VENTURA HARBOR III

PAINTING HARBORS AND BOATS

VENTURA HARBOR III
9x12 oil on canvas covered cradled board
Palette Knife Painting
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After my very recent trip to Ventura, CA, I have completely fallen in love with

PAINTING BOATS AND HARBORS
A few years ago I spent a week in Maine at York Beach getting salt in my blood.
I can't stay away from the ocean at the moment,
 nor studying famous seascape artists,
 so I have decided to return to Maine again in July, this time for two weeks.
 Of course there will be time for sightseeing,
but my main purpose this time is more painting than vacationing.

To see many awesome painting in one place
click here to view my Pinterest board on Ships, Boats and Harbors.
Click here to view my board of Seascape Paintings on Pinterest.

Ventura Beach Workshop with Leslie Saeta

PALETTE KNIFE PAINTING 

WORKSHOP 

with 

LESLIE SAETA

Ventura Harbor I
11x14 oil on gessobord

Avocado Halves
6x6 oil on gessobord

Ventura Beach Sunset

8x8 oil on gessobord

Carnation Beauty
6x6 oil on gessobord

Many of you have asked me about my workshop in California with Leslie Saeta. Did I like it?  Emphatically YES! Did I learn a lot? YES! The hardest part for me was painting en plein air boats and a full harbor scene.
I am completely unfamiliar with boats.
  As you would expect of me living in the desert.
 And I learned the silliest things about matching color, something I should have learned with my first ever art lesson.



THIS IS THAT LESSON

Mix the color on your palette using your palette knife (of course).
 Now hold that fully-loaded-with-color knife next to the item you are about to paint.
 Does it match in hue and value?
 No more of this "You don't know what color you have until you put it on your canvas."
Do comment but don't tell me how on earth I could have missed such common sense.



SECOND BIG LESSON
(aside from painting that is)

My very supportive husband has listened to me for years tell him I am leaving him for a few weeks in the heat of the desert summer for a cool place. (He likes heat.) Year after year after year, I ask myself where that summer place is.  Besides cool it has to be where I can't wait to paint every day. After being in California on the beach, I am now in the process of searching for my "few weeks of cool" in Maine on the beach. I have contacted someone and can't wait to hear back.

VICTORIA

VICTORIA

18x18 Encaustic Mixed Media

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What fun!

This painting took days to complete as I added elements, fused those into the hot wax with a very hot heat gun, added more elements, fused, pressed a stencil into the hot wax for texture, fused, added flecks of gold, fused,  and on and on it goes to the end. Last to be done was adding the ribbon and the 3-D Victorian elements.

This painting is done on a birch cradled panel, ready to hang and needs no frame.

PERFECT PEACE

PERFECT PEACE

12x9 Encaustic Mixed Media

Click here to purchase on DailyPaintworks.com

"Perfect Peace"

A quiet piece

for 

meditation

prayer

thanksgiving

On wood cradled panel ready for hanging, no frame needed

WINE WITH CHEESE AND GRAPES

WINE WITH CHEESE AND GRAPES

6x6 oil on museum quality board

Click here for purchase on DailyPaintworks.com

Interior Painting?

Still Life Painting?

Both

I am so grateful to have a lovely home

lovely unnecessary objects

food and wine

Come join me for tea time snacks

3 PM everyday

I promise

WHAT'S TO KNOW Encaustic Mixed Media

WHAT'S TO KNOW

Encaustic Mixed Media

10x10 on cradled panel

Click here to purchase on DailyPaintworks.com

Oh what fun I had creating this piece!

THE NINE SQUARES

were made by pouring resin on top 

FUN OBJECTS

 that I had put in the silicone baking tray made for mini brownies.

The resin set up overnight and hardened clear.

I poured lots of COLORED BEESWAX MEDIUM  on the board

and added my tiles melting the wax around them with my 

VERY HOT HEAT GUN

The words "Whats to Know" is impressed into the wax with 

METAL LETTER PUNCHES

Now you know it all, so there is nothing left to know!

LOVE SONG II

LOVE SONG II

Encaustic Mixed Media 16x16

Click here to purchase on Dailypaintworks.com

This is one of my favorite Encaustic paintings which continued to be be developed as more mixed media elements were added to it. The Yellow Rose is from an oil painting I had done earlier and then printed the image on silk organza. It didn't show up enough so I incised the wax around some of the petals. Because I am temporarily reducing the number of hours spent in daily painting and playing more, I am finding delight in sharing my previously almost-hidden Encaustic Paintings.  My next blog will mention some movies I am seeing...catching up there too.

What is ENCAUSTIC?

(noun) - Encaustic (which also goes by "hot wax painting") is an ancient technique. The artist heats beeswax to the liquid stage, then mixes in pigmentation. The resulting medium is applied to a surface (typically wood). After the artist has everything "just so", heat is applied to the whole business, which results in a fusion of colored wax and wood. (Yea, verily -- they become as one...an extremely durable one, at that.)

Before the wax cools, an artist can do all sorts of things to his or her encaustic piece. Metal tools or special brushes can shape and/or texture the substance (layers of which can be anywhere from thin to relief-map thick). One may even affix objects (such as coat hangers, or light bulbs) into the wax. Additionally, an encaustic can be polished to a final sheen, or reworked (through use of heat, again) as much as necessary until the artist is satisfied.

The earliest and best-known examples of encaustic are the Fayum mummy portraits from Egypt (ca. 100-300). The ancient Greeks often used this technique for mural painting, but today encaustic is mostly confined to easel painting.  (copied from About.comArtHistory)

My encaustic teacher has become a dear friend of mine though I have not seen her since I studied with her. She's my Encaustic sister-in-art, works too hard, can't stop herself, but is a Master in all that she does.  Visit Helen DeRamus.

MELODIES

MELODIES

ENCAUSTIC MIXED MEDIA

8x8 on 1inch cradled panel

Click here to purchase on Dailypaintworks.com

This week I am going to share some of my Encaustic mixed media paintings I did a while ago.  I love the smell of the beeswax,  the wide variety of materials used, and the freedom to create without thought of representation. "Melodies" includes Sumi Japanese painting ink, torn paper, and three ceramic one inch tiles.  No frame is needed and "Melodies" is ready to hang.

FLOWER SHOP VI

FLOWER SHOP VI

Framed, 5x7, oil on canvas covered board

framed has a rich mahogany finish

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

These beautiful flower shop paintings

are a 

series

Choose one 

or 

more

FLOWER SHOP V

FLOWER SHOP V

framed 5x7 oil on canvas covered board

frame has a rich mahogany finish

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

This lovely painting features 

mainly one type of flowering potted plant

 rather than a wide variety of cut flowers 

 This painting is part of the flower shop series

Some possible combinations below

Flower Shop I

Flower Shop II

Flower Shop III

Flower Shop IV

FLOWER SHOP IV

FLOWER SHOP IV

5x7 oil on canvas covered board

frame has a rich mahogany finish

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

When you visit your relatives or friends

first

visit the flower shop

Take flowers 

OR 

small paintings  as a gift

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

NINE PAINTINGS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY
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VALENTINE PAINTINGS
ONCE AGAIN

    I love holidays,
birthdays
even half birthdays

Yes I shared this with you several days ago 
but today is a must.

Happy Valentine's Day
to my wonderful
blogging
friends

I love everyone of you
dearly

   

FLOWER SHOP III

Flower Shop III
Framed, 6x8 oil on museum quality board
Available soon at upcoming show

FLOWER SHOP III

 6x8, oil on museum quality board.

I am painting a series of flower shops for an upcoming show at the New Mexico Cancer Center Gallery, a NM top ten gallery. More information will be posted soon.

Oslo, Norway,  New Year's Eve Day, 2013, shops were open though little else was.  The day was misty, warm, and no snow was anywhere to be seen.  On this day in Oslo there was about six hours of daylight, an increase of three hours over that which I had experienced only days earlier in the Arctic.

 This was a most unusual trip, with many experiences never had before and likely never to be experienced again.  I am truly grateful and
recommend we always be ready to delight in the
 unknown.

Flower Shop II

Flower Shop II, Framed
5x7 oil on canvas covered board
Available Soon

'FLOWER SHOP II"

5x7. oil on canvas covered board, frame has a mahogany finish.

I have painted flowers for years so after a recent trip to Norway where there were flower shops on nearly every block, walkway, street corner, all transportation stations and malls, I couldn't wait to paint flowers in flower shop settings.  See the series on www.carolhopper.com

I have been asked by the curator of the New Mexico Cancer Center Art Gallery (Gallery with a Cause) to include my flower shop series and my cupcake/dessert series in the upcoming spring show.   Very soon I will be able to provide a link for purchase of the paintings.  Purchase of these paintings assists cancer patients with medical bills.

One more note:  Due to multiple problems I no longer use Google + as so many of you had trouble following me or commenting on my blog.  Join Friend Connect, or sign up by email, and especially comment below on my paintings.   I want to hear from you.  And if you are still having trouble, let me know!

Flower Shop I

"FLOWER SHOP I"

 oil on canvas covered board, 5x7, frame has a mahogany finish.

I love painting series, and I love painting flowers.  In the past my flowers were very often close up individual ones.  I still have a few of those available on my website at www.carolhopper.com.  

For several months I have been painting smaller, more affordable works of art and transitioning to more fields of flowers or in this case, flower markets.  While in Norway recently, I fell in love with the ubiquitous flower stalls and shops.

This painting is framed and ready to hang.

THIRTY PAINTING COLLAGE…..AND THE DRAWING!!!

COLLAGE OF ALL THIRTY PAINTINGS

                           WHEW!  

Painting thirty paintings in thirty days didn't always give me enough time to evaluate and improve them so there are a couple I plan on tweaking. The real value for me was in painting daily as practice is so important.  Almost every one was painted from life, also excellent practice. 

                        AND NOW….

All of you who commented, were subscribed to my blog through email or Friend Connect were given the chance to win a painting.  My husband just drew two of your names:   Celeste Bergen and Cristina from the Creative Magazine.     Congratulations to the two of you.  

                   WHAT'S NEXT?

I am preparing for a show with particular
painting requests for the show.  After that I am
thinking it is time to paint interiors, and interiors that
include views through windows and doors.

"BLUE SKY DONUT" Day Thirty of "Thirty Paintings in Thirty Day Challenge"

                "BLUE SKY DONUT"
               4x4 mini on canvas board

Blue Sky Donut
4x4 mini on canvas board
Click here to purchase

Tomorrow I will post a collage of all thirty paintings.  This has been a fun month after I got into the groove.  How I stumbled on painting pastries I have no idea.  Perhaps because I got sugar addicted?

     TIME FOR THE GIVEAWAY NOW

I love this part of the challenge too as I "gift" my paintings to winners.  After September's challenge I gave one away.  This time I will give away TWO paintings 6x8 or under!  Winners choice. You are automatically entered in the drawing in three ways and all ways give you a chance so triple up.

 1: Comment on this blog today or tomorrow 1/31.
 2: Subscribe to the blog.  When you subscribe you will get an email asking you to confirm your request so look for the email.
 3:  Add yourself to "Friend Connect".

Send mini with greeting card

Display minis on tabletop easels

"Heart Cookie Cutters" Day Twenty-Nine in the "Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge

"Heart Cookie Cutters"

6x8 oil on museum quality board

This is a wonderful painting for a kitchen or eating area, for framing or displaying on a tabletop easel.  My husband calls me a "hottie" so I know he loves me so think: love, Valentines Day, sweets, celebrations.  Be kind to those in your life.  I know how wonderful it is as I get cards from my honey on every possible occasion.

Heart Cookie Cutters
6x8 oil on museum quality board
Click here to purchase


WATCH FOR THE GIVE-AWAY TOMORROW
YOU CAN WIN

'FLOWER POPS", Day Twenty-Eight of Thirty Paintings in Thirty Day Challenge

"Flower Pops"
10x10, oil on museum quality board
Click here to purchase

 'FLOWER POPS"
10x10, unframed, oil on museum quality board

Color, color and more color.  The challenge of the thirty paintings continued my December commitment to paint from life for a while.

Somehow I got started on pastries and sweets and it has gotten to the point when I enter the donut shop, I see the workers turn to the side with a smirk.  I see it.  They think I don't.  I know what they think (oh yes, I do):   "Here's that crazy lady that is hooked on sweets but tells us she is painting these sugar laden treats.  And now I have to look through every one to pick out the PERFECT one."

OK…the 30 in 30 challenge is almost over.  They'll miss me at the shop, that is if I can stop going.  And you dear reader won't be getting a daily blog from me.  Will you miss me too?

"STRAWBERRY FIELD DONUT", Day Twenty-Seven of "Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days" challenge

"Strawberry Field Donut"
4x4 oil on canvas board
Click here to purchase

"STRAWBERRY FIELD DONUT", unframed, 4x4 mini, oil on canvas board, suitable for framing or displaying on a tabletop easel or putting in a greeting card as a small gift.  I think this would be great in a Valentine to your love.

Scroll back through my blog and tell me which of the cupcakes or donuts is your favorite.  I would love your comments.  Tell me too: if you painted cupcakes and donuts, would you eat them afterwards?