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

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

2012 ...A Whole New Year

My first chance to create an update here and I just wanted to say that 2012 has started off with a bang ....pretty much continuing where we left off from the previous year.

Life is hanging in the air right now with some unfinished business that is taking up my energy to complete and involving other family members with issues.

In other words, putting out fires as new challenges arise and keeping my artwork and my involvement with RESCUE on the back burner for now.

I am truly hoping that by APRIL I will have a good sense of where I stand with life in general and what I will be able to do to begin my return to the passion and purpose I was once so happily involved in. I do miss painting and the freedom of creative expression.

So please visit the site www.carolchretien.com if you are interested in PRINTS ....all the images in the print pages will have the full price donated to RESCUE.

Please stay in touch via email if you want to drop an Hello my way. I am always able to be reached at carolchretien@aol.com

All my best to you in 2012 and hope to be able to show some new work in the coming year!

Carol

ART, LIFE, and A PERSONAL NOTE

Up Before the Sun This Morning...

Sunrise somewhere in the universe...(photo credit Morguefile.)

Life has been a rollercoaster in 2011...not horribly "bad" but definately challenging. Physically, mentally, spiritually ... a challenge.

Make no mistake, there are many more things in my life to be thankful for than not. So I am not really complaining but just trying to make sense of things and find a way to express it.

My studio is closed into 2012.

I make this announcement with mixed feelings ... I do miss painting and having a schedule and purpose and being able to make donations as I have in the past. That last is the biggest change to deal with.

Some of you know that while I painted almost a full time schedule I was also supported by a part-time job as a nurse working evenings for the last 33 of 37 years. These hours allowed me the freedom to paint as much as I pleased and the freedom to give as much as possible while covering our health insurance with my part time job.

That job has come to an end and now and I am in the process of wrapping up an entire portion of my life and restructuring the way I have done things for so long.

There are many changes involved in this for me in all spheres. Not in the least is trying to envision a whole new life plan. It would seem that it would be simple, "Just Paint" ...but the practical elements need to be addressed first and eventually it will come to painting again. That is my long range plan.

Knowing that this job change was coming, I have been preparing for this for a while but there are so many unknowns just ahead. I was working myself into a frenzy thinking I had to have everything figured out and wrapped with a bow, having everything in place and knowing every move ahead of me. I can't. I realized yesterday that this was just not possible. But...I am a Capricorn and that is always my approach.

Yesterday I had a moment of clarity regarding "plans" ...I do not know exactly what the plan is going to be just yet except to say that I am going into uncharted waters for the first time. As a nurse, I will be unemployed. Having never been unemployed it is a whole new world for me.

As an artist, I will be beginning from scratch when I reopen my studio at a future date and make Art my full time passion once again.

My "job" in the next year will be to sort out life details, see what works for us here, and find my way again. These changes have wrecked havoc with my creative abilities and keeping focused, so rather than force things I do not really feel where art is concerned it is less stressful to just step away.

Saying goodbye to a whole segment of my adult working life, and more importantly, the people who inhabit that life, is more difficult than I ever imagined. I thought it was a matter of just substituting one schedule for another. No so.

I am learning as I go...I will get to that place of reconcilliation with change and find light on a new path. I am learning to rely on my internal compass in a whole new way.

I will be putting a notice on my WEBSITE and if any prints should sell from the site ALL profits from the sale will go to charity of the buyer's choice.

I will be working behind the scenes and when the reopening is ready I will let you know.

Thanks for following my work all these years and helping as you do to give homeless animal rescues funding through art.

This message will go out through several outlets, you may receive a duplicate message if you are on also in my opt in list from the website, for that I apologize.

ALL MY BEST,

Carol

Get Well Oscar!

Oscar recently had emergency surgery this is a shout out to say we wish him a quick recovery.

***

I have had the pleasure of using his likeness to create some fun paintings

that have generated funds for helping homeless animals. He is an inspiration and has helped friends in need!

Oscar's images have always been used with permission as with all and any references for paintings.

***

We wish our friend Oscar a big

GET WELL SOON!

Dachshund Blues

(model in the painting: Oscar)

Happy Valentine's Day...

Wishing everyone a day of Love.

And have a wonderful day.

***

Please support your favorite rescue,

Give your heart to a pet up for adoption.

Sponsor a pet in foster care.

Volunteer with a local group.

It's a New Year!

" Bobby Boo"

detail

a Christmas commission 2010

~~~~

Wishing everyone a wonderful NEW YEAR!

I am in the process of getting the studio up and running for 2011.

Commissions are already booked and work will resume shortly.

(every piece of work I do gives a donation to a non-profit rescue)

***

It was a crazy finish to 2010...

The old year ended not as planned...with blizzards and cold bugs and cancelled travel plans.

Not a great ending, I did however get all my commitments completed! WHEW!

The new year is a new beginning and hopefully we will be able to help many homeless animals again this year with sales of art and art related items.

and...

ART HELPING ANIMALS

continues to grow as well!

we have new artists joining us and new work to celebrate

we have almost reached the

80,000.00

mile stone of funds donated from artists helping animals in need.

~~~

I hope you can coninue to join us and follow our journey with art that helps.

***

Have a healthy and happy New Year everyone.

all my best,

Carol

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

We have a Winner! Thanks so much!

Judith F of Florida

you are our painting raffle winner!

~~~~

EVERYONE:

Many thanks to all who participated in this spur of the moment campaign to paint for

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS.

On October 15th the idea was supplied as a suggestion by Rebecca Gott who asked if I had a Pink Dalmatian for BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!

Well I did not...but then a half hour later ...I did have a start.

Using the inspiration from her idea and the pose of her Dal I was compelled to paint this little 10x10 Special Edition, one of a kind oil that allows us to send the donation to the cause that enables free mammograms for early cancer detection!

I could not resist the idea and now I think we could double that NEXT year and maybe do something completely different for this event.

You all are wonderful giving people.

we will keep paying it forward.

Remember...early detection helps save lives!

Dalmatian In Pink - COMPLETED

10x10

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

DALMATIAN IN PINK

***

Drawing to win this painting is

NOVEMBER 1st

5.00 entry will go to

THE BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION

***

If you would like to JUST donate the cost of a cup of fancy coffee to support someone you know who is battling cancer or honor one who has passed and not enter for a chance to win this painting... you can make the donation and just note that in your paypal.

the link to donate is:

http://carolchretien.chipin.com/breast-cancer-awareness

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

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!

~~~~

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.

***

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!

***

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!

***

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!

Lost in the Labyrynth...so it would seem.

"Like a Spiral in a Spiral..."

(sold oil painting)

~~~

Just an illustration of where the rest of this month has driven me.

Funny I should say "driven" as I have one dead car sitting in my driveway just as I was in the final stages of replacing it with another one.

(Annoyed.)

But...I keep asking myself as I resolve this little matter ...What is the Universe telling me. Last week I was under the weather and rested. Then I wasn't going ANYWHERE literally!

I am not a person who believes in randomness. I do believe there is meaning to be had from life's experiences. So is it telling me to go slower? To stop and look around at what I am doing?

To be more deliberate? WHAT?

I am in the middle of 10 things and the last two weeks keeps sending me to the bench.

So I have to step back yet again and try to sort this.

I will do it. It will be all resolved.

I am asking for the powers that be to lend a hand, toss me a rope, give me a boost up...Patience?

maybe that is the lesson.

I will ponder that as I go through the day.

Wishing everyone smooth sailing today!

(Hopeful.)

Moon Madness! What does that get you?

Dalmatian Moon

(SOLD)

Because this is an ART BLOG as well as a chatty patty blog I share this painting that sold last year to help DRTB to illustrate how this week has made me feel!

Yesterday it was a day of taking a step forward and hopping about 6 steps back.

ARGH! Frustration!

I really hate days like that but I ask myself what can I make out of it?...I ask this once I get a little distance, a little perspective, a glass of wine maybe.

So this morning after a good night's sleep I am able to say that the

Waxing Moon, that will soon be full and bright, just slowed me down to a reflective state instead of a high energy, buzzing around and bull in a china shop momentum.

Well what did that get me? a chance to decide to catch up with some life and home things before they get away from me.

It made me rebalance.

I could stop being frantic and realize that I have work that is getting finished and ready to go.

I have work in progress that I personally like and I have a plan to begin the 30x48 dalmatian seascape that is a commissioned piece.

So in other words... in a note to me from the Universe...

CAROL, SLOW DOWN AND BREATHE!

Take a break, take a pause, take a look around. Look at the bigger picture.

Oh,.... OK. I can do that.

I tend to jump up and run in 10 directions at once and wonder why I hit the wall every so often.

So I will heed the wisdom of the Universe...

I will howl at the moon and pay attention and find a pattern of order.

It's there I just have to SPOT it.

this is the way to enjoy the process that gets lost in the flurry of confusion of activity.

The Universe is Wise when you step to the side and stop and listen.

~~~

Have a great day...go at your own pace and remember to breathe!

If you have a minute please check out the fundraising event at

http://www.dalrescuetampabay.org

and

See where the cost of a LATTE can help save a LIFE!

PEACE & CHEERS!

Carol

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.

***

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.

****

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.
***

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.

***

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!

The way it all works...

....Inspiration....your names are Annie and Oscar!

Annie (above) photo by Pam

Oscar (photo by Pam)

Yesterday afternoon after painting all day (on a commission and a piece for rescue) I sat and thought ....What will I work on next?

I stared at a blank canvas, I went through some of my old photos for inspiration and that just brought me to a trip down memory lane.

I spent over an hour totally lost in time. I looked back 20 or 30 yrs at people I love who have passed, at people who have aged...even my husband...I looked at images of our former pets and our current two, Lizzie and Emmi who are 12 and 17 respectively. Lizzie turns officially 12 in less than 2 weeks! Where does all the time go?

When I put the cover back on the box and realized I was back in 2010 it was such a sad feeling. I smothered our Lizzie with hugs and kisses (because she really loves this) and went off to make tea and cookies...we shared a cookie "party" and I felt resigned and better. I even added it to my facebook status. If that doesn't smack you with "2010" what will? LOL!

But then came today and the Muse was just waiting...I was working online and I stopped by Facebook and see my friend Pam's photos of her fabulous dachshund Oscar and one of Annie the beagle and I am instantly INSPIRED!

Pam always generously allows me to use her wonderful images to inspire paintings that help rescue and I am so anxious to work up the immediate visions I see when looking at these two faces.

They will be my first Christmas paintings for rescue this year.

A shout out to Pam for being such a great rescue worker.

She has helped get many beagles and others into good homes matching up families with the right pet. Pam has inspired some of my favorite paintings with the loan of her terrific photography.

Thanks Again ...PAM!

***
Come back in a little while and see where this inspiration takes us!

Inspired by Dusty ...Wait, Love, Pray...For a Home!

" WAIT, LOVE, PRAY...FOR A HOME"
12x12
oil on canvas
CAROL CHRETIEN
***
Painting for
DALMATIAN RESCUE OF TAMPA BAY
where you can adopt the inspiration for this painting!
20% of the sale goes directly to the rescue.
125.00

Dusty is in foster care and is available !!!!
http://www.dalrescuetampabay.org
for information.

***
and if you want to purchase the painting email me:
carolchretien@aol.com
a lovely way to add fine art to your collection of dalmatian art while helping rescue!

Rainbow Bridge Art...WIP

New

WORK IN PROGRESS

This close crop view of the newest painting on the easel is my vision of HOW our beloveds are greeted when they cross the Bridge.

This new piece will benefit Dalmatian Rescue when sold, 20% of the sale will go directly to the charity.

***

If you would like to reserve this painting before it is offered online in a

Gallery, please email me for details and how to purchase.

carolchretien@aol.com

I will mark the painting RESERVED

.

It will be posted as SOLD when the finished piece is shown online.

***

Thanks for following along and helping homeless animals with fine art.

Point of View

POINT OF VIEW

is the title of this painting that will be part of a mini-exhibit in Atlanta GA soon together with my fellow ART HELPING ANIMALS artists. Artist Andy Mathis is hanging this exhibit for us.

I was thinking about the Glass Half Full vs Half Empty way of looking at the world and thought that since it was a personal point of view it my be interesting to ponder...from a different perspective.

This was recently finished in oil on canvas.
more info will follow when all the paintings are together in Atlanta.

thanks for looking!