Thinking of Holiday Traditions

Each year we do things that bring us together and remind us of traditions specific to ourselves, community and, family and friends. They remind us of who we are and who has come and gone. It is my hope for this year that each of us enjoy and treasure our time together.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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?

Read More

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.

Read More

Variations on a Theme

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.

Read More

The Tortoise and the Hare

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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?

Read More

Santee State Park Revisited

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, oil, 11x14 Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, a SCDNR public land near Santee State Park and was a lovely way to spend the day. The vast natural beauty in this area is healing to my spirit. To sit in such beauty and paint is the height of my joy. It so effortlessly exists without any input from us humans. ; ) #comeoutandpaint #stormwaterstudios #michelmcninch #coastalliving #naturelovers #landscapelovers #inspiration #artlovers #santee #santeestatepark #beanartist #artlovers #Donnelley WildlifeManagementArea #SCDNR #campinglife

My time at Santee State Park resulted in many paintings over the years. Let me show you some of my paintings from my first visit there. You may have seen some of these. I am hopeful you will enjoy them this time too. : ). Santee State Park is replete with these beautiful places. It seems very holy to me. I don’t really have words to explain, but my spirit seems to connect with these places in a way nothing else does. That is why this is what I paint.

Read More