Guaca Molé!

Guaca Molé!, oil on canvas, 9x12

Moving on from my photo-landscape series, I have set up and painted a few still life.  It's interesting that with any drawing or painting class that one takes throughout their artistic career , still life are always at the forefront for studying form, detail, perspective...they have it all. It has been a very long (over 25 years) since my last still life. This was exhilarating!

Bernheim series 7

Bernheim series 7, oil on canvas, 14x18

This is the final painting of the Bernheim series and from this artist's opinion, the best and my favorite.  If nothing else, only because studying one area through photos and through painting, allowed my own painting to finally loosen up to the point where I am completely satisfied with the results. I hope I can take this still-evolving style and continue into new subject matter. While I am unable to paint every day, I am continuing each day to seek out new painting ideas (an any artist would) and I will use this momentum to paint as frequently as my busy life allows me too. Thanks for viewing, and I hope you will continue to visit my site.

Bernheim series 6

Bernheim series 6, oil on canvas, 10x14

The thick pine forest oppose the soldier-like conical trees from the other side of the lake. It's an interesting contrast from an artistic point of view.   

Bernheim series 5

Bernheim series 5, oil on canvas, 9x12 
Sold

The lake itself has finally became the focal point!  What took so long was my lack of confidence in painting a scene where water would take up 2/3 of the canvas.  But divide and (kind of) conquer it is.  I actually did a sketch for this painting on site and used both it and the photo to work from. The conical trees seem here to stay.  I'm getting attached to them.  

Bernheim series 4

Bernheim series 4, oil on canvas, 9x12

This view from the lake trail, shows the lake itself peeking up over the long field of winter dried wheat grass.  The conical trees are everywhere, and they are beginning to be a favorite focal point of mine!  Because the early-to-bed winter sun was setting as this photo was taken, the field was illuminated gold; a wonderful warmth in the middle of this past winter's eternal cold.

Bernheim series 3

Bernheim series 3, oil on canvas, 9x12
sold 

Ok so you've seen this one already :) but it is the next in the series.  This was such a beautiful focal point around one end of the lake that I couldn't refuse.  The trees were just like conical soldiers stuck in a moment of time.  

Bernheim series 2

Bernheim series 2, oil on canvas board, 9x12

There is a path around Lake Nevin at Bernheim Forest near Louisville, that circumnavigates  the lake and the bends and curves offer minute by minute changes in the views. This is one of my favorite ends of the Lake.  With this second painting in the series, I was trying to loosen up and be a bit more abstract. Just trying to find a groove : )

Bernheim series 1

Bernheim series 1, oil on canvas, 10x14"

Hello,

My name is Celia Kelly and I am an artist who has recently returned to painting after nearly 25 years. I am also new at blogging. I returned to painting with the inspiration and enthusiasm from my son and daughter, both teenagers enrolled in a local Visual Arts program within their high school.  I caught the spark and it's been fun thus far!

My paintings are small, usually 9x12 canvases and I paint in oil.  

I started from a series of photographs taken at a local nature preserve which I frequent.  The first painting was a true experiment in paint manipulation, color choice, and well...being able to paint. I was overwhelmed at the colors that were created on the actual landscape that day from the brilliant Fall light.  I think for a first attempt at painting in many years, it turned out pretty well.