Bowl of Cherries up for auction

"Bowl of Cherries"
8"x 8"
Oil on panel

I recently put this painting up for auction at dailypaintworks.com, a new daily painter's site I recently joined.
The starting bid is $65
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/16428

I have been away in Florida for a little mini vacation. Tomorrow we drive back. I started a small painting and then got caught up in a mosaic project in the kitchen. Here's a photo. Lots of fun, but didn't get done what I should have since I'm having a show in less than a month.
Oh well!

Update on "Chiquita" & "Parenthood"

I have decided to revisit Chiquita. It needed something... Drama! So I changed the background color and working more on the earring and chest fur.  

Remember when I posted that NBC's "Parenthood" show had purchased 6 paintings? Well, I watched the first episode yesterday on my NBC App for my IPad and saw the Pear! That's the only one so far. 

Here are the others, if you see one, let me know. 

It's kind of like a treasure hunt on TV. 

Lost Dog III

6" x 6"

oil on canvas

purchase

Barista Dog

4" x 7"

oil on wood panel

purchase

Me and Guy were eating at Baristas, downtown, Wilmington, one of my favorite breakfast places and this guy walked up with this dog looking for a home for him. He was so adorable and it broke my heart. I don't know what happened to him. Let's hope he found a good home for him. 

This is part of the "lost dog" series I've been working on.

Chiquita

30" x 30"

oil on panel

purchase

 

My new Cabana Carport (Phase I Complete)

Street Dog

8" x 10"

oil on panel

(lost dog series)
sold

Bowl of Cherries & Downtown Dog Paint Sketch

8" x 8"

Purchase

8" x 8"

sold

I did the cherry painting during the hurricane while the power was out. We had no major damage and it was quite exciting - I thought it was very appropriate that the hurricane landed on my birthday since I was born in a hurricane 47 years ago!

Before the hurricane at the beach

New Painting "Big City Dog"

14" x 11

sold

Well, I took a little break to turn my carport into a cabana paradise and I'm so close to my peace and serenity, and not to forget, the fruity drinks, but still need to add some finishing touches. I'll send a photo when I get done. 

I have really exciting news... I have been chosen to have my own show in October (up for 3 months) featuring all my dogs at the WHQR Gallery downtown!! I'm so excited! I will post the dates later... 

NOW, it's time to get busy!!

First Class at Bald Head Island

Well, my first teaching experience went well. I'm so thankful it was a small class - I was so NERVOUS! After a while the nervousness faded and we all had a great time. Here are my students - none of them had painted before except one, who had painted in oils for the first time a week before at another class. They each had a their own unique style and all did awesome!

Time Flies!

I just noticed my last post was July 31! Wow, time flies! Sorry I have been so neglectful in my posting, but I haven't been painting much. I did paint some abstracts and I thought about posting them, but I never know if they are done, so I'm waiting to see where they go first. 

Anyway, the table and benches have been my big project and I have been absolutely loving it! My goal is to create a "Cabana Carport" with tropical plants, string lights, bamboo, tiki torches, fruity drinks, you get the idea. Basically turning what was a nightmare space into a place of peace and serenity. 

One of my paintings has been featured on The Pet Museum blog. They wrote some really nice things about "Beach Dog" painting and the comments underneath are awesome!

I also wanted to remind everyone again about the portraits class this Thursday. 

Click below for more information. 

Click here for more information

www.clairhartmann.com

Carpe Noctem

30" x 30"

oil on canvas

purchase

Transition

26" x 20"

oil on canvas

SOLD

There is a part of me that wants to understand what makes realism work on canvas. 

There is a part of me that wants to paint what I see, another part wants to express what I feel through color and imagery, there are so many different painters inside of me and I guess that's why my style has so many variations. It used to bother me because I see all these other artists that are consistent with their style and subject and I thought that's how I should be and I tried, but I just can't do it. These other artists inside of me have to be heard and won't let me rest until they are. Who am I to shut them up? It does make life interesting for me and (hopefully) for you too. :)

Dawson's Creek

30" x 30"

oil on canvas

purchase

I had so much fun painting this - Perfect day, the colors, brushstrokes, music, everything - I really feel like the training wheels came off for this one. 

River Sunset

6" x 4"

oil on wood
purchase

Chiquita Banana

30" x 30"

oil on canvas

I'm about 80% done with this. Still need to work on the hat and fine fur.  I also thought she needed an earring, so I started to add a nice "tropical fruit bunch" earring which I thought was appropriate for the subject. 

Night Cicada

SOLD

I wanted to experience something different and whimsical.

Curious

6" x 4"

oil on wood

I am a big fan of coffee and the best coffee I have found, though years of trial and error is Fresh Market brand. The nearest Fresh Market is in Gainesville, so I took a trip today. I saw this guy on my journey. I'm not sure if he or she is a mule or donkey, but he/she was very curious (and cute) while I stopped to snap a photo. I would have stayed and chatted for awhile, but it was hot and coffee was waiting. 

Blue Sky with a Side of Clouds

5" x 7"

oil on panel

purchase

Clair Hartmann, Artist

email me

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Lake Sunset II

5" x 7"

oil on panel

Better photo of "Lake Sunset"

Lake Sunset

7" x 5"

oil on panel