Springtime Ahead

Poppy Season, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

I love poppies and they are frequently planted along North Carolina highways. This is one flower that I really want to grow in my garden but the seeds must be planted in the fall so I missed the timing for Poppies in 2013.  I'll have to get them started next fall.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this painting from a photo I took several years ago in Italy.

This is painting number thirty for Leslie Saeta's painting challenge that began on January 2nd, which means:  I did it! I made it, and I loved doing it.  Thank you, Leslie, for inspiring so many artists to work so hard.

I will continue painting and posting every day even though this great January event is ending today.

Lots of new painting ideas are already on my list for February so please visit often to see my latest work.

Thank you for your interest in my art!

Red Umbrellas

Honfleur Afternoon,6 x 6 " oil on archival panel ©2013, Fay Terry

$100 includes shipping

 This is one I have been wanting to paint for quite awhile because of, you guessed it, the red umbrellas.

It is also a scene from a memorable afternoon when we took the train from Paris to the closest point near Honfleur,  then  a short bus ride to this bustling maritime town.

There was much we wanted to see and we knew the buses stopped running early on Sunday, but we planned to take a taxi back to the train station. When the time came to leave, around 4:00, we learned that the taxis were unavailable after 4 pm. Just as it was looking hopeless, two really nice German guys about to climb into the last taxi, offered to share with us.  Thank goodness we didn't miss our dinner reservation back in Paris!

Dog At The Bar

Poodle In A Bag, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

This Poodle was one of several well-behaved dogs sitting at the bar in a Paris restaurant. The more places I take my Poodle, the better she behaves, she loves all the attention she gets.  It still surprises me to see dogs in Lowe's Hardware but that's the only place around here, other than Petsmart, that allows dogs in the store. This woman had a cute bag for her dog to sit in.

Today is day twenty-eight of the thirty paintings in thirty days challenge with Leslie Saeta. I cannot believe we only have two more days. The month has gone by quickly!

Three In The Window

Three's A Crowd, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100 includes shipping

You may know this about me, I love painting colored glass.  I think there is still a lot I can learn from doing these pretty glass bottles and I will pursue this and other glass ideas every now and then.

The scene outside the window was a busy street scene and I left it out completely, but maybe I should have given a hint of it, maybe I will next time!

Hope you have had a nice week-end!

This is Day twenty seven of the thirty day painting challenge.

Kitchen Teamwork

 Kitchen Teamwork, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100 includes shipping

This is another one in my series of chefs.  The most difficult thing for me is simplifying a complex scene.  I left out some of the other chefs working in the kitchen and attempted to paint just the essentials. 

The man in black is Christian Constant, a popular French chef.  He and his wife are the  owners of four restaurants in Paris, each one small and relatively inexpensive, but still focused on quality food.

I spent all day today painting...walls that is, in my studio.  It is overdue for some changes so we are in the process of having hardwood floors put in.  Getting the painting done before the floor finishers come next week seemed like a good week-end project.

Maybe I'll post some photos when it's all done.  I am getting rid of a lot, too, so that I can paint in a more streamlined environment.

Less than a week to go in the Leslie Saeta 30 paintings in 30 days challenge! I have learned so much by doing the challenge. Click on her name to see more challenge paintings.

Dancing Chicken, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel ©2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

Chickens are always fun for me to paint and they remain popular with collectors as fun paintings to buy.  This one, and several others, were watching me closely one afternoon in Brantome, France.  I had set up my easel beside their fenced in coop not far from the scene I was painting.  I did not notice them or hear them for quite awhile as I worked. After a while, I turned around to see about six of them lined up beside the fence staring at me.

I hope ya'll are having a great week-end.  We have an icy coating after today's wintry mix of sleet and frozen rain.

Last night my husband and I went to see the exhibition at the Nasher Museum at Duke University in Durham, "Collecting Matisse and Modern Masters:  The Cone sisters of Baltimore".

It is wonderful and amazing that Dr. Claribel and Miss Etta Cone were able to amass one of the world's greatest art collections.  The family fortune was made in NC textiles by their brother, Moses Cone.

Here is one of the many paintings in the show, and one of my favorites, by Matisse.

Paris Chef

Chef At Cafe Constant, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100 includes shipping

While dining at one of Christian Constant's famous Paris eateries, I was invited into the kitchen to observe the cooking.  Chef Constant graciously allowed my camera as well. Meeting the renowned

French expert was awe-inspiring, especially since we had already dined at Les Cocottes, another of his three establishments on rue Saint-Dominique.  I will have several more of these paintings from this Parisian landmark to show you soon, including one or two of the master himself, easily recognized by his black cooking attire.

This is day 24 of the thirty day painting challenge by Leslie Saeta which I have been happily participating in this month.  It has helped me to establish a better routine and some good new habits for the daily paintings I have been doing since February of 2011.

Tub Time

The Bath, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

The bath paintings of Pierre Bonnard are among my favorites, and Bonnard ranks very high on my list of artists that I hold in high esteem. I have recently decided to begin working on a series of bath paintings and thought this was a good one to start with.
This little one loves taking a bath at my house and has fun with the waterfall faucet.

Big Bloomer

Rose Garden Favorite, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, © 2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

I admire gardens that have beautiful roses but here in the Sandhills it is not easy to grow them.  Most of us have planted "Knock-Out" roses which are productive, low maintenance, and tolerate the hot, dry, sandy soil of this area. The rose above is not one of these, but is a variety grown in the Raleigh Rose Garden where it was photographed.

On The Edge

People Watching, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

This dock near the Yacht Basin in Southport is a favorite hangout for these stately birds. They probably think it's a great place to people watch. They are very comfortable staying in one spot for a long time so they must feel very safe.  There are several restaurants on the water so maybe the smell of food attracts them, too.

 A great  new restaurant opened across from Provision Company that is named after a lightship stationed on Frying Pan Shoals in 1854 when Bald Head Island lighthouse proved inadequate for the safety of ships. 

The lightship Frying Pan was de-commissioned in 1965, sank in 1986 and was raised in 1987. The original vessel is now a bar at Pier 63 in New York City.

Beach Girls

East Beach Girls, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100, includes shipping

When I'm on the beach I like to watch the kids play. These two girls were playing together but were never in the water at the same time. They kept switching places and were having lots of fun in their solo activities, with no need for anyone else, totally absorbed with the surf.

I found the colors in this to be such a satisfying combination and loved painting the reflection of legs on the wet sand.

This is painting number twenty of the thirty paintings in thirty days challenge.  Click HERE  to see more of Leslie Saeta's painting challenge.

A Little Red

Be My Valentine!, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

Have you ever wondered how many dozen roses are sold in the U.S. for Valentine's Day each year?

Thanks to all the information at my fingertips, I can tell you that 189 million stems of roses were sold last February fourteenth.

One year for Valentine's, my husband bought me a wonderful painting of red roses growing beside a beautiful stone house.  It was painted by the woman who was my first painting mentor and I treasure the wonderful memories it holds.

This painting could become someone's special gift for a birthday, anniversary, or Valentine's Day. Just let me know and I will gift wrap it for you!

The Promise Of French Wine

Vineyard Shadows, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

These vines looked beautiful in the early morning sunlight and I could not resist photographing the beauty in front of me. I had fun painting the light and shadows in this one and also the pretty little building in the distance.  I wish I could tell you for certain the name of the village in France, I think it may have been Brantome.

Warm Light

Peter Rabbit Lamp, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

Lamps are my favorite home accessory because they can make such a difference in a room. I found this cute lamp at One Eleven Main in Aberdeen. (You know, the great store that also sells Fay Terry original art.)

The shade of this lamp has a radish painted on it, which as Beatrix Potter fans may know,  is one of the vegetables Peter ate in Mr. MacGregor's garden. I have learned first hand the damage that little rabbits can do to one's garden! At least the deer seem to be staying away from my garden.

This is my painting for Day 17 of the thirty paintings in thirty days challenge.  Click HERE to see other paintings in the challenge.

Boardwalk Bike

Yellow Bicycle, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

I was in Southport recently taking photos and spotted this pretty bike while walking near the yacht basin. It reminded me of last summer when the movie Safe Haven was being filmed here.

I know some folks who were extras in the film who could not say enough good things about Julianne Hough's friendliness and sweetness.

The movie opens February 14th, and as the female lead, she gets around town on a bike. It should be fun for those who know Southport to see some of their favorite locations in the movie.

Bald Head Island Cottage

Sea Oats, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel

This is one of my favorite houses and I have painted it before.  This time I really wanted to capture the brightness of the sun on the roof so I put a little more warmth into the roof and coolness into other areas.

Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing this, otherwise it will be going soon to a gallery at the coast.  It's that time of year already when I start on lots of beach paintings.

This is my painting for the thirty paintings in thirty days challenge by Leslie Saeta,  a wonderful artist who lives in South Pasadena, California.  Click HERE to see other paintings in the challenge.

Coffee Shop Bottles

Two Glass Bottles, 6 x 6" oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

I happened to find some more colored glass to paint at my favorite coffee shop.  We usually sit outside but the weather didn't allow it so we sat inside where I realized each of the front windows had several glass bottles on the sill.

Even though it was not a sunny day, the light coming in was pretty good so I took lots of photos with my phone and I am looking forward to taking more next time it is sunny. These were so much fun to paint! Thanks, Java Bean Plantation!

Time For A Trip

Favorite Vera Bag, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

$100 includes shipping

This is Bentley, who loves to curl up inside any bag that I am packing or unpacking.

He is the sweetest cat in the world!

Plenty Of Apples

Apple Abundance, 8 x 8 " oil on cradled panel, ©2012, Fay Terry

$125 includes shipping

wired and ready to hang

I love seeing these apples on a beautiful platter decorated with oranges around the edge.  Maybe it's because I love both fruits and have always liked the expression about not comparing apples to oranges, which indicates a false analogy has been made.

While I am on this subject, I want to mention one of my favorite paintings,  'Apples And Oranges", by Paul Cezanne.

I hope ya'll are having a great week-end.  We are enjoying very warm temperatures here.

Two From Maine

Cape Porpoise Buddies, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

Several years ago, I read a fascinating book by Trevor Corson, The Secret Life Of Lobsters, how fishermen and scientists are unraveling the mysteries of our favorite crustacean.  I have loved Maine and everything about it since I spent summers there as a child.

 When I am there, I try to eat lobster at every meal, beginning with a lobster omelet for breakfast.

It is my favorite food, and although my mother and grandmother made every known lobster recipe, from Thermidor to  Newburg, to lobster bisque and lobster salad,  I prefer steamed lobster with just a little lemon.

I have painted quite a few of these beauties and it always makes me happy seeing their beautiful color and form.

Memories Of Wine

Gift From His Wine Cellar, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

This is one that I have been wanting to paint for a very long time.  I worked from a photo I took while on a painting trip to France.  We were on a day trip to a beautiful small village where we spent the morning painting.  We met in this park for lunch, to enjoy the wonderful spread made for us by the inn where we were staying in Brantome. Wine had been brought with the lunch and it was a beautiful sunny day in September.

This charming gentleman had been walking all around looking at the morning's paintings on our easels while we worked. Not long after we sat down to lunch he drove up with several dusty old bottles of fabulous wine from his nearby home. 

He uncorked the bottles and poured our wine and was soon on his way after telling us how happy he was to have us painting in his village.

I have so many great memories from that trip!

Daisy Cup

In The Pink, 6 x 6 "  oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

Today's painting is from a photo I took at a workshop a couple of years ago. It has great shadows and this is just a part of the photo so you don't get to see all of it. I remember how pretty the mug was, very soft pink and white on the inside. I love daisies so I am already looking forward to gardening again since I have lots of Shasta daisies planted. Today the temperature was in the seventies so I could pretend it was a spring day.

Special Occasion

Un Petit Cadeau, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

This is a little gift for the new year that I do not know the contents of yet.  I have been instructed to save it for a few more days before I open it.  No sound is heard when I shake it so I have no clue.  I love the wrapping paper and the big fluffy pink bow on top. It just came at the perfect time to paint.

So far I have not run out of ideas for daily paintings and each time I think of something I want to try, I quickly add it to my list.

Years ago I read a book called "Write It Down, Make It Happen" and my husband teases me about my habit of doing that but it really does work.  

Thanks for all the nice comments  and visits to my blog!

Day Seven- Lovin' This Red

Essential Bag, 6 x 6 " oil on Archival Panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

This shiny little red bag holds everything I need for a night out on the town. It's so much easier just to carry something really small.  I seldom even carry a purse anymore because pockets work better unless I'm traveling or doing lots of shopping. 

The purses I have all say something about me  because they are mostly bright colors and not the kind of neutral colors I once purchased.

I hope ya'll are taking a little time for fun in this great new year!

Colored Glass, Day Six

Glassy Reflections, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

These are my two favorite glass objects right now and I put the lemon in so there would be a non-transparent object in the painting. I am in love with the way the dish and the glass cast subtle reflections of their color onto the tablecloth.  I just wish I had more glass objects to use. Clear glass is just not as much fun as the colors.

Today and yesterday have both been great painting days for me.  I seem to be getting into a rhythm that I was unable to access during the busy holiday preparation and celebration times. When I follow the same pattern each day I am so much more productive and happy with my paintings.

I hope you like this colorful trio!

Five Of Thirty

Chicken Coop, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

This is one happy chicken living the good life in a backyard chicken coop in an upscale urban neighborhood. This lucky fowl has  stylish,  luxurious living quarters in beautiful surroundings complete with flower gardens and fountains. Keeping chickens is not what it used to be and the home raised eggs provide superior nutrition. 

This is day five of the thirty paintings in thirty days challenge.  I am not sticking to a theme but I'm painting from a list of subjects that keep me excited about painting.  I have met many wonderful artists so far who are also participating in this event.  Thank you, Leslie, for organizing all this fun.

Double Challenge

Marsh Colors, 6 x 6" oil on archival panel, ©2013, Fay Terry

$100. includes shipping

I like to do the challenges each week on the Daily Paintworks website but I have gotten so far behind.  I decided to do the "Phone Photo" challenge from DPW for the 30 in 30 challenge that is now in its fourth day.  Thanks to Elaine Stolt for the challenge and the photo she provided.  This is the first marsh painting I have done and I think I'd like to try some more of these.  Anything with water appeals to me as a painting subject.

Thanks for all your comments and encouragement with the thirty paintings in thirty days challenge, so far I am having a blast!