Paris, France

The Virtual Hike Painting Group.  February's destination - Paris, France.

What a beautiful city to explore! We truly live in a fascinating world. I could spend hours on the computer just roaming around. The buildings are amazing!

And then, of course, there is the history of the area ... more hours on the computer.

So, for starters, I looked up the Eiffel Tower. It was constructed in 1887-1889 of wrought-iron lattice, standing 1083 ft tall. Built for the 1889 World's Fair and to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution (1787-1799). 

One of my favorite books is Charles Dicken's "The Tale of Two Cities" about the French Revolution. More computer time.... 

This was an interesting scene that I really enjoyed - so I painted it twice.

Paris in the Morning 9x12, oil on canvas panel

Evening in Paris 9x12, oil on canvas panel

Sidebar - Do you remember the perfume - "Evening in Paris" that came in a pretty, cobalt blue glass bottle? It was my favorite when I was a teenager - many, many years ago. So I had to look that up too ... Soir de Paris (Evening in Paris) is the most known fragrance by Bourjois, which was created by Ernest Beaux in 1928. It was discontinued in 1969, then reorchestrated and relaunched in 1992. (It probably doesn't smell the same...)

These paintings will be available in my eBay store in a week or so. They need to dry and be varnished. Photographing the paintings is harder than the painting process. Trying to capture the true colors is nearly impossible...

Thanks for visiting. And remember that you can always join our painting group. It is great fun, free and no strings attached. Just click on the link above.

Happy painting,

Celene

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com

My eBay Store -  eBay Store Celene Farris, Maine Artist

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Email me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com

Tell your own story.

Waiting for Spring, 9x12, oil. SOLD

January's cold, snowy days are a perfect time to sit in my studio with a cup of hot tea and pull out my art books. No matter how many times I read them, I still find something interesting to think about. Today it was landscapes.

Landscape books often recommend beginning with the sky. The inference is that the sky's coloration and mood set the key for the whole painting. It is also suggested that we paint from the top down, working back to front. Supposedly when we reach the foreground, the painting should be complete. Maybe yes, maybe no.

To me and my way of painting, it make more sense to begin with the most important aspects of my painting - the focal point and the story I want to tell - and key my painting to that. I don't want to be hindered by trying to force my painting into a certain structure. I would rather just paint and see where the painting wants to go. 

Because my paintbrush often has a mind of its own, a sunny day in my reference photo might progress into a stormy day or even a night scene. Starting with the sky doesn't work for me.

So when you start a painting, decide what you want to show and the story you want to tell. Establish your focal point and then just paint. Put the photo aside and enjoy the process. Tell your own story - in your own way.

My thought for the day. Happy painting.

Celene

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com

My eBay Store -  eBay Store Celene Farris, Maine Artist

My Facebook Page -  Facebook Celene Farris, Maine Artist

Email me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com

The Virtual Hike - Somewhere in Greece

The Virtual Hike

Somewhere in Greece, 8x10, oil on canvas panel. SOLD

Our first destination in Marla's new virtual paint-out group (The Virtual Hike) was Greece, along the route from Athens to Marathon with side trips allowed. It was very interesting to explore this area. There was a lot to see but I had difficulty in finding something to paint, so I took a side trip to the coast. There I found an old abandoned chapel, all white and blue in the sunshine. I don't know the name of the town, but it was south-east of Marathon. An enjoyable painting adventure.

How the group works - Every month Marla will choose a new destination and post it on her blog. Using Google Street Views we explore the area looking for a scene to paint - without leaving home - a virtual paint-out. 

When your painting is finished you email a photo of your finished painting and it's Google Link to Marla. She will post it on her blog as part of a monthly display. It will be a lot of work for her. Thank you so much, Marla.

It's a great concept - from exploration to finished painting. I hope you'll join us. It's free, fun and no strings attached.

If you'd like to join us, click below to meet Marla and read about the group and how to post your work to the site. 

 https://marlalaubisch.blogspot.com/2024/12/greece.html

Check out her blog for our new destination on February 1st. 

I hope you'll join us. It really is great fun.

Celene

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com

My eBay Store -  eBay Store Celene Farris, Maine Artist

My Facebook Page -  Facebook Celene Farris, Maine Artist

Email me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com

Christmas Greetings

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas with peace and joy in the New Year.

During this very special season I want to thank all my friends and followers for their support and for all the nice comments about my paintings. I may not have replied to everyone, but please know that I truly appreciate all the kind words. 

Painting is a very important part of my life and knowing that other people find joy in my work is a wonderful feeling. I sincerely thank you all.

Wishing you and your families all the very best always.

Celene

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com

My eBay Store -  eBay Store Celene Farris, Maine Artist

My Facebook Page -  Facebook Celene Farris, Maine Artist

Email me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com

The Virtual Hike - Greece - step 1

 Greece - The black and white underpainting

As I mentioned in a previous post the new "Virtual Hike Group" has begun. Our first destination for Dec. and Jan. is along a designated route in Greece - from Athens to Marathon. Since side trips were allowed I "hiked" eastward to the coast.

This is my initial lay-in in black and white acrylic. This method gives me time to work with the scene, adjusting and moving shapes a bit to strengthen the composition. And time to think about my color and value choices.

Nature doesn't stand still. In a few minutes the colors and values will change as the sun and clouds move across the sky. Shadows will move. The weather may change. This photo, if taken at a different time or on a different day, would look different. This knowledge gives me a chance to use my "artistic license" to make the changes I need to strengthen the composition. Most of all, it allows me to paint the scene - my way!

The next step is working in oils. Did I mention that I love to paint? Stay tuned....

If you'd like to join our group, click below to meet Marla and read about the group and how to post your work to the site. Its free, fun and no strings attached.

 https://marlalaubisch.blogspot.com/2024/12/greece.html

Thanks for visiting with me. Happy painting!

Celene

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com

My eBay Store -  eBay Store Celene Farris, Maine Artist

My Facebook Page -  Facebook Celene Farris, Maine Artist

Email me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com

A New VPO is back!

Years ago I was a member of a group called "The Virtual Paint Out". The concept was to explore a designated area using Google Street Views to find a scene to paint - without leaving home - a virtual paint-out.

New destinations were assigned each month. Our submitted paintings were then downloaded to the VPO site as part of a monthly display. It was a great concept - from exploration to finished painting.

Then, after many years, our director retired.

Last week, I received an email from a fellow artist who would like to start up the program again. She would call it "The Virtual Hike". This is a tentative start. She is hoping to engage many artists to join. I'm in - for sure!

Our first destination is the route between Marathon and Athens in Greece -with side trips allowed. I think I have already found my spot, but I'll keep exploring for awhile.

This destination will be up for Dec. and Jan. as this is the first step and she will need this time to organize and collect artists.

This is a free group. You are under no obligation to continue. It's just a fun group of fellow artists. This will be a lot of work for our new director. Thank you so very much, Marla.

For more information and to sign up, please visit her blog at -

 https://marlalaubisch.blogspot.com/2024/12/greece.html

Give it a try. It's free, fun and no strings attached!

Happy painting.

Celene

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com

My eBay Store -  eBay Store Celene Farris, Maine Artist

My Facebook Page -  Facebook Celene Farris, Maine Artist

Email me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com

Splash!

 Another few paintings from my new Maine Seascape Series.

Splash! 5x7, oil SOLD

Morning Surf 5x7, oil

Heavy Seas 5x7, oil

I do think that photographing the paintings is harder than the painting process. What a job trying to match the colors and values in photo shop. These are pretty close. They will be available in my eBay Store in a week or so. They are almost dry and then will be varnished. The paintings can also be purchased directly from me. The price is $125 with free US Shipping.

Hope you are enjoying the fall weather. We are having a marvelous fall here in Maine.

Thanks for visiting.

Celene

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com

My eBay Store -  eBay Store Celene Farris, Maine Artist

My Facebook Page -  Facebook Celene Farris, Maine Artist

Email me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com