Shuckin Oysters

NFS
8 x 10 oil on stretched canvas

Oh my goodness, it has been quite some time since I put up a painting (mostly since it has been quite some time since I painted)! This painting was a recent birthday gift to commemorate a lovely oyster roast birthday celebration over the Thanksgiving holiday. So I decided it was time to dig the paints out of the closet and steal some time while the baby was sleeping to get something on a canvas. The painting involved a lot of white's with some subtle variations which was an enjoyable challenge. I am looking forward to getting the paints out a bit more often (although probably not until after the New Years)!

Freja

This week we welcomed the newest member of our family: Freja Marina Carlson. Until we have our feet back under us, I am taking a bit of a break from painting. Please stay tuned, or check out our families blog at www.simplejoyfulliving.com for more updates.

8 x 10 oil on stretched canvas

Another painting of York, ME. This painting takes me back to the countless days spent in this beautiful harbor, sailing, rowing, or simply puttering about. In the heat of August in upstate NY, the cold Maine waters look refreshing and perfect for a chilling dip. In the coming summers we are looking forward to more time spent near and on the water.

End of the Day Row

8 x 10 oil on stretched canvas

Extra points to anyone who can identify the location of this painting - there are several small changes made in this scene, but overall, the location may be recognizable. Also extra points to anyone who can identify the 3 rowers. I posted this painting although I'm not 100% convinced it is done. In fact, deciding when a painting is complete is one of the biggest challenges for me at the moment (kind of like how I follow Dave and Finley around the house for several days after I cut their hair in search of the elusive long pieces). The colors are slightly more vibrant in the actual painting.

Lobsta

11 x 14 oil on stretched canvas
NFS

Here's this weeks painting. I seem to be able to complete about 1 per week. After just a few days in Maine at the beginning of the month, we're already missing the water and of course the seafood. The blue lobster is a rarity, but it is nevertheless beautiful, especially when artistic license allows for the addition of purples and reds!

This lobster is similar to the pair I painted for my sister "Lobsters."

Just Feathering Out

8 x 10 oil on stretched canvas

Here is one of our girls when she was just getting her big-girl feathers. The newest additions to our family are 5 (female) chickens. This painting is of Fiona, our Partridge Plymouth Rock when she was just a few weeks old. Now at 5 months, the chickens aren't laying eggs yet, but the twins eagerly run to the chicken tractor each morning to check just in case. Fiona is now a deep red color with black markings. The chickens provide endless entertainment, and Fiona is particularly feisty, often mistaking fingers for worms.

Pink at Night

8 x 10 oil on stretched canvas
To purchase please visit my Etsy store

Wow - pink! I almost never paint, or wear, or use the color pink, but I have been thinking about this painting for a while and love the peaceful feeling the pink adds to the calm end of the day on the water. The pink in the actual painting is even a bit brighter than this photo depicts. The location is somewhat loosely based on a scene in Kittery, Maine. I am very much looking forward to visiting this lovely state in just over a week!!

Where's the Hammock?

8 x 10 oil on stretched canvas

Although summer is here is upstate NY, it's never too late to dream of the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. This scene is from a quiet beach in the Grenadines, and seems to beg you to take a walk, or a seat, or a nap. The blues are so relaxing that we just painted our bedroom a similar color in anticipation of a quietly sleeping new baby.

Rose Bouquet

6 x 6 oil on stretched canvas
$60

I love the oranges and pinks in this painting and I enjoyed the challenge of creating depth in the individual roses. With spring beginning to show outside, it's time to start thinking about flowers again. I'm looking forward to discovering and painting the outdoors and woods around our new house here in upstate New York, and if I'm really brave I will even attempt one of our new chicks!

Rowing Study

6 x 6 acrylic on paper

This is a quick study I recently completed in acrylics, potentially for a larger painting. I love the idea of adventure painting and a subject that includes water is even better! While I have a love and understanding of sailboats, the rowing world is something I still am learning about, but I definitely think the boats are beautiful. I enjoy the contrast of the yellow boat to the gray-blues in the water in the paintings.

On the Job

9 x 12 oil on stretched canvas

Here's a painting based on a photo of several tugs passed on to me. When I spent my days sailing, I loved watching the tugs at work, and am always amazed at their maneuverability. I really enjoyed painting the details in this painting.

Brant Point

oil on stretched canvas
NFS

Here's a scene from last summer's visit to Nantucket. With spring working hard to make it to upstate NY, it is a treat to remember summer. I have several paintings I will be posting soon.

Swan

6 x 6 acrylic on linen paper

I'm getting back to painting - finally. Here is an acrylic painting of a swan from our time in France. I enjoyed working with acrylics, but am looking forward to the arrival of my oil painting supplies from France on Wednesday.

A Little Break

It's been a while since my last posting, and I still don't have a new painting to post!

I have taken a little break during our recent move back from France to upstate New York while my painting supplies are in transit. I am also attempting to decrease the exposure to paint fumes since we are expecting another addition to our family in August and I would prefer the new baby to have all of his/her brain cells intact.

Please stay tuned - another painting is on it's way soon!!