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

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Consider: A Child's Christmas in Wales or an Art Lover's Christmas in Eau Gallie?? by Fay Picardi



      "A picture's worth a thousand words" is an often heard truism. Dylan's Thomas's A Child's Christmas in Wales may be an exception, as he creates so many pictures in just over a thousand words. I reread his classic work every year about this time just for the pure joy of his descriptions. Here is a passage from it.

"Our snow was not only shaken from white wash buckets down the sky, it came shawling out of the ground and swam and drifted out of the arms and hands and bodies of the trees; snow grew overnight on the roofs of the houses like a pure and grandfather moss, minutely-ivied the walls and settled on the postman, opening the gate, like a dumb, numb thunder-storm of white, torn Christmas cards."

      In reading these words, you have probably created an image in your minds that is complex and moving and vivid. Perhaps as moving, complex and vivid as the extraordinary art produced by the Pieces of Eight. And no need to get out the snow scraper. The event is right here in Eau Gallie. Our sale begins next Friday, December 5! Please give yourself a treat and come once, come twice to Ralph's Art Supply for a plethora of artistic pleasures. See details below.


     

Friday, November 21, 2014

Come Sail Away

Last week Kathy posted some photos of our "chalk" paintings.  That was the day Cindy showed us how to draw on black gesso then paint the drawing, leaving the chalk outline.  After the paint was dry you could wash off the chalk and it left a black outline.
That was a really fun exercise for all of us.  None of us really paint in acrylics that much so it gave us a chance to try a new project with a new medium.  I did little sailboats from a photo Carol Schiff had brought in.  This is what my painting looks like after the chalk has been washed off.  I just love the whimsy that painting in one color and outlining the colors in black creates.  In fact I like it so much I am going to give it to my grandson James for his room.
Donna Vines

 




Wednesday, November 19, 2014

HOLIDAY SALE

WE ARE ALL SO EXCITED ABOUT OUR HOLIDAY SALE THIS YEAR.  A NEW LOCATION AND TWO DAYS TO SHOP AND SEE THE NEW WORK WE HAVE CREATED THIS YEAR.

RALPH'S ART SUPPLY IN THE EAU GALLIE ARTS DISTRICT IS THE NEW VENUE, AND THE TIMES ARE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 FROM 3-8;30 AND SATURDAY DECEMBER 6 FROM 10 TO 4.

AS WELL AS PAINTINGS IN ALL MEDIUMS AND STYLES, THERE WILL BE HOLIDAY DECORATIONS, FABRIC ART, CRAFT ITEMS AND MUCH MORE.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON SOME ORNAMENTS AND JEWELRY, WHICH IS A STRETCH FOR ME AS I AM NOT REALLY A CRAFTY PERSON.  I AM PRETTY HAPPY WITH WHAT I AM DOING, AND I HOPE YOU WILL LIKE IT TOO.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE PAINTINGS I WILL HAVE FOR SALE AT THE SHOW.

DENIZEN OF THE GLADES
SWEET RED BEETS



OLD ROSES

TRIBUTE TO TIFFANY
 LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!

MARY WARNICK

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

How Many Pieces Does it Take to Create a Klimt?

 by Cindy Michaud

Several years ago the Pieces began a study of selected "old masters."  We researched their lives, learned about what informed their art, studied  their techniques and then copied pieces in their oeuvre.

Some artists appealed to us for the sheer fun of their color or subject matter and one of these was Gustav Klimt (http://www.klimtgallery.org/biography.html).  Klimt was noted for his fantasy paintings of figures using deco design and gold embellishment.  Since we were preparing for a show of all of our "copies" we wanted to include this very popular artist.

Time was short but 8 minds had a plan: if we each painted a section of the larger piece we could get it done in 1/8th the time!  Right? Right! And thus the game was on.

Naturally we had to abandon personal styles and closely replicate the Klimt-technique, naturally we had to all finish at the same time and naturally someone (thank you Denette with her eye for fine detail) had to "marry" the edges once they were assembled and glued down.

But here is the result: 


A gorgeous, large oil painting exquisitely framed!  The piece sold at auction for $1000 ( to benefit a local charity working with women) and was dearly loved by its owner.

Alas, times change and the owner is downsizing/moving/divesting and needs to sell the piece to a new appreciator.  She says she is willing to part with it for just $300.00. Time to scoop up a bargain.  Contact Ralph at Ralph's Art Supplies, 321- 255-3331, if you are interested or wish to see the piece.  It is truly one of a kind.
Six of the Pieces of 8 gather around the Klimt painting they helped create:
Denette Schweikert, Mary Warnick, Carmen Beecher, Carol Schiff, Donna Vines and Cindy Michaud.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Sunshine and Shadow, 24x20 OIl Painting on Canvas by Carmen Beecher




When you are as productive as the Pieces of 8, you may find yourself with a large inventory-- especially if you are a Daily Painter like Carol Schiff and me. What to do? Have a big holiday sale, that's what. The painting above is a large direct copy of a Winslow Homer painting; however, I will have many small daily paintings, as shown below. There will be so many pieces of original art of all kinds, at deep discounts, skillfully made by the creative women of the Pieces of 8.

This year the sale will be at a new location: Ralph's Art Supply on Highland Avenue in the Eau Gallie Arts District, Dec 5th, 3 to 8:30, and Dec 6th, 10 to 4.

Save the Date! Here are more of my paintings in the sale:






Tiny Dancer, left

Black Swan, below

Yellow Plumerias, below right

Thursday, November 13, 2014

A LIttle Collage

A little collage can go a long way.  It can make you smile, remind you of something or someone, be a homage to something or someone you admire. The color alone can lift your spirits. 
As I was sorting through some of my artwork for our sale I came across a piece I had done to pay tribute to a long lost and almost forgotten art medium, tea sets. England was in the forefront of this wonderful expression of art, especially a pioneer in the Art Deco movement Clarise Cliff. 
Once every home had a least one good tea or coffee service for "company" and like many everyday objects they became more intricate and move beautiful as people had time, leisure and money to spend on common objects.  The colors, designs and forms that made the Art Deco Movement so wonderful also made something as ordinary as a cup a work of art.
This little whimsical design is from one such tea set.
Donna Vines

Trees


Saturday, November 8, 2014

White Pelicans, 6x8 Oil on Panel by Carmen Beecher



I don't know exactly why, but this painting is much softer than my usual. I've only done three paintings in the past 30 days (due to knee surgery). I am not used to this lack of productivity and I don't like it! When I broke my wrist and had to paint left-handed, I stayed productive, but knee replacement is a whole different ballgame. Two good hands and no energy.

I do have a lot of inventory for our big Pieces of 8 Holiday Sale December 5th and 6th at Ralph's Art Supply in Eau Gallie. It's all original art, and much of it is small paintings at discount prices. And wait till you see what the other artists have done! Save the date!

Carmen  

Friday, November 7, 2014

Fascination

Besides fire and water there is one other thing I could stare at for hours and that is a Lava Lamp.  I know, I know.  Firstly a lot of you may not even know what that is but anyone of a certain age will remember when they were quite popular.  I don't know what it is but there is something about suspended jello slowly moving through liquid that is quite fascinating.
The results of pouring fluid acrylics mixed with a pouring medium can also be exciting to look at.  The results can remind you of anything from outer space to lava flowing down a volcano.  You can just pour the paint on a canvas or pour and use an object, like a comb, to make a design.  Either way it can give you something to ponder.
Donna Vines

Hmmm
 




















Join the Pieces of 8 at our Eau Gallie Arts District Location:
Ralph's Art Supply
1420 Highland Avenue. 32935
Our 8th Annual Holiday Sale and Show
Has expanded to give you & your friends more time to shop!
First Friday: Dec 5 from 3:00 - 8:30 pm.
                                   AND
Saturday: Dec 6 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Early birds find the bargains!

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Palette Knife Still Life Painting, "Vase and Pears" 10x10"

$170 + 13



I painted this a few weeks ago at the Student Artist's Guild.  My paint group meets there every Monday morning.  It's in a very large loft area that is equiped with easels, many windows, props, stages for models and any kind of music you may want to hear.  It's really like an artist's dream come true!


On this day, I came equiped with three pears and was arranging lights to get the best shadows etc, when I spotted this large ceramic jar.  I was not too inspired by the pears, but the jar got me excited.
It's not always easy being creative.....

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

HO HO HO!!

I know, I know, we are all just putting away our jack-o-lanterns and thinking in terms of turkey and stuffing.....don't want to hear about Christmas.  But, I just have to tell you about the new and improved Pieces of Eight Christmas Sale that is coming up before you know it.



It is such a big deal, even Google Earth stops by!  If you look closely, you can see our tables set up in the drive-way!   That was our old location....this year we made some changes.

This year we are all working hard to bring you fun and exciting gifts for you, or those on your Christmas list.  First of all, we have expanded the show from one day to two.  We will be in downtown Eau Gallie Art District, in Ralph's Art Supply on Friday December 5th and Saturday December 6th.  Out of the garage and into a beautiful venue!

Every year, we try to do a group project, something special.  Last year it was painted furniture and bird houses, one year it was earrings and one year we produced a cookbook.  This year, we are all working individually.  Carmen is making ornaments,  Kathy has a variety of special goodies and Donna and I are working together on these great candy cane vases. You can put in your order today!


Of course, we are not forgetting our roots.  We will always feature a large and varied supply of original art at very special prices.

Check back here for more details over the next month, but, PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR TODAY!!  Leave us a comment if you have any questions, or, if you want to put in an order for something special.



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. ...