Artists and their Friends

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.

Read More

Getting Ready for Spring

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!

Read More

Stormwater Studios Wildlife Series

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

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

Finishing What I Started

"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 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.

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

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.

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

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.

Read More

The Ocean and the Lake

Litchfield Beach, oil, 6x8 This little spot in the world gives spectacular color. I always get inspired to paint there.

What is not to love about the inspiration of the ocean and lake for the landscape painter? Work on my SC State Parks series brought out these paintings that were waiting patiently for their last licks of the brush.  I enjoyed a pleasant day in my studio with the door open and the breeze blowing while I had my last session on these paintings.

Read More