"Gone Fishin'"

9" x 12"

oil on canvas
sold

It's starting to turn cold here and the fishing for redfish and trout and is on! Guy went with a few friends (I couldn't go because I was a little busy with the show) and took some amazing photos. I snagged a few for inspiration. Now I want to go fishing, but unfortunately I'm a "fair weather fisherwoman"!

New Painting and the Show

"Comfort Zone"

5" x 5"

oil on panel

SOLD

The show was a total success! Packed house, great food, great music, some funky dance and lots of great patrons. 

Sold six paintings - one in the first few minutes. I had such an awesome time and I'm glad to be taking a little break, although I spent much of the day painting. There will be another show November 25th with a few new paintings. 

I made a little video so you all can be a part of the most fabulous evening. 

The official "Faithful" Art Show Video:

http://youtu.be/owvbQBUCUrg

Just so you know, I have all the paintings (I'm still adding a few) from the show for sale on my Etsy Shop. When you go to my shop you'll see a folder called "WHQR Faithful Show" with the paintings in it. Part of the proceeds go to support WHQR. 

Also, here is a little write up from the Star News

http://wae.blogs.starnewsonline.com/21109/faithful-clair-hartmann-paints-mans-best-friend/

"Faithful" Show & New Paintings

"The Critic"
18" x 24"
purchase

Today I spent 5 hours hanging the show at WHQR. It was actually pretty fun. I'm so proud to be showing in such a great gallery. 

Here is a video of the "State of the Art" show at the Cameron Museum. I'm in and my painting are in a few shots. The show is coming down in just a few days so if you want to see it, get down there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ocyVt7D5M&feature=player_embedded#!

"Frida Dog" for International Artist Day

16" x 20"

oil on canvas

Today is International Artist Day and I am honoring one of my most favorite artists, Frida Kahlo. 

I took inspration from three of her paintings. Two named "Self Portrait with Monkey" and "Flower Headdress".

I painted my dog as Frida's "Self Portrait with Monkey" because he has a toy monkey that he plays with and I thought it would be fun to paint, which it was. 

While I painted this I thought a lot about why she painted the way she did and I think because she was on her back from a debilitating injury most of her life and probably on heavy pain killers, she had a lot of time. So she did detail, lots of it; hairs on the leaves, monkey, flowers, everything. I think also, some of her imaginary paintings stem from her altered state - just guessing. I always wondered, If she had not been injured, would she have painted these beautiful paintings or how would her life had been different?

Here is some history:

Frida Kahlo said regarding her painting ""I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration." The way she approached life out of her pain can be understood in this statement "I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best." "My painting carries with it the message of pain." Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, stricken with polio as a child and injured badly in an accident when she was 18, struggled with pain and disability all her life. Her paintings reflect a modernist take on folk art and integrate her experience of suffering. Frida Kahlo paintings included self portraits that depicted her physical and emotional pain and suffering. She used a lot of symbolism in her works and borrowed elements from surrealism and naive art. Frida Kahlo was married to artist Diego Rivera. 

Sleeping Dachshund and other happenings

"Peace of Blue"

4" x 5"

furiously working away for the show

My painting on the NBC Show "Parenthood"

Here's another shot

 

and... another

"Please?"

24" x 24"

oil on canvas

purchase

Shore Leave

40" x 30"

oil on fabric on canvas

purchase

Don't forget my show is coming up next Friday!

Click here for more info:

www.clairhartmann.com

Chiquita Banana

30" x 30"

oil on canvas

purchase

After the Hunt

4" x 4"

oil on panel

purchase

My show is coming up the 28th - Mark your calendars!!

http://clairhartmann.com/

Shelter Dog

9" x 12"

oil on canvas

from the lost dog series

Things are coming along pretty well. Working on a few new paintings for the show and just finished a portrait, but can't post it because it's a surprise for some lucky person. 

Christmas portraits have already started rolling in. If you are interested in commissioning one, get in early - slots fill up fast!

www.petportraitsbyclair.com

Steve Jobs

The recent passing on Steve Jobs had little effect on me. Not because I just don't care, but because at this moment my life is a whirlwind of activity.... my own show in two and a half weeks, 5 paintings in progress, 3 commissions, an illustration job, marketing, and of course all the regular stuff your supposed to do in life, laundry, grocery shopping, feeding the dog, etc.

When I received this blog post by Duane Keiser, the painter that inspired me to get off my butt and paint, I had to pause and think about how Steve Jobs has affected my life so deeply. Without his genius, I would not be where I am today and wouldn't even be having this show. The mac has allowed me to market my work and reach millions of people rather than a few hundred through a gallery.

Duane says it so much more eloquently here:
Keiser on Painting

Thank you Steve Jobs for changing my life.

"Faithful" October 28th, 2011

"Faithful: A Series of Dog Paintings", by artist Clair Hartmann will open at the WHQR gallery October 28th. Included in the show are  portraits from her popular Wilmington based "Downtown Dogs" series, a premiere showing of her new body of work, "Lost Dogs", and a sampling of beloved canine companions ranging from whimsical, classical to contemporary. 

Guitarist Rick Toby will provide a musical backdrop with smooth sounds of the deep south Delta Blues, and the Adopt-An-Angel rescue group will be there with some furry friends in need of a loving home who would just love to meet you! So please join us for an evening to celebrate and support the Arts... WHQR...and our faithful canine companions. Who knows? You may meet the love of your life!

Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them,
Filling an emptiness we don't even know we have.
                         
~ Thom Jones

PRESS RELEASE

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!!