Painting #5/52

Petite Rose
7x5 Acrylic on Panel
Available at Etsy.com

Before attempting a larger painting, it often helps to create a smaller version first. This allows me to work out the issues of color, design, and composition. Not only will I end up with a better painting, but there is less of a chance of wasting precious art supplies. In this case, I concluded that a single rose is effective for this small format; however, additional roses will be necessary for the larger piece.

I decided to use this 4.5” wide gold picture frame to give this miniature painting a lot of impact. What a difference a frame can make!

Thanks for viewing my artwork ~Eve

Painting #4/52

Forecasters
36”x 36”x 2” Acrylic on Canvas
Reference image credit: Jim Glab

Having completed hundreds of commissioned paintings since 2001, I have learned to anticipate hurdles, when working within a specified set of preferences. In this case, Theresa wanted an ocean scene with “aqua” water, three colorful sailboats, and a massive cloud formation painted on a square canvas. Not knowing the anatomy of sailboats was the most difficult part of the equation, so I had to rely upon stock images for those finer details. She left the placement of the boats up to me and I opted for a triangular composition. I’m still not certain if I pulled off the sailboats entirely, but she loves the painting and that’s the entire goal of commissioned artwork. Impressionism was certainly a friend…

I can appreciate this painting experience for several other reasons, as well. The diagonal slant of the waves gives the image more depth and the bold clouds create energy, when compared to a typical seascape with horizontal waves and sailboats in alignment with the horizon. It all depends upon the effect you’re after and I’m glad I was given the opportunity to expand my portfolio. Thank you, Theresa!

Prints of this image are available at Eve's Print Website

Painting #3/52

Tropical by Nature
8x10 Acrylic on Panel

This is my third painting out of (hopefully) 52 for the year. Although another simple still-life, I like how the blue background serves as a nice contrast to the yellow tones.

It feels good to have produced several small paintings already. To me, they are like "exercises" or quick studies. They get you working in the studio and give you an immediate sense of completion. I would like to establish a flow of creating one larger piece a month, while using the smaller paintings to maintain my desired pace.

An odd thing happens when you set out to accomplish a single goal… so many other things occur simultaneously. In this case, I’m finally feeling motivated to frame artwork, donate unwanted supplies, and become more organized.

“Tropical by Nature” is available at Etsy.com. Search “artbyeve” or click the link to the right to visit my shop. Thanks for reading my blog. ~Eve

Painting #2/52

“Heading Home”
8x10 Acrylic on Panel
Available at Etsy.com

Yesterday, I learned about Mindy Lighthipe’s 52 paintings in 52 weeks personal challenge for 2012 . In her inspiring post, she describes the differences between “resolution” and “challenge”, along with the purpose of creating this goal for herself. I enjoyed reading the comments from other bloggers and decided to join this challenge, with one slight adjustment. Instead of producing a new painting every week, I will strive to complete 52 paintings comfortably throughout the year, leaving more time to adjust each piece, as necessary. This will encourage my presence in the studio and give me a sense of camaraderie, as I watch our art collections grow. Thanks, Mindy!

A Small Goal for 2012

“Sparkleberry”
5x7 Acrylic on Panel
Available at Etsy.com

Happy New Year, Everyone! I hope you are feeling inspired to pursue your resolutions, if you decided to make them. Here’s my latest painting, which is a start in the right direction for obtaining my 2012 goals. No, it’s not a grand piece, but something I want to accomplish this year is to produce a greater number of paintings. Creating a group of smaller works at a more rapid pace will help me to accomplish this goal. Although I still plan to spend a lot of time on larger works, it often feels liberating to complete a painting in a matter of days verses weeks.

Thanks for viewing my artwork ~Eve

On Golden Farm
30x24 Oil on Canvas
Available at EveWheelerArt.com
Image reference: Kathleen Brant

After painting the barn, hay bale, one wooden post, and grass of the foreground, I wasn’t completely happy with this painting. The addition of two goats and a second post helped a lot, while placing a third goat the right of the hay bale improved the overall balance of the animals. But it still wasn’t quite right. So, I set the painting aside, spending a week to ponder its composition. The last additions were the tall tree to the left side of the barn and faint hillside along the horizon. Following these revisions, I finally felt a sense of harmony and completion.
Sometimes it takes longer for a painting to evolve than to compose.

Thanks for viewing my artwork
Happy New Year! ~Eve

"Transparency"
30x30 Acrylic on Canvas

After completing Jean’s paintings, I wanted to do another koi pond version, using my own creative spin. This kind of inspiration normally occurs after commissioned projects. While painting another’s concept of beauty, my mind often wanders to things I would do differently, along with incorporating the unique ideas we shared. As you can see from the previous post, I added more lines in the water and faint shadows under two of the koi. I placed a dragonfly atop one of the flowers, enlarged the fish, and added swirling white lines in the water. This painting is busier and brighter than what my customer desired. There is no right or wrong… Art is just a matter of opinion.

Rufous Hummingbird Painting

Frequent Flier
20x16 Oil on Linen

After forming the hummingbird, flowers, and main branch of this painting, I was unhappy with the bland negative space to the right side of the bird. In order to solve this problem, I thought about placing dabs of pastel paint colors and several green leaves, but the addition of a thin light-toned branch seemed to work well. It is satisfying whenever you can problem solve paintings to a definite sense of completion.

If I could keep our hummingbird feeders full, there would be plenty of these little fellows flying around the back yard, almost all year long. In the spring of this year, I was consistent about filling the feeders for several weeks and they even attracted two major fans. But then I grew weary of changing out the fluid :( It may have been the types of feeders I was using. One of them rusted and the others were challenging to keep the nectar from getting everywhere. If any of you have suggestions for an easy-to-use nectar feeder, I would love to hear about it!

California photographer, Carl Jackson, provided the reference photograph for this painting.
Thanks, Carl! Please visit his website here> http://www.cbjphoto.com/

Commissioned Koi Paintings

Jean and I had a wonderful time creating these two koi paintings together. We had interesting discussions about the use of colors, number of fish, and placement of the lily pads, which is the exciting part about doing commissioned artwork. Now they hang side by side in her living room and I am inspired to do similar paintings…

Seaside Cottages

18x24 Oil on Linen

Every summer for the past 12 years, I have visited St. Augustine Beach. I am enamored by the homes that line a particular section of the beach and always daydream about owning one of them. I imagine having a sweet studio on the ground level, with living quarters upstairs. There would be an elevator from the first to the second floor, just in case I’m ever incapable of using the stairs. The studio would be open to the public, whenever I wasn’t walking the beach and I would offer an array of cookies and coffee to all of the interesting art lovers I would meet...

September has been an enormously inspiring month. It started off with three original painting sales to a lovely new collector in North Carolina. Then I received notification that my applications to a local art show and Women Painters of the Southeast Blog were accepted. The highlight was attending a wonderful five-day painting workshop with Brian Davis at the Corse Gallery in Jacksonville and meeting twelve delightful new artists. Now I am in the process of completing two 30"x30" commissioned paintings for a friend’s living room, while framing and labeling artwork for the upcoming show in November. Sometimes dreams really do come true~

Watching the Waves
18x24 Oil on linen

2011 Uncharted Territory

Uncharted Territory
18x24 Oil on linen canvas

This painting was inspired by my trip to St. Marys, Georgia and Cumberland Island last year. While ferrying out to Cumberland Island, I was enthralled with the serenity of the marshland and scattered boats along the shores. I took hundreds of pictures while on the island and snapped several quick shots to and from the locations.

Storm Chasers July 2011
18 x 24 Oil on linen canvas

This area can be seen along the Tamiami Trail, near the intersection of highway 41 and 29. When you visit Big Cypress during the summer months, be sure to bring plenty of water, loads of bug spray, and watch out for those ‘gators!

Grand Opening 16x20
2011 Oil on Linen

Garden Fascinator 2011
20”x16” Oil on Linen Canvas

Spring Splendor is painted on a 20"x16" stretched linen canvas, using mostly Winsor and Newton oils. I like the movement of the background, as it is almost dances with color, while the azalea’s lit center and varied red tones make the petals come to life.

Thanks for viewing my artwork~Eve

Lovebirds 24x36

2011 Oil on Linen

Spring Inspiration

Awakening

24”x18” Oil on linen canvas
March 2011

Spring is finally here again! The grass changed from brown to green, azaleas are in full bloom, and our vehicles are coated with a thin layer of pollen. Over the next few weeks, the flower fields of North Florida will come to life, with a vast array of brilliant colors. Spectators will stop along the roadsides to photograph the flocks (wildflower fields), while native plein air painters, including Linda Blondheim, take to the countryside with paintbrushes and easels in tow. As a studio painter, I enjoy capturing the season with my camera and interpreting these moments on canvas.

Awakening is my latest painting of a phalaenopsis orchid, created in March 2011. I used a 24”x18” oil-primed linen canvas, with Winsor & Newton and Gamblin oil paints. The details of flowers have always intrigued me and I am drawn to this particular species of orchid, because of its unique shape. I have attempted to grow them, but haven’t quite found the right formula or dedication. Perhaps I’ll be able to break that trend with the plant I used as a reference….

Oddly enough, I learned about Rich Leighton’s first book entitled, Native Orchids of Florida, at the same time I completed my painting. (Congratulations, Rich!) It contains 63 full color photographs of orchids in their natural habitat. So, if you share this passion for orchids, consider treating yourself to a book, painting, or print!

Press the arrow for a preview of Rich’s new book


Native Orchids of Florida from Rich Leighton on Vimeo.

Point of Interest 18x24

2011 Oil on Linen

Yellow Leaf Road 24x36

Oil on Canvas

Reflections of Mabry Mill

20"x16" Oil on Canvas

The Centurion
16x20 Oil on Linen

Three Jurors 16x20

2010 Oil on Linen

Marco Island Sunset 30x30

Oil on Canvas

Scraping the Surface 20x16

Oil on Canvas

With the end of summer nearing, schools starting a new year, and a slight cooling in the air, I feel a sense of change on the horizon. This summer’s artistic creations have been very enjoyable. With a focus on tropical scenes and warm subjects, I’m satisfied with the results. Now I’m pondering what to do next. There’s a part of me that wants to develop a line of portraits and another that wants to expand the landscapes. Perhaps I could continue on the same path and bounce around between one subject to the other.

I like to refer to this kind of contemplation as “digging deeper”. It’s about really exploring the direction to take a portfolio. There are many times when I wish I painted one subject, with one distinct style. If that were the case, I would automatically know the color palate and painting method to use with each new piece. There would be little guesswork when it came to approaching the easel. It would be simpler, less thought provoking, and more regimented. I could paint more efficiently and viewers would generally know what to expect. The possibilities of a narrow focus are endless. After all, creating a cohesive work of art is how many artists become recognized.
But then again, I would only be scraping the surface…

Sea Swirl 16x20

2010 Oil on Linen Canvas

Fifty Percent Chance 18x24

2010 Acrylic on Canvas

There is something so fascinating about clouds. They are three-dimensional objects in the sky, which often turn boring landscapes into dramatic scenes. In this painting, I intentionally positioned the houses very low on the canvas, leaving little room for the land and ocean waters. The cumulus clouds appear to encompass the entire seaside, looming over the seemingly tiny oceanfront cottages. The scene lends itself to the presence of a storm, which causes many amateur beach goers to run for cover. Images such as this one are very frequent on the Florida coast and it's difficult to know if they will reach the shore or just linger for hours, never causing a sprinkle…

On this occasion, not a single drop of rain was felt from the threatening clouds. They floated nearby for a while, as if only to observe the activity on the shore and gradually retreated into distance. So, while you are vacationing on the Florida beaches this summer, remember there is only a 50% chance of rain, even when you see this bunch of lively spectators!

Mothering Instincts 30"x24"

2010 Acrylic on Canvas

Intertwined 36"x24"

2010 Oil on Canvas

Painting from fabric swatches

The Imposter 24x18 Acrylic on Canvas

Eve Wheeler 2010

Click Image to Enlarge

May 2010. Hot off the Pink Press! This is my latest painting entitled, "The Imposter". It was inspired by a tropic fabric swatch!

Here are the elements that were evaluated, before starting the painting.

1. Color --As you can see, the fabric contains light blue, sage green, mustard yellow, peachy-pink, and brilliant white....yes, white is very important color! When painting from swatches, it is essential to select accurate colors. Take the swatch with you to the craft store.

2. Details and Objects--Look closely at the details and objects. In this example, there are whispy palm leaves and trees, bright pink hibiscus flowers, and black outlines of buildings.

3. Shapes and lines--Except for the faint outline of buildings, the fabric contains few straight lines. One color seems to flow into another, as if it were a watercolor. It has a very loose and undefined feeling. The flowers are obscure, but shapely enough for the viewer to interpret.

4. Accent Decor --The accent pillows have tiny flamingos, which pull the tropical theme together. Notice the accompanying bowl is in the shape of a hibiscus.

5. Determine what to exclude -- It is not essential to include every detail of the fabric in your painting. You can decide! In this instance, the black lines of the buildings were purposefully omitted. The background should never overpower the main subject...

Prints of "The Imposter" can be found on Eve's Print Website. Thanks for viewing my blog!

What objects inspire your color selections?

Creative Color Combinations

Pear Impressions 16x20 Oil on canvas

Eve Wheeler 2010

Click Image to Enlarge

It is often challenging to select color combinations for paintings. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself, before getting started:

1. Mood: What kind of mood are you trying to create? Bold and bright, soft and subtle, or warm and inviting? Notice the drastic difference between these two pear paintings, just by changing the colors!
2. Warm or cool tones: Determine if your scene should contain mostly warm or cool colors. A balance of warm and cool tones may be the best choice for your painting.
3. Theme: What is the theme and what are you trying to say? Monochromatic color schemes are an excellent method of accentuating the subject matter. Just think of all the shades of blue from light to dark!

Color-Wheel-Pro.com offers numerous ideas for effective color combinations and you can even purchase  software!

Festive Pears 16x20 Acrylic on Canvas

Eve Wheeler 2010

Click Image to Enlarge

If you have difficulty selecting a color scheme, here are a few more suggestions for gaining inspiration:

1. Interiors: Take a look at your surroundings. It is likely that you are drawn to the same colors you select for paintings as with your home decor. Examine your linens, fabric, clothing, and dishware. Do they reveal a new color you haven't thought of incorporating?
2. Other artwork: Review art books, magazines, calendars, and other images that appeal to you. What are the main colors used with your favorite pieces? Placing a photograph of the artwork nearest your canvas will enable you to check the likeness of your color selections while painting.
3. The main subject: What color variations can you find in one object? As you can see with these paintings, the pears have a blend of yellow, orange, and green...
4. Twist reality: Throw a punch of color that is totally unrealistic! How about a pink poodle or a purple dinosaur...

Think "Barney"!

The Fruit Bowl 16"x20"

Oil on Linen Canvas

Image Reference Wetcanvas.com "mprince"

Close French Quarters 10"x 8"

2009 Acrylic on Panel

Sold

Lightcatcher 24"x36"

2008 Oil on canvas