Available at the City Art Gallery in Greenville, NC
"Flamboyance" 32x46 oil on canvas (The word for a flock of Flamingos)
Available at the City Art Gallery in Greenville, NC
"Flamboyance" 32x46 oil on canvas (The word for a flock of Flamingos)
When Paris comes to mind, cafes, rainy days and umbrellas come to mind. But I've had glorious weather and being able to paint outside has been such a gift.
This piece though is the last of the crop here. I need to let them all dry so that they can be carried back. I leave December 15th, and can't belive how the time has passed. And, I am very uncertain how I feel about that. Being with family and kids has been the best. Having my own quiet place to live and paint, has been very productive (although not having a tv for two and a half months has made me a Pintrest/Instagram addict)
what I love most is walking out of my place, through the courtyard, and opening the big doors to the city street. Being able to walk everywhere, or take the bus or metro,.. I really love this part of life.
but I also miss clean air, ocean breezes, the sound of the ocean, and warmth on my face. And most of all - my friends, and the laughter they give me. And my studio
That nice Autumn light is starting to disappear here in Paris, but Im still out exploring. Christmas is almost in full force here and I love the way windows are decked out.
Thanksgiving is also here and I'm trying to give the kids the meaning of it all. (Stella thinks it's all about tracing your hand to make a turkey :-) Expats are gathering Thursday and the search is on for cranberry sauce.
Mans I am working on the last of my oil paintings. They need to dry to ship, and I'd like to take full advantage of my last few weeks here
Above: "When I Think of Paris No.2", 18x14 $2100.
Three of my plein air paintings are off to City Art Gallery this week. Going out to paint along the River Seine and at cafes here has been such an experience. I painted these 6x6s on oil primed paper, matted and framed them in these lovely gold frames I bought here.
Shipping is a new experience and making the show deadline will be tough. But they are available from the gallery if you want to grab them for Christmas! $475 each
By: Southwest Art | October 16, 2017
By Bonnie Gangelhoff
This story is featured in the November 2017 issue of Southwest Art Magazine. Click below for article
So honored to be featured and have such a great article written. Many thanks Southwest Art!
Inspiration
"Macaroons" 6x6 oil on paper
I'm taking advantage of the beautiful weather here and getting out everyday to wander - and paint. Working on my 6x6s on oil primed paper and really loving the way the paint sits on it.
Set up on the River Seine with the light coming through the trees, creating lovely dappled leaves in yellows and oranges. Definitely going to be a larger piece!
For some reason, my first week out of the Low Country and into city life, always makes me sick. Must be leaving our warm, coastal air. Three days in bed with intermittent trips to the market and sketching, and picking the kids up from school have been the norm
But I am back in the groove, and have been out working on 6x6 oils on primed paper. Little vignettes of my "hood" - the 11th. I have to say it's a bit different painting here. I'm so used to tourists coming up to look and talk while I paint, and that isn't the case here. I had assumed it would be I guess. But as my French is horrid, I can't understand anyway. :-)
I think I will do quite a few of these then have them on line the beginning of November.
I spent a wonderful 10 days in Hossgour, in the South of France with the kids. A great time, filled with some really funmemories. Then 2 weeks in Spain traveling with a friend of mine. On my Bucket List was going to the Sorolla Museum in Madrid, and it was what I thought it would be - astounding! To be in his studio with his work surrounding me, seeing the colors up close, was truly a gift. Traveling to Cordoba, Seville, and Grenada were equally incredible, and the mosques and cathedrals were just remarkable in the history and the craftsmanship. A remarkable trip - but cut short with Hurricane Irma. (Picture below was to show everyone back home we were well protected in Madrid)
We traveled home, I prepared my house, and I loaded my car with all of the things that are most important to me and I don't want to lose. It's a good reminder that you really can fill your car with just enough to start over if you have to. My oriental rugs, favorite paintings, Bose stereo, paints, my French boots books, and Madonna that was a prototype for a larger pice in a cathedral in Rio de Janeiro. And then drove up to NY State to be with my Mom.
I'm back home today and after resettling into my house, paint three commissions, and pack again...off to Paris for three months of painting and babysitting. My finance guy says that I would be overwhelmed, but don't have the time. Very true
Between SEWE, Spoleto , the Solo Show at the Principle Gallery, and new work for City Art Gallery, in Greenville, NC - I've had a busy six months. I love painting that much because I feel when you are pushed to produce, the ideas, and the brush flow. And, I feel like I become a better each time.
But a break is good and I am off to see my Mom and great friends. Cool lake water, sitting on the dock, visiting memories from 20 years back - all good for the soul. Sketch book will go, but for once, paints stay behind so I can just relax. Looking forward to it!
I'm so grateful for the Principle Gallery supporting my work and having a Solo Show at the Charleston Gallery. Some of my favorite pieces are hanging in the front of the gallery, so please stop in and see the work!
Maybe it's too much coffee, but making my path through the house, with paintings on the floors either being framed, varnished or labeled - and I'm so happy. I Love Piccolo Spoleto. And this year I have the bonus of my Solo Show at the Principle Gallery!
The beauty of this time of year is that I am in the studio ALL the time, music pouring out the door (and probably driving the neighbors crazy) - when you practice all the time, you get better. Paintings take a turn. And now I get to go out in public and see people. :-)
"The Siren" 40x30 PICCOLO SPOLETO in Marion Square - OPENING DAY MAY 26th!
Good weather drags me out of the studio and back painting out on location. What a great job to be able to go outside in the lowcountry with friends and paint the landscape. Not once do I forget to say how thankful I am with this life I get to have.
"Harbor Boats" 12x9 oil, framed in burnished silver.
Feel like I am "back in the saddle again" after last year. The studio is now crowded with new work to go to The Luminous Landscape Salon at the Principle Gallery Feb 1st. Then there is SEWE on the 17th . I've had great fun painting for that show, and will post next week after the opening of the Salon Show. The piece below has taken me a bit more abstract, and have loved the process. I'm really happy with the paintings for this show. Please come by for the opening on the 3rd at the Principle Gallery.
A blank canvas. I'm looking forward to the upcoming year filled with exploration, paintings, shows, and growing as my new life unfolds. I'm back in the studio painting for SEWE and the upcoming Low Country Salon at the Principle Gallery. The house is taking shape and love my new little neighborhood.
Wishing all a hopeful, healthy, and happy New Year.
BELOW: "Flying High" 24x36 oil on linen
I'm back from France and a wonderful time! Loved being with my French Family, drawing Ninjas with Owen, and in awe of Stella's dedication to drawing (will post one of her pieces next week). The weather was beautiful, and walking around the city, while challenging, was great fun. There is a wonderful trampoline and play area at the Tuileries that the kids love. We all traveled up to Normandy and stayed in a four story flat - with the commode at the top. Incredible weather and exploring at the beach and cafes. The only day that was typical Paris weather was the last day of my visit.
But now back home to the beautiful light of Charleston and a weekend painting with friends. Finding new patterns to my life - sometimes sad but mostly a really good life.
"A Little Rain Must Fall" 11x14 SOLD
Above