Double Primary Palette

                                 

I'm often asked, "What colors do you use?"

Since we know that all the colors we see are created by the three primary colors, I limit my tubed colors to these three primaries plus white and mix my colors.

I use a double primary palette - two versions of each of the primaries - red, yellow and blue, plus titanium white. I chose a bright and a dull version of each.

You can alter your choices of these three primaries. This will give you a slightly different nuance of color and that makes it interesting. It's also a way to use up those extra tubes of paint. Just make sure to stick to versions of these primary colors, otherwise you color mixtures will be limited by the pigments you choose.

Occasionally, especially with my night scenes I might need to add a spot of bright color for artificial and neon lights. Flower paintings may also require bits of brighter colors. But these colors are infrequent additions and are stored in a separate container.

For landscapes, be sure to choose the versions of the colors that fit the region where you paint. I live in Maine. Here I see cool, deep greens, earth colors, blue-grays. Years ago when we went to Florida for the winter, on our first trip I made the mistake of taking my “Maine” palette of colors. Big mistake - Florida colors are bright and tropical.

By keeping your color palette simple, you will have better color harmony, simplify your painting procedure - and save money, too.

So, to answer the question, “What colors do you use?” Here is my current double primary palette.

Cad Yellow Light & Yellow Ochre

Light Red & Alizarin Crimson

Ultramarine Blue & Cerulean

Titanium White

Remember that you can switch out different reds, blues and yellows. Have fun!

Happy painting!  

      

 Celene

My eBay Store -  eBay Store Celene Farris

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com

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Email me - mail@CeleneFarris.com

Photo Tour of Mid-Coast Maine

 

Belfast Harbor, Maine

I've been updating the website of our former art gallery  - The Working Art Gallery, which we owned and operated for 15 years in beautiful, downtown Belfast, Maine. I had created this year long photographic tour of our area as part of the website. 

I shot these pictures of Belfast and the surrounding areas - month by month for over a year. It was great fun!

As I reviewed this photo tour, I was again moved by the beauty of our area. I thought you might like to see our corner of Maine.

Come along and enjoy your visit - Click here for the tour.

Celene

My eBay Store -  eBay Store Celene Farris

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com

My Facebook Page -  Facebook Celene Farris, Maine Artist

Email me - mail@CeleneFarris.com

How to purchase my paintings.

 I have received many inquiries about how to purchase my paintings. 

I have an eBay Store Celene Farris, A Maine Artist where you can see the majority of my available paintings. eBay is a safe and secure way to shop. 

You can also purchase directly from me if you prefer. Just contact me and we'll make it happen!

I offer a 14 day money back guarantee, so if you aren't pleased you can return the painting for a full refund. You only pay for the return shipping. 

I also have paintings in a local shop, Patchwork Plus, on Rt 3 in Searsmont, Maine. And at Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast, Maine.

Thank you for asking. Please contact me with any questions or comments.

Celene

My eBay Store Link

www.CeleneFarris.com

mail@CeleneFarris.com

Jazz & Painting

I watched a wonderful Ken Burns series on Public Television called “Jazz”.  The similarities between music and painting were striking and worth thinking about.

Jazz is a combination of many musical styles. It’s distinctive sound ranges from smooth, classic jazz all the way to extreme jazz. The jazz musician takes an ordinary melody and transforms it into a new sound. Some musicians push it even further until the music resembles an abstract painting. It is music that we can feel, as well as hear. Music with a soul. 

In painting, a good artist can take the ordinary and makes it extraordinary. I've heard it called "the wow factor".

The elements of jazz, like a painting style, are difficult to define. One key element is Improvisation. Improvisation is a part of our everyday life, our inner being, influencing how we live, how we dress and speak, what we do and how we act. And it is constantly evolving. 

The dictionary defines Improvisation as - “Creativity; spontaneous or unplanned changes; the ability to create something personal; a unique process of expression”.

In the movie, “The Glenn Miller Story,” Miller (played by James Stewart) was an unsuccessful and struggling bandleader. Out of desperation, he came up with the idea to modify the reed section of his band by altering the sound pitch. Success! His distinctive new sound was born. He said,” A band ought to have a sound all its own. It ought to have personality.” 

The traits these successful musicians all had in common were hard work, dedication, a love of music and a determination to find their own voice. We all start as beginners producing the technically correct but stiff painting or music. Somewhere along the line, our inner muse awakens and we begin to feel the freedom of self-expression. Our paintings begin to have “a personality and a sound all its own” - and how far we take it is up to us. 

As Duke Ellington said, “It don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing.”

Can you put the "swing" into your paintings?

Happy painting,

Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com 

My eBay Store 

www.facebook.com/CeleneFarris.MaineArtist

My new website!

 I have finally finished updating my website. It was long over due.

After many long hours and numerous calls to our son, Mike, for assistance - I can finally call it finished. Now I can get back to painting!

I hope you will take a look at it. Thank you!

Celene

My eBay Store -  eBay Store Celene Farris

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com

My Facebook Page -  Facebook Celene Farris, Maine Artist

Email me - mail@CeleneFarris.com

A Pretty Penny

This is the litter of Golden puppies born May 3, 2024.

And here is our Miss Penny on July 1, 2024.

 Needless to say - she is adorable.

In my spare time I have been working on my website. It was long neglected and in need of a serious revamping. I'm making major changes, off line for now, so the changes won't show until I make them active. For now the old version is still up. Hopefully it will be done in a week or so.

Happy painting!

Celene 

www.CeleneFarris.com

Goodbye Ginger Dog

Last month we lost our 10 year old dog, Ginger. We buried her beneath the dog tree in our back yard. Five dogs now sleep beneath that old pine tree - an Irish Setter, two English Setters and now, two Golden Retrievers.

"No more dogs" we said. "It is too hard when we lose them!" 

But we have always had a dog. The house is too quiet. There is an empty space in our house and in our hearts. Her toys are still in the corner. We automatically look for her. Is that her scratching at the door?

"No" we said. "We are too old to have another dog. All the work, the chewing, the training, etc, etc... No more dogs!"

Then, a few days later, our son stopped in and told us about a new litter of Golden Retriever pups at a local farm. Our first response was no, but the seed was planted... By the next day, after seriously talking it over and knowing in our hearts that we needed another dog, I called the farm.

We are now waiting on a new Golden puppy. She will be ready to come home with us on July 1st.  

Rest well, Ginger Dog. We will always miss you.