so many mangoes right now. For those of us who love them it is a glorious time. I was in Bradenton recently, standing under a tree that had dropped mangoes on the ground. Gorgeous fruit just lying all around. Way, way up in the tree were these beautiful collections of fruit, and I especially liked this one because of the lone ripe mango among the lavender ones. So, the title "Mango High" can be taken two ways. 

Here's a tip I learned last week about cutting and peeling mangoes: make a cut around the fruit, all the way to the seed. Use a glass or a cup (easier with a cup, holding it by the handle) and scoop the fruit out of the peeling. Do it firmly and you will have no waste. Then chomp on the seed and get the pulp all over your face like you usually do. Mango high.

Carmen

Waiting Pear, 8x10 Pen and Ink

I call this "Waiting Pear" because I drew it in a period of stress and waiting. This Zen form of expression did help soothe me a bit. It is matted to an 8x10 size in a gray mat.

PURCHASE

At the Winery, 6x6

Trying to get back in the post-holiday painting routine. Why I picked such a complicated subject I don't know. I love painting grapes, especially in beautiful light, and this color scheme especially appeals to me. My great-grandfather came from northern Italy, and though I barely remember him, I do remember his grape arbor, which I found fascinating. I wish I had grapes growing in my yard instead of a plethora of papayas.

 SOLD

Big Apple, 10x10 Collage on Canvas

Every collage is a new adventure. It seems that when I get down to the last details, I spend a great deal of time going through magazines for just the right pieces. When the illusion comes together it's a very happy thing.

PURCHASE

Plaid Pears, 8x10 Mixed Media

This was just plain fun. I didn't know where I was going with this, but I rather enjoy the result. It's hard to get me away from oils and collage, but sometimes it's good to play around with other media. This is definitely a kitchen painting, wouldn't you say?

PURCHASE

Just a Little Pear, 4x4 Daily Painting

This is a perfect companion piece to my painting, "Just a Little Apple." I had such fun painting these loose little daily paintings.

PURCHASE

Below is the sight from my front yard this morning as Space Shuttle Discovery flew by on top of a jumbo jet, on its way to Washington DC. My camera battery chose that moment to die, so I used my iPad. It's an emotional goodbye for the Space Coast.

Just a Little Apple, 4x4 Oil on Canvas

I felt like doing something loosey goosey, and this satisfied the urge. An apple is always a good lesson. I should do this with a lemon, as lemons are my nemesis. Or is it nemeses?

PURCHASE

Brass Bowl, 8x10 Oil on Canvas Board

The only thing that would make this painting harder would be to add a lemon. This was the result of the Qiang Huang workshop, which was a fabulous experience. If you like a challenge, try painting pewter, glass, brass and fruit in one painting, like this one.

I painted one yesterday that was a "scraper." I don't often scrape a painting away, but the one yesterday deserved it. A large part of a still life painting is the actual setup, and I should have known the pot was too bright yellow and the spotlight too far away. The irises were beautiful, but they got scraped too. Darn yellow pot.

PURCHASE

Pineapple and Friends, 10x8 Oil on Canvas Board

Pineapples are a real challenge to paint. This one was so little and cute, and needed some companions, so I added strawberries.

On another subject: just when you decide all politicians are, shall we say, character-challenged, you see someone like Gabby Giffords. She has a light from within. They should all take a lesson from her. That's my soapbox message for the day.

PURCHASE

Pear on Red, 4x4 oil on canvas

I can't seem to settle down to any large serious paintings during the Christmas season. There is just too much going on. It doesn't seem like Christmas here in Florida, since it was 85 degrees yesterday. That is just too freakish. I can remember being very cold in December in Florida, and in fact, it got to 29 degrees in 1989. The palm trees and orange trees froze. That's hard to imagine today.

Merry Christmas, everyone, and many blessings in the New Year.

PURCHASE

Grape, 3x3 Oil on Canvas

This is a tiny little 3x3-inch painting on stretched canvas, and it comes with a tiny little easel. Aren't grapes wonderful? From them you get jelly, jam, preserves, juice, wine, raisins, vinegar, and paintings.

PURCHASE

Apple, 4x4 Oil on Canvas

The titling part of my brain isn't working today. I don't know how Carol Marine comes up with so many clever titles, especially since she is so prolific. This is on stretched canvas and comes with a little easel, so no frame needed. This is tiny and affordable.

SOLD

Mango, 6x8 Oil on Canvas Board

I painted a still life for a change. I bought this mango and it was so beautiful I had to paint it. I could practically see it ripen as I painted; it seemed to grow more freckles under the hot light. Mangoes are the ultimate tropical fruit. Even MacDonald's has discovered them. Ever notice how closely related are art and food? It's all about presentation, isn't it?

If you like vintage items, check out my Vintage Treasures shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/retrocozy. There is Swank jewelry, doll house furniture from the 50s, cameras, and ephemera.

PURCHASE
$75

Teapot With Chopsticks, 11x14 oil painting

This is the beautiful Japanese teapot my son sent from Okinawa. Even though I have posted this one before, I thought it an appropriate subject for my purpose. I am donating 100% of the sale of this painting to Japanese relief. This is an original oil painting on wood panel, signed and framed.

BUY

Triplets, 8x6

This makes me think of little boys playing marbles. Pears can look so perky. No wonder they are such a popular subject for artists.

BUY

Red Vase, 8x10

A bit of drama here. It was so good to be back painting with the Pieces of 8 again after the holiday hiatus.

BUY

PacMango, 5x7

This mango came from my daughter's tree, and it was absolutely delicious. After I painted it I thought it looked like PacMan, hence the name. I probably looked PacMan myself while I was eating it, it was so good.

BUY HERE

Cherries, 5x7

Cherries have a perky personality, don't they? They just beg to be painted.

I'm sitting here looking out the window wondering how we can be having such a drought while other counties in Florida are getting thunderstorms. And why is it that the weeds grow so well in a drought? It's supposed to feel like 105 degrees today, and those weeds won't care. It's a jungle out there.

BUY HERE