I'm Back!

Merry Christmas and Happy holidays everyone!  I've been somewhat lax in posting my recent paintings. . . it's been a busy month on the easel. 

 I will have to piece these images out and explain sizes and locals, but for now I wanted to add the visual information to the site.  I hope you enjoy.  I promise, I'll be back with more in addition to the details.  Have a Happy Day!!

"Tunnel Of Oaks" SOLD

24"x30"  Oil on Canvas   SOLD

At this time of the year, the grass begins to go into dormancy and the leaves are falling from their branches, but not the Grand Oaks.  They keep their leaves through the winter and shed them in the early spring.  I love how the mature oaks reach out stretching into a canopy-like tunnel through which to travel.

Winter's Passion "Twinkling City Lights"

24"x30" Oil on Canvas

Hagan Fine Art is featuring my work in a Show entitled, "Winter's Passion" and this is one of mine . . . Downtown Charleston during the Holidays is so magical and beautiful!

AVAILABLE AT www.haganfineart.com under "Guest Artists" then click on "Mary Hoffman"

"Huddled From The Wind" SOLD

24"x30" Oil on Canvas   SOLD

The Hagan Fine Art Gallery & Studio on State Street in Historic Downtown Charleston is featuring some of my work on December 6th 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  This is one of the pieces for the show: another for the Shore Birds Series.  Come on out, I'd love to meet you there!

AVAILABLE AT: www.haganfineart.com  CLICK "GUEST ARTISTS" THEN "MARY HOFFMAN"

A New Painting

"Grand Old Oak"  8"x10" Oil on Linen Panel

I will indeed re-take this picture since I took it on a cloudy day under incandescent lighting.  But I wanted to show how excited I am about being so productive on the easel today!!  (thanks, kids!)

"Sullivan's Sycamore Tree" SOLD

8"x10" Oil on Linen Panel  SOLD

Painted En Plein Air ~ I loved the compliment colors of the orange-y green leaves next to the brilliant blue sky.

"Follow Me" SOLD

8"x10" Oil on Linen Panel   SOLD

More for the Shore Bird Series!!

"By My Side" Day's Glorious End

24"x30" Oil on Canvas

Winter Passions is the theme.  The colors of our Lowcountry Winter skies at dusk sing with color!!

"Boardwalk to the Beach" SOLD

10"x8" Oil on Linen Birch Board   SOLD

Another lovely 80 degree late October day in the Lowcountry!!  A good beach day indeed!

"Old Overseer" SOLD

8"x10" Oil on Linen Panel  SOLD

Another gorgeous Wednesday to paint.  This view is from the top of the Sullivan's Island Mound.  I have painted it before and I liked it so much I thought I'd paint it in a different season.  Perhaps I'll try a Monet project.  This is also for November's theme for the Charleston Artist Collective's "Old Soul."

"Ancient Soul" SOLD

8"x10" Oil on Linen Panel  SOLD

For November's theme: Old Soul.  these timeless ancient trees could tell some stories, I'm sure!

"Belle Journee" Re-photographed

11"x14" Oil on Gessobord brand Panel

The colors just weren't accurate as I would have liked in my original post of this painting.  Voila!

"Old Sage" SOLD

10"x8" Oil on Linen Panel   SOLD

Stella Maris was our painting spot this particular sunny day.  Because the theme for November's Charleston Artist Collective is "Old Soul" I thought that this historic structure was an appropriate subject.

"Artist's Self Portrait Sketch"

10"x8" Oil on Linen Panel

When no model is available, paint a self portrait!  Ok, Ok, this isn't a good representation of me, I noticed that I made my nose too short (could it be an unconscious wish? Ha!) But it is a good exercise for painting the portrait.  I will do it again to keep those "portrait muscles" warm.

"Sketch of Contemplation"

10"x8" Oil on Clay Board

Casadei modeled again. . . I can't believe how beautiful she is!  I only hope to capture half the beauty she exudes!

"Belle Journee" SOLD

11"x14" Oil on Gessobord panel  SOLD

It truly was a beautiful day.  The tides were higher than we've ever seen!

"Tidal Pools beyond the Dunes"

8"x8" Oil on Linen Panel

The influence of friends' painting styles is showing up in this painting.  I am blessed by and love my painting friends because of their artistic experience and wisdom.

"Balcony Beach Views" SOLD

8"x10" Oil on Clayboard  SOLD

I was treated to a lovely spot on Sullivan's Island near Station 19 at which to paint.  I stood up on a shady porch with views of lush dunes and palms and the sound of the crashing nearby waves!

"Bountiful Harvest"

6"x12" Oil on Birch Board

My kids and I went to the local Farmer's Market and saw such beautiful produce!  The colors were delicious and I thought that before I eat them, I'll paint them!

"Misty Mountain Morning" GIFTED

24"x36" Oil on Linen Canvas   GIFTED

I touched up the painting just a tiny bit. . . what do you think?

"A Charleston Wedding" Final SOLD

20"x24" Oil on Linen Canvas   SOLD

The final painting awaits its home with the New Bride and Groom

"Misty Mountain Morning" GIFTED

24"x30" Oil on Linen Canvas   GIFTED

I think this one is finished as well.  I need to get my eyes off of it for a time so I can look at it again with a fresh, objective viewpoint.  I welcome comments!! Thanks!

"A Charleston Wedding"

20"x24" Oil on Linen Canvas

I think this one if complete. . . just waiting a response from the Bride and Groom and a wink and a smile ;)

"Island Boardwalk" adjusted

6"x6" Oil on Linen Panel

Here it is again, the same painting as the earlier post but the "sky holes" in the distant trees have been "calmed-down."

"Cistern Archway" SOLD

8"x8" Oil on linen panel   SOLD

The following day (after painting the wedding event) Christopher Murphy and I were asked to represent The Charleston Artist Collective at the Open Arts Festival which took place at the College of Charleston Cistern field (the movie, The Patriot staring Mel Gibson was also filmed here).  I set up my easel and started this little painting of the entryway into the historical yard.  I may need to re-shoot the image to get the correct color.  But I wanted to post to show in any case.

A Wedding In Progress

20"x24" Oil on Canvas

This isn't quite finished yet. . . but I wanted to post what I have done so far, . . . I was asked to paint this intimate wedding event in progress.  This was such a fun gig!  The mother of the groom asked that the painting capture the venue, primarily; the new Ravenel Bridges over the Cooper River as the sun set behind the bridal party.  It was lovely.

As I finish up I will clarify the crowd and the foreground just a bit. . . I'll post to let you know.

"Red Shrimpers" SOLD

14"x11" Oil on Gessobord panel   SOLD

The first of 4 paintings of Shem Creek.  The weather was perfect with lower humidity and heat.  I could have been out there all day!

"Blue Shrimpers" SOLD

8"x10" Oil on Linen panel   SOLD

I had such a great vantage point from where I stood.  I literally got 4 paintings from one location.  It only goes to show the level of beauty that surrounded me on all sides.  This was painted at Shem Creek near Vickery's Restaurant.

"Island Boardwalk" SOLD

6"x6" Oil on Gessobord  SOLD

Again, today was a Shem Creek kind of day.  I loved the shapes of these distant island trees.  I can already see some minor changes I want to make to the "sky holes" in the trees. . . so this may be re-posted.

"Oysters Exposed" SOLD

 6"x6" Oil on Gessobord  SOLD

I was at Shem Creek today - through the sunshine and the overcast.  Unfortunately this particular painting got caught in both lighting scenarios.  I think I will work on this a bit more after I've looked away for a time so that I can re-acquire my "fresh eyes."

"Marshside Palms" SOLD

6"x6" Oil on Gessobord brand Panel   SOLD

"Far, Far Away" SOLD

8"x10" Oil on Clayboard   SOLD

Last night's thunderstorms blew in and left behind today's tremendous humidity.  The foggy atmosphere made the treeline on the horizon blur-out and disappear into a cool, blue silhouette.

"A Long Way Home" SOLD

8"x8" Oil on Linen Panel  SOLD

The Wednesday Painters painted out on Briar's Creek Golf Club.  My eyes were drawn to the distant house on the creek and its dock.

"Cottage Charm" SOLD ON ONE KINGS LANE

10"x8" Oil on Linen Panel  SOLD

We were invited to the Cassique Golf Club on Kiawah Island today.  The architecture of the clubhouse and the nearby cottages oozed European charm.  The sunlight bounced off the grass heads in front of this building.  If nothing else, it was a delight to be there on such a beautiful August day.

"Eggplant Still Life with Onions and Garlic"

8"x10" Oil on Linen Panel

Part of The Charleston Artist Collective's September Theme: "Limited Palatte"

"Clouds & Creeks" SOLD

8"x8" Oil on Linen Panel  SOLD

This is looking out over Shem Creek from the new Shem Creek Park in Mount Pleasant.

"Sanderling Swoop" SOLD ON ONE KINGS LANE

8"x10" Oil on Linen panel  SOLD 

The kids and I spent an afternoon on Sullivan's Beach at high tide and while playing in the waves a flock of little sanderling birds flew by inches above the water.  I had to paint that scene!  Part of the Shore Birds Series.

"Dry Falls" With Frame

30"x36" framed

You may see this painting at The Mountain Mist Gallery in Cashiers, NC
www.mountainmistgallery.com

For more information on this painting, contact David

David Berger

40 Perennial Dr., PO Box 2228

Cashiers, NC 28717

P / 828-743-1801

E / bergerart@hotmail.com

"Dry Falls - Cashiers, NC"

20"x24" Oil on Linen

This one is headed for a gallery in Cashiers, NC: Mountain Mist Gallery at the Crossroads.

"Afternoon Siesta" SOLD

9"x12" Oil on Canvas   SOLD

Here comes another Shore Bird painting.  This was painted with a limited palette for next month's Charleston Artist Collective Theme: Limited Palette.

"On The Run II" SOLD

11"x14" Oil on Gessobord brand panel  SOLD

Another one for the Shore Bird Series!

"On The Run" GIFTED

9"x12" Oil on Canvas  GIFTED

Another one for the Carolina Shore Bird series.  I just love how Sandpipers' little legs help them out-run the foamy ocean waves with lightening speed.

"Gathering Storm Clouds" Sold

11"x14" Oil on Gessobord panel   sold

While in Rockville on Wadmalaw Island in South Carolina the morning turned to afternoon.

The humid heat conjures the dance, choreographing the clouds to perform the summer's pattern afternoon showers.

"Evening Splendor" Sold

8"x8" Oil on Linen panel  sold

Wow, the recent rains have made the skies a gorgeous sight to see!  I couldn't resist trying to capture one of the most spectacular shapes of clouds and evening colors I've seen in a long time.

Painted for The Charleston Artist Collective's August Theme: "Passing Storms"

"In Flight" Sold

6"x6" Oil on Gessobord Panel   sold

While walking the neighborhood I happened upon this young Stork trying to catch breakfast in the drainage reservoir alongside the sidewalk.  Wow, these birds are big!  I thought this might be a good addition to that series of water birds I started.  Thankfully I had my phone with me.