Aah, Summer!

Checking The Traps, 20x16 oil on canvas, ©2012, Fay Terry

This painting will be in my upcoming show in 

Southport, NC, at Franklin Square Gallery

The study for this painting was done a few days ago on an 8x10 panel, and I had such a great time working larger for this one.

 It was a sparkling clear morning in Maine when I spotted these lobstermen while we were coming back from Cape Porpoise, Maine in my cousin's boat. I was lucky to get such a great photo to work from since both our boats were in motion. 

Now I am really excited about painting ocean vessels There are so many things I love to paint, and summer scenes at the coast are high on my list. 

Thank you for viewing my paintings, following my blog, leaving comments, and all the great things you say about my work when I see you in the grocery store, etc.  Please feel free to forward this to someone you think would enjoy it and  maybe they'll want to subscribe to my blog.

Maine Memories

Monhegan Boats, 9x12" oil on panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

This was a fun scene for me to paint and I can't wait to do a larger version of this one. The sky is bluer than it looks in this photo. We had a stormy afternoon and it was raining a bit when I took this outside to photograph it.

A Friend From France

Belle Vache Francaise,(Beautiful French Cow),8x8" oil on cradled panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

It's those eyes that draw you toward this magnificent creature on a chilly September morning in Brantome, France. We have hiked up the steep incline behind our hotel before breakfast and even before coffee.  It is worth the climb as we survey the beautiful countryside from this high spot.

There are several cows behind a wire fence and this one is the first to come over and greet us. We take photos to remind us of this special morning.

Lobster Boat Study

Morning On The Water, 8 x 10" oil on archival panel ©2012, Fay Terry

There are all kinds of boats, but not any I would rather paint than a Maine lobster boat, especially one in action out on the ocean.  I am planning to do a larger version of this and I just wanted to do a quick study to see how it would go.  I am pretty happy with this one and looking forward to doing a big one. I will put the name of the boat on it next time, it's one I have been seeing a photographing for quite a few years.

A Few More Cherries

Favorite Lamp, 8 x 10"oil on cradled panel,©2012, Fay Terry

This painting will be available at my show in Southport, beginning August 27th.

The exhibiton will be at Franklin Square Gallery on Howe Street.

This is a painting from my recent trip to Greensboro.  There were so many fun things to paint and now I wish I had taken more photos.  This lamp was my favorite still life set-up inside the studio. I had forgotten how much I love to paint lamps so I think I will be painting more of them in the next few weeks. 

Between Dark And Daylight

Five Cherries, 8 x 8" oil on cradled panel, ©2012

Cherries are one of my favorite fruits to eat and to paint. They are plentiful in the produce sections of most stores right now and are delicious as well as pretty.

I painted cherries and flowers yesterday, too. I went to Greensboro to visit my friend, Helen, at her beautiful "Gloriosa Studio and Garden".  It was like being in painting paradise for a day. Helen, Laine, Vicky, and I spent the day working together and sharing lots of ideas. We ended the day tired and happy, thankful to Helen for so graciously hosting us. We had a fabulous day!

I arrived home when there was not enough light to photograph the large painting I did yesterday, but I will post it soon.

Flower Study

White Carnation, 6 x 6 " oil on panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

This was fun to paint and quite a challenge. This is my first time painting carnations and they are different from many other flowers I have painted because I don't have them growing in my garden so I am not very familiar with them. I want to do a few more to get used to them before I tackle a larger painting of them.

SOLD

One Chance

Gently Placed, 6 x 6 " oil on panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

Millstone Farm And Gardens

Farmer's Market Flowers, 8 x 8 " oil on cradled panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

This painting will be available at my show in Southport, NC in late August

These flowers were purchased at the Farmer's Market yesterday and I met the friendly "flower lady" that I have been hearing so much about. 

Sara Webster and her husband Harry are the owners of Millstone Farm & Gardens, a forty acre farm in Cameron. Sara was at the Farmer's Market on Morganton Road with gorgeous flowers and beautiful organically grown vegetables. Millstone Farms also sells at two other local markets, on Mondays at the FirstHealth Fitness Center and on Saturdays in downtown Southern Pines.
Here is a link to their website and you can bet that I will be a regular customer from now on.

Lovin' The Heat

White Zinnias With Magenta, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel

My friend Teej is picking me up in just a minute so we can get frozen mochas at Java Bean Plantation.

The heat is back and just going outdoors is a test of endurance.  I am hoping that the caffeine will get me through the rest of the afternoon. I have been sleepy all day.

These flowers really do love the heat and would not really start blooming like they should until we got some good hot weather.

Summer Treasures

Gardenia With Zinnia And Peach, 6 x 6 oil on archival panel, ©2012

Summer Mornings

Z is for Zinnias, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel

SOLD

I picked these this morning after spending quite a while weeding and dead-heading all the flowers near the front door.  It was very comfortable working outside until about nine-thirty. Luckily I was in my studio with these flowers shortly after that time.

This painting will be available at my show in Southport, N.C. which begins at the end of August.

Beautiful Village

Morning In Segur Le Chateau, 5 x 7 " oil on archival panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

This is another painting from one of my favorite spots in the Dordogne region of France. There are beautiful buildings and hilly green vistas around every corner.  We had a picnic lunch and then had plenty of time to walk and take photos.

So Many Ways To Have Fun

Wave Rider, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

This girl and her friends were having so much fun in the water with their boards, which were all yellow. I chose this girl as my painting subject because of her beautiful red hair and the turquoise color she was wearing which looked so good against the yellow.

There have been so many fantastic beach days this summer where the ocean temperature and the breezes were just perfect. This was one of those days and I spent lots of time in the waves myself.

Summer Temptation

Pie Tonight, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

Summer is the only time I make pies. You'd think it would be the other way around, making pies in the winter when it's nice to have the oven heating up the kitchen.

The reason for this is that blueberry pie is my number one choice, followed closely by peach. Right now these two fruits are plentiful and I just can't resist. Maybe I will even do a painting of my cute little pie bird soon.

Big Daddy Tomato

Baby Makes Three, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

The cherry tomato is in the painting to show how big the other two are, but somehow they look smaller than they really are so you will just have to take my word for it: they are huge!

I would like to find a cooler light for my shadow box since the fruits, vegetables, and flowers get very warm while I am painting them. If you have a light for painting that you really like, I'd love to hear about it.

Thin Skinned

Elegant Eggplants, 6 x 6 " oil on panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

These are Japanese eggplants and like other Asian eggplants, Japanese eggplants have thin skins, and a sweet,  delicate flavor. They are escorted by a single tomato which also came in from the vegetable patch today. They are awaiting a decision on which delightful eggplant dish they will be used for. Will it be Eggplant Parmesan, Ratatouille, or Babaganoush?  We will probably do grilled eggplant, quick and easy!

Table Tomatoes

Outnumbered, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

The tomato plants are hanging in there through this intense heat. They looked a little parched today but recovered after a good drink of water.  It was 102 degrees this afternoon and the green tomatoes are turning red in a hurry. Tomorrow I will be picking some eggplant from the garden.

Summer's Bounty

Tomato Line-up, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

These shiny little cherry tomatoes are so delicious and great fun to paint. I have been using a variety of reds and oranges to give them their glow. Cad red light and cad red deep along with some cad orange for starters. The shadows are fun also because they have quite a bit of red in them.

Today I got two huge tomatoes, finally the kind that will cover a piece of bread with one giant slice of tomato.  I have been putting spinach leaves in my tomato sandwiches, too. I know this is not in keeping with tradition but it sure is good.

Big And Small

Tomato Family, 6 x 6 " oil on gessobord panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

One of the highlights of my day is picking the fruits and vegetables from our garden. We only have a few raised beds, but we get plenty of tomatoes, squash, peppers, and eggplant.

I have been having fun with these stripes so I plan to do more of them. Kitchen towels make a great backdrop for these garden paintings.

Juicy Reds

Big Boy Tomatoes, 6 x 6 " oil on gessobord panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

I was painting fast when I did this because these are the only tomatoes from the garden today and I need them for tomato sandwiches at lunchtime.  That was great motivation to get my work done in half the time.

These are some of the largest tomatoes we've had in a while because I told my husband I wanted to grow BIG tomatoes this year so that one slice would cover a piece of bread.  Well, they're not quite that large, but close. Excuse me, while I go have lunch!

Missing Maine

Seagull Perch, 16 x 20 oil on canvas, ©2012, Fay Terry

available framed at Sunset River Marketplace Gallery

Calabash, NC

This painting is from one of my favorite photos that I took last summer in Kennebunkport, Maine.  I loved the light bird perched on the dark, wet rocks and the shadow behind his head. He seemed to be watching all the people on the beach, staying in one spot for quite awhile. I can just look at this and remember how crystal clear the day was with a wonderful breeze blowing off the ocean. 

I nearly always include a Maine visit in my summer plans so I think it's about time to make the pilgrimage!

Mushroom Patterns

Tic Tac Toe, 6 x 6 " oil on gessobord panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

This is another painting in my mushroom series. I have decided I really like working in series because one idea leads to another and when the subject is the same for a few days, it is not a big leap to the next painting.  I love setting up a still life in my shadow box and then thinking of another way I want to paint  the subject before I have even finished the first one.

Today was a good day to work in my studio while the temperature outside hit triple digits. Thankfully the water restrictions for lawn and garden have been lifted we could do some watering early this morning.