ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

I finally took the leap and opened an Etsy shop!!!

http://etsy.com/shop/smkelleyfineart

Be sure to check it out, leave comments and spread the word. There's currently only 11 listings, but you all know how many I've been doing lately!

I want to thank all those folks that gave me the final nudge to get me to actually set it up and get it running - especially since I'm drowning in paintings, LOL!!! Also, many thanks and love to those who have supported me and gave me the confidence to continue painting by saying "wow", and in a good way!  ;-)

Enjoy the new shop, and...

Thanks for dropping by!

SMK

Plus 20 - White Gown with Red Umbrella

White Gown with Red Umbrella, 6x8, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 8/5/2014

Plus 19 - Water Lily

Water Lily, 8x6, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 7/23/14

Plus 18 - Woman on a Beach with Umbrella

Woman on a Beach with Umbrella, 10x8, Oil on Canvas Panel

Painted 7/19/14

Plus 17 - Lake Shore Abstract #2

Lake Shore Abstract #2, 8x6, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 7/18/14

Plus 16 - Lake Marshes

Lake Marshes, 8x8, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 7/9/14

I like the effect I got on the trees with the pallet knife. It almost looks as if the leaves are blowing in a breeze with the sun reflecting on them...

-- SMK

Plus 15 - Mountain Lake

Mountain Lake, 8x6, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 7/1/14

I got together with a friend, Karen, and we painted in oils together. We settled on a mountain scene with a lake in the foreground. I'd show you her's, but I haven't asked permission to post it and, besides, it looks just like mine!  ;-)

Anyway, we had a lot of fun and will definitely have to do it again soon!

-- SMK

Plus 14 - Flags

Flags, 8x8, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 7/1/14

For the Fourth of July, I decided to do another 'master study' of Childe Hassam - this time his painting, The Avenue in the Rain. This is the painting that hangs in the Oval Office of the White House. Childe Hassam's painting, not mine...

The Avenue in the Rain is a very abstract and gestural style of painting. The thing that got my attention immediately were the flag in the foreground and simply hints of flags moving back to the background.

The Avenue in the Rain, Childe Hassam, 1917

Now, looking at the painting and the composition, I totally understand the upper half of the painting. The bottom half, however, had me trying to figure out why he painted four pillars above a flag lying on the ground... I thought there might be some type of possible political statement in the bottom half, so I recomped my study to just the top half, which presents no questions nor assumptions.

I have since found out that Mr. Hassam was perhaps one of the most patriotic artists of the time, having painted a whole series of flag-themed paintings - most of which are owned and displayed in some of the most well known galleries in the U.S., in addition to the White House. I also found out that the pillars are people under umbrellas and the flag appearing on the ground is merely a reflection of the main subject above in the wetness of The Avenue in the Rain.

A beautifully simple painting, albeit a little too much mixed abstract and representational.

-- SMK

Plus 13 - Canyon

Canyon, 8x6, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 6/22/14

Plus 12 - Canyonside

Canyonside, 8x6, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 6/20/14

Plus 11 - Canyon Pillar

Canyon Pillar, 8x8, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 6/19/14

Plus 10 - Fire & Ice

Fire & Ice, 6x8, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 6/17/14

I watched this really cool demonstration on how to paint roses with a pallet knife and thought I'd give it a shot. She made it look so easy, but I'm going to stick to my own style of painting and maybe revisit this one another day...

-- SMK

Plus 9 - Young Willows

Young Willows, 8x6, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 6/11/14

Plus 8 - Orange & Yellow

Orange & Yellow, 9x12, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 6/10/14

This is a master study of a painter that I've come to admire for the simplicity of his paintings, Childe Hassam. The things that drew me to study this painting are the simplicity of the composition and the colors and how they balance and compliment each other so much with so little. It also didn't hurt that the subjects are my all-time favorites, boats and water! It's also a vignette, which I feel adds to the spontaneous feeling with which it could have been painted by Mr. Hassam.

 

I painted Orange & Yellow with pallet knives only, while I believe Woodboats and Dogana is a watercolor.

Here's a pic of his painting. As you can see, I'm definitely no forger, LOL!!!

Woodboats and Dogana, Childe Hassam

-- SMK

Plus 7 - Cloud Study #1

Cloud Study #1, 6x6, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 6/6/14

Plus 6 - Streamside

Streamside, 8x6, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 6/6/14

Plus 5 - Pond Shore #2

Pond Shore #2, 8x6, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 6/3/14

Plus 4 - Abstract #2

Abstract #2, 12x12, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 6/3/14

Plus 3 - Pond Shore #1

Pond Shore #1, 8x6, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 6/3/14

Plus 2 - Thinking Spot

Thinking Spot, 10x8, Oil on Canvas Panel

Painted 5/30/14

This painting is so significant to me on so many levels - so much so that I used it for my new business card.

-- SMK

Plus 1 - Abstract Skyscape

Abstract Skyscape, 10x8, Oil on Canvas Panel

Painted 5/24/14

This is my first skyscape. I haven't seen too many skyscape paintings from above, but I'm sure that there are plenty out there. 

As those of you that know me know, I love to fly and have flown all over the world for both business and pleasure. This piece reminds me of being above the clouds and ocean during dawn or sunset, either chasing the sun or racing into it depending on which direction you're flying. It brings a smile to my face, but that's just me!

Let me know what you think of it, what feelings it presents to you, in the comments. I appreciate the feedback.

Also, you may have noticed that I'm changing things up a bit in the title designation. I've decided that since I've completed the first 100, I'm going to designate the next 400 as 'Plus' instead of 'Number'. I think having a 'Number' on each side of zero would be confusing, and I don't want to use 'Negative', LOL!!! Anyway, moving forward, the sequence designator will change to 'Plus'.

Thanks for stopping by!

-- SMK

Ground 0 - The Big 100!!!

Seascape, 10x8, Oil on Canvas Board

Painted 5/20/14

Well, here we are! The 100th piece! I've reached the goal I set out to achieve when I started this blog, and it's a great milestone!

I've learned SO MUCH along this journey. First and foremost is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the artist's hands can only convey what he/she sees and feels, no matter what the medium. The art comes from the stimulation and feeling that is expressed in the conveyance, and the perceptions of the viewer. The ridges left by a strong brush stroke in the right place, the unmistakable speck of color placed by a pallet knife that brings the whole piece together, or simply the awakening of a long forgotten memory associated with the visual representation itself.

The second thing I've learned is that there are SO MANY DECISIONS when painting! Each stroke has to be placed correctly, the right value and color for what's already there as well as for the subject, the right edges to express the focal point, not to mention composition and a MILLION OTHER THINGS!!! And each decision can make or break a piece of work! Frustrating at times, but extremely fulfilling when you get what you're going for - and for me, I'm happy when I get just one element that I'm going for!

Finally, I learned that the first 100 paintings are simply dipping your toe in the water - it's only a beginning. I feel I'm closer to determining my style, but I'm far from anything definitive. I've explored many subjects and have determined my favorites as well as challenges. I've tried many different types of paints and styles, brushes and blades (pallet knives), and painting surfaces. I've enjoyed them all, but I'm still working on my definitive, individual style that sets me apart from the rest - something that says, "I did this! Me!"

My new goal is to determine my definitive, consistent style and move from 'sometimes getting it' to 'mostly getting it sometimes', and eventually 'mostly getting it most of the time'. The goal is to paint another 400, for a total of 500, to see what I can achieve in those two areas.

I hope you continue to join me along this journey!

-- SMK

Number 1 - Annie's Mother

Annie's Mother, 8x10, Oil on Canvas Board

Painted 5/13/14

Number 2 - Abstract Landscape

Abstract Landscape, 6x8, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 5/13/14

Number 3 - Abstract (Red)

Abstract (Red), 8x6, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 5/10/14

Number 4 - Lake Shore Abstract

Lake Shore Abstract, 6x8, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 5/7/14

Number 5 - River Shore

River Shore, 6x6, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 5/6/14

Number 6 - Abstract #1

Abstract #1, 6x8, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 5/6/14

I like the look and feel of these abstractions, plus they're a great way to warm up before getting into more detailed work.

-- SMK

Number 7 - Bluebird

Bluebird, 6x6, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 4/29/14

Number 8 - Red Shoes

Red Shoes, 8x10, Canvas Panel

Painted 4/29/14

Number 9 - Another Iris

Iris, 12x12, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 4/25/14

Number 10 - Hummingbird

Hummingbird, 8x10, Oil on Canvas Panel

Painted 4/19/14

Number 11 - Horse

Horse, 11x14, Oil on Canvas Panel

Painted 4/19/14

Number 12 - Meadowlark

Meadowlark, 8x10, Oil on Canvas Panel

Painted 4/15/14

Number 13 - Iris Study #1

Iris Study #1, 6x8, Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

Painted 4/11/14

Number 14 - Tinkerbell

 

Tinkerbell, 18x24, Oil on Canvas Panel

Painted 4/10/14

This was painted as a gift for a very special little girl on her birthday.

-- SMK

Number 15 - The Packard

The Packard, 14x11, Oil on Canvas Board

Painted 3/11/14

Of all the paintings I've done, this is the one I believe is the all-time best! Can't beat the subject matter with all it's reflective surfaces, all painstakingly included in this birthday present!

-- SMK

Number 16 - Self Portrait

Self Portrait, 11x14, Oil on Canvas Panel

Painted 2/19/14

Yes, that's really me! I took another expedition off the deep end and decided that it was time for me to paint me. I've attempted a couple of portraits in the past - as I've posted previously - and couldn't find anyone to sit down to have their face mangled in a portrait painting after that! Just kidding... 

I figured all artists have painted themselves at least once in their career, why shouldn't I get a self portrait out of the way?

Here it is! Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!

-- SMK

Number 17 - Ballerina Study #7

Ballerina Study #7, 14x11, Oil on Canvas Panel

Painted 1/21/14

Number 18 - Ballerina Study #6

Ballerina Study #6, 11x14, Oil on Canvas Panel

Painted 1/11/14

Number 19 - Ballerina Study #5

Ballerina Study #5, 11x14, Oil on Canvas Board

Painted 1/10/14

Number 20 - Ballerina Study #4

Ballerina Study #4, 11x14, Oil on Canvas Board

Painted 12/30/13

Number 21 - Ballerina Study #3

Ballerina Study #3, 11x14, Oil on Canvas Board

Painted 12/26/13

Number 22 - Ballerina Study #2

Ballerina Study #2, 11x14, Oil on Canvas Board

Painted 12/17/13

Number 23 - Ballerina Study #1

Ballerina Study #1, 11x14, Oil on Canvas Board

Painted 12/7/13

Ballerina Series

In early December of 2013, I decided I would take on two things that I never thought I would do - a series, and more interestingly, a figure series.

The next seven pieces are part of the Ballerina Series.

Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!

-- SMK

Number 24 - Tetons

Tetons, 14x11, Oil on Canvas Board

Painted 10/11/13

Number 25 - Birds of Paradise

Birds of Paradise, 11x14, Oil on Canvas Board

Painted 10/3/13

Number 26 - Heading Home

Heading Home, 11x14, Oil on Canvas Board

Painted 9/29/13