Plum and a Half

"Plum and a Half"

5x7 oil on board

Starting to work on the next show now. Can't wait to see what I paint this time! I have a plan...but I never really know.

Beach Buddies - the last two - for now

"Beach Lessons"

Oil on Gessoed Board, 6x8

"Look Daddy", 6x8

Oil on gessoed board

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Okay, I'm tired now. Have been painting non stop for a month. All paintings for the Atalaya Show are completed, and most are already framed. Will take a short break, then begin painting for my November show. Good thing I love to paint!!

The second painting posted here is "untitled." Can you help? I cannot put my finger on it. Something about her yearning to be in the sea - and the father keeping her safe from it. Who kept you safe at the sea when you were small? For me it was "Papa." We had so much fun in the waves. They would be bearing down on us, and just has they got there he would lift me "high in the sky" to avoid the crash. Exhilerating. I love how this simple little picture can take me there.

Thanks for all the suggestions! Lots of good ones. Then...which one to choose. "Look Daddy" seemed to fit.

More of the Beach Buddies

"You Gotta Be Kidding Me"

click image for a better view of the painting

Oil on Gessoed Panel, 6x8

"Sandcastle Days"

click image to enlarge

Oil on Gessoed Panel, 6x8

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Here are some more of my beach people paintings. I love to think of the dialog between these people when I am painting them. "You Gotta Be Kidding Me," evokes all kinds of ideas for dialog. What do you think they are saying to one another??

The painting is slowing down a bit now, getting ready for the show now. Framing, packing, checking the list, etc. I'm very proud of this work, so I am excited to go to the show!

Fall Exhibition

"Fall Exhibition," Oil on Canvas, 16x20

I love this painting! It turned out just as I had hoped. (That doesn't always happen!) The colors and atmosphere are a nice diversion from the Summer heat. Come on Fall!

Beach Buddies

"Beach Buddies," oil on gessoed panel, 6x8

I have a whole series of beach people going. More on the way.

Here is Some More New Work

"Billy Dreher Beacons," 24x36, Oil on Canvas

Click for a better look

"Up Near Brevard," 18x36, Oil on Canvas

Click to enlarge

Working, working.....getting ready for the Atalaya show. More to come.

http://www.michelmcninch.com/Studio%20News/Calendar%20of%20Events.htm













Here's the latest.

Here's the New Work

Click on the painting to get a better look

"Two Old Birds" 30x40, oil on Canvas

"Surf Study," 12x6, Oil on Canvas

Click to enlarge

Click image to get a better look.

"Winter Surf," 12x36, Oil on Canvas

Hi Everyone. Thanks for all the new folks signed up to the email subscription. My list is growing. It's all very exciting. Here are 3 of my latest paintings. I have more, but will post them tomorrow, so that I don't overwhelm anyone's email. Please let me know if that happens, so that I can correct it. The top one - "Two Old Birds" was an image I have been saving a long time and finally decided to tackle it. I used a heavy impasto feeling to it that doesn't come across in cyberspace : ( . It was fun, though. I changed it at least ten times before I was satisfied. The water being on the top was a unique aspect. I took the photo from a balcony. I sure wish I knew who the woman was, but she reminds me of my Aunt Mary. Aunt Mary goes to the beach everyday to eat her lunch. She has lived on Sullivan's Island her whole life. I thought about naming the painting "Winter Walk," but a friend came over and noticed the similarity between the bird's legs and the woman's cane and the name "Two Old Birds" just seemed right.

The bottom two surf studies were done as demonstrations in my classes at Corley Mill Art Studio. Fast and furious painting to get it done for them in 2 hours. I liked the way they turned out, so I thought I would post them here for you to see. Winter Surf really looks much better when you enlarge it. If you would like to know more about Corley Mill Art Studio, just follow the link on the right.

Well, that's all for now, thanks for visiting. I will post about 3 or 4 more tomorrow. Stay tuned. Please feel free to leave comments and let me know which are your favorites.

You Gotta See This

Click on photo to get a better look.

Look what is happening in my backyard! Wow. This is a plant a good friend gave to me, and it has flourished. Terrific. Who wants a sprig? I think it is called "sweet autumn." Thanks Donna.

p.s. I have been painting huge amounts - will get them photographed and posted soon. Stay tuned.

Traditional Gesso

I enjoy painting on traditional gesso. It is rabbit skin glue (I know- Yuk!) and marble dust warmed together and layered onto wood to create a panel to paint on. When I go to the trouble to get this done, I make sure I do enough for a long time. The crock pot my sister gave for Christmas was perfect for the warming and rewarming process. I sand the wood, paint on the gesso, let it dry, sand it again - 5 coats is typical. Labor of love. The smooth and absorbent surface cannot be had any other way. Rabbit skin glue is also a terrific way to adhere canvas to a panel of wood. Then gesso tops the canvas to seal it against the oils in the paint. Made a dozen of those too. Now, for the paintings!

From the New Studio

Here's my first painting from the new studio. It is such a great place to paint. Anybody want to name this one for me??

"Annie's Way"

The painting I have been showing you step-by-step is now completed. I finalized the biggest shapes and then to finish it off, I put a glaze of lavendar over the entire painting to give it a hazy look of early morning. It has also told me it's title, "Annie's Way." I hope she will like it; this place is really special to her. I'll find out Thursday when I deliver it.

Great News

I have been able to rent a studio in the Vista Studios, downtown Columbia, SC, for the next six months. It has really been terrific. The other artists are great. Many are already friends of mine, so it's terrific to have their influence and inspiration so close at hand. I am hoping that it will turn into something more permanent.

Here are some pictures.

Almost Done

This painting is almost done. It is a custom sized, handmade canvas to fit my client's space.
The image was inspired by an early morning walk on her land in the country. It was just beautiful there.

Violets are Blue, and Pink, and....

“Violets“
Oil on Gallery Wrap, 6x6 (click picture to enlarge)
To Bid, please follow this link
http://cgi.ebay.com/McNinch-Orig-Oil-Floral-Painting-A-Day-Violets_W0QQitemZ190143950494QQihZ009QQcategoryZ20135QQcmdZViewItem

my website: http://www.michelmcninch.com/
my blog: http://michelmcninch.blogspot.com/

This was a fun little painting playing with bright color and light.

I'm Famous!!

Check out Harriett Hilton's Blog. She interviewed me! (August 21 entry)

http://hhartisticmusings.blogspot.com/

Bringing it Forward

This is the next step in the process I outlined in my August 8 post. I am now developing the basic shapes of the planes in this painting. I think it is going well. There will probably be two more painting sessions before it is finished.

Cat Nap

“Cat Nap“
Oil on Board, 5x7 (click picture to enlarge)
To Bid, please follow this link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190143067049&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

my website: http://www.michelmcninch.com/
my blog: http://michelmcninch.blogspot.com/


This is my cat, Sammy. He looks so comfortable.
I thought it was a cute pose, so I started slinging my brushes!

Sunset on the Beach

“Sunset on the Beach“
Oil on Canvas, 16x20 (click picture to enlarge)

my website: http://www.michelmcninch.com/
my blog: http://michelmcninch.blogspot.com/

This landscape reflects a magnificent sunset I saw on the beach on Sullivan's Island, SC in front of the Catholic church. Looking toward the city of Charleston, the water reflected the sun on the harbor, the surf, and right up into the sand. It was so beautiful, I just had to paint it.

Love At First Sight

Please click to enlarge.

(detail)

“Love at First Sight “
Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

30x40 (click picture to enlarge)
$3,400

my website: http://www.michelmcninch.com/
my blog: http://michelmcninch.blogspot.com/

Been working on this one a while. It is a love story. The goldfish has fallen madly in love with the beautiful lily. He is singing her a love song. See the bubbles? This is a 30x40 gallery wrapped canvas.

A Good Cup of Coffee

“Cup of Joe“
Oil on Board, 5x7 (click picture to enlarge)
To Bid, please follow this link
http://cgi.ebay.com/McNinch-Art-Orig-Oil-Painting-A-Day-Cup-of-Coffee-Java_W0QQitemZ190140229019QQihZ009QQcategoryZ20135QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

my website: http://www.michelmcninch.com/
my blog: http://michelmcninch.blogspot.com/

It is extraordinary how a simple image can bring up so many memories. I took the reference photo for this painting almost four years ago. I was at a restaurant waiting for my sister and her new baby. My niece is now a beautiful 4 year old. This simple image reminded me of our great visit together - and a great cup of coffee.