Montenegro Revisited

I was so pleased to find the time today to finish this second painting of Montenegro, our Virtual Paint-Out for December. It was snowing outside and a nice afternoon to spend in the studio. I have a favorite CD of Robert Frost reading his poetry and he was the perfect companion for today.

This was my initial lay-in.
I'm using the reference photo from Google Street Views
downloaded into my Kindle.

Donji Stoliv, Montenegro, 9x12, oil

Some paintings are hard work and some paintings are pure joy.

This painting is available in my Ebay Store - Virtual Paint Out.

Thanks for visiting,

Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com

My Ebay Store

Montenegro - December's Virtual Paint Out

The small country of Montenegro is located on the Adriatic Sea directly east of the Italian peninsula. Bordered by Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania, it covers approx 5,333 sq miles, slightly smaller than Connecticut, and is home to approx 650,000 people.

This beautiful country offers some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe, with rugged mountains averaging more than 7000 feet in elevation, glacial lakes, the 4,300 foot deep Tara River Canyon, its remote National Parks, charming medieval villages and beautiful beaches along the Adriatic Sea.

The small coastal region enjoys a Mediterranean climate of sunny, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The mountainous central and northern regions have a more severe climate with heavy winter snow in the higher elevations. Because of the terrain, farmland is scare but wineries abound and Montenegro is a popular tourist destination.

Kotor, Montenegro, 9x12, oil

This painting is available in my Ebay Store - Virtual Paint Out.

I hope to have time to finish a second painting. The scenery is spectacular.

Thanks for visiting,

Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com 

One Fine Day

Thinking of the beautiful autumn days that we had this year.

One Fine Day, 6x8, oil  SOLD

This is a 6x8 stretched canvas, gallery wrap with a one inch profile. 

The painting continues on the edges so framing isn't necessary.

This painting was available in my Ebay Store - Small paintings, landscapes.

Thanks for visiting,
Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com 

My Ebay Store

Silver Moon

This painting was inspired by the cold, grey days that we have had this week. Not much snow here and not much sunshine. 

Silver Moon, 6x8, oil SOLD

This is a 6x8 stretched canvas, gallery wrap with a one inch profile. 

The painting continues on the edges so framing isn't necessary.

Our Virtual Paint Out for December is a visit to the small country of Montenegro with its spectacular mountain scenery and warm sunny beaches. Lots of sunshine there. I have started my painting and hope to work on it again tomorrow. December is a busy month for us all.


Thanks for visiting,
Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com 

My Ebay Store

Tijuana, Mexico - November's Virtual Paint Out

Tijuana is a Mexican border town just south of the U.S. border and about 20 miles south of San Diego.

A jumble of city and country living, it is noted for its rough terrain of steep canyons, sandy gullies and mesas. The climate is semi- arid with temperatures averaging between 44° and 95°.  Covering approx. 246 sq.mi. it is home to over 1,700,00 people.

Tijuana is known for its vibrant mixture of cultures, beautiful sandy beaches, spirited nightlife, exciting restaurants and bars, its shady red light district and its high crime rate. Home to a diverse population of the very rich and the very poor, it is one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico.

Tijuana, Mexico, 9x12, oil

The destinations in our Virtual Paint Out Group are always interesting and I enjoy reading about the area as well as exploring it with Google Street Maps. Some places really make you appreciate home.

Thanks for visiting with me. This painting is available in my Ebay Store - Virtual Paint Out.

Celene 

www.CeleneFarris.com 

Last Days of Summer

Since tonight is Halloween and the last day of October, I guess that I have to accept the fact that another summer is over. We had an exceptionally dry summer and we all thought that the fall colors would be dry and dusty looking. But what a surprise! The colors were spectacular this year.

Trying to capture all that color on canvas is daunting. I did a few paintings "en plein air" but mostly took lots of photographs. As much as I enjoy painting outside, I would rather work in my studio as my style of painting is more controlled and disciplined and needs a few sessions to complete.

But once in awhile I will be successful "en plein air". This view from our outdoor table is one of my favorites and I have painted it many times. I just had to paint it again.

Autumn Garden, 8x6, oil SOLD

This is a 6x8 stretched canvas, gallery wrap with a one inch profile. 

The painting continues on the edges so framing isn't necessary.

This painting was available in my Ebay Store - Small Paintings.

Thanks for visiting. Hope you had a fun Halloween with lots of little visitors. Such a fun time! And now we get to eat the rest of the candy!

Celene

My Ebay Store

www.CeleneFarris.com 

Newfoundland, October's Virtual Tour

The island of Newfoundland off the east coast of Canada is slightly smaller than California, covering 43,000 sq mi. with a population of approx. 487,000 people. A former English colony, Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation in 1949.

Moderated by the ocean and the Gulf Stream, the temperatures range from an average of 25°F in winter to 60°F in summer. The sub-arctic maritime climate produces abundant precipitation, high winds, with more clouds and less sunshine than on the mainland. 

Newfoundland is a remote island of spectacular scenery - stunning coastlines, mountains and tundra, whales and seabirds and, of course, icebergs. There are isolated settlements and large cities, ancient historical sites and four national parks. L’ Anse aux Meadows at the northern-most tip is the site of the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America and dates back to 1000 AD.

The island can be reached by air or by a 6-hour ferry ride from North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Port aux Basques. There is also a ferry from Labrador to Newfoundland.

My husband and I traveled to Newfoundland in the early 1990's with our local Boy Scout troop. Both our sons had just received their Eagle Badges and this trip was for the Eagle Scouts and the younger members of our troop. We set up our camp at Gros Morne National Park, hiked and explored, on foot, in our trucks and by boat, a good portion of the island. It was a marvelous adventure.

Newfoundland, 6x12 SOLD

This is a 6x12 stretched canvas, gallery wrap with a one inch profile. 
The painting continues on the edges so framing isn't necessary.

This painting was available in my Ebay Store.

Thanks for visiting,

Celene

My Ebay Store - Virtual Paint Out

www.CeleneFarris.com

A Little Time Off

Our fall colors this year are brilliant despite our dry summer. We just returned from our camp a few miles south of Moosehead Lake. It’s one of my very favorite areas in the state and I always take lots of photos. Today I’m going through them and will share some in this post. The weather can be very unpredictable at camp, perhaps influenced by the numerous mountains and lakes in the region. This sunny morning quickly became cloudy, but the views were still spectacular.  

Early morning at camp

A little sunshine on Wilson Stream

On the road to Barren Mountain

The road to Barren Mountain

Moosehead Lake

Clouds over Moosehead Lake, Greenville

Last settlement north of Greenville before entering into the North Woods

Now it's time to get back to work. My website and Ebay Store need a bit of fall housekeeping before the serious studio painting time begins.

Thanks for visiting with me.
Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com
My Ebay Store

September 30/30 Challenge. Day 30

Welcome to October, one of the nicest months of the year.

This is my last painting for the September 30/30 Challenge. I knew it wasn't possible for me to complete 30 paintings in 30 days because my painting process requires at least 2-3 sessions per painting. But it was still fun to be a part of Leslie's group and I'm looking forward to her next challenge in January.


 

Secret Cove, 6x12, oil

This is a 6x12 stretched canvas, gallery wrap with a one inch profile.
The painting continues on the edges so framing isn't necessary.

I am very pleased to learn that our Virtual Paint Out Group is traveling to Newfoundland for October. I visited Newfoundland many years ago and it remains one of my favorite memories.

Tony, Ginger and I will be going to camp soon. I look forward to sitting by the fire and listening to the loons on the lake and the distant train whistle of the Canadian Pacific as it echos off the mountain. No radio, TV or internet connection - just my two favorite people and my paint set and lots of books. A nice respite from a busy summer.

Thanks for visiting with me. This painting will be available in my Ebay Store in a few days.

Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com

My Ebay Store - 30/30 Paintings

September 30/30 Challenge. Day 24

I'm running behind with my posting. This is for day #24. I had hoped to paint all day today, but spent the morning bringing in my houseplants. A few days ago the weather changed drastically. Last week I was complaining because it was hot and humid - then almost overnight the temps dropped to the 40s. The wood stove is going and I am dressed in a heavy sweater and jeans and it is still September. This must be why I chose to paint this subject yesterday.

Snow Bound, 6x8, oil  SOLD

 I'm still working with a 6x8 stretched canvas, gallery wrap with a 1" profile. 
The painting continues on all the edges. No frames needed.

To reduce computer time, I will post my weekly paintings to my Ebay Store at the end of each week. You can always contact me directly for more information.

Thanks for visiting. Happy painting.

Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com

My Ebay Store – 30/30 Paintings

Artist Block

Definition - a loss of inspiration, motivation, or ideas. A creative stand-still.

Here are a few suggestions that I found helpful when I'm in an artistic slump. Because repetition creates boredom, I look for changes.

• Change my canvas size – I usually paint in mid range sizes but lately I’ve been working smaller. I enjoy these small canvases and because they work up fairly quickly I can experiment with new ideas. And these small paintings are very popular with my customers. Always a plus. 

• Change the type of canvas – I have worked on artist quality canvas panels for years. I am now using stretched canvas, gallery wrap with a 1” profile. The edges are painted with a continuation of the painting, making framing unnecessary, unless the customer specifically requests a frame. I like the feel of this new surface and the finished look of these small paintings. And it's a relief not having to deal with framing. Another plus.

• Change of subject – For years I was a serious still life painter. I am now working with landscapes. The technical differences between the two required me to rethink my painting process - especially the differences between the shallow picture plane and controlled subject matter of a still life and the expansive picture plane and atmospheric effects of landscape painting. 

• Reference material – I revisit and reorganize my reference photos both printed and digital and try to find new compositions in these old pictures. I prefer to work from my own photos and always carry my camera with me, constantly looking for new material. 

• Choosing a theme – When I can’t decide on what to paint, I try to pick a theme or a subject for  series of paintings. I am currently working on an ocean theme with waves and rocks. I have a new theme in mind that will have something to do with music, but I haven’t formulated it yet. When I tire of my current ocean series, I will move on to my new theme. 

• Take an art class – either in person or on-line. Sometimes you need a bit of help or encouragement to solve the problem. I am currently taking an on-line figurative landscape course.

• Join Art Groups – Membership encourages participation. A great incentive to paint. The three groups that I really enjoy are Leslie Saeta’s 30/30 Challenge offered in September and January, Bill Guffy’s Virtual Paint Out with a new destination each month and Robert Hagan’s Artist Group (now a closed group, by invitation only). They are free and fun, with no commitments and only a few basic rules. And since they are on-line, I can participate at my own convenience.

• There are many other art groups to join, Facebook is a good place to search them out.  If you prefer, you might find an art group in your neighborhood, or start a new group with fellow artists in your area.

And sometimes Artist Block means you just need a break from the studio for awhile. The danger is in staying away for too long……

Thanks for visiting,
Celene

My Ebay Store

Leslie Saeta's 30/30 Challenge

Bill Guffy's Virtual Paint Out

My Website

Day 19 - Crashing Wave

Jan. 30/30 Challenge. Day 19

Today was another good day for painting and listening to classical music by Rachmaninoff.

Crashing Wave, 6x8, oil  SOLD

I'm working with 6x8 stretched canvas, gallery wrap with a 1" profile. 
The painting continues on all the edges. No frames needed.

To reduce computer time, I will post my weekly paintings to my Ebay Store at the end of each week. You can always contact me directly for more information.

Thanks for visiting. Happy painting.

Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com

My Ebay Store – 30/30 Paintings

Sept. 30/30 Challenge. Day 17

Today was a great day in my studio - cool, sunny and the windows wide open. I painted while Rod Stewart and Johnny Mathis sang and then Peter Nero played the piano for me. The house was quiet as Tony and Ginger were at camp for the day, so no cooking. 

I took a long walk in the afternoon and then checked our vegetable garden. I found that last night the deer ate all the leaves from the squash and pumpkin plants and nibbled on the vegetables so I picked up what was left. We always plant enough to share, but sometimes the deer get greedy. I should have done a bit of housework after that, but instead I went back to my studio to start another painting. Why spoil a good day!

Maine Coast, 6x8, oil  SOLD

I'm working with 6x8 stretched canvas, gallery wrap with a 1" profile. 
The painting continues on all the edges. No frames needed.

This painting was available in my Ebay Store - 30/30 Paintings.

Thanks for visiting,
Celene

 www.CeleneFarris.com

Sept 30/30 Challenge. Day 15

This is yesterday's painting. I'm finally catching up.... 

 

Grampa's Farm, 6x8, oil SOLD

I'm working with 6x8 stretched canvas, gallery wrap with a 1" profile. 
The painting continues on all the edges. No frames needed.

If you'd like to see what Leslie Saeta's other artists are doing, here is the link to her 30/30 Challenge website https://www.saetastudio.com/30-in-30.html. Participating artists from all over the world are posting their challenge paintings to her site. And there is also a world map with location pins for all the artists.

Thanks for visiting,

Celene 

www.CeleneFarris.com

My Ebay Store – 30/30 Paintings

   

Sept 30/30 Challenge. Day 11 and 12

This post is a combination of the Challenge and the Virtual Tour.

This month's virtual tour is Lancaster County, located in southern Pennsylvania on the Susquehanna River. This land, included in William Penn's Charter of 1681 is home to a large Amish community and expansive, pristine farms. This agricultural region is often called Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

The term Pennsylvania Dutch has nothing to do with the people of the Netherlands, but refers to the descendants of the German settlers and French Huguenots, along with English, Welsh and Ulster Scots, who immigrated to this region seeking the promise of religious freedom offered by William Penn.

Hay Season, 9x12, oil SOLD

Lancaster County Farm, 6x8, oil SOLD

Thanks for visiting,
Celene

These paintings were available in my Ebay Store.

Ebay Store – Virtual Paint Out

Ebay Store - 30/30 Challenge

To see all my paintings from all of our virtual destinations - Virtual Paint-Out.

www.CeleneFarris.com

Sept 30/30 Challenge. Day #10

I'm finally catching up with my 30/30 Challenge paintings. This 6x8 oil painting is on stretched canvas, gallery wrap with painted edges. 

 

Twilight Glow, 6x8, oil SOLD

My Blog issues appear to be resolved. I'm sorry if you received duplicate posts this week. Google Blogger was checking their mail delivery system. I think we are back to normal now. Thank you all and I really appreciate your patience and your assistance.

Thanks for visiting,

Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com

My Ebay Store

Request

Dear subscriber,

We've been working on my computer issues and I have a request for my subscribers.

Would you please either message me or reply through email when you receive this post.

I really appreciate your help in this matter. It is the only way to determine if my blog mail delivery system is working correctly.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Celene

Sept 30/30 Challenge. Day #7

The Waterfall, 6x8, oil

Day seven and my Blog is still misbehaving. I have done all that I could and spent too many hours on the computer, so I've turned the problem over to our son, the computer whiz in the family, and I am just going to paint. I'm sorry that these posts are not being shared to my subscribers but I will share them to Facebook, Pinterest and my Website as I can do that manually. At the end of the week I will post my week's work to my Ebay Store.

Thanks for visiting.

Happy painting,

Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com

My Ebay Store - 30/30 Challenge

Sept 30/30 Challenge. Day #6

Today's offering -

City Lights, 6x8, oil

I didn't paint yesterday. Instead I spent the day trying to figure out why my Blog posts aren't being sent to my subscribers. I'm not sure what the problem is, hopefully it will soon resolve itself. I am thoroughly frustrated with computers!

Hopefully yours,

Celene 

www.CeleneFarris.com

My Ebay Store 

Sept. 30/30 Challenge. Day #4

I wanted to paint a morning of absolute stillness and peace on the coast of Maine. Not a sound anywhere. Not a person in sight. The words of a song, "the sounds of silence" came to mind. A perfect title.

The Sounds of Silence, 5x7, oil

Thanks for visiting,
Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com

My Ebay Store – 30/30 Paintings

Sept. 30/30 Challenge. Day #3

Another painting for the 30/30 Challenge.

Sailing Around the Point, 5x7, oil

To reduce computer time, I will post my weekly paintings to my Ebay Store and my website at the end of each week. You can always contact me directly for more information.

Happy painting,

Celene

I hope you haven't received duplicate posts this week. My blogger host is misbehaving and the matter should soon be corrected. Sorry for any inconvenience.

www.CeleneFarris.com

My Ebay Store – 30/30 Paintings

Sept. 30/30 Challenge. Day #2

Another day, another painting for the 30/30 Challenge.

Moonlight Serenade, 6x8, oil  SOLD

As I was painting today and listening to classical music the song, Moonlight Serenade, came on. I thought it was a fitting title for this painting.

To reduce computer time, I will post my weekly paintings to my Ebay Store and my website at the end of each week. You can always contact me directly for more information.

Happy painting,

Celene

Note: Just a reminder - If you wish to receive my blog posts automatically through your email, please subscribe to my blog. Remember that it is a two-step procedure. Please contact me if you have any problems with the subscription process. Thanks so much for your interest. 

www.CeleneFarris.com

My Ebay Store – 30/30 Paintings

 Link to the 30/30 Challenge website https://www.saetastudio.com/30-in-30.html      

Sept. 30/30 Challenge. Day #1

California artist, Leslie Saeta, is again inviting artists world-wide to join in this challenge. Thirty paintings in 30 days is a challenge and, for me, probably not achievable. But I will paint as often as I can and post them here on my blog. At the end of each week, I will post all the available paintings to my Ebay Store and my website.

All artists are invited to join. There are no rules, no commitments, no limits and it’s free. It’s just a fun time for artists to meet and post their work to Leslie’s website. And also a great way to focus on trying to make more time for painting. So join us. 

Here we go...........

 

Solitude, 5x7, oil

Happy painting,

Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com

Ebay Store – 30/30 Challenge Paintings

The September 2016 30/30 Challenge Begins

Tomorrow is the start of Leslie Saeta’s 30/30 Challenge. Thirty paintings in 30 days is a challenge. Even though I work small for this event, 5x7 and 6x8, I find that I still need two days to successfully finish a painting. One day to lay in the colors and a 2nd day to do the finishing layer. That bit of drying time between layers is important. Besides ensuring cleaner, brighter color, it also gives me a bit of a break to re-evaluate what I have done.

My plan will be to work on two paintings a day – the start of one and the finish of another. Painting every day is an impossible goal, so I will just paint when I can and enjoy the process. And I can’t forget the photographing and posting each evening. That takes as much time as the painting.

When I complete a painting, I will post it to my blog and to Leslie’s website that evening, but I’m going to condense the rest of the postings by listing all my completed paintings to my Ebay Store, my Pinterest and my website at the end of the week. I’ve been lucky with my Ebay Store. Of all the 30/30 Challenge paintings I have done in the past two years, only three are left.

I hope you will enjoy my challenge – or better yet – sign up and join us. You can do this at any time, as the only rule Leslie has is “To have fun.” You can paint as many or as few as you wish. No limits, no rules, no commitments. Then you join the other artists by posting your paintings to her website. It’s a fun way to meet other artists and see what they are doing. Come join us! 

Happy painting,

Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com 

My Ebay Store