Black and White day

Yesterday was a herding cats day for the Pieces.  We had a few members that were away, some members joined in the paint-a-thon protest to save the old Mel High building from being torn down to make way for yet another apartment building and some members could only make a special lunch.  Phillis Holland was down visiting from Georgia and we had a really nice reunion lunch beachside.
It was my turn to present and I thought hand coloring some black and white photos would be fun.  It was just Carmen, Kathy and Kathy's 4 year old granddaughter Josie but what the heck Carmen and I forged ahead anyway.
Neither of us finished our photos but it was a very relaxing way to spend the morning.  For some reason the time flies by and you can really get into the zone when hand painting.  I wanted to share a blow up of an area of the photo I was working on.  It was a picture I had taken in Maine at a friend's house.  All of my photos are really old snapshots I took when I was doing a lot of hand painting.
We used special Marshall oils, cotton and Q-tips for applying.  This photo was a sepia tone.
I just love the colors and tone you can create with this process.  It was so relaxing when my next turn rolls around we are going to do it again.
Donna Vines

unfinished hand colored photo

Maine Wave, 8x10 Oil by Carmen Beecher

This is an original oil painting on canvas board, and will be on sale at the Pieces of 8 Studio Sale on December 8.  This was from a walk on the very path where Winslow Homer painted in Prouts Neck, Maine.

I will be demonstrating oil painting at the sale. We will have refreshments, a big drawing for a prize, and many gift items at affordable prices. There will be jewelry, books, paintings, pottery, art supplies, garden art and a poetry corner. Hours are 9 to 4. Address: 3532 Samuel Place, Melbourne. Watch for our signs with the Pieces of 8 logo.

You will be amazed at the variety of talents found within our group of accomplished women!

posted by Carmen Beecher

Hidden Pond Resort, Maine

 I just returned from a lovely vacation in Maine, which included some plein air painting. This was the gate at our cottage.

 This area was where we could pick vegetables or flowers, do yoga (rain or shine!), or paint with the resident artist, Judith Kinsman. Of course I chose to paint, and Judith was absolutely delightful. The place even provided easels.

Posted by Carmen