New Year-- New Paintings!

 

Tar Heel Martini

Blue Devil Martini

Commissioned Set

The last painting of 2025 is varnished and drying.  Time to get started on the new year!  

This year is going to be filled with new things!  New paintings, new fun art things to see and do.  The first was the Anne Neilson opening for Millie Gosch.  The paintings were lovely!  Next, the "RooDoodles" class at Anne Neilson with Michael Haun.  I am looking forward to learning something new and making new original artwork!  

Then there is the Melberg Gallery opening next with the works of Thomas McNickle.  His representational landscapes are full of vivid color!  I can't wait to see them close up.  That is where the inspiration for my new landscapes will come from.  I have painted mainly still life for years. It is time to mix it up.  

I am looking forward to new paintings, maybe some plein air.  Classes when they are available.  Shows if they fit into my schedule.

Hopefully, as the year moves along, you will see a painting you like....let me know if you do!

Thanks for stopping by.

Torrie

NEXT UP-- THE MINT MUSEUM!

 

Standing Among the Aspens

24" x 30"

Coming in just a few days!  The opening reception for the "Guilding the Mint" Guild of Charlotte Artists show at the Mint Museum in Uptown Charlotte will be Wednesday, April 23rd, 6-9 pm.  Admission to the Mint is free on Wednesdays.

The painting is finished, just need to apply the varnish, let it dry and then frame in a gold floater frame.

This will be my last show until the fall......maybe.  I will be a juror for the next Guild show, so I will not be participating.  It is the "Small Works" show, which I always love doing, since painting small is my favorite! 

I will be completing several small paintings to upload to the online stores in the coming months. I have been busy with constant shows since January and it will be nice to spend with time with family this summer.

Check back again soon!  I will definitely be up to something!

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

The Winter Show, Guild of Charlotte Artists

Orchid Solo

20" x 20", Framed

Me, with the framed painting

The Winter show opening with the Guild of Charlotte Artists was Thursday, February 6th, at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlotte, NC.  There were over 80 paintings to view.  The show was well attended and so much fun!  The show will run through March - stop in the Good News Gallery to see the show and purchase a favorite!

Now on to the next adventure.  I have some new smaller paintings coming.  I will be uploading the new painting "Oranges and Cranberries" into the stores online tomorrow.   

There is an interview coming out soon for "Shoutout North Carolina". I will post a link when it goes live.

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Cain Center for the Arts Show

 

Robin's Two Eggs  24" x 30"

Summer Strawberries. - Sold  6" x 6"

       

The Last Inning  6" x 6"
 

   

I had the immense honor of being selected to participate in the Director's Choice Exhibition and Sale at Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius, NC.  The event runs January 21 - March 15, 2025.  You can view the show online here         

There is so much to do!  This is going to be a very busy year.  

Next up is the Guild of Charlotte Artists Winter Show at Christ Episcopal Church, 1312 Providence Road, Charlotte.  The opening reception is this evening beginning at 7 pm.  I have a new painting "Orchid Solo" in the show.  I will post an update with a picture tomorrow.

Coming next~ I have a new small cherry painting that I need to upload to the stores and the cranberries and orange painting will finally make it in the online stores tomorrow.

Thank you for continuing to follow along with my painting adventure.

Torrie              

Getting Holiday Ready!

 

The Christmas Flower - Framed 

The Christmas Flower

6" x 6"

Available for Purchase without frame

This painting is currently in the Online Holiday Gift Art Show with the Guild of Charlotte Artists and available for purchase.  That show will run through the Holiday season with purchase available directly from the artist. 

I have four framed paintings in the upcoming Holiday Celebrations Around The World with Union County Community Arts Council, 327 S. Hayne Street, Monroe, NC 28112.  This show's opening reception is Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 4:30-6:00pm, prior to the City of Monroe’s Christmas Tree Lighting Event. Reception open to the public.

Here are the four paintings that are available for purchase through the Community Arts Council in Monroe.  These are all framed.

 

The Last Inning II in Black Floater Frame

6" x 6"

Red Pear in the Spotlight with Gold Floater Frame

8" x 8"

The Robin's Nest VI with Gold Floater Frame

6" x 6"

Another Pear with Lemons and Grapes Framed

5" x 7" 

There will also be framed paintings uploaded to my online stores for those wishing to purchase framed paintings for gifts.

Now off to paint!

Thank you for stopping by!

Torrie

The Rocks of Lake Lure before the storm

 The Rocks of Lake Lure

16" x 20" 

Acrylic on Canvas

The Wittmer Collection

May 16, 2007

One of the first large landscapes I painted after a trip to Lake Lure.  It was purchased by the Wittmers of the Lake Lure Inn and added to their collection.

This has been a very difficult week.  The amount of devastation in the mountains of western North Carolina is hard to comprehend.  I am so fortunate my family is safe with little damage and back home with power restored.  

I will be spending this weekend in upper Cleveland County near South Mountain in my daughter's home. I will be back to the studio next week.

Thank you for stopping by,

Torrie

Pink Flamingo V

Pink Flamingo V

20" x 20"

Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

LOVE, Love, love this painting! But, then I love all things flamingo.  So fun to paint!  

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

Now time to get started on the large landscape.  I will post progress pictures as soon as the painting starts.

To see this painting and all the current available paintings to purchase, stop by my 

Etsy.com store.

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

Flamingo painting ~ more progress

In Progress 20" x 20" Flamingo

Painting large can be slow going.  I will be slowly adding the layers of feathers.  I hope you have enjoyed following along.  

Visit my Etsy.com store to find paintings currently available for purchase.

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

Flamingo in Progress

Flamingo in Progress

20" x  20" x  1.5"

Here are progress shots from today's painting.  I will be starting on the bill next, then the body.

Tomorrow I will be spending the day with the children~  steaks on the grill and playing at the pool.

More pictures later in the week ~  

In the meantime, visit my Etsy store to see paintings currently available for purchase~

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

Day 7!!! 30 Paintings in 30 Days ~ Autumn Pear

Autumn Pear

6" x 6"

Acrylic Paint on Ampersand Gessobord
~Sold~

Day Seven of the  30 Paintings in 30 Days in September with Leslie Saeta.  

I have to admit ~ I AM EXHAUSTED!!! Working all day, fighting traffic on 485, getting home and painting, and trying to get to bed before the alarm goes off in the morning.  I would not be able to do this without Kevin's support.  He is kind enough not to expect dinner or conversation every evening.

This is by far my all time favorite pear, and I have painted a lot of pears.  The funny part of this, I was happy with the painting while I was working on it, but it wasn't until I took photos to upload to the computer that I noticed the leaves~ the ones I didn't know I painted.  One of those "happy accidents" that you wonder how it happened.  Look in the background just above the two leaves on the left....there is a leaf!  Look on the right in the background the clear image of a white leaf!  I didn't plan it, I didn't even know it at the time.  

Autumn Pear was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality Ampersand Gessobord with painted sides to allow for display without a frame.  This painting can be framed or placed on a small display easel.  

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Day 10, but not painting #10 HA! Martini, Stirred XI

Martini, Stirred XI

8" x 10"

Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

Day Ten of the 30 paintings in 30 days with Leslie Saeta.  I love painting martinis almost as much as drinking them!  Time to put the vodka away and get busy!!  I am so many paintings behind on the 30 in 30.  This is actually the sixth painting for me~

Martini, Stirred XI 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.

I have no clue what to paint for tomorrow~ 

Thank you for stopping by,

Torrie

Day 2! Cupcake 011

Cupcake 011

6" x  6"

Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

Day Two of the 30 paintings in 30 days with Leslie Saeta.  Cupcakes!  I like eating them more than painting them.  

Cupcake 011 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. 

Day Three tomorrow~  Off to paint!

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

Fall Pears

 

Fall Pears

6" x  6"

Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

It is that time again, the days are getting cooler and shorter and the leaves are turning the beautiful colors of fall.  I sat down and decided to paint pears with the rich colors of fall.  

Fall Pears 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. 

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Painting #11 on Day 19 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Radishes II

6" x  6" 

Acrylic Paint on Ampersand Gessobord

~Sold~

Day Nineteen of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days in September with Leslie Saeta and this is painting #11.  I should have posted this one yesterday, but I was too tired.  So, better late than never! 

Radishes II was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality Ampersand Gessobord. Painting can be placed in a small frame and also be placed on a small easel for display.

Today, I am painting a baseball first on deep gallery wrapped canvas......then who knows, but I plan on painting all day!

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

30 in 30 Day Two!! Me and My Shadow

Me and My Shadow

6" x  6"

Acrylic Paint on Ampersand Gessobord

~Sold~

Day Two of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days in September with Leslie Saeta. 28 more paintings to go~  I wanted to paint a really loose pear painting and just have fun.  I am so pleased with the way this one turned out.

Me and My Shadow was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality Ampersand Gessobord. Painting can be placed in a small frame and also be placed on a small easel for display.

This painting has sold.

Now off to paint!  I think there will be another still life for Day 3~  Check back tomorrow to see if I change my mind~

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

The Paintings of January

 

The Paintings of January 2014

What HAPPENED!  

This is all I accomplished during the  30 Paintings in 30 Days with Leslie Saeta.  
I had a solid, prepared start and faded fast~

I spent a great deal of the month laying on the floor staring at the ceiling.  The hip pain I have had for years turned out to be a problem with the spine.......who knew I should have seen a doctor about a little hip pain. An MRI confirmed I have the spine of an 85-year-old stuck in my 54-year-old body....I must have been given used parts at birth!  After spending days crying and feeling sorry for myself, I am doing much better, going to physical therapy, taking medication, and hoping to postpone the inevitable surgery for just a bit.  

I will continue to paint as often as I can, there will be good weeks with seven paintings and long dry spells with lots of unpainted ideas floating in my head~

The next  30 Paintings in 30 Days with Leslie Saeta, I am going to try again!  I will one day live the dream of being a daily painter!

Now off to finish the very overdue large commissioned painting!  

Thanks again for stopping by~

Torrie

Colorado Pear

 

Colorado Pear

6" x 6"

Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

 

Day #4 of the Thirty paintings in thirty days in January  ~30 Paintings in 30 Days with Leslie Saeta.  

Yes, that is pot growing out of a pear. Being known for my Pear Paintings, my wonderful Kevin suggested I paint a tie-dyed Colorado Pear. Yes, I think he is reminiscing about his college days~ 

Colorado Pear was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for hanging without a frame. Painting can also be placed on a small easel for display.

This painting has sold.

Back to painting!

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

So long September ~

 

The Paintings of September

Thirty paintings in thirty days in September, well more like about 14!  ~30 Paintings in 30 Days with Leslie Saeta. 

I love participating in the 30-day challenges, it makes me crazy that I can't keep up, maybe one day when I don't have a "real job" I will have time to do what I love!  PAINT!

Now for the really big news, really big....  I have mainly painted 6" x  6" paintings with a few large pieces thrown in here and there.  Now its time for a change!  I have stocked up on large canvas 16" x 20" up to 30" x 40", so now the fun really begins~  These large paintings will be offered for sale at Houzz.com, as soon as they are created!  I will post pictures as soon as they are completed and maybe even some progress photos. Wish me luck on my "Big" adventure~    Don't worry, there will still be small affordable paintings available in my online stores. I will paint them in between being inspired to paint big~

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Green Pears III

 

Green Pears III

6" x  6"

Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~ 

Day 9~  Thirty paintings in thirty days in September  ~30 Paintings in 30 Days with Leslie Saeta. 

Well, I think this weekend will be a good time to catch up~ I have several things started, I just need to pick up the pace! 

Green Pears III was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for hanging without a frame. Painting can also be placed on a small easel for display.

This painting has sold.

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie 

Sunflower with Shadow

 

Sunflower with Shadow

5" x 7"

Acrylic Paint on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

Day 5~  Thirty paintings in thirty days in September  ~30 Paintings in 30 Days with Leslie Saeta.  

Continuing with the Sunflowers.  I was pressed for time to stay caught up and still work on the larger still life sunflower painting.  One of my sunflowers took a dive and had to be separated from the others.  When I put it off to the side in a small bottle, I noticed a cute shadow.  I thought this would look good on canvas and painting was born.

Sunflower with Shadow was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides to allow for hanging without a frame. Painting can also be placed on a small easel for display.

Tonight, I am having dinner with friends, so I might get a day behind, but I will catch up on Friday night!

Thanks for stopping by~ 

Torrie