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

The Death of Truth, 8x10 Avant-Garde, Picasso-ish Oil on Canvas

The Pieces of Eight Painting Group's Monthly Challenge for November was to do an avant-garde work, stepping way outside our comfort zones. I used Picasso as my inspiration, although if I were trying harder, I guess I would have had an eye where the ear is, or a foot coming out of the head.

I think the painting is self-explanatory.

Carmen

Like an iPhone Cowboy, 6x8 Small Oil Painting on Canvas

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I was hiking with our painting group, high in the Smoky Mountains, when I saw this man talking on his phone. Subsequently, he almost fell off the horse, which makes me wonder what kind of disturbing conversation it must have been. I do like the pretty little horse. You never know what you'll see in the mountains.

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Waterlily, 8x8 Original Oil Painting on Canvas, Floral Painting

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This painting was done in response to a challenge to paint with three primary colors and white. Every color was mixed from those three colors. Yes, I did long to grab my handy-dandy tubes of Permanent Green Light and Sap Green, but I resisted.

Our painting group, Pieces of Eight, has a challenge each month. My waterlily is for October's challenge, done early because I will spend much of October in Europe. September's challenge is to use patterns from nature, and may be viewed online here.  Each challenge is uploaded in the Pieces of Eight blog on the last day of the month.

 

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I Phone, Therefore I Am, 5x7 Oil on Canvas Panel, Businessman with Phone, Figurative Art

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I did a series of people on phones, and this man was included. We can't see his face, but we know he is all prepped to receive calls and texts; just look at his grip on that phone. 

On a completely different subject, I am appreciating Charles Dickens and Jane Austen even more lately. It seems that all the more newly-published books I have picked up lately have drunk or crazed women as their protagonists. Some are both drunk and crazed. It is starting to wear thin. Could we have some memorable woman to look up to? I don't need the heroine to be perfect; she wouldn't be realistic if she didn't have some flaws--but could we have someone who doesn't eat business cards, see dead people or drown herself in booze every day? Any recommendations?

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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.

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Happiness II, Original Oil Painting, 5x7 Oil on Canvas Panel, Girl on Beach

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 This is my input to the monthly challenge on the Pieces of 8 Blog. We are copying the Fifth Avenue Gallery's idea to paint a favorite part of a previous painting. The painting I chose a portion of is below.

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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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Natchez Trace, Original Oil Painting Landscape of National Parkway, 6x6, Beautiful Highway , FREE SHIPPING in US

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The Natchez Trace runs from Nashville to Natchez, and its history goes back to prehistoric times. It is a wonderful way to travel through beautiful country, and there is little traffic. 

This painting is part of my 20 percent off, free shipping sale on Etsy. Sale ends December 20th.

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SALE: 20% Off, Oil Painting Still Life, Radish Bouquet, 6x8 Oil on Canvas Panel

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I'm offering this little still life for 20 percent off and free shipping. I love free shipping, don't you? Most of my original oil paintings are on sale until December 20. 

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Free Range Rooster, 6x8 Original Painting on Canvas Panel

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This rooster was observing me while I was painting a building. He proved to be a more attractive subject than the building, and I really loved the colors in his black feathers where the light caught them. He reminds me of the traditional Portuguese Roosters done in ceramic.

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Sunrise on the Dunes, 6x8 Original Oil Painting, Seascape with Sunrise

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Florida sunrises are amazing, and seem even more so during thunderstorm season. We get all sorts of weather phenomena this time of year, and the rain is a welcome relief from the awful heat. Our pool was 90 degrees the other day, but after the rains it is 80 degrees. A big difference!

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Natchez Trace, 6x6 Original Oil Painting Landscape

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The Natchez Trace is a beautiful highway that once was a trail tracing back through 10,000 years of American history. We discovered Meriweather Lewis's grave on the Trace, at the site of the inn where he died. There is little traffic and no big trucks on this road that stretches from Nashville to Natchez. It is an American gem.

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The Gondolier, 8x10 Oil Painting on Canvas Panel, Scene in Venice

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One of my favorite places I've ever visited is Venice. Its ancient beauty is the stuff of dreams. The only vehicles are boats, including fire, trash, buses, and commuter vehicles. Where else do you see office workers carrying briefcases and standing in a gondola?

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Yellow Roses, 8x6 Oil on Canvas

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Wouldn't this be a romantic Valentine's Day gift? Flowers and candy are nice, but they don't last. Diamonds and oil paintings are forever.

I painted this twice. I was not satisfied with it the first time, but I learned a few things from my mistakes. The second time I was able to get what I wanted, and did it much faster.

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Alligators May Be Present, 6x8 Oil on Canvas, Ballard Park, Melbourne, Florida, Tropical Scene

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My friend Mary and I braved the heat to paint in plein aire at a favorite park, where signs proclaimed, "Alligators May Be Present." I thought that would be a perfect title. I do think it would be more efficient to just have signs say, "Do Not Feed the Alligators Under Peril of Attack." I say this because so many people who move here seem to leave their brains at the Florida-Georgia Line (and I'm not talking about the country singers), and they think it's cute to feed the gators (and I'm not talking about the football team). 

Just because a reptile moves slowly and has a toothy smile does not mean it won't enjoy a big chomp of human, and it can run very fast when motivated.

And don't even get me started on the woman who fed dog food to bears in an Orlando suburb!

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Blue Pitcher, 11x14 Oil on Canvas Panel Still Life

Donna, Carol and I just returned from the Elio Camacho workshop on Amelia Island, and it was exhausting and fulfilling. Elio is a master of color and kind critiques. We had five days of demos, lectures, intense painting, and shrimp. This was my first effort:

Once again, we ate shrimp at every meal. Fried shrimp, shrimp salad, shrimp chowder, shrimp tacos...I sound like Bubba in "Forrest Gump." Our favorite place was Timoti's, where they displayed this sign:

Now it's time to start preparing for Thanksgiving. Back to the real world!

Carmen

Still Life, Radish Bouquet, 8x6 Oil on Canvas Panel

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This would be such a nice picture in a kitchen. Radishes are such colorful vegetables, they beg to be painted. 

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Landscape Oil Painting, Carolina Barn, 8x6 Original Art

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Three of our painting group went on a quest near Waynesville, North Carolina to find picturesque barns to paint. We encountered cows and a gunshot, which added to the country flavor. 

The area around Waynesville is so beautiful, and I loved visiting the waterfalls and Sliding Rock, a huge rock that people slide down into shockingly cold river water. Very entertaining to watch. That water is too cold for my thin Florida blood!

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Cleared for Takeoff, 10x10 Collage on Canvas

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I like painting spoonbills, and when I really want to challenge myself I do a collage spoonbill. I think just picking out the pieces in magazines and figuring out how to use them effectively is a lot more work than laying down oil paint.

This is on gallery wrap canvas and needs no frame.

Carmen