CAROL SCHIFF DAILY PAINTING STUDIO

Daily Wildlife Painting, Oil, Birds, "The Gangs All Here" 4x12

2012-05-29T08:28:00.000-04:00

I think pelicans must be very social critters.

I cannot help but wonder what these are thinking.........safety in numbers? Fishing strategies? Chase away the herons? Gossip???

I kind of like this idea....big fish, little pelicans.

I spent the weekend at the beach in Sanibel and had the opportunity to observe plenty of pelicans. Did you know, the brown pelican is the only one that hunts while flying and then dive bombs into the water to catch it's prey.

That's it for Pelican Week at Carol Schiff Studio.

Daily Painting, Original Oil, "Pelican Portrait" 8x6"

2012-05-24T23:30:00.000-04:00

Here it is FRIDAY and PELICAN WEEK is quickly drawing to a close.

SOLD

Today, I am posting several of my favorite pelicans from the past. This guy was hanging out at a fishing pier, waiting for a chance to get lucky with a fisherman's catch.

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This group looked like they were out on patrol.......maybe looking for unlucky mullet or possibly chasing the herons away.

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I found this one, early one morning, hanging out at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club. So, of course, I called this painting "Just hanging out".

And now, one more..............

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Hey!!! WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING HERE?????!!!!???

Isn't that just like a couple of gulls to barge in where they don't belong!

I am taking the weekend off, to celebrate the holiday, so I will see you Tuesday for the final post of PELICAN WEEK.........NO GULLS ALLOWED!

Daily Painting, Original Oil, Birds, "The Loner"

2012-05-22T23:30:00.000-04:00

A wonderful bird is the pelican.........

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100

His bill will hold more than his belly can.

He can take in his beak
Enough food for a week.........

But I'm damned if I see how the hell he can!
Unknown

That is a little poem from my childhood days. I lived in Ohio, my grandparents in Florida. My grandmother had a postcard of a pelican that included that poem. Florida seemed like a magical place to me then, and the poem stayed with me through the years.

Join me tomorrow for more of Pelican Week!

Daily Painting, Oil Original, "Pelican Buddies", 6x8"

2012-05-20T23:30:00.000-04:00

King and Queen of the Pelican we;

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95

No other birds so grand we see!
None but we have feet like fins
With lovely leathery throats and chins!

Edward Lear

It's PELICAN WEEK at Carol Schiff Studio. All my posts this week will feature
pelicans!

Happy Monday!

Daily Painting, Seascape, "Pacific Blue" 4x12"

2012-05-17T09:14:00.000-04:00

Most of my seascapes are from the Atlantic, or the Caribbean, but today I am visiting the Pacific.

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120

My reference photo was taken a few years ago on a trip to California with my daughter and granddaughter. We were in San Francisco most of the trip, but one afternoon we drove south to Half Moon Bay.

For us east coasters, the Pacific was an untamed beast, quite different from our usually gentle Atlantic. Just that fact that we were peering down from a cliff and that the brave souls who ventured to the beach were all ON THE SHORE was foreign. Not that we do not have sunbathers on the shore, but there are ALWAYS bathers or surfers in the water, even on the coldest of days.

I decided to use a palette knife on this scene to help capture the power and texture.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Daily Painting, Oil, Floral, 6x8", "Spring Pansies in the Park"

2012-05-14T19:28:00.000-04:00

Don't you just love pansies? They have to be one of my all time favorite flowers.

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95

I found these cheerful beauties in a park in Asheville last month.

They brightened my day and I hope they do the same for you.

Daily Painting, Birds, "Pelican Patrol" 6x18"

2012-05-06T23:30:00.000-04:00

You may notice that these are not your everyday type of pelicans. Most pelicans are brown and gray and kind of dull, unless they are a breeding male, their heads turn yellow during breeding season.

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195

These beautiful birds, are larger, and a little on the rare side. I found these in Sebastian, Florida where a large colony lives.

I think they are much more attractive with their brightly colored orange beaks and feet. They seem to get along just fine with the brown guys.

My dear mother closed her eyes for the last time on April 27th. This is the last post that I had scheduled ahead. I find I need a little more time, so I will not be posting for another week or two. I know you will understand.

Daily Painting, Floral, "Red Hibiscus" 6x8"

2012-05-03T23:34:00.000-04:00

Hibiscus is one of my favorite flowers. They are very tropical, hula girls always have them behind their ears, and they come in a variety of colors and sizes.

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100

This is a common type that I found planted behind the Eau Gallie Library. I went there early one morning on a photo shoot, looking for stray pelicans and egrets that usually hand around the fishing pier behind the library. No birds in sight.....also no fishermen. I was just about to drive away when I noticed the flowers, turned to the morning light.

So, it was not a wasted trip after all. It is always a wonderful feeling to be out in nature in the morning stillness.

I am trying to get my art to Times Square...you can help. Just click here and click on the "collect" button at the top of the page!

Happy Weekend!

Daily Painting, Floral, "Blooming Dogwood" 6x8

2012-05-01T23:30:00.000-04:00

One of the things I love about the South is in the spring, when the dogwood blooms. In North Carolina, the trees are impossible to ignore as the mountains are covered with them.

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95

My reference photo is of a tree in our North Carolina backyard. The blooms seem even more alive against the blue sky and surrounded with gray leafless trees.

I wish I could bring this tree home to Florida for my friend LaVerne. She is originally from Knoxville and misses her beloved dogwood.

Daily Painting, "Southern Magnolia", 6x8, oil

2012-04-29T23:30:00.000-04:00

Fragrant o'er all the western groves
The tall magnolia towers unshaded

Maria Brooks
1795 - 1845

NFS

Magnolia trees have always been a favorite of mine. They are also a symbol of hospitality in the south, where you seem them on every corner.

They have thick glossy leaves and beautiful large creamy white blooms that perfume the air.

Thanks for stopping bye. Enjoy your day!

Mountain, Landscape, Oil Painting, "The Blue Ridge" 18x24"

2012-04-26T23:30:00.000-04:00

The past few years, I have been painting my little daily paintings, but lately, I have felt the need to go larger, and deeper.

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795

This is a view of Water Rock Knob, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, one of my favorite places in this world.

I painted the background and much of the foreground with a palette knife.

I tried to stay loose with my brushwork too.

Life is good in the mountains!

Daily Painting, Oil, "Toy Sailboat" 6x8"

2012-04-24T23:30:00.000-04:00

Dedicated to Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris where boys, big and small, still sail toy boats with large sticks.

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80

If you have been to Paris, you must have visited Jardin du Luxembourg and wondered around the pool surrounded by toy boat vendors and small children. On a sunny day, the pool is surrounded by hundreds of Parisians, basking in the sun, eating and drinking wine, just enjoying the beautiful weather and the glorious gardens.

After a visit, stroll across the avenue and have a leisurely lunch at one of the sidewalk cafes. Linger at the table for hours, eating, drinking and enjoying your time in Paris.

Landscape Daily Painting "Mountain Wildflowers", 6x8"

2012-04-22T23:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday to you!

It's always nice to wake up to something cheerful, especially on a Monday, so I hope this little daily painting fills the bill for you.

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80

Not my usual painting of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this one is from those grown up mountains in the northwest. You know those real mountains, those rugged mountains, those manly mountains!

It seems to me that everything is more rugged in the west whether we are talking mountains, oceans, bears, seagulls, trees etc. Everything seems tougher and bigger and maybe a little scarier!

We are a little more beaten down, or should I say, gentler on the east coast. One thing that does not change, is the beauty of our country, no matter where you are!

Make this a great week!

Daily Painting, "Atlantic Seascape", 8x10"

2012-04-19T23:30:00.000-04:00

Who does not love the sea? The beach is a place of healing and joy. The salt cleanses us and the sun embraces us in its warmth. The ocean heals the heart, mind, and soul.

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130

I have two loves, the sea and the mountains. They both have their own beauty and are ever changing. They both bring peace to my life.

I hope you find your own little slice of heaven this weekend.

Daily Painting, Floral, "Gardenia"

2012-04-17T23:30:00.000-04:00

It's that time of the year again! In North Carolina, the state is covered with blooming dogwood trees every place you look.

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90

While in Florida, the scent of gardenia is in the air!

Flowers bring so much into our lives. Even the most dreary of days are easily brightened by viewing a garden full of blooming flowers.

Hope you have a great day today. Give someone a flower and brighten their day!

Daily Painting, Oil, Original, Floral, "Sunny Pansy"

2012-04-15T08:43:00.003-04:00

I must thank the City of Ashville, North Carolina, for filling their park with these cheerful and sunny pansies this spring.

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100

How could I resist this glorious yellow flower?

The weather in Ashville last week, was gorgeous in the mid 70's, and everything was in bloom. Dogwood ruled as it is seen everywhere you look, but these adorable, bright pansies cannot be beat for vibrant color.

Daily Mixed Media, 5x7" Untitled

2012-04-12T23:30:00.000-04:00

I love daily painting, but occasionally I get the urge to try something a little different.

My friend, Donna Vines and I try to get together and experiment once a week. Sometimes we are successful and sometimes, not so much. Today we tried foil embossed over foam core and then painted with acrylic paints and inks.

NFS

I really enjoyed this one and cannot wait to try this technique again.

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping bye!

Daily Seascape Painting, 6x12" The Sea

2012-04-10T23:30:00.000-04:00

If you follow my daily painting blog, you know I visit the ocean on a regular basis

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I am always amazed at the changes of color I find in the waves.

I never know which kind of sea I will find when I go to the beach. Smooth and gentle, crazy and wild, dull or sparkling. Hmmmmm, much the same as my painting experiences. Smooth and everything drops into place like magic, frustrating or total failure when I feel like it is the very first time I picked up a brush, fresh and clean or the dreaded OVERWORKED!

Happy Painting!

Daily Painting, Abstract, The Sea, 6x8"

2012-04-08T23:30:00.000-04:00

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90

Time for another little abstract painting. The more I paint, the more I want to experiment with abstracts and mixed media.

I try to keep a limited palette and have a rough composition in mind. From there, anything goes and I am always surprised by the outcome.

Many abstracts will work in a landscape or portrait format. I think this is one that does. Do you have a preference?

Here is a fun thought I found of Facebook last week. Finish this sentence, "You know you're an artist when....".

I will start off with this...You know you're an artist when you hide all the "pretty fruit" from you family until you have finished your still life.

You know you're an artist when you constantly find yourself covered with paint on the strangest body parts.

Daily Painting, Food, "Produce of Mexico", 6x8"

2012-04-05T23:30:00.000-04:00

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100

Direct from your grocery to you.

Do you say " toMAYto" or do you say "toMAHto"?

Have a wonderful day...it's almost Bunny Day!!!

Daily Painting, Blue and Yellow Wildflowers, SOLD 6x8"

2012-04-03T23:30:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I like to paint plein air, but, usually I am a studio painter, working from reference photos.

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When I do an abstract, I may have a rough idea of a composition in my mind and I just try to apply it to the canvas. Now and then I decide to try that technique on a more representational work.

Give it a try sometime. See what comes out of your brain!

Daily Painting, Vegetables, "Red and Green", 6x8"

2012-04-01T23:30:00.000-04:00

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100

I get bored easily, so I hop around from one subject to another, one style to another, one media to another.

I have to admit, I got excited about the vivid color in the piece. You can never go wrong with red and green, especially when you top it off with some yummy creams and luscious lavenders. I have a friend who likes to say "there is room for purple in every painting", and I have to say she may be right. Most of my works have at least a dab or two of purple.

Daily Painting "Beach Patrol II", oil, 6x8, Sea Gull

2012-03-29T23:30:00.000-04:00

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I seem to be doing a lot of sea gull paintings lately. I didn't plan it that way, it just happened. This guy was on the beach close to my home, and didn't seem to care how many people were around.

Don't you think he looks rather determined?

I hope you get to the beach ,or whatever you like to do for relaxation, this weekend.

Daily Abstract Mixed Media Painting, " No. 205" , 12x12

2012-03-27T23:30:00.000-04:00

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119

When I post a painting, I feel I need to say something about it. Today, my mind is blank.

I know I had fun with it. I think it is interesting and has action.

And, I like the soft feeling it evokes. That's all I have today.

Thanks for viewing my work.

Original Oil Beach Painting, 16x12", "Wind in her Hair"

2012-03-25T23:30:00.000-04:00

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195

The gentle caress,
Of the waves,
On the shore,
And you close,
Beside me,
Could I ask for more?
Linda Harnett

This couple looked so cozy and intimate, intertwined on the beach, in
their own little world. I really was not trying to intrude on their moment and was simply taking a few photos on the beach.

Imagine my surprise when, viewing my images on my computer screen I noticed a small blob in the lower left corner, I cropped and enlarged, and did it again and this is what I discovered.