Watercolor Crab III

Watercolor Crab III
16 x 12"
watercolor on canvas

Been doing a little experimenting with watercolors. I use these watercolor canvases to paint oils because they are so smooth, so I thought I would try doing a watercolor on one. I like the effect - a little harder to control, but it is a nice surface to work with.

White Koi

White Koi
8x10"
oil on canvas
view in my shop

This is my first painting of 2017.

I decided on Chumley because he is my most favorite subject to paint and this is his favorite thing to do - see the fish at the Arboretum. I ask him "do you want to go see the fish?" and he knows exactly what's coming. If I let him, he would stay all day and stare at the koi. When we leave he digs his feet in and pulls on the leash with his teeth to stay. I practically have to drag him out (really sad).

Any way, I'm hoping for the New Year you get to do all of your most favorite things.

Happy New Year Everybody!

Chums

"Chums"
8" x 8"
oil on panel
view in my shop

I snapped a photo of Chumley this morning and wanted to just disappear for awhile in a painting of him. I've had a few friends lose their pups lately and I'm just so grateful Chums is still around after all the close calls he's had. It does my heart good just to see his face every morning.

Night Heron

Night Heron
14" x 5"
oil on thick panel
view in my shop

Barn Owl

Barn Owl
8" x 10" x 3/4"
oil on thick panel
view in my shop

I had a lot of fun with the drips and color on this one.
These animals are so intense looking.

Anjou Pear

"Anjou Pear"
8" x 10"
oil on canvas
view in my shop

Bluejay of Happiness

Bluejay of Happiness
10" x 8"x 3/4" (sides)
oil on heavy panel
view in my store

I wanted my first painting of 2015 to reflect how I hoped the year would be. Originally I thought of painting a bluebird, but I didn't feel the energy of a bluebird translated what I wanted to convey. I have always loved bluejays and their strong, proud, joyful energy. They are incredibly intelligent and very misunderstood. (on a side note: I have recorded about 12 different calls they make, all unique and expressive - the "squeaking gate" sound being my favorite) My mother told me once that when she was in labor with me, she listened to a bluejay outside the window making all of it's calls… maybe I heard them too.

So this year I hope to go in with strength and embrace joy in all things, choosing to recognize the joys and hold them in me.

Happy New Year to all of you - I have a good feeling about this one :)

Landscape Challenge #29

"Bermuda Rocks"
10" x 8"
oil on canvas
view in my shop

Landscape Challenge #28

"Perfect Day"
10" x 8"
oil on canvas
see it in my shop

I currently have 22 paintings on auction…

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/clair-hartmann-126/artwork/#/category=Auctions&mode=search

Landscape Challenge #27

"Marsh Edge"
10" x 8"
oil on canvas
see it in my shop

I currently have 22 paintings on auction…

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/clair-hartmann-126/artwork/#/category=Auctions&mode=search

Landscape Challenge #26

Captain Charlie's Station
7" x 5"
oil on panel
view in my shop

Landscape Challenge #24

"Atacadero, CA"
14" x 5.5
oil on wood
view in my shop


I will be at The Wine Sampler with my dog paintings this Friday if you want to come and hang out. 

The Wine Sampler
5 - 7pm
Friday, June 27th
http://thewinesampler.com

Landscape Challenge #23

"The Old Boat House"
12" x 7.5" x 1/2"
oil on wood
view in my shop

Landscape Challenge #15

"Snowy Marsh"
9" x 12"
oil on canvas
view item in my store

Really loving palette knife painting!

Landscape Challenge #12

"Sea Wall"
9" x 12"
oil on Canvas
purchase

I love the way this painting turned out and will probably paint it again. This scene is one of my favorites on Wrightsville Beach - It's rough and full of waves on one side and calm on the other - so peaceful - I've wanted to paint it for awhile.

Landscape Challenge #11

"Old School House"
oil on canvas
9" x 12"
purchase

Landscape Challenge #10

Monument Valley
12" x 9"
oil on canvas
purchase

Landscape Challenge #9

Storm Over Marsh
12" x 9"
oil on canvas
purchase

Landscape Challenge #7

12" x 9"
oil on canvas
purchase

I decided to change things out a bit and try a palette knife. Well, part is with a palette knife and part is with a spatula. No, not the kitchen spatula, one I purchased just in case… for situations just like this. You never know when you'll need a spatula for a painting when nothing else is working.
My motto: "be prepared" and I certainly am.

Landscape Challenge #6

12" x 9"
oil on canvas
purchase