Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Glory On The Beach


"Glory On The Beach"
8" x 10" oil on gessobord
$500

The Hawaii Beach Morning Glory comes in a variety of colors and is a relative of the sweet potato.  The Hawaiian name for it is "Pohuehue".  For the reference photo I deliberately took off my slippers and put them by the flowers.  That dark spot in the lower left side of the painting is a hole for little sand crabs to scurry into.  I think the reference photo was taken at Sandy Beach on Oahu, which is very popular with surfers.   

For purchase information, please contact reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Monday, February 27, 2012

Rodeo Wagon (Reworked) and Headstrap Magnifier


"Rodeo Wagon"
8" x 10" oil on gessobord
(Reworked)
$500

I decided to put more detail in the flowers in the little rodeo wagon.   I always paint with my glasses on, but for some reason decided to pull out my headstrap magnifier to use while making adjustments.   To my horror, I realized there were "jagged edges" to the flower petals and other flaws due to my poor eyesight with just my reading glasses.   I am much happier with the painting now.    Below is some information on the magnifier I use .  It is excellent for miniature artists.


Yes, that is a little light that shines on your miniature painting to help you see, of course.   It comes with 3 magnifying lenses and 1 lens that is just clear glass for protection only.   You can find this item at  http://www.harborfreight.com    .  It is model number 95890    I have forgotten the price, but I have had mine about 2 or 3 years so the price has probably gone up anyway.

I am considering painting more true miniatures, which are suppose to be 25 square inches or less...mostly size 3" x 3" and 2.5" x 3.5" and maybe 4" x 4".   True miniatures are typically highly detailed and should look   perfect even with magnification.   

At the same time, I want to do more larger works as well, like 16" x 20" and larger.    Guess you can tell I love variety !

Thanks for stopping by today !   


Friday, February 24, 2012

Rodeo Wagon

"I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers." - Claude Monet


"Rodeo Wagon"
8" x 10" oil on gessobord
$500

This painting is based on a photograph I took at Descanso Gardens in the suburbs of Los Angeles a few years ago.   Claude Monet would have enjoyed Descanso Gardens ! This little wagon has lost most of it's red paint; I think I like it better that way.   

Thank you for visiting today !

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Tranquility


"Tranquility"
6" x 6" oil on canvas on panel
$325

This painting is based on a photo of mine of a lake in Michigan; however, I changed it considerably.  I added a rowboat and instead of a sunny, blue sky I made it a sunrise, as well as other changes.   I spend about as much time on this size miniature painting as I do on a 9" x 12" or a 12" x 16".    

Please feel free to contact me at reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

When Life Gives You Lemons



"When Life Gives You Lemons"
18" x 24" acrylic on gallery wrap canvas
Available

This painting of lemonade makes me want to go make another glass of it right now to drink!  It was a challenge yet rather fun to paint the reflections of the lemon behind the glass.   

For any questions or to purchase this painting, please contact me at reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

I am painting away right now to my heart's content, so please return again for new works to be posted soon.

Mahalo for taking time to view my art!

Studio:  Carol Reynolds
             P O Box 22246
             Honolulu, Hawaii 96823-2246

Monday, February 20, 2012

Sunflower Foursome

"Earth laughs in flowers." - Ralph Waldo Emerson


"Sunflower Foursome"
8" x 16" Acrylic on canvas
Available

I hope these sunflowers brighten your day.   Flowers always make me feel good - give a lift to my spirit.

For purchase information please contact me at reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Still Life Painting Demo - Qiang Huang

For a change of pace I thought maybe some of you would enjoy this still life painting demonstration by a wonderful artist, Qiang Huang.  I have a link to his blog on the left side here on my blog.  Check it out or go here to view his art.

I intend to make a video of my own before too long, but of course I will need someone knowledgeable to help me with it.    I would appreciate any suggestions !    I will be posting new paintings next week.  Please come back for a visit and stay awhile.   :-)

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Friday, February 17, 2012

Blushing Pink Peony


"Blushing Pink Peony"
8" x 8" acrylic on canvas
$325

I had lots of fun here with the colors in the peony blossom.   This turned out a little impressionistic, but that is okay with me.   Hope you enjoy.

For purchase information please contact me at reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Laniakea Beach on Oahu - Photos

Yesterday I posted a few photographs taken at Laniakea Beach, but I concentrated mostly on the turtles that are found there.   Today I thought you might enjoy more photos of the beach only.   Below are some of my reference photos of "Turtle Beach", as some people call it.



You can easily see how rocky this beach is in some areas, but it is very lovely there and worth a trip to stay awhile and take photos of the turtles.   It is not the greatest for swimming, but some people snorkel there among the turtles.


The above photos are looking towards Haliewa , which is very near Laniakea Beach.   I need to paint the above photo soon.  I know, I say that all the time !  But this one really needs to be painted.  Also, the photo below taken at Laniakea Beach is crying out to me saying "Paint me!"


I will be painting away the next couple of days, so please return to view new works.

Mahalo for visiting today!

Up Close And Personal - Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles


The above Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle was photographed by me at Laniakea Beach or "Turtle Beach" as it sometimes called on the North Shore of Oahu, just past Haleiwa town and beach when heading towards Waimea Bay.   You will know something special is going on when you see about a million cars parked alongside the road there and traffic has slowed to a crawl as people want to get a glimpse of these endangered turtles found only in Hawaiian waters.   Below is another photo of mine which I used as a reference for a painting .

The turtles eat that green algae on the rocks as well as seaweed in the ocean.   They are cold-blooded reptiles so come up on the beach to warm in the sun.   
"Ain't She Pretty"
24" x 24" Acrylic on gallery wrap canvas
Available

I posted this painting before in December of 2011 but thought you would like to see it again as I used the photograph just above it for reference to complete the "honu" , which is Hawaiian for turtle.   I took liberties and used artistic license with the color in this painting.

Below are some photographs of mine of Laniakea Beach .


This is actually the same spot, just the bottom photo was taken a little farther away.   The beach itself is not the best for swimming, but many snorkel here and swim alongside the honu.   It is a narrow beach and at times gets very crowded with people.   There are guardian volunteers there that watch out for the turtles and are very willing to answer any and all questions you may have.  The photo below shows how they rope off an area to keep people about 6 feet away from the beached turtles.

These older photographs of mine are making me want to make another trip to Laniakea Beach very soon!  I have been very busy painting and have not been on a photo shoot in some time.   If you are planning a trip to Oahu, please visit this lovely beach and bring your camera !

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Texas Resident (Longhorn)


"Texas Resident" 
6" x 8" oil on linen on panel
$325

New on the easel! This painting was completed about an hour ago.  That is one hefty longhorn!  I could not resist the addition of bluebonnets.  There will be more longhorn paintings in the future.   Hope you enjoy.

For purchase information, please contact me at reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Saturday, February 11, 2012

From Rodeo Wagon to Albuquerque Cafe (photos)


I visited Descanso Gardens in a suburb of Los Angeles, California, a few times when I lived in the area.  I did not have a decent camera at the time so this photo is not the greatest, but it is very usable for reference for a painting I am working on right now.    I rather like this little Rodeo wagon !    

Below is a reference photo I took in Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico.   If anyone recognizes this scene and the name of the cafe please let me know.  Things may have changed a bit since I took this photo about 10 years ago.    


I believe it was yours truly who did not hold the camera correctly so we have sort of a lean to the window.   It was winter when I took this photo, as you have probably guessed from the poinsettas in the window.   I may change them to geraniums.   I have barely begun work on this painting.   

I am also working on other new works; just moving a little slow where my painting is concerned.   

Mahalo for visiting today !

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Bicycle Path (Manhattan Beach CA)


"Bicycle Path at Manhattan Beach, CA"
9" x 12"  Acrylic on canvas
$625

This was the last of three paintings I completed from the series of the "Beach Cities" south of Los Angeles.  I intend to paint more in this series in the future.  

Please visit again soon as I post new paintings frequently.


Studio:  Carol Reynolds
             P O Box 22246
             Honolulu, Hawaii 96823-2246

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Surprise Encounter (Horses at South Padre Island)


Surprise Encounter
8" x 16" Oil on panel 
Available

I finished this painting about an hour ago.   What a grand time I had with it!   I took the reference photo a few years ago at South Padre Island, Texas.    At the time it was a surprise to encounter the horses on the dunes;  their owner was nearby.   What a blessing for this artist to be able to take several photos of these handsome horses, and the dog who carefully watched them and stayed close by.    

A few days ago I posted a work in progress of this scene; to view , please go here

Mahalo for visiting my blog today!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

View At Manhattan Beach, CA

"Art is like a border of flowers along the course of civilization." - Lincoln Steffens


"View At Manhattan Beach"
9" x 12" Acrylic on canvas
$625

Manhattan Beach, California, is part of the "beach cities" south of Los Angeles that I use to frequently visit when I lived in the area.    There is a famous walkway along these beaches known as "The Strand", with beautiful homes on one side, and the gardens planted by the owners on the other side of the walkway facing the beach.    Just beautiful !
To see another painting of the area go here

Glad you stopped by to visit today!


reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Studio:  Carol Reynolds
             P O Box 22246
             Honolulu, Hawaii 96823-2246

Friday, February 3, 2012

Landscape Artist Scott Christensen - Video

I admire artist Scott Christensen's work and wanted to share this video which not only shows some of his excellent landscape paintings, but also views of the scenery in Teton Valley, Idaho.     Enjoy !



I am busy painting but it just takes time to complete a work when you tend to be a perfectionist !  Please visit again soon to view more of my finished paintings.

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

"Hold 'Em ! (Alligators)



This is me and my daughter holding a baby alligator , taken on a trip about 3 years ago in Louisiana.  Never thought I would do such a thing; it's mouth was taped but it could still have made a powerful swing with its tail! We also took a boat tour of Honey Island Swamp where we saw many wild alligators.   The boat "captain" would throw them marshmellows to eat in the water so they came quite close to the boat, which was rather scary.  Below is a handsome fellow, if you are an alligator fan.


I was on the boat when I zoomed in on this big guy.   Below is a photo also taken from the boat of a Yellow-Crowned Night Heron.  I hope to paint this one someday.


There are no Yellow-Crowned Night Herons in Hawaii.....just Black-Crowned Night Herons are found in the islands.   This was my first time to ever lay eyes on a Yellow-Crowned Night Heron so I was thrilled, to say the least.    

Life has interfered with my painting again yesterday and today, but watch out because I will be painting furiously the next few days.   Stay Tuned !