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

***

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

TABBY'S PLACE Cat Sanctuary and Rescue.

***

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.

***

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

***

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

Erin... a TABBY's PLACE cat

COMING SOON!

Erin is up for adoption at TABBY's PLACE

She is the inspiration for

THE WIZARD'S CAT

that is on progress on my easel.

MUCH MORE TO COME!

***

visit

TABBY'S PLACE

to see their fine work for homeless cats and those in Hospice care!

www.tabbysplace.org

CATS IN DRESSES

8x10

oil on canvas

offered for

TABBY's PLACE

This is the first of several in a series of whimiscal cats in costume.

one day left for bidding on EBAY!

This was so much fun to paint...very reminiscent of me with crayons and fresh new paper and all the time in the world to create as a child with no one judging "good" or "bad" art just a lot of imagination and fun...I am doing a series taking off from this idea.

I am painting them for homeless cats.

I am painting them for fun

and I am doing it for me.

COMING SOON:

Cats in Tutus

Cats in Swim Wear!

Where In The World?....

....will you find art work I have painted and sold for animal rescue????
All the red areas show where my work is located....
I thank all the supporters of my art and efforts on behalf of homeless animals everywhere!





create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.



create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands

ART UPDATE...

The painting in the previous post for BONES BEAGLES has sold.

Homer is still up for adoption.

see their site for info.

http://www.bonesbeagles.org/index_front.html

***

BONES is asking to help them with a donation program for matching donations...

ROYCE is their poster beagle for the effort.

His painting "BEACH BOY" sold recently also!

Try to help with what you can.

See their GIVING OPTIONS contact them for more info!

***

visit http://www.carolchretien.com/ and see available art.

some fun art has been added!

***

thanks everyone!

First Look at BONES...and my favorite beagles!

HOMER

available for adoption!

http://www.bonesbeagles.org

***

On the easel...

BEACH BEAGLE

This will be done soon and listed for BONES a great Beagle rescue.

this painting is inspired by :

HOMER

2.5 year old male good with dogs, cats and children over 8
Homer is a well-mannered, kind-hearted, healthy young dog with a very soft personality. Homer has a strong desire to please and willingness to learn. He is respectful of the rules and gets along with other dogs and cats. Homer is a well mannered young guy, house trained, not destructive and generally a easy guy to have around. He would prefer a home with out young children, as their fast movements can make him nervous.
Homer can be a bit unsure in brand new situations, but with time and patience he adapts quickly. Homer would love a quieter household with a family that will give him lots of stability, structure and most of all LOVE.
In return Homer will shower his new family with affection and a deep loyalty only a beagle can give!

Boston Terrier Art - First Look! Carol Chretien

FIRST LOOK!

ALL INNOCENT AND NEW

This little cutie is a new family member of a friend.

I have started some small paintings of her that will be offered to assist rescue.

coming soon...

Land of the Living...the return.

ON THE EASEL

My cold is just about history...the real work begins. Painting is the best medicine.

Back to the easel...I have caught up with all the things that got canceled last week and the chores are getting under control and the studio time will begin again...Tomorrow.

I just listed some work on Ebay for sale. The Rainbow Bridge art continues with a piece for The Humane Society's Northern Rockies branch. They do great work out in the wild! Read about WHERE's DAVE in the arthelpinganimals.com news blog!

Horses starving are an issue we are trying to help.

Rainbow Bridge art horse & angel CHRETIEN HSUS NRRO oil - eBay (item 120245198352 end time Apr-17-08 05:21:36 PDT)

20% goes to the charity if sold.

On the easel is a piece that is a bit different but I am having fun developing the story.

here is a quick First Look above ... so much more to do.... any questions about it just email.

thanks for looking and supporting the animals we love to help!

What a Week! Chicken Soup was on the Menu...

FOR THE ARTIST's SOUL

What a week!

***

I have been in bed all week with the worst cold I have had in years. Knocked me right out of the picture and while I am somewhat better I haven't the energy to get into the studio just yet.

Better days are coming but for now I just want to send along this piece of new work I was working on before the cold got the best of me.

It is called "Patterns, Soft and Bold" it will be offered soon for the

Dalmatian rescue

WILLING HEARTS

one of the best of the best all-volunteer rescues.

Details will be coming soon about the listing.

***

Looking forward to getting back to normal and back to work

and kiss this cold good-bye!

**

Stay Well.

thanks for looking!

Horses, Horses everywhere....

FIRST LOOK...ON THE EASEL

As promised, I am painting horses to bring some attention to the problem of starvation in the horse population in this country.

One report on the recent news spoke of a horse owner who brought his two horses to auction to try to sell as he could no longer afford to feed them. They did not sell so he tied them to a pole outside the auction house and hoped they would be found and cared for.

He thought that that fate was better for them then starving!

***

My first impulse is "how can I help?" that is what the purpose is to my passion and why

I am a dedicated artist in the ART HELPING ANIMALS fellowship.

Our link is in the box to the right.

***

The image above of "WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER"

is just the first pass on a new painting.

The fabulous photography of Mary R. Vogt was the inspiration for the piece used with permission.

The finished work will be posted on Art Helping Animals when it is available.

***

thanks for looking!

Coming soon...

Beach Pups!

Lab puppies exploring the beach.

Rainbow Bridge series ...continues

Detail of Angel eyes


"Every One is Precious"

About the painting and the series...

As I have said in the past, I love angels. I believe in Angels and I have my own vision of the Angels that assist souls who have passed across the rainbow bridge.

***

With each of the paintings in the series you are seeing the angels who bring themselves forward to me in my own view of who they are and what they would look like if I could see them in real life.

***

That is what/why art IS for many artists...bringing forward from "someplace" what we see in the inner places. What it ends up meaning is up to the viewer to complete, EVEN in realism, maybe especially in "realistic style" expressionism. Abstract by definition evokes interpretation. Painting realistically is more of a challenge...the viewer of the piece must look past the recognition of WHAT the objects are as recognizable in themselves and make all new connections...or not. If you don't have your own connection I can't imagine wanting to have the piece for your own.

***

This angel was a real challenge...I wanted to paint an Angel of Kittens...it would be a young Angel and the main challenge is to make an Angel look other-worldly and yet not too unreal.

I made the eyes a crystal blue and kept the kitten more solid.

The actual painting is a bit more crisp than the photos allow.

***

Coming Soon

paintings of horses...a subject I rarely have painted and hope that they will help feed the horses who are in rescue and need rehab and care during our national feed crisis that is

hurting many farmers and horse owners.

see you on the

AHA art blog!

Thanks for looking & helping homeless and needy animals with art!

***

If the nose is warm...

On the easel...

Warm nose, warm spots...caught Liz in the spring early morning sun yesterday...

this actual spot is where painting animals and painting for animals really began for me.

***

Also on the easel.... and coming soon:

Two new Rainbow Bridge inspired pieces

A new fun beach scene with Labradors

&

Something very different with my favorite breed.

***

Spring has such great light here and I get such interesting scenes with shadow and light to reference. The mind never stops and the ideas keep coming.

The biggest trick is staying in the studio for all the hours it takes to accomplish it all.

Have a great day... and thanks for looking!

FIRST LOOK! New Dalmatian Art - Save the Dals!

LAZY AFTERNOON

8x10

oil on board

***

This is the preview of what will soon be offered for sale to assist

SAVE THE DALMATIANS

rescue

***

Lizzie models in a favorite pose...

Dalmatians are not only black and white (or liver and white) they are YIN & YANG...

At one moment the embodiment of pure unbridled energy

the next

well couch potatoes who can strike a pose that lasts for a good long nap!

***

this painting will be listed on Ebay at auction starting at 99.99 for the opening

20% will go to the rescue.

Thanks for looking!

if you like what you see please share the link with your favorite rescue pals.

***

Happy Spring,

Carol

Portrait is a WIN-WIN proposition!

Portrait of Tucker

***

Last October a raffle for "a portrait of your pet for charity" was held at the

DAL-O-Ween Picnic in Tampa Bay, Florida.

100% of the fundraising effort went to the Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay.

It was my pleasure to offer my services as I have been doing with Dal rescue for the last 5 years.

It is so wonder-filled to be owned by a dalmatian...and wonderful for me to have made friends across the country in several Dalmatian Rescues.

I live in an area (Ma) where Dals are few and far between...but in Florida, California, Texas, and the mid-Atlantic states Delware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and Ohio it is not the case.

Working to help these areas of Dalmatian Rescue is a blessing for me.

Getting the word out about saving "death-row" Dals, rehoming, heartworm treatments, spaying and neutering, acute medical care, and caring for seniors abandoned and too old to be rehomed but still in need of loving care...

it is what these all-volunteer rescues do!

TUCKER was a much loved Dal, his "mom" Pat has been working very hard helping DRTB to save and rehome discarded dals.

Pat purchased a charity raffle ticket, she lost Tucker to age which was a very dear loss for her and her family...she won the raffle.

Bittersweet as Tucker's portrait becomes a memorial painting...but she has also supplied some great shots of Tucker's adventures and allowed me to create other work based on his life that ultimately helps even more homeless dals in the care of DRTB!

Tucker has inspired artwork that helps to keep on giving!

Recently Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay has recovered 12 abandoned Dals and through the tireless and giving work of their volunteers they have found homes for 11!

...it is so worth your while to read about what they do on their site.

***

So much tragedy in the world...who cares about a bunch of discarded dogs? cats? animals in general?

WE DO! We have to...we are their voices, their protectors, their hope and their homes!

We allow animals to be...it is our responsibility to see them through.

Support your local rescue.

CARE!

Spay and Neuter... prevent needless suffering.

And thanks for looking!

Happy Easter ~ Happy Spring!