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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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

Try, Try Again...

Florida Pines, 2011
Original: oil, alkyd on 5" x 3.5" panel
Framed size: 7" x 5"
Contact Artist to Purchase.

Wow! I received so many positive responses via email regarding the Sunset Strip #1 painting I posted last week. Many thanks to all of you who took a moment to give me your feedback and comments.

It seems that the long horizontal format is a hit, with several of you suggesting cool places where such a format could be installed. I, too, have been looking around my house, noticing all kinds of places a long strip--horizontal OR vertical--could go. There are a lot more niches for that format than a regular, rectangular painting, as I see it. And, yes, the Sunset Strip paintings will be for sale, once I figure out the postage costs and shipping logistics.

Today's painting may look familiar to my longtime readers, as it was posted 'way back on June 29, 2008. Since then, I framed the painting, and it has been hanging on my studio wall, nagging me to do "something" to give it a little zing, or "wow" factor. (Another lesson learned: Framing will not improve a boring painting.)

Since I'm on a sunset kick, I decided to give those Florida pines a more interesting and colorful background. I think a Florida sunset was a good solution, eh?

Thanks for taking a look. See you next week.
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Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Trying Something New

Sunset Strip #1, 2011

Original: oil, alkyd on canvasboard
1.25" x 16" unframed
Private Collection

I've been thinking for awhile that I'd like to do a series of sunset paintings. I know, I know, that sounds like a pretty cliched subject to take on. Well, what the heck. I have several strips of canvas board and gessoed panel that I've cut off other paintings and saved. So why not use them?

A few evenings ago, as I was finishing up in the studio, I looked out the window to see dramatic clouds strung across the sky. Since I had one of those canvas board strips handy, I went for it and did my first "Sunset Strip" that you see posted here today.

So, there's another item on my list of New Year's Studio Possibilities: Try out a new idea. And, hey, it was fun to do, too.

Thanks for taking a look. See you next week.
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Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Studio Tangerines

Tangerines, 2011

Original Painting: oil, alkyd
on 5" x 7" canvas panel unframed

SOLD

Since there are still nice, ripe tangerines on the tree outside, I picked a few more for this studio still life painting.

I used the same palette of colors that I chose for my last painting ("Frostbitten") and again painted from direct observation. However, this time the image is infused with lots of light, giving the painting a completely different feel.

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

New Year Possibilities

Frostbitten, 2011

Original painting: oil, alkyd
on 3" x 5" panel, unframed
To purchase, contact Artist.

I always look forward to the New Year. I usually spend the first few days of the New Year making a fresh list of what I'd like to accomplish in my studio with the brand new, 52 weeks that lie ahead.

Rather than calling it a "New Year's Resolutions" list, which sounds like a lot of dreadful to-do tasks I'd rather avoid, I've named it my "New Year's Possibilities", which sounds much more enticing, exciting, creative, even adventuresome!

One of my possibilities for 2011 is to paint from direct observation than from photographs. Another possibility on my list is to work with a limited color palette, i.e, using just a few basic colors. So today's post is my first new painting of 2011, done from direct observation, using the following hues: Yellow-orange, red-violet, blue-green, burnt umber, and white.

Living in Florida, I have a small tangerine tree with bright orange fruits on it, growing in the front yard. Several days ago a cold snap "bruised" some of the fruit, leaving red-violet blotches on the skins. I picked these fruits off the tree and set them up in my studio as a little still life. I must say I am pleased with the results of trying out a couple of my new possibilities.

Thanks for taking a look. I hope your New Year is off to a great start, too.

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* Please note that at this time I ship to US addresses only.
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Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Holiday Wishes

To My Dear Readers, Friends, Family, and Supporters...

Best Wishes
to You and Your Loved Ones
for a Joy-filled Holiday!

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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved

Back to Wekiva Island

Wekiva Bridge, 2010

Original oil, alkyd on canvas panel • 5" x 7"

Available to purchase at Daily Paintworks

Yikes! Time flies when one is getting ready for the holidays!

It's been two weeks since my last blog post; and I have to admit that I've not been in the studio much. However, I did get out last Saturday morning, meeting up with a couple of the Central Florida Plein Air artists at Wekiva Island.

I painted at Wekiva last April. You may recall the photo I posted of the alligator sunning on the lawn where I had hoped to set up my easel? Well, this time I was greeted by 5 deer that ran out from the surrounding woods, just as I was driving into the parking area. My sister contends that I have a lot of "wildlife encounters." I guess she's right!

Anyway, it was a rather atypical Florida morning: fairly cool (I actually had on a fleece hoodie); overcast (I thought it was going to rain any minute); and most surprising, there was autumn color on the trees!

The challenge of painting on an overcast day is capturing the more subtle color shifts in the scenery while keeping it interesting. Since I began with a canvas toned with a burnt orange, I let a lot of that warm color come through for the branches and trunks of the trees. I think it plays off well against the cool colors of the sky and water.

Around noon the sun came out and the clouds floated away. What a difference the dazzling sunlight made! It's like turning on the lights on the Christmas tree. Although it was tempting to brighten up everything, I resisted (Now, that's unusual for me!) And I'm glad I did.
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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved

Back in Orlando

On the Street Where I Live, 2010
Original oil, alkyd on 3 panels
(Each panel is 8"x6")
$750 unframed
Contact Artist to purchase

I've returned from my Missouri exhibition and Thanksgiving in Memphis to absolutely beautiful 75 degree weather in Florida, where the flowers are in bloom and little oranges are ripening on the tree in the yard. Considering the cold weather and snow in other parts of the country, I certainly do understand why folks flock to this land of the palms!

Speaking of palms, I am posting the final version of the three palm studies I worked on (and reworked!) during the summer. The three separate paintings are now configured as a single artwork.

On the Street Where I Live, as shown above, is included in my current exhibit at artCentral in Carthage, Missouri, which ends tomorrow (Sunday, December 5). Many thanks to all my friends and family who attended the opening or have dropped by to see the exhibit. I appreciate your support!

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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved

Show Time!

O'Keeffe Calla, 2010

Original painting, oil on panel, 7" x 5"

To purchase, contact the Artist

Hello, Dear Readers,

It's been a busy time since my last post. I left Orlando last Friday to drive to Joplin, Missouri, to install my solo exhibition at artCentral in Carthage, MO. Those of you who know me may recall that I was Director of this nonprofit artist group when I lived in the Joplin area several years ago.

My exhibit is titled "In Natural Light" and features mostly studio and plein air paintings completed over the past year--many which have been posted on this blog--along with a couple of larger color pencil drawings. Of course, there have been a few revisions, reworkings, and final touches on the paintings, which hopefully are improvements. All framed up and hung on the walls, the paintings look pretty nice. I am pleased with the show.

If you are local or in the area, please accept this invitation to attend the opening reception this Friday, November 19, 6-8pm. artCentral is located at 1110 East 13th Street, Carthage, MO 64836. The event is free and open to the public. The exhibit continues through December 5, and can be viewed on weekends and by appointment.

I will be returning to Orlando around December 1, so look for my next blog post in a few weeks. In the meantime, best wishes to all for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

Good News!

Mt. Dora Train Station
Oil, alkyd on gessoed canvas panel
6" x 8"

Last Friday I went to the opening reception of the plein air show at the Mt. Dora Art Center. The exhibit was the final event of last week's Mt. Dora Paint Out. I submitted one plein air painting for the show—"Yellow House, Mt. Dora" which you saw on my October 25 blog.

When I arrived at the opening, I was very pleased to see that my little painting had taken Third Place in the show. Considering that there were many fine plein air paintings in the show, I was surprised and delighted.

Today's post is the reworked version of the Mt. Dora train station that I started in last week's plein air workshop. I returned to the site in the late afternoon on Thursday, and this time got a much better depiction down on the canvas.

Sometimes, when a painting isn't going right, you just have to start over.
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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Plein Air, Day 3

WIP: The ChewChew Station

Oil, alkyd on gessoed canvas panel
6" x 8"

This was the third and final day of the Mt. Dora plein air workshop with Gregg Kreutz . And it was another hot day (around 90 degrees). I actually got sunburned!

After Gregg did an inspiring painting demo of the marina first thing in the morning, I headed back into town. Even though yesterday's train station painting didn't turn out the way I had hoped, I still had the bug to do the old train car. Next to the train car, there's a modest diner called, The Chew Chew Express, which hosts a casual outdoor patio. The umbrella tables in bright morning sun in front of the old train car caught my eye.

I remember attending an artist talk by photographer Sandy Skoglund, who discussed how the background of an image lets the viewer know where they are. I was sure to paint in a few palm trees amidst the greenery, since this is Florida I am painting!

I have a few more touch ups on this painting, and it's done. Thanks for taking a look and following along with my plein air workshop this week.

See you next week!
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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Plein Air, Day 2

WIP: Mt. Dora, Fifth Avenue

Oil, alkyd on gessoed canvas panel
6" x 8"

Today was the second day of the plein air workshop up in Mt. Dora. I put in a long day today, and actually worked up TWO paintings. (Hey, I said I was trying to pick up speed!)

The one you see above—a view of Mt. Dora's shopping area—was my morning painting. It's better resolved than my afternoon painting, a view of the train station.

There are a lot of painters in Mt. Dora this week for the paint out. Everyone has been very friendly and mutually encouraging. And there are many courageous paintings underway—views and subject matter that are pretty challenging to capture in just a few hours or a single day. I was reminded of a quote by Georgia O'Keeffe: "To create one's own world in any of the arts takes courage."

Thanks for taking a look. Tune in tomorrow to see what unfolds on Day 3. We are hoping to paint down by the lake.
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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Plein Air Workshop Day 1

WIP: Yellow House
Oil, alkyd on gessoed canvas panel
6" x 8"
SOLD

This week I am taking a plein air painting workshop up in Mt. Dora, a town located about an hour away from Orlando. Since the elevation of Orlando is only 14 feet above sea level, I guess that Mt. Dora can flaunt its 184 foot elevation.

Mt. Dora is a charming village on a good size lake, with nice old trees, a train station, a yacht club, lovely parks, good restaurants, and unique shops.

The three-day plein air workshop is being taught by Gregg Kreutz, a traditional fine art painter from New York. He did two painting demos today. Amazingly, his paintings took only about 30 minutes each and captured a good likeness of the scene before him.

The image posted shows my morning effort, still in its cardboard holder. Although I spent about 2.5 hours painting on this piece, it isn't quite finished, but coming along. I am hoping to pick up a little speed during this workshop.

Thanks for taking a look. Tune in tomorrow to see what unfolds on Day 2.
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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Backyard Boat

Backyard Boat, 2010
Original painting
Oil, alkyd on gessoed canvas panel
8" x 8" unframed
Contact Artist to purchase

Dear Readers,

I've been entertaining visitors the past few weeks, and have been away from my computer. So I apologize for missing my weekly posting schedule. I did, however, finish the painting you see posted today.

Having been in Florida for awhile, I notice that there are a lot more boats in people's backyards than out on the many lakes that make up so much of the landscape here. I was prompted to do this painting by the thought of how we all put off, postpone, or give low priority to the things that give us pleasure, provide fun in our lives, fulfill our interests, engage our passions, and make for happy memories.

I know I can be a workaholic, and figure that every one of those folks with a boat in their backyard is a workaholic, too. In a society that values wealth above all, we forget that time is the real treasure to spend. I set the time of day as late afternoon for this painting, to remind me that the day is short and can slip away before you realize it.

Thanks for taking a look; and I hope you get your boat out of the backyard this weekend.

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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.