Showing posts with label Rocks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rocks. Show all posts

Thursday, July 20, 2023

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
  • $250.00
Click here to purchase

Thursday, April 13, 2023

In the Rock, pine tree, waterfall

 



"In the Rock"

Pulled this out of storage, cleaned it up, made some corrections, added a little waterfall, and put it in a new custom frame with an interesting texture. 

This painting originally started after a visit home to Montana.  I was staying with my brother near Glacier National Park, so I was thrilled to get to go hiking in the mountains again. It had been 5 years or so!  I saw this young pine tree growing right out of the rocks and thought about how life is like that sometimes.  You just have to put down deeper roots, hang in there, and trust in the Lord as your firm foundation.

I added the waterfall for two reasons.  First, I remember crossing a waterfall on a mountain hike when I was 12. It was the first time I froze up while mountain climbing. I should not have looked down!  It was a steep drop-off.  My friend's dad, Paul Miller, rescued me.  He reached back for me.  He helped me walk the thin log that made the bridge for us to cross over.

Second, I thought it would strengthen the composition and give the little tree a drink!

~ Exclusive Art
~ Original Acrylic
~ Professional Materials
~ 8 x 10 inches
~ Custom Frame (see below)
~ $350.00 (free shipping in the US)





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Friday, January 27, 2023

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.





 

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Time Out, boxer dog and butterfly


 "Time Out"

Started this as a portrait of a friend's boxer.  It didn't turn out too well at first, so I scrapped it.  I changed the colors and then added a butterfly.  (It is always better to start over if things aren't working out, then I can play around with the one I wasn't happy with).    I like it much better now. It will make nice greeting cards. 

Acrylic on canvas
12 x 16 inches
Ready to frame
$575.00 (Free shipping in the US)


email me for information about having a custom painting of your pet!
Fawn@fawnsartsudio.com

Sunday, March 07, 2021

Mountain Rush, waterfall, knife painting

 

"Mountain Rush"

I have done this scene as demonstration paintings a few times. This one I decided to go back and rework the entire painting with palette knives.   This makes it unique and more interesting as it becomes full of new color mixtures and thick textures.  Knife paintings are a little harder, especially if I want details and realism, so I have to remind myself to keep it suggestive.  I do use tiny brushes for the extras (like the eagle). 

I wanted to use knives because of the rough texture of the rocks, which a palette knife renders very nicely.  

Original knife painting
Acrylic on canvas
11 x 14 inches
Ready to frame

$225.00 (Free Shipping in US)



Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com   for information about having something similar created in a size you would like!

Saturday, September 12, 2020

At the Edge, mixed media, blue heron

"At the Edge" (Lake Okeechobee)

© 2020

Original Mixed Media 





A few years ago, I did some plein air studies during a drought at Nubbin's Slough.  This experimental painting came from those studies.  Here I used paper-clay for the rocks.  (Paper fibers are added to the clay for more strength).  These hand sculpted rocks have a cool looking 3-D effect.  I also enjoyed building up the weeds with gel medium to create interesting patterns of texture.  

I hid some angels in the sky and used tiny brushes for the distant birds and extra details.


9 x 12 inches

Custom wood frame (see below)

Sold


This painting is also available at Unique Boutique, Okeechobee Florida!




Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability or information about hosting a private show and/or having your own custom painting created! (Animal portraits, kids with pets or livestock, homesteads, inspirational art, etc... )  
Price list by size.

Thanks for stopping by!




 

Friday, July 19, 2019

A Crab's Life, rocks and waves, mixed media


"A Crabs Life"

This is a take off from a painting I did years ago at the Bathtub Beach in Stuart, Florida.  It is part of my new series of mixed media art.  I zoomed in and abstracted it a little compared to the first painting ("Rock and Roll").

I used the large aquarium stones this time, with beads that catch the light at different angles. I painted a little crab in the rocks, which was totally spontaneous.  It made me laugh when I put the red beads on him for eyes.

The splash was built up in layers of paint.  I used more gel medium this time instead of the thick heavy gesso because the gel medium dries clear.  It also dries shiny, which was good for sparkle on the water.


9 x 12 inches
Mixed Media on hardboard
Wide Custom Frame (see below)
$375.00 


Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability or information about hosting a private show and/or having your own custom painting created! (Animal portraits, kids with pets or livestock, homesteads, inspirational art, etc... )  
Price list by size.
Thanks for stopping by!






Saturday, September 08, 2018

Rocky Shore, plein air, birds


"Rocky Shore"  
Fawn McNeill © 2007



I recently repainted part of this older plein air painting.  (Done on location.) 

The water level was very low, and the rocks made interesting patterns. It was challenging, to say the least!  


The little blue heron stayed off to the far right most of the morning, and just before I finished up, the water turkey (anhinga) poked his head up a few times (near the bottom).


I loved all the colors and the rhythm in this painting, but I went back and toned down some of the rocks, mostly on the left and a little near the top, in order to direct the viewer's eye toward the bird on the right. 


8 x 10 inches
Acrylic on hardboard
$325.00, ready to frame


Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability 


Thanks for stopping by!


Click here for customer feed-back to see what others say about my work!   

Saturday, August 05, 2017

Rock Wall, mini mural, stones, faux finish




Acrylic Mural


I've wanted to paint rocks on the wall above my counters for years!  So this summer I finally did it!
I love the colors and the texture, but most of all the way it actually tricks the eye to look like real stones piled up on each other.  The wall was textured, so that helped with the illusion.

Here is how I started.  The far right side was the hardest to reach:



I removed the switch plates and sanded them with sand paper to roughen them up some, then I primed them with gesso, so the paint won't be as apt to peal.  You can see how I matched the left one into the mural below.  

Red oxide, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, white, black, and yellow oxide turned out to be the colors I used the most.  I used Liquitex Basics (not the Matte series). I kept the paint moist with a small spritzer bottle of water, misting a little bit more often instead of a lot all at once, so as to not make puddles.  Used a palette knife to paint some extra texture now and then, also used a crumpled paper towel for some of the texture.  Had to leave it alone and let it thoroughly dry between coats before painting over the extra texture or it would just take the paint off.  The textured wall made it easy to add more texture, and I didn't need much.  It also made it interesting, trying to use it to enhance the rocks.  I kept my shadows consistent with the light source of the window, giving the rocks some depth.




This took me a week, 3 or 4 hours every time I had a chance.  
Approximately 25 hours
(click on an image to enlarge it).









 Email me at: fmcneillbarr@gmail.com for information about having your own custom painting created! (Animal portraits, kids with pets or livestock, homesteads, inspirational art, etc... )  Price list by size.

Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, November 02, 2016

Rocky Edge, shore line,watercolor


"Rocky Edge"
© Fawn McNeill 2012

What captured my attention?  The negative spaces and contrasts for sure, but originally I was attracted to the cool color temperatures in the rocks playing against the warm glow in the little bushes. I also love the contrast of the hard rocks against the soft water.  
 I love it when life grows in the middle of hard places.  Somehow the plants overcome the lack of soil, and they grow anyway.  Kind of like people from a cold hard life who turn out to be dynamic and inspirational even when they had very little help along the way.

This is an original watercolor painting, done with many layers of professional color on acid-free paper. 

Enjoy!

~ Watercolor
~ 7 x 9 inches
~ Matted to 11 x 14 inches
~ Ready to Frame
~ $225.00

Please email me for availability: fawn@fawnartstudio.com 


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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Bear Side, mountain landscape

"Bear Side"

This was fun to paint because of the thick paint and texture created with a palette knife. I created it from my memories of Montana.  I added a grizzly bear near the tree line (which was hard to render with the palette knife!)

Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas
The scene continues on the sides, so framing is optional.
10 x 10 x 1.75 inches
$350.00 (Free Shipping in the US)


Click here to see more

Please email me at: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com for availability or about having a custom painting created. Prices are by size.


Thanks for stopping by!




Sunday, September 12, 2010

Cypress Shores, landscape, egret and alligator, knife painting

"Cypress Shores"

Painted this palette knife painting from memory. It is from a fishing trip we went on last week. There were so many birds and alligators that I just had to add some, but the painting was really about the interesting shapes the cypress trees made with the morning sky showing through them.
The palette knife texture is thick and the colors are strong, I also like the way the contrast turned out this time.



Media: acrylic on hardboard
Image size: 5 in X 7 in (12.7 cm X 17.8 cm)
Metallic frame (see below) 
Sold

Please email me if you would like me to create something similar in a size you prefer!  fawn@fawnsartstudio.com






Thanks for stopping by!


Monday, September 28, 2009

Rocky High, mountain landscape with eagles

"Rocky High"

About This Painting:
Very fun little palette knife painting, from my Montana memories. Totally made it up out of my head! Usually, I use photos from my visits home, but this time I just wanted to see if I could do it. Quite proud of the results! I love the thick textures I get with the palette knife!
Ready to frame.

Media: acrylic on hardboard
Size: 6 in X 6 in 
Wood frame with gold lip
Price: $150 (Free shipping in the US)


Email me at: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com for availability 


Enjoy!

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Rock and Roll, rocky shore


"Rock and Roll"
About This Painting:
This is an older painting I touched up. It was a fun study of the surf against the rocks that i did from some photos I took at the bathtub beach in Stuart, Florida. I really love the movement in the shallow water!
Ready to frame.

Media: acrylic on hardboard
Size: 9 in X 12 in (22.9 cm X 30.5 cm)
Price: $550 USD

Email me at: fmcneillbarr@gmail.com for availability and/or information about having your own custom painting created. I can do something similar in a size you would like.


Click here for customer feed-back to see what others say about my work!

Enjoy!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Out Pouring, palette knife, waterfall

"Out Pouring"
9 x 12 inches
Acrylic on hardboard
SOLD

This is a palette knife painting. Did it as a demonstration a couple of days ago. It was fun. Lots of thick paint!


Email me for information about having something similar created: Fawn@fawnsartstudio.com




Thursday, July 12, 2007

Rough Water, Wildlife, Realism, Pelican

"Rough Water (Pelican)"
11 x 14 inches
Acrylic on hardboard
SOLD

I created this painting a few years ago-- from some photos I took at the Fort Pierce inlet. It began as a palette knife painting. But then I got into the brush work applied over the cool textures that the knife made. I love the hard rocks against the feathers, and all of that against the moving water. I wanted to make all those contrasts stand out. This is one of those paintings that I just got carried away with and kept adding more and more detail.


Click here to see my gallery pages!

Email me at: fmcneillbarr@gmail.com for availability and/or information about having your own custom painting created. 

Click here to see what others say about my work!

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Rocks and Waves, Impressionism, Daily Painting, Seascape


"Rocks and Waves"
Size: 9 x 12 inches
Medium: Acrylic on hardboard
$550.00
Framed


Just playing with thick paint and contrast again. Warm colors against the cool colors, and splashing water against the hard rocks. I love the abstract patterns it creates.
Thanks for looking!