Downtown Dog 7

8" x 8"

Oil on canvas
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I wasn't sure if this guy was black or brown - so I made him both.

I'm a week into this and have gotten a really positive response. The dogs are ( I think) very therapeutic for me. Maybe because they make me smile while I'm working on them.

I'm gearing up for the farmers market this weekend where I will be showing these and other things. Should have 13 by then and will be taking more photos for paintings so If you want your dog photographed come by and see me!

Then I will be heading to FL for a week to drop off some paintings at Corse Gallery and my submission to Art Unleashed.

Wyoming Storm

3.5" x 2.5"

Oil on canvas

Framed

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Downtown Dog 6

8" x 8" 

Oil on canvas
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Downtown Dog 5

8" x 8" 

Oil on canvas
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Spent the day at Bald Head Island with three artist friends - we went to The Woods Gallery and had a really great day driving around the island.

Downtown Dog 4

8" x 8"

Oil on panel
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I just love this guy!!

"The Dream"
36" x 24"

Oil on canvas

Just finished this today. This painting, "Me & My Shadow" and another I'm working on will be up at Corse Gallery & Atelier in Jacksonville, FL the month of July.

Downtown Dog 3

8" x 8" 

oil on panel
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Downtown Dog 2

8" x 8"

oil on panel
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I have updated my site: www.clairhartmann.com to include the "The Downtown Dog Project". It includes all the photos and paintings. I have decided to do 100 paintings and am really excited about this project. Somehow I would like to get a charity involved, maybe the city of Wilmington? Not sure. It will definitely be a journey.

Downtown Dog 1

8" x 8"
Oil on board
Click to Purchase


Today I was working the Farmer's Market and it was quite successful. I met a lot of really nice people, sold a few pieces and got lots of pictures of dogs for my exciting new project, "Downtown Dog".

Since so many people bring their dogs to the farmers market, it has become quite a community and you really can't help but smile when you see them all together. I recently thought of the "Downtown Dog" project - this involves painting portraits of some of these cute canines and having a show at the end of the year - not sure where yet, but I already have an offer for a venue! Eventually I would like to do a poster (book maybe?) and have them available at the farmers market - who knows where it will all lead - the options are endless!

Here is the first downtown dog and if it's yours please contact me and let me know his/her name.

Me & My Shadow

36" x 24"

Oil on Canvas

This and two other paintings will be up at
Corse Gallery & Atelier in Jacksonville, Fl the month of July.

Tidal Pools

5" x 3"

oil on paper

framed

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Fishing Bobber

 

 

3.5" x 2.5"

oil on panel

framed

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I found this on the beach tonight and thought it would be a good subject.

Pear with Napkin

7" x 5"

oil on panel

framed

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I have found an old wooden fruit crate that is wonderful for setting up a painting like this. The lighting is great and creates a dramatic feel. 

I have noticed in a lot of classic paintings that I'm drawn too have weathered wood in them and even though it looks like it would be hard to paint, in fact, it's very easy. 

Tiny Pear

2.5" x 3.5"

oil on panel

framed

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Me & My Shadow (small)

2.5" x 3.5"

oil on board

framed

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Colorado Storm

3.5" x 2.5"

Oil on board

Framed
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When I got back home from Florida my computer refused to talk to me so I took it to the doctor to see what the problem was and they said just a few adjustments and it would be good as new and so it is. 

So glad to be back in NC!  The trip was good - got to see the baby and spend time with mama and of course, he is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen.

I have kept up with the paintings, but was unable to post. Now I'm back in business with the computer and soooo happy it was a quick fix and not a total disaster!

Safe Harbour

10" x 8" 

Oil on board

Clouds Over a Field

5" x 3.5"

oil on board
framed

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Rainy Sunset

3.5" x 5"

oil on board

framed 

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Afternoon Marsh

5" x 3.5"

oil on board
framed
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Sunrise Over Marsh

 

5" x 3.5"

oil on board

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Sleepy

12" x 12" 

Oil on panel

I've been painting on this the past few days and I'm really happy with the way it's turned out. Now that things are settled, I'll be driving back to NC tomorrow, so it will be a few days until I'll be sending my dailies again. 

I really hate missing days, but sometimes it's just not possible and a break is in order. 

Can't wait to get "back in the groove"! 

New Baby

Well, we have baby!! Finally!
I spent most of the day at the hospital. Whew! I am tired, but not nearly as tired as the mom and dad! Everyone is healthy and happy.

Here is a quick painting I did on un-primed masonite. Now I know why it's better to prepare the surface - good to know. The paint gets absorbed quickly and it's very difficult to make colors even and accurate. 

Jack Russell

10" x 13"

Oil on board

I wanted to do a classic portrait and I'm really happy with the way this turned out - I've painted Chumley so many times, I can practically do it with my eyes closed - well maybe not. He is one of my favorite subjects - so everybody get a Jack Russell Terrier and you all get a portrait!

My friend has finally gone into labor - we're hoping for tonight!

I'll update later.

Looking Back

10" x 8"

Oil on board
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I have been wanting to do this painting ever since I took this shot last summer out in Island Park Idaho and hope to do a larger version. If you ever get the chance to go there, it's a really beautiful place. Lots of wild flowers, horses, wild things, real ranchers, a completely different life than the one I have lived.

There are a lot of photos that I took out west that I have wanted to paint, not to meantion a lot of paintings of a lot of things that I have wanted to do and now that I'm doing a painting a day I'm getting to do all of them. The anticipation of a painting, thinking about it, working it all out in my head, seeing it before I even put paint to the canvas - - This is exciting to me!

"Big Blue Flame" Progress

27" x 55"

Oil on canvas

I'm almost done with this -  still need to add highlights after it dries a little.

Bid on this painting

I went ahead and did a small sketch painting of an old syrup dispenser that my friend gave me on my last visit.

Big Blue Flame

27" x 55"

Oil on canvas

I decided to go ahead and start this - time is creeping up on me for the Caffe Phoenix show in October and since I have a lot of time, might as well start. 

This is after about 3 or 4 hours of painting - I should be done tonight or tomorrow morning. I like to paint a little, then walk around and do something else, then paint some more - painting straight through is a little tough for me - when I stare at something too long it becomes a bit overwhelming.

Blue Flame

5" x 7"

Oil on board

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I'm gearing up to do this really big for the "Larger than Life Series" and wanted to see how it would paint. I like the way it turned out and think it will be a nice addition to the series. (need to stock up on white and blue paint.)

No baby yet.

Red Fez

10" x 8"

Oil on board
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Me & My Shadow II

8" x 10"

Oil on Board

Click to Buy

TP or Not TP

8" x 10"

Oil on board

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A quick painting before I go to see my friend - no baby yet. It's a full moon, so maybe today. In the meantime, I'm enjoying peace time and painting.

Sandhill cranes on the beach today. 

I took this photo through the screen so it's a little blurry.

Me & My Shadow

10" x 8"

Oil on board

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A Sacred Place

19" x 19"

Oil on canvas

I started out wanting to do just a cactus then it just turned into something else - lately I've been experiencing some issues with aging and life, etc. and this painting has turned into a mirror of that.

Although it means a great deal to me and it communicated back to me what has been going on in my head - I hope you get your own meaning out of it.

Black Beatle

5" x 7"

Oil on board

Red Turban II

11" x 14"

Oil on board

I was commissioned to do this painting in a larger size - You can see it looks much different than the first version -  I think this you can see his eyes better and he looks less hunched.

Something Shiny

5" x 7"

Oil on board

I was inspired by a friend to do this painting through a conversation we were having about birds, people and shiny things - I have done this crow before and have the painting hanging up in my house and I looked up at him and thought you'd look nice with something shiny and there you have it - the idea is born. Speaking of born, my friend still has not had her baby - it's actually due the 10th, but the doctor thought it possibly would be early.

Beach at Dusk

7" x 5" 

Oil on board

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I spent the day at the Riverside Art Market in Jacksonville, FL and if you get the chance, go! It was really great - I got to meet some artists and had an awesome time. I am so tired right now, but I wanted to get a quick painting done. This is Wrightsville beach at sunset. Sometimes when I'm running on reserve I get more of an honest interpretation because I'm not wanting to think too much and just let go - If that makes any sense. Did I say I'm really tired?

Darby's Lamp

8" x 10"

Oil on board

When I went to my friend's house who's having the baby this lamp was sitting on her kitchen table and the light was just perfect, so I snapped a shot and used it to paint the next day then finished it this morning.

Although I do paint from life as much as I can, I also use photographs because sometimes moments and light just don't last. Also, since I paint through out the day the light is constantly changing which makes still life even more difficult. I have tried artificial light but have trouble seeing correct color and since the only rules in painting are the ones we create - mine is to use photos whenever I need to.

Note: I am having trouble getting correct color on the paintings because my screen here is really cheap and my other in NC weighs about a million pounds and is not very portable. When I get back I'll post better photos.

Purple Shell III

12" x 12"

Oil on canvas

I started painting something else yesterday and just couldn't get it to work, so I wiped it and started on this. 

Sometimes when I am having trouble with a painting, I will experience a lot of doubt & frustration. Instead of going round and round and banging my head with a piece that's not working, it's best to paint something I know. I've painted this shell a lot in the past, so I know it well. 

Confidence is restored and then I'm looking forward to the next painting. 

A lot of artists will do the same painting a few times before they start on the final big piece - which, I am now thinking is a really good idea.