Challenge for September, Chickens

 The theme for this month's challenge is, simply, Chickens.

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Carmen Beecher's Chicken

Are YOU Talking to ME?

I love the comical look that chickens can have, and this one made me think of Robert di Niro's classic scene in Taxi Driver. Sometimes the title comes before the painting.

CarmenBeecher.blogspot.com

CarmenBeecher.com

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Kathy Garvey's Chickens

Rulers of the Roost  6"x16" Watercolor on 140 lb Cold Press Paper

I went and photographed chickens for this challenge, and sketched up my plans, but then ran out of time for painting as I'm prepping for a trip and will be out of town before the challenge ends. Since I haven't painted chickens in over twenty years, I had to dig deep to find a stand in for the challenge. Here it is...from 2001! 

More Watercolors and Home Goods at  www.snailflower.etsy.com.

Fabric Designs at http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/kgarvey.

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Donna Vines Chicken

Miss Chicken 

12x14 collage

I used this beautiful paper that reminded me of eggs in a nest as the nest.

I wanted to do a collage chicken for my challenge.   Up until now I had only done landscapes or stationary objects, doing this was a great lesson in the difference between a living subject and a teapot. I am o.k. with my first attempt but am going to try again using my lessons learned. 

donnavinesart.etsy.com

Onions, Original Oil Painting Still Life on Canvas

 $75

The Challenge for this month for the Pieces of 8 group is to paint a painting in 50 strokes. I've been enjoying that exercise. Below is my 50-stroke painting of these onions, smudges and all. I decided to refine it to a finished painting. Which one do you like best? I think the 50-stroke one is more exciting. Watch this space on December 31st to see the entries to the Challenge from everyone.

Carmen

Finding Time

Art is not just about going into a studio and creating.  There has to be inspiration, enthusiasm and most of all time. Of course it never seems like you have all three at the same time but you can try and be in tune with your artistic side while you are doing other things.
I am in the middle of getting my house ready for repainting.  I am clearing away photos, taking down paintings, putting away knick-knacks, while grousing constantly about the whole process.  As I was filling another box with "stuff" I realized this could be a great opportunity re-arrange and freshen up.
I started taking  photos of my groupings when another thought occurred to me.  Why not paint some of my arrangements?  Or if not the whole arrangement some of the pieces.  I have so many fun little "things" I have collected along the way but I see them every day, which means I don't see them anymore. 
Here is a photo of  my "Fun Wall" in my kitchen.  I realized on this one shelf alone I had several set ups if I wanted to use them.
Hmmm what would you paint?

Donna Vines

My Fun Wall



Does the word chicken come to mind?

Still Life Daily Painting, Wine Bottles

One of my favorite times of the day is late evening when I can grab that book or turn on the television to my favorite show and relax with a nice glass of wine.

Purchase here
160

I set some bottles up in the window sill to get the back lighting, and also got a nice reflection under one of the bottles.  When I started digging through my canvases, I found a 6x12" which was perfect for the composition.

The perfect kitchen decor!

Painting on Sale, Daily Painting, "Fruit Salad" by Carol Schiff, 10x8" Oil

This week, my painting on sale is a nice little still life.  Various fruits in the foreground, against a background of palm shadows.  I like to think the earth tilts once a year, just for me, so that the setting sun shines in my window, just so, spraying my wall with gorgeous palm shadows.

Purchase here
150 less 25 rebate 

As usual, I will send your credit card or PayPal account a $25.00 refund when you purchase this painting  and write "Wild and Wacky Wednesday" on your order.  You MUST write this on your order to get the rebate.  Offer good until midnight PST, March 6 2014.






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

Daily Painting, Food Still Life, "Produce of Mexico" by Carol Schiff, 6x8" SOLD

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SOLD

Direct from your grocery to you.

Do you say " toMAYto" or do you say "toMAHto"?

Commissions accepted.

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Fruit Still Life, Kitchen Decor, "Breakfast Berries" by Carol Schiff, 8x8" Oil

I love bacon and eggs, but some days, I crave a big bowl of berries.  That is what I was thinking about when I painted this fruit still life.

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125 + shipping

We are so fortunate to have wonderful fresh produce available year round in our markets.  I know local is better, but given the choice of blueberries  one month of the year, or all year, I know what I will choose.

In this set up, I piled them high in my favorite pottery berry bowl.  I took it all to my Monday morning painting group and set it under the spotlight.  We all painted the same set up and it is always fun to view the setting from another view and to see how others paint it.  On some days simple is better!



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Still Life Teapot, Daily Painting, "Antique French Teapot" by Carol Schiff, 16x16x1.5" Oil

This is not a new painting, but it is my favorite still life teapot painting.  It is a antique French teapot that I found on Etsy.

Purchase here
450 + shipping

The  owner of the Etsy site, Dandeliondecor gave me permission to use her image.  The teapot is no longer available but I am happy to have this painting.


 I was attracted by the wavy lines, the beautiful china roses and the sweet curvy handle.  The painting is soft and subtle, but it catches my eye every day as I walk by it.  Yes, one of the perks of being an artist, is lots or original art on your walls.
Several years ago I did lots of still life teapots and flowers and food items.  I am getting in the mood to return to these subjects.

I hope you enjoy this daily painting today and I hope you will pin it.

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

WILD AND WACKY WEDNESDAY at Carol Schiff Studio, "Grape Half" SOLD

I wanted to liven things up a little on my blog and have decided to feature an existing painting at a special price each Wednesday.  The painting below has been one of my favorites for several reasons.

SOLD
I did a series of fruits and vegetables cut in half and showing cool back lighting.  Most of them have found new homes.  This is one of my favorites of the series because I love the color interaction...it has such a nice glow, and the brushwork is just the way I like it.  This is a 7x5" original oil on canvas panel at a very special price.  Original price $65.95

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com