Endless Life, angel, knife painting

 

"Endless Life"

© Fawn McNeill 2009

I haven't been painting much, due to an injury to my right hand/wrist.  So I am posting this older favorite little knife painting.  I created it when I was doing a lot of small palette knife paintings. I did this for Christmas back in 2009!  

Click here to see the link to the original post and the symbolism I used for this little gem.

~ Original Acrylic 

~ Knife Painting

~ 6 x 6 inches

~ Not Available

I would love to create something similar for you in a size you would like! (Custom orders are priced by size) Email me for more information: Fawn@FawnsArtStudio.com

Click here to see customer feedback.

Click here to read more about my wrist and my son battling cancer.

Happy New Year!

RELATED POSTS: 

"Endless Song" 

"Endless Song Too"

Spring Rush, mountain waterfall, knife painting

 "Spring Rush"

Good memories: Mountain hikes, melting snow, fast-moving creeks, and streams flowing over their banks. 

This palette knife painting is from a combination of places, but mostly from memories of my grandmother and me at Glacier National Park.  She loved driving through there when we would go visit my great-grandmother in Helena. I loved stopping at the falls and hiking up a bit to take pictures.

It is also a memory of hiking up in the Cabinet Mountains near Libby, Montana where my grandmother lived.  Late spring and early summer there was still lots of snow in the mountains. One summer in the middle of June my brothers and I were hiking and had a snowball fight with our mom!

I started this painting a few years ago.  Like so many I create for an art class, I don't feel they are finished.  Most of my time teaching is spent, well, teaching! I don't pay much attention to what is happening on my easel. With the pandemic and the closing of my gallery, almost everything went into storage.  I pulled this one out last week. I brightened up the highlights, added stronger shadows, and filled in the empty places. 

I have recently destroyed quite a few paintings that were in storage.  My goal this summer was to get them out and do something with them. I had hoped for more positive results. I wanted to make some corrections and/or finish them.  But some just didn't work out.  I am happy this one survived! (You can read more about that here.)

• Original Knife Painting
• Acrylic on hardboard
• Professional Materials
• 11x14 inches
• Ready to frame
• $850.00 includes shipping

Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability or to have something similar created.

Click here to see more

Related Posts:

Falling Fast

In the Rock

Calming Shores, beach, foot prints, knife painting

"Calming Shores"

© Fawn McNeill 2020

Look for the footprints fading away into the water, and a dove in the waves! 

This is part of a series of shoreline paintings, except this one is not mixed media.  I was more interested in the effects of the palette knife and trying to get the footprints to be saturated with water than I was in adding fun beads and shells. The dove shape just showed up, so I enhanced it.  Way too cool.

(I created this just before the pandemic. But because of shutting down my gallery, I never got around to posting it)

• Original Knife Painting
• Acrylic on hardboard
• Professional Materials
• 9 x 12 in
• Ready to Frame
• $790.00 (Free Shipping in US)

Email me for availability or for information about having something similar created in a size you prefer!

Click here to see more

Related Posts:

 "Morning Treasures"

"Deep Calling"

Streams of Joy, knife painting

"Streams of Joy"

© Fawn McNeill 2020

From a demonstration painting originally. It is a little harder for students to get the hang of when you take the brushes away! Too much fun!

I added extra details and some butterflies later to finish it out.  

ENJOY!

• Original Knife Painting
• Acrylic on canvas
• 11 x 14 in
• Ready to frame
• Not Available

Click here to see more

Email me at fawn@fawnsartstudio.com for information on having something similar created.

Custom orders are priced by size.

 

Cliffside, ocean, trees

"Cliffside"

© Fawn McNeill 2019

Never posted this one, not sure how I overlooked it! 

Playing with texture, I added gel medium with a knife to create a buildup for tiny branches and bark on the trunks. When that dried it was interesting to add colors that enhanced the effect.

Enjoyed the whole process!

• Original mixed media
• 8 x 10 inches
• Custom frame
• Professional materials
• Sold

Click here to see more

 ge.

Breakthrough, water lilies, mixed media

"Breakthrough"

The young flower was coming up under a lily pad. Got some interesting photos of this area while I was out working En Plein Aire (on location).  Originally, I just wanted to capture the warm morning sunlight chasing the cool shadows away.  It made the many shades of green into a feast for the eyes!  But I got carried away with the impasto, hidden critters, and beads. I also added glitter paint here and there for a little extra shimmer in the water.

The impasto effects are made with heavy gesso and a palette knife. Some of the lily pads, lotus flowers, and the little stick that the snail is on are built up with it.

 The baby turtle is actually a metal charm that I primed with a primer that is made for use on metal (so the paint doesn't peel off).  He was just too shiny to leave unpainted!  I wanted him to blend in more.

The dragonfly is made from paper clay, which is an air-dry clay with paper fibers added to it for strength. I used a mold to make it. Paper clay is wonderful to work with for mixed media projects. It receives acrylic paint well. I added iridescent paint into hues of blue for his color.

The snail is made from a resin mold that a friend gave to me. Resin molds are harder to work with and are not easily painted over.  I used a special primer (different than the one used on metal) to get the snail to receive the acrylic paint. Again, I wanted to get him to blend in.

Gel medium (matte) and acrylic modeling paste were used for adhesives. (I use professional-grade primers, paints, mediums, and sealers for longevity.)

~ Exclusive Art

~ Original Mixed Media

~ Professional Materials

~ 8 x 10 inches

~ Elaborate Gold Frame (see below)

~ $800.00 (Free Shipping in the US)

Email me for availability: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com

Click here to see more

Related Posts:

 Lovely Ladies

Eternal Joy

 

At G-36, rim canal, knife painting

"At G-36"

© Fawn McNeill 2010

I recently framed this small painting in a custom gold frame to set off the foreground. 

En Plein Air (out on location), I did this a few years ago at lock G-36 on the rim canal.   It was my first try at painting with a palette knife on location.  I had painted with knives before, but not from start to finish while working En Plein Air.

It was early morning and very windy, which made the whole project more of a challenge. I was quite happy with the outcome! 

ENJOY!

• Original palette knife painting
• Acrylic on hardboard
• 8 x 10 inches
• Unique gold frame 
• $695.00 (Free Shipping in USA)

Click here to see more 

Related Posts:

 "Big Lake Sunset"

Indian Hills Morning

 

Defender of the Weak, angel with sword

 "Defender of the Weak"

© Fawn McNeill 2019

    Had just started experimenting with adding found objects to my paintings when I created this angel.  I used metallic gold paint, beads, and gems to give it stronger emphasis. This is part of a series of palette knife angels paintings I used to do quite often. painting with a knife creates unique mixtures of color and thick texture.  Exciting and fun!

• Original knife painting
• Mixed media
• 9 x 12 inches
• Sold

Click here to see more 

Email me at: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com for availability, or information on having a similar painting custom-made in your favorite colors and in a size you want!

Coming Storm, seascape, knife painting

"Coming Storm"  © Fawn McNeill 2022

This painting started as a demo for one of my children's art classes. We used different tools for different textures.  The clouds were made with crumpled paper towels dipped in paint.  The water and waves were created with a painting knife, and the sand was tapped in with a stippling brush and some knife work.

The support is a mat board that was sealed on both sides with a clear primer before we started.  Some of the dark color of the mat board peeks through.

 Love the way it came together. I went back later and finished it up with more layers and details. 

Enjoy!

• Original art
• Acrylic on mat board
• 8 x 11 inches (matted to 11 x 14)
• Suede mat (see below)
• Ready to Frame
• $500.00 (Free shipping in USA)

Email me for availability or to have something similar created in a size you want!

Click here to see more

A note about framing: Artwork on paper should be framed behind glass with a mat around it to keep it off of the glass and protect it.  This includes photographs and prints on paper.  Those on canvas or wood should not be framed behind glass.  Original oils and acrylics are usually done on canvas or wood and need to breathe.  If they are done on paper or mat board they should be framed behind glass with a mat to keep them off of the glass. (Glass can trap moisture and ruin the artwork.) 

Related Posts:

 Transparent Shore

Breathtaking Impact

Beach Pines, seascape, cardinals, knife painting

 "Beach Pines"

With COVID came a few unfinished lesson plans.  This painting started as a fall scene with deciduous trees.  After it sat in storage partly painted (due to closing the gallery),  I went back over it and exaggerated the beach.  It took over from there! No resistance from me either.  I got carried away with adding larger tree trunks, bark, and pine needles (all created with a knife), which added interesting contrasts to the smooth brushwork in the sky.  The male and female cardinals were an afterthought because I wanted to add some brighter color back into the composition - which led to the dead needles to give it color balance.

Acrylic on canvas

Knife painting

11 x 14 inches 

Ready to frame

SOLD

Click here to see more

Please email me at: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com for information about having something similar created in a size you prefer.

Reaching Up, abstract iris, knife painting

"Reaching Up"

© Fawn McNeill 2010

Fourth in a series that started with a little watercolor painting inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe. I just got it out of storage and cleaned it up!

~ Original acrylic

~ Knife painting

~ 16 x 20 inches

~ Ready to frame

~ $870.00 (free shipping in the US)

Click here to see more

Please email me at: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com for availability 

 

Beach Reflections, blue heron

"Beach Reflections"

This gorgeous sunset with vivid colors set off the silhouette of a great blue heron as he posed for my friend Carol. 

I used a palette knife for some of the dramatic highlights in the foreground, which gave the painting stronger contrast of not only the highlights but also the thick layers against the smooth brushwork.

The frame (see below) is heavily textured wood, which I slightly accented with gold throughout and then gave it a stronger gold inner lip.

Original art

Acrylic on canvas

14 x 18 inches

Unique custom frame

SOLD

Email me about having something similar created in a size you want! Fawn@fawnsartstudio.com

Click here to see more

Enjoy!

 

Lovely Ladies, flowers, mixed media

"Lovely Ladies"

Normally I create a painting and then put it in a complimenting frame.  But this painting was a little backward.  I had this amazing custom frame that belonged to a dear friend that passed away, so I wanted something special that looked fantastic with it.  (See below.)

Honestly, it was too elaborate for most of my country and wildlife paintings until I tried it on this painting with the pretty yellow flowers, it looked like it might work. 

 I painted a few more flowers in key places (and let it dry) before moving some charms and gems around on it.  I tried different pieces. They looked okay, but I wasn't satisfied.    I wanted something demanding that stood out and grabbed my attention.  That way the frame would enhance the artwork and not take away from it.    

I found some earrings, broaches, and pendants at a thrift store within the next week, and I knew that the gorgeous red flower would be perfect for this project! I added the sparkly white flowers, some beads, and the pretty butterfly for balance. I thought it all came together nicely.  The digital image doesn't do it justice.  The way the light hits it at different angles is truly delightful.

Custom frames are quite expensive, but I love it.  This is a tribute to my dear friend, Deborah Flowers, who had exquisite taste.

Mixed Media

8 x 10 inches

Elaborate custom frame

$895.00 (includes shipping)

Please email me for availability: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com

Click here to see more

Fluffy, bunny portrait, knife painting

"Fluffy"

This is a take off of "Peter" which I did years ago.

I thought I would add mixed media and thick layers of impasto, but I stopped here because I really liked it and didn't want to mess it up by adding too much.  It is much harder to undo mixed media than it is to change knife paintings.

I apologize for the glare on the images. I usually do my photography with a professional camera, but these were taken with my cell phone, because they were spoken for before I had a chance to get a better capture. The glare is in a different place on each image, so you can get a good overall idea.  (Images never capture the way it truly looks in person because the camera can't capture the subtle changes in values and hues.)

I made the little custom frame for it.  I mitered, joined and then embellished it.  I love the little bit of gold lace on the inside lip.  It adds a nice texture and enhances the painting too.

6 x 6 inches

Knife painting

Not Available 

Email me if you would like a portrait of your pet or livestock: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com

Click here to see more

 

Morning Path, knife painting

 

"Morning Path"

© Fawn McNeill 2021

The plants lit up when the sun hit them just right. The orange and yellow really caught my eye along this pathway. I took lots of photos. There were birds and wildlife greeting me at every turn!

I updated this little gem with a couple of palms, a bird, and a little bunny.  I also put it in this custom frame, which I painted with a lacy gold trim.  I love it!

Enjoy!

~ Acrylic on hardboard

~ Original palette knife painting
~ 5 x 7 inches 

~ Unique custom frame (see below)

~ $550.00 (free shipping in US)

~ Email me for availability (fawn@fawnsartstudio.com)

Click here to see more

                                             

Related Posts:

 On My Way

Gravel Path

Back to the River, mixed media

"Back to the River"

I've been revisiting some older works. This is a scene on the Kissimmee River.  I was interested in the  blue shadows on the sandy road from the morning sun.   This is a somewhat of a knife painting with beads and charms for added interest.  I did some parts with thick texture by using a palette knife and I left other parts smooth for contrast.  I love the way the beads catch the light.  Too much fun!

Mixed media 

5 x 7 inches

Unique custom frame

(Not available)

Email me for a custom painting done similar in a size you would like!  Fawn@fawnsartstudio.com

Click here to see more

 

Mountain Air Too, colorful knife painting

 "Mountain Air, Too"

© Fawn McNeill 2020

This was originally a demonstration painting for an art lesson last year.  I was doing semi-private lessons after everything closed down from COVID.   I went back later and repainted it as a knife painting to add more texture and details.  It quickly became one of my favorites!

~ Original knife painting

~ Acrylic on stretched canvas

~ 11 x 14 inches

~ Ready to frame 

~ $670.00

Click here to see more

Related Posts:

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Smokies

Heaven's Grace, Knife painting, Dove

 "Heaven's Grace"

© by Fawn McNeill, Dec. 2020

This is a demonstration painting from last year. I was using the knife to paint over a smoothly painted background (I used a brush for the background).  I wanted to exaggerate the contrast between the smooth texture and the rough texture. 

This painting is special to me because I sign my name with a dove as a thank you to God the Father.  The dove is symbolic of the Holy Spirit.

Acrylic on canvas

11 x 14 inches

Not available

Click here to see more

Click here to see the demo video

Casper, white calf, knife painting

"Casper"

Revisited this older painting.  Corrected a few things, added flowers, and exaggerated the eyes to make it even cuter.   I also changed the name and put it in a new frame. 

Sometimes they go into storage and when I bring them out for a new frame I just have to fix the things that don't look right to me now.  

Too funny how we see things differently over time!

Description:

Original art

Acrylic palette knife painting

Image size: 5 x 7 inches 

Custom frame (see below)

$155.00 (free shipping in the USA)

Please email me for availability: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com or to have something similar created!

Click here to see more

 

Spring Showers, arrowhead plant, swamp, mixed media

"Spring Showers"

Fun little knife painting that was a study of this water plant.  I found it a couple of months ago while going through some things in storage.  Thought I should finish it up and add some bling! 

I was thinking about the winter colors of oranges and reds giving way to lime greens and all the bugs coming out as the flowers start to bloom. I darkened the background and added some blues to symbolize rain, then added more texture with acrylic modeling paste to make the leaves jump out more.  I also added charms and beads to emphasize the ideas of spring. They catch the light at different angles.

  

About this Painting:

Mixed media 

6 x 6 inches

custom wood frame (see below)

$485.00 (includes shipping in the USA) 

Click here to see more

Love the classy wood frame, which added the finishing touch. 

Hint: frames can really set off a picture, or kill it.  They also protect the artwork from damage over the years.  Look for something that enhances the art or brings out the colors first, and then something that also goes with your décor.