On the Way to Rockford

"On the Way to Rockford" 6" x 6" Oil on canvas panel

This little stream shone with rippled excitement in the autumn light as I drove the back roads toward Rockford.  The scenery is much more appealing along this route than the Interstate.  


This small piece was a warm up for a larger landscape I'm working on.  I wanted to get the feeling of distance and a stream.  You'll see the larger piece in a few days.  It's drying some, so I can add an animal in the foreground.  Hmmmmm, not my usual fare.

Thanks for driving by today!
Carol

Dailypainters.com
Dailypaintworks.com
My DPW Gallery
Brushstrokes@comcast.net

Sugar Shaker

"Sugar Shaker" 6" x 6" Oil on canvas panel

Things of a delicate nature that have been on this earth longer than I have, intrigue me. This sugar shaker is one such item.  I own several.  My family used this one routinely to sprinkle sugar on cold and hot cereal. 


I wasn't sure how I'd depict the raised and poorly painted flowers and leaves, but they came across much like the actual piece.  The basket weave across the bottom was a delight to replicate.  The biggest surprise was my choice of background.  I painted the green around the base, then chose a most wonderful mixture of Indian red, burnt and raw sienna.  I love this color!  I plan to use it again.

Thank you for stopping by today.
Carol

Dailypainters.com
Dailypaintworks.com
My DPW Gallery  
Brushstrokes@comcast.net

Let Us Eat Chocolate!

"Let Us Eat Chocolate!" 16" x 20" Oil on canvas panel

Looks like a celebration, doesn't it? Well it is!  


I'm celebrating something. I've been INVITED to be on Dailypainters.com.  It's the original and largest online daily painting site.  And I am now one of those artists! What a perfect way to enter this next stage of my career—bearing chocolates. 


This little glass pedestal of chocolates was waiting for me at my friend's home in Colorado Springs last March when I visited.  I was particularly drawn to the artisanal piece.  For a first go at chocolate, this turned out pretty yummy, didn't it?

So now my blog will flow into two sites: Dailypainters.com and Dailypaintworks.com.  Each will have a gallery of my work and my art can be purchased by way of PayPal, as usual, either through a DPW auction, or through me directly, via Brushstrokes@comcast.net.

Look for other changes in the next few weeks, too.

Thank you for visiting the giddiest gal in Illinois!
Carol

The Peak From Flying Horse

"The Peak From Flying Horse" 6" x 6" Oil on canvas panel

It was October, the balcony still had tables and chairs, so we requested outdoor seating to overlook this view of Pikes Peak.  I can taste the air, the food, the ambiance of that evening. 

I have friends who take me to places that look like this. How lucky am I? Now imagine what you'd want to eat as you ponder this.  Yup, that's what I had, too!

Thank you for sitting with me today.
Carol

DPW 
My DPW Gallery
Brushstrokes@comcast.net

Cherry Mango

"Cherry Mango" 6" x 6" Oil on canvas panel

The mango balanced on the narrow strip of wood as easily and with as much finesse as the cherry.  However, in the scheme of things, it would have been more of a contest with a bowling ball and a marble.  


I bought the mango for its color.  I photographed it with Ms Cherry, here, then ate them both.  I was particularly fond of using two different patterns and colors of fabric on this piece.  I like the way it turned out, too.

Thank you for coming to visit!
Carol

DPW
My DPW Gallery
Brushstrokes@comcast.net 

Festive Rose #2

"Festive Rose #2" 6" x 6" Oil on canvas panel

Her petals lounged against the patterned background as comfortably as a dad in a hammock.  She seemed to wear the print as easily as her own leaves.  


Here's another one of my textured backgrounds that I enjoy making for single subjects.  Roses look good on the multicolored ones.

Thank you for popping in today!
Carol

DPW 
My DPW Gallery
Brushstrokes@comcast.net

Garden Succulent

"Garden Succulent" 6" x 6" Oil on hardboard panel

There she sat, sprouting a young one.  The others in the planter had already done their work for the season, but this inexperienced lady had to watch her elders to see how it was done.  


This is a plant I painted before, but about seven times taller than she is here.  She was in the foreground of a desert scene with sand and mountains to the top and sides.  I like to paint the same thing twice—sometimes.

Thank you for wandering in today.
Carol

DPW
My DPW Gallery
Brushstrokes@comcast.net

Hey!  Write to me!  Yes, you.

Inside, Looking Out

"Inside, Looking Out" 24" x 18" Acrylic on canvas panel

Peg's garden was at it's late-spring peak when I shot the photo of her larkspur and roses. It was always a joy to be in her garden on a weekly basis for three years running, to document her four acres of flowers. 


I liked the painting, but it sat for too long without finding a new home.  Then I had the idea of changing it—slightly.  Okay, significantly.  Framed, and hung in the right place, it might look like an actual window to Peg's garden.

Thank you for peeking in today.
Carol

DPW
My DPW Gallery
Brushstrokes@comcast.net

Painterly Iris

"Painterly Iris" 10" x 8" Oil on canvas panel

Her sun-kissed petals bobbed in the spring breeze like petticoats on a clothesline.  And a bud insured the promise of more to come in a couple of days. 


In the midst of shin-deep snow, I like to make time to paint unlikely subject matter.  It's good for the soul.  And since it was unlikely, I decided to paint in a style that's difficult for me.  I'm always stretching.

Thank you for nodding as you passed today.
Carol   


DPW
My DPW Gallery
Brushstrokes@comcast.net