Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Florida Landscape | Small Oil Painting | Daily Painting | Palm Grove by Carol Schiff | 8x6" Oil | SOLD

I was on a photo shoot one late afternoon, walking though wetlands and knee high grasses.  I was getting a little anxious as the wildlife and creepy crawlies get more active as the sun goes down.  When I came home, I found several reference photos that I was interested in painting, which made it all worth while.

SOLD




I liked the way the early evening light was hitting these palms, turning them from gray to gold.  This is a little study for a much larger piece that I am interested in trying.  Hopefully, I can get to it soon.


www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Sunday, December 25, 2016

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!




I hope you all enjoy your holidays and find peace and love in the upcoming year!  I want to thank all my online friends who visit this blog and follow my art.

Carol Schiff
www.CarolschiffStudio.blogspot.com

Friday, December 23, 2016

At the Movies, 30x40 Oil on Canvas


Several years ago I participated in an art show called Transformations, in which each team consisted of an artist and a poet who collaborated to produce a painting and a poem. It's amazing how well-paired each team was, because many never met before this project.

My poet partner, Jean Shepard, lives in Jacksonville, so we met in Ormond Beach to toss around ideas for our collaboration.  When I was born, we lived in an apartment inside a movie theater, and my father managed the theater. She was fascinated by the idea of living inside a movie theater. She wrote her poem from my father's perspective and also made interesting observations on time and motion. All of this gave me the idea for a painting with my mother in the center, sitting on a crescent moon, surrounded by movie stars.
Here is Jean's poem, "At the Movies."


Being two with the hope of three,
it was all they could afford,
an apartment above the cinema
where for hours each day he was a god
at work, turning day into night,
night into day with a flipped switch.
Where he revealed moments
snatched out of time
and run through a light
for believers who sat in silence below.
When two became three,
they ascended the narrow stairs
carried a pink bundle to an empty crib
watched with fascination
the arms waving, the legs kicking,
the unknowing, introverted face.
But others waited below.
He descended to darkness and the machine,
the sour smell of celluloid,
its tiny pieces of the past
curled on themselves like a  shell.
As he turned the switch on
and watched the relentless streaming
he suddenly saw how we move in the world,
how we run forward while
looking back over our shoulders
caught up in continuous flight.
Then he thought of the pink bundle above him,
the new skin, curled fingers,
the tiny feet that had not touched earth
and he was afraid.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Cindy's View

Today, I am sharing a blog post from my fellow artist and friend, Cindy Michaud.


Have you ever listened to music and had
a line just jump out?  Often I am in the car and think
to myself "what would that lyric look like painted?"
I rarely go further as I can't make a note
while driving but every now and then...

Does the Title Affect Your Viewing?

Titles for paintings are funny things.  To some artists they are merely a locale, to others they become a marketing gimmick; sometimes one struggles for a title and once in a while the piece instantly names itself.  Purchasing a piece, I once asked the artist where it was. "Oh," he answered, "that was from Siena, Italy."  I paused writing the check and looked up. "Shoot, it reminded me of a place my husband and I stayed in Provence, France," I replied.  He grinned, "yes, that is just what I meant to say!"  We both laughed, I finished the purchase and simply re-christianed the piece.  All the same...

What does a title mean to you?

I am serious.  My husband and I go round and round (I won't say out loud that he likes trite references which he thinks are literary....oh, did I say trite??) and I wax and wane between what I feel and what I see.  Frankly I have rarely bought something for which the title was a critical component, yet I usually ask.    The selection is often a point of reference or at least starts a conversation with the maker.

Which brings me to the piece I share today.


We stopped by an amazing "You-Pic-Em" flower farm in Oregon which also had a winery and a gourmet food truck.  It was a spontaneous stop on a long but spectacular drive and with one eye on the dark clouds rolling in we stood in awe of the acres of flowers ready to be picked.  Wine, lunch, flowers...a few photos and we happily resumed our drive.

Can one ever re-capture that experience?  I think not.  The dark, mountainous backdrop and the swaths of floral color are perhaps better rendered in the abstract of masses.  But on another rainy day in the studio I can play and remember.  So I did.  And then to title, humming...I will borrow, with respect for Joni Mitchell's endless talent,  a line that is laden with meaning...for me.


"The Dizzy, Dancing Way You Feel"
24 x 18, oil
available

How do you feel about titles?  Do they influence your view of the art?  Or do you prefer a numbering system? I am really curious, so please share.

contact me at: art@cindymichaud.com
see more work at: www.cindymichaud.com

Dancing in Color,
Cindy

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Daily Painting, Painting for Sale, Small Oil Painting, Tropical Landscape Painting, 6x8" Oil SOLD

As you know, I like to have a sale item on Wednesdays....a little middle of the week pick me up.  Today I am posting a small tropical landscape for your pleasure.

SOLD

This sweet 6x8" oil on canvas panel has that tropical mojo.If you have ever dreamed about that little house next to the sea, now it can be yous.

Unlike most of my sales, this does not require a rebate.  Just follow the link above and purchase it for only $30.00.  Original price $89.95

Have a very tropical day!


Monday, December 12, 2016

Wildlife Painting, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting, "Gray Squirrel" by Carol Schiff, 6x8" Oil SOLD

Have you ever tried to photograph wildlife?  I have, and consider it an exercise in frustration.  Many blurred images later, my friend and photographer, Ted Fuhrer, offered me the use of his images.  Thanks so much, Ted.

SOLD
This little guy looks very inquisitive and ready to bolt at the least movement.

  I enjoyed experimenting with painting his fur and directing the viewer's eye.  The animal is much the same color as the background in this scene.

 I put it in one of my black frames.  They seem to work perfectly for just about any painting.

Happy day to you!

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Thursday, December 8, 2016

A Surprise from from the Holy Land

The internet is fantastic and has become a necessary part of our lives.  I sit here on my computer in Florida and magically my artwork is seen worldwide.   How lucky are we to have the fantastic ability in our lives.

A few days ago, I received some wonderful and unexpected news from Israel.  An Israeli fashion designer, Assaf Pelleg,  contacted me with an offer I cannot refuse.  He has chosen one of my paintings to be printed on fabric and featured in his Spring 2017 collection.  I cannot show you the painting he will be using (top secret!) but, I can show you a dress he did last year, using the same technique.


Isn't it wonderful?

The new dress will be ready in March and he will be sending me one of his samples.  I am so excited, I can hardly wait!

This has been a fabulous year for me, with new and unexpected art opportunities coming my way.  A DVD cover, a wine label,and other new venues for my work.....all because of the internet.  How blessed am I?

I cannot wait to show you the dress with my design as soon as it comes!




Carol Schiff

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. ...