Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Goodnight Moon - sold


4"x4" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

After a day packed with preparations for Friday's big event in our household, I knew I would have time for only a small painting. I truly welcome the peaceful calm in my studio after a day of "other stuff" that can't be put off. This evening there was a terrific moon rising as dusk settled. That creamy-yellow-orange is incredible against the inky-mauvy-purply-deep blue of the sky before total darkness falls and envelops everything around us. I wish you could delay the continued moon rise. Those moments are fleeting when the orb is a huge warm golden color. As it rises away from the earth, it seems smaller, colder, but more brilliant white as the surrounding sky drops into blackness.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Apples in Autumn -sold

5"x7" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

It's really autumn. Here I've been lamenting the fact that summer is over, but all these good things are coming up now that autumn has rolled right in. One of my favorite things is to go to Holmberg Orchard over in Gales Ferry to 'pick your own', or just go to their store at the bottom of the hill, where they have fresh apple cider, many different varieties of apples & other beautiful fresh produce. A little cool snap in the air...hmm, soon it will be time to have logs ready for the fireplace.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Bountiful


12"x16" oil on canvas mounted on board (Raymar professional art canvas)

A while back a friend & I that painted together on a regular basis, challenged each other to try something we don't normally do- that is to paint an entire painting with a palette knife. So we set up a still-life, and proceeded to paint with knife. What a fun challenge! Here is the result.

This painting is available at auction from my Ebay store. To visit and bid, click here.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Fields of Summer - sold


4"x4" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

A cut lane heading to the barn through a field of corn was a view from my last trip down the Eastern Shore of Virginia. These farms are fast disappearing with the coming development.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Essence of Play-Abstract Landscape - sold


6"x6" oil on 3/4" deep gallery wrapped canvas

I am out of town for the next few days, just my laptop, but no paint-box. I brought the Sept. copy of American Art Collector with me on the plane and was reading an article about Wolf Kahn. I found an interesting quote by gallery owner Jerald Melberg, "I always tell my collectors not to buy a picture unless it ignites the imagination. It's not about cost, it's about passion and a feeling of connectivity. (The art should) 'feed you' emotionally and spiritually."

Wow, my thoughts exactly! Years ago I was browsing in an antique store when another shopper asked me what I thought about a particular painting....should he buy it for his wife? Did I think she might like it? Well the painting was fine, but didn't flip any switches for me, and I had no idea who he and his wife were. So I just answered, "Mister, buying art is like buying underwear....it's a personal thing ....and it has to fit YOU! You're the only one who can tell if it feels right!" It just popped out of me - and I surprised myself that I even told him that....but hey, the truth always comes out! Wolf Kahn's beautiful use of color in his luminous (and voluminous) abstract landscapes are that kind of exciting - and I can't wait to get home from my trip to paint again!!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Above the Cornrows- sold


8"x16" oil on oil primed canvas

Yay, it's finished! Just needed a bit of tweaking and now I'm happy. It brings me back to the trail I walked, up the hill to look down across the rows of corn as they followed the curves, rises and dips in the land.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Above the Cornrows - sold

8"x16" oil on oil-primed canvas, 3/4" gallery wrapped canvas, edges painted

I just love being up on a rise in the ground to see over the tops of the rows of corn. It makes such attractive waves as it follows the ridges in the ground up here in CT. This little path actually along a hiking trail in Stonington has a field of corn planted alongside it. It's not very big, but just big enough to be pretty as it follows the contours of the ground.

It is almost finished, I will put it aside for tomorrow & see if it needs a bit of tweaking here & there.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Dune Crest - sold


8"x8" oil on deep (1& 1/2") gallery wrap canvas

I am re-posting this one from mid-summer. I'm finding it hard to let go of summer & the beautiful long days. I do enjoy fall, but it's a reminder of what's coming next. My time at the easel is constantly interrupted this week and next, but I know life will ease up after the end of the month, when Ron's Change of Command & Retirement ceremony is behind us.....and our new life as civilians begins! The military has been a great life for us, full of challenges for certain, but full of really good friends, interesting places.....and things I would never trade. The challenges made me tougher, and the friends facing similar challenges helped soften the rough places in life.
Hope I get some easel time tomorrow, another landscape is in store - and ready to come out of the brush!

Friday, September 14, 2007

Path in Late Summer -sold


6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

Ah, back to my favorite little paint-box (ok, one of them...) after a couple of chaotic days.

A well-worn path winding through fields and woods is always refreshing on a beautiful day - how about today?! This is a scene from my last hike over in Stonington, CT! I sent this out with a lovely quote that I found on tomorrow morning's "Cheer Factor" email. "If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint." -Edward Hopper

If you'd like an uplifting quote delivered to you via email each morning with a small thumbnail of today's daily painting, contact me via email directly roxannesteed@gmail.com & request to be added to my daily "Cheer Factor" email - FREE.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Hot Chilli Peppers


5"x7" oil on gessoed masonite

I am re-posting this one - it's been chaos at our house lately & facing a lot of life changes. Leaving the military after 26 years, and all that that entails.

Contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting: roxannesteed@gmail.com

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Waterside Windowseat for Two - sold

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite

Now for a bit of whimsy...I noticed I had been doing a few paintings of seatings for two....
So I scouted out another view of this sort of thing. Looks like the Niantic River out the window.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Lilies and Koi, I -sold


30"x20" oil on canvas

This is the first panel of a series of three. Each panel joins in design to the following panel. The idea came from the pond my mother-in-law dug in her yard years ago. I began taking photos of her pond....& every pond I visited, fascinated with the pretty movement beneath the surface.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Morning, Boat on Chincoteaugue Channel - sold


8"x10" oil on linen mounted on professional art board (Raymar)

Our last morning on Chincoteague, we spent on the water. I noticed this small boat resting by some reedy grass among the many docks. The water level is down this year, must be dry here this summer as well!

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Island Cottages -sold


8"x10" oil on linen mounted on professional artboard (Raymar)

Friday afternoon I painted this view across the street from where the boat was that I painted in the morning. The sun had come around from the other direction & illuminated these cottages. This was a joy to paint.


Friday, September 7, 2007

Rest, Rust & Repair/Chincoteague Boat -sold


12"x12" oil on oil primed canvas

Oh my gosh, this morning was FUN! It is so beautiful out here on the island. I came across another painter, Ed Challenger set up at this lovely place. He was set up closer in, so I chose a spot farther back to include part of the old building. Ed & his wife Em are here from Ocean City, MD. I know this weekend will be great fun meeting other artists & re-connecting with old friends that I've painted with before. Now I'm off to meet up with friends for lunch, & hopefully scope out another place to paint this afternoon!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Fiddle-dee-dee!


"Fiddle-dee-dee, I'll think about it tomorrow!"
-Scarlett O'Hara, from "Gone with the Wind"


I used to think the end of that quote was "Tomorrow's another day". Don't know where that came from, but it did somehow replace the "I'll think about it tomorrow" for me. I got into Chincoteague this evening as the sun was starting to set. As I rounded the last bend in the road approaching the causeway that crosses the marshes, everything was bathed in golden light. After I hauled my gear to my room, I took some pictures of the marsh that I had just crossed, the skies turning their last bit of purply mauve before darkness. I'm worn-out from the drive (it's Thursday night as I right this)- as for painting today, "fiddle-dee-dee, I'll think about it tomorrow" when we start our paint-out (Yay for Friday!)!

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Passing Front at Tiffany Farm - sold


12"x16"oil on canvas mounted on professional art board (Raymar)

I think I'm about done....except to tweak one area, I will leave it until I get back from my trip this weekend. I'm off to Chincoteague for our annual Wet-Paint Show & Sale - it should be lots of fun as always.

Monday, September 3, 2007

Perfect Day on New London Waterfront - sold

8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on board

plein -air Labor Day!

This afternoon I went out to paint something for the 'Wet Paint Week' part of the "Books, Brushes, Jazz & Blues Festival" in New London this weekend (Friday, Sept. 7th - Sunday Sept. 9th). This park along the waterfront is so pretty, especially on a day like today. The sail boats, the Coast Guard's "Eagle" (at the distant pier) and ferries, trains, and pedestrians make it an interesting place to watch the world go by. If you are local to this area, plan to stop by the show at the "Hygienic Art Park". The beautiful weather is supposed to continue through the weekend, so come enjoy the fun!

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Passing Front at Tiffany Farm (unfinished)


12"x16" oil on canvas mounted on professional art board

I wouldn't want you to think I wasn't working on anything new! Here is the start of another scene at Tiffany Farm over here in Lyme, CT. The morning that I was out at Tiffany Farm painting started out cloudy, by noon it had cleared up beautifully. The first painting, done on location, has already sold. This painting, similar view but cows in different places is a studio painting done with photos, & color notes.