Christmas Nest 2012 9 x 12 on Panel

Here is the Christmas Nest for this year.  I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

SOLD PAINTINGS

The following paintings have sold:  Domain, Dwell and Murphey Candler Park.  Thank you!

Satsuma Oranges 8 x 10 on Panel

I love when these oranges show up at the grocery store.  They leave the leaves on the oranges.  I wonder why they do that.  If you know then email me.  Maybe its for decoration.  Who knows.  I haven't actually eaten one yet, just painting them as much as possible while they are available.

Blue and White Vase with Grapes and Fruit 12 x 16 Panel

On Friday, December 7th from 6pm to 8:30pm the annual Small Works Show will be held at Anne Irwin Fine Art . This is one of the paintings that will be available along with many more.  Also, on my Painting Store, located on the right, on this blog I have added a few paintings available directly from me. 

Piedmont Park Pond 16 x 20 Oil on Linen

Before the landscape show I went around Piedmont Park and took pictures one morning.  I really got a lot of great pictures and views of the park.  I like painting water so I picked the photo of the gazebo and painted it.  I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. 

Relaxing at Chastain Park 16 x 12 On Linen

I try to walk around Chastain Park as much as I can.  It is a 4 mile walk round trip.  For the current landscape show I went around to different parks and took photos.  I downloaded them and printed a few out and painted from them.  Plein air is much more fun.  The Murphey Candler painting that I posted a few weeks ago was done on location.  Unfortunately I didn't have time to ask anyone to go paint with me on location here or at Piedmont Park.  You should always have the buddy system when painting on location.  A few women have told me they paint alone and that is just not a safe thing.  I have had enough strange people come up to me when I am painting with a group.  Just like when you are scuba diving you always have a buddy!  Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Whatcha Looking At? 16 x 20 on Canvas

This painting is currently in the Atlanta Landscape Show at Anne Irwin Fine Art.  I know it isn't a landscape painting.  Initially I was told the show was going to be Atlanta Scenes so I was trying to decide what I was going to paint.  I had taken several photos at the Georgia Aquarium and thought that this one would be fun to paint. I think these fish were found in the fresh water part of the aquarium.  I have to say the front one gave a great pose. I think the name of the painting says it all.

Murphey Candler Park 9 x 12 on Panel

This fall I took a plein air workshop and then a plein air class.  I will talk about the plein air workshop at a later date.  Our class went to different locations around Atlanta to paint outside.  We ran into all kinds of circumstances!  Taking the wrong routes and going on a long hike with our equipment, dealing with rain, snakes, and spiders.  Luckily I happened to walk over the snake and didn't see him!  This painting I did on location at Murphey Candler Park, which is inside the perimeter.  I think I had gone by there once maybe to play tennis.  On this day it was very cloudy and cold.  At first I didn't know if I would find anything interesting to paint, but after searching this simple site was just what I needed.  I really like how this painting turned out.  It was what I envisioned from the beginning when I started it.  On Friday the 9th Anne Irwin Fine Art will have the Atlanta Landscape/Scene show.  It starts at 6-8:30.  Please stop by.  I have several more paintings in the show, but I won't have a chance to post them before the show.  You can always visit the website.http://www.anneirwinfineart.com . 

SOLD PAINTINGS

Here are the latest paintings that have sold.  Thank you for the purchases and I hope you are enjoying your paintings.  My thoughts are with the people in the path of this latest hurricane!  Take Care.

High Arts Day at the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Georgia

I am so excited to be participating in the High Art's Day at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia.  This benefit takes place on November 5th.  It starts with breakfast, then shopping with a tour of homes in Atlanta.  Later there is a silent auction of original art, which one of the pieces is mine.  You Can go to  http://www.high.org/Get-Involved/Art-Partners.aspx?dash=3  You can see all of the artists works along with a bio of the artists and detailed information of the event.  The painting I donated is called Antique Vessel with Green Apple and Grapes and it is a 10 x 10. 

Homestead 8 x 10 Oil on Panel

On this beautiful afternoon I decided to finally post this bird's nest with a bright yellow background.  I have new paintings that I will post soon that are not bird's nests!  Some landscapes believe it or not and also I will write about the latest workshop I have taken.

Dwell 12 x 9 Oil on Panel

Here is a recent bird's nest that I painted.  It is at the gallery.  I haven't posted much lately because I have had picture downloading problems.  Finally I figured it out and it was the pop up thingy needed to be changed.  You can tell I know so much about computers.

SOLD PAINTINGS

Thank you for your purchases.  Paintings:  Twins, Family, and Sisters

Georgia Peaches 11 x 14 Oil on Panel

This summer I ate a lot of peaches.  I can't say they were from Georgia as they were from South Carolina.  My favorite part of painting peaches is putting that dusty color on them.  By the way for some reason I have had a hard time posting my photos on the blog.  I don't know what is going on here.  I have to switch from one internet server then get on another internet server for the pictures to go through.  If anyone knows what is going on or if they are having trouble please let me know.  Thanks.

The Burbs 12 x 9 Oil On Panel

I really like the title of this birds nest.  Tomorrow I will be going outside the perimeter, which I guess means I am going to the burbs. 

Domain 11 x 14 Oil on Panel

I decided to do a few backgrounds dark with the birds nests to give it a more masculine feel. Hopefully once the humidity goes down and the weather is nicer I will be able to varnish my paintings and finally get them to the gallery.  It is looking like Saturday might be the day to varnish.

From The Orchard SOLD

Thank you for your purchase.

Hi Rise 12 x 9 Oil on Panel

This bird's nest was higher then usual.  Sometimes after a bird uses a nest he will come back and build on top of the old nest.  This is probably what happened with this one.  I decided to make a brighter green background on this one.

Four of a Kind 12 x 12 Oil on Panel

I am slow this summer posting paintings.  I have started trying different backgrounds with my birds nest paintings.  So here is one with a sage green background for a change. 

SOLD PAINTINGS

Cantaloupe and Antique Bottle 11 x 14

Three of a Kind  12 x 12

Thank you for your purchases!

Nancy Franke Workshop

A few weeks ago Nancy Franke gave a one day Children's workshop.  It wasn't painting portraits, but painting children while they are doing some kind of activity.  A while back I took a still life workshop from Nancy so I knew I would enjoy this and learn a lot in a short amount of time.  With Nancy's energy she makes a workshop so informative and fun.  I highly recommend taking a workshop with her.  The workshop started with Nancy doing a demo painting her granddaughter.  When you are going to paint children you really need to spend a lot of time with the drawing getting the proportions correct.  Also, when working from a photo you don't have to use the background as it is shown in the photo.  You have the liberty to put the child on the beach instead or in a meadow etc.  Also, always look for the "S" shape in the human form and look for the angles.  Nancy uses a very limited palette, which uses primaries that are warm and cool with Lukas White.  I use a limited palette, but it has more colors then Nancy's so there was some adjustment.  In my painting I painted my sister-in-law Angela with my nephew Aidan.  I took the photo at the aquarium one day.  I was the only one that added another person in their painting, but for me I think the basic shapes were easier for me to start out with at the workshop.  I don't get a chance to paint people much so I wanted to try something more simple for that day. 

Nancy's sketch for demo.

Nancy's finished demo.

Angela and Aidan

I know I have so much to learn and practice in painting children and from photos.  I really enjoyed the workshop and for a start I think I did okay.

Qiang Huang Workshop

Finally I am posting my notes on the Qiang Huang (Chong Wong) workshop that I took back in May.  He is a wonderful teacher and if you love his style then by all means try and take a workshop with him.  Each morning he gave a presentation on his technique and then did a demo.  After lunch we started painting.  The first morning was a low key painting, meaning that the background is dark and the overall look is darker.  Then the second day he started out with the 2nd part of his presentation on his technique and then another demo.  This demo was in high key meaning the background and foreground are lighter and the objects dark.  Afterwards we painted.  The third day we started off painting and then Chong did a presentation on online marketing.  This was very helpful to everyone even if you already had a blog.  He also went into selling your paintings online and on the daily painters site.  During the workshop we worked in a group of 3 artists, setting up the still lifes and painting. 

After the workshop we put our names in a cup to see who would win the raffle on both of Chong's paintings to be able to buy them.  I won for the high key painting, which is now hanging in my bedroom.  My friend and wonderful artist Amanda Carder Lovett won the low key painting.  I think the other people thought it was fixed since 2 friends won the paintings, but it just happened.  I really wanted to win and even wore my t-shirt that says Lucky!  We were both so excited to be able to own one of Chong's paintings.  He is incredible and I would recommend taking a workshop with him!  The workshop was held thru Donna Thomas, The Art School in Sandy Springs.  In the picture I have such a scared look on my face.  I was afraid I was going to drop the wet painting.  lol

The low key painting that Chong painted.  It doesn't show up well in the picture above.

I ended up painting 3 still lifes, but I didn't finish any of them so I am not going to post them.

Petite Nest 5 x 7 Oil on Panel

I did this little bird's nest as a demo in class one day.  I have decided to keep it.

Sisters 9 x 12 Oil on Panel

I want to thank everyone that came out for the opening on Friday night.  It was a lot of fun to see friends and catch up with other artists.  The shows are overwhelming to me meeting new people and talking to so many different people.  Its hard to keep up, but always a lot of fun. 

Vase with Ivy 20 x 16 Oil On Panel

All of the paintings are at Anne Irwin Fine Art for the Women In Art Show that starts Friday, June 8th from 6-8pm.  I hope you all can make it and see the different styles of paintings.  It should be a fun time as usual.  See you then.

Oranges and Chinese Lantern Plant 12 x 16 Oil on Panel

I hope everyone had a nice Memorial Weekend.  Thank you to all the people that keep our Country safe! This is one weekend I am glad I didn't go to the beach with the tropical storm.  I have been on enough vacations in my life where all it did was rain the whole time. 
 With this painting I wanted to try and create atmosphere around the oranges like I see so many artists doing.  I think it worked out like I wanted.  The next batch of Chinese Lantern Plants are growing and I should get some nice ones this fall.  Just remember if you plant them they are like Kudzu- they spread everywhere.

Tarnished 11 x 14 Oil On Panel

The silver objects in this painting are all tarnished.  I had thought about polishing them, but then decided they were wonderful with different kinds of colors showing up under the lights.  Since I am not painting flowers I decided I would paint the ivy again.  I wanted this painting to have a very dark evening feeling about it. This painting will be available next month at the Women In Art Show at Anne Irwin Fine Art .  At this point I have finished painting the paintings for the show.  Now all I have to do is varnish and frame them. 

SOLD Spring Nest 8 x 10 Oil on Panel

I have known that this painting has sold since it was posted as the weekly painting from Anne Irwin Fine Art.  I didn't want to post that it was sold until I received payment for the painting.  Thank you and I hope you are enjoying your painting.

Late Night 20 x 16 Oil On Panel

I don't know how I came up with the name of this painting, but it just seemed appropriate with part of a lemon and the darkness of the background.  After my students painted this antique wine bottle I decided it was time for me to paint it again.  It has been a year or so since I painted it last.  I found my tarnished silver goblet in my storage unit and I painting them tarnished.  Maybe one day I will decide to shine the goblet. This painting will be available in the June show at Anne Irwin Fine Art for the Women In Art. 

Chastain Pottery 20 x 16 Oil On Panel

I purchased this vessel years ago by a potter named George at Chastain Art Center here in Atlanta.  I just thought it was beautiful, but intimating to paint.  Finally after seeing a painting in a magazine I decided it was time for me to try it.  It was just wonderful to paint with the darks and the slight light side of the vessel.  The other beautiful piece of pottery, which I have painted before was by my coworker Roberto Diaz.  Roberto brings his pottery into the office knowing that I am going to say that I want this or that.  Years ago I took pottery, but decided it was not my thing.  I made many lopsided bowls that I gave to my friends.  This painting will be available for the Women in Art Show at Anne Irwin Fine Art starting on June 8th.  I will probably get it to the gallery a week or so beforehand. 

Three of a Kind 12 x 12 Oil On Panel

I am reposting this because one of my friends emailed me saying they couldn't read the color I used today.

I decided it was time to use different background colors for my nest paintings.  I still have 2 to post that are with the spa background.  In the future I am going to do a few different backgrounds.  I haven't posted many paintings lately, but have 6 ready to photograph and post.  They will be at the gallery in a few weeks.  I still have to varnish them and frame them.  I am participating in a Women In Art Show that starts Friday, June 8th at www.anneirwinfineart.com  Once I deliver the paintings they will be posted on there.  Expect to see more postings in May.  Sorry for the delay.

SOLD Yellow Roses 12 x 16 Oil on Panel

This Painting sold to one of my collectors thru my blog.  Thank you Diana!

Three Red Roses in Vase 10 x 10 Oil on Panel

I did this painting at the beginning of March and am just now posting it. I had been working on red roses with the class I teach on Thursdays. This painting is available on "Christine Bray Paintings," (click on that) my painting store on the right side of blog, not the gallery.

Spring Nest 8 x 10 Oil On Panel

Okay so this time I put in jelly beans for the eggs for a Spring or Easter theme. I know its probably hokey, but sometimes we need those things. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

Yellow Roses 12 x 16 Oil on Panel

After painting the pink roses I decided to do the same theme with yellow roses. I think this painting and the Pink Roses are to be together. This painting is available on my blog at My Painting Store.

Pink Roses 12 x 16 Oil on Panel

I decided after seeing so many vessels with blue and white to do a painting with blue and white objects with pink flowers. This painting is available only on My Painting Store on the right hand side of the blog. This is not at the gallery.

Red Roses with Pears 12 x 12 Oil On Panel

In the oil painting class that I teach on Thursday afternoons we painted roses for a few weeks last season. This is another attempt for me. This painting is available on My Painting Store on the right hand side of my blog, not at the gallery.

SOLD PAINTINGS

Thank you for your support!