032417 Commission Project, PART ONE

This is PART ONE of a three part blog about a recent commission project.  PART ONE discusses the evolution and inspiration of the project.  PART TWO covers how the first oil painting was created and PART THREE shows the creation of the second painting.  My clients were then shown both paintings and given a choice of their favorite between the two paintings.  I'll let you know which one they selected in PART THREE so stay tuned.

While visiting the studio/gallery, Andy and Beth looked through the paintings I had in my inventory and picked out various ones they liked.  But they needed a specific size for their bedroom and nothing I had on hand fit what they wanted.  I told them I could paint a painting as a commission project and take into consideration and incorporate exactly what they wanted.

"Poppies and Hollyhocks by the Creek", Code #032416 24x36, oil on panel, 24" x 36", c. 2016 by Charlene Marsh 

Beth really loves purples.  All kinds of purple!  Especially blue-purple.  But she also loves red-violets and blues.  She wanted a flower painting with these colors highlighted.  Pinks and magentas were fine, too.

Beth not only loved the flowers in this painting(above) but the waterfall in it so we wanted to incorporate a waterfall in the final painting for their home.

"Zinnias, Marigolds, & Mums by the Goldfish Pool", Code #091116 12x16, plein air oil on panel, 12" x 16", c. 2016 by Charlene Marsh 

She loved the dark water in the goldfish pool(above) as well as the color of the flowers and the habenero hot pepper plant on the right side although purples had to predominate.

"Lilies by the Goldfish Pool with Glass Bird Bath", Code #070214 12x16, plein air oil on panel, 12" x 16", c. 2014 by Charlene Marsh 

Beth liked the very pale yellow flowers in the lower left of the painting (above) as well as a few poppies.

"Morning Glories", Code #081215 12x12, plein air oil on panel, 12" x 12", c. 2015 by Charlene Marsh  SOLD

After they left the studio, I looked through printouts of past, sold paintings and pulled a few other images that I thought met their criteria and would be good inspiration.  The blue and blue-purple morning glories (above) would be perfect for the painting.  
 

"Purple Ironweed", Code #082316 9x12 no2, plein air oil on panel, 12" x 16", c. 2016 by Charlene Marsh  SOLD

All this purple ironweed(above) definitely fit the bill! 

"Magic Lilies and Hollyhocks", Code #112415 12x12, oil on panel, 12" x 12", c. 2015 by Charlene Marsh  SOLD

I love the Magic Lilies and Hollyhocks in this painting(above) especially vibrating against the green foliage.

So I arranged a couple original paintings to the left of my easel and made a bulletin board of six printouts of past paintings to use for inspiration and reference while working on the commission piece.  You can see the set up in my studio in the photo above.  My palette is on the right side with extra palette knives, paint, and paper towels on the left.

So, with a firm foundation of what my clients want and what direction I want to take the painting, I am ready to get started.  

Please visit PART TWO to see how the first painting in this project was created.  PART THREE with the second painting is now up and you can see which painting Andy and Beth selected.

Thanks for following along!

Happy Trails!

Cheers,

Charlene 

103116 12x16 Halloween in the Garden

I painted this in the garden, late in the afternoon.  Temps started in the mid to high 60s and got chilly as the sun went down.  I finished this painting in the dark!  The big, gold marigolds were so inspiring.  Zinnias reaching for the sun further back and smaller, orange and scarlet marigolds in the front.  The red, glass sculpture I made from recycled vases was so tall I had to prop it next to a post.  
"Halloween in the Garden, October 31, 2016", plein air oil on panel, 12" x 16", c. Charlene Marsh.

Thanks for stopping in.

Happy Trails!

Charlene 

P.S.  I am getting ready for an Art Launch in the next couple of weeks, exclusively for my subscribers, so be sure to sign up for THE ART BRUSH newsletter where you can receive news, tips, special pricing, exhibitions, and more!  As a bonus, when you subscribe, you will immediately receive a FREE one page report on How to Create Health, Wealth, and Harmony Using Fine Art!

102916 12x16 Zinnias, Marigolds, and Mums By the Goldfish Pool

Here we are the end of October and the zinnias, marigolds, and mums are still blooming like crazy!  High 79 degrees and windy.  Still no frost or freeze. 

I set up with the sun behind my panel so it didn't caste light on the painting while I worked. 
 
With the election just a week away, a neighbor stopped by to talk politics when he spotted me painting in the front yard.  I love talking politics with people who don't take it personal.  I love a spirited discussion!

You can see how the light changed from a warmer green to a cooler dusk light below.  This painting is just bursting with color and joy of the flowers.
 

"Zinnias, Marigold, and Mums by the Goldfish Pool", plein air oil painting on panel, 12" x 16", c. Charlene Marsh.

Thanks for visiting.

Happy Trails!

Charlene 

P.S.  Be sure to sign up for THE ART BRUSH newsletter to get information about my next Art Launch with special pricing and paintings just for my subscribers.  You will also receive news, tips, info about exhibitions, and more!  As a bonus, when you subscribe, you will immediately receive a FREE one page report on How to Create Health, Wealth, and Harmony Using Fine Art!

091116 12x16 no2 Zinnias and Marigolds by the Goldfish Pool

This is a plein air oil painting done by the goldfish pool in my front yard.  I made the glass sculpture from recycled glass and it features blue glass with a crystal topper birdbath.  I planted zinnias and marigold seeds early in the summer just so I could paint the flowers by the pool. 

There is also a potted habenaro pepper plant loaded with orange peppers on the right side of the painting.  I have wintered over that habenaro plant for several years now.  Nothing like a year round supply of hot peppers!  I learned my lesson the year I got bit by a copperhead and was laid up for two months.  My garden fell apart and I didn't get any hot peppers to dry and grind.  When I tried to buy organic hot peppers in the winter I discovered they were totally wimpy!!  No fire!

"Zinnias and Marigolds by the Goldfish Pool, September 11, 2016", plein air oil on panel, 12" x 16", c. Charlene Marsh

Thanks for following along!

Happy Trails!

Charlene 

P.S.  Be sure to sign up for THE ART BRUSH newsletter where you can receive news, tips, special pricing, exhibitions, and more!  As a bonus, when you subscribe, you will immediately receive a FREE one page report on How to Create Health, Wealth, and Harmony Using Fine Art!