On Break

"Taking a Break"

3x8  Oil on Paper

$95

Another of my oil sketches from my "Mornings on Green Street" series.  There is an Italian restaurant across from the cafe and these chefs stepped out for a bit of fresh air.  The light hit their crisp white uniforms & I couldn't resist painting them.  Went back today but they didn't come out.  Instead I sat there and inhaled the wonderful smell of garlic bread.  Such is the hard life of an artist.  No worries, I'll be back waiting to capture their next break.

Losing Details - SOLD

"Lunch at Lucky's" - SOLD

5 1/2 x 7 Oil on Paper

Lately I've been evaluating everything in my art.  Playing around with a different palette, drawing more and seeing how much detail I can eliminate.  A street scene is the perfect place to try.  With all the signage, cars, people and buildings it can be overwhelming.  But when I start with my 2 value notan, it makes it easier.  Still not reaching my goal yet but I'm further down the road.  Hope you enjoy it.

Palm Trees - SOLD

"Distant Hills"

5x7 Oil on Linen Panel

I enjoy painting these really tall palm trees.  I find myself searching my California photos for palm trees in the hope that there will be a scene to support painting the trees.  Weird, I know.  But whatever floats your boat.

Flooded with Light - SOLD

"Sunlit Cafe"

5x7 Oil on Linen Panel

Give me streaming light & there's a painting to follow.

Cruising Santa Barbara - RESERVED

"Cruising Santa Barbara"

6x12 Oil on Linen Panel

A Challenge

"San Francisco Street"

8x6  Oil on board

$125

This was a "challenge" painting by a wonderful artist, Terry Miura.  I love painting cityscapes but do struggle with sometimes trying to simplify all that happens on a busy city street.  This challenge I also roped my friend, Julie Hill, into doing with me at 4 o'clock yesterday. Lucky her, she lives on the west coast & had a few more of hours of light.  Happy painting!

Painting Blind

"Down the Street"

6x6  Oil on Panel

$95

This was a demo for one of my students.  Trying to show how to simplify a complicated scene.  I got the bare essentials down and then she took the photo with her & leaving a painting unfinished drives me crazy.  So painting without reference photo & a scene I wasn't familiar with, I dove in.  Painting blind is an understatement.  I certainly challenged me in new ways...can't say that I didn't kinda like it.  I'm just grateful to have a little time back at the easel.  Happy day!

P.S. Sorry, not the greatest photo.

Not a Weed in Sight

"California Dreamin'"

8x6  Oil on museum quality panel

$95

(Having PayPal button issues,

email me at kelleyart@gmail.com if interested)

Looking back a week ago, I was struggling to get out of the weeds and start painting again.  One week later & paintings are flying off the easel.  Yipee!  Last night my friend, Julie Hill, was so kind to share a wonderful photo of her morning commute to drop her daughter off at school.  Little did she know that I was going to snag her picture and paint it.   Inspiration shows up just when you need it.  Thanks Julie and I hope she will paint her vision of this picture.  Julie, are you listening? 

Kelley Light/Kelley Dark? SOLD!

"In the Mood"

6x6  Oil on museum quality panel

SOLD!

Before you question whether you've come to the right blog, yep, it's mine.  This was a demo for a student who wanted to paint a dark/moody/mysterious (in her words) painting.  It's always a fine line to know what to include in a painting and what to leave out.  I did this demo to illustrate how eliminating much of the detail can enhance the feeling of the painting.  When we compared her painting to mine..her comment was that I had done a Kelley "Light" version versus her darker version.   Great exercise to paint out of one's comfort zone.  Would love to hear what you think.

On A Roll

"Strolling Along"

9x4    $95

I like to say that I'm on a roll in a good way but actually I feel like a cartoon character that you see clinging to a boulder as it rolls along a bumpy hillside.  Life sometimes tests you in ways that you'd never imagine.  Evidently it's my turn.  Most of it isn't bad, it's just learning to currently juggle about 40 balls in the air at a time.  It's kinda like walking down a street and not always being sure what will come at you from the side streets.  I just need to get through these next three weeks and life will get manageable again.  In the meantime, I will endeavor to post new paintings as often as possible.  Come the first of July, watch out, I'll be ready to break out.  That's when the fun will began. 

Yellow House, Beaufort SOLD!

"Yellow House, Beaufort"

6x6  $95 + $10 s/h

If you have never ridden with an artist, then you haven't felt real fear.  Artists are always looking for potential subject matter even when we drive.  After dropping off paintings at my gallery in Beaufort, I cut down a side street and found this.  The light was spilling over this home and I had to have a picture.  I quickly grabbed my camera and took a shot thru the front windshield.  I was so excited until I realized that my car had come to a stop in the middle of an intersection.  Thank goodness there were no other cars only 2 tourists (I hope not locals) looking at me like I was crazy.  I rolled down my window and said "I'm an artist, just had to have that picture".  They politely smiled and no doubt thought there goes another crazy artist.  Yep!  That's me.

One day it's there, next day it's not!

I know you were expecting the finished painting today but I have 2 "tweaks" left to do.  I have made some changes and the image above will prove to be decisive in the finished piece.  So check back in tomorrow for the "final" reveal.  It will be worth it. 

 

Piecing it Together

This is the last piece until I reveal the finished painting.  It's fun and frustrating putting so many elements into one painting without it appearing busy.  I'll let you be the judge as to whether it was successful or not.  Until the final reveal, happy painting.

Another Piece

"Still Life" 

This might my favorite part of the painting.  I strolled this promenade behind a woman in orange as she sashayed and watched the old men stand taller as she went by.  Immediately after she passed, they resumed their conversations and posture.  Watching people is such great fun and always provides me with endless material for paintings.  Now I'm off to work on the painting challenge and watch a little Masters.  Go Fred Couples!

Revealed in Pieces

"Still Life"  20x20

Here's a start of another piece for the show.  I decided to reveal it in stages.  I almost gave up yesterday but went back to the studio today and pushed through the tough parts.  It can still end up in disaster but I'm hopeful.  Continue to watch for some more pieces of this painting.  Enjoy the beautiful day.

Stepping Out

My other life diverted me this past week.  But I'm back at the easel now.  Here's a piece I'm working on for a show at the end of April.  Have a couple more to go and the time crunch is on.  I need to complete 3  more pieces by weeks end.  In the meantime I'll paint some small works as well.  Fingers crossed that life will take pity on me and allow the interuptions to be at a minimum.  Rarely happened before but what can I say, I'm an optimist.

Charlotte Street, St. Augustine

 

8x6 

I so didn't remember the name of this street until I googled it.  What a coincidence...my memory is worst than I thought.  And I lived just two streets away.  I may not remember the street name but I clearly remember the colors, wonky windows & balconies, cobblestone streets & cool shade that you seek out on the hot summer days.  Love how you get a sense of place & atmosphere on a canvas.  Think I'll go grab a glass of tea and comtemplate my next painting. 

If you are interested in this piece, please contact me at kelleyart@gmail.com