03/28/12 Almost finished!

I still have a little cleaning up to do on this picture but it is almost finished! I am pleased with it even if it isn't perfect!

Thanks for looking at my blog. Carol

03/27/12 Adding details - -slowly

Since I can't draw a straight line without a ruler or straight edge, I have to wait to let things dry before putting in more details! I just know I would've smeared black paint all over this work and had to spend double the time repairing it. I still have mast lines and writing and things to add today.

Thanks for looking at my blog. Carol

03/21/12 Still on the easel

I made quite a bit of progress yesterday but once I painted the front red sail, I realized that it was the wrong shape! I never said I was the best at drawing! Besides making that adjustment, I have a lot of lines and details to add still. This has been a refreshing change from the heavy dark pictures I've been doing lately.

Thank you for taking the time to look at my blog. Carol

03/20/12 Just the beginnings

Began this 10 x 14 canvas yesterday. It took a while for me to draw it on the canvas but it was worth it. This is a pic I took of some catamarans on the beach. Loved the dark sky and bright colors. It has a lot more to do but hope to make some progress today, despite the flooding going on.

Thanks for looking at my blog. Carol

03/15/12 Island beach

Finished my Charleston beach, sand dunes picture and it is drying on the easel right now. This picture was taken at sunset and I think I was able to capture the starkness of the beach at that time of day. If you are interested in buying any of my paintings, please feel free to contact me at 214 535-2394 or mcmduke@mac.com for the details.

Thanks for looking at my blog.

03/13/12 An afternoon in the countryside

Some friends and I took a short road trip yesterday to the Tyler and surrounding areas to do some plein air painting. As you can see the yellow flowers were gorgeous in the fields. We painted for several hours and had SO much fun!! None of my work will ever be in the Louvre but I really enjoyed myself all afternoon.

Then on the way back we saw some longhorns and a whole herd of donkeys and these strange animals. I am told that they are a cross between a zebra and a donkey - zonkey or zeedonk! They are amazingly beautiful animals! I might even try a studio painting of one.

Thanks for checking out my blog. Carol

03/09/12 Atlantic Afternoon - just the beginning

While I have been waiting for my last painting to dry completely before I add some finishing touches to it, I decided to begin a new painting. This is the Atlantic Ocean seen from one of the Charleston islands. It was late afternoon when I ventured out onto the beach and the sun was setting. I couldn't resist trying to paint this calm scene. This is just the beginning but I love the color pallet and the peace it already sends out.

Thanks for looking at my beginnings and I hope you will be looking forward to the completion. Carol

03/07/12 Still on the easel-Under the Fence

I still have a lot to do on this painting. I put in bricks yesterday and now I have to make sure that they are dry before putting a shadow glaze over them. The horse looks like a cartoon character so I'll have to figure that one out before signing it. Other than those two things, I'm fairly pleased. If you have any advice, feel free to give it!

Thanks for looking at my blog. Carol

03/05/12 Now on the easel

As you can see, I have started on the other end of the Charleston horse. This is a bit more challenging because I've never drawn, much less painted a horse before! I have a preliminary sketch of his head and have even put some paint on his face. The perspective on this picture was a bit skewed because I was squatting down and looking under a fence. I have a lot of work to do on this guy today, we'll see what happens.

Thank you for looking at my blog. Carol

03/02/12 The business end of a horse!

We went out to pleinaire paint today and it was so windy that we went back to the studio! I know I am a "woosy," about it but since I am such a novice, that is my excuse!

When I was in Charleston last fall I got to go to Middleton Farms and took a ton of pictures! As I walked through the stable the light and shadow on this horse's behind fascinated me. I have been told not to put fences,etc. in my paintings but I thought it gave a hint as to where I was taking the picture! And it made me laugh! I have printed out the picture I took of this horse from the outside and will attempt that tomorrow.

Thanks for looking at my blog. Carol

03/01/12 Sophie

This beautiful pet portrait was done in super fast time. Not really on purpose but it just came together so easily that it amazed me. I loved the sharp focus on the cat and the soft background!

This little girl is the rescued cat of a friend of mine. When he found her she was all torn up with some material that had dug into her skin! She is so beautiful now that it is unbelievable that she was ever a matted bleeding mess!