Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Flowe Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, Floral Still Life, "Hydrangea and Cross Bottle" by Carol Schiff, 6x8" Original

There is something special about this painting.  Yes, I painted it, and the composition is not the best, and yet I keep coming back to it.  Maybe it is the color, or the texture or the knife work.....I don't know, but it intrigues me.

purchase here
96 + shipping
I must admit that purples and blues are my favorite colors.

I have closed my FineArtAmerica site and now can offer you beautiful giclee' prints direct from this site or my Etsy site. They are beautifully done and very reasonably priced, starting at $20.  I have a few sizes and compositions in stock, but I can easily supply you with a print of your favorite painting.....just contact me here for details.

I hope you are staying warm on this cold January morning!





www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Merry Christmas 2014



The big day is almost here and I wanted to take the opportunity to let you all know how much I appreciate your support throughout the year.  My blog has had over 1,000 posts, something I never imaged when I started.  I cannot express my gratitude those of you who are interested enough in my work to follow this blog.  It is a very humbling experience,

In this, my last post before Christmas, I wish each and every one of you a wonderful holiday season and the best new year ever.


Monday, December 22, 2014

Mary's Roses, 7x5 Floral Oil Painting by Carmen Beecher



These roses were part of Mary's birthday celebration, and I loved the fact that they had so much green in them. They were a challenge to paint, but I really like the result. When it comes to painting, a rose is not always a rose. Sometimes it's a peony. Or just a messy blob. I'm very happy with these.

Carmen

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Reflections of a workshop

The end of the year is looming fast and we are all busy, busy, busy with family and commitments this time of year.  Part of a yearly tradition at my house is the photo calendar.  Every year I give my husband and children a calender with a photo for each month.  Some years it is easier than other to get everyone in so it takes a lot of looking to come up with the those wonderful calendar worthy pictures. 
As I was browsing I came across the photos Carol and I had taken at the Elio Comacho workshop we attended in November. Browsing those photos I could have printed a decades worth of calendars. Not only was the workshop wonderful but so was the scenery.  Here are a few standouts.
Donna Vines


just part of the scenery



After a long day 


Elio's wonderful palette

One of the set ups

 

Friday, December 19, 2014

Floral Still Life Painting, Daily Painting, "A Rose is a Rose" by Carol Schiff, 9x12x1.5"

I was in the zone of this one and able to complete it very quickly.  My palette knife was slinging paint.....maybe it had to do with the music I was playing.




Purchase here
195 + 13

You may recognize this set up as I have painted it before.  Last time it looked like this:



I enjoy painting the same object or scene in different styles.





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

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Flower Painting, Floral Still Life, "Mixed Blessings" by Carol Schiff, 8x8x1.5 Oil SOLD

It's spring.....sigh!  The perfect time to paint flowers...........



SOLD
I don't know about you, but I was beginning to think that winter would never go away!  I now what you're thinking...."she lives in Florida???)  Well. true, but even in Florida we have seen day after day of piles of snow and cars sliding off the road, although it was on the nightly news.  We feel for those of you who had to suffer through it first hand and we are happy that it is gone.



detail
So lets all celebrate a new beginning.



Hope you pin it!




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

Crackers and Oranges, New Book by Carmen Beecher

 Click on book to go to Amazon.com

This is the cover of my new book, a memoir about my childhood in Dundee, a small Central Florida town. I wanted to write about all the characters who influenced me, especially my very tough grandmothers who survived the Depression and the stress of their sons going off to war. Don't get the idea that it's a downer, though. There were a lot of funny things to tell, too. My book is illustrated throughout with photos, paintings and quirky drawings. You can peek inside on Amazon by clicking the book above or here. 

Carmen

Monday, December 8, 2014

Marsh Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, "North Florida Marsh" by Carol Schiff, 9x12" Landscape

I recently spent a few days in Fernandina Beach and stumbled across one of their beautiful marshes.  I have always admired marshes and their beautiful colors which change with the seasons.

purchase here
179 + shipping
 I like texture in many of my paintings and I always enjoy playing with a palette knife.


I also like to push color.  Elio Camacho is a master of pushing color.....check out his work here.
I was in Fernandina Beach to attend his workshop and I hope I was able to use some of his technique in this painting.  The workshop was fascinating and I have already signed for a follow-up early next spring.

Thanks for reading my blog today.



www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Sunday, December 7, 2014

'Tis the Season

If you missed our Holiday Sale you missed some amazing bargains and a whole lot of eye candy.  We had a ball turning the back room of Ralphs into a pop-up art gallery.  First Friday was like a big party (where you didn't have to send invites or hire a caterer!) and Saturday was laid back, climate controlled and a chance to visit with friends who came by to check out the goods.


But we are a weary bunch today after two-days of  holiday (sale). Many thanks to Ralph, Ralph's Art 
Supplies on Highland Avenue, for use of this fabulous space. We were very proud of our Christmasy look and we managed to fill the whole room with our art. For some of our past sale years we experienced heat, wind, and a rainstorm, so this was quite a nice change!  If you saw something you want but passed it by just contact one of us and we can get you in touch with the right person.  
Meanwhile, our wishes to you for a lovely holiday season however and where ever you chose to spend it.  And of course, we hope you have an ARTfilled new year.
posted by Carmen Beecher

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Oh! Oh! Eau Gallie!

Just a reminder! The Pieces of Eight Christmas sale is this week! Friday and Saturday! And what treats are in store. Literally and figuratively. Come see.

Friday night we will join the rest of the galleries and shops of Eau Gallie for First Friday. All the establishments open, but the street is closed off so visitors can roam freely, wine glass in hand. We will be waiting to see you from 3 to 8:3 at Ralph's Art Supply, 1420 Highland Ave.

Saturday we are hoping to see many of our longtime friends again. We'll be at Ralph's from 10 to 4 with plenty of time to talk and lots of beautiful items to talk about.

Can't wait to see you. Come one, come all! And find the perfect gifts for the season.

Snowy Farm by Carmen Beecher

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Northwest Landscape, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, "The Great Northwest" by Carol Schiff, 11x14" Oil

THIS IS MY 1,000 POST!

My husband and I took our first trip to the Northwest this summer. We were stunned by the gorgeous scenery in every direction.

purchase here
225. + shipping

Obviously, we have pine trees and ocean views in Florida, but, how could they be so very different in Washington and British Columbia?  Everything seemed larger than life with trees towering into the sky and waterfalls tumbling down the sides of mountains.  It was a fabulous trip that we hope to repeat some day.

I painted this, in my studio, on linen attached to board.  As much as I like the idea of painting plein aire, it's not me.  I was taught to paint from images and still do it to this day.



HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!


Color Me Happy: SALE!


The word SALE brings a smile to your face, I can see it!  Especially when it is something you know you want (or can make someone else happy with).  That's one reason the Pieces of 8 invite their collectors, their close friends and their friends of friends every year to our annual holiday sale.

We share our experimental pieces, our smaller art, our crafts and art from our own walls at special discounted prices during this time only.  Dec 5 and 6 will be the dates for 2014 and believe me when I say that the early birds usually go home with all the "worms."

Ralph's Art Supply on Highland Avenue will be the location this year...parking will be a challenge since the city has torn up parts of the street but it will be worth the adventure.  On Friday evening we will be part of "First Friday" when all the merchants dress up and get in the spirit, 5pm to 7pm ish.
Saturday morning we will open for business at 10 am and go until 4 pm, ringing the register and making folks happy.  New locale and new hours.


I painted both of these pieces and truly hope they go home with new families....art needs to breathe to be enjoyed.  Both are Florida scenes and would brighten any area where hung.  See you there!

Cindy Michaud

Carmen Beecher Wins 1st Place at CFAI!



The Pieces of 8 are so proud to announce that our talented Carmen just won FIRST PLACE in the Contemporary Fine Art International juried show titled “The World Outdoors.” Her entry "Cathedral Rock" is just beautiful and it's so wonderful that it was recognized by CFAI. 

Contemporary Fine Art International was founded for promotion and exposure of artists internationally. They host over 100 blogs, through various social media forums, two annual books, a bimonthly magazine and other marketing campaigns. They also host monthly “Artist Showdowns” and quarterly juried shows which is what Carmen entered. 

Asked about how she came to paint this large oil painting, Carmen responded: "When we visited Sedona, Arizona last year I was blown away by the magnificent scenery. To get this scene, My husband and I went to a park, looking for this view of beautiful Cathedral Rock. We turned the wrong way and hiked and hiked, but that was a treat, because it was a gorgeous path along the river. We came upon a forest of cairns that people had built of stacked stones--hundreds of them. We finally found the above scene 100 yards from our car after we hiked back. "

Carmen sent along an amazing photo of the cairns she spotted.
To see the original "Cathedral Rock" painting and many more of Carmen's marvelous oil paintings (not to mention her fun zentangles and clever collages) please visit us at Ralph's Art Supply on Highland Avenue in the Eau Gallie Arts District for first Friday this week. All of the Pieces of 8 will have art on display. We'll be there almost all day Saturday, too!

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

The Big Holiday Sale!



Three more days till our big sale! This is the eighth year for this event, and we have moved from Carol's garage to Ralph's Art Supply on Highland Avenue in Melbourne. The sale starts at 3 on First Friday, Dec 5th and you will have another opportunity the next day, Saturday. Dec 6th, from 10 to 4.

We are so excited to be at Ralph's this year, and we have lots of original paintings, ornaments, pillows, clay art, jewelry, prints, and, best of all: affordable prices! If you're looking for something different, this is the place!

My paintings shown here will be on sale. I painted them joyfully from our group's trip to Silver Springs.

Carmen

Monday, December 1, 2014

Pumpkin Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, "Pumpkins in the Window" by Carol Schiff, 6x12" Oil on Linen

It's a little late for a pumpkin painting, but never the less, here it is....
purchase here
110 + shipping


I painted this back in October, but it is just now getting posted.  It has been an especially hectic season for me.




 I do love the beautiful texture of painting on linen.

If you have an art lover on your gift list, consider a gift certificate from my Etsy site.  If you don't see one in the amount you are looking for, just contact me and I will do a special listing for you.



Happy Shopping!



www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Craft Items for Holiday Sale

All of the Pieces of 8 are busy getting ready for our Holiday Sale  this Friday and Saturday.

This is a don't miss event for shoppers.  Open 3-8 pm on Friday and 10-4 on Saturday.

Here are pictures of some of the crafty things I made.

Mary Warnick

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder! by Fay Picardi

This time of year, everyone is taking pictures. No need to be on a vacation in a foreign land. All you need is a gathering of friends or a penchant for quirky photos.
Although the following photos were not taken during the holidays, they are quirky and they do provide a certain je ne sais quoi for the eye. I love aiming my camera at a tableau that would usually not be considered subject matter for art. Check these out. (But oh, for piles of snow!)
Driftwood Gate
Concrete Siding
Preparation for The Sunday Omelet

 These maybe not prize winners, but they were definitely practice for the artistic eye.

Friday, November 28, 2014

Wildlife Painting, Bird Painting, Daily Painting, "Great Blue Heron" by Carol Schiff, 8x6" Oil

It gets tricky trying to photograph wildlife.  This time I got lucky.  This Great Blue Heron was very calm as I walked very close to him and started clicking away.  He had his eye on the fishermen's catch and was willing to put up with me.

purchase here
100 + shipping


I am sorry I could not get a better image of this piece.  The painting is still wet, so I got glare on the bird and the rich colors and values are not showing as well as they should.  I have been working hard on color interaction and am pleased with the color on this work.



The holiday season is officially starting today, so I want to tell you a little about our painting group's art sale which is coming up soon.

This year we are coming out of my garage and also expanding the sale to two days, Friday December 5th and Saturday the 6th.  We are excited to announce that the sale will take place at Ralph's Art Supply on Highland Ave. in Eau Gallie Art District.  We will have our usual great prices on original art, as well as some crafty pieces.


Donna Vines and I have been making these great candy cane vases (flowers not included)  and we will have ornaments and other creative items as well. Contact me here to place your early order.....and yes, we can ship.

Happy shopping today!



www.carolschiffstudio.blogspot.com

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Small Landscape Painting, daily painting, small oil painting, "Intercoastal Island", by Carol Schiff, SOLD

Today's painting on sale is a scene from my area of Florida.  The intracoastal waterway runs down the east coast of Florida and our city is one of many that grew on it's banks.  The waterway has many little islands that have become boater's favorites for picnics and camping overnight.

purchase here
SOLD

Now for the deal of the day.....Purchase at the link above and you will be charged $89.95 and shipping. You must write 
ART SALE on the order to receive the discount.  As soon as I receive your payment, I will return a credit of $20.00 to your credit card or PayPal account.

This sale is only for readers of my blog, so if you don't write ART SALE on the order, I won't know you saw it here and you won't get a rebate.

Can you believe that the holiday season is upon us all ready.  Each year seems to go faster and faster.  I have been busy taking price reductions on many of my paintings on my Etsy site.  If you have an art lover on your list, please consider checking my site for a very special and unique gift.   www.CarolSchiffStudio.Etsy.com


Thank you for reading my blog today.  Eat more turkey!!



www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Ballard Park, Original Oil on Canvas

  I had not painted outside in two years, so this was quite a challenge. It was one of those paintings I had to improve upon in the studio. ...