Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas
and
Happy New Year

Wishing you the very best of New Years! I am so blessed to have a wonderful growing family! This will be a year filled with family fun and weddings! I am going to continue my efforts to squeeze in daily painting when I am not busy with all the family festivities.

I will be playing with the family for the remainder of the Holiday Season ~cooking, cleaning, and cooking some more! I will begin posting new paintings at the first of the year.

Have a safe and fabulous New Years~

See you with new paintings on January 1, 2012!

Torrie

Cezanne's Jug

Cezanne's Jug
8" x 10"
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

I try to participate in the Challenges at Daily Paintworks as often as possible. I could not pass up this challenge. It is the Picasso It! challenge where you paint in the style of your favorite artist. Cezanne is just one of my many favorite artist and I love his still life compositions. This is my small version of his "Jug and Plate with Fruit" from 1893. I loved this challenge. I plan on painting a version of this again with more of my spin on it.

Cezanne's Jug was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold.

Now, back to painting.....so much to do, so little time~

Torrie

~Lucky Pears~

Lucky Pears
5" x 7"
Acrylic Paint on Ampersand Claybord
~Sold~

I know you are wondering why "Lucky" pears. It just happens I was painting when my sister called and told me she won $500 on the lottery.......(she always wins----I would probably have better chances if I actually bought a ticket).

Lucky Pears was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality Ampersand Claybord. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold.

I am finally back to painting after being sick forever!! After recovering from bronchitis, I had the hardest time getting inspired to paint again. This has been my longest painting break since 2006! I was miserable! I am back to my old painting self and busy working on everything I started before and more!

Two rooster paintings are sketched and ready for paint. The large emu painting has eyes now and stares at me as if to say when are you going to finish my face!

I have started my submission for the Daily Paintworks Challenge. I will be painting my version of Cezanne's still life painting using the jug. This has been quite the adventure, studying his work closely in order to paint my own version. I might have to do this with other great painters I admire. It is such a learning experience. I will let you know when it is finished!

Well, off to play with paint. Have a fabulous day!

Torrie

Pink Flamingo III

Pink Flamingo III
8" x 10"
Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

Pink Flamingo III was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on museum quality gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for hanging without a frame. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold.

I am back~

The unexpected break was caused by the cold/bronchitis thing that has lasted forever! Trying to be creative when you can't breathe doesn't work. I am back to painting and the list remains the same with some new paintings added. I am working on the rooster painting. The large emu painting is in progress, and I will be participating in the toaster challenge at Daily Paintworks~

Also, I will be slipping in time to spend with family and the turkey thing....wish me luck!

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

Pumpkins and Shadows~

Pumpkins and Shadows
8" x 10"
Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

This composition is so fun to paint, I have done it several times. This is my entry into the DailyPaintworks Pumpkin Challenge. I love participating in the challenges and do it whenever time permits.

Pumpkins and Shadows was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on museum quality gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for hanging without a frame. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold.

Coming up next, I have gone to the birds! I am in the middle of finishing a large (18" x 24") emu painting. This is a revisit to the bird I use as my logo. Also coming up is a rooster painting (8" x 10") and my all time favorite bird, a new pink flamingo painting also in 8" x 10"

Hopefully, these will be finished by the coming week.

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

Salt and Pepper III ~ New Small Painting

Salt and Pepper III
6" x 6"
Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

Commissions are done and now back to painting just whatever pops in my head. This is a composition I have done before, but I thought I would try it again. I love salt and pepper shakers.

Salt and Pepper III was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold.

Coming up next~ Pumpkins, a rooster, and maybe a pink flamingo!

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Painting~ my "drug of choice"

2011

2006

There are times I want to paint and just can't think of what, so I look through reference photos of past paintings. I came across this composition I first painted in 2006. There is a definite change in style from the early days. Being a self-taught artist, I have learned everything from books and videos. I think the biggest advantage is not knowing what can't be done~ you tend to make a lot of mistakes, but when you finally get it right, it is fabulous!

How this all started~

I picked up a paintbrush with Miranda in 2001 and was hooked. It is my "drug of choice".

I had painted a bit in high school, but the cost of materials and lessons was a bit "extravagant" at the time.

Fast forward 25 years~

Miranda was taking art in high school and had a project, you know~ the one for the majority of their semester grade that they decide to start the weekend that it is due. I sat down with her and we painted together. She turned in her painting and it went to hang in Raleigh; and mine, unfinished, went in the closet. She went off to college the next year majoring in art. She was doing what I had always wanted to do. After watching a show on Oprah about following your passion, I went to the library and checked out all the art books they had. I guess you could say the rest is history. I have been painting and having the time of my life. It is hard to believe, I have been selling my paintings around the world since 2005, over 600 paintings. One of the few nude paintings I have done hangs in a collectors home in Russia; it is so hard to believe. I often think of my grandmother, who paid for my first art lesson, I wish she could see me now.

I often get caught up with commissions during this time of year, but this year will be different. I will be painting for fun, whatever pops in my head. I will be trying new and different materials and compositions. This should be fun~

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

Commissioned Paintings!

Danette's Pear
18" x 24"

Danette's Rooster
18" x 24"

I have just finished two commissions that will be moving away this week after the varnish dries.

Now time to paint for fun!

I am currently working on a small still life of Salt and Pepper shakers. There are so many things I want to paint~ poppies, tornadoes, bananas; just to name a few.

Check back again soon~

Torrie

New Website~

The Wright Boat
30" x 48"
~Sold~

The new website is up and I love it~ I am still adding paintings, hopefully to be finished with the available paintings soon. Filling the sold gallery with over 500 paintings may take a while.

Stop by and visit TorrieSmiley.com

Seth Wright did a fabulous job!

I have been working on commissions, currently finishing up a large Rooster painting.

After that, a small salt and pepper painting and maybe a small Tornado~

Thanks for stopping by and check back again soon.

Torrie

Construction Site!

New Website!

I am so excited! My website www.torriesmiley.com is currently being upgraded to my new website.

Seth Wright is constructing something just for me~ I am so excited to see the new site!

During the final stages of construction, the website is currently unavailable. You can view all the current paintings for sale in my Etsy.com store or my EBSQart.com gallery.

Thank you so much for stopping by, I will let you know when the new and improved site is ready.

Torrie

New Pear Painting ~ Siblings

Siblings
5" x 7"
Acrylic Paint on Ampersand Claybord
~Sold~

Two small green pears slightly leaning on each other, made me think my girls, so I named it Siblings.

Siblings was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality Ampersand Claybord. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold.

I am in the middle of painting two large commissions. I am currently working on the large pear painting. I also have a new small Salt and Pepper painting almost ready for the online stores.

So much to do~

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

Happy Friday!! Pomegranates Sliced, New Painting!

Pomegranates Sliced
5" x 7"
Acrylic Paint on Ampersand Claybord
~Sold~

Finally! A new painting added to the stores. It is nice to get back to work! Once again, I have used the Ampersand Claybord. I really do like painting on this surface. This small painting can be slipped into a frame or place on a small display easel.

Pomegranates Sliced was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality Ampersand Claybord. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting is currently available for purchase using the PayPal button above for $35.00, plus $8.00 United States Priority shipping. You can also purchase from my Website gallery or my Etsy.com store.

Well, now off to paint~ So much to do!

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

When I wasn't looking ~ I got old!

The Wright Boat
30" x 48"
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

Just a short note to explain where I have been. It has been weeks since my last post and my last small painting.

The morning after my last blog post, I went to visit my doctor who informed me she was mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. She said denying I had high blood pressure was not going to make it go away, it wasn't just high that day, it was high all the time. So, I did what she said and spent some time in the hospital getting my blood pressure under control and letting her run all the stress tests and lab work she wanted. I must say I do feel better knowing that my foolishness in not taking care of myself did no permanent damage, but I was going to have to grow up and act my age when it comes to taking care of myself. So, I am now taking medication, eating right, and exercising regularly ~ and when I am not totally exhausted or craving a cupcake, I try to paint.

Now, on to bigger and better! I just finished a very large painting that was commissioned by my web designer, Seth Wright, who is currently working on my new website.

I am in the middle of two commissions, a large (18" x 24") pear painting and rooster painting. These are two of my favorite things to paint, so this should be fun.

I have so many new paintings swarming around in my head from the long break, I can't wait to get them all on canvas. The next small painting soon to be finished and added to the stores is a small (5" x 7") pomegranate painting.

The weather is cooling off and the leaves are beginning to change, maybe it is time to get outside and paint~

Torrie

New Painting~ Pineapple Upside Down Cupcake

Pineapple Upside Down Cupcake
6" x 6"
Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

Right when my diet was really going well, I discovered this wonderful cupcake place! This was the best cupcake! It was so pretty, I had to paint it. I will start the diet again, maybe.....after just one more trip to the cupcake place!

Pineapple Upside Down Cupcake was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold.

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

Carolina Tar Heel Coffee Cup ~ Go "HEELS!

Carolina Tar Heel Coffee Cup
6" x 6"
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
Available for Purchase

This is my entry in the "Paint Your Mug" challenge at Daily Paintworks. I don't drink coffee or other hot drinks, but I do have my favorite mug in my office. This is a painting of my UNC Chapel Hill Carolina Tar Heel coffee cup. Go 'HEELS!!

Carolina Tar Heel Coffee Cup was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting is currently available for purchase in my Etsy.com store.

UP NEXT~

I am almost finished with the Pomegranate painting. After that I had better get busy on the "boat" painting. It is four feet long and will take a while~
Thanks for stopping by~


Torrie

New Orange Painting ~ Fresh Orange III

Fresh Orange III
5" x 7"
Acrylic Paint on Ampersand Claybord
~Sold~

I picked up Ampersand Claybord the other day, I have been wanted to try painting on a smoother surface than canvas. I decided to paint the orange composition I have painted before to try it out. I am very pleased with how it turned out.

Fresh Orange III was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality Ampersand Claybord. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold.

I have another painting started using the claybord. It is a pomegranate on a plate. It should be finished and posted in the next few days.

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

The Rooster V ~ New Rooster Painting

The Rooster V
6" x 6"
Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

I haven't painted a rooster in a while, so I thought I would re-visit the rooster portrait painted last year. For this version, I added more blue to the background.

The Rooster V was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold. To see more paintings currently available for purchase, please visit my Website gallery or my Etsy.com store.

Up next~

I am continuing with the two small still life paintings using the new clayboard. I really like how they are coming along. I will post as soon as I am finished. I may be using these more often.

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

The Lone Cherry ~ New small painting.

The Lone Cherry
6" x 6"
Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

Taking a short break from painting pears...feeling a little red, so I painted a cherry with the same subtle green/gray back ground that I love.

The Lone Cherry was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold. To see more paintings currently available for purchase, please visit my Website gallery or my Etsy.com store.

I am almost finished with a new small rooster painting and currently working on small still life painting using Clayboard by Ampersand. This is my first time to try these panels, so far so good.

Now, back to painting,

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

The Pear Chronicles 015 ~ The final Chronicle for now~

The Pear Chronicles 015
4" x 6"
Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

New in the pear chronicles series, The Pear Chronicles 015 is a red pear with a muted green - gray background. This is the final Pear Chronicles for now. I will probably resume the series just in time for Christmas shopping~

The Pear Chronicles 015 was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold. To see other paintings currently available for purchase please visit my my Website gallery or my Etsy.com store.

I have finished a small cherry painting~ I will try to get it listed online tomorrow.

Have a wonderful Friday~

Torrie

New Pear Painting~ The Pear Chronicles 014

The Pear Chronicles 014
4" x 6"
Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

Finally back to painting~ Whenever I have been away from painting regularly, I like to start back with painting a pear. I have always loved painting them and it is like coming home before I start something new.

This is a continuation of the small pear painting in The Pear Chronicle Series. I really like the way this turned out. I had one small canvas left, so a painted a red one that has the similar background. They look really nice together. I will be posting that pear later this evening.

The Pear Chronicles 014 was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold.

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Day at the Beach ~ New Knife Painting

Day at the Beach
6" x 6"
Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

I wanted to try a little something different to get out of my painting "funk" lately. I think this worked. Painting with a knife is fun! It was so hot today, I kept thinking of the beach.

Day at the Beach was painted using a knife and professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold.

I haven't decided what to paint tomorrow yet, maybe I will dream something up tonight!

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

New Pear Painting~ A Pear for the Dramatic

A Pear for the Dramatic
6" x 6"
Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

When I painted the red pear in my last painting, I liked it so much, I thought I would paint the same red pear again, this time with dramatic lighting on a dark background. I love the way it turned out.

A Pear for the Dramatic was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold.

Now time to get busy~ there are so many paintings I have started. I am painting a "little" something special for Courtney Grace.....48" x 30" . I don't usually paint this large! It should be fun. I will post pictures when I am finished. I am also working on a small portrait of Audrey Grace and of course more pears!

Check back again soon~

Torrie

My Favorite Things ~ Painted!

My Favorite Things
8" x 10
Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Reference Photo

This was so much fun to do! I have joined the painting group at Daily Paintworks This has been a fabulous experience so far, participating with so many accomplished artists. As often as possible, I participate in the weekly challenges. This challenge was the "Paint What You Paint With Challenge". I am a little late getting it done - slowed down by a recent eye infection.

Included in the painting of my favorite things are my brushes and Liquitex acrylic paint in Naples yellow. I think every one of my paintings have included some Naples yellow. I also included the worn out and paint covered pink spray bottle used to mist the paint to keep it from drying too fast on the palette. The bottle looks much worse in real life - misshapen from the sun and covered in paint. I used my favorite background color, the funny greenish color, that I use in so many of my still life paintings. Last, but not least, I had to include a pear.

This painting has sold.

Now, back to painting!

Torrie

New Paintings~

Summer Poppies III
8" x 10"
Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

The Bird 2011
11" x 14"
Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

I have finished the above commissions and have started two new paintings. I am working on a submission for The Daily Paintworks "Paint What You Paint With Challenge" this is going to be fun one. It is a composition with paint brushes, my little mister bottle, paint, and of course a pear. The background will be my favorite greenish-gray color that I use in several of my paintings.

Next, I am painting a portrait of my granddaughter. I took a picture of Audrey standing looking out the window in my studio when she was just learning to stand and walk. I hope it turns out as well as I envision it in my head.

Well, that should keep me busy. I will sneak in a little 6" x 6" painting of something in the meantime.

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

The Lazy Red Pear III ~ New Pear Painting!

The Lazy Red Pear III
6" x 6"
Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

I have been busy with commissions and decided to take a break and paint one of my favorite pear compositions. I love painting pears and the loose colorful ones are my favorites!

The Lazy Red Pear III was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold.

Now, back to work! I will be finished with the last commission by the end of the weekend and then I will be painting something for the Daily Paintworks Challenge. After that~ I am going to do a plein air painting of the field near my house - before they clear it for the new houses.

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

New Pear Painting~ Golden Pear with Grapes

Golden Pear with Grapes
6" x 6"
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

Finally, a new small pear painting~

I am still working to finish a commission but decided to take a break from that and paint a little pear.

Golden Pear with Grapes was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

Golden Pear with Grapes has sold. To see more paintings currently available for purchase, please visit my website gallery or my Etsy.com store.

For more information, click here to email the artist, Torrie Smiley.

Well, it is late, off to bed to dream up more paintings~

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

Torrie Smiley at Daily Paintworks!

Just a quick note to let you know I now have a Gallery Page at Daily Paintworks. I have participated in the Challenges in the past and now have a gallery page on the site.

I am thrilled to show my painting along side many of the artist I have followed online for years. Stop by and see what I mean....so many beautiful paintings in one place. Some of the artists are daily painters and others are like me - paint when we can painters.

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

Don't you hate it when that happens.....

Southwest Pear
18" x 24"
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

When getting ready to varnish this painting, I noticed a flaw in the canvas. Usually, I notice things like this before I finish the painting~ I have pulled the painting from the stores, so sad, I really loved this one.

Well, back to painting. I am finishing up a new poppy landscape commission and then working on a new Emu painting~

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

Porch Geraniums ~ New Challenge Painting

Porch Geraniums
8" x 10"
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

I painted this for the Daily Paintworks Painting Challenge ~ The Outside Your Window Challenge. I love geraniums and have bright red ones on my porch, just outside my studio window. I think my love for geraniums comes from memories of my grandmother. She always had red and pink geraniums.

Porch Geraniums was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame.. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold.

Now off to paint!

Thank you for viewing,

Torrie

Bird Nest on Red ~ New Nest Painting

Bird Nest on Red
6" x 6"
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

I am having so much fun painting bird nests. It is like an addiction. I have started another one today.

Bird Nest on Red was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for display without a frame. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting is available for purchase using the PayPal button above or at my Website Gallery or my Etsy.com store.

Up Next~

I have started a new nest painting~ I couldn't help myself, they are too much fun. This one has a blue background and is going to have some green in the nest, maybe a leaf or two.

I have almost finished a large (18" x 24") gold pear painting. It should be done by the end of the weekend.

The commissions are coming along. One is a poppy landscape. I will post pictures when it is finished.

Now, off to paint~

Torrie

Bird Nest Paintings~

Abandoned
18" x 24"
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

Robin's Three Eggs
18" x 24"
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

Abandoned II
4" x 6"
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

Robin's Three Eggs III
6" x 6"
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

I have been in the mood to paint bird nests lately, must have been the Spring ~. I am almost finished with the newest nest painting - on a red background (I think inspired by the current heat wave).

These paintings are currently available for purchase in my Website Gallery and my Etsy.com store.

It seems whenever I say I have finished commissions and will be painting whatever pops into my head~ then I get more commissions. I am currently working on three~ after that, I will be painting whatever pops into my head.. ... HA!

I have started a small painting of the geraniums on my porch for the Challenge Painting blog. Hopefully, this will be finished by the end of the weekend.

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie