A Painter's Studio Practice

Artists and their Friends

By Michel McNinch | March 16, 2024

Artist make good friends. Lifelong relationships can be developed over the love of art. I have many such friends; I am grateful. One such friend donated to Stormwater, a visual art non-profit, where I have a studio. She had the new Kinsler Creek Observation Deck built with handicapped access. We will honor her in grateful appreciation for this gift on April 20, 10am-3pm at Stormwater Studios with a butterfly release at 11am. A big crowd would thrill her.

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joaquin-sorolla-estudio-de-mar-1

Artists and the Sea

By Michel McNinch | March 9, 2024

Joaquín Sorolla, one of my favorite artists, painted this in 1904 and simply called it “Mar.”

Artists turn to the sea again and again for inspiration – and it never disappoints. The awesome nature of the sea is spellbinding. It is large and powerful, beautiful and elegant, treacherous and threatening, inviting and sublime. It has the power to harm and sustain. Everyday we depend on it to enrich our lives. All these things have been recorded for us by painters.

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Getting Ready for Spring

By Michel McNinch | March 3, 2024

Spring is such a beautiful time of year. Full of promise and new life. Also filled with art! Here in Columbia, we will start the season off with “Columbia Open Studios,” presented by 701 CCA. I know many of you are not in my area, but many of you are! Open Studios is such a great way to visit with the artists. When you come to Stormwater Studios you get to visit with 8 at one time – including moi!

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"Blue Mesa Memory," 24x48, oil on canvas. This is the final painting. It has been in my studio on and off the easel for a long time. It is finally ready to sing it's song.

Watching Paint Dry

By Michel McNinch | February 24, 2024

Sometimes I watch paint dry while waiting to put a final varnish, hooks, and wire before I give it to you for viewing – in its final state. Sometimes, the paint must dry before I can take the next necessary steps to complete the original vision. Then there are the times that a painting must sit and dry while I decide what the next steps are going to be. I have all that going on this week.

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Welcome to my home studio. It has been a busy place this week. Two more paintings in my Stormwater Wildlife series have been completed.

Stormwater Studios Wildlife Series

By Michel McNinch | February 18, 2024

This week found me working in my home studio. My Stormwater Studios Wildlife series is going great. I am inspired by all we have been doing on the grounds (i.e. pollinator garden and observation deck). To be in the middle of the city, it is so cool to have such a vibrant ecosystem.

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I spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon painting the sky. It is very wet now. I will make another pass over it when it has dried. So far so good. I think I can hear the birds waking up and looking for breakfast. A New Horizon - Litchfield - C-flat - Series - Michel McNinch - original coastal landscape paintings

Litchfield – C-flat Series #1 – Sunrise

By Michel McNinch | February 10, 2024

Sunrise at Litchfield Beach is one of the most glorious events I have ever witnessed. I try to see it at least once a year with the Ladies of the Traveling Paints. I have painted it many times – en plein air and in the studio. This week there was progress on my current Litchfield painting (30×40 inches). I have made 5 images so you can view the progress. Thank you very much for your interest in my painting practice.

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A cute face and a fresh start. A new painting of a River Otter begins.

Fresh Canvas

By Michel McNinch | February 4, 2024

The home studio is crawling with artwork. My metal leaf series is coming alive with fresh critters all the time. Channeling my inner Beatrix Potter. This friendly River Otter makes his first appearance on the easel.

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"Flora," 12x12, oil on silver leaf - this little honey bee needed a few details. Now, she is ready for the world. Say hello to Flora.

Finishing What I Started

By Michel McNinch | January 28, 2024

Finishing what I started this week. The paintings laying around my studio that need final touches have my attention. They need to be finished so that my new work can have all my attention. Hope your week will be buzzing with creativity. I’ll be painting.

Thank you; I appreciate your being here.

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Variations on a Theme

By Michel McNinch | January 21, 2024

Four shows in 2024. One theme. Nature can soothe, and it is available to everyone.

Busy painting in the studio. Two finished this week. Can I keep the pace? We shall see.

First I am working on paintings for Artista Vista / Art Day at Stormwater show. April 19-20.

The variation on my theme here is the little lives that surround our studios in our oasis. As Karen Murphy plants with these little ones in mind, we see more and more feel comfortable in our gardens. I am painting the animals I have seen on our grounds. This week, a cicada with wings spread.

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Lots of Painting in the Studio

By Michel McNinch | January 14, 2024

Lots of Painting in the Studio. Happy to say that I have been able to paint many hours this week. Here are two completed works and a work in progress.

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The Tortoise and the Hare

By Michel McNinch | January 6, 2024

This year, I have 4 events coming up that I want to be spectacular!

So, I organized my thoughts around them, chose a series of paintings for each, and began to paint.

First up will be Artista Vista and Art Day at Stormwater Studios April.
My series idea was to get inspiration from our new pollinator and native plant garden. The series planned is to celebrate / elevate the small animals that live (or visit) the Stormwater Studios campus.

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Karen After the Native Plant Sale.

Supporting Inspiration at Stormwater Studios

By Michel McNinch | December 29, 2023

Richland County Conservation Commission Jan 9 Report for Stormwater Studios Ecosystem Restoration

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