Aren't We Special

Beach Series #43

5X5

Hi all,

Just to update those of you who follow us on Etsy, we have created a new section called We Are Special. It contains original artwork that have reduced prices. Get it, special,...special prices??!!! Well, anyway, they are 20% less than the original listing price. Yes, folks, it's a sale on small original paintings! There are 5X5 mini paintings on canvas board and 8X8 paintings on stretched canvas. Just in time for the holidays. And we have always had free shipping on our small pieces. Check it out and watch for additions to this section.

Peace and love,

Kelli

Artist Within Part 7

One of the panels in our project.

Both panels

A close up.

Well, we had a short but productive meeting today. Julie got over her fear of painting stems and I ate too many chocolate chip cookies. It's all her fault! She just insists on feeding me every time we get together. Of course I don't object too much so I guess I have to take some responsibility.

This project hasn't lasted that long, Julie and I haven't known each other very long, but art somehow has a way of bringing people together. When we stop and think about it we have been through some major life events just in the short time we've worked on this project. I'll give you a play by play as soon as we have this work finished. When this piece is done it will be on display at Brick City Center for the Arts in downtown Ocala. The show will be for the month of December - details to follow. After the first of the year it will be sold at auction! That will be exciting!

'til the next installment,

Carlynne

Mozart and Lenny Kravitz

Ridges

24x24

Acrylic on canvas

Just some thoughts running through my head. As I'm listening to Mozart violin sonatas and working on a painting I think back to my childhood and wonder what my playing ability would be like now had I kept on practicing the violin. I was a child who didn't understand what I was giving up. At the same time..... had I kept playing, would my time and attention now be divided between the bow and the brush? My creative focus has been the visual arts for many years to the exclusion of other worthwhile pursuits. As a teen I played the guitar - to be honest that was mainly to get the attention of a certain guy, and no, it didn't work - but still I played and practiced. I sang in choirs and still love singing but mainly I sing when I'm at the easel.

It doesn't seem to matter what I tried, from violin to basket weaving I always ended up back at the easel. Maybe my wiser, essential self, even as a young child knew there was something else I was supposed to focus my attention on - drawing and painting. OR is that just my way of not feeling the regret of missed opportunities in experiencing the other arts? Either way it's ok, I'll keep on listening to someone else's beautiful playing and paint while I do it. I'm still richer for having played the violin and guitar and maybe someday I'll pick them up again, and the singing still makes me feel great even if I'm the only one in the room. Right now I think it's time for some Lenny Kravitz.

Peace ya'll

Carlynne

Artist Within Part 6

Hi everyone.

I've had a crazy busy time the last week. I went to Nashville and when I came back I had surgery. No, one didn't have anything to do with the other. Nashville was fabulous (that's another blog post one of these days) and surgery was minor thank goodness. Between the traveling and the recovery I haven't had much of a chance to work in the studio, very frustrating for an artist! Well today was a breath of fresh air. I was finally able to get back to the painting project with my friend Julie. It was so much fun I had a hard time stopping, hopefully I didn't make her late for her next appointment. We got some more layers done, worked on the reflections, added some flowers and even got Julie to paint a few stems on the flowers - she's been avoiding those so - good job! Not only is she doing a lot of work on this project she also did some painting on her own while we had this long break, very cool to see her progress! Thanks Julie for making this such a fun job and for everyone else, stay tuned for part 7.

Peace and love,
Carlynne

Just Checking In

Hi All,

If you were looking at what I am looking at, I am sure you would wish you were here. This is a shot of the Shenandoah Valley as seen from Skyline Drive at about 3,000 feet up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is beautiful. I have more and better photos I will share later. As you can see the leaves are partially turned. We are leaving soon and will not be here for full color, but I am grateful for what we did see. It is also apple season and I am in heaven.

With gratitude, and wishing you peace and beauty,

Kelli