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.

"Garlic Trio"

I love garlic - the way it smells, tastes, and looks! This is going to be part of dinner tonight, but I thought I'd better try to paint it first. It is amazing how many colors you can see in garlic if you are looking for them...and in most other things, for that matter. This painting is oil on 6"x8" canvas panel.

"Carambolas"

It was pure insanity in my house yesterday, and I didn't get a chance to post this painting until today. We had a carambola (aka, starfruit) tree in our yard when I was growing up in West Palm Beach, FL. These are such yummy fruit, but you just can't get good ones in the grocery store. I miss them! This painting is oil on 6"x8" canvas panel.

"Lift Off"

I really like the way the sunlight reflects off of the heron's feathers as it begins its ascent. All of these lowcountry scenes just sooth my soul! This is oil on 6"x8" canvas panel.

"Lavender Alley"

I love this painting! The light and shadows really make it pop out. The colors were a bit exaggerated, but I like the effect very much. I also like the shadow of the church steeple on the alley roadway. This is oil on 9"x12" stretched canvas.

"Veggies"

What a creative name for the title! This was the first painting I did when I started taking lessons with Martin Ahrens. I love the shadow effects. It is oil on 16"x20" stretched canvas.

"Beach Boys"

This painting is a work in progress...I need to tweak it a bit. This is of my two beautiful boys out on Edisto Beach during a family reunion. I gave it to my husband for Christmas this past year. My baby's hair is almost white, and it was a challenge to me to get it right. We had a wonderful day seeing some of my husband's relatives - a fun group of people and a beautiful day!

"Kiawah Marsh"

This painting was done at a workshop that Martin led at Kiawah Island, a beautiful barrier island southeast of Charleston, SC. We are so blessed here in the "Lowcountry" to have some amazing scenery. I really enjoyed doing this painting...I was about halfway up an observation tower and it was an incredibly windy day (my easel almost blew over twice!). I love the colors in it...they are very soothing to me. I painted another painting the same day and gave it to one of my very best friends, Renee. I will post a picture of that painting later. This painting is oil on 9"x12" canvas panel.

"The Old Man and the Sea"

Another painting from a photo - a friend has titled it "The Old Man and the Sea" for me. He looks like a little old Greek fisherman. I liked the tonal nature of this painting. This is oil on 9"x12" stretched canvas.

"The Rose"

This was a painting from a photograph that Martin Ahrens had in one of the classes. I love the colors in the bowl! This is oil on 9"x12" stretched canvas.