Wednesday, March 23, 2022

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
  • $175.00 (Free Shipping in USA)
Click here to purchase

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.) 

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Thursday, February 17, 2022

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


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



Saturday, January 29, 2022

Sanderlings, shore birds


 "Sanderlings"
© Fawn McNeill 2004

Drip, drip drip. Spritz the paint, tip the painting back to slow the runs, and watch the colors bleed into each other.  Way too cool.

Fun memories! Just pulled this large painting out of storage.  It is part of a 'drippy' series I did years ago.  I believe I did 10 in this style.  The paint is harder to control and similar to watercolors, but on canvas it spreads differently.  The goal is to create an abstract background and then add realism with thick paint and details over the top. This gives it more contrast in transparency against the opaqueness. 

When acrylics are thinned with water instead of with a gloss or matte medium, it is not as permanent and can be easily damaged even after it is dry. Using thin runny paint actually jeopardizes the integrity of acrylics. So I sealed it when I was finished with a few layers of semi-gloss medium and varnish to protect it. (I prefer using professional grade paints and mediums.) Once sealed, the integrity of the painting is restored.  It can be cleaned with a damp cloth if needed without lifting off any of the color.

Acrylic on canvas
24 x 30 in
Thin custom wood frame (see below)
1,500.00 plus shipping


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



Thursday, January 27, 2022

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
$270.00 (free shipping in the US)


Please email me at: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com for availability, or to have something similar created in a size you prefer.

 

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



Enjoy!



 

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Winter Morning, sunrise reflections


Winter Morning
© 2021

Just rescued this old demo from last year.  Painted over most of it. Turned grays and rocks into lovely morning colors dancing on the snow and the water.  Love the unruly pine tree too! 

That's how life is for me lately, turning the struggles into something, although I'm not as sure about the outcome with life situations!  Most of it is good.  God is faithful.  (Romans 8:28, He works it out for good if you love Him.)

8 x 10 inches
Acrylic on canvas panel
Ready to frame
SOLD

Please email me for availability, or if you are interested in having something similar painted in a size you prefer: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com


 

Friday, November 26, 2021

Christmas Trees on shells

 

Shell ornament, front and back: Morning Christmas Trees


Fun little projects for the Okeechobee Arts and Cultural  Alliance gift shop.

Approximately 3 x 4 inches.  (Pearlescent paint on back.)


         Shell ornament, front and back: Christmas Eve Trees


The colors of these seashells have a wonderful effect that reminds me of sunrise and sunset. The Christmas eve shell also suggests mountains on an ice-covered lake in the distance. 

The shimmer on the back reflects the lights nicely when hung on a Christmas tree. (In case the ornament gets turned.)

Click here to see more

Please email me if you would like something similar: Fawn@fawnsartstudio.com

Palm on a biscuit, nautical art


Coconut Palm

How cool is that?  I tried waves on the shore at first, but the raised flower pattern on the sea-biscuit cried out to me, "Make a flower, or a plant, or something!"  It took a few tries to get it to look like a palm tree instead of a green flower, but it was worth the extra effort!

The sea-biscuit has an interesting texture, which I would like to explore the next time I create something on one of these.  It seems like it would make very nice seafoam and bubbles.  (See the painting below for the back of this sea-biscuit to see the texture. Click on the image to enlarge it.)  The prep for this was a little more involved: used bleach to clean it, and 3 coats of clear primer. 

~ One of a Kind Original Art
~ Acrylic Painting on a Sea-Biscuit
~ 5 1/2 x 4 1/2  inches
~ Painted and Sealed with Professional Materials
~ Front and Back are Painted and Sealed
~ Sold

Email me for availability: Fawn@fawnsartstudio.com 



Back of sea-biscuit
 

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Loved, reflections, seashore, plaque


"Loved"

Believe it or not, you are loved beyond measure by the Creator of the whole universe!  He wanted you, created you, and has good things planned for you. Seek Him, invite Him into your situations again and again, and ask Him for strength to get through the rough times.  He will fight for you!

I found this piece of wood at a thrift store.  Cleaned it up with alcohol and used a clear primer to prep it.  I wanted the wood grain to show through for the most part.  The reflections of the sunrise were a little challenging, but I like the way it turned out.

~ One of a Kind Original Art
~ Acrylic Painting on Wood
~ 5 1/2 x 12 inches
~ Rope Hanger on Back
~ Painted and Sealed with Professional Materials
~ Front and Back are Sealed
~ SOLD 



Email me for something similar: Fawn@fawnsartstudio.com 




 

Inhale - Exhale, mini, set, seashore



"Inhale/Exhale"

Sometimes you have to remember to just breathe!  Especially this time of year.  
Seems like the stress got overwhelming earlier this year.  I have slowed it down and told myself more than once, "It isn't even December yet!" 

Great gift idea:

~ Miniature Paintings: just 4x 4 inches each.
~ One of a Kind Original Art
~ Acrylic Paintings
~ Saw Hangers on the Backs
~ Painted and Sealed with Professional Materials
~ $55.00 for the Set 
~ Free Shipping in the US



Email me for availability: Fawn@fawnsartstudio.com 






 

Monday, November 22, 2021

Friendly Snowman, chatting with a cardinal


"Friendly Snowman"

"How do you do?" I imagined the snowman welcomed the little red bird who seemed content to stay awhile.

Sometimes these demo paintings are just too fun to put down.  I made this one up in an afternoon for my afterschool art class.    My students will use him to add to their own winter scene, with or without the snow covered tree. And I'm sure some will add the cardinal. 

Original demo
Acrylic
9 x 12 inches
Not available

I would love to create something similar for you! Email me at: Fawn@fawnsartstudio.com


 

Friday, November 05, 2021

More Joy, Christmas ornament, snow, mixed media


"More Joy"
© Fawn McNeill 2020

I liked the first one so much that I taught this class again to a different group of students.  I added extra snow, and bling to this second Christmas Joy ornament painting. This one is a little larger.  Both were from separate demonstration paintings for art classes. I finished them up later with details, metallic paint, and glitter paint. 

Original Demo
Acrylic
11 x 14 inches
Ready to frame
$125.00 





 

Thursday, November 04, 2021

Christmas Snow, Christmas tree, mixed media




"Christmas Snow"

Went back and embellished this demo by adding glitter paint, and metallic paint.  I have done 3 of these, each one is a little different in the the background and the placement of the Christmas tree. This one has lights coming down, reminiscent of a hint of  Northern lights, and a suggestion of a frozen lake or pond. 
This is always a fun lesson for the children's art class. 

I framed it in an expensive frame, seemed to really set it off (see below).

Original Art
11 x 14
Elaborate silver frame
$375.00 (plus shipping)

email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com for availability, or for having something similar created in a size you prefer.