Christmas Commission

My latest Christmas commission!  I hope she loved it!!!

20" x 24"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Sale for the Season

I'll be exhibiting 2 of my paintings this month at the Visual Art Exchange in downtown Raleigh this month.   The VAE is hosting their annual "Sale for the Season" opening tonight during  First Friday.  The exhibition runs from today, December 2nd, through December 23rd.  All works are by local artists and priced under $300.

San Antonio Palms
16 x 12
acrylic on canvas
$275

The Popular House
11 x 14
acrylic on canvas
$200

  

House on Salem Street

Here's another painting that I started last year but never finished.  I painted this from a photo Cathy had of a house here in Apex after a snowstorm a few years ago.

11" x 14"

acrylic on canvas

$225

Baby Beltie II

We love heading out to Fearrington Village every once in a while to wander around the shops, have a bite to eat, and stroll the grounds.  I particularly love checking out the newest additions grazing in the pastures- the baby belties!  Belties are Belted Galloway Cows, a rare breed of Scottish beef cattle, also called "Oreo Cows".  They are so stinkin' cute!

6" x 6"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

"Southern Menagerie" Acceptance!

My painting, "Outer Banks Fishing Pier", was accepted into the Junior League of Raleigh and Visual Art Exchange's  juried art exhibition, "Southern Menagerie", on display  November 3-6, 2011.  This exhibition is a special feature of the JLR's "A Shopping SPREE!", an annual 4 day fundraiser.  If you go, swing by the art exhibit while you're there! 

Custom Paintings (and more) for the Holiday's

It seems so wrong to be thinking about Christmas already when we're still in October; however, if you've been thinking of having a custom painting done for someone special, now's the time to be doing something about it!  I'll be accepting custom work for Christmas delivery for the next 2 1/2 weeks (until Friday, November 4th).  Please contact me soon to get on my schedule~

I also have many paintings that are available for purchase (check out the "available" tab), as well as notecard sets (which make great hostess gifts!)

Thanks and Blessings!

Christy

crpillow@gmail.com

Waiting

Oh look, I found another one!

5" x 7"

acrylic on canvas board

$55

Fight or Flight

Last one!  I love the back light on this little gal~

5" x 7"

acrylic on canvas board

SOLD

Sally II

Same crab, different painting!

5" x 7"

acrylic on canvas board

SOLD

Chessie

More crab....Chesapeake Bay blue crab~

5" x 7"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Sally I

Another finished crab!

5" x 5"

acrylic on canvas

$40

Coming For You!

More crabs!  This is the first of 5 crab paintings I started last year but never finished.  I think I burned out after painting so many so close to each other!  I was re-inspired over the last few weeks to finish them.  I'll post a new one each day.

5" x 7"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Susie's Casa

Commissioned house portrait- so cute!  I love how this one turned out!

16" x 12"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Tabby Cat

I've been blessed with several commissions this summer, but I've had a hard time feeling inspired to paint my own work.  I started this painting last summer and for whatever reason couldn't finish it. There was something "off" that I couldn't figure out, so I just got frustrated and put it on a shelf.  I pulled it down today and saw what I couldn't see before, and felt very inspired to finish him!  This was our kitty we had to say good-bye to last summer- he was so handsome!  We miss you Tigger~ 

6" x 6"

acrylic on canvas

$55

Lil' Gem

Our "Little Gem" Magnolia tree has suffered this summer from the heat and lack of rain.  Before it got too bad, we had some beautiful blooms that captured the light just perfectly.  I would sit on my front porch and enjoy the divine fragrance!

8" x 10"

acrylic on canvas

$125

Maverick

We're well into the "dogs days of summer", aren't we?!  Here's another commissioned pooch- isn't he handsome?

11" x 14"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Sweet Maggie

My sister-in-law, Nancy, and her family had to say good-bye to their lab Maggie recently.  She had me paint this for her so they could see her sweet face every day and treasure her memory.

11" x 14"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Roxy and Jack

Here's Roxy and Jack!  They were commissioned "Mother's Gifts" from a beautiful bride and groom~ 

Congratulations Sonja and Paul!!!

Both 12" x 9"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

The Grandkids

I haven't posted anything in a while, so this feels good!  I painted this for my Mom for her birthday this week. It's my son and my brother's children on the beach in Nags Head.  We took the picture last Thanksgiving and I couldn't wait to paint it!  

Happy Birthday Mom!

24" x 30"

acrylic on canvas

NFS

Dancing Dogwood

I started this painting when I did the other dogwood, but didn't finish.  I finished today!  Too bad the dogwoods around here are done blooming this year...sigh.

6 x 6

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Buoys

I haven't been taking much time to paint lately, so this was a good one to "kick-out" this week!  I have a few paintings that I'm not quite finished with- it's so hard to get back once you've walked away for a while!  More to come soon!

8" x 10"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Confident Faith

After I painted the first wave for my son, I wanted another.  It was really "inside me" and needed to get out.  There is such a connection for me with the ocean and it represents so much- change, storms, peace, calm, faith, perseverance, challenge, courage, and so much more.  It was a great week for painting! 

12" x 16"

acrylic on canvas

$325 

Soli Deo Gloria

Soli Deo Gloria- "to God alone the glory"

My son Alex requested a painting for his 13th birthday.  He really wanted a picture of a wave, and because it was for him, I wanted it to be really special.  This was the first painting I'd done in several weeks, and when the inspiration came, it came like a flood!  I want it to be a reminder to him that no matter how big the waves seem to be, his faith can carry him through.

Happy Birthday Alex!  I love you with all my heart!

16" x 20"

acrylic on canvas

NFS

Dogwood Blooms

I haven't painted in several weeks due to a lot of other "stuff" going on, so I was very excited to get inspired a few days ago and get rockin' on some paintings!  I've finished 2 others that I'll post later, and started another.  

Most of our Dogwood trees have died over the last few years, but we still have a beautiful one in our side yard.  I took several photos of some branches, so you may see a few more of these!

Yay Spring!

5" x 7"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Commissioned Beach House

I just finished up this commissioned piece~ I hope they love it!

16" x 20"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Lincoln Challenge Remix

This week's Daily Paintwork's Challenge was a photo of President Lincoln. This was the first time I've painted a black and white photo in color.  It was pretty interesting!  The photo that was used is below~

10" x 8"

acrylic on board

$125

Afternoon Shade

Another cute home in a warm, tropical place!  I really liked the dappled light in this one.

12" x 16"

acrylic on canvas

$325

Palm Breezes

Today is a really dreary cloudy day, so when I was painting this, I just kept imagining I was there where it's sunny and warm! 

8" x 10"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Goofy Footed

This is my entry this week for the Daily Paintworks Challenge~  The challenge was to mix one color per stroke.  So after every paint stroke, I mixed the color again (or changed the first color slightly).  It's definitely a challenge that makes you slow down!  I thought he turned out cute!  Goofy, but cute!

8" x 6"

acrylic on board

SOLD

Mother's Day is Coming Soon!

Mother's Day is May 8th this year, just 2 months away!  If you've been thinking about a special gift for your wife or mother this year for Mother's Day, and are interested in having a custom painting done, please contact me as soon as possible by email:  crpillow@gmail.com.  I'll be accepting commissions to be ready in time for Mother's Day until Friday, March 4th.

Thanks!

Christy

Orange Study #1

OK, here's my first "daily" painting!  I realize that my creative talent does not extend to naming my paintings, so the simple titles will have to do.   This is actually the tiniest clementine I've ever seen!  I "stole" it from a friend's kitchen.   My goal is to paint at least 3 small paintings a week...it's going to get a little "fruity" around here! 

4" x 6"

acrylic on canvas board

$40

Valentine's Rose- "Paintworks Weekly Challenge"

A photo of this rose was this weeks Daily Paintworks Challenge- (visit the page to see all the entries).  It's my first rose and was a little challenging!  It's good to get out of your comfort zone every once in a while!

7" x 5"

acrylic on canvas board

$55

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!

So, the Carol Marine workshop this past weekend was AWESOME!  I don't usually paint still life, but now I think I'll have to some because they were really challenging and fun (...mostly!).  I had my moments of frustration, like when I bought this really great turquoise bowl to paint and couldn't nail it for anything.  The fruit was much more forgiving! 


One of my favorite lessons was to paint using one stroke- what that meant was we had to mix our paint color for every paint stroke- not several strokes with one color.  It really made me slow down and be more intentional with my technique.  I also really enjoyed learning more in depth color theory and all the little tidbits and advice Carol offered.


My next goal is to participate in the Daily Paintworks Challenge.  Each challenge consists of an image- either a photo or a painting- and a description of instructions.  Participation is as simple as submitting your version of the image.  I'll post anything I submit, so be on the lookout! 


Here are some of my "lessons" from the workshop~ enjoy and thanks for visiting!  
(AND just a HUGE shout out of thanks out to Carol Marine or sharing her talent with us here in Apex, NC and to Cathy Martin for making it happen!)

Value Study- 30 minutes to complete

Value Study- 15 minutes to complete

One stroke exercise

Extra time practice- One stroke 

Each of these was a 10 minute exercise

Last painting of the workshop- 

Carol Marine Workshop

This weekend I'm participating in an AWESOME 3 day Carol Marine workshop at The Red Canvas.  Carol is an incredible artist from Texas and I'm thrilled to be learning from her.  Here are some pics from yesterday~

Beautiful!

Key West Morning

How cute is this cottage?  I am so in love with it!  I'm really inspired by places I'd like to be, and I'd REALLY like to be there!

16" x 12"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Tuscan Door

This just looks so warm to me!  I'd love to be there right now with all the flowers blooming~

8" x 10"

acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is just 2 weeks away!  Do you need a special gift for your special someone?  Check out my Available Paintings page for some great ideas!

If you're interested in purchasing any of them, please send me an e-mail at:  crpillow@gmail.com.

Thanks for looking!  ~Christy

Ocracoke Lighthouse

I've had a hard time gearing up since the new year!  Been working on a few commissions and entries for shows...I reminisced about summers in Ocracoke while painting this...warm, warm summers...  :o)  

14" x 18"

acrylic on canvas

$400 

Chief

Isn't he beautiful?  I was looking for some new year inspiration and came across this in my friend Tania's Facebook photos~ this was her horse "Chief".  He was fun!

12" x 24"

acrylic on canvas

$475