Painting Windows with a History

Welcome to the studio; painting was fun this week. I remembered who, what, when, where of the windows. Each window represents something to me. They hold images, sounds, smells, feelings for me. I lingered while painting them. The door is special also – in it’s odd little way.

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Redrawing is Necessary

Old wooden house sketch with outdoor porch and vintage furniture.

When I started to paint this week, I realized that my drawing had been smudged beyond usefulness. I could not put in the planks of the deck until I knew where the feet of the chairs would go, etc. So the sisters needed to be redrawn more specifically as to place. Redrawing is a necessary part of painting. After painting around and on the subjects, they have become fuzzy and a little pushed around. Creating a clear and concise drawing makes a path to a better painting.

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Painting is Life

Charming porch scene with vintage chair, blooming flowers, and classic architecture.

Painting is Life (Ted Lasso reference). Painting is my life… It’s good to be back. Here is an update on the painting “Comings and Goings,” oil 24×36, Collection of the artist. Blanchard Family Home on Sullivan’s Island.

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From Behind the Easel

Vintage house with red roof and white porch, surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees.

Blanchard Family Home on Sullivan’s Island. This porch has held all my people – while they nursed their sunburns, visited with one another, and told stories – old and new. This view is on the right side of the front door. The dining / party room. I wonder how many times “Happy Birthday” has been sung around that table?

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Springbank Retreat Center

I went straight to Springbank Retreat Center, in Kingstree, South Carolina.  My purpose in going was to deliver a gift from Pam. She had left the Center a world class collection of religious icons she had collected from all over the world. She had wanted to deliver them herself, but became too ill.

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Litchfield – C-flat Series #1 – Sunrise

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

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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Fresh Canvas

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

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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Learning Something New

My student and friend, Karen Murphy, shared with the Wednesday classes a bit of Art History. She told us about Wassily Kandinsky, who was an art theorist, and widely considered the “father of abstraction.” So, we gave it a whirl. It was fun letting go of the reality of form and light. We did our own take on circles and color.

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Holidays are Here

Holidays are Here. Celebrating this week. My classes take a break in December. But, before we do, we celebrate! We gather to celebrate each other and the season.

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Finished and Just Beginning

This painting and the following three comprise a Table Rock State Park Series. It was started in one of my painting classes to show how a series of paintings can all be started on the same day and using the same palette.  This gives a great chance that the paintings will hold together as a series.  Consistent Harmony. A worthy aim.

This week my fall series of paintings were completed and I checked out the venue for an upcoming show. Let me show you… This painting and the following three comprise a Table Rock State Park Series. It was started in one of my painting classes to show how a series of paintings can all be started on the same day and using the same palette.  This gives a great chance that the paintings will hold together as a series.  Consistent Harmony. A worthy aim.

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Fall at Table Rock State Park

There is a little lake in front of Table Rock and a small little area to explore. It is one of the most beautiful places in the whole park. Drive across the street and look for the little paths that will bring you to the lake. Don’t forget your camera.

Table Rock State Park has it all – cooler temperatures, historic cabins (built by Roosevelt’s CCC), and of course there is the vivid show of color during Fall! It is a landscape painter’s dream to have so many opportunities to paint. Nature lovers, camping lovers, and art lovers unite at Table Rock in the fall. Please consider supporting our beautiful park system by bringing all your family and friends out for a day to enjoy what the earth has to offer. What are your favorite parks in your area?

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