Saturday, September 30, 2017

Pieces of 8 Challenge #6 - Nourish

Our challenge this month is "Nourish".   Enjoy!


This painting nourishes my soul.



Poured Paint with metallics
6x8"
Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com

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I always think of nature in the context of "nourish" for so many reasons.  In addition to the fact that the nature does an amazing job of providing nourishment to the animals, plants and humans that live here, just being outdoors does a lot to re-nourish people emotionally.  So for "nourish" I painted the start of one of my favorite hikes up to Rich Mountain in western NC.



The Golden Hour
17 x 11, oil on canvas, framed
art@cindymichaud.com

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A little nourishment for the body and the soul.  I was in a pure color frame of mind so I decided to pay homage to one of my favorites, Cezanne, a master of color.


Pears ala Cezanne

Donnavinesart.Etsy.com
Donnavinesart.blogspot.com


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 Most everyone in my home town made a living from the citrus industry, including my grandmother. Oranges and blossoms not only nourished everyone in the obvious way, but also provided a means of supporting their families.

Orange Blossoms, 6x8

Carmensart.etsy.com
Carmenbeecher.blogspot.com
Carmenbeecher.com
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I find that going for a walk with my camera nourishes my creativity. Sometimes I'll find something I've never noticed before like this simple little flower growing profusely in the drainage ditches near my house. I picked a few and took several photos. I looked it up when I got home and found it's called "rhexia."  By studying the photos and the plant itself I was able to build the colors and the plant parts in Adobe Illustrator. By making each item a symbol, I can then just drag the items where I want them to try to create an image I like. I'm still struggling with making something out of this one because I'm not crazy about the color combination - red and green with purple! But when I need inspiration, a walk is what works for me and my camera makes me really focus. (Click on an image to enlarge it.)


Studies of Rhexia
by Kathy Garvey

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Pears Florentine
Paper Collage
7 x 9


Pears have always been my favorite fruit. I love their taste, their shape and their color. I even delight in saying the French word poire,which is the perfect sound for them. Cindy Michaud's extensive collection of what I call pear portraits was my inspiration for this work. 
The collage is made from my collection of Florentine wrapping papers from a tiny, well hidden but well stocked paper store in the heart of the hustle and bustle of Florence. 

Fay Picardi

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Pelican Painting, Wildlife Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 9x12" Original Art, SOLD

We spent a lovely afternoon at Pt Canaveral recently.  Of course, we were surrounded by birds.

I was inspired by this pelican, hunkered down on a piling.

SOLD
I realized that many of the paintings, that give me the most joy, are birds.  I am committed to painting more of them.

The biggest block is getting good photos to work from.

I want to share some of my other photos from this trip to Pt. Canaveral.





As you can see, it was a wonderful day.  Grandson came along, making it even more special!

Carol Schiff

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com
www.CarolschiffStudo.etsy.com

Saturday, September 23, 2017

New Beginnings

Recently my niece had her long awaited first baby, a little boy named Josiah.  I wanted to make something for his room that she would like and he would like looking at as he got older.  I did this little collage of a ewe and her lamb.  To me they symbolized new beginnings in the sweetest way. Here is to new beginnings.

New Beginnings

donnavinesart.Etsy.com
donnavinesart.blogspot.com
 

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Wildlife Painting, Snowy Egret Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 11x14" Out on a Limb

One of the joys, of living in Florida, is the abundant wildlife.  It is thrilling to view this majestic birds, almost daily, from my window.

purchase here
11x14"


This one was painted from a photograph, as are most of my work.  He had some glorious shadows on him that I could not ignore.

detail


This is one of those few paintings, that seemed to come easily.  It has left me eager to return to the easel, re-charged and ready to tackle my next project.  I love it when that happens!!





Thanks for stopping by today!

Carol Schiff

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Expressionist Sunset Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 9x12" Oil on Canvas Seascape

Well probably your 5 yr old kid could do this....right?  Maybe that is why I enjoy it so much.

purchase here
 I may be a slow learner, because it took me many years to get to this point.  Mama never said I was the sharpest knife in the drawer.




All kidding aside, I really love the freedom of this piece.  Instead of leaving the studio feeling like I have been fighting for hours, I felt very relaxed, happy and ready to sail through the day.  I think I need to do this more often!

Thanks for reading my blog today.

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com
www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com

Monday, September 11, 2017

Small Abstract Painting, Fluid Art, Acrylic Pouring, Daily Painting,

I have been continuing to research and experiment with fluid art, and finally I feel I have made a little progress.

Purchase here
It is fascinating to see what appears as the paints and hues mingle, and frustrating because you can do the exact same technique twice and get two completely different results.

I was very happy with this one, that appears to be hundreds of little bubbles, but is actually hundreds of little cells.



I love how they look on household products!  These are from Kessinhouse.com.

Is this year flying by or what??

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Impressionist Fruit Still Life, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 8x10x1.5" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

In a blatant attempt to get away from flower paintings, today I am posting a still life of fruit,

Purchase here
225. + shipping
 I have been accused of having to many grayed down hues in my art, so recently, I an trying to focus on more vibrant color....no more pasty pastels!

detail
 I would like to report, that my tube of white paint is lasting longer, but it is too soon to tell.


Regardless, I am pleasently surprised with the color I achieved here, so hopefully I am on the right track.

Thanks for reading my blog today, and a special thank you to all who have supported my art and my blog with their purchases.

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Bud to Blossom, 24x30 Oil on Canvas by Denette Schweikert for Pieces of 8 "Red" Challenge

Bud to Blossom



This beautiful oil painting by Denette got lost in cyberspace and didn't make it into the original post for our "Red" challenge. Isn't it amazing? No one does absolutely realistic color like Denette Schweikert.

Carmen

Friday, September 1, 2017

Seascape Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, Caribbean Blue, 6x12x.75"

Are you ready for another seascape?  This is one of my favorites because of the blues, greens, lavender colors.
purchase here
190 + shipping


detail
 It has a little impasto....not too much.


detail


This painting reminds me of trips to the islands.  

Thank you for viewing my blog today.

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Ballard Park, Original Oil on Canvas

  I had not painted outside in two years, so this was quite a challenge. It was one of those paintings I had to improve upon in the studio. ...