Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Abstract Art, "SOAR", 24x36" Original Mixed Media SOLD

I have been busy with commissions since early December and finally found time to do another abstract.

SOLD


My painting group, Pieces of 8 is planning a group exhibition this summer at the local community college and we have all been working hard, getting our pieces ready.  The venue is fabulous and many entertainment giants have performed there, from Willie Nelson to Jerry Seinfeld to Mikhail Baryshnikov. The exhibition will be in the lobby, a huge room  with 30 ft ceilings.


I usually don't paint this large (24x36") because of difficulty storing and shipping but this had to be an exception.  I have a few more pieces to do for this exhibition and will post them as they are created.  I  don't know if they all have to be abstract as the other artists will be showing many different media.  I would love to hear your opinion......should I stick to abstract??



Monday, December 28, 2015

"Blue Heron" 12x12", SOLD

This is my third time painting this scene and each painting is very different than the others.  My latest effort is here:

SOLD
Painted with a palette knife and a technique I have developed which i like to call Color Weaving.  It gives lots of texture to the painting.

SOLD
The second effort was several years ago, a small 5x7" in a vaguely abstract style.

The first time I painted this bird was many years ago in pastel....................



SOLD
It is very interesting to see which direction you painting goes over the years. I recently read about a man who took a photo of his daughter every week of her life.  Now he has a unique record. I think I will take a cue from him and  paint this again in a few years.


Saturday, December 26, 2015

Palm Tree Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, Impasto, 6x8" Oil Landscape

This simple painting was just what the doctor ordered for me.  No stress, no pressure, just an hour of fun slinging paint around.

purchase here
100 + shipping
 Some days we just have to make ourselves happy :)




Thank you for reading my blog today.



Thursday, December 24, 2015

Teapot Lamps, teacup lamp, repurposed lamp, home decor, lighting, shabby chic decor, Throwing a little light on the subject.......

In the past few months, I started a new little project, which I wanted to share with you today.  Hope you enjoy them.

Purchase here

I am making lamps from new and vintage teapots, cups and saucers.

Purchase here
Each one is unique and one of a kind.  They will never be duplicated.

Purchase here

This is actually a family project with my husband, my sone and my daughter-in-law.  Family makes it special and all the more fun.



This is our display, ready to go in a local vintage store.

I have shown you just a sampling of the adorable one of a kind lamps .  To view them all click here:

As special as these are, we can make them even more special, by making a lamp just for you.  If you have a few pieces of your wedding china, or maybe your grandmother's, or just something you love, we can make a custom lamp just for you.  Contact me through this blog, or my Etsy store.

Have a fun day today!



www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

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.


Sunday, December 13, 2015

Daily Painting "Morning Sail" 6x8 Oil Landscape SOLD

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. 
--Mark Twain 






Purchase Here
SOLD

The thing about sailing, is that it looks like a lot more fun than it actually is.  I know, I know, that's just my opinion, so please don't get upset!  I enjoyed my days on the boat and I still love to spend an afternoon sailing.



Now, when I see a sail boat heading out on a beautiful sunny day, it seems like a little piece of paradise.
The real thing  almost never beats out imagination.  It's easy to forget the day the sail ripped or the day we sailed home in a raging storm with lightening strikes all around us.

Today, I will imagine....and paint about it.

Happy Birthday to my baby girl, Shelly!


Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Floral, Still Life, Sunflower, Daily Painting, Oil, SOLD

A couple of years ago, I spent a wonderful week at Seven Devils, North Carolina with my group of art buddies, Pieces of Eight.  Cindy, who hosted us that year, proved once again to be the perfect hostess.  She had many art related activities planned for us.   We toured museums, galleries and several artist's  studios.  I didn't get much painting done, but I made up for it with plenty of inspiration from my photos.


SOLD
I photographed this sunflower at Grandfather Vineyard, and painted from it in my comfortable studio.  I hope someday I get to the point of knowing what a painting will look like before I start it.  I am not there now.  I started this with something completely different in mind, but I am happy with the results.


I enjoy doing works with plenty of texture.  I think it brings an additional quality to the piece and I like the way viewers want to reach out and touch it.

Are you able to choreograph where you want your painting to go, or are you flying by the seat of your pants like me?


Sunday, December 6, 2015

Florida Landscape Painting, Sky Painting, "Heading Out" 14x20" Oil SOLD

Well, the big week is finally here.  Soon Christmas will be here.  I don't know about you, but I have some very excited grandchildren.  Not to mention plenty of last minutes errands to run!  So, today's post will be short but sweet!

Speaking of sweet, a very sweet woman from Jacksonville commissioned me to do two oils for her.  She had a pair of stunning frames that she wanted to use, so we took two of my existing paintings that she admired and changed to format from 6x18"  to 14x20".  Needless to say, that changed the feel of the original works completely.


SOLD


We were both happy with the results.

Thanks for taking the time, from YOUR busy schedule, to read my blog today.



www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Friday, December 4, 2015

Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, Small Seascape, "Celebrating Blue" by Carol Schiff, 6x8" Oil SOLD

I worked this small seascape with a knife, trying to mimic the action of the waves with my strokes.

SOLD
I usually work from images on my computer, but this time the image was in my head.  I tried to fill the canvas with shades of blues and greens, and also to suggest a little of the beach.


MY PRINTS
I feel I captured the spirit of the waves rushing to shore, and I must say, it was a most enjoyable experience.  I plan to try this technique again.

Thank you for reading my blog today.



www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Daily Painting "Nature's Smiley Face" 6x8", Oil SOLD

Summer is finally here....and so are the sunflowers!

SOLD

I had a good time with this one, just layering on plenty of paint with my palette knife and not getting too upset about where it landed.


I find it impossible to look at this painting without having a smile on my face.  Now if I could just pull that off every day!

Enjoy!


Monday, November 30, 2015

Abstract Seascape | Daily Painting | "Tropical Blues" by Carol Schiff | 6x8" Oil SOLD

Living close to the sea, I find it turns up in my painting in both a representative and non-representative form.  I guess this little daily painting falls somewhere between the two.



SOLD




 I painted this with a palette knife.  I like texture and feel it adds additional interest to my art.  I was thinking about the beautiful greens and blues of the tropical waters off the coast of Florida.  Further south they turn the most amazing shades of azure, but that will be another painting.







FIND ME ON FACEBOOK
CHECK OUT MY ETSY SITE
BUT A PRINT



I almost always show my paintings in black frames.  It would be hard to find an artwork that would not work well with black and it just makes the colors pop.

Start planning that tropical vacation today!



www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com


Don't forget to pin it on your vacation board.


Saturday, November 28, 2015

Daily Painting | Mixed Media Abstract | Contemporary Art | Metallic Movement by Carol Schiff | 6x12x1.5" Acrylic SOLD

This is one of my favorite pieces....an abstract poured paint piece.  I poured several colors of acrylic, including some metallic colors, over the canvas.  Then the fun began as I tried to manipulate the canvas to help the paint flow into a pleasing design.

SOLD


That probably sounds very easy, but I beg to differ.  It is VERY messy and very difficult to do.  When I would move the paint where I wanted it in one area, another area was destroyed!  I have the utmost respect for artists, like Kimberly Conrad, who do this routinely.

detail
The metallic gold really catches the light and makes it special.



 I did two similar pieces, using the same colors.



detail

I usually end up tossing these out, or try to use them as an under painting, as the seldom feel like successful pieces to me.  It has been some time since I tried this....I think I am ready to give it another try,






www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Small Abstract Painting, Daily Painting, Original Oil Abstract ,by Carol Schiff, 8x8x1.5"

It has been some time since I posted an abstract......this week I was in the mood to do some non-representative work.

Purchase here
130 + shipping


I enjoy abstract, at times, as it gives me the opportunity to concentrate on composition and color relationships.  No drawing distractions!

I started this piece by creating lots of texture on the canvas, followed by a coat of acrylic cad. red.  Then the fun began as I brought out my oils and just pushed paint around until I was happy with the results.  It was that same feeling I used to get when I would stomp around in rain puddles as a kid.

I know I will soon go back to representative work, but today, I am happy with this,

Thanks for reading my blog today.



www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, Seascape with Sunset, 6x8" Oil

Another in my long fascination with oceans and, or, sunrise/sunset paintings.  I am not sure why I am so attracted to them, but I am!

Purchase here
109.95



I always enjoy playing with thick paint!  I have been accused of being that person who "plays with her food".  Wrong!

For whatever reason, the process and the results please me....and that is my goal.



www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com