"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
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Shore Leave
40" x 30"
oil on fabric on canvas
Don't forget my show is coming up next Friday!
Click here for more info:
Monday, October 17, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
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!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
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.
Friday, October 7, 2011
"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
Thursday, September 29, 2011
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!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
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.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Barista Dog
4" x 7"
oil on wood panel
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.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Bowl of Cherries & Downtown Dog Paint Sketch
8" x 8"
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
Thursday, August 25, 2011
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!!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
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!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
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
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
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. :)
Friday, July 29, 2011
Dawson's Creek
30" x 30"
oil on canvas
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.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
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.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
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.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Lake III
"Resurrected"
5" x 7"
oil on panel
This little boat had sunk a while ago and was brought back to shore. Not sure if it can be used again, but it does make a nice painting.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
"Lake II", "Ollie" Commission, and "Chiquita" Progress
"Lake II - Clouds Clearing"
7" x 5"
oil on panel
"Ollie" Commission
12" x 19"
oil on panel
"Chiquita"
30" x 30"
oil on canvas
in progress
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Paintings, Lake and Film
Lake I
7" x 5"
oil on panel
This is first in a series of paintings at the lake house. I'm going to try to paint one everyday while I'm here. Today was a nice rainy, gray day and the clouds were shifting from dark to light and back again. It was quite beautiful.
Although this has nothing to do with painting, is does have something to do with my art. I have just completed a book cover for author, Nicole Louise Reid, winner of the Burnside Review Fiction Chapbook Competition. You can read more about it here.
Which brings me to my recent epiphany. I have alway struggled with my identity as an artist... "am I a graphic designer or a painter?" Well, I realized the other day, on my journey as being a painter, I was taught graphic design to be a better, more rounded painter. Being a successful artist, you must market yourself and if you aren't going to rely on a gallery to do it for you, you must do it yourself. I would prefer not to rely on a gallery (although, I do love the Woods gallery on Bald Head Island because it's really fun to take trips there) because in my opinion, I feel I can sell my paintings better and reach more of an audience on the world wide internet with my graphic design and marketing skills. It's a little more work, but it fun for me.
While we are on the subject of reaching more of an audience, somehow through all the marketing, NBC saw my work and has purchased six of my paintings to be in the backdrop of the show "Parenthood" in the fall. SO keep an eye out for paintings. I gotta tell ya, I'm as giddy as a school girl about this!!
Also, a movie that is being filmed now called "Hick" with one of my favorite actresses, Juliette Lewis used two of my paintings. Hopefully the scene won't get cut - keeping fingers crossed.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
100 Dogs Poster
24" x 24"
Signed Print
Now that I have found a reputable and excellent printer, I am now offering the "100 Dogs" poster in my store. 100% of the profit goes to Adopt-an-Angel in Wilmington, NC. If you would like a smaller size, email me and I will give you a price.
These prints are absolutely gorgeous and archival! I am also offering any painting as a print of any size, so if you have something in mind let me know.
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