LET's GET OUR ELF ON!

(Under the Tree - original oil)

Carol Chretien

2010

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Today is the end of November...it is going out like a lamb!

For New England, 60 degrees and more is a gift at this time of year.

It is saving us heating costs and letting us get out and get things done without freezing our ornaments off!

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Times are tough for many but it is the season of giving.

Please remember our shelter pets along with the other charitable giving that you normally do at this time of year, or all year, as is your way.

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Your local shelters and rescues have needs lists and donated items are always appreciated and/or any extra dollars donated goes a long way.

Please keep them in mind as you make your lists and check them twice.

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On a personal note: this year we lost our beloved Emmi cat. She is missed but I will be giving in her name so she lives on. That brings happiness in memories.

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I continue with my "Frozen Shoulder" rehab and am finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! I have much improved range of motion and all the time and money spent working on getting "my painting arm" well is paying off.

And...

My part-time job is almost over and I will be saying good-bye to 37 years of my old life in "health care" in exchange for a great new period of happy creativity making Art my joyful focus.

I welcome that Peace filled heart and soul work!

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I KNOW in 2012 I will be back in the studio beginning from scratch with some new work behind the scenes to get those artistic muscles back in shape.

I will not be selling work right away but I WILL be working on my craft and finding my Muse with hopeful anticipation, again.

I do expect a good period of time when I will be reacquainting myself with my love "of painting just to paint" and perhaps be able to help once again with the charities I love.

That is what my hope for the new year will bring.

Health and a Peaceful Heart.

SO...GET YOUR ELF ON

as we kick off DECEMBER and celebrate the magic of the

CHRISTMAS SEASON

of light and hope.

All my very best,

Carol

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

A Healthy Happy New Year to All!

***

Our 2010 Charlie Brown tree!

THE GIFT OF ART!

If you would like to choose a Gift for your loved one

this Christmas

AND

you want to support your favorite rescue...

(a donation will go to rescue)

PLEASE don't wait:

***

Available until DECEMBER 7th

I will send out to you a Christmas Box full of giving joy

as an announcement for an

ORIGINAL OIL PAINTING

by

CAROL CHRETIEN

of your giftee's favorite pet!

The box will be festive and ready for gifting.

***

details will all be included for them to contact me after January 1st

and we will create something they will treasure.

THERE IS NOTHING LIKE GIVING

A ONE OF A KIND

GIFT

something that will not get lost in the gifts under the tree

or forgotten in a few weeks!

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GIVE THE GIFT OF ART!

Happy Holidays

email me soon to book a gift announcement!

carolchretien@aol.com

gifting that helps homeless animals!

Why Oils?

Why do I choose oils? I so admire many of the other mediums but no matter what I have tried, I always return to my first love...

Oil Paint.

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Wild Woman

available oil on canvas

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I fell in love with them in my teens and many decades later still appreciate the light and depth of oils.

They really depend on the lighting they are viewed in. You can move an oil painting from one source of light to another and see a whole different painting.

I notice this particular characteristic when looking at landscapes. The light in the painting changes.

This works because the light shines through the oil paint to the canvas and back out to the eye.

You will notice how certain passages will almost have a "light from within" warm light really brings the warm colors forward.

One of the challenges of taking photos, and now with digital sharing, you try to get the best light for images in afternoon north light.

What you see on your computer monitor may still be nothing like the actual painting.

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When I send out my paintings to the client I am always hopeful they will see the work as so much more dynamic and full of life. Especially animals. Those faces and eyes are very lively and dimentional when you are looking at the actual canvas.

You also get the benefit of the brush and daubs of color that are missed in the digital example. Texture is also missed unless you are looking at the real thing.

But we must work with what we have and the images travel far and wide online and really have impact in audience reach.

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One of the nicest and poignant comments I get is that my works makes the viewer emotional. That is pretty cool when you think that I am taking pigments and materials and arranging them on a piece of cloth to transform into something that has heart.

That is Alchemy in the truest sense. It is a magical, mystical thing even to me.

Where does it come from?

I really do have the best job in the world. Sometimes I don't even know what will appear on the canvas as I go. It often seems like it is already there and I just seem to uncover it. That is something most artists must encounter.

Hopefully.

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Another of the attributes of oils is that the paint often suggests where to go next. This is hard to explain except to say it remains a teacher of sorts for me.

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This is today's ramble. :)

If you would like to shop for a Christmas of Holiday gift that will provide a donation to help an homeless animal and make your giftee happy:

http://aheart4art-carolchretien.blogspot.com/

or email me to see about an after Christmas gift certificate for a custom painting.

Have a grace-filled day!

ART SALE! gifting and keeping....

Introducing....Studio "C" ....my sale blog.

Did you see something I had painted before that you liked and want to gift or keep?

I am cleaning out some studio space and have a few unsold paintings to offer at a "sale" price of

75.00 and...

15.00 of every sale goes to help a rescue!

Free domestic shipping.

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http://aheart4art-carolchretien.blogspot.com/2010/10/first-ever-studio-christmas-sale.html

Please ...take a peek.

Friends of Falmouth Dogs...

When I am asked to help a rescue with Art I try to give it my all.

It is why I do what I do.

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The last fundraiser for

FRIENDS OF FALMOUTH DOGS

http://friendsoffalmouthdogs.org

I offered a pet portrait as a one of the gifts for donations.

I want to share what the result of that offering was:

"PORTRAIT OF TWIGGY"

12x12

oil on canvas

is now completed and will be off to her home soon.

Her "mom" likes it!

That makes my job gratifying I can tell you.
Helping with oil painting...My passion and purpose!

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This painting below has also been painted for FFD rescue

and they will be telling you how you can help them raise funds for the dogs they save

soon.

You can join them and me on FACEBOOK!

and keep up with all news as it happens.

Thinking about

GIFTS OF ART THAT KEEP ON GIVING?

The holidays are around the corner.

For the love of dogs and all pets...

Keep an open heart,

they depend on us.

Merry Christmas! oh, you heard right...

A Christmas Carol

Christmas is coming

the goose is getting fat,

Please put a penny in the old man's hat.

If you haven't got a penny,

a ha'penny will do,

If you haven't got a ha'penny...

then God Bless You!

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GIVE

THE ONE GIFT THAT WILL NOT GET MISSED

AMONG THE OTHER PRESENTS!

You can COMMISSION an original OIL painting to give this Holiday

if you book with me by

NOVEMBER 1st.

The closing date for a painting that you will receive in time for gifting is

firmly set at NOV 1st.

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AND...

EVERY Painting will give a SECOND GIFT,

a donation to your or the giftee's favorite charity.

win-win-win

For homeless animals and your favorite giftee!

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The images above are also showing what you can give

(if you would rather send)

a

GIFT ANNOUNCEMENT Gift Box!

& let your giftee decide what they would like painted

for themselves.

Closing date for me to mail out the Announcement Gift box

as seen in the example above:

DECEMBER 7th!

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email me today (or VERY SOON!)

for a consultation

and details!

carolchretien@aol.com

Time is precious and the magic of the best gift under the tree awaits!

What's On The Easel? Variety!

Sharing some work in progress is always fun for me...these are in varying stages of completion and all currently on the easel. Thanks so much for looking!

Under the Autumn Moon

is a doggy noire for Fall...the story of two friends wandering under a rising moon at the farm.

In a state of near completion this will soon be offered to assist

Cascades Beagle Rescue.

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Early in the Morning

This oil is in a very early stage and my plan for it is to convey the promise of sunrise with my favorite breed (Spots have yet to be placed) catching the early rays. Enjoying the different colors

for this seascape from my usual blues and greens. Like Dalmatians waiting for adoption there is something about the colors of morning that convey hope.

Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay inspired this one.

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A Gift for the Season

Ah yes...Oscar my little Muse (Pam A's Boy) has the most expressive eyes...I love the light in his and his winsome expression...can he be resisted?

The colors of the season will surround him.

He will be helping Coast To Coast Dachshund Rescue.
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Store Up Your Treasures

A new oil still life in one of my favorite subjects that I just enjoy painting.

It is for my pleasure of working through the puzzle of patterns, reflection, transparency, light and shadow.

This is play time for me.

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Thinking about a special gift? Considering a Commission?

email me!

All of the above will be available soon.

If you have a desire to purchase and want to reserve in advance

and wish to know more about them

Please just email me.

carolchretien@aol.com

All my work will benefit a charity.

***

Stay Tuned!

14 Days of Christmas Gallery...SO FAR!

On the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd DAYS OF CHRISTMAS...

The Artists painted...for the Rescues:

... and on the 4th, 5th and 6th days of CHRISTMAS ...they kept painting and creating...

...then on the 7th, 8th and 9th days of CHRISTMAS...the Art Helping Animals Artists made like busy elves....

& WE ARE NOT DONE YET..... STAY TUNED.... 14 paintings, 14 Days, 14 Rescues

HELPING HOMELESS ANIMALS with FINE ART!

http://arthelpinganimals.blogspot.com

to see the work in detail!