"Look At What The Tide Brought In"

Not available for sale

8"x10" Plein Aire Oil on Linen Board

It was such a bright morning this morning when this was painted. It certainly was a glorious day for painting! Oh! I almost forgot, the bundle in the foreground was an interesting item. It looked as though someone had tied four palm tree trunks together with what is now a very rusted cable. I wonder what its original purpose was.

"Gesture of a Tree"

"Gesture of a Tree" Plein Aire 8"x10" Oil on Stretched Linen SOLD

Today, my painting friend made a comment about how she looks at trees like people - each tree has a personality and a "gesture" like people do. She is right. After that comment, I will never view a tree the same way again. What used to intimidate me to boredom now intrigues and inspires me. Just behind this tree and the background dunes lies the sea; and this close proximity to the ocean breezes causes foliage to "grow" with the wind. I was enthralled with painting this epiphany of freedom! Even the distant palms in this piece have a gesture and a personality to them.

"Deacon Blue"

11"x14" Oil on Stretched Canvas. $400. SOLD
The model took on this pose and settled into a comfortable position. As the small group of us artists painted, Steely Dan played quietly in the background: "Deacon Blue". It seemed to fit. click on image to enlarge

"Seated Nude"

10"x8" Oil on Linen Board SOLD
This is a little study of a beautiful young woman I'll call "Jennifer"
Figurative and portraiture paintings are some of my very favorites to create. I can't express just how blessed I am to be able to "do" the very thing that God created me to do. I feel so alive at this time in my life because of the privilege to paint and create works of art. And I get to paint with some of Charleston's FINEST artists!! Wow, can somebody pinch me???

"The Pink Door"

10"x8" Oil on Linen Board SOLD
The Pink Door was an inspiration of our painting friend, Anne, who passes by here regularly. Although a typical Downtown Charleston one room house, there was something about the character of this Robin's Egg Blue building with the open Pink door. It wasn't difficult for Anne to turn us all on to this potential painting.

And "Who left the door open, anyway??" As we painted, we saw at least two of its residence come by to check the mail and then drive away. No body bothered to ever close that Pink Door.

I feel that this particular painting of mine is unfinished. I did have the where-with-all to bring my digital camera and snap a few shots for additional work in the studio. I think that I got a pretty good start though. I'll keep you posted on how this one develops. Until I complete it, however, it isn't for sale just yet. (Let me know via comments if you are interested in this and can't wait for further development.) Click on image to enlarge

"Lone Palm Tree"

sold


The painting group found this abandoned property on which this lone palm tree stands and overlooks the waterway. Click on Image to Enlarge

Portrait of Talor

"Portrait of Talor" 12"x9" Oil on Linen
I am so thrilled with this commission to paint Talor's portrait. We did this little study in Washington Park this morning and I was very impressed with the self-discipline of this young lady.
Prior to and after the study in oil, we took many photographs all from which I will work to produce the 40"x30" painting (approximately). I will continually post updates of the painting's progress.
Click on Image to Enlarge

"Three Trees"

"Three Trees" 8"x10" Oil on Linen Board
I loved the patterns that were created by the "holes" in between these massive oak trees and how they related to one another.

SOLD

"Backyard Breezes"

SOLD "Backyard Breezes" 8"x10" Oil on Canvas
This painting marks the first "chilly" day of the Autumn season despite the 75+ degree temperatures. The breezes kept us all cool and dry.

"Afternoon in the Shade"

"Afternoon in the Shade" 9"x12" Oil on Canvas SOLD

Those blue chairs and the red bike seemed so inviting that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to put down the experience on canvas.

Click on Image to Enlarge

"The Dunes' Gatekeeper"

"The Dunes' Gatekeeper" 8"x10" Oil on Linen Board SOLD

It was too beautiful to go in just yet, so I had to squeeze just one more painting in before the day is done.

"Red's Ice House"

"Red's Ice House" sold

The Old Boat House

SOLD

"The Old Boat House" 8"x10" Oil on Linen Board

What a fun and interesting subject. This old house has a character all its own. I especially love the uneven boardwalk out to its dock.

Approaching Storm Over Charleston

sold

"Approaching Storm Over Charleston" 8"x10" Oil on Canvas sold

It was a gorgeous and clear morning to paint. Suddenly I heard a distant rumbling of thunder and couldn't resist the dramatic cloud formations blowing in over the Peninsula; I had to act fast! The sky was so azure blue and the edges of these dark, ominous clouds were quickly encroaching on the tranquil blue. It was "cut and dry."

"Marshland Driftwood"

"Marshland Driftwood" 8"x10" Oil on कान्वस्बोअर्द sold

The natural "framing" that occured witht he shadows of the foliage juxtaposed behind the whitish surface of this large, downed tree just had to be painted.

"Marshside Cottage"

SOLD

"Marshside Cottage" 10"x8" oil on CanvasBoard

One of the first beautiful sunny days to get out and paint in what seemed like forever! The abundant rain we've been receiving along with the transition of school starting just kept me indoors. Ah, SUNSHINE!

Thanks to Anne for her on point critique.

"Still Life - Fruit on a white plate"

SOLD

"Still Life - Fruit on a White Plate" 8"x10" Oil on Belgian Linen Canvas Board $100.

I had to work fast! This is the result. Quick, quick brush work. Details were essentially left out. Another exercise in putting down the major notes as fast as possible. Perhaps my next painting will be a more "finished" one. We'll see.

Kristin and the Scarlet Blanket

"Kristin and the Scarlet Blanket" 8"x10" Oil on CanvasBoard

Our second attempt went much better than the first (see "Saturday Morning Cartoons"). I'll give my little one tremendous credit for sitting relatively still as she is only a Four-Year-Old. She was still a "squirmey-wormey" but that's o.k. This was an excellent drill in putting down as much info as possible in the shortest amount of time without getting too caught up in the details. I'm proud of my little cutie. I only hope to do a "full scale" portrait of her someday soon. And yes, she was really into it. . . she wanted to see my progress and when I threatened to quit due to her "moving around" she quickly got back into postition without a sound! Can you tell that I am proud of my little sweet heart?

I invite your comments

Thank you for your visit to my blog~
I invite you to browse around ~
Please let me know that you were here by leaving a comment or two;
let me know which, if any, are your favorites.
Which are not.
Your feedback is so valuable to me.
Thanks in advance,
Enjoy!
Mary

"Still Life with Limes"

"Still Life with Limes" 9"x12" Oil on CanvasBoard $200

The 98+ degree heat and 90% humidity put our painting group inside to paint today. Thank you, Leslie, for opening up your wonderful studio this morning!

Leslie artfully arranged this still-life and challenged me in color theory. At first glance what appeared to be the cool, purplish shadows began to morph into warmer, redder ones. I began to see "heat" in those cool shadows! Never-the-less, even a "frustrating" day of painting is still a great day!

"Linville Ridge Rocks 1705"

"Linville Ridge Rocks 1705" 9"x12" Oil on CanvasBoard $200
It was suggested to me to take this Plein Aire Study and use it to create a larger version of this painting: 20"x24" perhaps. I look forward to the challenge!

"A Cloud Study II"

"A Cloud Study II" 10"x8" Oil on CanvasBoard
Breath-taking views were everywhere. The cloud formations were the highlight of this day! I also wanted to capture the mountain tops here. The "fog" that I saw in the valleys of the mountains created such a "mood." The misty mountain valleys made the colors so beautiful!

SOLD

"Cloud Study I"

"Cloud Study I" 10"x8" Oil on CanvasBoard What gorgeous reference material! The Mountain atmostphere showed off for me with these glorious cloud formations! I had to capture it quick! They don't hold still for anyone!

"A Still-Life Study in Green"

"A Still-Life Study in Green" 8"x10" Oil on CanvasBoard sold

What a great exercise in developing greens using a limited palette without making the image flat or boring green. This is a dilemma that artists might find themselves in when it comes to painting a landscape of lush green trees and grasses in the spring or summer. How does one paint such a thing without making the canvas nothing but a green mass? This was a lot more fun than I had anticipated and I really liked the way this little gem turned out.

"Pathway to Knowledge"

"Pathway to Knowledge" 12"x9" Oil on Canvas sold
This painting depicts a "driveway" of a beautiful home in which I and 12 of the most wonderful, inspiring artists stayed. Together we painted under the tutalage of Charleston Artist, Laurie Meyer. Laurie's instruction inspired and enlarged my own art experience to the degree that I feel as though another lifetime of knowledge was added to me as a result of this mountain experience. It was a bonding and learning experience like no other. Thank you, Laurie and Tammy!!! (KISS!)

"Saturday Morning Cartoons"

"Saturday Morning Cartoons" 10"x8" Original Oil on Canvas

Although it was Monday that I painted this, the whole genre reminded me of 'days of old' when I was a kid and couldn't wait until Saturday mornings to watch Bugs Bunny cartoons. I asked my daughter to just sit and watch Noggin while I painted her but she just couldn't get comfortable so my little "squirmey-wormey" made this sitting a short one. Now that she's seen the end result, I think that the next painting will be more of a success. A look of delight brightened her face when she realized that she was the subject of one of my paintings.

sold

"Pathway to the Beach" 10"x8" Oil on Linen Board $100.

Another fine day painting. Thanks to my painting friends who with their fine critiques guide me in the right direction! Many thanks!

The Point at the SeaShore

"The Point at the SeaShore" 8"x10" Oil on Linen Board $100 sold

"A Day At The Waterfront"

SOLD

"A Day At The Waterfront" 5"x7" Oil on Canvas Board $75

This was fun trying to capture the sights of people enjoying the cool breeze of the on-coming rain storm. . . I got rained on so I had to pack it up. As the rain drops mixed with my oil paints and palette, I believe that I captured sufficient information so the viewer can "experience" what I saw. I will be back here. There is a plethera of subject matter to be painted! This was also the painting I was working on as Gracie was photographing me for the Post and Courier's article about bloggers "Painting a Day" Thanks Kyle & Gracie!!

"55"

"55" 10"x8" Oil on Canvas

I was captured by this downtown Charleston home's inviting facade. Its doorway and colorful plantings seemed to say "Welcome" as it beckoned to be painted. Sold