The Harpist, 11x14 Oil Painting on Canvas

This young woman was so beautiful, playing such a graceful instrument, with the light shining through the window. It's so much more attractive than a woman playing, say, a cello or a trombone. However, I do love cello music in spite of the awkward knee placement of the cellist.

This beautiful musician was playing at my beautiful niece's beautiful wedding.

Carmen

Feminine Mystique Exhibit and Benefit, A Happy Memory from 2008

Our painting group formed in 2007. In March of 2008 we had an exhibit to benefit the Women's Center of Brevard. This is a montage of a project we had been working on, paintings of past masters in art.

 

Our artists were, clockwise from top left, Suzanne Peiffer, Denette Schweikert, Jini James, Carol Schiff, Carmen Beecher, Mary Warnick, Cindy Michaud, Donna Vines.

Copying the masters is a wonderful exercise. For our big auction item we collaborated on "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt. Each person painted a section or two.

 The event was held at Alla Prima Salon on Highland Avenue. We have had several changes of members since then, but we look back fondly on this lovely benefit for the Women's Center.

Love in Paris, 8x10 Original Oil Painting on Canvas Panel

Click to Buy 

We were stuck in traffic on the Seine and I looked out the window and saw this couple kissing. Actually, she was kissing him on the nose. What could be more romantic than a kiss in Paris, even if it's on the nose? 

I had Valentine's Day in mind when I painted this. As a gift, may I point out that it's not fattening and it won't wilt.

The same day I was painting this, someone forwarded one of those emails with interesting photos. Included was the picture below, which fit right in with my painting:

Carmen

Italian Girl With Flowers, 11x14 Oil on Canvas, after Sorolla by Carmen Beecher

Sold

I've had no time for painting this week, so I am posting a throwback to 2008, when our painting group, Pieces of Eight, decided to copy Impressionist masters as a learning exercise. I love Sorolla, so I copied one of my favorites, with the above result. Below is the original by Sorolla.

I also copied John Singer Sargent, the master portrait artist. The best thing I've ever done is team up with seven women with the same passion for painting that I have. It has been such an enriching experience in so many ways, and I have learned so much.

I'm working on a huge project that is going to take months, and I'll tell you all about it when it's done.

Carmen

Mermaid, 11x17 Graphite on Nautical Chart

I put this chart far away from me and looked at it until I saw something in it--and that something was a mermaid. I elaborated on that until this denizen of the deep appeared.

Carmen

Repose, 20x24 Oil on Canvas, after John Singer Sargent

Not For Sale

There are few paintings of mine that I won't sell, but this is one. I always loved this piece by John Singer Sargent, and I copied it in worshipful awe of his skills. 

Christmas was eventful and I was sick. I didn't realize I was allergic to our tree. When it dawned on me that might be a possibility I looked it up and the Christmas Tree Association has warnings, saying you should wash your tree before bringing it inside. We tossed it after everyone went home, then left the next day for Anna Maria Island, and I had a quick recovery--so much so that I was playing baseball by late afternoon! 

Silver Sandals, 20x24 Oil on Canvas by Carmen Beecher

NFS

I painted this a few years ago, when my daughter was getting ready for my sister's wedding. Painting a mural and having Thanksgiving has made my painting time negligible, so I went to the past for this one. What a jolly good time we had at the wedding, which was in beautiful Middleburg, Virginia.

Speaking of Middleburg, they have a wonderful annual Shakespeare festival, "Shakespeare in the Burg," and next year's date is April 2-3. Click here for details:

http://shakespeareintheburg.com/

Carmen

Pieces of 8 Members Win Awards

Campo di Fiori by Carol Schiff

Train to Firenze by Carmen Beecher

Carmen and Carol have both won Honorable Mentions in Contemporary Fine Art International (CFAI) Juried Shows. Carol won in the Still Life category in the Winter Juried Show for her artichoke painting, and Carmen won in the Figurative category in the Spring show.

Coincidentally, both subjects were scenes in Italy. It's hard to take three steps without seeing something paint-worthy in that picturesque country.

To check out the beautiful art at CFAI, go to http://www.cfai.co/

Tiny Dancer, 8x10 Original OIl Painting by Carmen Beecher

$199.00, Click to Purchase

While in San Miguel de Allende I got to witness a big Aztec festival, with scores of people in bright costumes and huge feather headdresses. They were dancing in the streets, celebrating their conversion to Christianity. So many people dancing in unison, wearing bright colors and glittering outfits presented quite a wonderful sight, but this little girl was my favorite, trying to keep up with the grownups.

Here are some of the adults in their costumes. I was so lucky to be town that day!

Sultry, 6x8 Oil Painting by Carmen Beecher

SOLD

This all started with a tube of gold paint from Ralph's Art Supply in Melbourne. Gold suggests "exotic" so I painted this and invented her costume and jewelry. This was so much fun that I am going to do some more of these. 

Carmen Beecher

Big Hair 80s, Oil Painting by Carmen Beecher

I painted this for the Daily Paintworks "Paint Yourself Young" challenge. Remember the 80s? Large hair, mall bangs, big shoulder pads? In deciding what to paint, it was a tossup between this and one of me at age five, with a bandaid on my head, standing in front of a reclining pig.

City Girl, 9x12 Oil Painting by Carmen Beecher

Click Here to Purchase

I was Riding the Ducks when I spotted this young girl, striding with great purpose down the sidewalk in Seattle. I love the whole scene: the perky girl, the hanging plant, the reflection in the door. Too bad you couldn't see the Duck. Oh, perhaps I should explain. The Ducks are amphibious landing vehicles from World War II, and they have been redone for the enjoyment of tourists.

We got on board in the city, went a few blocks and over a bridge to the water and promptly drove in. It was a hoot. Our guide and driver, Flip Dover, was absolutely hilarious--both educational and entertaining.

More Collage Demo

Femme Fatale

As Donna said, we both talked about collage at the Cape Canaveral Pen Women meeting. There are so many kinds of collage, and I was taught by Derek Gores, so it's very different from Donna's style. Her way has no rules, and mine has Derek's rules. In actuality, it can be anything the artist wants to do, but certain things I learned from Derek stuck, and I like the effect I get. For instance, he says, "Don't use the thing for the thing." Don't use a picture of lips for the lips, for example. 

Below is a partially completed collage of a tree frog that I used to show the process. I sketch my subject then draw over it with a Sharpie so that I don't lose my drawing while slapping paper and glue around. One thing I like is the fact that the paper wrinkles don't matter. I like anything in which wrinkles don't matter. In fact, they add interest and character. Learn to love the wrinkles. 

posted by Carmen