Indian Hills Morning, palette knife, plein air painting

"Indian Hills Morning"

What a beautiful day yesterday!  Wonderful cool weather, partly cloudy, and the birds singing to me!  I haven't been able to do very many paint-outs, so I was excited to get back out there.  It was well worth the drive over!  The Plein Air Painters of the Treasure Coast met at Indian Hills Recreational Area, in Fort Pierce, Florida.

This painting turned out great, but it was actually a failed attempt at a new technique!  I wanted to use a brush to create a dark underpainting and then add the thick knife work over the top in bright colors.  I ended up painting over the underpainting entirely, so I will have to try that idea again.  I am usually a little stingy with the amount of paint I add, so I was also working on applying generous amounts of color.  I got carried away with all the thick textures.  I did like the way the underpainting gave me a guide as I slapped more blobs of paint onto the support!

Here is the painting in progress.  The palms were off to the right of my easel.  I added some more highlights and the egret when I got home.  

8 x 8 x 1 1/2 inches,

Acrylic palette knife, original Plein Air painting,

Sides are painted, framing is optional (see below),

$700.00

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

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Garden Falls

 

Christmas Joy, painting of an ornament, mixed media

"Christmas Joy"

This was originally a demonstration painting from a year ago that I did for one of my classes.  I finished it up recently by splattering it with white and then adding bits of silver glitter (and I also added chunky glitter where I wanted the snow to pile up more).  The gold is metallic paint and the red has some red glitter paint.  I love all the extra sparkle it added.  When you view it at different angles the light catches on it and it shines.

I put it in an expensive custom gold frame to really set it off.  

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

About this painting: 

Mixed media

8 x 10 inches on canvas

Custom gold frame

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

 

Star of the Sea, shore line, mixed media

 "Star of the Sea"

© Fawn McNeill 2020

Absolutely love this piece!  A little harder to put together, but well worth the extra effort!  I painted the outside edges and the back of the tray.   I also added a wire on the back if someone wanted to hang it on a wall instead of setting it on a shelf or table.  

Most of the objects were found at the beach, except the starfish. I found it at Walmart, all bleached white.  I painted it the colors I wanted.  Before adding it to the tray, I used a painting knife with gel medium to build up interesting textures in the sand and the water.  Then I added different shades of colors to get the textures to show up better.

Enjoy!

Exclusive Art

Original Handcrafted

Mixed Media

8.5 x 11 x 2.5 inches

$225.00 plus shipping

See it on YouTube

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Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability.

Deep Calling, shells on the shore, mixed media

"Deep Calling"

Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterfalls; All your waves and billows have gone over me. The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me—a prayer to the God of my life.  Psalm 42: 7-8

This painting went through a few phases.  It started with an underwater scene, which became very dark and uninviting.  So then I added more sand and deep blue water to get a better bird's eye view of the transparent water on the shore, which has been a recurring theme for me lately.  I love the challenge of getting things under the water to show up and still capture the feeling of movement in the water.  Plus I love finding shells and sea glass at the beach.

I used the brush for most of the painting and then used a palette knife to build up some interesting textures in the waves and sand.  I used gel medium for the thicker impasto areas, and then did a dry brush technique with white paint to enhance it. 

I decided to add found objects after leaving it alone for a few days.  (I wasn't sure if it was finished yet.) I set a few on and took them off.  I didn't want to take away from the painting.  But in the end the little girl in me showed up and dictated the outcome!

I finally adhered the seashells and the aquarium stones with gel medium.  Something about that always makes me laugh.  I feel like a kid while arranging them.  I think it has something to do with breaking all the rules of fine art and making something more of a fine craft.  I was never crafty, and I was taught that it devalues the painting when it looks more like a craft project.  However, I have found it to be a wonderful expression of art, and I feel comfortable with lowering my prices on the mixed media pieces.  This is because they are smaller works for the most part, and they don't take as long to create compared to all the hours of adding tiny details to my realistic paintings.

10 x 10 x 1 1/2 inches

Mixed Media on cradled hardboard

(Painted sides, framing is optional.)

Sold

Enjoy!

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

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 "New Every Morning"

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Winter Cardinal, mixed media

 "Winter Cardinal"

Original Demo

This was originally a demonstration painting for an adult class a couple of years ago.  I just added glitter paint and some chunky glitter for the snow.  Wanted to add a little sparkle!

Enjoy!

11 x14 inches

Mixed Media on stretched canvas

Ready to frame

Sold

See it in video:
https://youtu.be/yoz6h-xShac

 

I am accepting orders for custom paintings.  If you want something before Christmas we need to get started!  I need more than a month for larger paintings.    

I would love to create a painting for you!

Click here to see more

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

Along the Boardwalk, seascape, mixed media

 "Along the Boardwalk" © 2019

9x12 inches Mixed Media

Acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Last year I reworked this painting from a few years ago. The sea-grapes definitely needed some attention.  I enhanced the shadows and added more detail to the boardwalk and the sandy path.   I couldn't wait to add some charms and beads in the flowers! I camouflaged them well, so they are not noticeable until you see them at an angle.  It catches the light and then you want to look for others.  I also added a few shells.  I love the way it turned out!

I made a custom frame in rustic wood, which complements the boardwalk perfectly.  (See below).

I would love to create a painting for you!

I am accepting orders for custom paintings for another week.  If you want something before Christmas we need to get started!  I will need more than a month for large paintings.  

Click here to see more

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

 

Draw a horse with Fawn, learn to free-hand and use correct proportions.

December Snow, winter, mixed media, original art

 "December Snow"

This was originally a demonstration painting from last year.  I thought I would spruce it up a bit by adding some glitter paint and bling.  I also added an angel in the sky.  When my young students did their paintings of this scene they often added a cabin and/or a snowman.  The snow twinkles a little in the background from glitter paint. The path has chunky glitter paint along the light edges, so it sparkles when you view it at different angles.

These are fun to create! It is also a great gift idea!

11 x14 inches

Mixed Media on stretched canvas

Ready to frame

SOLD

 

I am accepting orders for custom paintings.  If you want something before Christmas we need to get started!  I need more than a month for larger paintings.  Early orders get a 20% discount!  

I would love to create a painting for you!

Click here to see more

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

Thanks for stopping by!

Breathtaking Impact, beach sunrise

 

"Breathtaking Impact" ©2019

"...the breath of the All Mighty gives me life."  Job 33:4

When I came around the corner and got that first glimpse of this scene before me, it stopped me in my tracks!  The salt air blew across my face and the sunlight danced on the water.  It was just incredible.  I wanted to capture that moment of awe when all of your senses are engaged in absorbing so much information all at once.  I was also interested in the shadows from the fence falling on the footprints on the sand.

I used modeling paste to build up thick impasto relief on the fence and in the waves.  I used gel medium on a painting knife to build up the textures in the sand and then painted the highlights and shadows over the top with a drybrush technique. This causes all kinds of interesting effects and is fun to create. 

The fence was very challenging.  Trying to get the edges straight and the posts to stand out with thick layers had me adding many layers.  The image doesn't capture the textures.  

This painting didn't get posted last year because it was at a show in Wellington in December.  Then before the show ended (the first week in April, 2020) everything was closed.  I couldn't pick it up for months!  

18 x 36 inches (plus frame)

Mixed Media

Framed (see below)

$1,7500.00 plus shipping  

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Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability or information about having something similar created! 
Price list by size.

Thanks for stopping by!

Spoonbills Feasting, mixed media, wild flock, Florida art

"Spoonbills Feasting"

© Fawn McNeill 2019

This is an older painting that I have revisited by painting more details and adding some bling.  I also put in a new frame.

Here is what I wrote about it a few years ago:

This was an amazing site! I have seen spoonbills at zoos, but this is the first time I have seen them in the wild. The evening sun was shining on them and the pink feathers were just dancing all around. I tried to capture it from memory because I forgot to take my camera! 

I added beads and aquarium stones for more interest.  I enjoy the reflected light on the objects.

8 x 10 inches

Mixed Media

Unique custom frame (see below)

$400.00 (free shipping in US)

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Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability

Thanks for stopping by!

 

FYI: I use professional artist grade materials for priming, painting, adhering, and sealing my work.

This one has aquarium stones and beads added to the shore and in the flowers.  

 

Shoreline Treasures, mixed media, beach scene

 "Shoreline Treasures"

10 x10 inches

Mixed Media on Cradled Hardboard

Sold

This painting is actually done on the wrong side!  I flipped it over and primed the back so I could use the cradled edge as the frame.  I gave the '"frame" a faux finish to create the illusion of woodgrain. 

This is probably the longest I have ever stuck with a series.  It is endless.  Each painting sparks a new idea, or a new experiment!  I think I will keep going with this theme for a while!

FYI: I use professional artist grade materials for priming, painting, adhering, and sealing my work.

This one has shells and beads added.  I like the way the light catches on the beads in the water, and how the shells really stand out on the beach.  

I would love to create a painting for you of your favorite place!  

I am accepting orders for custom paintings.  If you want something before Christmas we need to get started!  I need more than a month for larger paintings.  Early orders get a 20% discount!

Click here to see more

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

Thanks for stopping by!

Morning Treasures, seashore, mixed media beach with shells

 "Morning Treasures"

This painting went through several stages. It started as a simple painting of a sandy shore with no texture. Then it became a knife painting with some texture.  I still wasn't satisfied.  It seemed to need more waves and more impasto type of texture.  

I used gel medium to build up areas of the sand and make the waves  raised up off of the canvas.  I liked it much better, but then I decided to add clear beads in the water for extra sparkle and real seashells on the shore for more interest.  Finally I added tiny details and stronger shadows.  

This was originally a gallery wrap canvas with deep sides, so the sides are painted.  I usually don't frame a gallery wrap because I want the painted sides to show, but this one turned out to be way too cool, so I added that extra protection that a frame gives.  I decided to put it in a floater frame.  This type of frame is harder to build and can be quite expensive.  The frame doesn't touch the sides of the painting and it literally looks like it is floating in the frame!

10 x 10 inches (plus frame)

Mixed Media

Framed (see below)

$875.00 plus shipping  

Click here to see more

Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability 

Thanks for stopping by!

shoreline, miniature, beach on wood

Shoreline on wood

3 x 3.5 inches

Creating some small original works.  This was a fun little project. I have a couple of miniatures ready, as well as a few painted seashells.  I use the wood grain, or the patterns in a shell, to find the waves or landscape.  In this one, I let some of the colors of the wood become the sand and used the pattern of the wood grain for the waves. 

 I clean, sand, and prime the wood first. I use professional artist grade materials for the paint and the clear sealer as the final coat -- front and back.

 

Acrylic on wood

Sold

Ready to hang (see below)

Click here to see more original art!

Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability or information about having something similar painted for you or your own custom painting! (Animal portraits, kids with pets or livestock, homesteads, inspirational art, etc... )  
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                                                                       Ready to hang!
 

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!

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Click here to see more

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!

 

Beaches hand painted on wood

   

 Heart Beach, 8.5 x 10 inches on wood,

 $550.00 (free shipping in US)

     Beach Shore, 8.5 x 11 on cheese board, 

$550.00 (free shipping in US)

I did these just before the Covid19 shut everything down. I never had a chance to post them!

Original hand-painted art (not a pour!)  I use professional artist-grade materials.  I also sand the wood and clean it before priming it with a clear primer.

These were interesting and fun to paint.  My personal challenge was for the wood grain to become the sand.  I love the way they turned out with the wet sand illusion and the color changes.

Click here to see more

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

I ended up closing my gallery and teaching center because all the art classes were canceled. It was very difficult after 7 years of pouring my life into it.  But it is turning out to be a good thing!

I am renting a room in town to take orders for custom framing because I live quite a ways out of town. I am building the frames at home in my garage.  That has worked out very nicely!  Much better than I expected actually. I also moved the large matting table into my small art studio at my house, so I can still cut mats and glass too.  This makes the corner for my easel a little crowded, but it works.

I am also taking commissioned orders, and creating custom-designed paintings for my clients.  I take orders via email or meet at the new office. I am working in my studio at home to paint animal portraits, vistas, ranches, etc.  The response has been amazing, I am so blessed to have so many followers and collectors! It has also been surprisingly nice to work at home again!

I miss teaching classes, but I do have some private lessons and semi-private lessons for friends and siblings going on, so that helps.

 

 

Reconciled, beach scene on wood

"Reconciled"
Hand painted, not a pour!

First of a new series I just started, I have several in progress....

I painted this on a cutting board.  Had to clean it up, sand it some, and seal it so the paint doesn't peal off. 

I'm experimenting with the wood grain showing through for the sand.  This calls for thin layers of paint.  As always, I'm using professional mediums and paints to make my own transparent colors.
Loving it!

9 x 12 inches

Original painting on a cutting-board
$175.00 plus shipping

Click here to see more

Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability or 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!

Wild Angels, egrets, stream, knife painting

"Wild Angels"

© Fawn McNeill 2007

This is an older painting that I always loved. 

The morning that I took pictures of this stream, some of the foliage and mist looked like large beings. As I painted it, they began to look like angels. So I had to emphasized them. 

I just put this painting in a new custom frame. (See below)

9 x 12 inches

Palette knife painting on hardboard
Elaborate Gold Frame

Sold

Click here to see more

Please email me at: fawn@fawnsartstudio.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.

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Timeless Moments, sunset beach, seashells

Timeless Moments

"His mercy endures forever." Psalm 136

Finished this painting a few months ago.  I haven't posted anything here in a long time. 

This painting is full of thick impasto layers. I also added actual seashells, sea glass, sand dollars, and two hand sculpted clay items (a turtle in the foam, and a starfish on the shore.)  The clay items are a new element. I truly enjoyed creating them and painting them after adhering them to the canvas.  I'm using paper clay, which is clay with paper fibers added to make it stronger.  It is a lightweight clay and is something I want to explore further.

I was going through some personal issues when I painted this and thought about how somethings seem to transcend time. Some memories are as fresh as yesterday even though they happened years ago! Some things can happen in no time and seem like forever.  This led to the concept that we make time, it is in us and not just something that happens to us.  We choose to enjoy it, use it wisely, or do nothing with it.  So all of that is  flowing through this painting as the woman contemplates the vastness of it all.

I hid an angel in the sky, but not in the clouds per say, it is in reverse. The blue of the sky is in the shape of an angel by the clouds around it.  Makes it harder to find, but I wanted to make it bigger than the small ones I usually paint in the clouds.

24 x 36 inches

Mixed media

Elaborate custom frame (see below)

Sold

Click here for more information about this painting.

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Thanks for looking!  Please share!

Last Glimmer, sunlit Ixora flowers

"Last Glimmer"

This is an update to an older painting of Ixora flowers.  

The evening sun highlights the leaves and some of the flowers. Beads enhance the effect. I darkened the background for a more dramatic effect and hid a little frog on one of the leaves.  (Too much fun!) 

Original Art

Mixed Media on Canvas

8 x 10 inches

Professional Materials

Custom Green/Gold Eloquent Frame (see below)

$520.00 (includes shipping in US) 

Click here to see more 

Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability 

Related Posts:

 Lovely Ladies

Breakthrough

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 

Click here to see more

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!