Season's Greetings

Winter Gate, 2011

Original oil, alkyd on stretched canvas

10" x 8" unframed • $375

Contact Artist to purchase.

To All My Dear Readers, Friends, Family, and Supporters...
Best Wishes to You and Your Loved Ones
for a Happy New Year!

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved

Painting Like Monet

Lake Bridge, 2011
Original oil on canvas panel
4.5" x 5" unframed • N/A

I trust that all you faithful Readers out there have recovered from your Thanksgiving feasts and survived the traditional weekend shopping binge. True Confession time: I stuffed myself at the relatives' house (Thank you, Elena and Praveen for a wonderful dinner!) and cyber-shopped for 3 days.

However, the Saturday before all the hub-bub, I went with the local plein air painting group and enjoyed a quiet morning, sitting at the shore of Lake Lily in Orlando, painting the waterlilies, like Monet. Since I am in Florida again, I may as well take this opportunity to practice painting water, especially since it is so plentiful here. There are hundreds of lakes—large and small—all over this city, and Lake Lily is a nice one.

This first attempt started out as a 5" x 7" painting. Over the weekend, I cropped it; and then cropped it again, down to the current size (4.5" x 5"), as the composition of the original version was just never going to "work." I wonder if Monet ever had to do that?

Thanks for taking a look and have a great week.
                                                                                                   
©2011 Text and image by Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

A Thing of Beauty...

Black Cross, New Mexico, 1929

by Georgia O'Keeffe

Oil on canvas, 39" x 30"

Collection of the Art Institute of Chicago

I am having one of those weeks where every painting in my studio is either unresolved, uninteresting, or just plain ugly. So, rather than assaulting you with an awful painting of mine, I'm posting one of my favorite works of art.

This painting has been a comfort and an inspiration to me for 46 years(!)...most recently as Sunset Strip #13, which I posted on July 13, 2011. Check it out, and I'm sure you'll see the influence.

Like Keats said, "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever."

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great weekend.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

New Mexico Still Life

Indian Things, 2011

Original painting, oil on gessoed panel
10" x 8" • $375 • Framing available
Contact Artist to purchase.

I'm going to blame Halloween for missing my blog post last week. I consumed too much candy corn and fell into a sugar coma for the rest of the week. Now that I've recovered...

Today's featured painting was begun over two years ago, and then "misplaced." Well, you know how the story goes: Last summer, while looking for something else...there it was, along with another painting I had given up for lost.

So while in Albuquerque during September, I worked on "Indian Things" and finally finished it just this weekend. I especially enjoyed painting all those hot reds.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great weekend.
                                                                                                  
©2011 Text and image by Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

The Old and The New

Mogollon Sherd: Motherboard, 2011

Original oil on canvas panel
8" x 8" • $150
Contact Artist to purchase.

I'm still fooling around with images inspired by patterns found on traditional Native American pottery sherds. This painting has been in the works since August, before my sojourn to New Mexico. Despite the fact that the image consists of (only!) 2 basic colors, the painting has been through several sandings (where I completely sanded the paint off the panel) and repaintings. I wasn't quite sure what I was after, but it certainly wasn't "there" yet.

The sherd pattern is from the Mogollon culture, one of the four major prehistoric Native American cultures which occupied a large area in what is now New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico from 150AD to 1450.

Finally, sometime during the repainting process, the entire 40 watt lightbulb in my head came on. I realized that this ancient pottery design is quite similar to contemporary computer circuit boards. Adding the dotted circuitry in gold metallic ink made the painting image, and ideas, come together.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great weekend!
———————————————————————————
©2011 Text and image by Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Fall Flowers

Blue Vase, 2011
Original painting:  oil on paper, mounted on panel
Private Collection

Here's another small painting I completed while in Albuquerque. When I arrived at my friend's home this bouquet was on the table to greet me....flowers fresh from her garden. Now, who wouldn't be inspired by these great colors and such a kind gesture by a thoughtful hostess?

However, the preparation for this painting started a few years ago when I saw a painting done on brown paper, mounted to a panel. I liked the way the oil paint looked on that paper; so I prepared this small panel with brown paper and coated it with a clear gesso (for archival purposes). Then it sat around my studio waiting for the "right" image. I'm really glad that I packed it with my painting gear for my trip to Albuquerque. It was ready to go the day I painted this blue vase with flowers.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great week!

———————————————————————————
©2011 Text and image by Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Sunset #19: Beyond the Mesa

Sunset Strip #19: Beyond the Mesa, 2011

Original oil on wood panel • 2" x 6"
SOLD

I've returned to the "Land of the Palms." However, today's painting was completed a few weeks ago while in the "Land of Enchantment." This was the view from Balloon Fiesta Park one evening, looking west at the setting sun beyond the mesa.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great week!

———————————————————————————

©2011 Text and image, Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Albuquerque Sunset

Sunset Strip Series #18: Looking West

Original Painting: oil, alkyd on wood panel

7" x 2.75" 
SOLD

How could I be in Albuquerque for almost a month and not yet posted a sunset?

Well, the first two weeks I was here, it clouded up and rained every evening....a very good thing for Albuquerque, not so good for viewing the sunset.

Since then, however, I've been out at sunset with my trusty camera, and here is the first of several Southwest sunset paintings in the works. The beauty of the Southwest landscape is, not only the variety of colors in the sky and clouds, the scope of the view...360 degrees, incredibly breathtaking.

I'm happy to share this with you and appreciate you taking a moment view this blog. Thanks, and have a great day.



———————————————————————————

©2011 Text and Image by Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Blue Gate 2

Blue Gate 2 (Dappled), 2011

Original oil on canvas panel • 8" x 6"
SOLD

Today's painting may seem familiar to those of you who are longtime readers. I painted the first version of this blue gate at my friend's Albuquerque house over 2 years ago, posted on my blog January 19, 2009. Today's painting is hot off the easel, just dry enough to put on the scanner.

It was interesting for me to compare the two paintings. The first version is much more photographic, intended to capture the subtleties of light. The new painting is more "impressionistic" with stronger contrast and higher keyed color. Same gate, different days, different light, different intention, different paintings, same artist!


Thanks for taking a look. Have a great day.

———————————————————————————

©2011 Text and image by Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Red Door

Red Door, 2011

Original Oil on gessoed panel

6" x 6" (unframed) 
Private Collection

This was another sight at The Casa Rodena Winery in Albuquerque, which I photographed last Monday while out painting with the Plein Air Artists of New Mexico. I didn't have time to paint it on location, so I worked up the painting in the studio over the past week. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great day.

—————————————————————————

©2011 Text & image Carol Adamec. All Rights reserved.

Monet, Again

Sunset Strip #17 (after Monet)

Oil on gessoed wood, 6" x 2"

Private Collection

Good Morning, Dear Readers!

I'm still in New Mexico, painting away, enjoying each and every day. I have five new paintings near completion, still in the drying stage, to share with you.

In the meantime, here's another "baby" Monet sunset, this one from his painting "Puesta de Sol en Etretat." Copying Monet's brushwork is like painting confetti--lots of little slivers of different colors.

Have a great day. See you later this week.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
©2011 Text and Image, Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

New Mexico Plein Air

The Winery, 2011
Original plein air painting, oil on linen panel

N/A

This past Monday I painted with the Plein Air Artists of New Mexico (www.papnm.org). The group met at 9am at Casa Rodena Winery in the lovely Albuquerque neighborhood of Los Ranchos. It was a bright and sunny morning, so we all clustered along the banks of the acequia in the shade of ancient cottonwoods.

The winery grounds have multiple, classical buildings with green tiled roofs and, of course, rows and rows of grapes, as you can see in this view that I painted.

Many thanks to the PAPNM folks who allowed me to paint with their group as a guest. I look forward to being back in New Mexico as a full time resident in the future and a longtime member of the group.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

©2011 Text and image Carol Adamec . All rights reserved.

New Mexico Greeting

Photo by Carol Adamec

Well, it was a 1,897 mile drive from Orlando to Albuquerque; and I arrived safely on Saturday afternoon. Making a pitstop just north of Roswell, I pulled into a rest area and was greeted by this sign. Ah, yes, I'm definitely in the "Land of Enchantment"!

I have unpacked my painting gear and will be out painting in "The Land of Enchantment" this weekend. I hope you have a great weekend adventure, too, wherever you are.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

©Text and photo Carol Adamec, 2011. All rights reserved.

August Lilies

Sophisticated Lilies 1, 2011
Original oil, alkyd on gessoed canvas panel
4.5"x8" unframed
SOLD

Sophisticated Lilies 2, 2011

Original oil, alkyd on gessoed panel
4"x6.5" unframed
SOLD

And now for something completely different...

In between painting the Sunset Series and the new potsherd fragments, I worked up these two small lily paintings. A couple of months ago I had taken some not-very-interesting photos of a lily bouquet, and then fooled around with the compositions until the images were more enticing to paint.

In the meantime, I am packing up my studio supplies in preparation for my trip to New Mexico. So the next post on my blog will be from the beautiful Land of Enchantment.

Thanks for taking a look. I hope you enjoy a safe and relaxing Labor Day weekend.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and images ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Call of the Southwest: Part 2

Sherd Fragment: Ebony & Ivory

Original oil, alkyd on gessoed canvas panel
8" x 8"

Now that I have six(!) paintings based on potsherd fragments, it appears that I have a new series underway. Here's the second painting, completed in the past week.

The image is based on a potsherd found on private property near a pueblo in New Mexico. That kind of find certainly gives one a sense of history.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great day.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Call of the Southwest

Salado Fragment: Cathedral
Original oil, alkyd on gessoed canvas panel
8" x 8"

In just a few weeks, I will be traveling to New Mexico for a monthlong visit, to see friends, scout out the scenery, and get in some painting, of course! With the upcoming trip on my mind, I guess it's not surprising that Southwest inspirations would be showing up during my studio sessions.

Longtime readers of this blog may recall the small paintings of pottery fragments that I posted 'way back in 2008 and 2009, which culminated in the larger painting, "Stones & Sherds" (posted Feb 2, 2010). That was pretty much the end of that thematic effort for me, until this past week. Now there are three new paintings based on Indian pottery sherds and patterns, completed on an 8" x 8" format.

It's truly amazing to really look at the intricate patterns and skillful craftsmanship rendered hundreds of years ago by the Native American artisans, especially considering that their materials were all handmade and natural—no fancy brushes or manufactured pigments for these artists!

Then, too, there is a seemingly unlimited variety of designs and variations in Indian pottery (still today, too). I am reminded of Georgia O'Keeffe's design ideal "...of filling a space in a beautiful way."

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great day.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Making an Impression

Sunset Series #16 (Monet's Sunset)
Original oil, alkyd on gessoed wood

Approximately 6" x 1.5"
SOLD

A few months ago, my sister April sent me my favorite kind of art book—one that's mostly pictures and very few words. The title is "Monet's Impressions", published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Today's Sunset Strip #16 was inspired by one of Monet's paintings, Setting Sun on the Seine at Lavacourt, Winter Effect (1880), featured in the book. You would think that copying a painting would be easy; but, oh no, not so. Painted 130 years ago, Monet's painting is still striking in its boldness, color subtleties, and complex layering of brushwork, even in reproduction!

The more I looked at the picture and worked away on my version of Monet's painting, the greater my appreciation for Monet's masterful style and my growing desire to see his work again "in the flesh." Wouldn't a trip to New York, to the Museum of Modern Art to stand in front of Monet's 40-foot triptych of Water Lilies be a cool (and cooling) treat—especially for these dog days of August?

Thanks for taking a look. Keep cool...with art!
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved. 

Still Under the Influence

Sunset Series #15 (Homage to Albert Pinkham Ryder)

Original Painting: oil, alkyd on gessoed wood

6" x 1.5" 
SOLD

Albert Pinkham Ryder (American, 1847–1917) is one of those artists who defies easy categorization. His work is often described as moody, poetic, surreal, allegorical, and dreamy. Considered a "Tonalist"—an artist who relies on light and dark contrasts rather than color to describe form and distance—Ryder painted mostly landscape and seascapes. His work is also notable for the number of forgeries that have been done. It's estimated that over 1,000 fake Ryder paintings exist, in private as well as  museum collections!

I've been a fan of ol' Albert since art school days. I find his work mysterious, even mystical, especially his Seacoast in Moonlight painted in 1890, which inspired my Sunset Series version posted on today's blog. Other famous works by Ryder are The Race Track (Death on a Pale Horse) and The Flying Dutchman.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great week.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved. 

Under the Influence, Again

Sunset Strip #14 (after Winslow Homer)

Original oil, alkyd on gessoed wood

SOLD

After working on last week's Georgia O'Keeffe inspired Sunset Strip, I got curious about sunset paintings by other well known artists. I happened to come across a painting by Winslow Homer called "Crossing the Pasture" (1871-1872) shown below.

Ironically, my favorite part of the painting was the distant sky, beyond the hills. So I "appropriated" that portion of Homer's painting, modified the shapes and colors, and tinged the far clouds with color to suggest the coming sunset.

It's interesting—and quite educational to copy the work of a great artist, even from a reproduction. Within even this small segment of the painting, there is a lot going on—color variations, light changes, and spatial dynamics—all happening in the background of this larger painting.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great week.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved. 

Under the Influence

Sunset Strip #13 (O'Keeffe Sunset) 
Original oil, alkyd on wood panel

7" x 1.5"
SOLD


I can't deny it. I've been a fan of Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings since I was a freshman in college, standing dumbstruck in front of "Black Cross, New Mexico" at the Art Institute of Chicago.

If you take a look at that painting, you'll see that I was still under its influence this week when I did this study. Sunset Strip #13, measuring 4" x 36" is currently in progress (a lot of blending to do). I'll share it with you when it's finished.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a good week.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Caliente!

Sunset Strip #12 (Red Rising)
Original oil, alkyd on panel
4" x 12"
$145 with Free Shipping

Contact Artist to purchase

It's hot in Florida. I guess in some subliminal way, that heat is seeping into my sunset paintings. Hence the strong reds and oranges in the lower portion of the painting.

Thanks for taking a look. Keep cool!

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 


Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved. 

Sunset Strip 11: Pink Fire (WIP)
Original painting:oil, alkyd on panel

4" x 12"

 

Today's post shows a Sunset Strip I worked on a few weeks ago and set aside. I want more pink in it, and instead, it's too orange and yellow. The challenge is to warm up the pinks to meet the heat of the oranges and yellows. When I have it figured out, I'll post the final image.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a good weekend and a safe Fourth of July.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 

Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved. 

After Sunset

WIP: Night Palm

Oil, alkyd on panel

6"x6"

Since last week's post, I've "finished" two paintings which are pretty ugly (to use an oxymoronic description). 

Fortunately, a photograph taken by my granddaughter when she was vacationing in Jamaica inspired me to work up the painting posted for today. It's not quite "there" yet, but coming along. Sometimes 1 out of 3 is just part of the learning curve.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a good week.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved. 

True Confessions

Sunset Strip #10 (Above the Storm)
Original Painting: 12" x 4"
Oil, alkyd on gessoed wood
Hanger installed on back.
$145 / Free Shipping. Contact Artist to purchase

I am always jealous of artists who are able to capture their subject matter with a few quick and sure brushstrokes. The skill of these artists give their paintings liveliness and energy, as though the work was spontaneously executed, easy to do, no sweat. I do know better than that. As Edgar Degas noted, "Painting is easy when you don't know how, and very difficult when you do." (This statement sounds better in French, too.)

Meanwhile, back in my studio, I still cling to my love of subtle blending of colors. For some reason I find it exciting to have one color transition into another. It seems magical to me, even when I am the one doing the painting! Still, I am sneaking more lively brushwork into my paintings lately, as you can see in the upper portion of today's painting. 

The Sunset Strip Series allows me to do both—brushing on some quick dashes of color and experimenting with some interesting color transitions.

By the way, Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there. Enjoy your day!

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 

Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Sunset Strip #9

Sunset Strip #9, 2011
Original Painting: Oil, alkyd on gessoed wood 

6" x 3" unframed

N/A

For the past three days, I thought this painting was done. The acid test seems to be putting it on the scanner. Somehow, unresolved areas are easier to detect by looking at the scanned image on the computer monitor than just looking at the painting. Go figure.

For today, I am calling it "finished."


––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Sunset #8: Eye Dazzler

Sunset Strip #8: Eye Dazzler, 2011
Original Painting: Oil, alkyd on gessoed wood
6.5" x 2" unframed. Hanger installed on back.
SOLD


Today's post features Sunset Strip #8, hot off the easel.

Inspired by a New Mexico sunset, I subtitled the painting Eye Dazzler which refers to colorful rug designs Navajo artisans began weaving in the 1870's. The Navajo Eye Dazzler style incorporates bright colors and zigzag designs. This phase in the history of Navajo weaving is also called "Germantown", referring to the colorful synthetic dyes and yarns that came from a commercial mill in Germantown, Pennsylvania, at that time.

For me, the exciting part of working on these Sunset Series paintings is combining colors I ordinarily don't use, such as the bright turquoise, magenta, and oranges. These colors definitely have a vibration, and, in this long format, remind me of a rug, too.


Thanks for taking a moment to read this post. Have a good day.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Ray of Hope for Joplin

Sunset Strip #7: Ray of Hope (for Joplin), 2011
Original Painting: Oil, alkyd on gessoed wood
SOLD

I have been distracted this week. My mother and I have been glued to the television, watching the aftermath of the tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri, last weekend. As many of you know, my mother is from that area, and we have family and dear friends in Joplin. Fortunately, our loved ones and friends have survived; and I am grateful to all who contacted me about their well being: Thank you.

Yesterday, I worked in the studio to complete this painting from the Sunset Strip Series. While working on the painting, I was thinking about Joplin, childhood visits with Joplin relatives in the summer, the many good people who became—and have remained—my friends, colleagues, and supporters when I lived in the area a few years ago, and how much genuine pride Joplin folks have for their town.

I was inspired to dedicate this Sunset Strip painting to Joplin's recovery with the title, Ray of Hope. It's #7, a lucky number, and bears my good wishes for Joplin's renewal.

Thanks for taking a moment to read this post. Have a safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Magnolia in May...framed!

Magnolia in May, 2011
Original Painting, 6" x 8"
Oil, alkyd on canvas panel
SOLD

I intended to have this painting ready for Mother's Day...and the first "version" of it was done by then. But then I was not happy with it, and kept on painting. Here's the final version (I think), along with photos of my framing process, which I mentioned in last week's post.

Photo 1 shows the finished painting on panel. What you can't see is that image extends around the edges of the panel, too. The best way to display a painting on panel in this state is on a decorative tabletop-style easel, since there is no way to securely attach any hanging mechanism for wall display. The nice thing about this display method is that the painting can be moved around, and placed on a side table, a book shelf, a dresser or other flat surface.

Photo 2 shows the 1/2"x3/4" strips that I have cut and glued along the edges to the backside of the painting panel. You can also see a screw eye on each side for attaching a wire.

Photo 3 is a corner view of the painting with the strips glued on. The wood strips are painted black for a more finished look. In this state, the painting can now be displayed on the wall, too— no frame necessary and ideal if you prefer a more contemporary look.

With the wood strips glued to the panel, the painting is also ready for mounting in a canvas floater frame. This style of frame is my favorite, since it allows the entire painting to be viewed right to the edges. Having a little space between the painting and the front face of the frame actually expands the painting's image, allowing it to "breathe." I think this is especially important for smaller paintings, where any cropping of the painting with traditional framing seems to make the image appear even smaller.

The nice thing about canvas floater frames is that they come in ready-to-frame sizes (I use the Illusions brand.) and in custom lengths for nonstandard sized framing for the do-it-yourselfer. I did use Rub-N-Buff to get the gold color on the face, since the 8x6 only comes in flat black finish.

Photo 4 shows the back of the painting, with the floater frame attached to the panel's strips. The bottom image is the painting, framed and ready to hang on the wall.

Thanks for taking a moment to read this blog. Have a good day.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

SunSet Strip #6

Sunset Strip #6 (with Palm), 2011
Original Painting: Oil, alkyd on 12" x 4" gessoed panel
SOLD

Last week we enjoyed an afternoon shower, which made for lovely, dramatic clouds at sunset here in Florida. I grabbed my new Nikon CoolPix digital camera (a Christmas gift from my daughter and son-in-law: Thanks again, M&M!) and ran out the door to make several photos of the changing light and cloud forms. So far, I've gotten four new Sunset Strip paintings from that one evening of picture-taking. Nice!

These Sunset Strip paintings have prompted me to look for materials that provide a long skinny format. Mostly I've been painting on odd lengths of wood on hand, that I trim, sand, and prepare with gesso.

However, at the art store the other day, I came across a 12" x 4" birch panel that is ideal, and bought all they had. To the backside of the birch panel, I glue 3/4 x 1/2 inch wood strips around the perimeter, so that the panel will sit flat against the wall and a wire can be attached. I paint the edges of the painting and the wood strips for a finished look. No framing is necessary, but is still possible if the buyer would like to frame the painting. On one of my next blog posts I'll share some photos of how this all works.

Thanks for taking a moment to read this blog. Have a great day. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Real Lemon

Real Lemon, 2011

Original Painting: Oil, alkyd on 4" x 6" panel
SOLD

I think the title says it all. Thanks for taking a look.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Good Friday Sunset

Sunset Strip #5 (Good Friday Sunset), 2011
Original Painting: Oil, alkyd on 6" x 1.75" panel
SOLD

I've been saving this new Sunset Strip #5 to post for this Easter weekend. The colors in the painting reminded me of the pretty pastel hues used to dye Easter eggs—one of my kids' favorite holiday activities.

Happy Easter, Happy Spring to all. Enjoy a wonderful weekend!
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Garden Tour

Sunlit Arbor, 2011

Original Painting:
Oil, alkyd on 6" x 8" canvas panel
SOLD

A few years ago I participated in the Eola Heights Garden Tour, held every April in this historic neighborhood of Orlando. Yesterday I spent the most lovely Sunday afternoon painting in the garden of one of the homes on this year's tour.

It was an absolutely perfect day—sunny but cool in the shade, a light breeze with very low humidity, and everything in full bloom. The homeowners had employed a harpist who entertained the 650 garden lovers who passed through, viewing the abundant herb plantings, gigantic Meyer's lemon tree with fruit the size of grapefruits, and many fragrant flowers. So the entire ambience was "heavenly" and I overheard many great gardening tips, too!

Last Thursday I visited the site to preview the garden, which offered several picturesque views. I finally decided to do the arbor area. On that visit, I completed a monochromatic value study in burnt sienna—that orange-ish color you still can see here and there in the final painting—to work out the composition and the sunlight and shadow areas. By Sunday that underpainting was dry, so during the tour I was able to focus on the final colors mixtures to complete the painting. I was very flattered by the many kind comments about the painting from the tour goers, and especially pleased that the owners added the painting to their collection.

Later this week I will be posting a second painting for the week...just in time for the Easter weekend.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great day.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Sunset Strip #4: Pink Glow

Sunset Strip #4 (Pink Glow), 2011
Original Painting: Oil, alkyd on 11.5" x 2" gessoed wood 
Ready-to-hang; installed D-ring on back
$75 with Free shipping  •  Contact Artist to purchase

Another beautiful sunset—this time in Florida. My studio faces west, so I watch the skies as day fades into dusk. I am especially inspired if there are clouds scattered around, catching the changing color, like those in this Sunset Strip.

BTW, I've been asked how to hang or display some of the Sunset Strips or the small, 3"x5" still life paintings that I've been posting lately. Usually the paintings on canvas or linen panels are standard sizes (i.e., 3x5, 4x6, 5x7) and will fit into readymade frames that can be purchased for a few dollars at Hobby Lobby, Michael's, or even local frame shops. Another option would be to display the painting on a small easel, which could then be placed on a table, bookshelf, etc.

As for the odd sized Sunset Strips: I really did not intend for these paintings to be framed. So each painting has a hanger attached for wall display or is mounted on a thicker piece of wood that can stand on its own, allowing it to be displayed on a table, bookshelf, etc.

From now on, each painting description will include info about the hanging system for each artwork. Of course, if you have any questions, just send me an email.
Thanks for taking a look. Have a great day.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Back Gate: Morning Light

Back Gate: Morning Light, 2011
Original Painting:
Oil, alkyd on 8" x 6" canvas panel
Private Collection, Albuquerque

Today's post takes me back to New Mexico, to my friend's adobe home in north Albuquerque. This painting also is a milestone in my career: I completed the entire painting in one day. Of course, I have been thinking about doing this painting for over a year! It all came together this past Monday.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great day.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Single Tulip

Single Tulip, 2011

Original Painting: oil, alkyd on 5" x 3" linen panel
Private Collection

Painting from observation is challenging and rewarding, since a simple subject matter can be radically altered by repositioning, lighting, background, and viewpoint. One need only consider Monet's 30 paintings of Rouen Cathedral illuminated at different times of day in various seasons to become aware of such possibilities.

Last week I posted the first version of this tulip in a small glass ("Tuesday's Tulip"), painted from direct observation. A couple of days later I did a second painting of the same tulip, in a little different position and illuminated in a different light. If the poor flower hadn't finally wilted, I might have done a third version. (Cathedrals don't present this kind of problem!)

Thanks for taking a look. Have a good week.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Tuesday's Tulip

Tuesday's Tulip, 2011
Original Painting: oil, alkyd on 5" x 3" linen panel
Private Collection

It seems there are a zillion different painting surfaces for an artist to work on, each with a variant of texture, weight, paint "grab" and other factors to consider. For small paintings and working en plein air, I usually choose gessoed panels or canvas panels. They are thin, strong, and lightweight in smaller sizes.

Recently I ordered some linen panels, which have a finer fabric weave and, hence, a smoother surface. I am really enjoying this new (to me) surface to paint on, especially for the small studies, like the tulip posted today, that I've been painting lately.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great day.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Modern Skyscape

Evening Flight, 2011

Original Painting
Oil, alkyd on 4" x 6" panel

Private Collection, Florida

I was outside taking photos of the sunset last week. The pink clouds in the deep blue sky were lovely. A plane heading toward the airport crossed my field of vision just as I snapped the shot...a gift from the Sky God, I think.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great weekend.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Wild Sky

Sunset Strip #3 (Tiger Stripes), 2011
Original Painting
Oil, alkyd on 6" x 1.75" panel

Private Collection


Here's another Sunset Strip painting, this time a vertical, inspired by a gorgeous Albuquerque display at sundown. These are really fun to paint!

Thanks for taking a look.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

No Easy Lemon

Lemon Study, 2011

Original: oil, alkyd on 3" x 5" panel
SOLD

It's been a few weeks since I painted and posted the grisaille rendering of a lemon. A couple of you asked what grisaille (pronounced griz-eye) is. Basically, it is a painting done in black, white, and grays...like using black and white film to photograph something.

Once the grisaille painting is dry, color is usually added to the painting via thin glazes of diluted oil colors. This is a very traditional method for developing a painting, allowing the artist to establish the correct "values" or graytones before taking on color considerations.

Although I was happy with the graytone version, I wasn't happy with the color glazing results. So, I have been fooling around with this painting for the past week. My greatest challenge was to keep the lemon from looking like a yellow hand grenade. (It's odd what your mind will conjure up when working too intensely!)

Thanks for taking a look.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Looking Westward

Sunset Strip #2 (Albuquerque)
Original oil, alkyd on wood panel
2.75" x 9" unframed
SOLD

It's been dry in Florida, with clear skies for weeks. Those wonderfully fantastic clouds that catch the evening light and make for dramatic sunsets...and dramatic sunset paintings, too...just haven't been around.

However, Florida is not the only place that can boast beautiful evening light effects. While living in Albuquerque, I enjoyed the view to the west from my second story studio window. There were many beautiful sunsets out over the mesa, like the one which became the painting posted today, Sunset Strip #2. I hope you enjoy it.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Back to Basics....Again

Lemon Grisaille (WIP)
Oil, Alkyd on panel

In past posts, I've talked about "painting the grays." This is a grisaille rendering of a nice fat lemon I picked up at the grocery store last week and decided to paint. You would think that a simple object would be simple to paint. Yeah, right!

I did cheat a little, as I began the painting on a burnt umber toned panel and let that brown color show through in the background. Once the paint dries, I'll be glazing color on top of the grays. It's been awhile since I did an entire painting--even a small painting--using this method, so we'll see how it all turns out.

This week I also complete the second "Sunset Strip" but it's still too wet to put on the scanner. So, I'll be sharing that painting with you next week.

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy your weekend.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.