Sunday, July 31, 2016

Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, Autumn Landscape, Daily Art, "Tree on Fire", 8x10x1.5" Oil

This time of the year, the mountains are where I want to be.  This year, I have been very lucky to spend two months here.

Purchase here
165 + shipping
 I was inspired to paint this one from the ever evolving show I see each day.  It brings back childhood memories of northern Ohio and Michigan.....minus the mountains, of course.




 What more could I ask for?  It gets better and better each day.  Of course, in the mountains it seems the color is climbing to the sky.




One evening we spied a herd of Elk in the meadow.  You can hear them bellowing in the woods this time of year.They come down to the meadows to feed at dusk and dawn..  This herd was one make and about 30 females.

As much as I love it here I will be ready to head south to Florida in the next few days.  When the trees are stripped bare, and the cold winds are blowing, I will be enjoying the beautiful beaches. Life is good!


Thanks for visiting my blog today.
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Friday, July 29, 2016

Daily Painting, Sunset Painting, Small Oil Painting, "Marsh Sky", 11x14x1.5" Landscape Oil Painting

Life here in the mountains, of North Carolina, is a slower pace for me,  But the days are quickly getting shorter and shorter.  The leaves are beautiful, my favorite time of year!  It reminds me of my childhood days in northern Ohio, burning leaves, apple cider, hay rides.  I wonder if people still do those things.

I am still busy, painting commissions, but I managed to paint this 11x14x1.5" landscape,  It is a study for a commission.

275. + shipping
It is not easy capturing that "glow" from a beautiful sunset, and I am not sure I succeded here. but it is a start.

Thanks for reading my blog today.

  LIKE ME ON FACEBOOK


www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Monday, July 25, 2016

Mountain Sunset Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, "Blue Ridge Sunset" by Carol Schiff, 6x8" Oil SOLD

This mountain sunset painting is a result of our most recent trip to Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.  We were there for the beautiful leaf viewing season, and it was spectacular!  We came home to Florida on Halloween and missed the incredible 22" of snow that accumulated the next day.  I am sure that cut the leaf season short.


purchase here
SOLD
The leaves were not the only spectacular sight!  I find the mountains as fascinating as the ocean with it's constantly changing moods.


This is me, having fun!!

This month, we will be making our first winter trip to our North Carolina home....I am hoping to see that beautiful landscape covered in snow.


Here in Florida, we don't have falling leaves, or snow.  That has not stopped us from getting in the Christmas spirit.  If you have an art lover on your list, check out my Etsy shop.  I have a large selection of original paintings as well as gift certificates.


www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Live Oak with Spanish Moss, 6x6", Oil



Live oak trees are found everywhere in the south, usually, draped with Spanish moss.  The trees are huge with long, long branches that sometimes droop to the ground.  They are called "live oaks" because they cycle their new leaves all year long and never are bare.



Spanish moss was named after the first Spanish explorers who came to Louisiana and Florida.  The Indians thought the moss looked like the beards of the explorers.





Basically, Spanish moss just needs somewhere to hang out, and live oak foliage leaches an especially high amount of the nutrients it needs. While excessive growths of Spanish moss can be problematic for unhealthy trees in high wind situations, in most cases healthy live oaks have extensive root structures that keep them in place during storms.
Spanish moss is great for wildlife. Birds use it for nesting material, and it provides shelter for creatures like bats and bugs, including a type of spider that’s been found nowhere else. Throughout history, humans have used it to stuff mattresses, as packing material and insulation, and even in the car seats of some of the first Fords. (This proved to be a problem when the red ants living in the Spanish moss made their presence known – they solved this problem in the future by boiling the moss first.)
So really, y’all, there’s no reason for southern nature and wildlife lovers not to like Spanish moss just as much as the stately tree that it hangs in.
$65


Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Story of a commission

When I work on a painting commission, it is always with a mix of excitement and fear.  Will I produce the painting my client is expecting?

Recently  I recieved a request for a 30x40" commission.  The client had already purchased a small 8x10" and wanted a similar scene.  She especially liked the sky.

SOLD


I painted a small study of what I thought the client was asking for....focus on the sky and a more interesting marsh area.


Nix!  The sky is much to gaudy for the client, and could I please add some birds.



This had a better reception, but perhaps a few more herons?



Here we are getting closer, but the client felt the flying heron was too distracting to the sunset.



SOLD!
I photo shopped the offending bird out of the composition and got the go ahead!  This is the completed 30x40" canvas which the client is totally happy with.

Most clients have sent me a photo image of exactly the scene they are looking for.  I found this trial and error system has worked well for me when there is no photo image to work from.

I would love to hear how others handle this situation.

Thanks for reading my blog today.

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com