Exercise in Art, 20 Minute Painting, Wildlife Refuge

Inspired by Mary Gilkerson's 20-minute challenge, I did this 8x10 oil on canvas in 20 minutes. This is a great exercise in "loosening up," though it is very nerve-wracking. What is supposed to loosen me up tenses me up.

I went back and refined the painting, with the following result. 

Next time I will do 20 minutes, then leave it as is. You don't know how hard that is, unless you're an artist.

Carmen

 

Florida Road, Original Oil on Canvas Panel Tropical Landscape Painting

 

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This is one of my favorite places in the world, North Captiva Island. It represents Peace, Relaxation, Beauty, Seclusion, Exquisite Beaches, and Expensive Food (nothing's perfect). 

Carmen

 

Oil Painting, Beach at Oro Pesos, Featured on Artsy Shark

 I'm happy to report that my painting has been featured in the Artsy Shark Summer 2019 Showcase. 
This is beautiful North Captiva Island on the West Coast of Florida.

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 I've been reading Fay Picardi's book, Without Warning, the Marrakech Poems, and I have been transported to Morocco by her lyrical writing. She has captured the sights, sounds, smells, and spirit of Marrakech. One of my favorite lines:
  

    Faith can come

in many senses,

floating down to touch

that part of us

we least understand.

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Jungle Garden, Original Oil Painting on Canvas 8x10 Florida Garden

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I love mysterious garden paths through jungle-like gardens. What exotic plant is around the next corner? There were bromeliads galore in this garden.

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

Everglades Spoonbills, Prints, Giclee on Stretched Canvas, Roseate Spoonbills

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When winter comes to Florida, I get that urge to go to the Everglades. Sometimes I get really lucky and get a picture like this. I love Spoonbills, with their luscious pink plumage and their comical faces.

This is a high-quality giclee print on archival canvas, from an original oil painting.

Carmen

Oil Painting, Indian River Lagoon, 8x10 Daily Painting

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I was taking a stroll on Riverview Drive when I saw this lovely view of the Indian River. What a beautiful place I live in. I hope not too many people find out, because it's getting pretty crowded here already.

Carmen

Castaway, 8x10 Oil on Canvas Panel Plein Air Painting

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It was a beautiful day at Castaway Point on the Indian River. There is an artist online who calls it the "Plein Air High," and that's the perfect description.

Carmen

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

Mango High, 6x8 Original Oil Painting on Canvas Panel

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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

View from SquidLips, 8x10 Oil on Canvas Panel, Florida Scene

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This is the view from a popular restaurant, looking at the Indian River Lagoon right beside the Eau Gallie Causeway in Melbourne, Florida. This was a very pleasant day with my painting buddies. We get somewhat scattered in the summertime, but we paint together faithfully when we are here. Next week we are making a trek to Bok Tower in Central Florida. I painted the below painting a long time ago from a visit to Bok Tower. I grew up near there and wrote a memoir called Crackers and Oranges about my childhood. It was a different time in what we now call "Old Florida." It was before Disney, and the three big attractions were Bok Tower, Silver Springs, and Cypress Gardens, which is now Legoland. Pretty tame compared to the behemoths that are tourist attractions in Orlando these days.

Carmen

Florida Road, 8x6 Oil on Canvas Panel, Landscape

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When I was a kid we used to walk down roads like this: white sand meandering through woods. This road goes through a garden and it has that bright hot look from the Florida sun. This is a signed original, 6x8, painted on archival canvas, signed and ready to frame.

If all goes well, I am preparing for my show tonight (I scheduled this post in advance). If you live anywhere near Middleburg, Virginia, please stop by. 

Friday, April 22, 6 - 8 pm

The Parish House

Emmanuel Episcopal Church

105 E. Washington St

Middleburg, VA

Carmen

Turkey Creek Palm, 10x8 Original Oil on Canvas Panel

$125, Buy Now

This is Turkey Creek in Palm Bay, Florida, and it's one of those surprising places that sits right in the middle of a populated area. It is a quiet haven that is home to alligators, turtles, armadillos, manatees, and many other animals. There are extensive hiking trails winding throughout the peaceful woods. Sometimes you just need to get off the hard road, as they say where I come from. That can refer to pavement or life.

Carmen

Pink Hibiscus, 18x24 Original Oil Painting on Canvas, Large Floral Painting

$250, Click to Purchase

Our painting group got together yesterday to paint in a Georgia O'Keeffe style. This is the closest I could get. I didn't want to copy her, just do a large floral painting in a simple style similar to hers. It was a lot of fun using a big brush to do most of it. I may do some more of these.

Carmen

Coconut Palm, 6x6 Oil on Canvas

I can see this palm over our backyard fence. I painted it before in my painting, "Palm Before the Storm." I like to catch it in different light. Yesterday was so blistering hot and sunny and these clouds were building near the ground. They had that "just watch what I'm going to do later" look about them. Sure enough, we had a much-needed good ole frog-strangler in late afternoon, so I was glad I got the palm in  bright sunlight while I had the chance.

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