Buoys "re-do"

I actually painted this 2 years ago, but it's always bothered me because it seemed too dark...  Well, I was inspired to do something about it today!  I lightened up the background and brightened the buoys.  I don't even have the original photo anymore, so I was just "winging it".  I am MUCH happier with it now!  (scroll down to see the original)

8" x 10"

acryl;ic

$125

"BEFORE"

Gannon and Colton II

This past weekend we headed home for a surprise 40th birthday party for my sister-in-law.  (Today's her actual birthday!)  She was sooo surprised!  It was a quick trip, but well worth it- her Mom and best friend from High School did an AMAZING job with the party and keeping it a secret.  

I decided a few weeks ago to paint this for her of her 2 boys from a couple of summers ago.  I'd had it in my "to paint" file for a while, and the time seemed just right~  ;o)

Happy Birthday Nancy Pillow Moore!!!

Little White Cottage

I've been wanting to paint some more houses lately, and the "beachier" the better.  We've been having some amazing spring weather and having the windows open in my studio just gets me going.  (I also found a cool "beach waves" app for my i-pad, so when I can't be at the beach, I can bring the beach to me! )

Enjoy!

16" x 12"

acrylic on canvas

$325

Abstract Ikat

I started playing with patterns back in December of last year.  I really like the Ikat pattern and worked on this for quite a while (there must be like 20 layers of paint!).  I thought it was finished for a while, but it seemed like it was missing something.  I figured it out and here's the finished product!  It's always a refreshing challenge to paint outside my "creative comfort zone"~

Enjoy!

Fused Glass Class!

A few weeks ago I took a Fused Glass class with artist Jean Cheely at the Cary Arts Center.  I've wanted to work with fused glass for a LONG time and I was just itching to get in there!  I really enjoyed releasing some new "creative energy" and was quite pleased with my projects (for the most part).  Can't wait to take some more classes- I've been stalking the internet for updated class schedules 'round here!  :o)

Brown Beltie

Remember my New Year's Resolutions?  Well, here's the painting that was unfinished on my easel!  Finally done and I just love her!  We took this photo either last spring or summer at Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, NC.  We go there a lot and just tootle around~ :o)  I hadn't seen the brown beltie (Calloway) before and she was kind enough to be in great light for me to get some good shots of her.  

24" x 24"

acrylic on deep canvas

$750

Baby Chickadee

Here's one of the babies I painted from my photo session mentioned in my previous post.  He was sort-of fluffed up- they almost seemed bigger than their parents!

6" x 6"

acrylic on deep canvas

$55

Out on a Limb

One of my favorite places to be when the weather is nice is on my front porch.  I love to read, paint, relax, etc., as soon as the weather permits!  Since I've started painting, I've become very observant of my surroundings, especially nature.  Every spring we'll have several nests pop up and I love to watch the "parents" build, prepare for, and then take care of their babies.  Sometimes I'm blessed with seeing those babies actually leaving their nests!  I usually run get my camera and follow them all around until I have a million photos.  It's really quite amazing to see it happen!

We had some baby chickadees one year in our cherry tree and it was really hard to get some decent photos of them because of all the branches and leaves. I ended up with a few good one's and decided recently to actually paint some.  I think this might have been mom or dad watching out as they fluttered around.  I love watching the chickadees because they're just so stinkin' cute!

6" x 6"

acrylic on deep canvas

$55

Resolutions...

In the studio with my newest muse Isabel and a painting I'm "resolving" to finish this year!

I always have great thoughts in my head that I'd like to write about, but it never comes out as creative or "poignant" as I'd like...I guess that's why I enjoy reading posts and blogs from those who get it right!   Especially artists who write these great summaries about their paintings and inspiration~ I always think, "well, I have that much to say too!", and then it only comes out in a brief statement.  (btw- I had a really hard time with written reports in school too!)  It's all in my head, I just can't get it out.  Maybe that's why I paint, or is it just a side effect of ADD???

I've been obsessed lately with Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman.  I feel like I'm working my way through her recipes like others work their way through Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking"!  (HUGE shout out for her Pot Roast recipe~ it ROCKS!)  She's very inspiring and talented in many ways other than cooking and she has a "realness" that's very refreshing.  ANYWAY, the reason I mention her (other than my obsession-ha!), is she posted about resolutions in early January.  It was basically making your resolutions based on the letters of RESOLUTION.  I tried to do this too, but couldn't make my resolutions "fit".  Here are some of the things I'd like to do, or at least be better at:

• stay in touch with friends better
• try some new painting techniques/workshops/classes
• focus on my painting and not get distracted by too many other "projects"!
• be present
• read more- stay focused long enough to read more...
• be active- I've become very sedentary!
• listen for God's voice- I tend to spend most of my time talking to Him and not enough time "being still"
• eat healthier
• finish unfinished paintings!
• plan and follow through!  the planning part is easy, the follow through is NOT my forte'...
• write more about my artwork- at least try to be interesting~
• paint kitchen cabinets (yep, you read correctly!)

That's it for now~ it'll be great if I can remember half of those!  Good luck with your resolutions this year and just remember that it's OK if they don't work out; it's just good to have goals!  

Enjoy 2013!!!

Christy

PS- as a side note, I started writing this post about 3 weeks ago and just couldn't finish it until today, the 31st...ha!  I haven't even posted a few new paintings yet because I was determined to get this done in January!!!  And look, I made it!  There is hope for me yet~  :o)

Christmas Commission

Another special Christmas gift for a returning customer!  It was such a great photo of a sweet moment in time...I'm so happy with how this painting came out!  I hope it was a great surprise~

Merry Christmas Leslie and Matt!

"A Day with Davis"

SOLD  

“Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Merry Christmas Ya'll!!!

Currituck Beach Lighthouse Keeper's House

For the last 10 years or so we've been spending our Thanksgiving's with family in the Outer Banks in NC.  One year the house was in Duck and we spent some time exploring the sites in the northern towns such as The Whalehead Club and the Currituck Beach Lighthouse.  There was a beautiful late afternoon light on the Keeper's House that we captured in a photo- I tried to capture that in the painting.  

Enjoy!

8" x 10"

acrylic on canvas

$125

(framed $145) 

Happy Birthday George!

We had a fabulous time this past weekend celebrating my father-in-laws's 80th birthday with family and friends!  (His actual birthday was yesterday)

Happy Birthday George!

Taylor House Inn- Commission

This was a special order from a returning customer for a wedding gift.  The Taylor House Inn was the venue for the wedding- what a beautiful setting and such a special, personal gift!  

8" x 10"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Holiday Orders!

Can you believe the holiday's are right around the corner?!?  Don't wait until the last minute to come up with a super special gift for someone!

I'm taking custom painting orders now to be ready in time for the holidays.  Contact me directly if you'd like more information or to place your request~crpillow@gmail.com

Thanks!

Christy

Jackie's View (commission)

This BEAUTIFUL view is from the house of a returning customer's friend~  I certainly would love to look at this every evening!  I hope she enjoyed her very special birthday present! 

SOLD

Catch Me if You Can

I'm still trying to come up with a title for this little sand piper...creative writing is NOT my thing!  :o)  

"Bird Booty", "Does This Make My Bum Look Big?", "Bird 'Bum'", "No More Photo's Please"...just not sure yet.

6" x 6"

acrylic on canvas

$55

Hand Painted Wine Bottle Lights

I've been having fun making these wine bottle lights!  It's been a long process figuring out the best way to get the bottles to "work" in a way I wanted them to~ and I'm not a very patient person, so it's been quite a journey- ha!  Below are some of my latest creations.  I can duplicate and personalize any of these, as well as come up with a custom design.  

They're $35 each and $13 for shipping (if applicable).  Contact me directly at crpillow@gmail.com if you're interested in ordering one (or 2 or 3...)  Please allow 2-3 weeks for custom orders.

Thanks and enjoy!

Christy

Sunflower

Coral and Starfish (with initial)

Crabs with Green Seaweed

Crabs with Red Coral

Flower with Initial

Flower with Initial and Chevron Pattern

Sunset Beach

Sunset Wave

Sunset Wave 2

Oh Happiness!

It was late afternoon while on vacation that we took photo's of this brother and sister playing in the surf.  I love the warmth of the late afternoon sun, and they were having so much fun! 

The "stalk-a-razzi" strikes again....!

12 x 16

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Brotherly Love

Sometime earlier this summer I sent out a Facebook request looking for some photo's for inspiration and a friend sent me a picture of her 2 boys on the beach. Well, I was inspired!  So sweet!

14" x 11"

acrylic on canvas

HOLD

Cary Gallery of Artists

So excited to announce that I'm now a member of the Cary Gallery of Artists in Cary, NC!  I'll be hanging my artwork tomorrow and will be a featured artist during Lazy Daze this Saturday, August 25th and during Cary's "Final Friday" (and the Gallery's 7th birthday celebration!) on August 31st.  Swing by and check out my work as well as that of 23 other artists!

Father's Day Gift

My friend Nancy had me paint this as a gift for Father's Day~  I have wanted to paint this for so long because I just loved the photo!  The expression on her son's face is just priceless.  Of course, he's now a 16 year old young "man"!  

Thanks Nancy!

12" x 16"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center

I've been wanting to paint this for a while- I think we took the picture a few years ago while on vacation.  Aaah, the "salt life"!

16" x 20"

acrylic on canvas

$475

Commissioned Wedding Gift

This was for a returning customer for a wedding gift- It's Bayonet Farm in New Jersey, where the couple celebrated!  It's such a lovely idea for a wedding gift- I hope they love it!

8" x 8"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Pink Hat

Back from an awesome (and much needed) trip to the beach!  Some sand in my toes and salt air in my lungs is all I needed for some renewed inspiration~ I almost fell out of my beach chair trying to find my camera in time to catch this woman walking down the beach.  Her pink hat was awesome!

8 1/2" x 11"

acrylic on board

$135

Standing Watch

I enjoyed painting this little sea gull, and now I'm starting to feel the need for some salt air!  And it begins... :o)

9" x 9"

acrylic on board

$125

Tabby Nap

I was feeling the "need" to paint a furry critter, so I went through some old photo's of Tigger~ He was napping just outside the garage in the shade on a hot summer day! 

5" x 7"

acrylic on canvas

$55

Commissioned Painting

This is a commissioned painting for a returning customer~ a fabulous birthday present for her brother!  :o)

I hope he enjoys it!

11" x 14"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Encaustic Lecture

I went to a lecture last night at the VAE on "Encaustic Painting" (painting with hot wax).  Local artist Sharon DiGiulio was the lecturer, and I must say, I enjoyed her as much as learning about encaustics!  She is a hoot~  I learned a lot in the short 2 hours we had, and we were able to play a little bit with the wax.  My creation is above- it was really very cool.  It may be a while before I can delve into encaustics outside of a workshop, but I definitely see it in my future!  

I also met another local artist, Bethany Bryant, who's mother, Karen Pearson, I've known for years from my "homebuilding" days.  Bethany works in oil pastels and I've seen her work around town and just love it, so it was fun to meet her and make the connection, too!

Reconciled

More from the pallet knife!  I've been enjoying working on abstracts lately- it's a much different frame of mind~ comes from a different place.  

Enjoy!

16" x 8"

acrylic on canvas

$150