Blue Water Lily and Bee - Oil Painting Work In Progress

"One day's happiness often predicts the next day's creativity."  -  Teresa Amabile

Blue Water Lily and Bee

Photograph by Carol Reynolds

I posted this photograph of a blue water lily previously, but wanted to show it again to give you a better idea where I am going with the oil painting in progress from this reference photo.  Below is the painting as it stands now.

Work in Progress

9" x 12" oil on gallery wrap canvas

I made some changes, not going by the reference photograph exactly.   Please keep in mind this is a beginning stage and that much work needs to be done.   

Would you like to see what happiness looks like?   Look below !

This is my grandson, Dash, right after turning 9 months old the end of March; the photo was taken the beginning of  April.  What a happy fellow !  This is my only grandchild that is living in Hawaii; my others are all on the mainland USA.

Many of you have probably read this quote or heard it spoken:  "Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."  - Joseph Addison.

That certainly holds true where children and grandchildren are concerned, but it can involve many things: first and foremost of spiritual things and the hope of eternity.   "Happiness is the highest good, being a realization and perfect practice of virtue, which some can attain, while others have little or none of it."    -  Aristotle

Would you like to see a happy cat?  Below is my calico cat, Lika.

This photograph was taken 3 days ago.   Did you notice the heart shape coloration on Lika?  She has another "heart" on her left shoulder which obviously is not showing in this photo.   Guess that means she is double-hearted.    She is truly full of mischief  but she can be very lovey dovey as well.

The cactus in the photo only blooms once a year, as a rule, and it bloomed first in January this year and again in April.   That was a nice unexpected  treat. !!

  

This is a close-up shot of the salmon and white cactus blossoms. I hope to paint from this photo or from another close-up shot of it as I have never painted a Christmas cactus.  I have had this plant about 3 years.

Thank you for visiting my blog !

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

My Website

South Padre Island Splendor - Oil Seascape (at FAA)

"South Padre Island Splendor"

16" x 20" oil on canvas

I have posted this oil seascape of South Padre Island previously, but I wanted to share with you how this image has sold more as a print on Fine Art America than any of my other paintings or photographs available there.    It has sold as a framed print on watercolor paper, an unframed print, an acrylic print, and as a note card.   Fine Art America also provides metal prints as an option.  Check out this painting on FAA here       You may also visit my website there  http://carol-reynolds.artistwebsites.com 

Below is an oil seascape "Sunflowers At North Padre Island" another 16" x 20" on canvas painted around the same time as the work above.  I had never seen sunflowers at the beach before and I was granted that pleasure on my visit there...... the right place at the right time.

The above oil painting is also available as a print or a note card at Fine Art America.

I will be posting recent works in progress soon.   Stay tuned !

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

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Blind Artists (Videos)

Sleepy Flamingo

Photo by Carol Reynolds

The flamingo above simply has closed eyes as if taking a nap.   What if an artist is blind?

The human spirit is a remarkable thing, if you have the right attitude.  Never give up!   As these videos below show, truly when one door is closed another one is opened.

Very inspiring !   I will continue to paint with joy, and with gratitude.

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

My Website

"Joyful Song" - Pink Water Lilies Oil Painting

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever."   -  John Keats

"Joyful Song"

12" x 16" oil on gallery wrap canvas

$1575

This oil painting of deep rose-pink water lilies was completed today.   My joy was in experimenting with color in this work.   The flowers themselves are also cheery and joyful to behold.  

Being on gallery wrap canvas, the sides of this painting have also been painted, making it possible to hang it unframed.

To purchase this painting, please contact me at  reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

My Website

Almost There - 5th Stage - Pink Water Lilies (Work In Progress)

Stage 5 Pink Water Lilies

Work In Progress

12" x 16" oil on gallery wrap canvas

Now I am getting somewhere with this painting!  After working on it again last night, this oil of pink water lilies is finally taking shape and going in the direction I want it to.  I had intended to wait until I finished it to post about it again, but I am so excited I wanted to share it today.  It may take a couple of more days to finish.   

Some of you may not have read my previous posts where I stated that I am a self-taught artist, and have learned to paint over decades of trial and error.   Most paintings nowadays flow easier than this one did, for whatever reason.    I learned most of my painting knowledge from books, dating back to when I was a teenager.    At age 15 the one I poured over most of all was "Carlson' s Guide to Landscape Painting" by John F. Carlson.  It's really an oldie, first published I believe in 1929 and the ninth printing was in 1971.   I believe you can still find it on Amazon.   I highly recommend it for beginning artists; but all artists at all stages in their career would benefit from this book.  

Having said all that, sometimes I still just paint by instinct;   I don't always know why I do what I do or if I could repeat it again.   Does anyone else relate?    

Thank you for viewing my art !

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com 

My Website

Fourth stage - Oil Painting of Pink Water Lilies (Work In Progress)

4th Stage - Pink Water Lilies

12" x 16" Work In Progress

This stage of my oil pink water lilies painting has reverted back to colors and hues in a previous stage.   I guess it is obvious I am experimenting and feeling my way along with this painting.  Sometimes when I work I know exactly what I want the painting to say and exactly how the finish will be.   With this oil painting,  that is not the case.   However, one plus in working in layers of color and in several stages is that you can discover new colors or, should I say, the colors can be richer and have more depth.    I hope to finish this before I post it again .   

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

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Spring In The Country (Reworked) - Landscape with Barns and Wildflowers

"Earth laughs in flowers." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Spring In The Country"

8" x 10" oil on archival panel

$595

Today I worked some more color and contrast into this oil landscape painting I posted earlier this week; take a peek at the previous post here .    I added more wildflowers as well and I am now satisfied with this country scene.     I should always wait a few days after completing a painting before I post here so I may look at it later with a fresh eye and decide if any changes need to be made.

To purchase this painting contact me at reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

My Website