Pines and Lavender Hillsides by Roxanne Steed

5"x7" oil on gessoed masonite archival panel

“Inward calm cannot be maintained unless physical strength is constantly and intelligently replenished.” -Buddha

I really loved getting to paint out at Keys Creek, it was such a beautiful, calm place - just a real balm to the senses. Funny how painting plein air just locks in those good memories to draw from & be able to paint it again in the studio from the wonderful views all over that place. (I keep thinking of the warm sun, the fragrance wafting over the blossoms, and the 'drunken' bees just humming around, oblivious to anyone else.) Then when you're quiet & standing painting, you notice hummingbirds nearby in the bouganvillia arch, hawks flying over the distant hills, songbirds in the trees edging the property. The magic just comes together...makes you feel lucky to be a painter! I know my fellow painters know that feeling! and yes, as Buddha says, that inward calm comes from replenishing and nurturing our physical selves. (Did Buddha ever walk through lavender?)

For more information about this painting, contact me here at my website!

While it's wet:

West Coast Toi Toi by Lisa Elley

West Coast Toi Toi. 2012. 9 X 12. Oil on Canvas Board.

I took a photo of this Toi Toi on the West Coast beach of Kareotahi, on our last trip to New Zealand in 2010/2011.

The Toi Toi (pronounced Toy Toy) is indigenous to New Zealand and has an amazingly soft, velvety texture. This beach has volcanic sand and is permanently windswept and rugged. Beautiful!

To see more visit my website at

http://www.paintersknife.com/

Good News of the Day by Pamela Blaies

Mommy's Little Helper

Oil on Canvas

24" x 20"

I just received word that this painting was selected out of hundreds of submissions to exhibit in the 27th Texas and Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition. This is a five state exhibition and competition with over $8,000 in prize money. I feel honored to be a part of it!

I love to share my art and inspiration. Click HERE to sign up for my email newsletter and receive a free gift of postcards.

Colorful Clouds by Kay Wyne

Colorful Clouds

36" x 18" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Original Palette Knife Painting on Heavy Duty Canvas

This medium-size canvas will look great in a room with a long and narrow vertical space. The deep vibrant colors are bouncing around....you can't tell where the clouds start and the landscape ends. The trees and leaves have thick strokes of paint...giving it a lot of texture. Please contact me if you are interested in one of my contemporary aspen paintings. Thanks for viewing this blog. Kay at kay@kwyne.com or 214-532-0325.

"Sun Drenched" textured sunflower oil painting by Niki Gulley

"Sun Drenched" ©2012 Niki Gulley

30" x 48" textured oil on canvas

Inspired by our trip to Provence last summer, I was awestruck by these massive fields of sunflowers blooming. Seeing this brilliant carpet of gold, with its sea of faces smiling towards the sun, just made me feel happy and I wanted you to experience that joy, too. In person "Sun Drenched" practically leaps off the canvas with its vibrant yellow petals and extremely thick three-dimensional oil paint.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured oil paintings.

Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of her contemporary landscape paintings.

Full Moon Desert Landscape painting by BECKY JOY

Harvest Moon Desert Landscape 6"x6" oil 

$100. Click here to bid on Ebay.

I love the full moons in the desert. With the clear, dry air you can see so many stars and the light of the moon glows off the plants and hits the desert floor. Beautiful. The yellow orange of the moon contrasts with the blues and violets of the painting.

Check out my latest post on Art Workshops Online about the choice to tone or not tone your canvas. Talk to you all later.
Becky joy
http://beckyjoy.com
http://artworkshopsonline.com
beckyjoyartist.blogspot.com

Girls in pink - Palette knife painting of children in summer

I love painting little girls, so here's one more!

Girls in pink
Oil on board, 6 by 6 inches
Click here to bid

To follow my work, do check out:

• My website and blog
• Facebook page
• Follow me on twitter

COLORFUL PLEIN AIR LANDSCAPE by TOM BROWN

“ON TOP OF THE HILL”
5x7 inch plein air painting on masonite panel
By Tom Brown
Email me to purchase this painting:
tombrownstudio@cox.net

"Gisborne" by Lisa Elley

9 X 12. Oil on Canvas

I love to paint my homeland - New Zealand!
To see more go to my website
http://www.paintersknife.com/
or email me at
lisa@paintersknife.com

Parsley Bouquet By Deborah Harold

This 12x12 palette knife is a companion piece to Radishes.

Together or separately they are wonderful additions to 

a gourmet kitchen. I plan to frame them in pewter floaters.

Deborahharold.com

AWESOME WHITE BULL by OLGA WAGNER

I think this one qualifies as one of my FAVORITES!! Love everything about this painting...I love the colors, the brush strokes, the background and most of all that sweet face and the snout..I had fun working on it and painted this one with ease. Everything, from brush strokes to color selection and application, worked right on the first try. That doesn't happen all too often...

MOM'S FAVORITE BOY

24" x 24" x 1.5 Oils on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Available www.olgawagner.com

This little painting of mine got juried into the 4th Annual SMALL TREASURES show at the Cary Gallery of Artists. Opening reception is this Friday from 6 till 8 pm.

SAVE THE DATE: March 9th 6-9pm
Opening Reception

Focal Point Gallery, Chapel Hill
1215 E. Franklin street

BLOG: www.catclawsstudio.blogspot.com

WEBSITE: www.olgawagner.com
FACEBOOK PAGE: Olga-Wagner-Studio

Contact: olga.t.wagner@gmail.com

Tulip Reflections by Kay Wyne

Tulip Reflections

Original Oil on Linen Gallery Wrap

24" x 18" Palette Knife Painting

This painting has large chunks of color on the linen. I blocked in the paint with my palette knife, giving the tulips a very distorted look. The light was bright at the Arboretum when I took a photograph of a beautiful field of tulips. I zoned in on the colors and shapes, painting only what I saw....not what I thought I saw. Thanks for looking at this blog....have a great day. Kay at 214-532-0325 or kay@kwyne.com.

"Blue Tomorrow" textured bluebonnet painting by Niki Gulley

"Blue Tomorrow" ©2012 Niki Gulley

36" x 48" textured oil on canvas

Just Finished! Inspired by a trip to the hill country, I wanted you feel the warmth and beauty on this perfect spring day while out for a leisurely drive among the bluebonnets and Texas wildflowers. Painted with thick oil paint and palette knives to achieve extreme texture, the resulting image comes to life and is loaded with color and energy.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured oil paintings.

Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of her contemporary bluebonnet and Texas landscape paintings.

Back Bay Design #1 Large Oil Paintings of the Newport Beach California Back Bay in Abstract Contemporary Style

48" x 48"

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This painting was commissioned by a local interior designer for her own home.

She met with me and explained that she wanted two pieces that would hang 

 side by side in the staircase of her beautiful home.

We discussed the palette, general composition and general

"feel" of the painting.

My client mentioned liking the abstract quality of my work and she also had noticed 

that I often left some underpainting showing through and liked that.

In other areas, she wanted thicker paint (thus the PALETTE KNIFE!)

Anyway...... we worked together, meeting several times and here is the first painting!

Mailboxes & houses plein air oil landscape painting BECKY JOY

Mailboxes 9X12" oil $550.

Click here to purchase

This plein air painting from California, I was attracted to the bright yellow oranges against the violets of the fence. It was just wonderful colors in the homes to play with.  As I was painting the scene the mailman came and filled some of those boxes. I had some final touches to do to the painting afterward. I wanted a little more light coming through the fence. I had it too solid and I brightened the blue on the last house. It was mostly in shadow. I thought a touch more blue would complement the warm colors of the painting.

 I've been pretty busy lately with helping Mike on a house that he has been remodeling. I've been the occassional helper, but with putting on the roof, he has needed my help more. So, a little less painting, facebook and twitter. Back in the studio tomorrow.

Check out the new post on my blog about the decision for toning your canvas.

Becky Joy
http://artworkshopsonline.com
http://beckyjoy.com
http://beckyjoyartist.blogspot.com

Gray Rockies by Jerry James

another 4 x 6 " knife piece on panel ...I like the lodge by the lake...how it's sorta camouflaged by the mountain slope...

Lakeside Cabin by Jerry James

This is a 4 x 6 " knife piece on gessoed panel. A place for fishing, relaxation...perhaps listening to a bit of Das Rheingold...

Original oil painting by Karen Tarlton - Lake Como Twilight

Lake Como Twilight

24x36

Oil

I get a real kick out of painting places that I've traveled to and would love to go back to again! This painting is from a trip to Italy and I loved this little spot on Lake Como, serene, and beautiful!

I just recently discovered Pinterest! If you haven't checked it out yet, I do recommend it. For me it's a great way to organize my thoughts visually and connect with other artists and art lovers!

close up to view texture and detail!

My Blog: http://www.karensfineart.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Karensfineart

Galleries: City Lights Gallery, Las Vegas, NV

The Arlington Arts Gallery, Arlington Virginia

Galerie Severn, New Orleans Louisiana

SAC's Gallery, Montgomery Alabama,

Mushrooms Abstract Palette knife by Deborah Harold

Color is key when painting mushrooms. They are so soft, earthy and smokey-looking.  Here I beefed up the background to make them pop a little. But still keeping the colors soft and complimentary.

This piece looks great on a small easel in the kitchen.

6x6

$100.00

Deborahharold.com

FREE PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP NOTES from TOM BROWN

There are many ways to approach Plein Air painting. We explored just one of them in the class where this 12x16 inch canvas was painted.

In a new 5-session workshop beginning in Orange County this Saturday I will teach more about this method and other approaches to creating successful Plein Air paintings.

For example I’ll show how to paint in an even bolder and “more painterly” way. And the opposite: how to paint in a much tighter and more “realistic” way.

I’ll show interesting surfaces to use that give different results than canvas. I’ll demonstrate economical equipment options, ways to choose the best view to paint, and much more.

Email me for more information about my new 5-session Plein Air workshop, or to get a free copy of the notes that recap highlights from the class where this painting was done.
tombrownstudio@cox.net

Trees In Art by Jill Saur

This 12"x12" palette knife acrylic painting on wide-bordered canvas is titled, "Joy".

This piece was inspired from a photograph that I took when I was in Taos, New Mexico. I came across a pocket of light that was brilliantly streaming through the woods and reflecting in the water before me. I decided to render this with thick paint, and a palette knife. If there's just a small amount of light in the room, this painting radiates a warm glow.

"Joy", is available on my website. I invite you to become a collector. My patrons always have time to "live with" my work to be sure they're happy with their purchase. I invite you to become a collector and experience the joy of owning artwork that uplifts and inspires your soul! 

To see this painting on my website, CLICK HERE

©1990-2012 Trees In Art by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

SUNFLOWER AND CARNATION FLORAL by OLGA WAGNER

Here is another floral that I believe is 99.99% complete...I have not varnished this baby yet...It is hanging on my wall as I contemplate the blue background..I really love the overall feel and look and that is why I have taken the painting of the easel and hung it on the wall...Originally I was going for a more washed out blue, but the color fiend in me took over...As always...

THEY HAD A FALLIN' OUT

20" x 20" x 1.5 Acrylics on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Available www.olgawagner.com

Displayed on a wall

Close-up of Carnation

Heavy texture on the bottom of painting.

SAVE THE DATE: March 9th 6-9pm
Opening Reception

Focal Point Gallery, Chapel Hill
1215 E. Franklin street

BLOG: www.catclawsstudio.blogspot.com

WEBSITE: www.olgawagner.com
FACEBOOK PAGE: Olga-Wagner-Studio

Contact: olga.t.wagner@gmail.com

The Grass Is Always Greener Abstract Palette Knife Pool and Landscape Paintings by California Artist Janet Bludau

12" x 12"

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This painting is in transit to a gallery that represents me in Charleston, South Carolina,

Atelier Gallery

To view my website:  http://janetbludau.fineartstudioonline.com/

Email me at:  bludauart@gmail.com

Daisies - Original floral by Nithya Swaminathan

Among all subjects to paint with the knife, flowers are undoubtedly my favorite. By a mile. It's been a while since I painted them, as all my new work has been figurative. So I wanted to paint one for the sheer joy of it.:) And it tells me that spring is almost there.:)

Daisies
Oil on board, 6 by 6 inches
click here to bid

To view more of my work, do check out:

• My website and blog
• My paintings on auction
• My facebook page

ABSTRACTED TULIP FLORAL PAINTING BY OLGA WAGNER

I am working on a few florals for my upcoming March and April Shows. While my animal paintings and portraits are on the side of Contemporary Realism, my florals tend to gravitate towards the Abstract realm. Here we have a trio of pink tulips on a very contemporary background with lots of texture. This painting went through many color changes, before it finally spoke to me..Hope you like it too!

PRETTY IN PINK

20" x 20" x 1.5 Acrylics on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Available www.olgawagner.com

Displayed on a wall

Heavy texture on the bottom of painting.

The blossoms are also textured .

SAVE THE DATE: March 9th 6-9pm
Opening Reception

Focal Point Gallery, Chapel Hill
1215 E. Franklin street

BLOG: www.catclawsstudio.blogspot.com

WEBSITE: www.olgawagner.com
FACEBOOK PAGE: Olga-Wagner-Studio

Contact: olga.t.wagner@gmail.com

Walking with Ellie by Sally Shisler

"Walking with Ellie" (4x4") - 201205

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I really am happy with this one, which I have to admit, feels great.  Some paintings come out horrendous; some are acceptable but the gut connection isn't quite there; and some I love. I feel the light in this one, and working with predominantly cooler colors (except for the spots of rose, pinks and corals - and the green in the hair) isn't something I lean towards.  There is a compositional glitch at the bottom where I didn't hit the mark with placement of the figures, but I feel the rest has enough virtue to overshadow that mistake.  Some day I will venture into larger scale canvases, I think.  

I am going to send out the formal workshop announcement later tonight or tomorrow. Again, there will be 6 spots available. Three day workshop; end of March; $325.  

Contact me regarding purchase and commission requests.

Unless otherwise noted, listed prices are offered to my subscribed blog members. If you are interested in purchasing a painting, but are not yet subscribed, simply enter your email address in the join box on my home page. As a subscriber you will receive special values on your purchases and periodic promotions will give you the opportunity to enjoy my paintings in real life at even more affordable prices!

Covered In Color by Kay Wyne

Covered In Color

48" x 72" Heavy Duty Gallery Wrap Canvas

Palette Knife Painting - Original Contemporary Oil

This painting is finished and drying.

Lots of texture, vibrant colors covering the canvas.

I had so much fun painting this one...

my inspiration was the beautiful colors of the Dallas Arboretum.

Thanks for viewing...Kay at 214-532-0325

Saguaro #2, by Kathryn Willis

Saguaro #2, 20x12" oil on panel, Kathryn Willis

Here's another saguaro portrait. I really like this narrow format to showcase the grandness of the saguaro. I don't know yet if this is going to be a series, but I think it would be a good way to explore a particular subject and various techniques. We'll see.

Painting Available for Purchase

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For information about this painting and to view my work:
My website site: http://www.kathrynwillisart.com
My blog: http://www.kathrynwillisart.com/blog
email: kathy@kathrynwillisart.com

Galleries: Joan Cawley Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ

Sedona Arts Center, Sedona, AZ

Raku Gallery, Jerome, AZ

Outskirts Gallery, Hope, ID

Textured Bluebonnet Painting by Niki Gulley, "Blue Horizon"

"Blue Horizon" ©2012 Niki Gulley
SOLD  30" x 48" textured oil on canvas

SOLD - I love the rolling hills of the Texas hill country and when the bluebonnets are prolific, it feels like a carpet of blue stretches for miles. I painted this bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush scene with extremely thick oil paint and palette knives to achieve extreme texture.  The resulting image comes to life and is loaded with color and energy. I've painted the scene around the edges of the canvas on 1 and 1/2" deep stretcher bars so that the paintings can be hung without a frame for a unique sculptural effect.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured oil paintings.

Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of her contemporary bluebonnet and Texas landscape paintings.

Piano Duet by Pamela Blaies

Piano Duet

22" x 28"

Oil on Canvas

Yesterday I blogged about the prep work I did for this piece. I really enjoyed creating this one. This brother and sister were having so much fun playing together on the piano that I could almost ignore how bad the music was. Light and shadow give this painting the energy and vibrance that filled the room that day.

I love to share my art and inspiration. Click HERE to sign up for my email newsletter and receive a free gift of postcards.

Zion plein air painting, art shows Becky Joy

Zion Cottonwoods 6x8" oil

$150. Click here to buy.

This painting is a rework of a plein air that I painted in Zion on a painting trip with my friend, Deb Groesser.

I liked the original painting, but I had a little too much going on. I needed to simplify the scene. So, I made the light and shadows more solid without so much dappled light. I still wanted the dark tree trunks against the light background so that there was a feeling of being under the trees in the shade.

The day was hot and the shade of the trees and a picnic table were very welcome.

Becky Joy
http://beckyjoyartist.blogspot.com

http://beckyjoy.com

http://artworkshopsonline.com

beckyjoy@beckyjoy.com

Pasture by Greg Martynow Wajs

oil on linen panel

16" x 12"

Please email me if interested
Visit my blog for detailed pics and to read how painting is therapy for me

Original oil painting the Magic of Venice Italy fine art by Karen Tarlton

Magic of Venice

18x24 

Oil

(close -up detail)

Venice is an artist's dream place! When I visited there I stayed a week, and really wasn't ready to leave when it was time to go. I did take over 300 photos and painted some watercolor sketches for later works but I would love to go back. No time for travel right now, so I dream about it and paint it!

The magic of the light on the canals in the early morning and near twilight hours is enchanting. The architecture amazing. Quite and perfect when you find the right spot.

Hope you enjoy!

My Blog: http://www.karensfineart.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Karensfineart

Galleries: City Lights Gallery, Las Vegas, NV

The Arlington Arts Gallery, Arlington Virginia

Galerie Severn, New Orleans Louisiana

SAC's Gallery, Montgomery Alabama,

"A Dip in Nature's Pool" by Sally Shisler

"A Dip in Nature's Pool" (4x4") - 201204

Subscribe now to receive my newsletter, "Even More".

Compared to the last post, I think this one is a little more self explanatory.  It always helps when you can make out a face, right? I've been tied up these past few weeks with commissions and more medical illustration work (my 'real' job).  Maybe someday I'll post a little sampling, just for kicks.  Many of you are asking about workshops.  I WILL have a workshop in late March.  I have decided to follow my original workshop format, working relatively large scale with emphasis on learning (by way of force - sort of) how to loosen up.  I still believe that what fellow artists are responding so positively to is the freedom and looseness I've achieved in my painting.  It came from working large and out of my comfort zone; working with putty & cement knives, as well as palette knives; preparing a palette of carefully mixed colors before starting (and mixing enough to get me through the entire painting without having to stop); and working outside with nature.  I will demonstrate my methods for you, and I plan to spend maybe an afternoon doing a small 4x4" just so you can see how it's done.  An announcement will be posted and sent out soon.  I'm thinking 3 days; probably Thurs., Fri. and Sat.  There will be 6 spots available, and the cost will be $325 total.  

Contact me regarding purchase and commission requests.

Unless otherwise noted, listed prices are offered to my subscribed blog members. If you are interested in purchasing a painting, but are not yet subscribed, simply enter your email address in the join box on my home page. As a subscriber you will receive special values on your purchases and periodic promotions will give you the opportunity to enjoy my paintings in real life at even more affordable prices!

In safe hands! - Palette knife painting of children in summer

In safe hands
Oil on Canvas, palette knife
Click here to buy

To follow more of my work, please check out

• My website and blog
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• Follow me on twitter

Preparation makes Perfect by Pamela Blaies

Value Drawing

Color Study

8" x 11"

Today, I'm sharing my preparation routine for most of my larger paintings. First I do a rough drawing to finalize composition and establish value (darks and lights.) Then I will usually do a quick color study to make sure of the colors and how they work together. This new painting I am working on is really fun. I went to visit my dear friend in Stephenville, Texas, and got to spend some time with her and her precious kids. When I saw the beautiful light coming in through the wall-to-wall windows of their sitting room, I knew I had to paint it. I'm not sure if either of them can read music at all, but they sure had fun pretending to be virtuosos for me.  Tomorrow I'll post the final painting.

I love to share my art and inspiration. Click HERE to sign up for my email newsletter and receive a free gift of postcards.