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 !   

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com 

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 !

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

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

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

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

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

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!

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

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 !

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

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

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 !

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.

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Studio:  Carol Reynolds

             P O Box 22246

             Honolulu, Hawaii 96823-2246

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!

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

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

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

"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 !

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Jubilant (Children On The Beach)

"Jubilant"

8" x 10" Oil on gessobord

$500

I photographed these children at a beach here on Oahu.  The little girl was positively jubilant, half dancing and half leaping and the expression on her face was precious.   I made the figures too small to see their expressions, but I wanted to show them against the vastness of the ocean.  Maybe another time I will paint a close up of the girl.   The seagulls I painted from reference photos of black-headed gulls (laughing gulls) that I photographed on Padre Island, Texas.    There are no seagulls in Hawaii, but I felt the painting needed them.

Seagulls are mostly scavengers and found along major continental coasts and inland waters where they find their food; they cannot feed in the open ocean like terns and some other seabirds.  Gulls sometimes visit Hawaii, perhaps during migration periods, but they soon leave for lack of proper habitat.   Just another note, there are no squirrels here either.   

Thank you for stopping by to visit !

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Work In Progress - Horses at South Padre Island

Work in Progress - Horses at South Padre Island

8" x 16" oil on canvas on panel

There will be more horses on the dunes in this painting when it is finished.  I am rather happy with this beginning.   South Padre Island, Texas, holds many memories for me.  Below are a couple of reference photos for this painting that I took a few years ago.  I had believed and posted earlier that these photos were taken at North Padre Island, but a friend who was on the trip with me assured me recently that it was South Padre Island.

I am working on other paintings as well right now.   Please visit again soon !

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

A Good Day At Kailua Beach

"A Good Day At Kailua Beach"

16" x 20" Acrylic on canvas

Available

Kailua Beach has been called one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.   It is very inspiring to me as an artist and I must return there soon.   I have many reference photographs I have taken of the area already, but there are still endless possibilities for new paintings to be found at Kailua Beach, located on Oahu.  So much inspiration, so little time !     :-)

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Studio:   Carol Reynolds

              P O Box 22246

              Honolulu, Hawaii  96823-2246

Kailua on Dwellable

Garden Along The Strand

"Garden Along The Strand"

9" x 12" Acrylic on canvas

$625

The Strand is a famous walkway along the "Beach Cities" south of Los Angeles.   Beautiful homes are along one side of the Strand and the owners plant gardens on the other side of the walkway and it makes for wonderful scenes to paint.   I spent some time in Los Angeles and visited the beach cities often.   This scene is part of Manhattan Beach, California.    

Thank you for visiting today!

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Peonies and More Peonies !

"Peony Delight"

6" x 12" Oil on canvas

$500

This was a delight to paint!   Peonies are so regal and in my book are the "queen" of flowers.   They have been cultivated in China for more than 2000 years and are the floral symbol of that country.  Romans first brought peonies to England about the year 1200.   

Below is a considerably better photograph of the painting "Glorious Abundance" which I first posted on Sunday, January 22, 2012.  

"Glorious Abundance"

16" x 20" Oil on canvas

It is difficult for all the true colors in the white peonies to show up in the photograph, but this image above is pretty close.   

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

Studio:   Carol Reynolds

              P O Box 22246

              Honolulu, Hawaii 96823-2246

Tropical Patterns With Limes and Plums

"Tropical Patterns With Limes and Plums"

12" x 16" Oil on gallery wrap canvas

$1500

This was so enjoyable to paint.   I need to buy more material in a variety of printed designs so I can use it for  backgrounds for future paintings.  Hope you enjoy !  

For purchase information contact me at reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting today! 

We Four (Red and White Tulips)

"We Four"

6" x 12" oil on canvas

$500

This painting is rather a bold statement, but that is the effect I wanted.  I hope to paint more tulips soon, maybe some soft pink ones.   Everyone must realize that tulips do not grow in Hawaii's tropical climate, but I buy them from the florist to paint and just enjoy their beauty for a few days in my home.   I planted several varieties of tulips in my garden when I lived in New England, as well as crocus and daffodils.  What a pretty sight every Spring !

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Studio:   Carol Reynolds

              P O Box 22246

              Honolulu, Hawaii 96823-2246

Glorious Abundance - Peonies

"Glorious Abundance"

16" x 20" Oil on canvas

Peonies are a favorite flower of mine, but of course they do not grow in a tropical climate like Hawaii so I have to buy cut flowers from the florist to enjoy and paint.   When I lived in New England I had several peonies in my flower garden.  

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Golden Glow (Yellow and White Plumeria)

"Golden Glow" 

Yellow and White Plumeria blossoms - Work in Progress

12" x 12" oil on stretched canvas

This painting is almost finished.... need to tweak it a bit with some lavender-blue shadows on the flowers.  If I did that now while the yellow paint is still wet,  the lavender-blue would turn a greenish mud color.  Check back for the completed painting!  I enjoy painting plumeria blossoms and intend to work on more of them in the near future.  

I am also working on a couple of other paintings right now that I am pretty excited about.  I feel so blessed to be able to paint, which I love to do and I derive much satisfaction from a successful painting.   

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Joyous Celebration (African Tulip Tree)

"Joyous Celebration"

20" x 24" Acrylic on gallery wrap canvas

The beautiful and intense color of the African Tulip Tree blossoms is truly a joy to behold.   They were introduced to Hawaii as ornamental landscape trees, but some have found their way into "the wild" and are a threat to native species.   Below is the reference photo for the above painting.

I decided to not put the praying mantis shown in this photo in the painting.   That particular insect is very creepy to me !

Please contact me for purchase information on "Joyous Celebration" .

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Studio :   Carol Reynolds

               P O Box 22246

               Honolulu, Hawaii 96823-2246

Breakfast At Morning Brew

"Breakfast At Morning Brew"

5" x 7 " oil on canvas on panel

$195

This was a quick and fun oil sketch completed today.   Morning Brew is a popular coffee shop in Kailua on Oahu.   I had been taking photos of Hamakua Marsh and the wildlife found there and decided to have breakfast at Morning Brew before visiting Kailua Beach to take more photographs.   

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Claude Monet, French Impressionist - Videos

Claude Monet, the founder of French Impressionism, is another favorite artist of mine.  He lived from 1840 to 1926, and probably is most famous for his paintings of waterlilies.  I thought you might enjoy the above video of his work.  Below is a film clip taken of him painting in his gardens.

I have been working on 4 different paintings at once, and will be posting new work very soon.   Stay tuned!

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Tucumcari Mountain - New Mexico

"Tucumcari Mountain"

12" x 16" oil on stretched canvas

Tucumcari Mountain is outside the city of Tucumcari, New Mexico.   I traveled through there several years ago and this is the result of some photos I shot.    If you Google Tucumcari Mountain there is an interesting legend on Wikipedia of how the mountain (really a mesa) got its name.

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com 

Extreme Makeover - Pink Plumeria

"Think Pink - Plumeria"

12" x 12" Oil on stretched canvas

Well, extreme to me.   Last September I posted this painting as an acrylic and it has bothered me every since.  I just was not happy with the painting the more I looked at it.    Finally it dawned on me it was simply not finished yet.  I went over it in oils the past couple of days and I am much happier with it.   To see the original version you may click here  .   The above photograph of the painting was taken outdoors.  Below is a photo of it shot indoors before it got daylight this morning.

You can easily see how the lighting makes a difference in the two photos.   By the way, plumeria blossoms are a favorite for the locals to make into leis. 

Please contact me for purchase information.   Also, I paint commissions of just about any subject except I do not paint portraits of people; if you have a favorite photo of a flower,your garden, or your home, etc., email me an image and we will talk.   

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com 

Studio:  Carol Reynolds

             P O Box 22246

             Honolulu, Hawaii 96823-2246

Tropical Beauty - Singapore Plumeria

"Tropical Beauty"

9" x 12" oil on gallery-wrap canvas

I worked on this some this morning; may "tweak" it a bit more later, but basically it is finished.  

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Taos Mountain

"Taos Mountain"

12" x 16" Oil on stretched canvas

Available 

Taos is very special to me and I intend to go back there again someday.  I have had this painting in my own collection for sometime now and decided to make it available for sale.   I am considering painting more scenes of New Mexico very soon.  

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Studio:  Carol Reynolds

             P O Box 22246

             Honolulu, HI  96823-2246

Forgotten

"Forgotten"

6" x 8" Oil on linen panel 

This painting was completed today, Thursday.   I added the birds at the last, and they seem to add balance to the piece.  In the painting, the bluebonnets are not quite as bright as this photograph depicts them.  Below is the reference photo I took somewhere in Texas.

I almost used the yellow flowers alone with no bluebonnets in the painting, but in the end the bluebonnets won out.   As you can tell, I made some changes in the painting and did not go exactly by the photo.

I have begun working on 3 paintings of flowers today....for a change of pace.   Please check by real soon for the new work.  

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Camille Pissarro - French Impressionist

I wanted to share this video of some of Camille Pissarro's paintings.  He was a French Impressionist that lived from 1830 to 1903.   As a teenage artist myself, I would check out books at the Library on French Impressionists and literally pour over them for hours and hours and was very much inspired by their works.  Pissarro was one of my favorites.   I know you will enjoy this video.

Life has interfered with my painting the past few days but I should post a new painting in the next day or two.