It is All About the Light - florals in oil paint

The work in this post today is about how I handle the challenge of painting light in oils in glazes.

I needed to start a different series apart from the animals studies...it allows me to get a fresh eye ready for the next series of animal subjects.

There are many cat paintings on the way to help Tabby's Place but in the mean time I wanted to get back to one of my favorite things...still life in glazes.

and

ALL the work I do has a charity donation attached to its sale.

Giving what I can to help is the underpinning of my work.

enjoy the images below!

"DANCE OF THE SEVEN VEILS"

white rose currently available on Ebay...painted to show the light through the petals

the translucent quality of glazing in oils.

***

" ANGEL WINGS" FIRST LOOK !

a work in progress and on the easel.

This view of a white rose which is a symbol of spirituality is suggesting to me the look of an Angel.

"THE UNDERSTUDIES"

SOLD and the first in the floral series. The low light in the last rays of the day cast blue light on this rose...the "star" among buds waiting for their day!

& Also ON THE EASEL...

"TYGER, TYGER"

From my 2007 garden images.... Working with light at high noon is the aim of this piece.

much more to come!

Please visit ART HELPING ANIMALS and my other links to the right!
Thanks so much for supporting animals in need with fine art!

Memorial Day Weekend

Oxymoron..."Happy Memorial Day!"

It is silly when you think of it.

I know it is the unofficial kick-off of "summertime" and good things ahead in this season...especially in New England when the warm weather gets set to arrive.

But we need to remember those not with us...those who have served others with the supreme sacrifice of their own lives.

Some on front lines, some behind the scenes...national, local, civic...so many gone before us.

And the personal losses too. Remember them all.

Send up some prayers and thanks for what they have given for us... those no longer with us ...but STILL WITH US.

It is a heart day.

So enjoy your loved ones near and the good times of being together and those gone on ahead lighting our way.

Remember and Love them all.

(painting above: "She Flies" copyright 2005 Carol Chretien)

A Real Trooper - on the easel for Tabby's Place

Miss Lillian

work in progress

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This beautiful girl was the much loved "welcome wagon" cat of

TABBY'S PLACE Cat Sanctuary and Rescue.

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In preparation for the summer art event as

ART HELPING ANIMALS teams with TABBY's to

shine the spotlight on their hospice and rescue work and how AHA helps with art...

I have started this portrait of Lillian

it will be auctioned at 100% donation to the rescue in July.

***

I will share her story and what she meant to the people and cats who knew her when the painting is listed.

***

My easel has been filled with many new cat paintings for this rescue

and it will be fun to share them all for summer.

The ART HELPING ANIMALS artists will be painting new pieces using some of the ADOPTABLE Tabby's Place Cats as their inspiration and their models...there are currently 84 in their care for adoption!...some really beautiful cats, some with special needs, some older, younger and of every color.

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I have mentioned my Emmi, who is doing GREAT since her Thyroid crisis treatment, and I know how much I appreciate her every minute of her life...I hope the stories we share of the cats we paint and paint for will inspire adoptions, sponsorships and collection of great artwork that will benefit this rescue...

***

This "heads-up" is just a little preview of good things to come this summer

combining fine art with helping homeless animals.

STAY TUNED!

***

I also want to welcome the link to the left of American Impressionist

AUSTIN MALONEY

http://austinmaloney.blogspot.com/

we are sharing our art links with you!

he links us back to

Art Helping Animals on his site!

"The Understudies" finished painting of a Rose.

Here it is!

I have posted it for sale on the ART HELPING ANIMALS art blog.

it is

BUYER's CHOICE

SOLD

of Charity 20& to an Art Helping Animals Rescue.

and is

125.00

8x10 oil on gallery wrapped canvas

may be displayed framed or unframed

it will also be featured on

the Daily Painter's Gallery

thursday June 22

carolchretien@aol.com

A rose is a rose is a rose...Alchemy of Art

I love to paint still life and flowers are a real challenge for me. It has been said that painting Roses, in particular, are very challenging. I enjoy the abstract quality of painting still life.

It is fun to get lost in the shapes and values of objects and painting them in a way that you completely lose sight of the fact that it is a familiar object. I don't forget that a cat is a cat or a dog is a dog...I am consumed by the personality and aliveness of live subjects.

But....Still life, for me, is about finding my way around the subject and it becomes a treasure map that I get into and explore. I have compared it to being like Alice through the looking glass.

Later I stand back and it has turned into a Rose or wine glass or magically some other well known object and hopefully is telling a story.

On the Easel ...First Look!

is this oil of a rose and buds ...it suggests to me the story of "UNDERSTUDIES" and how they support the "star"...unsung heroes that often come into their own and have their day.

Stars Stripes and Spots Forever II

newest work for Dalmatian Rescue...Stars, Stripes & Spots Forever II.

the first one in this theme is listed on Ebay for

DALMATIAN RESCUE of ILLINOIS

***

this one is newly list on Ebay as well for

WILLING HEARTS DALMATIAN RESCUE

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NEXT UP and COMING SOON...

a new painting

"SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS"

for

DALMATIAN RESCUE TAMPA BAY.

***

The Spots Have it this week!

Spotted....ON The Easel

this is a work in progress

STARS, STRIPES & SPOTS FOREVER

A new painting that will be offered for

DALMATIAN RESCUE

one of 3 in a

patriotic theme.

Tucker was the inspiration for the work

and was recently rescued from

Dalmatian Rescue of Illinois

http://www.dalrescueillinois.net/

hope to have it up for sale with 20% to the rescue

soon.

This image will also be available for cards for service men & women

at

My Jewel Boutique: AnySoldier.com

cards and stationary

http://www.myjewelboutique.com/page/1l1g2/Home/AnySoldier_com_Cards_Stationery.html

art helps in so many ways...

Thanks for looking!

any questions about my work at any time....

just email.

ALL ABOUT BEAGLES ...May thru June

IT'S ALL ABOUT ADOPTION POSSIBILITIES

IT'S ALL ABOUT HOMELESSNESS

IT'S ALL ABOUT SALVATION OF LIFE!

make no mistake...people toss out pets like yesterday's news

and there are ANGELS out there who gather them up, get them medical care

and FOSTER them with love to gain trust, rehab, socialize, and make

adoption ready!

REN is an example of one of the beautiful beagles available at

BEAGLES OF NEW ENGLAND STATES

rescue.

BONES is a wonderful all volunteer rescue...

ART HELPING ANIMALS

has the spotlight on BONES for 2 months.

all new art will help their cause of saving and rehoming beagles!

EVERY ANIMAL COUNTS!

This detail of "Catching Butterflies?" is now available for BONES

on Ebay!

20% to the rescue

Lounging BEAGLE with butterfly pillow new CHRETIEN BONR - eBay (item 120255663522 end time May-10-08 04:11:27 PDT)

COMING SOON...new work for BONES from my easel!

ART HELPING ANIMALS: check out our UTUBE video for BONES
http://www.youtube.com/v/4G_qIeXdZvw