Ocean Surf, 5x7, oil

Ocean Surf, 5x7, oil  SOLD

Today was another cold and dreary day with more snow showers in the afternoon.  My outdoor painting gear is ready and waiting for spring.  To appease myself, I sorted through my painting DVD's and pulled out all the plein air artists.  I made a pot of tea and spent a very pleasant afternoon with one of my favorite artists, David Curtis.  I think visiting with David brought me luck because later in the day another of my 30/30 paintings sold on my ebay page.  A nice way to end the day.

Thanks for visiting.

Celene

Texas Landscapes, 12x16, oil

After the Rain, 12x16, oil

A good friend and fellow artist who now lives in Texas asked me to paint a few Texas landscapes for a gallery in McKinney, Texas.  Since I have never been there, I went online and searched images to acquaint myself with the landscape features.  My friend also sent me pictures of the area.

I know from visiting other states that as the landscape and vegetation changes, so does the color of the light.  For many years we spent the month of March in Florida and I learned to bring a different set of oil colors with me.  The colors that I used for my Maine landscapes didn't work for the tropical colors of Florida.  I found this to be true for Texas, too.   Luckily my friend is an artist and could describe the colors needed.

These are two of the paintings that I sent to him.  His work and mine can be seen at Art on the Veranda, McKinney, Texas.

Bluebonnets, 12x16, oil

Thank you for visiting.

Celene

Hospital Benefit Series. SOLD Barrett Park 12x16, oil

From Barrett Park, 12x16, oil  SOLD

In one of my previous posts I mentioned that I had a series of paintings for sale in the Radiology Department at Waldo County General Hospital, Belfast, Maine, with 50% of the sale proceeds donated to the Mammography Patient Assistance Fund.  I'm very pleased that this painting sold and that the money will be put to good use.  Thank you, new owner.  I hope you are enjoying your painting.  It's a good feeling to know that we are helping someone get the care they need.

Thanks for visiting.
Celene

Spring for a day. I'll take it!

After too many snowy, gray days, today is beautiful - 40 degrees and lots of warm sunshine.  Of course, more snow or even rain is on the way again, but today, we'll enjoy the promise of spring and I hope to paint outside this afternoon.

My husband snow-blowing the driveway on Valentine's Day.

Cleaning up around the dooryard.

Our son plowing this morning after last night's snowstorm.

Today's warmth and sunshine.
Warm enough to walk outside without a jacket.  Wonderful!

Ginger loves to play in the snow.

I haven't been able to post very often.  Ginger keeps me busy and since my computer is upstairs, I can only work while she is napping. She tired herself out this morning playing in the snow and is down for a nap.  She is a sweet little girl and we love her. We still miss our Sophie and a special place in our hearts will always be hers.  But Ginger is a joy - and just woke up - will write more later.

Thanks for visiting.

Celene 

Patience, 16x12, oil. Hospital Benefit Series

Patience, 16x12, oil.  $600

Available at Waldo County General Hospital,
Radiology Department, Belfast, Maine.

I have a few paintings for sale in the Radiology Department at our local hospital in Belfast, Maine. 50% of all sale proceeds will be donated to the Mammography Patient Assistance Fund.

When I graduated high school, about 50 years ago, I was accepted into the Radiology Course at Manchester Memorial Hospital in Manchester, Connecticut. Mammography was in its experimental phase and I remember the first time, and the first patient, to receive this new procedure at MMH. After the Radiologist examined the patient, he worked with the technician in the placement and exposure requirements. I was a student at the time, and was in the room to observe and handle the film cassettes.

There was no compression and using soft tissue cassettes with special film required long exposure times. This special film was then hand-developed with the head technician and the Radiologist working together in the darkroom to assure that the exposure density was correct. Retaking the x-rays would subject the patient to extra radiation. I remember the patient, a middle aged woman, frightened and silently crying. I could tell by the look on the Radiologist's face that the news wasn't good.

What a difference today. The equipment is the best, the technique so improved, the exposure is minimal and very safe and accurate. No film, just high resolution digital. I marvel at all the new technology in our Radiology Department. My daughter-in-law is an X-Ray Technician at Waldo County General Hospital and her training was extensive, requiring a college degree and ongoing certifications.

My mother was a nurse and I remember the white shoes and stockings, the starched white uniforms and caps she wore with pride. So it was a natural thing for me to look toward health care as a profession. I worked in the health care field for over 35 years, first in X-Ray for about 10 years and then as an administrator in a long term care facility for disabled veterans that we owned in Warren, Maine. This donation is my way of continuing to support the medical community and to give thanks for the wonderful health care available to us all.

This painting can be seen and purchased directly from the Radiology Department at Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast, Maine, or you can contact me and I will arrange pick-up and shipping. Either way, 50% of all sale proceeds will go to the Mammography Patient Assistance Fund.

Click here see my other paintings available in Radiology.

Thank you for visiting.

Celene

You may contact me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com
Or contact the hospital at 207 338-2500 and ask for Radiology.

My February Newsletter

It seems that winters get longer the older I get.  I think that  we have had a decent winter this year - so far.  A short spell of very cold temperatures, a few minor snowstorms, an ice storm that disrupted power for a few days, but nothing compared to some of the other states.  After all, this is winter in Maine.

Today is a beautiful day, clear and crisp, temps in the 20s, with a cobalt blue sky and a bright sun shining on newly fallen snow.  I wish I was hardy enough to paint outside on a day like this, but I don’t like the cold and would rather paint in my nice warm studio. Looking forward to spring on this sunny day, I cleaned out my plein air gear, repacked my supplies and I’m ready to go as soon as winter is gone.

The January Challenge of 30 Paintings in 30 Days was very interesting.  I completed 22 paintings.  The last week of January was just too busy to allow any painting time except for my Tuesday class.  We had errands to run, appointments to keep and we picked up our new puppy on January 25 – an eight week old Golden Retriever named Ginger.

The 30/30 Challenge was interesting because I could definitely see a day by day improvement in my Alla Prima technique and in my energy and concentration.  I had made the commitment and was determined to see it through.  Knowing that I had to complete a painting each day, photograph it and post it over the Internet that evening was a driving force.  I’m glad that I participated and would like to do it again – but I would only commit to 4-5 paintings per week.  It was almost impossible to continue that pace for the whole month, as I had other chores that needed my attention – like housework.

I did find that all the postings increased the traffic to my sites and a good number of the little paintings sold through my Ebay page. Over 400 artists participated and it was fun to be a part of this larger artist community.  I met many nice people along the way.  A big thank you to artist, Leslie Saeta, for giving us this opportunity and sharing her knowledge with us.

Thank you for visiting my Blog. I currently have 46 posts and will continue to add more on a regular basis.  All my 30/30 Challenge paintings are shown.  I explained my goal for each painting, my thoughts and my painting steps.

Some of my other paintings are also featured with my thoughts and pictures of the step-by-step procedures and I share our classroom discussions on different aspects of painting theory.

If you wish to automatically receive my new posts through your email, there is a sign up link on my Blog in the right hand column. You can opt out at any time, but I hope you will enjoy these visits to my studio.

If there are specific art questions that I can help with, please let me know.  Your comments and questions are always welcome.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks for visiting.  Stay warm and happy painting!

Celene

Blue Bird, 9x12, oil

I finally finished my class painting yesterday and thought I would share my steps with you. In this class, my student and I are studying the effects of light on transparent and colored glass. We are also using glazes to enrich the colors and dry brushing for texture. Since we are only working together on Tuesdays, this has been a long project.

The set up.

My tonal underpainting.

Beginning to lay in the colors.

Almost done.

I noticed that the marbles and thread were competing with my focal point, the little glass bird, so I toned them down with glazes.

The Blue Bird, 9x12, oil.

This painting is a little tighter than my usual style. This often happens when I paint and teach at the same time. Serious painting requires total concentration and talking is a distraction. That's one reason why classroom paintings may not be successful. But that's okay, you are there to learn. Then you can go home to the quiet of your own studio and apply what you have learned in class.

And that is another point. You must find a time to paint in your studio without distractions - and that can be difficult - but it is very important.

Thank you for visiting.

Celene