Later in the day

April 30, 2006

Just had to include a photo of my work under progress called "Two Egg Omelet" It's not much as yet, but I hope to develope in into an interesting and realistic still life.

It's for all of you still life lovers of kitchen art.

Stay cool and enjoy the day.

I have to appologize to all. I can't get the photo up on this web site. I will try tomorrow.

cjn

April 30, 2006

The last day of the month. Time to clear the "decks" so to speak and start new art projects.

Two of my latest paintings are going up for sale tonight on ebay. Please look for my work under "self representing artists", Carolyn Needleman or "artistnj"

The first piece of work, entitled "Not a Shy Violet" was a labor of love. My white and violet African violet was a powerhouse of blooms and endured the three weeks at my still life setup like a trooper. The work is Victorian and romantic in mood with the sensuality of red velvet.

The second piece of work is called "Jill's Garden." It is a dramatic change from the original photo of Jill. The background has been totally changed in the oil painting. Jill has changed also. Her hair has been styled differently and her dress and jumper are different colors than the original photo. What can I say? Artistic license!

I hope that April was a good month for you and may May bring you much blessings!

April 28, 2006

This week has been one of intense accomplishment. I finished two major works and I am pleased with both, "Not a Shy Violet" and Jill's Garden. I am going to place both up for sale this Sunday with ebay. Please look for both works of art under self representing artists, Carolyn Needleman.

I am going to take this week end off from art, (other than listing my two pieces on ebay) and chill out and maybe go to the movies.

Next week I am going to finish "Two Egg Omelet" and start another project. There are several that I have in mind. I will let you know what I decided to start on after I do some preliminary drawings.

Have a good weekend and think Spring!

April 27, 2006

The last few days have gone very well with painting projects. I finished one version of "Jill's Garden." The completed work is posted on the April 26, 2006 posting. I am happy with that version. I will now go back to my first version and complete it also, to have two very different versions of "Jill's Garden" to sell.

Today I finished my still life of African violets in a white and blue bowl with a silver spoon on red velvet. It has a romantic, Victorian mood to the painting. I have been thinking of a name for this piece and it has eluded me up until now. I think that I will name it "Not a Shy Violet." I need to let the spoon dry and then varnish the piece. It will be offered for sale at the web site called "artbyus.com" At least I think that is the name of their web site. Will let you all know for sure before I place it up for sale. Pictures to come after I varnish the piece.

I also worked on "Two Egg Omelet" today. It's an interesting piece to do. There is a lot of grey color and tone in the egg carton. It's quite a study in warm and cool colors. I am using a very limited palette of Alizarin Crimson which is a bluish red, yellow ocher which is a dull yellow by itself, but turns a beautiful yellow when mixed with white, and French Ultramarine Blue which is a deep blue. The piece requires a lot of observation skills and slight variations of hues and tones. I will photograph it tomorrow when the sun comes out for you to see it's progress.

I want to take this opportunity to thank my mentor, Lori Levin of Soulfulstudios.com for all of her advice and critique of my work. Her advice is always welcome.

April 26, 2006

April has been a very busy month for art.

I am working on several pieces at once, while waiting for some areas of others to dry.

I took a good hard look at "Jill Garden." I was not happy with the way the work was progressing. I decided to stop work on that piece and re draw the basic idea on another canvas, leaving out much of the background and concentrating on the foreground only. I was able to finish it today and I think that the change makes for a more focused work of art. What do you think?

April 22, 2006

I was able to work on "Jill's Garden" today. The background green color was "tacky" but dry enough to add shapes in the background. I was also able to work on Jill's face and arms and part of her dress. Her dress is now red. The pinks in her face and her dress were so close in tonal value that both were getting lost. I needed to change one or the other and the dress was the winner.

I was planning to offer a botanical study of yellow lilies for auction to ebay. Upon reflection and careful study, I decided not to auction this piece. I do not think that this piece is up to my standards. The composition is weak and it breaks the "rules" of placement of subject matter. (One is allowed to break the rules of course. But in order to do this you must have a strong subject and portray it convincingly.) This one didn't do it. Back to the drawing board. That's what happens when you rush and try to cut corners and not do your prelimary planning.

April 21, 2006

Art is going slowly these last few days. I needed to rework the spoon in my painting of violets. It slowly got "chunky" and lost it's soft curves in the handle. It has been reshaped. I need to let it dry before I can place the last highlights and complete the work. (It's always something to keep you on your artistic toes.)

Jill's Garden is still drying. I may be able to work on it in the next two to three days. I can not wait to get back to it.

I have started another still life oil painting in the meantime to keep busy. It's two eggs in a egg carton entitled, "Two Egg Omelet." Something for a still life lover's kitchen. Yes, we do put oil paintings in the kitchen. At least this still life lover does. Pictures to come.

April 28, 2006

Thank you to the lady in Alabama who purchased my latest work titled, "Flame." I hope that you enjoy it for years to come.

"Jill's Garden" received my attention today. The various green background is slow drying. I am unable to add any stems and leaves of foreground plants until the background green areas dry. That may take up to a week. I will have to begin something else in the meantime to keep busy.

The African violet painting is almost finished. I believe that I will finish it this week. I will put it up for sale either on ebay or another site that is dedicated to fine art. I will let the public know what I decide regarding sales site. It will need to dry and I will need to varnish it. Please expect it to go up for sale about April 30th. Here is my latest picture of it before I finish.

April 17, 2006

Visiting family this Easter week end was enjoyable. It is always nice to reconnect with loved ones, even if you have to travel some distance.

But, the holiday week end is now over. It's back in the saddle for me regarding my painting projects.

I am working on two 8 x 10" paintings simultaneously. The ceramic bowl with African violets and the painting of my niece Jill in a garden. Will post pictures of both works of art tomorrow when the sun will do them justice. (Too many shadows outside now.)

Happy Easter

April 14, 2006

Happy Easter to one and all.

I will be back on line on Monday, April 17, 2006. Going to take a little break from painting and designing.

April 13, 2006

Today has been a very busy day both professionally and personally.

I was able to spend several hours working on my still life with violets oil painting. It is near completion. I have not decided on a name for this piece of work, as yet. It is eluding me.

I will take a photo of it tomorrow to post on the web for all to view. The silver spoon certainly needs more work, but I need to let several areas dry before I can go back in and add details.

I also worked on "Jill's Garden." It is coming along nicely and I also will post a photo soon.

Several other painting projects are running around in my head. There are not enough hours in the day lately, to do all that I am wishing to accomplish. But, I guess that's how life goes sometimes.

April 12, 2006

What a beautiful day! The sun is shining brightly and the outside temperature should be around 70 degrees. Spring has sprung! Joy of joys.

Happy Passover to all of my Jewish family and friends. May no one be in bondage and under the foot of another.

On a business note, my 9 x 12 oil painting called "Flame" has a bid on ebay with two other "watchers." The auction is over on Sunday night...so those of you who were interested in purchasing it, be aware. My ebay site is artistnj or you can find me under self representing artist.

May everyone have a day filled with joy. Bye for now.

Jill's Garden

April 11, 2006

Well, I kept my promise to myself to get down to the business of painting the first thing this morning. I blocked in the beginning of "Jill's Garden." The composition seems to work.

I think that I have made a good start. The deep dark background colors are blocked in. I need to see them dry overnight before I start to develop shapes. I want to wait to develop the foreground until I see how the background works with the overall plan of composition.

April 10, 2006

Today turned out to be a non productive art day. I didn't even get started on producing anything! What a bummer. But I did get a lot of other important things done.

Federal taxes had to go out in the mail. No waiting until April 15th. The lines today in the post office were long enough...without that consideration. Then shopping for the upcoming holidays this week and week end. Also a lot of small errands needed to be done and new art supplies needed to be ordered. Whew...I am tired!

Tomorrow is coming and it will be a new day for art. "Jill's Garden" will get my first attention in the AM and a large part of the afternoon. I will post a photo of the preliminary draft tomorrow evening.

Thanks for your interest and may your upcoming day be wonderful in all ways.

Artistic Concepts by Carolyn

Artistic Concepts by Carolyn

"Flame" going up for sale on ebay

April 9, 2006 at 2:36PM

My last completed work, "Flame" is going up for sale tonight on ebay at around 8:30PM. Those of you that are interested in collecting my works of art will have a chance to bid.
Thank you for your interest in my career.

April 9, 200

My current work of violets in a ceramic bowl need to dry a bit before I proceed with it.

What to do until that happens? I try to paint every day during the week and take the week end off to see family and friends. But, my mind is on what to accomplish while the violets dry.

I spent some time looking at my considerable stacks of photos to determine what my next piece of work would be. I found two that I would consider attempting. The first is a picture of my niece Jill when she was a small child of about 3-4 years old. I always liked this photo and I thing I will give it a try. The second is a beach scene on the Island of Rhodes, Greece that I took in about 1996. Both are possibilities for new work.

April 7, 06

Art takes a back seat today because it is grandparents day at my grandson's school.

I traveled from Turnersville, NJ to Pennsylviania to stay overnight at my son and daughter-in-laws house to be on time to attend my grandson's school program honoring grandparents.

We had a one hour program. The children shared their daily written journal with pictures with their grandparent. Each was unique, from the child's point of view. The grandparent brought in a picture of their childhood and explained it to their grandchild. We had snacks and the children had a group sing and spell of colors. Everyone had a good time and I cherish this day. (Pictures were taken by grandparents, of course!)

April 6, 06

Work continued on my latest creation of African violets on velvet. The velvet is now red....amazing how you may first decide on one color, then as the painting progresses, you realize that another color will enhance the painting and will be a better choice for the overall color scheme.

Thank God that the violet blooms are so long lasting. I need to wait for certain areas of the painting to dry before I continue with the rendering of the blooms. Hopefully, I will finish the painting next week. It has been a vertual joy in creating this 8 x 10" painting.

April 4, 2006

Today has been a joyful painting experience. Work on the new still life is progressing nicely.

I worked on the folds of the table cloth today. The folds seemed to paint themselves. I have finally been able to get the right mixture of green to render the leaves correctly. I am pleased with the end result.

The painting is coming along as I visualize it. But a name for the painting is eluding me...what to call it?