Cleveland County Fair

New Pear Painting on eBay

For Sale in eBay Store:

http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

Two Pears sold almost immediately after being posted on Etsy (it was not even dry yet), so others were painted by request of the slow shoppers who missed out.

I said I was finished for a while with the watercolors, but I seem to can't get away.

I will be at the Cleveland County Fair tonight at the Art Exhibit. I will be painting watercolors while I am there. I will post some of them tomorrow.

Thoughts for the upcoming painting week: Something different, something large, and something in oil. I do complain about oil---but it is fun!

Have a wonderful day! See you at the water wheel! : ) ......(It's a County fair thing)

Torrie

Old Red Boat

Old Red Boat

eBay store auction:
http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

I don't know what it is with me and oil paint, but I get it all over me. There is more paint on me than on this small 8" x 10" canvas panel.

I have finished the much talked about and slowly painted red boat. I hope you like it.

Time for a break.

Torrie

New Pear Painting

New Pear Painting

Two Pears

eBay store auction:

http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

I have not painted pears in a while. I was really pleased with the way this one turned out. There are days where things just come together and you don't want to stop to sleep or eat, because the ideas and ability may not be there when you come back.

Two Pears - Pear painting in progress.

This is the photo reference that was used to paint Two Pears. I really don't know how my brain took the two green and red pears above and turned it into this.......but, I hope it remembers how... I do believe art comes from both skill, god-given talent, and dumb luck.

Thanks for stopping by... I am working on the old red boat in oil, so I am covered in paint....

Torrie

More Martinis and Marbles

Marbles and Martini

Lost Marbles Series Five

eBay store auction:
http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

Martini, Stirred IV

eBay store auction:
http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

Just off the easel and newly listed to eBay. Lost Marbles Series Five will be the last marble series painting for a while. There are other things to do and I have really run out of inspiration for marbles. If a new idea for marbles hits me, they will be back. But, it may be a while.

I have not painted Martini, Stirred for a while and I am really happy the way this one turned out.

I am going to the studio to work on the boat painting. I will post it as soon as it is done.

I have not done a large landscape in a while, I think it is time....

Thanks for stopping by!

Torrie

Watercolors and Big Bird 2007

More Big Bird - 2007!

It seems that "look" is hypnotic and saying "take my I'm yours". There has been quite a response to Big Bird, so there will be another....sometime soon. I will post the painting in stages--I always do the eyes first, so you can see the expression take shape.

Watercolor Pear Series Eight

Watercolor Pear Series Nine

These two pears are my absolute favorites so far of the series. I still cannot get a picture of the paintings that I am happy with, they are much prettier and softer in person.

Lost Marbles Series Three

Lost Marbles Series Four

I am still painting Marbles. I have one more drawn but not painted.

Watercolor paintings are available for purchase at:

http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

and

http://www.torriesmiley.etsy.com/

Currently on the easel and almost finished is another martini painting - 16" x 20" on gallery wrapped canvas. Hopefully to be finished and listed for sale by the weekend.

I have yet to start the boat painting currently titled, Dad's Old Red Boat. It is drawn on a small 8" x 10" canvas panel - but still waiting for paint. I am still pondering ---acrylic or oil?

I have not given up the Low Country art, I am just taking a short break, catching up on requests.

I will be "painting live" at the Cleveland County Fair Art Exhibit, Sunday, September 30, 2007. You may see works from the fair available for sale in early October - complete with Fair dust and funnel cake grease.

Well, I had better get busy. Thanks for stopping by!

Torrie

New Watercolors

Pear Series Eight and Nine

Pear Series Eight and Nine are currently listed on Etsy, but I am unhappy with the pictures, so I am going to take some more shots tomorrow morning when there is good sunlight to get clearer pictures, if they have not sold by then.

The watercolor series has been more popular than I imagined. There are some that you may have missed because they sold in about 45 minutes after listing on Etsy.com. I have a new marble series watercolors that will be listed tomorrow (again, to get a decent picture).

I have a red boat ready to paint, but I can't get away from the water color. After this next batch, I will be taking a short watercolor break--(mainly, I will be out of paper and I buy it in Charlotte.)

I have been approached by So-Oh-Art Gallery in Lincoln, Nebraska to add my paintings to their gallery. I am very excited and will update you as this progresses.

There is so much to do and so little time...

Back to the studio!

Torrie

Back from the Concert in Atlanta!

Just a short note to say: "Hi honey I'm home".

The ZZ Top concert was amazing!! Chastain Theatre in Atlanta is the best outdoor concert venue. I had the greatest time. ZZ Top is wonderful! I have been inspired to do some ZZ Top art, something abstract with running watercolor.....must have been that funny smell that sparked the idea.

Traveling also has sparked the "hit the road and paint" nerve. There will be more Low Country/Charleston art to come and also wine art. There are several winery visits I plan to make.

Check back again soon. The ZZ Top art (if it comes out as good as it is in my head) will be posted soon.

Torrie

Upcoming Etsy event, New Watercolors

New Watercolors in the Series

Pear Series Four

Cherries Series One

Abstract Series One - The Butterfly

The watercolor series has been a big hit. I am selling paintings before I can put them on the blog or update all the websites.

I am extra-busy this week getting paintings ready to go to Chapel Hill. If you notice some of the larger paintings are no longer listed, they are currently being displayed at Chapel Hill.

I am going to be featured in the Esty Showcase this Sunday, September 9, 2007. Hopefully, there will be some new stuff added before then. But, if there is something you like, get it before the Sunday rush. www.torriesmiley.etsy.com

I will be away from the studio Friday and Saturday, so if you purchase then and don't here from me---don't worry, all is well. I am going to Atlanta to see ZZ-Top in concert! I will be home late Saturday and will email you confirmation for your purchases.

Thanks for stopping by and your continued interest in my art!

Torrie

Art available for purchase at:

http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

and

www.torriesmiley.etsy.com

The Watercolor Series Continues

New to the Watercolor Series

Landscape Series One

Pear Series Three

Lost Marbles Series One

eBay store auction:
http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

These are the newest watercolors to be added to eBay today. I hope you are enjoying the small watercolors so far.

I was asked to participate in an International Art Competition at www.artistsemerge.org There is some striking entries. Check out the current show.

Miranda has gone to a wedding in Florida, so me and the girls (Stella - dachsund and Sadie - pound puppy) are enjoying our quiet time.

There will be a full weekend of painting, so check back again soon.

Torrie

More in the Watercolor Series

The Watercolor Pear Series

Pear Series One

Pear Series Two

eBay store auction:

http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

These are the newest addition to the small watercolor series. They are available on eBay.

I will be in the studio today having fun painting. Check back again soon for more new paintings!

Torrie

New Watercolor Series

Low Country One

eBay store auction:
http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

So many ideas, so little time. This is the first of what will be a series of small watercolors. They will all be 5" x 7" of varying watercolor papers from 140 - 300 lb, both hot and cold press. I will be painting my favorite things in watercolor which will include: A variety of landscapes, but quite a few of the low country of South Carolina. I will also be doing pears, martinis, and wine art and possibly throw in a few cowboys. These will all be listed on eBay for auction starting at 99 cents as soon as they are finished.

I will be painting larger works using acrylic on canvas as always with a few small oil paintings in between.


Remember, auction paintings are listed on eBay only. Paintings in my eBay store are also sold in my Etsy.com store, so if you are watching a painting in my eBay store and it disappears, it was probably sold at other websites or in the local gallery here in Shelby.

Links to the stores:

eBay: http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5228436

Thanks to all my collectors!

Check back again soon. I will be painting this weekend!

Torrie

New Martini Painting

Two Olive Martini

Available for purchase at my eBay store:
http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

This painting was not planned, it just came to me. My martini paintings have been selling as fast as I can paint them. I am doing a few watercolors of UNC Chapel Hill to send there this next week. There is so much to do. Just not enough hours in the day.

Torrie

Big News at Etsy.com

More White Wine

More White Wine 8 x 10

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5228436

Big News!

I will be in the featured showcase front page on Etsy.com Saturday. I am so excited. This is great exposure! Wish me luck! Traffic has picked up on FineArtAmerica.com also.

I have had a request for more martini art, so there is more on the way. I have not painted new pears in a while, so that will probably be next. I will be sketching the new watercolor commission this weekend and another small Tar Heel painting is in the studio. So much to do--

The baby is officially settling in at Chapel Hill. I will be checking out the new dorm soon--the one with purple doors and green furniture---we didn't have cool rooms back when I was in college, but of course the dinosaurs were still in the way!

Well, off to work.

Thanks for stopping by, come back soon.

Torrie

http://www.torriesmiley.com/

Torrie, as a Simpson Character

Torrie Smiley - Artist and Simpson Character

The resemblance is remarkable.....

Okay, I was tired and not in the mood to paint. My daughter showed me the www.simpsonizeme.com and I turned myself into a cartoon character. Now, I get to be on her facebook page.

I did do some drawing today, another wine painting. I still have not done the watercolor commission. I guess I better get busy and quit playing.

Thanks for checking in. I promise new art soon.

Torrie

Tar Heel Born - Tar Heel Bred

Tar Heel Born - Tar Heel Bred

Available for purchase at my eBay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

This is the newest painting to be listed on eBay. My baby is heading off to Chapel Hill going back to school. This idea just popped in my head, and I had to paint it. I will be visiting UNC often during the next school year, so there will be more Tar Heel art. I am usually inspired when I visit the campus, after all, "I am a Tar Heel Mom".

Thanks for stopping by.

Torrie

Back in the studio

New to eBay today!

Martini - Olive Reflections

White Wine

Available for purchase at my eBay store:
http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

These paintings will be listed on eBay today. I plan on starting the Tar Heel painting today and I have been working on a larger seascape. Hopefully, today will be a good day and the paint will go where I want it to the first time.

Thanks for dropping by---more art tomorrow!

Torrie

Low Country Art

Low Country Series

Low Country Storm

Low Country Day

Low Country Evening

Available for purchase at my eBay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

I am back in the studio. I started out with a few landscapes and a pear painting, all listed in eBay. I am getting back into the swing of things, having not painted much in a while. Next will be more pears and maybe some flowers. It has been so hot and dry my hydrangeas are not doing well and will probably not bloom. I will just have to paint some. Well, I had better get to the studio. I will list the new work as soon as I am done.

Thanks for stopping by.

Torrie

International Artist Magazine

The Redhead

"The Redhead" has been entered in International Artist Magazine, People and Figures Competition. Winners and other entries will be published in Issue number 58, the December/January 2008 issue. The link to magazine is:

http://www.international-artist.com/iam/current.aspx

Click on the "Art competition" section, then click on "see other entries"

I have been busy cleaning my studio. I bought my house four years ago this month, in part for the small studio space just off the living room. But, it is a very small space and had gotten very crowded these past four years. So, I have cleared the clutter and found spaces for everything, --almost. Now, I will have more room to spread out and paint. The freshly organized studio will surely bring out new painting ideas.

Also, the baby is getting ready to head back off to UNC, Chapel Hill, along with that usually comes new ideas for Tar Heel Art. I have one in my head, but not on canvas yet, the working title is "Tar Heel born and Tar Heel bred".

Well, getting late. Have to go dream up more ideas.

Thanks for stopping by.

Torrie

Pears and Grapes, Three Olive Martini, Etsy, etc..

New Art

Three Olive Martini - II

Available for purchase at my eBay store:
http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

Pears and Grapes

Available for purchase at my eBay store:
http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

These are the two new paintings listed on eBay. Please check them out. I have joined another artist website. You can find it at http://www.torriesmiley.etsy.com/ The art will be the same as listed on eBay, (I can only paint so fast), but it will be just another site for my work to be found and purchased. Check it out, you may find other artists using that website that would like to collect.

I am staying busy with painting, working, and the other real-life daily stuff. I have painted my last Martini for a while. There has been several requests for more Martinis but I am ready to paint something different. I also have some commissions to do. The commissions are in watercolor, so I will have to re-tool the studio for watercolor.

I am going to try to start plein air painting once a week....I may end up twice a month, but I will let you know. The weather is great and it will be fun to paint outside. I plan on doing quite a bit of outdoor landscape painting in the fall and take advantage of the trees changing color. I am lucky enough to live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, I should take advantage of that.

Well, I had better get to the studio. I have been on the computer all day.

Thanks for stopping by.

Torrie

New Martini Painting for sale on eBay

Martini, Stirred - II

Available for purchase at my eBay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

Back by popular demand! Here is a new version of Martini, Stirred. It will be available for purchase later today on eBay. Painting is going well, there will be more painting tonight.

Thanks for checking in and your continued support!

Torrie