Stairways to the Moon

"Stairways to the Moon"
16" x 12"
Oil on hardboard
I painted away from home today and didn't manage to import my reference photo properly into my iPad, so I had to paint something that evolved from nothing. A friend gave me a RayMar panel so I toned it in umber, then drew a few lines and squeezed out two blues, two yellows and two reds. I softened the edges with my mop brush and this is what came of the donated canvas panel after 90 minutes.  

During the critique, someone mentioned that it looked like stairways to heaven … from any direction. I thought heaven was a stretch, but the moon was a possibility.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
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Flight

"Flight"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard
There hadn't been any signs of geese in my zip code until the temperature soared into the thirties the other day. They bundled up in their downy vests and made a last ditch effort to relocate, hopefully this time ALL the way south. 

I've been asked why my sky paintings always seem so lonely. I've made hundreds of them, apparently lonely. So I thought I'd spice this one up with a sprinkling of life. I'm feeling alive, so why not show it.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
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Along the Way

"Along the Way"
7" x 5"
Pastel on sanded paper
I looked out the window when I wakened from a nap and saw that the landscape had changed drastically. The trees had dropped their leaves, the roadside pebbles had turned into sheer cliffs, the plains had erupted into mountains and the moon was dotting an imaginary letter i.  

I'm on an imaginary trip tonight. I saw this image and had to try to paint it.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
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Wh- Wh- Who's Five?

"Wh- Wh- Who's Five?"
6" x 6"
Oil on wrapped canvas
My grandson, who is a big fan of the great horned owl, turns five this week.  I painted this for him.  It's on an inch and a half thick wrapped canvas, so it can sit on a shelf, or dresser, or be hung with the other things I've painted for him over the years. Happy Birthday, dear one. 

I saw whimsical owl paintings in Colorado last week and got the idea to paint one.  The whimsy here is the suggestion of a moon. It's there if you want it to be.

Carol

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Waning Crescent

"Waning Crescent"
6" x 6"
Oil on canvas panel
The waning crescent, or old moon hangs in the sky when more than half the moon is in shadow.  
She's old because her lit part is decreasing and she will soon cease to be ... visible.  I love all things related to the moon. 

This fulfills the weekly challenge for DPW. The theme was to feature the moon, predominantly. You can imagine how much restraint I exercised in not submitting my own ... moon to this challenge.  I may be growing up, after all.  Perhaps I'm in my waning crescent phase.

Love,
Carol

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Colorado Moon

"Colorado Moon"
4" x 16"
Watercolor on Arches
It was daylight, yet the moon shone  like an opal, having dominion over towering peaks and valleys alike. 


The question arose after yesterday's post.  What is Arches?   D'Arches or Arches, in "art speak," is the benchmark watercolor paper.  It's handmade, French paper consisting of 100% cotton fiber, and made in three textures: rough, cold pressed (some tooth) or hot pressed (smooth).  It also comes in different weights: 90#, 140#, 300# and 450#.  Pound weight is based on the weight of 100 sheets of 22" x 30" paper. The thinner sheets weigh only 90 pounds, and so on.  


Carol


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Autumn Crescent Puzzle Moon

"Autumn Crescent Puzzle Moon"
18" x 24"
Acrylic on wrapped canvas






















One steamy indian summer night when he thought nobody was looking, the Autumn Crescent took a refreshing dip in a rippling brook.  I saw him from the nursery window, as I rocked my feverish child and wished we could join him. 


I posted the companion piece to this one back in August, and forgot to follow up with this one.  Here it is now—strangely out of order, but included, now.

Thank you for stopping by today.
Carol

DPW
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Moon Fingers



"Moon Fingers"
11" x  22"
Acrylic on panel 
Moon Fingers was a commission for a couple who wanted these colors, this texture and size.  I scooped up the ingredients, folded in a dollop of love, and let 'er rip!
This piece is not as "happenstantial" as it might appear; given the randomness of the process. Saran wrinkles surrounded a waxed paper orb. Salt peppered texture over its face, and other than that, it was a piece of cake.  Or cheese. 
Moon Fingers can be seen on Dailypaintworks.com in my gallery there/here.  This piece, however, is already being loved and cared-for. Don't go lookin' to buy it. But I will be happy to create a cousin or sibling for you.  Just not an identical twin. 
Carol 

Puzzle Moon

"Puzzle Moon"
24" x 24"
Acrylic on wrapped canvas
When autumn chilled the Puzzle Moon she dipped down to take comfort in the Earthly warmth of colorful leaves, a rippling stream and a halo of golden stars.  


I doodle puzzle shapes in real life.  Interconnection, spacial relationships, and graphic representation surface like this in my work cyclicly.  This style visited for a short time, then left.  I took the cue, and hung a series of them in my guest room.


This painting is listed with, and for sale through a Daily Paintworks auction. 


Thank you for stopping by.
Carol