Flower Painting, Daily Painting, "Peony and Pitcher" by Carol Schiff, 8x6" Oil SOLD

It has been a long, cold winter and I was ready for a little escape. A flower painting seemed like just the thing!

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 I found an image of peonies from my garden and started painting.  I used all my favorite colors of pinks, purples, corals and blues.  The more I painted, the happier I felt.

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My hope is that this little flower painting will bring some joy to you today.



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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.

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bird painting, canvas panel., Carol Schiff, daily painter, daily painting, Florida bird painting, Price $90.00, sandwich tern, shore bird painting, small oil painting, tern painting,

"It's my Tern" but it could be "Your Tern".

$89. 95 + 6.50

I found these guys on the beach....actually they were two of about 50.  If you know your terns, you know they arrive in large flocks.  The flock acts as one unit and is so much fun to watch.  They swoop down on the beach, each one of them looking in the same direction.  If you get too close, they move a few steps in unison, always moving and looking as one.

I think this is one good tern..........

after another!

And my tern to have a little fun :-)

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Painting on Sale, Barn Oil Landscape, Daily Painting, Halfway Up the Mountain by Carol Schiff, 11x14 Original

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This old barn sits just off a winding mountain road in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.  I first saw this scene 6 or 7 years ago and it remains unchanged.  Only the colors of the trees change here.

I painted in oil on masonite panel in 11x14 size.

If you wish to purchase this piece, click on the link under the image.  You will be taken to my Etsy store where you will purchase for $225. plus shipping.

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Vegetable Still Life, Red Pepper Painting, "Big Red" by Carol Schiff, 20x24x1.5" Oil

It has been some time since I have painted a vegetable still life, so I decided to try one this week.  In the past I painted every fruit and vegetable you could imagine, but they were small pieces, usually 6x8" or smaller.

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 This one is actually 20x24" and painted with a combination of palette knife and brush.  You will notice with this next image below, that the the background is actually more gray green than the blue shad above.  I must have taken 20 photos of this, trying to get the colors correct, but in the end I had to choose between the bluish background and the front end of the pepper turning a garish orange mustard hue. Yuck!  At any rate, the photo below seems quite accurate in both places.

Thank you for viewing my blog today.  I hope you enjoy this vegetable still life painting.  Give it a pin!



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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.

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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.

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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.



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Small Rose Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, "A Rose by Any other Name", 6x8" Oil

This is my third in a series of rose studies, worked with a palette knife.  I enjoy working with a knife to get the texture and feel I am trying to convey to the viewer.

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 The texture of the knife makes me want to reach out and touch the painting, a big no no in galleries and museums, but a feeling I would like to convey to the viewer.

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I am trying to bring a larger variety of marks to my palette knife paintings to give them more interest and variety.  I am finding it is hard to break old habits.  To me, the joy of painting, and the frustration of painting, come from a constant effort to improve.

Have a wonderful day!

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Cow Painting, Daily Painting, "Bovine Portrait" by Carol Schiff, 11x14 Oil on Linen

A client wanted a cow painting, for licensing purposes.  I usually do daily painting of still life or landscape, but I have to admit I enjoyed both the horse, they originally chose,  and this cow painting.

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I painted on Senso linen canvas.  I had a pad of the linen around for several years but didn't really know what to do with it.  I found it had a different texture than the cotton canvas I usually paint on, but once I got into the painting, it was fine.

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My next problem was what to do with this unstretched painting.  After surveying several friends, I mounted it on a cradled wood panel.  I was told the perfect glue to use is YES GLUE available at craft stores.  I had some in my stash and I have to say it worked like a charm.  Then I trimmed the edges with a exacto knife and it turned out perfectly.  Now I can use the rest of my Senso linen canvas with no fear!

So, today I stretched my limits, both with the Senso canvas and the cow painting, and luckily both worked out for me!



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Daily Abstract Painting, "Abstractions of the Mind" 20x16", Oil

Abstract painting is not the norm for me, therefore, it is usually not relaxing either.  For some unknown reason, this one was the exception.

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495

Planning probably made the difference.  I have a DVD of an abstract artist who advocates just slapping on color and letting it go where it will.  It works well for him.  For me, not so much.

So I found an old canvas, one I had started a painting and never finished.  I sketched in the basics of my composition and then reviewed some of my images and decided what colors I wanted to use.

Some areas show  pieces of the original painting peaking through.

It was a nice change of pace from my usual painting techniques.

Tropical Landscape Art, Florida Painting, Florida Morning" by Carol Schiff, 6x8" Oil Landscape

I woke up early, grabbed a cup of coffee and my camera, and headed to Florida's intracoastal waterway.  In our area, it is the Indian River, and I arrived there just in time to see the sun break over the horizon.

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 When I had finished my photos, I drank my coffee and enjoyed that wonderful early morning atmosphere.  You know the one, where it seems that only you and maybe a few birds are up and around.  It is so still, the birds are starting to feed, and a small pod of dolphins are fishing off shore.  Heaven!

I am often asked where I find my small frames.  The answer is my favorite framer.  Apparently it is standard procedure for framers to throw away the end pieces of moldings.  My framer, who has a large following of artists, started using those end pieces to make  up small standard sized frames.  He always has a good selection and sells them for next to nothing.  Perfect for starving artists!

If you are in Melbourne, FL area, his store is Ridley's Frames on Palm Bay Road and Troutman Ave. in Palm Bay.  Stop in and load up on his treasures and tell him I sent you in :)

Happy Day!



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Seascape Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, "Beach Memories" , 11x14" Oil, SOLD

I created this small seascape from my memories of the beautiful beaches that surround us here in the state of Florida.

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I painted with a brush and pallet knife to show texture in the waves rushing to shore and the sea oats rising above the protective dunes.

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The more I travel, the more I am in awe of our beautiful world, including the beauty of my home state.  It is so easy to forget the beauty that surrounds you.  Take a moment today to find your beauty.

Thank you for reading my blog.


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Tree painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 6x8" Oil Landscape

We are rather tree challenged here in Florida.  We have beautiful palm trees, but when it comes to the huge leafy trees of my childhood, in the north, not so much.

Enter the live oak.  It's big, not really that leafy, but long, long beautiful branches, often draped with Spanish moss.

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 This one is just a baby, but I couldn't resist painting it as it seemed to glow in the sunshine.

detail

 I painted with a combination of palette knife and brush which gave it a yummy texture.

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I want to do more tree studies.  They are all so unique and so beautiful.

Thanks for viewing my art today.



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Small Seascape, Daily Painting,, Small Oil Painting, "Favorite Beach", 6x8" Oil

Few things in life are as soothing to me as watching clouds move over the mountains.  Walking on the beach is  one of those things.  What is it about these scenes  that makes them so appealing?

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 Is it the endless repetition?  Rather hypnotising, don't you think?  Maybe it is the everlasting beauty of the scenes.....the permanence.

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I don't have the answer, but I know I know I enjoy painting the scenes almost as much as being there, taking a deep breath of that sea breeze or crisp mountain air.

Enjoy the day....whereever you are!

Thanks for reading my blog today.

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