Garlic x 3

So, this is my first post of an actual painting in quite a while...boy have I been missing it. But, as usual, life is crazy. (Soon, I'll have to come up with another excuse :) !) Anyway, here is a painting that I did after looking at a blog that Karin Jurick (incredible artist!) hosts called "Different Strokes from Different Folks." The gist of the idea is that she posts a photo of a subject and then anyone who wants to can paint their version of the photo and she'll post them all on the site. It is such a neat idea, and the creativity among the artists is an awesome thing! So...I just found the site and decided to paint a couple of the challenges, even though it was too late to get them entered for the challenge. Well, good thing. The first one I decided to paint was of 3 little white pumpkins...here you see my version. Yes, they are garlic heads and not pumpkins. As I was painting them, they started to resemble garlic much more than pumpkins, so I decided to just go with it. Maybe I'll do the pumpkins later. Fun anyway! Check out Karin's blog and the "Different Strokes" blog when you can! This painting is 5"x7", Oil on Canvas board.

What was I thinking?

What was I thinking when I said I was going to paint daily...I'm lucky to be able to paint semi-annually these days! But, boy, do I miss it. Things have been crazy with family and work...I am hoping that after the holidays I can begin painting on a regular basis again...my goal will be once a week (maybe a bit more realistic!) instead of daily. Should I rename my blog? Would anyone even know...I'm probably the only one who ever accesses it, except maybe Renee... Enough of my ramblings, just thought I'd say HI and yes, I am alive! Merry Christmas!

Summer Marsh 2

And the right...also 16" x 20" oil on stretched canvas.

Summer Marsh 1

Here is the left side painting of the pair. It is 16" x 20" oil on stretched canvas.

Summer Marsh 1 & 2

Did I say "daily paintings?" I meant MONTHLY paintings! Well, I really hoped that I'd be able to paint more often, but life is so crazy! These are two paintings that I was commissioned to paint for a charity auction for Park-Maitland, a private school in Winter Park, FL. I was very pleased with how they turned out. Loving the colors and the clouds! Please pardon the background intrusion, I couldn't get my camera to focus in on the paintings alone because of the size. I will also post each painting separately. They will be framed for the auction.

"Dusk on the Tidal Creek"

This was a quick marsh/tidal creek study. I can't believe it has been over a week since I've posted a "daily" painting! Sometimes life just gets in the way, doesn't it? This is oil on 9"x12" stretched canvas.

"Looking Towards Sullivan's"

Two friends have a small preschool called Kingswood Cubs in Mt. Pleasant, SC and are getting ready to host their second annual fundraiser. I painted this for their silent auction. I am really happy with the way that it turned out...I like the subtlety of the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse in the background. I thought it was a neat little coincidence that I chose to paint this scene, because the preschool is located at the King's Lighthouse Church (which I had forgotten when I began the painting)! A friend of mine and I have a saying, "That's not odd, it's God!" Okay, so we're a little goofy... Anyway, I am excited to be able to help out these two wonderful people and hope that this painting will help to bring them some extra funds! This painting is 11"x14" oil on stretched canvas, and will be framed in a gold plein air style frame.