Art...Life...Life...Art...

Lizzie

(pic taken May 2012)

She was telling me to lets get moving and go have a snack...

"Stop painting, Mom...let's go!"

****

ART:

Well here we are again...I seem to be putting Art on hold once more but I need a little time to see to Lizzie's daily needs. She will be our 14 yr old on August 24th.

She came to live with us forever on the day she turned 8 weeks old. I have pictures of her from the day she was born. We waited a couple of years for her after we lost our previous liver dalmatian Abby to the Bridge at age 14.

*** 

LIFE:

Lizzie is doing ok at the moment. Not used to seeing her move so slowly...not used to seeing her getting up gingerly from naps. The one thing that has not changed at all is her appetite. And once she is up and moving she is doing ok. Prances around in a little bit of a limp at times. Loves to take a few turns around her yard and bark at whatever she thinks needs barking at. Mooches as many bites of anything edible as much as ever!

***

These are the days that we never want to think about coming, as time winds down and age catches up. Anyone who knows us (Leo is as bad or worse) knows our animals are just people with fur to us. Lizzie, like Emmi, Dinah, Abby, Baylis and Sesby before her, has had the best life with more love than you think your heart can give. But these times are not easy...

***

LIFE:

We have an appointment for a physical and eval to see if they have something that may make her time a little better. She gets lots of love and attention and we will do whatever is the best for her.

Next Tuesday she will see the same Vet (Dr Cathy Grossi) who gave such wonderful care to Emmi last year and helped us have an extra couple of months with her.

She was so compassionate and kind to us (I am always a mess and a challenge for any Vet who helps us! I find it so ironic that I could give the kind of care and support as a nurse to people in the most dire times...and am a train wreck when it comes to my animals!!!) Dr Grossi is so down to earth and sensible.

In the meantime we are doing all kinds of supportive things and taking it a day at a time.

Lots of hugs and kisses and even more attention, if that is possible.

***

ART:

For Daily Painters Gallery that I post once a week for ART HELPING ANIMALS I will repost older unsold work. That is once a week on Saturdays. I am not sure if I will be in the studio for the next few weeks to see how it goes.  And then we'll take it from there.

***

Good thoughts for Lizzie (and us) are always so appreciated.

***

We share these times....which is why when I paint memorials and portraits for others and especially the Bridge Pet paintings, I share the losses and the connection of these pets and their people very personally.

Because we have been there walking in those shoes, as well. 

These are days we wish would never get here...they always do in their own time.

***

I shall return again with new work but for now it is

"Lizzie time."

thanks for letting me ramble!

Carol

When the sun shines....I paint!

Simply Asian Apple-Pears

9x12

oil on canvas panel

These Apple-Pears were absolutely delicious.

There is nothing like them.

The best of both worlds.

***

Courtyard Cats

9x12

oil on hardboard panel

This piece is almost done...just want to let the cats dry a bit and see if they need a tweak!

It was so fun painting this one. I just have been sitting with it between sessions and enjoying the creative play.

Of course, should they sell, they will benfit rescue.

***

If you have an interest in them and would like to purchase or reserve...

email me: carolchretien@aol.com

Otherwise...thanks for looking!

Peace and cheers!

Carol

Easel Update: Work in Progress...take a look!

Pepper Pot

(newest work in progress)

This is not a great shot but it is also in the early stage of work.

Small 8x10 still life...enjoyable challenge for me.

This is on a panel.

***

Summer Wind

(almost finished)

8x10

oil on canvas mounted panel

I posted this on Facebook yesterday after finishing for the day.

Nice response to it. And...my husband said WOW...that is always a nice comment coming from him. Appreciated. :o)

*** 

This painting will help Bristol Friends of Animals Shelter, Bristol RI

should it eventually sell when I post it finished.

It is a pleasure for me to base paintings on Emmi as my model and still feel the connection to her as I paint.

Sometimes I just use her pose, sometimes her coloring, sometimes a true representaion.

The main thing is even from the Bridge she is still an inspiration and a practical helper to those animals in need still trying to just get a chance at a life by being rescued and rehomed. The sale of my artwork of her helps to do that.

***

All my work in 2012 that sells goes to Charity 100%

***

There are paintings still available for sale to help rescue.

Just scroll through my posts here on the BLOG

or visit my website at this LINK:

CAROL CHRETIEN ~ ORIGINAL OILS & PRINTS

***

I will be updating that1 site this week.

email me if you have any questions!

carolchretien@aol.com

thanks

Carol

A Bed of Roses ~ Calico Cat, new painting for rescue

A Bed Of Roses

oil on canvas mounted panel

9x12

CAROL CHRETIEN
SOLD

***

Available to help Tabby's Place A Cat Sanctuary rescue.
100% donation goes straight to the rescue.
100.00
email to purchase: carolchretien@aol.com
paypal welcome.
***

This painting was presented as a work in progress last week, now it is ready to go.
The colors are stunning in person. I am not quite sure the monitor is capturing them very well.
It is an ultra smooth canvas mounted panel. So easy to frame in a standard size with shallow depth!
I will be posting this for ART HELPING ANIMALS on
DAILY PAINTER's GALLERY tomorrow, June 9th.
If you want to snag it before it posts just email me.
I enjoy painting cats and hope this kitty helps some cats in need.
TABBY'S PLACE is an awesome rescue and deals with some medically challenged cats.  You can visit their site here:
Tabby's Place Link
they do wonderful work.
****
Thanks so much for helping artist's help homeless animals.

One Down...a bunch more to go! "Lantern Light"

SOLD

LANTERN LIGHT

10x10

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

***

So...finally have some work that is dry enough on their first passes to paint! Started with this one because it was the closest to being done and I needed to have something to post on DAILY PAINTER's GALLERY for Saturday.

That was democratic I think. I understand we have 5 days of RAIN coming so drying time is very slow.

I am thrilled to have things to keep working on for the next wet week!

***

I have been wanting to paint the lantern and I needed a cat subject so I thought "Siamese" would go nicely here with their dark face and dramatic blue of the eyes against the warm background.  Here you have it.

***

Cliche' ??? I don't know but I do know I am happy with it.

so if you want to help YOUR FAVORITE RESCUE...make the purchase...it is 100% donation right to the rescue.

100.00
SOLD

DONATION WENT TO
SAVE THE DALS

carolchretien@aol.com

this painting will post tomorrow on the WEB for sale.

***

and as ever, thanks for your time and attention!

Carol

Preview...WORK ON THE EASEL- WET PAINT

WET PAINT

works in progress...

The brushes have been busy!

New Original Oils

Here are a few of the pieces that I have been working on in the Studio.

They are keeping me out of trouble, I think. LOL!

Titles are in progress too! :o)

Moonlight Serenade

collage mixed media

oil over paper on canvas

***

Circles of Life

oil on Ampersand Panel

***

Lantern Light

oil on canvas

***

Boston Bakery

oil on canvas

***

Should be finishing up a few this week...it has been so humid that the paint dries slowly between sessions...The method behind the madness is to have a few going at once but I got a little carried away with inspiration since painting Emmi (see previous blog post) and there are 17 unfinished pieces around the studio waiting for their turn for the big finish!

***

All work posted for sale will go 100% to help a rescue do their work.

original paintings may be reserved

email me: carolchretien@aol.com for any questions.

***

visit my website to help

BEAGLE RESCUE LEAGUE

with their

LAB TO LEASH

project

purchase a Print and it all goes to the challenge:

CAROL CHRETIEN ORIGINALS

It's ALL Good...on the easel....

New Work On the Easel 

"Watching Me...Watching You, Again"

When I get stuck ....as I did last week...no painting, no inspiration, I turn to Emmi

She always comes through for me.

I have a million images of her and she is so alive in my heart.

This painting came forward and presented itself to me,

A gift from my sweetie...maybe it will be offered for sale to help others,

maybe I will keep it...it is all good.

Leo walked into the studio and said..."It's my Emmi"

yes, yes indeed.

***

Yesterday it came together...before I started painting in the morning,  it was a horror.

I hated what I was pushing around on that canvas...then I started to paint.

She appeared and won me over.

***

That is the magic of art...it does not always go in the direction you think it will.

Oh...there are parameters but something dead and mechanical is not my way.

I can't just draw something out and follow it like a plan.

I have to have the alchemy or mystery of what will join me on the canvas. It can't be simply a formula...do this, put that here...it has to have some magic to it.

So Thursday I half heartedly grabbed a canvas ...looked through a bunch of Emmi images to stoke the fire and then I just started in.

Reached the snag...hit the wall...looked at 2 days of painting and thought

"well this looks like crap...it is not speaking to me at all"

Then ...yesterday we turned the corner and there was the magic.

Today?

The Muse came into the studio and I started 6 ...YES, six new pieces. 5 of them I feel will make the grade...1 is iffy. And they are all different.

I am renewed. I am gratified. I feel blessed.

Maybe they will help homeless animals.

We'll see.

It is not, after all, all up to me.

***

Living like I really mean it,

Carol

peace & cheers!

BEAGLES ~ Rescue Effort for 36 puppies!

You Can Help!

TAKE ME HOME

(and other beagle prints now available)

Link:   Lab to Leash ~ Prints to help Puppies

THE PUPPY PROJECT

There is a wonderful effort by

BEAGLE RESCUE LEAGUE, INC

rescuing 36 four month old beagle puppies from

a research lab. 

All the details to make this CHALLENGE a success are in the link below:

http://beaglerescueleague.chipin.com/puppy-project-5000-challenge

You can help by making a donation to help support the rehoming of these pups. They all deserve a chance at a real life with real love and their own families.

ALL my work until the end of the year supports rescue. 100% goes to a rescue no matter if the work is an original oil or a print.

Please consider a print (link above) and all sales will go directly to the challenge listed above. This is a direct to you sale from my site. If you have any questions please just contact me regarding the prints. carolchretien@aol.com to email me.

Go directly to the link to the challenge to donate funds.

The BEAGLE RESCUE LEAGUE main page is also found below
you can follow them on Facebook:

http://www.beaglerescueleague.org/



Call of the Wild...prints now available

Both original oil paintings have SOLD but they are

now offered as Art Prints.

Huntress Moon

***

King of Cats

***

Now available in Prints on my Website:

www.carolchretien.com

Visit the Galleries

***

the service is a "direct to you" purchase

you can order right from the site.

Zoom feature available to see the detail before you purchase.

The sale will go to rescue as a 100% donation

to help homeless animals.

Please note: the first 3 prints sold of "King of Cats" will benefit

BIG CAT RESCUE of TAMPA BAY

***

There are a variety of subjects in Prints now on the site.

***

NEW ORIGINAL ART is also available on my site.

email me to purchase or with any questions

carolchretien@aol.com

any time!

***

As always, thanks for viewing my work

and following my journey of using my art to help charities.

Helping homeless animals is my passion.

New Work on the Easel...

New pieces on the easel:

The first is on masonite...new experience for me...not sure if I like the support of hard board vs canvas.

I seem to be a canvas person.  But it is interesting painting on this surface.

may try out a couple more.

***

The second is the Lion I started last week. This painting was reserved as soon as I posted the Work in Progress that means that there was a request to purchase and they have first option when it is done.

That painting will be made available in Print on my website when finished.

House for Rent

8x10

oil on masonite panel

***

King of Cats

12x12

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

(reserved for sale)

****

I have several in progress floral paintings 5x7 postcard sized oils currently in the works as well.

ALL MY ARTWORK SALES UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR ARE

100% DONATIONS TO CHARITY

with all proceeds going to help homeless animals

in non-profit rescues.

Thanks for looking.

Email me with any questions or to purchase paintings

carolchretien@aol.com

or for PRINTS or AVAILABLE PAINTINGS

http://www.carolchretien.com/

Bar & Grille ...a new painting

About the Painting:

I have been working on some new city scenes and this painting below is the first of a series that I have completed and is now available.

One of my favorite subjects to paint has always been old brick buildings and reminders of days gone by. I haven't had the opportunity to do many over the last few years because of the focus on animals and doing portraits and commissions.

Coming back to painting after the hiatus has given me a chance to refocus and refresh my efforts.  I am just loving all the different topics that have been inspiring me.

Hope you like it.

***

(Detail View) 

BAR & GRILLE

BAR & GRILLE

10x10

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

***

100.00

Listing this painting for

Willing Hearts Dalmatian Rescue

with 100% going to the org.

***

Willing Hearts is a non-profit that has volunteers who foster all the dogs they help.

Mainly Dalmatians of course,  but they do help mixed breed dogs and puppies in need when the need presents itself.

Rehab and Rehome to the forever home is the objective.

They help the whole NE region

please view their site for details. If you live in one of the states they serve, see who is available for adoption!

share their news

http://www.whdr.org/

***

Thanks for looking and if you would like to reserve this painting before it is listed tomorrow on Art Helping Animals and Daily Painters Gallery...

email me to purchase:

carolchretien@aol.com

Karma, Drama, Dharma and the Dance...

Huntress Moon

by

CAROL CHRETIEN

PRINTS AVAILABLE

http://www.carolchretien.com/

to view and print on demand

all sales will be donated to rescues

***

So here's the thing...all my work in any form until the end of the year is being donated 100% to non-profit rescues. Rescue is where my heart lies.

If you know me or know my work or my passion that is not news.

The reason for this is that millions of pets are disposed of in this society on a disgustingly regular basis and yet we are such a "pet friendly" society. We spend billions on our pets. We have pets in almost every household. 

 And yet, and YET millions are put death every year.

 SPAY AND NEUTER, people!  can it be said enough?

***

So you have these dedicated volunteer rescues, and some of the well funded larger ones like Best Friends who really pack a punch in scope and education of the public...but it is the little guy, the grass roots efforts, the "regular"  people in the trenches...that I am compelled to pour my work into. 

And this need to paint and share it... is Soul Work for me. 

So I am already beyond gratified that ANY work I have done has been able to help even a little. 

Last year I was hardly able to give anything to rescues as I was sidelined. But now as I am back in training, while I still work on the old shoulder injury, I am able to create work again that helps. Blessings and joys I can't even describe. 

Painting is magical.

Piece of white canvas, a bunch of scruffy tubes of oil color and some brushes...

POW! A painting comes to life. Amazing to me! I still don't understand it myself.

But I do love the magic of art. And then...Alchemy! It becomes more than itself, more than just a pretty picture...it can actually transform to help others. It provides green energy to homeless animals or other charities.

***

While I was "deployed" from my old life and unemployed by the new nature of the "business of healing" and all kinds of internal Drama that ensued from that chapter of my life...You know the part of life where your story starts to sound like a bad country song?...the Karmic light started to shine again.

What do you do?

You shed the old skin and you shake the drama off your karma and you start the dance! I've been dancing and spinning and flying, ever since.

(Insert Snoopy Dancin' image here...you get the picture!)

***

That is where I find myself today. I am so thankful I have the Muse back in my corner, I am thankful that the old life is behind me, I know I have a chance to still do for others in a way that is practical and gives a little ease to bad situations and comes from my own hand. Offered lovingly.

I am an Artist.

We always wish we could do more. There is so much need. If everyone does their little part then it all comes together in a much bigger way than the parts of ourselves. 

That, to me, adds up to hopeful.

 And isn't it wonder-filled to begin from a hopeful place?

***

I am working on all kinds of new art with new enthusiasm and painting subjects and different things I have not done in years. So freeing and so much fun. 

Join in the Dance.

***

Stay Tuned!

Peace and cheers,

Carol   

Choosing Sides ~ new work + a preview.

New work right off the easel and a work in progress.

5x7

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

100.00

available to help

Willing Hearts Dalmatian Rescue

100% donation to the rescue when sold

***

Work in Progress

High Seas
oil on panel
CAROL CHRETIEN
***
This morning I started this one, above is the first pass.
Another enjoyable one for me. As much as I love painting still life
I also love painting water.
I have done countless sea scapes with Dalmatians in them but this one is just the sea and a foggy sky.
It will be done soon.
***
Thanks for looking. If you want to email me with questions or comments
carolchretien@aol.com
peace and cheers!

At Long Last!

...Back in my studio.

I will be working on new pieces that are helping me to get back into the swing of things.
I will be painting to help hompeless animals and donate to charity.
Until the end of the year ALL my work will be 100% donations to non-profit rescues.
Any sales will go to charity as I regroup and reconnect with my favorite Rescues.

I will be blogging about and promoting animals in need of adoption and help and working once again in conjuction with a
wonderful group of Artist through
ART HELPING ANIMALS. www.arthelpinganimals.com

The art blog of Art Helping Animals, posting work for sale at Daily Painter's Gallery as part of the group from AHA and on my own blog and website will all go to the cause of helping animals find homes, get medical care and maintenance while they await adoption.

Great needs in very tough times! Art has the POWER to help and my passion and voice are lent to this pursuit.

I have spent the last year working through many challenges and changes...sometimes it has a positive side effect by allowing you to step out of your comfort zone, step back and find new bearings.

We lost our beloved cat Emmi, my studio companion, at age 18 and Lizzie (our Dalmatian) is learning to fill the role. In the picture taken just yesterday with me in my studio she is inspiring me to get back into the game and shake the rust out of my skills at the easel.

I am starting out with some small collectible pieces of art in a variety of themes.
I will begin showing these pieces next week with the hopes that you can join me on the journey.
My right shoulder is still healing (a VERY long year!) but I am able to handle the smaller pieces of work without a problem.

I am not quite ready for commissions of larger sizes but hopefully and with attention to Karmic principles I can send out some good work that will help others.
Feel free to share my news, my work, and please support non-profit rescues who do so much with so little for so many.

Off and running on the new adventures of Art that helps animals!
The Studio is OPEN!
peace and blessings,
Carol

Two Weeks...and then...

EMMI

Two weeks have gone by since Emmi crossed the Bridge and it still seems like she will come walking into the room at any moment.

I got some nice cards and emails of condolence...thanks so much.

This past week I got a chance to stop by Bristol Animal Shelter and got a huge reminder of just how adorable kittens are and the temptation was great but with Lizzie being 13 yrs old in a few weeks, it is just not the time to go down that road.

But...the joyfulness of cats and especially kittens...oh my! They have 2 little tigers (and many other wonderful animals for adoption, I might add) that are about the age of when I brought Emmi and Dinah home.

I was in heaven watching them pounce and tumble and play together. Ahhh.

I can't help it but I keep thinking of girl names....hahahaha!

Someday...someday....

I also think about the paintings that will come from that whole experience so I DO look forward to when the time is right.

In the meantime...Lizzie is more precious than ever...and I am so thankful for her generally good health. The age issues are manageable.

Leo and I spend a fair share of time kissing her and showering love and attention, as if she would ever be denied!

I am also looking forward to Fall and returning to the studio with new eyes.

I am hoping that starting out small and testing the waters with some painting time will work well with all this therapy to the right shoulder.

Somethings got to give.

That is the intention I have put out to the universe...so we shall see.

Who knows where it might take me.

***

The painting above is one of my personal favorites ...I painted this one many years ago of my Emmi and it was the painting I used to teach myself about painting eyes.

It is 14x18 and it hangs in our living room in the Lizzie and Emmi collection of portraits.

I am very fond of the close-up contemporary composition of this painting.

It is not a large piece but it commands attention on the wall.

Fun to paint with all the color, strokes and details in a small format.

So happy now that I did this piece. She had "the look" and it still gets to me.

~~~

Loose Ends and New Things....

Munchkin's Painting for Falmouth Friends of Dogs rescue in Falmouth MA

has found its home.

I received a nice email that they forwarded to me from the winner of the fundraising raffle.

A true coast to coast effort, the painting is now in New Mexico.

Ellen B. loves the painting and the work done by this rescue and the knee surgery that gave this dog a better future.

It is nice to know that people help from all over the country!

"MUNCHKIN"

****

On the easel:

"HALIFAX"

(a work in progress)

This week has seen some requests for commissions in my inbox...I have been moving slowly since the first of the year. Some of you may know from my FaceBook postings that I have been
doing some therapy on my "painting arm" and trying to get back into the work of helping rescue with art but the pace is slow.

One of the commissions I started a few weeks ago is of Halifax the beagle.

( I have permission to share some work in progress from Hali's dad.)

This painting will be done this week. The charity that will benefit will be BONES at the client's request.

***

New work is about to start. I look forward to "picking up the pace" and getting some

good rescue work going.

Thanks for looking...updates coming soon.

Closing up Shop ....

The Studio is officially "closed" for the year. I leave you with a few of the Christmas Commissions I have completed this season...a sampling, if you will.

I wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a blessed and healthy New Year.

It has been a year of struggle for many in this economy and the Rescues have felt the weight of the increase of animals in their care, and donations going down.
The next year will be just as challenging, and the need to give care find homes for the abused, neglected & abandoned, just as urgent.

My wish is to keep helping where I can with donations to the frontliners who save lives, foster, rehab & rehome.
I continue to serve this end in my humble way...Every painting I will paint will send a donation to a rescue in need...that remains my promise.

I hope you continue to follow the work along with me and join me if you can ....and...God bless us, everyone!

Lily

Sterling

Ashley

L'il Orange One

***

MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU AND FOR ALL THAT YOU DO

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

See you in 2011

Carol Chretien

On The Easel.....A Gift....work in progress

He Is A Gift

One of the Christmas themed paintings that will be offered for

beagle rescue as soon as it is done. I am about halfway there with it.

The most fun for me as an artist is receiving a vision of what I would like to paint, find the story in the painting and then go for it.

The VERY best part of art for me personally is to make someone happy, to touch their heart or experience but even more.... is to paint for a purpose.

I have had the pleasure of doing both. My joy is found in the win-win situation of connecting someone who appreciates my efforts on canvas to the benefit of a needy animal or the rescuers who are saving them.

My inspiration for the painting above was Sam-wise and you can read about his rescue and story here. GREAT READ and info!

I learned a LOT about this situation and the wonderful "mom" who rescued him!

http://withoutavoice.net/Sam.html

To honor Sam-wise I have painted the beagle subject with Sam's coloring and the rest is all imagination.

If you would like to place a hold to purchase this painting or want to book a painting or give the gift of art for next year... as a gift for Christmas please

email: carolchretien@aol.com

***
And while I have you here...please don't forget about

A LATTE ~ A LIFE

and the chance to win an original oil painting that supports

DALMATIAN RESCUE TAMPA BAY

by going to their link and for the cost of a LATTE (5.00) throw your name into the drawing

for my painting and the

RESCUE GETS EVERY CENT!

***

details found here:

http://www.dalrescuetampabay.org

Store Up Your Treasures

12x12

oil on canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

***

Available

150.00

free domestic priority shipping

***

If you know my love of still life and particularly this subject you can understand

that this is always a joy for me to paint.

This one was for the good of my artist soul.

Not a topic for everyone I realize but if it is, and you would like to purchase it, I will donate 20% to the charity of your choice.

It would also make a lovely gift for the person on your list who has a fondess for glass marbles.

***

When I was little my brother and I had ongoing games every Saturday morning trying to win each other's most beautiful prized marbles.

Happy memories are treasures you really should store up.

***

We are our memories.

email to purchase and name your charity:

carolchretien@aol.com

And the Winner Is.....

ABE

This year's winning custom portrait for charity was

painted to help raise funds for the

Lincoln D Lynch Memorial Scholarship Fund.

***

Abe spends his time with his family between MA and FLA

He is a lovable and well loved little Scottie and it was my pleasure to paint him for this worthy cause.

***

The scholarship serves students from the Middleboro MA school system where Mr. Lynch was an educator and the Superintendent of schools for many years.

This was the second annual Charity Golf Event for the scholarship fundraiser in his name. Allendale Country Club held the event in Dartmouth Ma.