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/

Apologies!

So sorry I did post the in progress pic on the previous post!
This is the finished painting! 
You might notice the window signs in the previous post missing ...NOW they are open for business! LOL

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

When the Muse Takes Over...

You never know what will present itself!

DETAIL VIEW

UNTITLED WORK IN PROGRESS

CAROL CHRETIEN

***

Sometimes you struggle. Sometimes you work for what seems like days...

then you have those times every Artist knows where you hold the brushes and 

something else just seems to take over.

After working all day on some detailed paintings that really have to have somewhat accurate angles and such I was about to stop for the day and then much to my surprise ....my hand reach for a canvas and all of a sudden there was a LION staring back at me.

This is what I mean by the Muse just doing her own thing. I had NO intention of painting this Lion today or any day in the near future. I have a bunch of in-progress paintings of Urban Scenes that I am ambitiously working my way through. I have been thinking about paintings with beaches and children playing...

BUT...today this majestic Lion...this King of the Cats decided he needed to appear here.

So there you have it. He is going to be quite wonderful...no thanks to me! 

I am just a cog in the wheel.

I am doing my job by showing up.

***

as with all my work this year...

it will eventually be offered at 100% donation to a rescue when ready to go.

***

you just never know...but isn't it nice to be able to still be surprised?

HA HA!

truly.

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   

High Seas ~ new work

High Seas

9x12

oil on canvas panel

CAROL CHRETIEN

***

Rollers on a gray day at sea. Offering this wave study to assist

SAVE THE DALMATIANS

http://www.savethedals.org/

100.00

with

100% of the sale going straight to the rescue

the buyer may also claim the tax deduction to the rescue.

this non-profit rescue has been doing heroic work for

Dalmatians and others in CA for a long time.

SDAL was the first rescue I ever painted for.

If you are interested in helping this rescue please visit their site

for Dals to foster or to adopt.

***

If you would like to purchase this painting:

email me

carolchretien@aol.com

paypal is welcome

***

For all currently available work:

http://www.carolchretien.com/large-multi-view/New%20Work/1932521-8-165849/New%20Work.html

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!

PREVIEW...and more!

Studio Updates!

The first two paintings are new again...I should say I went back and did a second look and reworked these two paintings. I never gave up on them, I always liked them and they didn't seem to interest anyone.

So...back to the easel they went and I like them even more now. If they find a home with someone else ...even better!

they are also listed on my web site

www.carolchretien.com

***

The last painting (see below) is On The Easel and is a work in progress.

***

ON THE HALF SHELL

8x10

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

***

125.00

with 100% of the sale to help

WILLING HEARTS DALMATIAN RESCUE

***

SEA SHELL & BEADS

8x10

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

***

125.00

with 100% of the sale for

WILLING HEARTS DALMATIAN RESCUE

***


WORK IN PROGRESS

My latest Angel / Rainbow Bridge painting is in the works

this oil is 11x14

and as yet to be completed but you can see where I am headed.

The puppy is a mixed breed and represents all puppies who end up in the arms of angels.

The Angel is still showing herself to me.

I am still not sure what I am going to do with the background yet.

Anyway...wanted to share this with you.

I may make this into prints when done.

***

I am also working on some mixed media paintings that are fun and interesting and have CATS in them.

So the work continues and I am ever grateful for your interest in my work.

***

thanks for looking!

contact me anytime or just say hi!

carolchretien@aol.com

Huntress ~ Carol Chretien

HUNTRESS

10x10

Carol Chretien

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

***

SOLD

This newest painting is for

BRISTOL ANIMAL SHELTER

***

125.00

100% donation to the rescue when sold.

About the painting:

The lioness is a wonderful symbol of female strength and power.

She is a provider, a huntress and in this particular painting she is portrayed as a lady in waiting. Under the moon, in the high grass and waiting for that opportunity to present itself.

Intensity with intent.

Much the way I feel about painting to help homeless animals.

If this painting speaks to your inner Lioness...You can email me

carolchretien@aol.com

***

Paypal is welcome!

The funds will go straight to the rescue.

We are working to help homeless animals each in our own way.

thanks so much for looking.

Saturday this painting will also be posted for sale on

Daily Painter's Gallery

and

Art Helping Animals.

feel free to share the link!

Happiness is Helping a Rescue!...and NEW WORK

I can't say THANK YOU! enough to the response to my work with my return to painting after this year long hiatus and how you have helped such deserving rescues! In the last two weeks we have donated funds to

3 rescues with the sale of FOUR (!!!!) paintings.

White Rose

Sky Rider

The High and Mighty

and

Sonata

are all sold with funds going to

Dalmatian Rescue Tampa Bay, The London Sanctuary, Bristol Animal Shelter

***

NEW WORK!

DESERT SUNSET

8x8

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

100.00

***

This new rose painting gives a nod to Georgia O'keeffe in a respectful way in that I "deconstructed" a rose to a minimalist view point and then painted this in glowing desert sunset hues. It really is a vibrant piece as posted above.

100% of the sale will go to help

BRISTOL ANIMAL SHELTER

***

Meet

BIG POPPY

He is a WONDERFUL gentle and loving cat
(I know this because he sat in my lap for about 20 minutes purring and loving the attention!) and should have a home of his own.
All the details about him can be found on their site:
http://www.friendsofthebristolanimalshelter.org/
Please visit them here.
***
If you are interested in "Desert Sunset"
email:
carolchretien@aol.com
the funds will go straight to the rescue.
The buyer can claim the tax deduction.
thanks so much for helping artists help animals with art!

PREVIEW~ Sonata New Work on the Easel

SONATA

10x10

on the easel

CAROL CHRETIEN

***

This seascape is on the easel and will soon be available to help

The London Sanctuary.

Nocturne, moon and sea...a joy to paint and hopefully will help the rescue.

This week I have been painting a variety of subjects but mostly have been having a great time with sky, sunsets, seascapes.

If you are interested in reserving a painting before I post it for sale, just email me. carolchretien@aol.com

They are all oils on canvas, gallery wrapped for easy display and smaller sized and collectible.

Every piece of work until the end of the year is a donation to rescue.

The buyer can take the tax deduction and have an original piece of art for their collection.

***

Thanks for looking!

The High And Mighty or... Lets meet ALURA!

First things first! (rescue photo)

Meet "ALURA"...she was born in June of 2011 and is almost a year old.

She has been in foster care the whole time...she REALLY deserves a forever home of her own. She lives in FL. Totally available for adoption through:

http://www.thelondonsanctuary.org/

You can read all about it at the rescue link!

***

But, Jay...I have to tell you about him too, he is the founder of TLS...I met Jay at least 12 years ago...he was one of the original DALPALS on the "AOL Dalmatian message board" where all the dal folks hung out...way before Facebook was invented!

It is where my passion to paint to help rescue animals really started and later led me to Stella Violano and Art Helping Animals...another story!

but Jay...well he is a huge hearted person who had the knack of animals finding him and just getting rescued.

He has set up his tribute to London...his rescued Dalmatian...and has done so much with rescues and transports and networking to help I don't even know the half of it...I just know he DOES the work, and walks the talk. Please read all about the work on his site. There are a lot of "Happy Tales" to look at also!

***

This painting: "The High and Mighty" is available for sale.

100% of the sale goes to this rescue (minus the shipping fee) the Buyer can claim the TAX DEDUCTION and have a collectible original oil!

you will help save a life and keep the work for rescue going.

If this PAINTING speaks to you...

email me to purchase!

It will also be posted on THE DAILY PAINTER's GALLERY for sale on Saturday.

it is on the ART HELPING ANIMALS blog

and

my website www.carolchretien.com

please share if you are so inclined!

"THE HIGH AND MIGHTY"

125.00

email: carolchretien@aol.com

to purchase.

THANKS so much for looking and helping animals.

C.

The High And Mighty - preview - New Work

High And Mighty
12x12
CarolChretien
oil on gallery wrapped canvas
***
100% donation to
The London Sanctuary
(minus shipping)
***
I will be posting this work for sale at the end of the week with detailed information about the rescue.
Stay tuned!

Preview ~ Sky Rider ...a new oil

SKY RIDER

12x12

SOLD

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

***

This new painting is available to assist

Dalmatian Rescue Tampa Bay

125.00

PAYPAL is welcome

email to purchase:

carolchretien@aol.com

DONATION

100% to the rescue minus shipping.

Help this rescue with a purchase of collectible art.

***

About the painting:

This piece is another of multiple glazes of color to achieve the depth and glow of light. A bit of drama in this Moonscape that draws you in and hopefully takes you to a mystical reverie.

One of the good things about having been away from painting for the last year was that it gave me a renewed perspective about just what it was that I enjoyed so much about my favorite medium, and my approach to painting.

I enjoy taking the time now to glaze and relax with the work. Live with it a bit

and sit back and change a passage here or tweak a stroke there.

And color...there is nothing I like better than playing with color and light.

So if this piece of art appeals to you and you want to have it...

let me know.

In the meantime

don't forget about the purpose behind the passion to create...

visit:

http://www.dalrescuetampabay.org/

and help a great rescue out!

***

PINTO is still up for adoption through

Dalmatian Rescue Tampa Bay!

read all about him here:

http://www.carolchretien.blogspot.com/2012/03/previewwhite-rose-new-original-oil.html

Thanks for looking.

PREVIEW....White Rose ~ a new original oil

WHITE ROSE

SOLD

8x8

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

***

My first offering for ART HELPING ANIMALS for 2012 is my vision of the white rose that symbolizes the Spiritual.

This particular piece is a small one painted in many thin glazes to allow the illusion of light to come through representing backlighting.

It captures the impression of luminosity and a delicate layering of petals.

The canvas is wrapped around the stretchers and the sides are painted. It can be framed or displayed as is.

***

100.00

100% of the sale (minus shipping) will go directly to

DALMATIAN RESCUE of TAMPA BAY

a non-profit, all volunteer rescue that works tirelessly to save

Dalmatians and others from high kill shelters, discarded pets, and seniors at end of life care.

***

This particular painting is dedicated to the dalmatian mix who was saved from a shelter at AGE 8 where he was sent by his family.

MEET PINTO

(Pinto's Shelter Picture)
Imagine living with your family for 8 years and they leave you in a shelter?
***
He is 58 lbs, very loving and has made friends with his foster home's Dalmatian
"Charlie"
In the beginning he was very depressed and mourning the loss of his family.
He was not eating and he was suffering from shelter cough.
NOW...he is healthy, adjusting to the loving care he is receiving and is ready for a family of his own.
If you can help this wonderful boy...please consider adoption.
All the details and contacts with DRTB can be found here:
http://www.dalrescuetampabay.org/

***
It is always GREAT that a pet gets a foster home but for the volunteers to be successful and help others in need they have to find that FOREVER HOME for their foster pet.
Thanks for viewing the painting and the information about PINTO.
***
this painting will be posted for sale on Art Helping Animals
Art Collectors Blog, The Daily Painter's Gallery and directly from me.
email: carolchretien@aol.com
to purchase immediately with this preview.
Shipping is free to you.
Paypal is always accepted.
The purchase price will go straight to the Rescue.
ART HELPS ANIMALS
thank you!

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