Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Medical Freedom Rally

POSTED ON MARCH 28, 2022 BY CHARLENE MARSH

Medical Freedom Rally

So this painting from the Medical Freedom Rally is a divergence from my usual forest and nature paintings. Since I juried into the art fairs with the forest paintings, I am busy getting new ones ready for my upcoming show schedule and will share those shortly.

But today’s blog features this painting of a scene from the medical freedom rally held at the State House in Indianapolis in September.

The rally was organized by Dr. Dan Stock and the Cyril and Dorothea’s Foundation for Medical Freedom and held on the steps of the State House with numerous speakers including politicians and health professionals.

You can see another painting from the Medical Freedom Rally, “Defy Tyrants”, in an earlier blog post from this year. I have a couple more paintings in the works. Lots more ideas from other events as well. Too many paintings to paint and too little time!

oil painting, Indianapolis, Indiana — “Medical Freedom Rally, State House, Indianapolis”, 6″ x 8″, oil painting, ©Charlene Marsh.

Normally, I paint on location or from life and then use those paintings as the inspiration for the studio paintings.

Using Photos

But for events like rallies, concerts, rummage sales, state and county fairs, weddings, and other action packed events, I prefer to shoot hundreds of photos. Then, I can go through the photos and pull out the best ones for a painting. Or, combine different photos to come up with a refined composition that still captures and reflects the energy and spirit of the event.

This little painting is loaded with action. I ended up using both palette knives and brushes to paint it. With the brushes, I can get more details. Probably got a bit too tight and too detailed on this painting.

Palette knives help to keep the painting loose. I especially like the heavy, impasto effect of the paint applied with knives. But details are hard to capture especially on a painting this small. So, it is a balancing act.

Painting events with lots of people is a nice change of pace from the forest paintings. I just need to get looser with them. When I paint in the forest, I take off my glasses which helps to fuzz out a lot of detail so I focus on the major elements. That keeps me from getting too caught up in the details. If I can’t see them, I can’t paint them!

Signature in the wet paint:

Painting people is not new for me at all. In fact, I spent ten years painting models at the Life Drawing Co-op on the IU campus as well as hosting my own drawing co-ops out here on my farm.

Finished Painting:

Thanks for following along!

Happy trails,

Charlene

P.S. You can purchase this painting HERE.

Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Monday, March 21, 2022

Frames + Snow in Yellowwood + the Weekly Special

Before I dive into the latest painting, I wanted to mention the ongoing frame supply issues concerning both the inventory and the prices. Please scroll down or click here for the Weekly Special (use coupon code RedbudsInYellowwood for 20%special savings and free shipping).

Frame Dilemma

So, I wanted to paint some 6" x 8" paintings for my upcoming shows. In the past, these have been my "bread and butter" pieces. I love painting them and people love buying them. My inventory of these 6" x 8"s is down to just two, unframed, forest paintings. I like this size because while it is relatively small, it is big enough to really capture a scene and packs a punch. I love working in this size.

Red Frames - OH NO!

A few years ago, my frame supplier changed the frame finish for these 6" x 8" frames and instead of "mahogany", the finish came out "red." The mahogany frames had outsold everything else 2 to 1. So with the new, red finish, my sales plummeted. A frame is so important to final presentation of a painting! I kept looking for a suitable replacement frame but nothing else compared.

I guess enough people complained, including myself, they finally retooled the frame finish and made it "mahogany" again. But it took a couple of years. Not having my "bread and butter" best sellers was brutal.

Mahogany Frame:

6" x 8" mahogany, plein air frame.

Shut Down

Then the shows shut down, many for two years. Many have not come back. Nevertheless, I love doing the art shows, interreacting with people and connecting over artwork. Gradually, I have started to piece together an exhibition schedule.

And started creating some new 6" x 8"s so I would have new, fresh work for the shows.

6" x 8" Frames

Recently, I double checked to make sure the 6" x 8" frames were available. Yep, they are in stock at the moment. Other sizes are sold out until mid-June.

But now, these gorgeous little, mahogany frames, if they are in stock at all, have shot up in price. WAY up in price. They are 2-3 times as much as I used to pay and the price shot up 15% overnight this week. YIKES!

5" x 7" Frames

Soooo....do I keep making more 6" x 8"s or downshift to 5" x 7" paintings? I have the 5" x 7" frames in stock although I have some other paintings in them now. Small paintings on a 5" x 7" panel that serves as a liner. Like this:

0329 S 5x3 no2 Redbuds Along Owl Creek

Redbuds Along Owl Creek, oil painting, in a 7" x 5" frame with a 1" white liner, 0329 S 5x3 no2, ©Charlene Marsh.

Maybe I am making it too complicated. Maybe I should just go with what I have. Hard to know what the future holds and if anyone will even be buying paintings at the shows this year. Everything seems so unstable and unpredictable. How I long for the days I simply put together a show schedule and then just focused on creating beautiful paintings to sell at the shows.

New 6" x 8" oil painting

Anyway, onto a new painting, a 6" x 8". I have already painted several but do not have any frames for them at this time. So, not quite sure yet if these will go to a show or not.

Detail:

Snow in Yellowwood, brown county, indiana, yellowwood state forest

Snow in Yellowwood, 021822 S 6x8 no2

This little painting is inspired by one of the plein air snows I painted this past winter.

Signature detail:

Signature detail, Snow in Yellowwood, 021822 S 6x8 no2

Detail:

Snow in Yellowwood, 021822 S 6x8 no2

Another detail:

brown county, indiana, yellowwood state forest

Snow in Yellowwood, 021822 S 6x8 no2

Finished painting:

Snow in Yellowwood, 021822 S 6x8 no2, oil painting, 6" x 8", ©Charlene Marsh.

Weekly Special

Gallery Wrapped Canvas Print, Redbuds in Yellowwood State Forest Along Sciscoe Creek.

The Weekly Special is a brand new, canvas print just released today made from a plein air oil painting of redbuds in bloom in Yellowwood State Forest next to a little waterfall along Sciscoe Creek.

I specially prepare each image file for each size so that the canvas print comes out the highest quality possible. The canvas print is available in two sizes: 24" h. x 18" w. and 36" h. x 18" w. The image wraps around the edges of the stretcher bars so it doesn't need a frame. The canvas print comes with hanging hardware so it is ready to hang in minutes.

Use coupon code RedbudsInYellowwood for 20% special savings and free shipping. The coupon code expires at midnight on Monday, March 28, 2022.

Gallery Wrapped Canvas Print, Weekly Special, "Redbuds in Yellowwoods State Forest".

Thanks for following along!

Happy trails,

Charlene

P.S. You are always welcome to visit my gallery in Brown County, Nashville, Indiana. Come for a day trip or make it a multi day vacation. Visit BrownCounty.org

Monday, March 14, 2022

The Head of the Sciscoe Creek Valley, February 10, 2022

POSTED ON MARCH 14, 2022 BY CHARLENE MARSH

The Head of the Sciscoe Creek Valley, February 10, 2022

Scroll down for this week’s new Weekly Special!

Record cold and first daffodil

Outside the snow is falling and the temperatures have plunged into the bitter territory again. In fact, the weatherman is predicting record lows, for this time of year, down in the teens (F°) the next couple of nights, as I am writing this on March 12, 2022. I saw my first blooming daffodil yesterday, March 11.

Spring is Coming!

In a day or two, the temperatures will soar to lofty, balmy heights, kissing 70° F. Spring is just around the corner!

spring daffodils — Spring Daffodils. March 11, 2022.

Back to Winter!

But, for now, it is winter again as I share what is likely the last plein air snow scene of the season.

From My Ridge

So, this painting was done overlooking the Sciscoe Creek Valley and Yellowwood State Forest from the back of my property. The head of the creek is just a few hundred feet further to the north which would be on the right side of the painting, out of view. The creek starts at the intersection of Lanam Ridge Road, where I live, and Dubois Ridge Road which is just few hundred feet from my driveway.

Sciscoe Creek Valley

So, here, at the head of Sciscoe Creek, the waters are small and tumble quickly in fast waterfalls after a heavy rain or snow melt. The rushing water fills the air with a low din in the background throughout the forest. Most of the time, the creek is easy to traverse and cross by foot, stepping over it, rock by rock for stepping stones, or tiptoeing through it or taking a big jump over it.

Scary crossing

But when we get a heavy rain, it can be raging. And a bit scary to cross. Twenty feet wide and two feet deep. The rage doesn’t last long, often just a few hours after the rain stops. But on rare occasions, I have struggled to find a safe place to cross. On those days, I make sure to wear my knee high Arctic Muck boots that are sure to keep my feet warm and dry.

Windy on the Ridge Top

This day, February 10, the snow was starting to melt but slowly enough that the creek is not so raging. I stay up on the ridge top which is much windier than down by the creek. And even though the temperatures climb to a relatively “warm” 40° F, it is cold. The wind makes it feel much colder. I am glad I dressed in layers and have a scarf wrapped around my neck.

As always, when hiking and painting, I am wearing one of my rash guard shirts that dry quickly and keep me toasty warm.

The vista atop the ridge is magnificent.

From this vantage point, I can see four layers of rolling ridges off in the distance with the creek traversing the valley. The valley opens up wider and wider as the creek moves further down the valley. But up here, the hills are tighter and closer together in the narrow valley.

Darkest Darks

The darkest values are mixed using Ultramarine Blue and Cadmium Red Medium and blocked in first. I adjust the darks with some Cadmium Red Light and Cadmium Yellow. The darkest values are the creek and the banks. I hold off painting in the trees so I can carve out the rolls and folds of the hills first.

Snowy Shadows

Using Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Red Medium, and Magenta, I mix an array of violets and periwinkles for the snowy shadows. For the sun kissed highlights on the hills, I use Titanium White with a touch of Cadmium Yellow Light, Cadmium Red Light, and Magenta. I mix the violets with the darks to make a neutral, middle value that recedes for the background hills and trees.

Sky and Trees

Next, I paint in the sky using Cerulean Blue and Titanium White. The trees are painted after the hills and sky. They really enhance the sense of depth in the painting. I work back and forth between the foreground and background and add the pale, peach, beech leaves that cling all winter long.

The signature is added in the wet paint while still in the field.

The Head of the Sciscoe Creek Valley, February 10, 2022

The finished painting:

Field Notes

“40° F, sunny, 2-4 p.m.. On my property at the end of the ridge overlooking the Sciscoe Creek Valley. COLD! Windy on the ridge. Dressed in layers w/ a scarf. Clinging beech leaves.”

The finished painting in an antique black with gold lip, closed corner, museum frame:

And in a silver, closed corner, museum frame:

Let me know in the comments which frame you like the best!

Weekly Special

This week’s special is a gorgeous canvas print featuring daffodils to herald in spring! The print on canvas is available in two sizes, 18″ x 24″ and 24″ x 36″. The image wraps around the edges so it can be hung without a frame. Use coupon code SpringDaffodils to receive a 20% special savings off the price of the print and free shipping! The special ends Monday, March 21, at midnight.

Print on Canvas, Daffodils by the Goldfish Pool, oil painting — Print on Canvas, Daffodils by the Goldfish Pool.

Purchase here:

This blog’s plein air oil painting, “Sciscoe Creek Valley, February 10, 2022”, is also included in the special. Use the same coupon code, SpringDaffodils, to receive a 20% special savings and free shipping. Expires on Monday, March 21, 2022 at midnight.

Let me know in the Order Notes if you prefer the silver or antique black with gold lip frame. If there is no preference noted, I will make an artistic decision about the best frame for the painting.

Thanks so much for coming along with me out into the forest, in the Sciscoe Creek Valley, again this week!

Charlene

Philippians 4:8

CHARLENE MARSH

Friday, March 4, 2022

Snow Starting to Melt in Yellowwood, February 8, 2022

Before we get to the new blog, Snow Starting to Melt in Yellowwood, February 8, 2022, I have a Weekly Special to share.

This week I have a special, featured product, a unisex organic sweatshirt, that is only going to be available this week, from now until midnight, March 14, 2022. Then it disappears. Use coupon code OrganicDaffodils to get a 20% special savings and free shipping for this luxurious, organic sweatshirt. Woo hoo! Time to welcome in spring with this soft, cozy, and warm organic sweatshirt! Great for those in between chilly days where winter has not yet let up it's grip. Several colors to choose from.

https://www.charlenemarshstudio.com/product/unisex-organic-sweatshirt-spring-daffodils-and-hyacinth/

Now, onto a new painting and a new blog.

Snow Starting to Melt in Yellowwood, February 8, 2022

So, here is another winter, plein air snow painting. I managed to get five done this year and this is the fourth one. I got out five days out of six to paint before the snow melted.

Detail, Snow Starting to Melt in Yellowwood, February 8, 2022, plein air oil painting.

The temperatures warmed up to a "balmy" 45° F. I say "balmy" because that is relative. Compared to the prior few days, it was definitely warmer. But, for standing outside painting for a few hours, it is still bone chilling.

Snow Starting to Melt in Yellowwood, February 8, 2022, plein air oil painting.[/caption]

Especially while standing in the creek to paint. So, I dress in multiple layers and wear my Extreme Sport Artic Muck boots that do a great job of keeping my feet and legs warm. And one of my rash guard shirts that dry really fast when I sweat hiking out to get to my painting location. The rash guard shirt keeps me warm, too. That's all I wear when hiking and painting. I must admit, I am not totally comfortable outside for long periods until the temps hit 60° F. That is when it is really, truly "balmy".

Signature detail, Snow Starting to Melt in Yellowwood, February 8, 2022, plein air oil painting.

My two dogs, Jack, the foxhound, and Tommy, a pitty, went with me. Tommy is a velcro dog who sticks with me and never wanders off. And if he does get a couple hundred feet from me, I can call him and he comes running right back. Jack is another matter. He is very independent and can run very long distances for hours and hours and hours. I once picked him up over eleven miles from home. When we go out in the woods, I have an e-collar on him with a one mile range. And I can still lose him.

Detail, Snow Starting to Melt in Yellowwood, February 8, 2022, plein air oil painting.[/caption]

In October, I installed an e-fence in addition to my woven wire barrier fence when he started digging under the fence and escaping. Seems 5 1/2 fenced acres and a long walk in the woods every day are not enough for this foxhound!

So, this day, I tied him on a 30' lead while I painted so I wouldn't have to worry about him running off and I could concentrate on the painting.

Snow Starting to Melt in Yellowwood, February 8, 2022, plein air oil painting.

Well, the little rascal, Tommy, chewed through Jack's leash to release his buddy. So I re-tied him. Next thing I know, Tommy has chewed through his leash again! Grrrrr!!! Anyway, I managed to finish the painting and keep the dog from running off. So, we all made it back home safely.

Detail, Snow Starting to Melt in Yellowwood, February 8, 2022, plein air oil painting.[/caption]

I always wait a few hours to pull the painting out of the carry box. Gives me some distance between being out on location and seeing and evaluating the finished painting.

Snow Starting to Melt in Yellowwood, February 8, 2022, plein air oil painting.

Then I write my field notes on the back of the painting.

Field Notes

"3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Warms up to 45° F, I still dress in layers because it gets cold standing outside for 2 1/2 hours. Stood in the creek to paint. Sunny, snow day. Snow starting to melt. Yellowwood State Forest, Brown County, Indiana. Tied jack so he wouldn't run off and Tommy chewed through his leash not once but twice!!! Little rascal."

Finished painting:

Thanks for going with me out into Yellowwood again today!

Charlene

P.S. You may purchase this painting and see it in two different frame finishes as well as in situ. I'll even extend the Weekly Special using the coupon code OrganicDaffodils to get a 20% special savings and free shipping for this painting. But it ends March 14, 2022.

https://www.charlenemarshstudio.com/product/snow-starting-to-melt-in-yellowwood-february-8-2022/