Stripes for a Change!... a new direction?

Last week it was SPOTS all over the place...

and I had also started a piece with a little different pattern. It changes it up a little and it is a lot of fun for me. So...stripes not spots today...while the other works in progress dry a little more before the next pass.

Painting still life is a meditative endeavor for me and maybe that is why I enjoy it so much. The oddity is that it is all a two dimensional practice no matter what subject... so it would seem strange that the subject lends itself to different experience for me as I paint.

I appreciate the magic of applying colored medium to flat white surface and getting lost in the patterns. I love being an artist!

Little Zebra

10x10

oil on canvas a work in progress

available soon.

any work can be reserved for sale by emailing me if you see something you like!

carolchretien@aol.com

as always

20% helps rescue.

And for Fun ... Work(s) In Progress

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UPDATE!

RESERVED

Liver pups inspired by Joan Murphy's images of her own Dals.

The top painting is based on a pic of her Hombre when he was a pup.

He has just the right pose and attitude for

"Life Is A Party"

I saw him surrounded by colorful balloons and his beautiful self making a fun design.

This oil is 12x12 and will be available in the next week when it should be finished. It is a fun process painting the balloons in thin glazes, this is at its second pass.

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The seascape based on Brulee suggested a curious pup discovering a new "friend" in the tide line on the shore.

"Diversity of Friends" 10x10 oil It is in a drying stage waiting for the next session. The beauty of oil paint is that you can work on several at the same time which gives you a chance to make decisions of where you will go next, or in many cases, where it will take you on the next pass.

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If you would like to reserve a painting to purchase when done...

email me: carolchretien@aol.com

If you REALLY want the painting for your own, please let me know because I always get emails after the painting has sold asking me if I can paint one like it. I don't. It doesn't work that way.

But I do appreciate the thought!

ALL my work when sold gives 20% to non-profit rescue helping homeless animals.

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Stay Tuned!

thanks for looking!

Update...RED HEART Dalmatian...and more

RESERVED!

This is phase 2 of "LOVE ME, LOVE ME NOT" a work in progress...one more pass to complete I think.

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Just want to say a word about WOMEN's CARDIAC HEALTH and Wearing RED in the month of February is a reminder to make yourself aware of cardiac warning signs in women.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5531890_cardiac-symptoms-women.html

Thanking Joan for the use of her images to inspire some mew Dalmatian work. The painting above is based on "Dash" one of her gorgeous Dalmatians. This painting will provide a donation to Dalmatian Rescue.

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Life and the Joy of Painting....

WORK IN PROGRESS...

My 20's were about living larger than life...My 30's were about establishing a homebase, physically, mentally and spiritually...My 40's were about using what I learned to help family members who needed me...My 50's have been about expressing my ME-NESS and taking all the other decades with all their foibles and faux pas' and getting ready to blast into my 60's with adventures and a capriciousness that I hope screams "I've got nothing to lose! so WHY NOT?!"

Just felt like sharing that and that was a bit more than you probably wanted to know.
I am also sharing a FIRST LOOK.... ironically it is going to be titled:

LOVE ME...LOVE ME NOT

STAY TUNED!

APRIL BLUES - finished work

The "Year of the Cat" series of oil paintings started half way through 2009. The first 3 paintings in this 12x12 format sold. This is the 4th painting (April) in the group. They are connected by a cat and a color. My monitor is not picking up the color RED that is in the background or on the wooden edge of the planter's base, but it is there. This is a very substantial painting. The eyes of this cat are not exaggerated. "Brie" has incredible blue eyes that just draw you in and I love painting white animals.

This painting is now listed on www.arthelpinganimals.blogspot.com as well as on my own website www.carolchretien.com and is available for sale. If you are interested in purchasing just contact me. FREE domestic shipping, 150.00 12x12 on gallery wrapped canvas.

I will be donating 20% of the sale to help BRISTOL ANIMAL SHELTER the place where I got my inspiration for the work and also an additional 10% to TABBY's PLACE cat sanctuary, an ART HELPING ANIMALS supported rescue. Two rescues will benefit. More cats will be helped.
I will be posting this painting on the DAILY PAINTER's GALLERY for the Thursday posting, representing Art Helping Animals.
contact me if you are interested in this painting: carolchretien@aol.com
STAY TUNED!

Right Place, Right Time - work in progress!

Update.... THIS PAINTING IS SOLD!

FIRST LOOK! Work in Progress....

Right Place, Right Time

12x12

oil on canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

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On the Easel...this black labrador is right where he needs to be...on a shore by the sea.

Black Dogs get adopted last but Black Labs have to be one of the most popular family dogs on the planet. They just aren't so flashy in the local shelter, sometimes they get overlooked!

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OLD DOG HAVEN rescues many old black dogs and Judith, their founder, remains dedicated to helping these old dogs find dignity, love and comfort in their last years.

Old Dog Haven is a final refuge rescue.

Many live out their lives in that hospice care and many still have homes waiting for the adopables in their care.

Please visit their site for more info. and to read about their good work.

www.olddoghaven.org
ART HELPING ANIMALS artists paint to help this rescue.

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Come back to see the finish soon.

available when done

150.00

20% goes straight to the rescue.

If you want to RESERVE THIS PAINTING BEFORE I LIST IT...

email me!

carolchretien@aol.com

UPDATE! regarding Prudence!

Just got the news! SHE GOT ADOPTED and the painting has SOLD!
Thanks for the great comments received from sending the image and word out on Twitter and Facebook and of course through this BLOG!

I am humbled and gratified to help and the donation is being made as we speak to help DALMATIAN RESCUE TAMPA BAY...they work hard, are grass roots and non-profit and go MILES beyond the norm for these dogs (and some not so spotted ones) and I mean MILES literally!

I stand and applaud them all. Thanks for tuning in....more to follow.
Blessings!
Carol

Dear Prudence - FIRST LOOK!

SOLD!

10x10

oil on canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

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This painting is available for

DALMATIAN RESCUE TAMPA BAY

inspired by "Prudence" a senor up for adoption.

DEAR PRUDENCE by the Beatles does come to mind...but she is "dear" and she needs her own bed, your bed? and a forever family.

you can find her on the DRTB website.

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Also I would like to say it is a poignant reminder to me of time passing. Our own Lizzie, the central figure in our home , is aging and my connection to every single senior Dalmatian is so evident in my heart and in my art.

I live in that state of denial and see her as the "puppy" she has always been but the reality is she will be 13 in August and I am keenly aware of every moment of her time.

Our time with her.

I think she keeps wondering why we are always kissing her. LOL

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If you want to purchase this painting before I list it elsewhere for sale

email me: carolchretien@aol.com

once it is gone...it is gone.

20% to the rescue!

125.00

free domestic shipping.

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STAY TUNED!

update:
THE PAINTING HAS SOLD...................

Business As Usual...The Muse is Home!

WORK IN PROGRESS ....first pass....
This new painting (ABOVE) is a work in progress for BRISTOL ANIMAL SHELTER
this painting is inspired by one of their adoptable young white cats..."BRIE"
Who could possibly say NO to those blue eyes? If My 16 yr old thug of a cat named Emmi would allow another cat in my house I would be first in line for this beauty.
When the painting is done I will list it for sale with 20% going to the rescue when sold.

AND...below is the finished painting first posted yesterday for RIMROCK of their adoptable "Honey."

Just on the easel this afternoon is a Dalmatian for DALMATIAN RESCUE OF TAMPA BAY
and a new black lab seascape for OLD DOG HAVEN...yes...the Muse is kicking butt and taking names!

Stay tuned....

Like Honey...

To the bees...

Like Honey To The Bees

10x10

oil on canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

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I walked into my studio today with my spine straight and my resolve intact...
The Muse walked in behind me, dropped her travel bags and pushed up her sleeves.

She said, " Lets get to it." ...and we did.

Two hours later...and I am here to tell you it was only about 20 minutes in my internal clock, we have the painting you see here. I have a few details to add when dry enough but I am thrilled with the start of 2010 and my painting efforts. There is no place in my life that TIME is suspended like when I am at the easel. The "Zone" does indeed exist.

First time I have put oil paint brush to canvas in '010.

I feel like I just let out a LONG held breath. Yes, this is breathing to me.

OK...the nuts and bolts: This is my rendition of a beautiful cat that is up for adoption at RIMROCK HUMANE SOCIETY in Montana.
She is waiting for that forever home. Her name is "Honey" I will be posting this for sale on the ART HELPING ANIMALS ART BLOG as soon as it is done.

If you are interested in it before I list it please know 20% goes right to this rescue.
It will be 125.00 with free domestic shipping!

please email me: carolchretien@aol.com to reserve it. Once it is gone, it is gone for good.

Back to the studio and back to work.

Regrouping ....In need of inspiration.

Last year was a busy year. At the end of the year I made a few calendars of the year's work for family and myself, as I have done the last several years...thought I would share a page from the 12 months.
I am spending the day sorting and finishing up some loose ends and reliving my older work as I start preparing for the new work to come. I really enjoyed doing these pieces and still enjoy looking at them.
Stay tuned.........