Daily Painting, Landscape Painting, "In the Bamboo" 8x6" Oil Painting

As a child living in rural Ohio, my grandmother would visit from Florida, bringing along an exotic collection of seashells and postcards. There was always one or two postcards from McKee Gardens in Vero Beach. She  awakened a deep desire in me.....to live in this strange and beautiful tropical land.

Purchase here
90 + 6.50 in USA

Recently I made my first trip to McGee Gardens, a magical place filled with  tropical flora and  giant water lily pads.

I was fascinated with the bamboo stands, so abstract in their shapes.

It's always nice when a childhood dream comes true............Thank you Grandma.

Abstract Landscape, "Day is Done", 6x8" Oil Abstract SOLD

It is early evening in the Florida marsh and the sun is just about to disappear.

SOLD

I snapped my photo and high-tailed it out of there before the creepy crawlies came out.

I enjoy a lot of texture in my work and find that abstraction is the perfect media to portray it.

Do you find that your goals in art change as you continue on your artistic journey?

Healing Ceilings, a story of love by Carol Schiff

I recently came in contact with a wonderful woman in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Amy Jo was a fan of my facebook page and sent me a link to her wonderful page called Healing Ceilings.  Amy Jo's husband just came through his second brush with cancer.  She and her husband were spending lots of time in the Cancer Care Center of North Carolina, he, getting treatment and she, waiting and observing. Observing the same people day after day, as they came in for their chemo or radiation treatments.  She decided to do something to brighten their lives and encourage them in their fight.

BlueBird of Happiness by Kathy Garvey

Amy Jo believes in the healing power of art.  She decided to brighten the days of these patients by giving them something inspiring to look at while they receive their treatments.  Out came those old, white, boring ceiling tiles to be replaced with individual tiles turned into creative art.  How she did this, I do not know, but she has single handedly installed hundreds of tiles in cancer care centers in the Raleigh area.

Peaceful Beach by Denette Schweikert

She contacted artists through Facebook and asked them to donate their work on ceiling tiles that she somehow supplies.  Nothing stops her.  When I saw her posts and decided to donate, she arranged for me to go to my local Lowes (in Florida) where I picked up a box of the proper tiles at no cost to me.  Naturally, I involved my painting group, Pieces of 8 and gathered additional volunteers from them. One of the group, Cindy Michaud, who summers out of town, was following the journey on Facebook. Being a person who does not let grass grow under her feet, she contacted Amy Jo and so far, has painted 6 tiles for the project.

Road to Sunshine by Cindy Michaud (2 tiles)

Garden of Inspiration by Cindy Michaud (4 tiles)

Everyone wanted to do peaceful scenes filled with inspiration.

Sailing the Bay by Mary Warnick

Ocean Sunrise by Carmen Beecher

I decided to do 3 typical scenes of North Carolina:

Abstracted Sea by Carol Schiff

Carolina Marsh by Carol Schiff

Mountain Mist by Carol Schiff

Did I tell you each tile is 24x24"?

Now that the tiles are complete, Amy Jo has done a "shout out" on Facebook to bring them home to Raleigh.  In her words, "The Love Train is leaving the station".  She will find volunteers who will transfer the tiles from place to place until eventually, they will be delivered to her hands for installation.

A story of love and compassion and determination.  The next time you think "What difference can I make"?

Think of Amy Jo.

SIGNS OF SPRING, 8X6", OIL, SOLD

The iris has always been a favorite flower of mine, but the ones that will grow in Florida are not to spectacular.  The ones we have here are not the big, beautiful, bearded iris that the more northern states have.  Ours are little puny flowers.   I always look forward to visiting our mountain home in North Carolina, as one of the first things I did when we bought it, was plant all those lovely flowers from my childhood.  Daffodils, iris, tulips, lilac, cone flowers, and lots and lots of hydrangea.  I have not been able to go up so far this spring, but we are planning a trip soon.  I hope there are still some daffodils and lilac blooming.  But if they are gone, I know the iris will soon be there to greet me.  What is your favorite flower?

Purchase here
SOLD

Oil Landscape, Palette Knife Painting "Georgia Marsh" by Carol Schiff, 6x8" Oil, SOLD

SOLD


Commissions Accepted

www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com

STILL HERE, 6X8, OIL SOLD

The equation of animal and vegetable life is too complicated a problem for human intelligence to solve, and we can never know how wide a circle of disturbance we produce in the harmonies of nature when we throw the smallest pebble into the ocean of organic life. 


George Perkins Marsh
1801 - 1882

American conservationist was the first to reveal the menace of environmental misuse, to explain its causes, and to prescribe reforms. 

130 years later, we are still struggling with the same problems.......and yet, the wild areas are "Still here".


Purchase here
SOLD
I have returned from an exciting vacation in Europe and cannot wait to get in the studio.  I have lots of wonderful photos for inspiration...stay tuned!

Garden Painting, Daily Painting, Small OilPainting "Gardens at Hyde Park" 6x8" Oil

Purchase here
$75  

We have all heard about the beautiful English countryside and the gorgeous gardens that are found there.  The cool and moist sea air bring perfect growing conditions to the British isle.  This garden in Hyde Park was a shining example.  May of the flowers were much taller than I.  The cottage was actually some type of Park Headquarters, but was equally charming on the outside.  It was truly a treat to stumble onto this diamond.

Cheerio!
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Small Tree Painting, "My Morning Companion" 6x8" SOLD

When I spend time in the Smoky Mountains, I start many of my days on the porch, with a cup of coffee.  It's a special time of day as the sun streams in over the mountains and starts to burn off the protective layer of "smoke" from the night before.

SOLD

It's just me, my coffee, and this old dogwood tree that sits in our yard.  A very nice way to start the day.

Soon the sun will rise over the mountain tops and light will stream in behind the tree.  My little special moment of the morning is gone and it is time to start my day.

Do you have a special moment each morning?

Carol Schiff

Daily Painting, SOLD "Red Berries and Leaves" 8x10" Small Landscape

The image for this painting came from an autumn hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  I love being there this time of year when color is everywhere.

Purchase here
SOLD


I was attracted to this image because of the unusual color and also by the abstract qualities of the branches.

Blogger is up to it's old tricks this morning, not behaving at all, and insisting on putting my second image at the top of the post.  I had this problem a few weeks ago, then it magically disappeared, now it is back!  ARGH!!!!!!!

Marsh Landscape Painting | Daily Painting | Small Oil Painting | Marsh in Spring by Carol Schiff 6x18 Oil , SOLD

SOLD

I love viewing a marsh as the colors change with each season.  In the fall and winter, they are full of mauve and lavender color and in the spring they burst into glorious greens.

Thank you for viewing my daily painting today.

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

Garden Painting, Daily Painting, Small OilPainting "Gardens at Hyde Park" 6x8" Oil SOLD

Purchase here
$75  

We have all heard about the beautiful English countryside and the gorgeous gardens that are found there.  The cool and moist sea air bring perfect growing conditions to the British isle.  This garden in Hyde Park was a shining example.  May of the flowers were much taller than I.  The cottage was actually some type of Park Headquarters, but was equally charming on the outside.  It was truly a treat to stumble onto this diamond.


Cheerio!




www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

"Ridge Line" 6x12" Palette Knife Painting SOLD

It is hard to beat the beauty of the mountains, especially when the sun is setting.

We were enjoying dinner at a friend's house when the sun put on this wonderful display.  The watercolor sky was impossible to ignore and the trees on the ridge appeared on fire as the sun dropped behind the mountain.

Sunsets are truly one of life's jewels.  Enjoy!

beach, canvas board, Carol Schiff, daily painter, daily painting, Florida, impressionism, landscape, ocean, oil painting, original painting, Sanibel, sea, sea oats, shore,

A recent trip to Sanibel brought me plenty of images to paint. Of course, the beach had to be the star.

SOLD

I had not visited the area for many, many years, and I must admit that I forgot how beautiful it is.  The water is aqua and clear, much like the tropical waters of the Caribbean Islands.

I passed this little group of sea oats every morning on the path to the sea.  My favorite activity was to walk the beach as the sun was rising, with only the occasional fisherman or shell hunter and lots of pelicans and gulls  for company.

Marsh Landscape Painting | Daily Painting | Small Oil Painting | Marsh in Spring by Carol Schiff 6x18 Oil , SOLD

SOLD

I love viewing a marsh as the colors change with each season.  In the fall and winter, they are full of mauve and lavender color and in the spring they burst into glorious greens.

Thank you for viewing my daily painting today.

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

Florida Landscape | Daily Painting | Tropical Painting | Heading Home by Carol Schiff | 12x24" Original Oil Painting, SOLD

If this looks familiar to you.....it's because I have painted the scene before.  If fact, the first painting, which is smaller, was licensed and produced as wall decor on wood planks by Arthouse LLC.

SOLD

This is a view of the Indian River, part of the intra-coastal waterway in Florida, as viewed from Grant Florida.  It was late afternoon (just before sunset) on a gorgeous November day.  I took many photos and have painted about a dozen pieces from this one photo shoot.

I used a palette knife technique that I like to call "color weaving".  It gives lots of texture and soft changes of color.

www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com
www.CarolSchffStudio.blogspot.com

Daily Landscape Painting, "Blue Ridge Switchback" 6x8 SOLD

Today's daily painting is one of my favorites.  We decided to take a drive to Water Rock Knob, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in beautiful North Carolina.

SOLD

It was a beautiful, clear October day and I tried hard to capture the clear skies and gorgeous fall foliage.

Living in Florida for 40 years, I miss the fall colors and smells I remember from my childhood in Ohio.  It is  the best part of my visits to North Carolina and I try to get there in mid-October every year.

As a child I loved to rake the leaves into a pile and take a running jump right into the middle.  In those days we would rake the yard and then burn the leaves.  There was nothing better than walking to school on a sidewalk covered with leaves, crackling under my feet as I shuffled along.  Evenings conjure up memories of hay rides followed by warm donuts and cider.  That's before the days of Dunkin Donuts, these were home made and covered in sugar and cinnamon.

I am sorry my grandchildren will never have those memories, but I know when they think back on their childhoods they will find something equally as pleasing to remember.

Daily Landscape Painting, "A Little Bit Country" 6x8 Oil SOLD

I have had this image in my files for several years.  Each time I tried to paint it, I failed.But, I kept the image on my memory stick, always nagging me, like waving a red flag at a bull.

This time I was happy with the results.  It's is not a particularly difficult scene.  I don't know what caused me so much trouble.  All I know is that every nine or 10 months or so, I would give it a try and then wipe it off.

SOLD

The attraction was the strong light in the mid-ground and the back lighting on the fence.  I am happy to finally delete this from my "things to paint" list.

Have you ever had this experience with a specific scene?  If so, how did you overcome the challenge?

Daily Painting, SOLD "Red Berries and Leaves" 8x10" Small Landscape

The image for this painting came from an autumn hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  I love being there this time of year when color is everywhere.

Purchase here
SOLD


I was attracted to this image because of the unusual color and also by the abstract qualities of the branches.

Blogger is up to it's old tricks this morning, not behaving at all, and insisting on putting my second image at the top of the post.  I had this problem a few weeks ago, then it magically disappeared, now it is back!  ARGH!!!!!!!

Seascape, "California Bliss", 6x12" SOLD

It always amazes me how different the Atlantic is from the Pacific.  Here, on the east coast, we have mornings when the ocean looks like a big lake, hardly a ripple breaks the surface.

SOLD

I don't have as much experience with the west coast, but it appears to be much more intense.  I have only been to the Pacific in northern California, where it is a deep, beautiful blue, unlike the semi-tropical waters we have in Florida, which can be a bright turquoise.

The reference image for this painting came from Shelly Smart's blog, A Year at the Beach.  She is not posting it anymore, but it remains a fascinating journal.  She posted images of her beach every day for a year.  Thank you Shelly, for sharing your images with me.