Misty Horizon, 11x14 Florida Seascape

 

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This was early morning looking toward Cape Canaveral, which is hidden in mist. The receding tide left a dark contrast to the blue of the water. It's something different every day when you walk by the ocean.

Carmen

The Black Hat, Portrait of Woman Original Oil Painting 8x10

$175

This is quite a departure from the 50-stroke paintings I've been doing. I don't know what got into me, but I really enjoyed this one. It has a vintage look but with a timeless feel. We need a little glamour now and then.

Carmen

Onions, 7x5 Oil Painting on Canvas Panel Still Life

 $75

The Challenge for this month for the Pieces of 8 group is to paint a painting in 50 strokes. I've been enjoying that exercise. Below is my 50-stroke painting of these onions, smudges and all. I decided to refine it to a finished painting. Which one do you like best? I think the 50-stroke one is more exciting. 

Carmen

Orange Canna Lily, Small Original Oil Painting 5x7 Flower Art

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I was shocked to realize that I haven't posted since September 1st. It's amazing what a hurricane threat does to one's daily life. First, you stock up on supplies; then you install all your storm shutters; pack up things you don't want washed away; finally, evacuate. If it's a slow-moving storm like Dorian, you wait...and wait...and wait. I am not complaining, because some of my favorite beautiful places were wiped out completely in the Bahamas. We were lucky, but the people there lost everything. Homes, livelihoods, and even loved ones. I am so sad for them. Our government won't take them in without papers, and their papers are somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic by now. What a terrifying situation for them.

The proceeds from this painting will be donated to hurricane relief for the Bahamian storm victims.

Carmen

Morning Has Broken, 24x48 Oil Portrait on Canvas, Girl in Kimono

NFS

This is a portrait of my granddaughter, Alexsa, done a few years ago, before I started doing small daily paintings. I haven't done anything this ambitious in a long time. 

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Lagoon Sunset, Original Oil Painting 10x8 Sunset on Indian River, Florida

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This was the Fourth of July on the Indian River Lagoon, and moments later Army paratroopers came floating down with American flags. Sunsets are beautiful even when you are facing East and getting reflections on the clouds.

Carmen

Moon Over Miami, Original Oil Daily Painting 11x14 Oil on Canvas Panel

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Our Pieces of Eight painting challenge for February was to illustrate a song or poem, so I chose the old standard "Moon Over Miami." Go to the Pieces of 8 blog to see all the challenge responses.

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Hairy Buddha, 11x14 original Oil onCanvas

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I see this quirky plant as a lady with flyaway hair and modestly folded arms. My husband sees a woman kneeling on the left, and on the right there is a dog being hugged.

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Stormy Day, 5x7 Original Oil on Canvas Panel Seascape

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The beach and stormy weather are an exciting combination. The colors become subdued, but the action does not, and I love being able to see the rain far off in the distance. 

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Stepping Stones, 5x7 Original Oil on Canvas Panel, Smoky Mountains Art

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We were hiking near Boone, North Carolina and crossed this little stream with its reflections of blue sky. It was a glorious Fall day and I was with my painting group, some of my favorite people in the world. It doesn't get any better than that.

Carmen

The Garden, 11x14 Oil on Panel, Painting of Cheekwood Gardens Scene

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We were in Cheekwood Gardens in Nashville when I saw this scene. It made me think of the many Impressionist paintings I have seen of people sitting in gardens. Impressionists frequently made use of dappled shade in their art, but there wasn't any of that in this spot. The people were sitting in bright sunlight, and seemed a bit overdressed for the warm day.

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All About the Clouds, 9x6 Oil Painting on Canvas Panel, Daily Painting Skyscape

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This painting started out to be a cardinal (the bird, not the church office).  I went to my painting group, Pieces of Eight, with my palette all loaded with colors for painting a cardinal, and found I didn't have my photo of that cute little bird. I shifted gears and painted a cloud scene instead, using my palette of colors meant for painting a cardinal. 

Where is the red, you ask? It's there, helping make the brown. It's also in the purple of the clouds. 

Don't miss our group challenge on our blog on June 1st. It's very different from anything else we've done.

Carmen

Oil Painting on Canvas, "Beach at Oro Pesos," 18x24 Seascape

There's nothing more inspiring than painting in gorgeous surroundings. This beautiful spot is on North Captiva Island on the Gulf Coast of Florida, and my husband and I explored every inch of the place while we were there. While looking for a subject to paint I spotted this scene, and the long purple shadows really clinched it. While I was painting I could hear the Laughing Gulls and the rustling coconut palms, and it was just...indescribable. The island is a paradise for an artist or writer. And of course, for tourists escaping the cold frozen North.

This was a wonderful way to celebrate our 29th wedding anniversary.

Carmen

Oil Painting, "Sky Vine," 5x7 Floral Watercolor Painting, Matted

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This little watercolor is of a vine that grows in my garden and is making a comeback after being attacked by a hurricane. It is a 5x7-inch painting, matted to an 8x10 size, signed and ready to frame.

Carmen 

The Photographer, 8x10 Original Oil Painting on Canvas

I took this photo of our Pieces of 8 member Kathy Garvey while she was intently photographing poppies. She liked them as much as I did. It was really fun to paint her, and of course it was an excuse to paint more poppies. Here's a little slideshow of the painting as it progressed:

Original Oil Painting on Canvas, Ocean Clouds, 8x10 Seascape

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There was a heavy cloud in the foreground as I stood on the beach, and bright stripes of sunlight farther out to sea. Colors in the ocean are all about what the sky is doing, and I love when it takes a dramatic turn.

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The Old Folks, 5x7 Oil Painting on Canvas

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These little people were gifts from my son when he was stationed in Okinawa. They are two of my favorite things, and so cleverly done. I really enjoyed painting them. 

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Yellow Roses, 11x14 Oil on Canvas Still Life Painting

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Roses are challenging, and so is that yellow teapot. This is a very warm painting, and I think that's why I like it. The red pear adds a dash of hot color.

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River of Grass II, 8x6 Original Oil Painting on Canvas Panel, Everglades Landscape

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I have painted this scene before, but this one is a bit more loosey-goosey, which I am happy about. This is the Royal Palm Visitor Center in the Everglades, and two of the best trails are here: the Anhinga Trail and the Gumbo-Limbo Trail. There are also more alligators than I've ever seen in one place, which are, thankfully, viewed from the safety of the boardwalk. 

The Everglades are in a battle to the death with big-money interests, so I hope Florida voters will figure that out in the next election. But don't get me started...

Carmen

Italian Man, 10x8 Original Oil on Canvas, Figurative Art, Portrait

This man was waiting for a train outside Venice and the light was shining so beautifully on him. In spite of my digital camera having that delay before being able to snap the first shot, I did get the picture before our train pulled out of the station. 

I hope I see Venice again before I shuffle off this mortal coil. What a beautiful and unique city.

Carmen