Saturday, May 31, 2014

Tree Landscape, ""BFF", 12x16 Palette Knife Painting



I just returned from a few weeks in the mountains of western North Carolina. We have an October trip planned, to take in the beautiful fall colors, which I am really anticipating. Until then, I will have to be satisfied with our Florida type of tree. They have a beauty of their own....not really big leaves or bright colors, but graceful palms and huge live oaks draped in Spanish moss and with limbs that seem to be a mile long.



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These don't have Spanish moss, but I was taken by their entwined limbs, like they are giving each other a hug and will be best friends forever.

I painted this with a palette knife and I used a technique I call "color weaving".  It gives me lots of texture and I can get really subtle color changes.  I have a nice wide molding in a dark wood tone that I will use to frame this one.  I think it will make it pop off the wall!

I hope to get many photos of fall color in the mountains next month....it's my favorite time of the year!


Thursday, May 29, 2014

Horse Painting, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting, "Buckskin Mare" by Carol Schiff, 8x10.1.5" Oil

I had a request for another horse painting,  I have not done many of them, but I also enjoy them.  It started with a ride through the valleys of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina, where I found several horses grazing.  The buckskin was particularly friendly, coming up to the fence to great us and posing for several photographs.

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I found it difficult to mix the correct color of this animal, but finally was happy with the results.  I used a palette knife in the background of this small oil painting,  to create the texture of the grasses in the meadow.


Thursday, May 22, 2014

Garden Landscape Painting, Rose Painting, "A Walk in the Garden" by Carol Schiff,24x30x1.5 Oil



A few months ago, I did a small study of this scene, on Laura Plantation in southern Louisiana.  I have wanted to paint a larger version, but, life got in the way.  Finally, I  was able to finish this 24x30" piece.

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It brings back memories of a trip I took to New Orleans last year.  We spent the day driving through the surrounding countryside and toured two plantations that bordered the Mississippi levy.

As you can imagine, the grounds were stunning, but I couldn't help but think of the slaves who toiled there.

detail

I painted using both a brush and palette knife.  I love the texture a palette knife brings to a piece.  I think it adds so much interest.

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I painted the sides of the canvas black.  This piece will work well either framed or unframed.

Don't forget to pin it, please.


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Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Abstract Landscape, Daily Painting, "Fire in the Sky" by Carol Schiff, 6x8" Oil

Whenever I feel the need to push my art, I turn to abstract.  This time,  I wanted some representation in the piece.
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 I started with an old reference photo and worked hard to bring movement and heat to the piece.


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I really enjoyed working on this piece...I hope you enjoy it too!


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Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, "Mountain Poppy Field" by Carol Schiff, 8x10x1.5" Oil

My husband and I spend lots of summer time in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina.  Whenever I visit, I carry my camera just about everywhere.

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I always love it when I stumble across a field of flowers....it seems like a little surprise gift.  I do have to admit that this gift was probably planted by the North Carolina Highway Department or some such government organization.  Still I have to appreciate the beauty of this seemingly random scene.


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For years, I have resisted painting on gallery wrap canvas because of difficulty with storage and shipping.  Finally, I have seen the light and am moving in that direction!  I still have lots of canvas panels and studio canvas to use up, but as I replenish my supplies, I am using gallery wrap.  It is so superior in look and of course, the ability to hang without a frame.  The exception to this is my small 6x8" paintings which I will probably continue on canvas panel.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this issue!
I hope you like today's daily painting.

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Monday, May 19, 2014

Commission a Painting to your specifications, by Carol Schiff

Today's post is just a little different.  Recently, I sold a small marsh painting to a client in another state.  Since she could not see the art in person before she purchased it, she was surprised and dismayed by the size of the piece.

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She really loved the painting, but it just wouldn't work in her space.  We decided to repaint it in a much larger format.  When the commission was ready to ship, I sent her this image of both works, allowing her to see that the colors and scene were similar and also to judge the size of the original against the new piece.

She was thrilled and the story has a happy ending for all.

If you have a special image or would like one of my works in another size, please feel free to contact me for a price quote.  I would love to hear from you.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Small Abstract Painting, Church Painting "The Safe Place" by Carol Schiff, 6x8" Oil

I have been dabbling with abstracts for some time, and now have started to add some structures to the mix.
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 I am always attracted to old churches, and this one is rather special.  It is a local landmark in our town.  I worked right next door for twenty plus years, so I saw it every day.  Now, it also serves as a cold weather shelter for the homeless.





I tried to focus on color interaction as well as texture and abstraction.  I am happy with the results. 


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Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Daily Painting, Seagull Painting, "The Three Stooges" by Carol Schiff, 6x8 Oil,

The three birds in today's daily painting look a little goofy to me.  Maybe they are hungry, or maybe they are plotting against another, but I just don't trust them.

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 They remind me of my childhood and the notorious "Three Stooges", Larry, Moe and Curly.
You remember them don't you?  They were always getting into trouble.



They are looking at a fourth seagull....not in this painting, and I don't think it is in a friendly manner!  I hope to do a second painting of this group, including the fourth member.

The reference photo was shared from Shelley Smart at her wonderful blog here.  Shelley is a fantastic photographer and generous too.  She gave me permission to use her image years ago.  I hope you will visit her interesting blog, "A Year at the Beach", where she recorded the activity on the beach every day.

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Sunday, May 4, 2014

Wall Decor, Home Furnishings, My Art made into Metal Home Decor by Carol Schiff

Today I have a special announcement to make.  I am thrilled to show you some of my paintings that have been reproduced as metallic wall decor from All my Wall, Inc.


This has been in the works for longer than I want to admit, but finally my work has been added to their website.



With luck, you may soon see these designs on sites such as Overstock, Wayfair, Amazon, Hayneedle and Ebay.




These are just a few of the pieces that are available.  If you would like to see more you can find them here.  



If you would like to help me out...
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Saturday, May 3, 2014

Daily Painting, Rose Painting, "Plantation Roses" by Carol Schiff, 12x12x1.5" Oil SOLD

This daily painting is a result of my trip to Laura Plantation in southern Louisiana last summer.  Laura Plantation was just beautiful and I found these roses climbing a picket fence.  As lovely as it was, I felt a dark cloud hung over the place as the spirit of slaves were in the air.  The tiny slave cabins could not be ignored, nor the fact that the grounds were maintained by them also.


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In spite of that, it was an interesting tour and very informative too.  The staff were well educated in the plantations history and gave us much insight into life on the plantation.




Laura Plantation is a Creole plantation and not what you expect when the word "plantation" comes into your mind.  No big white house with huge pillars but a modest Louisiana home.  The big white house we all think of is from "American Plantations", which we also visited.  It was just what we had expected, but I found it very strange that "slaves" were hardly mentioned during our tour there.

All in all, it was an interesting and informative day and I highly recommend the trip.  Here is a link to Laura Plantation's website:  http://www.lauraplantation.com



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Friday, May 2, 2014

Daily Painting, Abstract Landscape, "Lighting the Heavens" by Carol Schiff, 12x24x.75" Oil

In this painting, my goal was to capture that magic moment when the sun just peeks through the horizon and night turns to day.


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For me, that is the best moment.......knowing I have a brand new day to enjoy.

I did my favorite palette knife technique (which I have labeled color weaving) on this.  I find it gives me a great way to blend from one color to another.

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I hope your day is fabulous and if you have not seen a sunrise lately...set your alarm for tomorrow, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the show!



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Thursday, May 1, 2014

Marsh Painting, Daily Painting, "Golden Marsh" by Carol Schiff. 6x8" Oil

Marshes are magical places.  The colors of the season is so distinct.  On this day, I wanted to capture the beautiful colors of fall  in the southern marsh.  The day was sunny and the marsh was glowing with golds and browns and complimentary blues in the sky.

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 In the winter months it wears a beautiful coat of mauves and of course, spring is all yellow-green.  Summer brings a more mature green, often speckled with wildflowers



Whatever the color, I love those marshes and wetlands.  The wildlife is always spectacular.  Just a few miles from my Florida home is a wetland that has become one of the top bird watching areas in the USA.  Bird watchers travel from around the world to capture their beauty.  They often capture the beauty of an alligator or two whether they want to or not.

The marsh in this painting is in Florida.



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