MY DAILY JOURNEY

I'm Amazed to see this article

2011-04-09T17:02:00.000-06:00

I was amazed to see this article in my inbox today.... simply amazed. Shhhhhush,,,

The Rise of Politically Conservative Art-- Just Under the Surface

by Brian Sherwin

This article is by Brian Sherwin, Regular contributing writer for FineArtViews. Brian Sherwin is an art critic, blogger, curator, artist and writer based near Chicago, Illinois. He has been published in Hi Fructose Magazine, Illinois Times, and other publications, and linked to by publications such as The Huffington Post, The Boston Globe, Juxtapoz Magazine, Deutsche Bank ArtMag, ARTLURKER, Myartspace, Blabbermouth, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Modern Art Obsession, Citizen LA, Shark Forum, Two Coats of Paint and Art Fag City. You should submit an article and share your views as a guest author by clicking here.

It is often suggested that artwork exploring politically conservative themes-- specifically of the Republican variety-- does not exist in mass-- or that artists who explore politically/socially conservative themes directly are merely 'bad' or 'untalented' artists that do more harm than good when representing said themes visually. Mention the need to examine conservative themed art during most online debates about art and you will experience this negativity first hand. I don't exactly blame people for going on the offensive whenever someone mentions conservatism and art. After all, a clear political bias has dominated within the mainstream art world since at least the 1950s. That said, I do think that it is time for the influence of conservatism to be considered directly by exhibit curators, art critics, and other art professionals who work within the mainstream art world.

The denial of conservatism within the context of contemporary art is nothing more than blind ignorance, in my opinion. The general attitude against such themes serve only to promote a visual lie in regards to the documentation of current art for future generations. Point blank-- it is absurd to suggest that all artists lean toward the political left or that all "great" art caters to politically/socially liberal views. Unfortunately, that suggestion dominates the core of how the culture of art is explored-- the suggestion has been cultivated for decades by art magazines, the majority of art exhibits, and the blunt of museum art exhibits as well. It has also been cultivated at most college/university art departments throughout the United States-- some art students having told me that they were informed, "That kind of work is not done here.", by their instructors after exploring conservative political and social themes openly in a positive manner.

Politically conservative viewpoints can be found in the mainstream art world-- even within the left-leaning New York art scene. However, the artworks that explore conservative themes in a positive manner-- or serve as a warning against aspects of political or social liberalism-- are rarely presented as visual dialogue pertaining to conservatism regardless if support to the Republican party is expressed or not. The political heart of these images are often locked away by reviewers and critics in general. I challenge anyone to find writing examples from 5 art critics in the last decade alone who have praised a work of art for its conservative angle in the same manner that liberal angles are praised. That challenge is a tough task considering that reviews/articles tend to explore the work from the political prejudice of the art writer-- most of whom-- and I know many-- are registered Democrats.

The negativism-- or should I say fear?-- surrounding openly conservative themed art is obvious to anyone who has ever mentioned the need for conservative themed art to be examined further during an art debate-- if only to secure the historical context of the work in regards to the times in which we live. Some art professionals have noticed a lack of direct conservative themed art. For example, art critic Jerry Saltz, arguably the most influential art critic in the United States and a staunch supporter of the Democrat party, has made random calls for conservative art to be examined further on his Facebook wall. Unfortunately, the response to said request-- or similar requests from other art-related professionals-- often goes unexplored-- or is simply ignored. It is almost as if the requests are made in jest-- simply to mock that direction in art.

I've experienced the flip-flopping over the suggestion of examining contemporary aspects of conservative themed art first hand. A few months ago art critic Jerry Saltz publicly challenged me to assemble a group of 25 artists who explore conservative themes. Rules were laid down: The artists could not be personal friends of mine, the artists had to have created art for at least a year, and so on. He stated that he would review the artwork and help to secure an exhibit space for it. It did not take long for me to discover artists who openly explore conservative themes in a non-derogatory manner. The artists, many of whom are college graduates, were entertained by the possibility because they all had endured what they felt was professional bias due to the political aspects of their art. Unfortunately, Saltz dropped his offer as quickly as he had made it. I honestly don't know if he backed out due to being fickle or if he was wary because he knew that I was making progress on the challenge.

Jerry Saltz is not the only art professional to falter when artists exploring conservative themes sound off to let others know that there is a politically conservative presence within the context of the art world-- one that has yet to be examined in full. Saltz is a decent guy and is reasonable on most things-- I respect him as a person and as a writer. Most of the art-related professionals I've met online or in person are very reasonable-- some border on being overly rational. However, when art and politics enter debates about culture it tends to bring out the worst in even the most humble of individuals-- the possibility of solid conservative themes inspiring visual art is often downplayed by being described as "just Jesus art", "nothing but poorly painted flags and uninformed opinions", or "GOP art propaganda.". These generalizations reveal ignorance of the subject-- which is further proof as to why current conservative themes in art should be explored thoroughly. After all, not all conservative-minded individuals are Christian-- furthermore, not all conservatives associate with the Republican party.

People need to realize that, like it or not, conservatism-- predominately in the form of the Republican party-- is a part of our history. Thus, I feel that it is vital for the visual aspects of that history to be examined further. I realize that private art galleries can deny visual aspects of culture if desired. That said, I will continue to assume that professional bias in regards to political views exists in the mainstream art world until I observe museum art exhibits-- many of which receive public funding-- that focus on current conservative themed art with the same professional focus that has been given to exhibits that clearly lean toward the political/social left. It should not be a "revolutionary" idea to suggest that our collective visual history should be preserved for future generations-- nor should someone, such as myself, be labeled a "provocateur" for suggesting it.

The opposing nature of politics in the United States-- even the extremes-- defines, for better or worse, who we are as a society. These views-- and the visual art inspired by them-- have a historical significance that should, in my opinion, go beyond our individual prejudice. We live in a country that is practically divided on specific political and social issues-- yet it appears that only one side of that dialogue is taken seriously within the professional world of art. Again, the entirety of visual dialogue concerning political views is significant-- future generations deserve to see the past unfold visually when the time comes for them to explore their own political motivations. Fear is never a good reason to deny a point of view from being heard-- or in this case, seen. The denial that the art world has shown, in my opinion, is a brutal form of ignorance-- one could suggest it is an extreme form of censorship.

As it stands, the rise of current politically conservative art will most likely have to come in the form of a subversive art movement-- one that attracts momentum by means of alternative art exhibition routes in order to bash down the gates of the mainstream art world. This movement would involve artists who explore conservative themes working together toward a common goal-- allocating resources and connections in order to further the impact of their visual direction. With enough exposure and influence the powers that be within the mainstream art world will let down their guard-- if only to invest on trending art. After all, the mainstream art market has long thrived due to Republican capitalism-- profit can obscure even the most forceful of ideologies.

Take care, Stay true,

Brian Sherwin

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Tyler and Sam

2010-12-20T06:45:00.003-07:00

"Tyler and Sam"

Original Oil on Canvas

8"x10"

$165.00

If you are interested in this beautiful painting, please contact the artist:

Char Davis

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

TURQUOISE LAND & SKY

2010-12-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

TURQUOISE LAND & SKY

Original Oil on 1.5" Wrapped Canvas

8"x8"

The other day we had the most unusual sunset here in Colorado. Our Colorado Blue sky is typically a beautiful, clean and clear blue, blue...but Sunday's sunset had the most beautiful area of turquoise sky..my husband and I were commenting that we didn't think we had ever seen that color of turquoise in a sunset or in the sky, here in Colorado.....near the ocean, yes, but not here. We were overlooking a body of water and the turquoise reflecting in that water was amazing! Ahhhh! I just had to capture that color!

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

If you are interested in this painting, please email Char Davis

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

Mountain Chickadee 2

2010-12-15T07:00:00.003-07:00

Mountain Chickadee 2

Oil on Canvas

4"x4"

$100.00 (free shipping)

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

The Chickadees are back for the winter! What happy and active little birds they are! Wild birds are one of my favorite subjects to paint.

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

Mountain Chickadee

2010-12-13T20:56:00.002-07:00

Mountain Chickadee

Original Oil on Canvas

4"x4"

$100.00 (free shipping)

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING

2010-10-21T08:48:00.001-06:00

Architectural Rendering

Watercolor

The rendering biz is a little slow this time of year; it's a nice break from the busy season. Home Portraits make great gifts if you are interested!

Thanks for looking today.

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

KARAKUL SHEEP

2010-10-19T20:32:00.001-06:00

Karakul Sheep

16"x20"

Oil on Linen Canvas

$325.00

SOLD

Finished! I'm finally finished with the latest Karakul sheep painting...love painting these sheep! I'm thinking about doing a much larger one now! When I went to photograph the sheep down at my neighbors house, it was early spring and the new baby lambs were mostly just days old. They had a few of the sheep still in the pens with their brand new babies; learning how to bond to each other, and they were so sweet. They need to learn to know their mother and visa versa, because when you let them out into the large herd they need to be able to recognize each other's scent and call...baaaaaaa!! I thought it was interesting how they have to sort of learn this. The little lambs, for the most part, look very similar with some color variation in color and the ewes look even more similar..it's no wonder they might get separated and not know each other just by sight!

Thanks for looking today.

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my blog: CharDavisFineArt

BREAKER'S INN, GUALALA, CALIFORNIA

2010-10-16T20:38:00.000-06:00

Breaker's Inn, Gualala, California

Watercolor Rendering

I just had to post the website for the Breaker's Inn in Gualala, California, and the nice note I received from the Inn Manager, Susan. What a fun project this was...

I did a little 'research' about Gualala, and the surrounding area, to get a feeling of how the painting should feel...what a charming and quaint area with lots to do and see. And, it's only a short trip from San Francisco, where my brother lives. I know I would love to vacation here because Gualala, looks so relaxing......with miles and miles of picturesque scenery to enjoy AND paint! Wouldn't it be fun to visit Susan and the Breaker's Inn in person!

Here's the letter from Susan:

Char - Hello from Gualala - our website just went active - most things working - your watercolor is framed and now in the lobby - :) And - will be in the new restaurant.

If you go to : breakersinn.com - and to rooms and rates, you are the 'grounds map' - it looks great. You're also on the Photo Gallery - some of the photos aren't fully yet working - some are. Hope you like -

Thanks again, looks great. Please use our site for your website promotion, too - if I hear of other B & B owners that need a watercolor, I'll 'talk you up' :)
I'm just now running for the board for the Mendocino County Lodging Assn - so we'll see if that works out- if it does, would love to speak on your behalf
to see if anyone wants to hire you:) So many of the inns out here are so picturesque --

Thanks again, Sue, Innkeper, Breakers Inn

KARAKUL SHEEP by Char Davis

2010-09-28T21:37:00.000-06:00

Karakul Sheep

16"x20"

Oil on Linen

So here is the finished painting...sorry about the photo "shine"...I'll take a better picture tomorrow.

Thanks for looking today!

If you are interested in this painting; please contact me!

E-mail

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

KARAKUL SHEEP - WIP

2010-09-11T09:25:00.001-06:00

I'm working on a 16x20" painting of "Karakul sheep" My neighbor has a small heard of these beautiful animals, and I've painting these sheep many, many times over the past five years. Karakul's are very different from the usual sheep you see out in the pasture, and also

a rare breed in the United States. For myself, it's the beautiful, curly coat that is a challenge to paint. Here is a little information about them off the internet:

The Karakul sheep is a type of fat-tailed sheep, very common to the African and Asian continents, but considered a rare breed in the US and Canada.

The Karakul has some unique qualities. It has a dominant black gene, so a very high percentage of these sheep are born black. A desert animal (originally) that stores fat in its tail for nourishment in lean times, it is very hardy and adaptable. The pelts of the Karakul lambs are historically referred to as "Persian lamb" or "Broadtail". This pelt is a lustrous coat of intricately patterned curls. They were legendary trade items on the ancient Silk Road of China, and were used extensively in America (for the first part of the 1900s) as a fabric for coats, jackets, and hats. For these reasons, the Karakul is often known as the "Fur Sheep".

The US Karakul population has drastically declined, however, and the current estimate is less than 2,000. In light of this, the main interest of Karakul breeders has been to simply sustain the breed's presence in America. The Registry was re-established in 1985 for that purpose. Today, small farm flocks are scattered throughout the US, with a few in Canada as well. The five or six known bloodlines are juggled within breeding programs to perpetuate the breed.

Their devoted shepherds love their exotic carriage, intelligence, hardiness, common-sense instincts, beauty, and independence. And of course, their rich history, which is unparalleled by any other breed of sheep!

This photo is a work in progress...stay tuned for the finished painting!

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

Rendering

2010-09-09T08:48:00.003-06:00

I've been working with a client from California on this rendering landscape. They could not ever get a great photograph of the property for their website; and so they contacted me. Often a painting on your website adds just the zing! that you may be looking for. The location of this Inn is so beautiful and it is located right off highway 1 along the California coastline. I was dreaming of vacationing here while I was painting!

Thanks for looking today!

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

contact me:

Colorado Landscape

2010-09-07T20:38:00.000-06:00

Colorado Landscape

oil on canvas board

6x8" unframed

$100.00

I'm getting ready for a miniature show and this will be one of the paintings hanging in the show. That is unless it sells first from my blog or website!

We live out on the Colorado Plains...I love painting the landscape out here, and also the plains cottonwood trees because they have such character!

If you are interested in this painting, please contact me.

Contact me by e-mail

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

Sweet Summer Girl

2010-08-12T19:36:00.001-06:00

Sweet Summer Girl

Oil on canvas

16"x24"

This little sweetie pie was at one of our summer art shows last year...she was so beyond cute; I just had to paint her. She was wearing the brightest colored, cutest little outfit and was so fascinated with my friend, Beth's, beautiful flowers.

If you are interested in this painting, please contact me.

Char

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"THE COLORS OF WINTER"

2010-07-30T22:32:00.000-06:00

"THE COLORS OF WINTER"

5"x7" Oil

This painting is currently hanging at a show. Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting.

Thanks for looking today!

e-mail me!

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"READY FOR THE TRAIL"

2010-07-26T11:16:00.000-06:00

"READY FOR THE TRAIL"

8"x16"

Oil on linen board

SOLD

This painting just sold to a collector in Elizabeth, Colorado!

I was getting "Ready for the Trail" ready to hang at a show and a good friend fell in love with it! I'm so glad she is purchasing this painting because I am kind of attached to it, and now I can enjoy it hanging in her home! My inspiration for this painting was a super fun vacation we took to Asheville, North Carolina, and my hubby and I went on a trail ride through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains there. It was spring and was so beautiful! We stayed at our friend's, Patti and Bear, Bed and Breakfast "Crooked Oak Mountain Inn" in Asheville....what a magical place that is! It truley is a 5 star ***** !!Here is the link if you would ever like to be pampered in the North Carolina mountains: "Crooked Oak Mountain Inn" and if you didn't already know it....Asheville is a VERY ARTSY community....how fun is that!!

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt

visit my blog: "My Daily Journey"

MINI MARE AND FOAL

2010-07-24T08:38:00.000-06:00

Mini Mare and Foal

Original Oil on Canvas

10"x13"

Please contact me if you are interested in this painting
As of July 28, 2010, this painting will be hanging at the Stanton Gallery at the Town Hall Arts Center
in downtown Littleton, Colorado
If you would like to see the show:
"PALETTE PALS CELEBRATE THE WEST"
send me an e-mail and I will send you the information

e-mail me!

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

HOME PORTRAIT

2010-03-18T18:52:00.001-06:00

Home Portrait

10"x13"

watercolor

It's that time of year again in the real estate market here in Denver, Colorado, and things must be picking up this spring because I am busy, busy! This building looks like a fun place to live and also was fun to render. If you are interested in a home portrait, please contact me and get on my schedule! I'll be posting architectural rendering for a while now because that is mostly what I will be working on.

Thanks for looking today!

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"SPRING LAMB"

2010-03-05T18:31:00.000-07:00

"SPRING LAMB"

Original Acrylic

4"X4" unframed

$25.00 USD

free shipping

please contact me if you are interested in this mini!

It's fresh and fun, would make a great gift!

e-mail me

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

MINI TREESCAPE

2010-03-04T18:24:00.001-07:00

Mini TreeScape

Original Acrylic on wrapped canvas

3"x5" unframed

$25.00

free shipping

Just a small tree painting today..it's mini, small, wrapped canvas 3"x5"

I love painting trees and any one who knows me, knows I really love to paint all kinds of "treescapes"

Just a quick little study today and I like the way it turned out.

please contact me if you are interested in this mini!

It's fresh and fun, would make a great gift!

e-mail me

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"FALL ON THE RIVER"

2010-03-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

"Fall on the River"

Original Oil Landscape on Linen

10"x13" unframed

$165.00 + s&h

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

contact me: Char

"WYOMING WINTER"

2010-03-01T20:51:00.001-07:00

"Wyoming Winter"

Original Oil Landscape on Linen

9"x12" unframed

$150

I've painted this scene several times using different color palettes. This day looks cold, yet sunny! I like the contrast of warm and cool here verses a snow scene that is all cool and cold.

Thanks for looking today.

Please contact me if you would like to purchase this painting.

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"COLORADO LANDSCAPE" by Char Davis

2010-02-26T20:05:00.002-07:00

"COLORADO LANDSCAPE"

6"X8"

Original Oil Painting on Canvas

$100 US

free shipping

What a colorful and fun little painting. Really loose and exciting.....this little gem is really beautiful framed in a wide plein air frame.

Enjoy!

If you are interested in this painting, please contact me.

Char

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"IMPRESSIONISTIC LANDSCAPE" by Char Davis

2010-02-25T20:02:00.001-07:00

"IMPRESSIONISTIC LANDSCAPE"

Original Oil on Board

14"x14"

$200.00 US, unframed

free shipping

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

contact

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

visit my blog: "My Daily Journey"

"CONTEMPORARY LANDSCAPE"

2010-02-23T19:44:00.002-07:00

"CONTEMPORARY LANDSCAPE"

Original Acrylic Painting on Canvas

15"x30"

$300.00 US, framed

I thought I might try a few acrylic landscapes....acrylic is so forgiving! Had so much fun painting this piece; it's colorful and fun. Just the shape and size of the canvas makes it fun to look at! There are so many layers of paint and you can really see and feel the texture. I'm not sure that I would always paint this way because I love oil painting too much...but sometime something different is good for the creativity!

Thanks for looking today.

If you are interested in this painting, please contact me.

Char

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

2010-02-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

"HOLLYHOCKS"

10"X14"

ORIGINAL OIL ON CANVAS

$125.00 US, unframed

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

contact

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"COTTONWOOD SUMMER" by Char Davis

2010-02-20T19:32:00.000-07:00

"Cottonwood Summer"

8"x8" oil on canvas

$100 us, free shipping

I remember cottonwood trees from when I was a little girl. We lived near the Highline Canal in Littleton, Colorado, and cottonwoods were trees I looked at every single day. They looked so huge, and I always thought they were such giants!

Thanks for looking today and if you are interested in this painting, please contact me.

Thanks for looking today.

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

contact me: Char

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"Home PORTRAIT" by Char Davis

2010-01-27T15:57:00.000-07:00

"Home Portrait"

10"x13"

Watercolor on Arches WC Paper

Another Home Portrait done for a family living in Colorado; this painting is of their wonderful cabin in Wyoming. This commission if for a gift for the husband who loves his home away from home. I don't know if you can see the two dogs near the front deck...just makes the painting a little more personal. These are commission pieces and if you have been reading my blog, I do quite a lot of these paintings. They make wonderful gifts for family and friends who are moving away or want to have a memento of their first, second, or even vacation home! I've painted for families that are in their third or fourth home and they have a keepsake for every home they have lived in! What a fun way to remember your old "roots"

If you are interested in a home portrait, please contact me.

Thanks for looking today.

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

contact me: Char

"MOODY TREES" by Char Davis

2010-01-26T15:47:00.002-07:00

"MOODY TREES"

11"X14"

Oil on Linen

$350.00

What moody trees we have today. Maybe it's because all of this winter weather is getting to me.

I showed up at oil painting workshop without my references for what I was going to paint. My friend had this reference; and it was cut out from a magazine so I tried it. The little tiny magazine clipping was so small and blury that I could not see any details at all...so using my own imagination, I added all the colors, etc., still trying to keep the painting dark, yet exciting.

Thanks for looking today.

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"HOME PORTRAIT" by Char Davis

2010-01-25T13:12:00.003-07:00

"Home Portrait"

10"x13"

Watercolor on Arches WC Paper

Today I finished my latest home portrait. These are commission pieces and if you have been reading my blog, I do quite a lot of these paintings. They make wonderful gifts for family and friends who are moving away or want to have a memento of their first, second, or even vacation home! I've painted for families that are in their third or fourth home and they have a keepsake for every home they have lived in! What a fun way to remember your old "roots"

If you are interested in a home portrait, please contact me.

Thanks for looking today.

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

contact me: Char

HOME PORTRAIT

2010-01-13T20:23:00.005-07:00

"WATERCOLOR RENDERING"

This painting is a commission piece of a home in Denver, Colorado. I have painted home portraits for many years. If you are interested in commissioning a home portrait, please contact me. Prices range from $200 to $350. I can paint your home from photographs that you provide. I have painted many, many home portraits of homes here in Denver and the metropolitan area for real estate agents, architects, and private individuals. A home portrait is a wonderful, thoughtful and memorable gift. Please call me if you are interested.

Thanks for looking today.

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

subscribe to my blog to receive updates whenever I post a new painting!

"NEBRASKA PRAIRIE"

2010-01-12T10:37:00.006-07:00

"NEBRASKA PRAIRIE"

Oil on Canvas

Original Oil Painting

10"x13"

$300.00 +S&H U.S.

We took a little trip to Nebraska to turkey hunt on a friends ranch there and I painted this landscape, and a few others, on site; in plein air. Plein air paintings are always so fresh and not overworked because you are trying to quickly capture the feeling and the light before it changes too much. I was amazed at the terrain in Nebraska, thinking that it was all flat and prairie-ish....what a surprise when we were taken to the "area" where we would be hunting! There were huge, and I mean huge, canyons everywhere on this property...big enough to build a house in the canyon canyons! We drive down into so many of these canyons with such steep hillsides and totally flat and beautiful in the bottom of the canyon.....it was like a whole different world. Where we stayed in our rv, was up on "top" which was also very beautiful with all of the flat land and panted wheat and corn and other crops. Our friend had around three hundred baby calves that were all just roaming "around" in the canyons...and the turkeys! Hundreds of turkeys in this area...so the hunting and the painting was good! I could have stayed and painted for days!

Thanks for looking today.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me.

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"AUTUMN JEWELS"

2010-01-11T19:59:00.003-07:00

"AUTUMN JEWELS"

Original Acrylic Painting

16"x20"

$250.00 plus shipping & handling in the U.S.

This painting is currently hanging in a show at the Town Hall Arts Center in Littleton, Colorado.

I enjoyed painting this, it's done in acrylic, very loose and painterly and the colors are a WOW! The acrylics are painted in many layers so this painting has a lot of texture and fun things going on. I have this painting framed for the show in a frame that is sort of a burnished reddish gold...

Thanks for looking today!

If you are interested in this painting, please contact the artist here.

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"COUNTING SHEEP" by Char Davis

2010-01-06T20:37:00.003-07:00

"THE HERD"

9" X 12"

ORIGINAL OIL ON CANVAS BOARD

This painting is currently hanging at the Town Hall Arts Center in Littleton, Colorado.

If you are interested in this painting please contact me here.

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

2010-01-04T19:13:00.003-07:00

"RED BARN HILL"

Original Watercolor

8" x 8"

$200.00

A very loose and "artsy" painting. If you are interested in this painting, pleasecontact me! I also have prints available.

Also, this painting will be hanging at a show at the Littleton Town Hall Arts Center, Stanton Gallery, Littleton, Colorado, with a group called

"THE PALETTE PALS"

The dates of the show are January 5 through January 29; stop by if you are in the area, I will have 5 or 6 paintings hanging. This is a 5 person art showing that I am doing with my painting friends. We are a small group of painters who paint and show together regularly in the Denver Metro Area.

Thanks for visiting today!

Char is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

PRINTS of this painting are available HERE

"RED BARN HILL"

2010-01-04T18:35:00.008-07:00

"RED BARN HILL"

Original Watercolor

8" x 8"

$200.00

A very loose and "artsy" painting. If you are interested in this painting, pleasecontact me! I also have prints available.

Also, this painting will be hanging at a show at the Littleton Town Hall Arts Center, Stanton Gallery, Littleton, Colorado, with a group called

"THE PALETTE PALS"

Thanks for visiting today!

Char is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

PRINTS of this painting are available HERE

"LUNCH TIME"

2009-12-29T19:14:00.002-07:00

"LUNCH TIME"

Oil on Canvas

8"x10"

$300

free shipping

A new foal out in the summer pasture...I thought about calling this painting "Meals on Wheels" or would that be " Meals on Legs" There is nothing sweeter than a brand new foal...well, maybe a brand new calf is right up there at the top of the cute list too! Everyone always says that there is nothing like a new puppy; and even though they are very cute, I would have to disagree with that because I don't think I have ever seen anything sweeter than a new foal; they are born with their eyes wide open and looking everywhere at their new world.....the baby horse is struggling to stand up on those long, long legs, falling and trying over and over either until he is successful or exhausted! Everything about a new foal is beautiful....tiny brand new hooves, long eyelashes with eyes that are so bright and have that new life twinkle. Soft muzzle and little tiny whiskers....oh they are just amazing.

I love to paint horses and hope you also enjoy this painting.

Thanks for looking today.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me at CharArtist@msn.com

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"LONG LEGGED FOAL"

2009-12-20T16:38:00.002-07:00

"LONG LEGGED FOAL" by Char Davis

"LONG LEGGED FOAL"

Oil on Canvas

5"x7"

$100.00

If you are interested in this painting, please visit my website at:

CharDavisFineArt.com

Char Davis is a Colorado Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

contact the artist

"ABSTRACTED LANDSCAPE IN RED"

2009-12-17T08:19:00.003-07:00

"ABSTRACTED LANDSCAPE IN RED"

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

8"x8"x1.5"

$200

free shipping

Sometimes I just have to paint in pure color! Never in pure color straight out of the tube.....always "mixed" so the colors are unique and beautiful! I really like how this painting turned out, it has clean color and edgy brushwork. This painting is on a 1.5 inch thick canvas, gallery wrapped and does not need a frame.

Please contact me if you are interested in this painting or high quality giclee' prints of this painting.

Thanks for looking today.

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

contact the artist

"DANCING PALOMINO HORSES"

2009-12-16T18:24:00.002-07:00

"DANCING PALOMINO HORSES" by Char Davis

"DANCING PALOMINO HORSES"

Oil on Canvas

16"x20"

If you are interested in this painting, please contact the artist:

Char Davis

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

Beautiful Palomino girls just look like they are dancing don't they! I had a time with those crazy horse legs; it's no wonder that the legs are covered with grass or dust in so many horse paintings! The faces have such personality and to me, they look like mother and daughter. Maybe that is because my neighbor has palominos and has a mother and daughter. I do get most of my reference photos for horses from my neighbor; she has a great little "herd" and so many different breeds of horses. I had horses growing up and even took my last horse to college with me. Now though, I'm too busy painting to give even one horse the care and attention it would need; so I just visit my neighbor or my sister to get my horse "fix"

Thanks for looking today.

"BLUEBIRD"

2009-12-10T18:55:00.002-07:00

"BLUEBIRD"

oil on canvas board

5"x5"

$100.00

I'm not really sure if you would say this is a Western Bluebird or a Rocky Mountain Bluebird. I do know that there is a difference; one is brighter and more colorful I think. We have both kinds here where I live, and my husband has built several bluebird houses and set them out around our property. We love to see them come in the spring, always in pairs and checking out the houses for their summer home. They seem very territorial and protective about those houses! There are usually several tree swallows competing for the same birdhouses and watching them chase each other off can be quite entertaining to watch. I am always hoping the Bluebirds win because the Swallows dive bomb me when I get near their house and scare the begeebers out of me!! Thanks so much for looking today and this would make a great little gift for a Bluebird lover!

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"ABSTRACTED LANDSCAPE"

2009-12-03T18:47:00.004-07:00

I'm posting "ABSTRACTED LANDSCAPE" again because the last photo was not a very good photo. I think now you can see the colors better...it really is not a washed out painting at all. And I also posted a close up of a small section of the painting so that you can see the colors and the brushwork. I just had fun painting this piece and could just see it in a very contemporary setting. The essence of the work is energetic and fun! It makes me happy to just look at it.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines abstraction as "the act or process of separating the inherent qualities or properties of something from the actual physical object or concept to which they belong." So, I started with an actual photo of a landscape and redesigned it to reflect my personal response to the photo. You can still tell that there is a horizon line and the sky; and those would be the only illusions of reality...

Thanks for looking today.

If you are interested in this painting please contact me.

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"ABSTRACTED LANDSCAPE"

2009-12-02T20:16:00.006-07:00

"ABSTRACTED LANDSCAPE"

I was painting with my Tuesday group, and was working on this oil painting. Someone asked me "what do you call this style of painting" Well...I had to think about that for a minute and then I blurted out "it's called "ABSTRACTED REALISM" So I thought that made perfect sense...it's abstract, but painted from a realistic photo. You can tell that it's a landscape..trees, river.... And, I like the term, so I think I will keep it! Abstracted Realism, yes! I'll have to look that one up and check to see if there really is something called abstracted realism. My son-in-law loves words and is always making up new words that make perfect sense when you think about it, but usually they are soooo funny. One time he came up with "un-truth-tha-tude" which is a lie of course, and he was telling someone that he wasn't happy with the "untruththatudes" the person was telling him! I guess you had to be there because it was too funny. Everyone in our family still uses the word; having quite a laugh about it every now and then.

So, I'll finish my Abstracted Landscape and take a better picture for you. The colors are toned down but still so rich. I really like the way it is turning out; very quite and peaceful. That is just what I needed to paint right now.

Thanks for looking today.

"ABSTRACT LANDSCAPE"

2009-11-30T20:16:00.004-07:00

"Abstract Landscape"

30" x 30"

acrylic on deep canvas

(haven't priced it as of yet)

I've wanted to paint more abstract paintings for quite a while. My architectural rendering business slows quite a bit this time of year and I've had time to take on some new projects...yea :)

I love the feeling of an abstract..just an impression and more of a "feeling" piece of artwork. These are not very great pictures....it looks really bright, when really the yellows are more of a golden, the lavenders are more beautiful. I'll try to take a better picture later when it is finished.

I've been reading about painting abstracts and learning quite a few new things about this kind of art. I'll write some of what I've been reading about abstracts and maybe you will learn something about this type of art too!

And the size of the painting, I thought it would be so difficult because I have been painting small for quite a while, but actually it was so much fun because I really felt like I had so much freedom with my brushes and you really just get your whole body into the painting.

Thanks for looking today.

"PAINTED PONY SERIES #4"

2009-11-29T21:22:00.006-07:00

"PAINTED PONY" #4

Acrylic on paper

$20.00 free shipping

This is a very small painting, only about 2.5 x 3.5 inches! I'm getting a little bit interested in painting some of the ATC's which stand for Art Trading Cards! I paint with a group of friends and we are going to trade ATCs at a Christmas party in December. The art cards are sort of a craze in the artist and art collector world. Artists normally trade the cards with each other like baseball cards, and art collectors can own a very inexpensive original from many artist they like. I have to tell you, they sure are cute mini paintings when they are matted and framed. Just in case you think my paintings are getting smaller and smaller; what I post tomorrow will certainly surprise you!!

Thank you for looking today.

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"PAINTED PONY SERIES #2"

2009-11-24T08:11:00.001-07:00

"PAINTED PONY SERIES #2" by Char Davis

"PAINTED PONY SERIES"

PONY #2

5"X7" ACRYLIC

$40 + s&h

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website "CharDavisFineArt.com "

"BLUE MESA"

2009-11-21T17:28:00.003-07:00

"BLUE MESA"

oil on canvas

this painting is SOLD

to a collector in Elizabeth, Colorado!

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

Thanks for looking today

Visit my web-site

"THE CROW"

2009-11-17T08:33:00.003-07:00

"THE CROW"

oil on canvas board

5"x5"

$65.00 plus shipping

contact the artist

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

Another small oil painting from the class I took with Mike Beeman. Crows have always fascinated me; almost scary in a way. I think the feelings I have about crows are from a movie I saw as a child (NOT "The Birds"!!) It was another movie where the crow flying overhead meant that you were going to die "next" Maybe I should just paint more of them and get to "know" them and get rid of that childhood fear!! I have not been posting much lately; had a very busy summer with a few art shows, couple small vacations, but the biggest thing was that our youngest daughter had a beautiful wedding in October! So...that's where my summer went! I'll be posting more now, hope you enjoy my artwork.

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, I can generate a Propay invoice for you.

"THE PICKET FENCE"

2009-09-30T09:47:00.005-06:00

"THE PICKET FENCE"

mixed media, 14"x20"

this piece is framed

framed size is 22"x28"

$325.00 plus S&H

SOLD

please contact the artist for more information about this painting

Char

So sorry about the photo; it has glare on the glass because this piece is framed. I might try to take another photo and post it later. "THE PICKET FENCE" was painted in watercolor and acrylic. Some of the watercolor shows thru and then the acrylic. It is a very visually interesting piece to look at. The colors and textures and brushwork on this painting are wonderful; it is a very happy place of a place I would love to visit!! Thanks for looking today.

"CHICKADEE"

2009-09-05T08:52:00.005-06:00

"CHICKADEE"

Oil on canvas paper

5"x7"

$65.00, free shipping

While visiting my friend Wanda yesterday, I noticed Chickadees at her bird feeder. Well, that reminded me of a Chickadee painting I did while in a workshop with artist Mike Beeman. Birds have always been one of my favorite subjects to paint however, I could never get the "look" I wanted with the feathers and all. Mike taught me so much about softening the feathers and making the birds look so "feathery" and soft. I enjoy painting birds more than ever now! Thanks for looking today.

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

contact me: Char Davis

"IMPRESSIONISTIC CONTEMPORARY FLORAL #1" by Char Davis

2009-09-02T20:29:00.005-06:00

I'm having so much fun with the impressionistic style of painting; still have a couple more "PAINTED PONIES" to post, but I just sort of got into these florals while I was out painting in my garden and looking at all of my flowers still blooming and thinking that we don't have very much summer left here in Colorado. I love the changing of the seasons here in Colorado; but I really hate for summer to be over. It seems like summer just started and I haven't had quite enough of it yet. I guess I'm never ready for my gardens to go to sleep for the winter.....hopefully we will have a really long and beautiful fall. The colors and the brushwork in this little painting are so much fun. Take a closer look by clicking on the painting and you can look at the colors and brushwork up close. Enjoy! and thanks for looking today.

"IMPRESSIONISTIC CONTEMPORARY FLORAL #1

original acrylic, 5x7"

$40.00 plus S&H

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

contact the artist

"PAINTED PONY SERIES" PONY #3

2009-08-21T22:38:00.007-06:00

"PAINTED PONY SERIES"

PONY #3

5"X7" ACRYLIC ON BOARD

$40 + s&h

I love this Painted Pony Series and have really had fun painting with acrylic lately. I am primarily an oil painter and even though oil is my favorite medium, I sometimes enjoy how fast and free it feels to paint in acrylics. The Painted Pony Series are all such happy paintings. Thanks for looking today!

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website "CharDavisFineArt.com"

2009-08-04T21:51:00.004-06:00

"PAINTED PONY SERIES #2" by Char Davis

"PAINTED PONY SERIES"

PONY #2

5"X7" ACRYLIC ON BOARD

$40 + s&h

So here is the second in my PAINTED PONY SERIES.

These ponies are so fun, so fresh; the color is so clean and they are so much fun to paint.

Thanks for looking today!

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website "CharDavisFineArt.com"

"PAINTED PONY SERIES #1"

2009-08-02T15:19:00.000-06:00

"PAINTED PONY SERIES"

PONY #1

5"X7" ACRYLIC ON BOARD

$40 + s&h

I started a "Painted Pony" series and this is the first. I plan to do a series of about six paintings. I just love the simplicity of this painting but there is a lot of loose color; so even though it is simple, I think the painting is very interesting to look at. Thank you for looking today.

This painting is SOLD

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website "CharDavisFineArt.com"

"PYGMY NUTHATCH"

2009-07-27T19:38:00.004-06:00

"PYGMY NUTHATCH"

Oil on Stretched Canvas

4"x4"

$65.00 unframed, plus S&H

If you would like more information about this painting, please contact me.

CharArtist@msn.com

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website CharDavisFineArt.com

"CURIOUS BLUE JAY" by Char Davis

2009-07-23T21:36:00.003-06:00

"CURIOUS BLUE JAY"

OIL on board 6"x6"

$65.00 unframed, plus S&H

I am having so much fun painting birds! I took a workshop from an artist named Mike Beeman from Wyoming and he truly did teach me so much about painting wild birds. Learned how to make those nice soft and fluffy feathers using a really worn out brush that looks like a Phyllis Diller wig!! I am really addicted to painting birds right now so you can plan on seeing many more posts.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me or directly pay for your purchase using the paypal button below. Thanks so much for looking today.

Contact the Artist

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website CharDavisFineArt.com

visit Daily Painters of Colorado

"BILL"

2009-06-21T22:53:00.008-06:00

"BILL"

acrylic on canvas board

10"x13"

$95.00 + s&H

Contact the artist

This painting is SOLD

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website CharDavisFineArt.com

"TRIO OF RED"

2009-06-19T20:32:00.006-06:00

I LOVE red geraniums...."who doesn't" I painted a really large painting of a row of about 9 clay pots of red geraniums for my kitchen. Everytime I walk into the kitchen and see that painting it makes me happy! This painting is a small section of that same painting and is also very cheerful! Very loose and colorful. Thanks for looking today.

"TRIO OF RED"

Oil on canvas

10"x13"

$150.00 unframed

Contact the Artist

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"BANTAM ROOSTER"

2009-06-16T23:15:00.004-06:00

"BANTAM ROOSTER"

Impressionistic Rooster - Acrylic

5"x7"

$30.00 unframed, free shipping

Contact the Artist

Now this is a rooster with an attitude! Bantam roosters are little tiny guys with great big attitudes; and are very fun to watch and paint. My neighbor has several Bantam roosters, one I named Napoleon because he's such a bossy little guy with the "little guy" complex!!

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website: CharDavisFineArt.com

"BUFF HEN"

2009-06-15T23:26:00.003-06:00

a friend of the LITTLE ROOSTER I posted earlier!

"BUFF HEN"

Acrylic 5"x7"

$30.00, free shipping!

Char Davis

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website CharDavisFineArt.com

"LITTLE ROOSTER"

2009-06-12T19:44:00.006-06:00

A fun little acrylic study today. These are little "studies" I do in preparation for a larger painting. Small studies are fun....I get to try out different colors, shapes, values, backgrounds, and paint with almost shear abandonment! What a cute little guy this one turned out to be.

"LITTLE ROOSTER"

acrylic, 5"x7"

$30.00 , free shipping

send me an e-mail

Char Davis

Char Davis is a Daily Painter from Elizabeth, Colorado

visit my website CharDavisFineArt.com

"COLORADO CREEK"

2009-06-11T22:25:00.013-06:00

A small creek in Colorado and our beautiful golden aspen.

"COLORADO CREEK"

8"X10"

Oil on stretched canvas

$125.00 plus $6.00 S&H

send me an e-mail

Char Davis

visit my websiteCharDavisFineArt.com

"A DAY AT THE BEACH"

2009-06-10T22:02:00.009-06:00

Abstract painting of the waves and water in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The crashing waves are amazing there.

"A Day at the Beach"

9”x12”

Acrylic on Canvas Board

$75.00 plus $6.00 S&H

contact me:

Char Davis

"IF I LIVED IN THE COUNTRY"

2009-06-03T23:18:00.002-06:00

This painting is hanging at a show by the "Palette Pals Art Guild" at the Littleton Town Hall. I totally re-did this painting; first it was strictly a watercolor, but there were so many things I didn't like about it. Soooo, I got out my acrylics and went to work. I loved the original composition, the road, the picket fence and the placement of the house..but hated the brushwork and some of the colors in watercolor. When I was finally done with the re-do, I loved the painting and almost couldn't put it in the show! The feeling of the painting turned out to be much more like I envisioned it would be the first time I painted it. Sometimes I guess you have to paint what you don't want in order to figure out what it is that you DO want.

Oh, and I have no idea what those two white "dots" are....I didn't take the photo with the flash on, but they came from somewhere, I don't know.

Thanks for looking today.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER

2009-05-09T21:47:00.005-06:00

Title:
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 16"x24"
Available at: $375.00 unframed
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

This painting SOLD to a collector in Littleton, Colorado

This painting is from our trip to Yellowstone trip last summer. Thanks for looking today!

SASSY GIRL 3

2009-05-05T21:57:00.003-06:00

Another "Sassy" She is a pure white Maltese and look at all the color in this painting!! White just can't be pure white....so it is so fun to play around with the different colors to portray a white...in this case white fur. I like the Sassy series and hope you do too. Thanks for looking today. Double click on the photo of the painting to see it larger and really see the brushwork!

SASSY GIRL 2

2009-05-02T21:47:00.001-06:00

Another thumbnail of Sassy...hey..I had so much fun painting her several different ways and all from the same photo. I drew several poses from the same photo of her....she is a quite happy little dog and I love how these small paintings really capture her little spirit. Thanks for looking today. I'll be posting another thumbnail of her; and then maybe I will be sort of past the Sassy phase!!

SASSY GIRL

2009-05-01T18:36:00.003-06:00

Title: Sassy Girl
Medium: Acrylic on panel
Size: 5x6"
Price: please contact the artist
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

So much fun to paint our "Sassy Girl" she is the sweetest dog and just turned 15 yrs. Totally deaf and some other little problems. My children have always wanted me to paint her portrait and so when I took this super fun class with an acrylic instructor; one of the paintings I did was Sassy about four different ways. I will post the others also so that you can see how different they all are. Thanks for looking today!

ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING

2009-04-15T20:45:00.004-06:00

Title: Architectural Rendering
Medium: watercolor
Size: 10”x13”
Available at: SOLD
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

I heard a rumor that a famous Denver Bronco player used to live in this home.....

Thanks for looking today...if you are interested in a home portrait, please send me an e-mail. A home portrait can be such a great memory piece to have...your first home, the home where you were raised as a child, a vacation home; the list could go on and on! I paint home portraits from photos, so if you have pictures of a home you would like to have done; please let me know. Have a great day!

ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING

2009-04-13T09:36:00.006-06:00

Working on the "spring" look here....you know that in my photo all of the trees and grass and all, are brown and bare...things are starting to green up slowly but surely. This home looks so much better with things alive! Oh...and I'm sorry that this picture is so small. I have a new computer and I cannot figure out how to make the uploaded picture bigger on my blog. I'm working on it tho!! If you just click on the picture, you will see almost a full size version. Thanks for looking today!

Title: Architectural Rendering
Medium: watercolor
Size: 10”x13”
Available at: Sold

2009-04-10T17:58:00.001-06:00

--Today I am posting this story from Clint Watson....I really like this because it really hit home with me. If you enjoy interesting info. regarding fine art and the art business; this is a really great site to visit.

Your dealer calls with good news: He just sold the only seascape you ever painted. He wants you to paint nothing but seascapes now....but you really don't like painting seascapes....should you do it?

You've been painting part-time for a couple of years, you've only sold a couple of pieces, you're not sure your ready to go full time, yet your friends all think you're great and want you to quit your day job and go full-time. Should you do?You're excited about becoming an artist and your gut tells you to go to art school, but your parents think you should get a "real" job. What do you do?

Should you listen to your own inner voice? Or should you listen to the voice of "reason" of your peers?

Let me tell you a story:

Go back about 2,000 years to a tiny province on the outskirts of the vast Roman empire. A mob brought a troublemaking Jew before the Roman governor of Judaea. They accused the man of disturbing the peace...of stirring up dissention...of threatening Roman rule in the region.
Upon questioning the man, the governor, Pontius Pilate, decided that the accusers were simply wrong...there was nothing that Jesus had said that threatened the empire.
Pilate felt good about his decision. He had the Pharisees' number. As a matter of fact, if they disliked Jesus, Pilate was inclined to think he might just be a pretty good guy.
"I find no fault in him at all," Pilate announced.That didn't fly with the Jewish authorities. They wanted to get rid of Jesus...they had their own reasons...they wanted his blood (but not on their hands).
"Crucify him! Crucify him," they screamed.
"But he has done nothing wrong," Pilate insisted.
"Crucify him!"
Back and forth it went, until Pilate finally capitulated...he found it easier to give in to the crowd and protect his own job rather than to do the right thing. He ignored his inner voice.
Pilate gave in to peer pressure.
This Good Friday, I share this story not to trivialize it's importance, but to point out how disastrous the consequences can be when we don't listen to our "gut."
Getting advice from your peers is fine...but be sure that you always make sure that your inner voice agrees with the final decision. Otherwise you....and a lot of other people may regret the decision.
-------------------------------------------
This article appears courtesy of FineArtViews.com by Clint Watson, a free email newsletter about art, marketing, inspiration and fine living for artists, collectors and galleries (and anyone else who loves art) .

For a complimentary subscription, visit:http://www.fineartviews.com

ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING

2009-04-09T19:18:00.007-06:00

Title: Home Portrait
Medium: Watercolor
Size: 10”x13”
Available at: Sold

Thanks for looking today!!! Oh, and I should tell you that my turkey painting received an honorable mention at the Paint Box Guild Annual Juried Art Show! The juror was a local artist by the name of Jackie McFarland , I can't wait to see her comments on my art. And also, I entered another painting in the oil division and took 3rd place for the show.....yea!! I'll post a picture of the oil painting later.

Still Life WIP

2009-04-08T07:33:00.001-06:00

Working on my second still life...so just decided to post that today. Quite a challenge....Thanks for looking today.
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

SPRING ROMANCE

2009-04-03T21:10:00.007-06:00

This was a fun painting to do. My references were photos I took of a friends turkeys last spring. Everytime a hen would stroll by the tom turkeys would puff up, strutt and gobble, gobble, gobble!! They were so fun to watch! The painting is a watercolor and was delivered to an art show...I'm anxious to see what the juror has to say in her critique about the painting. I framed the piece; but not under glass like a watercolor is usually framed. I varnished the painting and framed it more like you would an oil done on a canvas. I think it is really a neat look. Double click on the painting to see a large image. I have a new computer and can't figure out how to upload a larger photo to my site. Thanks for looking today.

Title:
Medium: Watercolor
Size: 10”x13”

This painting has recently SOLD to a collector in Littleton, Colorado

ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT

2009-03-21T20:30:00.005-06:00

Title: Rocky Mountain Goat
Medium: Oil
Size: 7"x13"
Available at: $125.00 unframed + $5.00 s/h in U.S.
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

Painting this was so much fun....really enjoyed mixing all the colors in the white fir and it all just seemed to go together. I think it was so enjoyable because the white china in the last painting; the still life, was such a struggle at times. I love the way his face looks so friendly and his eyes look so sweet. I took the pictures of the Rocky Mountain Goat when we visited sort of an outdoor wildlife park in South Dakota last year. The place was called Bear Country USA, and was a great place to take pictures of animals. I'm probably going to paint this guy again, only a different pose. Thanks for looking today.

FINISHED MY STILL LIFE

2009-03-13T19:32:00.003-06:00

Title: Still Life with Cheese Keeper

Medium: Oil on linen board
Size: 10”x13”

Finished my still life finally....learned lots from this one and it was so much fun to paint. My Mom bought this "cheese keeper" when I was a baby and we lived in Canada. I have always thought it was a really interesting piece of china. Thanks for looking today.

SPRING IN COLORADO-SOLD

2009-03-06T17:05:00.007-07:00

Title: Spring in Colorado
Medium: Canvas Board
Size 9”12”
Available at: $125.00 unframed + $5.00 s/h in U.S.
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

This painting is SOLD

Spring in Colorado, I can hardly wait. The next best thing was to paint a spring time painting today. Spring in Colorado is very colorful; probably not compared to other states in the south and east, but just to see the aspens finally getting their spring green leaves and the wildflowers covering the mountain hills is quite beautiful. All I could think about while working on this today was aspens and columbines, our state flower. This is done very painterly with the purple representing the columbine flowers. Thanks for looking today.

STILL LIFE WORK IN PROGRESS

2009-03-02T20:12:00.007-07:00

This is the beginning of my first still life. I won't say "ever" because I have painted flowers in a vase, and once I painted tomatos in a basket. But this is the first still life set-up in a shadow box ever, and also my first very realistic painting. I first painted the green apple, and then just a start on the cheese keeper (borrowed from my Mom, isn't it unusual?) I had a difficult time with the whites of the dish; you would think they would be easy, but nooooooooo, there are a million different colors of white! Anyway, I think it looks kind of antique-ish the way it is now and can't wait to paint the orange flowers.This is the drawing of the still life. At first I thought my drawing was too small; but now I think it will be ok.

This is a photo of my still life set-up. Took me forever to create and photograph this! It was fun though and quite a learning experience!!

Hope you have enjoyed the process, will post more as I get it painted. Thanks for looking.

HEADIN' HOME

2009-02-28T20:06:00.000-07:00

Title: Headin' Home
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 8”10”
Available at: $75.00 unframed + $5.00 s/h in U.S.
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

Look at these two guys..just heading back to the barn. Kind of an impressionistic horse painting. Hope you enjoy and thanks for looking.

"FALL IN MEEKER, CO"

2009-02-26T19:56:00.001-07:00

Title: "FALL IN MEEKER, CO"
Medium: Oil on linen on birch panel
Size: 10”x13”
Available at: $125.00 unframed + $5.00 s/h in U.S.
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

Trying to capture the aspens; loose and some pretty bright colors. What caught my eye was the group of really yellow aspens and then back behind and to side all those aspens were more the oranges and reds. Colorado has so many different colors of aspens; I never get tired of looking at them or painting them. Thanks for looking today!

ABSTRACT LANDSCAPE "SPRING"

2009-02-24T11:27:00.004-07:00

Title: SPRING

Medium: Oil on gessoed masonite
Size: 5"X5"
Available at: $30.00 unframed + $5.00 s/h in U.S.
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

A very quick and small abstract landscape for today. Painting quickly and with a big brush produces a painting that is fresh and certainly not overworked. I have been working a lot in the fallish colors and today I just had to do something "springy" This same photo could be winter, spring, summer and fall and I may try it in all the seasons but still very spontaneously; but today I just got into the "pink" I'm ready for spring here in Colorado. Thanks for looking today!

ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING

2009-02-22T11:16:00.003-07:00

Title: Architectural Rendering
Medium: Watercolor
Size: 10”x13”
Available at: SOLD

Posting a front view of a building in Denver. This is a commissioned rendering for advertising in the real estate biz. I really like to render just the entrance of a big building. I sort of think for real estate purposes; it make the building seem more personal to a potential buyer.

2009-02-20T21:05:00.004-07:00

Title:
Medium: Oil on stretched canvas
Size: 10”x13”
Available at: $95.00 unframed + $5.00 s/h in U.S.
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

This is a workshop painting; I think the area looks like New Mexico or Arizona somewhere. Everybody was choosing other artists paintings that were clipped out of magazines. I don't even know who the original artist was but thought the colors were beautiful and decided to give it a try. It's changed but doesn't look near as beautiful as the original. Thanks for looking today.

COUNTRY ROAD

2009-02-05T20:48:00.000-07:00

Title: Country Road
Medium: Oil on stretched canvas
Size: 8"x1O"
Available at: $75.00 unframed + $5.00 s/h in U.S.
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

ARKANSAS RIVER 2-SOLD

2009-02-05T20:30:00.006-07:00

Title:
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 8.5"x6.75"
Available at: $75.00 unframed + $5.00 s/h in U.S.
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

Same area in Colorado and even from the same photo only not cropped in so much. Thanks for looking today.

THE AKANSAS RIVER

2009-01-29T20:48:00.004-07:00

Title: The Arkansas River
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 8"x10"
Available at: $75.00 unframed + $5.00 s/h in U.S.
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

This is a the Arkansas River near Salida, Colorado. I love this whole area around Salida, Chalk Creek, and Buena Vista, Colorado. We used to take our camper up in the spring and leave it in a campground in Chalk Creek for the entire summer and early fall. I have never, in all my life living (mostly) in Colorado, seen such beautiful aspens anywhere as I have in this area. The trees are first of all huge; not groves of small whispy aspens, these are giant trees and they have the whitest bark I have ever seen. The trunks are huge in diameter, the white bark is so white, and the trees in the fall are bright aspen yellow to bright orange and every shade in between. The area is just amazing. We did a lot of four wheeling in this area "going where no man has gone before" I used to tell Dan because I felt like we were so far up and back into the mountain that if something happened; nobody would ever find us. What beautiful and amazing photos I have taken on those four wheel trips. I pulled out this photo and decided to paint it again and again until it looks like I want it to feel. Sometimes it doesn't matter how beautifully a painting is executed; it's the feeling that tell me "yes" that's exactly what I wanted to say. This was a beautiful area on the river and I can't wait to go back. Thanks for looking today.

SPRING PASTURE

2009-01-27T17:05:00.005-07:00

Title: SPRING PASTURE
Medium: Oil on stretched canvas
Size: 8”x10”
Available at: $75.00 unframed + $5.00 s/h in U.S. How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

This painting is SOLD to a collector in Littleton, Colorado

In the summer we have the cows and their new calves in the pasture behind us. They are fun to watch and a little scary too. For one, they are huge animals and you never quite know what they are thinking. And also, they always have the big, giant bull with them and he is very intimidating....the babies are so cute tho and I love seeing them, taking pictures of them, and of course, painting them. This painting is from a photo I took last summer. I still need a little more work in the sky and also I think on the hill area. Thanks for looking at my daily painting.

2009-01-26T17:57:00.005-07:00

Painting away today, the high temperature for today here was 14 degrees; and now it is around 6 degrees outside! What a great day to stay inside all day and paint. Early this morning I worked on a small oil from some "summer" photos of the cattle that hang out at our back fence. My hubby says it's a keeper; I'll post it tomorrow. The rest of the afternoon I worked on a commissioned rendering. So, tonight, I was reading some e-mails and came across this (see below) on The Pastel Journal site; it is an excerpt from Richard McKinley's blog and it just really hit home with me. With all the bad news out in the big bad world, it's feels good to read something like this and say YES! I do what I do because I love to paint and nothing is going to get me down. I know that I would paint "no matter what".

NEW YEAR, NEW THOUGHTS by Richard McKinley THE PASTEL JOURNAL
"As the worries of the global economic problems unfold, it's good to remind ourselves of why we paint. As a dear art friend once stated, “If I never sell another painting, win another award, or get accepted into another exhibit, I will paint.” When we internally embrace that statement is when the real work of painting begins, reminding us that something much deeper motivates us to make marks for others to see. It becomes more than decoration, there is a purpose to it that fills our life. None of us wish for rejection. We want to sell; we want to experience the gratification of someone opening their wallet and parting with hard-earned currency. We revel in the exhilaration of being acknowledged when excellence is obtained, and we feel validated when our peers accept us into their circle. But, if these never happened again, we would still paint. Historically, in times of crisis, art has been of great benefit. Whether as a form of escapism to help in dealing with everyday stresses or the realization of what an important aspect it plays in our common humanity, art serves a purpose. Even if it's a few hours a week spend enjoying the pleasures of raking a pastel stick across a surface, reading the new issue of The Pastel Journal, or visiting an art museum, we all feel better having art in our lives.With this in mind, I offer this New Year's wish: May you continue on your journey to your artistic goals, enjoying the process as much as the end result."

ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING

2009-01-22T20:38:00.008-07:00

Well, I said in a previous blog "what can I say about architectural renderings" and after having a small break thru the holidays; I'm back at it! I love to paint architectural "anything" . When the trees and bushes and flowers have all been long gone, and the grass is as brown as a paper sack; I love to make all things "alive" and beautiful in the painting. It's a big "WOW" when you see the before and after. Above is the before...and then the after......I enjoyed painting this home; making it soooo much more attractive that it looks right now in the dead of winter here in Colorado. All of my architectural rendering work is by commission so if you are interested in a rendering, please contact me.

CharArtist@msn.com

back again

2009-01-15T17:20:00.002-07:00

So where have I been for months and months.....still painting all summer; many, many architectural renderings which I guess I have decided are sort of boring to blog about. I mean what can I say about all the architectural work I do?? I'm still working but because of the economy it has seemed to slow down somewhat and I am a little relieved. Maybe now I can paint more for myself.
For several months; my computer was an absolute mess and I was not able to download my paintings onto this site. Now that we have all of that fixed; I can start blogging again and all will be well I hope. Keeping my fingers crossed.
I'll start posting some of the paintings I did over the summer.

VACATION TIME

2008-05-15T12:09:00.000-06:00

It's time for a little vacation...yea! My hubby and I are going to Asheville, North Carolina to visit some good friends of ours and stay at their bed and breakfast called 'CROOKED OAK MOUNTAIN INN" Really looking forward to seeing Patti and Bear and their beautiful mountain inn. After three nights with our friends; we will drive a couple of hours to Banner Elk, North Carolina, to stay in a time-share for a week and explore that part of the Smokey Mountains. Since neither of us have ever been to North Carolina, and we are excited about seeing a different part of our United States. We plan to visit several small towns to include Boone, Blowing Rock, an attraction called Grandfather Mountain, and many of the spectacular waterfalls in North Carolina. Who knows what else we will do; we are both good explorers! Returning May 10th, so I'll be writing about my trip when I return. Oh.....if you haven't seen the above hamster photo....isn't it the cutest thing ever!!

LONESOME LIGHTHOUSE

2008-05-11T19:10:00.001-06:00

Title: Lonesome Lighthouse
Medium: Oil on stretched canvas
Size: 11”x 14”
Available at: $175.00 unframed + $5.00 s/h in U.S. How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

detail

My husband's father was an amazing man who loved boating on the ocean. I will always have such wonderful memories of how he could "drive" a huge yacht better than most people drive their cars! What a sailor he was. We were fortunate to have many opportunities to spend some of the most unforgettable times aboard his "ship" boating from Baltimore to the tip of Florida, and all the way up the Gulf side of Florida to the panhandle Once even took a trip over to the Bahamas, which was a great time that I will always remember. So, I know that I took this photo on one of those excursions; and I think that the lighthouse was in southern Florida, but can't be sure. If anybody knows where this lighthouse is; I would sure like to know! It could have been somewhere in the Bahamas, but I kind of think Florida. When I see lighthouses almost out in the middle of "nowhere" it always makes me think that they look so lonely and all by themselves. And hence the title of the painting. My goal with this painting was to capture that thick, calm, almost slightly misty feeling in the air early in the morning, and the beautiful pale turquoise water.

GARDEN PATH

2008-05-09T18:29:00.000-06:00

Title: Garden Path
Medium: Oil on gessoed boardSize: 5"x7"
Available at: $75.00 unframed + $5.00 s/h in U.S. How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

Very impressionistic floral that I painted today from a photo I took at the Denver Botanic Gardens last summer. The red flowers in the foreground were actually zinnias that were huge and such a bright red! I'm still working at staying loose with my brushwork so the flowers are simply suggested and the viewer can imagine any type of flower.....I love that. Thank you for looking today.

SUNSET

2008-05-07T12:02:00.001-06:00

Title: Sunset
Medium: Oil on gessoed masonite
Size: 5"x5"
Available at: $65.00 unframed + $5.00 s/h in U.S.
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

I don't know why, but often after painting on renderings all day; I have this urge to paint a sunset or a sunrise.....maybe it's just the simplicity. Someone once said that when you loose simplicity, you loose drama. It's true. I'll have to figure out who said that and let you know. Thank you for looking today.

SUMMER MOON

2008-05-04T11:52:00.000-06:00

Title: Summer Moon
Medium: Watercolor on gessoed masonite
Size: 5"x5"
Available at: $65.00 unframed + $5.00 s/h in U.S.
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

I have been experimenting with watercolor on gessoed hard board. The colors in this little painting don't really show as well as they do in the original. It's a funky little piece of fun art! Thanks for looking.

2008-05-03T11:33:00.000-06:00

Title: Architectural Rendering
Medium: Watercolor
Size: 10”x13”
Available at: Commissioned Home Portrait
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

Sometime it amazes me at the number of architectural renderings I am doing. Even though I have had this "job" for many, many years; I still enjoy the work and working with my clients. I am, however, seriously starting to realize that I spend a huge amount of my painting time working on renderings. One of my goals for this year is to find my "artistic voice" and mainly focus on my own style of personal painting, try to get into a couple of galleries, and start entering a few art shows. My artsy fartsy (lol!) friends tell me that I need to give up the rendering and just focus on my personal painting. It is a hard thing to let go of something like this business that I have worked so hard for....but things change and maybe it's time. When I started doing rendering full-time; we were really needing the income to put our second daughter through college. Well, now she is graduating with a degree in biology from University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and will attend a medical program at Rose Medical Center in Denver, this next year. So, one more year to go, although this next year will not be too expensive for us. Are my rendering days coming to an end???? Thanks for looking today.

ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING

2008-05-02T11:29:00.001-06:00

Title: Architectural Rendering
Medium: Watercolor on Arches 140# paper
Size: 10”x13”
Available at: Commissioned Home Portrait
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

ARWEN

2008-05-01T19:58:00.000-06:00

A little more......I think I might have to finish this after vacation; I have lots to do to catch up on my work and getting ready to go. Thanks for looking.

ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING

2008-04-30T11:20:00.001-06:00

Title: Architectural Rendering
Medium: Watercolor on Arches 140# paper
Size: 10”x13”
Available at: Commissioned Home Portrait
How to Purchase: Contact the artist CharArtist@msn.com

2008-04-27T19:49:00.001-06:00

Still working on Arwen when I can. Been a little busy with rendering work and also getting ready to go on vacation. We are going to see friends in Asheville, North Carolina, and then to Banner Elk, North Carolina, for a week of sight seeing and relaxation. Maybe tomorrow I can work on those blue eyes! Thanks for looking today.

ARWEN THE SIMEASE

2008-04-26T11:31:00.002-06:00

Title:
Medium: Oil on gessoed board
Size: 5”x7”

I'm working on "Arwen" my friend Carol's Siamese. Haven't ever painted a cat in oil before. Arwen is sort of king of the basement at Jim and Carol's house. He's kinda shy and stays downstairs most of the time. I couldn't get any good pictures of him....cat's always seem to do what they want to do don't they? And they know when you have a camera in hand and then "poof" the shy one disappears. So Jim photographs the kitty's for me; it just works out better! I'll post more of Arwen; he has these awesome blue eye...can't wait to paint those eyes. Thanks for looking today.