Pine Cones Are Dropping

Longleaf Pine Cone, 8 x 8 " oil on Raymar Panel, ©2015, Fay Terry

Picking up these large pine cones is a daily job in our yard this time of year. Most of these that are on the ground are eight to ten inches tall. I line them up on the porch sometimes to decide which ones I want to paint. I once told someone I loved painting pine cones and they asked me what color I spray painted them. Yes, some folks here do box up pine cones, plain or painted, and sell them online. I have brought them to some of my cousins in New England because they love the large pine cones in a basket beside the fireplace. Actually, they make good fire starters and we sometimes burn a few in the fireplace in the back yard. 

I just like them for the challenge they present, drawing and choosing the colors are like putting a puzzle together and it's fun to see the final result. They all have slightly varying shapes and stand up at different  angles. 

Four Paintings

Recent Sale

I have met many wonderful people because of making art and selling my paintings.

These four paintings sold recently to a lovely new friend who had been carrying one of my business cards in her wallet for a long time.

I am so thrilled that she contacted me when she began redecorating her home.

Three of the paintings reflect her love of North Carolina; the Dogwood flowers, the pine cone, and the Cardinal are symbols of "the Old North State".

I framed these in some nice wide frames which she chose that really show them off beautifully.

Thank You, Karen!

30 Paintings In 30 Days-Day 5

January Pine Cone, 6 x 6 " oil on gessobord, ©2015, Fay Terry

$100 plus $10 domestic shipping

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It has been a little while since I have painted one of these and I like to draw and paint them on a regular basis.  I decided on a sunny yellow backdrop and set it up in my shadow box. It started out slowly and then I picked up speed as I got more into the zone of seeing the structure. Oh, what fun! I keep finding more of them on the ground under our many pines and each one is unique.

If you would like to read the "Embarrassingly Obvious Truth About Where Pine Nuts Come From" click here.

slightly pink

Cono de pino rosa, 6 x 6 " oil on panel ©2014, Fay Terry

$100, free shipping

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Feliz Navidad!

Turquoise

Graceful Pine Cone, 6 x 6 " oil on gessobord, ©2014, Fay Terry

This is a light and airy pine cone; it's tall but not fat and heavy like some that I pick up under the pine trees. One of these days, when it rains, I will have to get one that is very wet and paint it so you can see how different they look when the moisture makes them close up completely.

These December days are picking up speed and I feel that I am not getting enough done each day. Tomorrow I may have to sacrifice some painting time to work on some other things that need to be done, such as decorating the tree. 

Warm Painting

Pine Cone Princess, 6 x 6 " oil on panel, ©2014, Fay Terry

$100 plus shipping

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This is a painting that can really light up a room. The background color looks wonderful on so many different walls. I frame these in the six by six black Franken floater frames so that none of the painting is lost under the edge of the frame. This one comes unframed and it will soon be going to a gallery once it is framed, so let me know if you would like it and I'll ship it to you right away.

Pine Cone Tea?

Loblolly Pine Cone 6 x 6 " oil on panel, ©2014, Fay Terry

$100 plus shipping

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I love the shadow this pine cone is making. I set this up in the studio early and finished this in time to post before lunch. There are two more paintings I hope to get done today so I am on track to paint for several more hours. I am thinking about doing larger versions of these since they have been so popular with my collectors and so much fun for me to paint.

I was reading about pine cones and did not realize that parts of them are edible and tea can be made with some of the green pine needles.  I have not experimented with this!

Cyber Monday Special

Pine Cone On Red, 6 x 6 " oil on panel, ©2014, Fay Terry

$100

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Cyber Monday special,  free frame is included with this painting if you buy it before midnight on December 1st.

Once again there are huge pine cones in the yard, especially after some windy days; they are always fun to paint.  This one is available and if you buy it on Cyber Monday, I will frame it in a lovely black wood Franken frame for free. The background of the painting is red even though it looks a little pink in the bottom photo.

Blue Shadow

 

Carolina Blue, 6 x 6 " oil 

on panel, ©2014, Fay Terry

My husband likes all the pine cones I have been painting. I am really happy with the way they have turned out. People seem to like them as gifts, too. Let me know if you want to commission one on your favorite color background!

Seed Container

Resting On Red, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2014, Fay Terry

SOLD

I have brought quite a few pine cones into my studio and I am beginning to see numerous seeds on the floor that have fallen out of them.  The paper thin seeds have wings which aids in dissemination by the wind.  They are also spread by birds and squirrels. Sometimes the cones are also full of insects, but I don't think I have to worry about that since we have had so much freezing weather recently.

Painting these is like putting a puzzle together and it is fun because of all the value changes. (light and dark areas).

I am enjoying this series and I appreciate all of your comments. Thanks for viewing my blog!

March Monday

Pine Cone On Linen Towel,  6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2014, Fay Terry

SOLD

I've been using some bright backgrounds so today I decided to try a softer color using one of my favorite kitchen towels. It was purchased in France and is the most wonderful soft and absorbent linen.

There are a lot of small items that I don't put in the dishwasher and these towels are great for drying dishes and hands.

Pinehurst Pine Cone

Long-leaf Pine Cone, 6 x 6 " oil on archival panel, ©2014, Fay Terry

Available framed at ONE ELEVEN MAIN
SOLD

While I was painting this, the words of the state toast kept running through my mind. I could not remember all the verses but the first verse is forever etched in my mind from my North Carolina History class in elementary school.

Here's to the land of the Long-leaf Pine

The Summer Land where the sun doth shine

Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great

Here's to "Down Home," the Old North State.

There are actually folks around here who sell and ship these large North Carolina pine cones, some of them even painted bright colors or dipped in glitter. Personally, I prefer the natural version like the one above which we are constantly picking up all over the yard. It's great exercise!

From The Pines

Pine Cone, 6 x 6 " oil on panel, ©2014, Fay Terry

I painted most of the day today, working on three large paintings.