Beyond the Tuscan Sun

Beyond the Tuscan Sun

18" x 24" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Commissioned Painting

I have finished the commissioned painting. I really enjoyed painting the large landscape. I have not painted one in quite some time. I may have to paint a few landscapes...I know, I have been saying that for months.

Well, better go, I am going to a concert tonight and there is so much to do before then.

Check back again soon.

Torrie

New Pear Paintings!

Gold Pear on Red

6"x 6" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Gold Pear with Grapes II

6" x 6" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

****SOLD****

The Gold Pear

6" x 6" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

***SOLD***

These are the newest in the small pear paintings. I took a short break from the current commissioned landscape painting and painted a few pears.

I should be finished with the newest version of Tuscan Sun by the end of the week. After that, I have more pear paintings. I will be sending new paintings to Flourish Boutique and Gallery to replace ones that have sold.

There will also be new small landscapes available soon....and I think I'm in the mood to create a new rooster painting.

Courtney is home from the summer session at school. She will be here long enough to pick up furniture and shop to decorate the new apartment. No more dorms! ~~ She also wants new paintings, I told her I would put her selections on the "list of things to do"~~ She does not like being on that list....It should be named "the list Mom will never get to do".

Well, back to the studio....time to paint some poppies.

Thanks for stopping by!

Torrie

In the Studio~~

New Tuscan Sun

The Original Tuscan Sun - 6"x "6 ~~Sold

I have begun working on the commissioned recreation of Tuscan Sun. This is going to be 18" x 24" acrylic on canvas.

I will be expanding on the original composition, I have such a large canvas to play with. Check back soon to see the finished painting before it is shipped off.

Just Finished!

Leftover Pear II

The new Leftover Pear II is completed and varnished. The case of small canvas I had ordered has arrived and I will be starting more Pear paintings as time permits.

Pear I

Flourish Boutique and Gallery

This painting was created especially for Flourish Boutique and Gallery in South Bend, Indiana. This painting has recently sold and I will be sending more new pear paintings to the gallery soon.

Well, this is what I am currently up to. I really need more hours in the day.

Thanks so much for taking a peak in my studio.

Torrie

Naquaiya's Cupcake, Show Entry EBSQart.com

Naquaiya's Cupcake

11" x 14" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

I have finished my entry in the EBSQart.com RIPPED show. I partnered with Naquaiya and painted my rendition of her scratchboard painting "Cupcake".

I had not planned on entering, but Naquaiya asked me to partner with her and I could not pass up the opportunity. It was a tough decision looking through her body of work to select a painting to RIP....so, I passed off the responsibility to my daughters. They thought it would be funny for me to do the cupcake...since I am currently on a strict "no sugar" diet. I love her scratchboard work and jumped at the choice of the cupcake

In painting Naquaiya's Cupcake, I used my background color that I have used with several of my pear and lemon paintings. I also replaced her cherry with my favorite.... a strawberry. This has been a wonderful opportunity to work with a gifted artist, thanks Naquaiya for inviting me! Visit Naquaiya's Etsy Store for her paintings that are available for purchase.

Cupcake, by Naquaiya

Currently in the Studio~

Leftover Pear ~ sold

I have been requested to recreate the Leftover pear. That is currently in the works. After that, I have a commission to complete a larger version of Tuscan Sun.

That's the studio news!

Check back again soon.

Torrie

New Pear Paintings!

I must first apologize that my store inventories are dwindling. I have been very fortunate to have acquired new collectors and I will by trying very hard to keep up. Here is the current list of new and upcoming works!

Two Gold Pears III

6" x 6" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Two Red Pears IV

6" x 6" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

These are the newest pear paintings currently available for purchase at my website and www.torriesmiley.etsy.com

I have had the busiest month to date...the following is a detailed list of what is coming up. I generally just paint what comes to mind when I enter the studio door. But, now there are commissions to do, an art show at EBSQ, and a watercolor workshop coming up. So, here is the current list of things to do:

Leftover Pear - sold

Leftover Pear has sold and moved away. I will be painting another "Leftover Pear" this weekend by request. It may be a bit difficult as I really did this painting with the paint that was left unused after several pear paintings. I will have to recreate the pear with its very own paint.

This will bring an end to the current 6" canvas. I have ordered a new case of canvas and hopefully it will arrive next week.

Tuscan Sun - Sold

I have been commissioned to recreate Tuscan Sun but quite a bit larger. Tuscan Sun is 6" x 6" on a canvas panel. I will be painting Tuscan Sun 18" x 24" to move to Ohio. This will be a true adventure for me. I have not painted a landscape this large in a while. I will keep you updated on the progress.

Art Show at EBSQart.com

Cupcake, by Naquaiya

It is time for the annual "Ripped Off" art show at www.ebsqart.com I had not planned on participating, things have been so busy, but Naquaiya, a fabulous artist who does wonderful things with scratchboard invited me to partner with her. I will be painting her "Cupcake" using my own style. She will be using scratchboard to recreate one of my martini paintings. I can not wait to see her martini. I will post the final paintings, stop in an see the show. My entry should be on the website by next week.

Here is a link to Naquaiya's online gallery at EBSQ:

http://www.ebsqart.com/Artists/cmd_4390_profile.htm

Check out her work. She also has a store at etsy.com. Her store includes her new watercolor paintings.

www.naquaiya.etsy.com

Well, this should keep me busy for a few days. I will check back in and let you know how things are progressing.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Torrie

New Martini Paintings!

Three Olive Martini V

8" x 10" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

Martini, Stirred IX

8" x 10" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

These are two new Martini Paintings currently available for purchase. By popular demand, I have painted these smaller than the original series.

Next up, I have been working on a still life using my orchid that recently bloomed and my grandmother's china. It is a small study, 8" x 10" acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas.

It seems there is just not enough hours in the day. Check back again soon. I know I will be up to something.

Torrie

Two Red Pears III - New Painting Today!

Two Red Pears III

6" x 6" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This is a new pear painting using the new red paint! I had just painted and sold Two Red Pears II when I received the shipment from Cheap Joe's of wonderful new colors of red paint I had ordered. I had to paint the pears again with the new deeper red shade. The kids don't seem to see much of a difference in the two, but I do. I will have to paint something else red so I can play with the new colors more!

Thanks for stopping by....it is late and I had better get to sleep!

Torrie

New Pear Paintings Today!

Two Green Pears II

6" x 6" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Leftover Pear

6" x 6" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Two new pear paintings! I have listed new small pear paintings in all the usual places, the etsy.com store, my eBay store, and my web gallery-- the links are to the right.

For those of you who are tired of all the pears. I will be starting an orchid still life painting tonight. I have a martini painting that needs to be finished and there is the landscape I keep threatening to finish.

Since the housecleaning fairy skipped my house, looks like I will have to clean house and do laundry for myself. I know there is a housecleaning fairy that keeps other houses clean. There has to be......who has time to clean house...

Thanks for stopping by to look at the new work!

Check back again soon!

Torrie

Design Style Guide

This is such a wonderful idea....I should have thought of it!

I am a new member of the InteriorDesignTeam at Etsy.com. This is a group of artists and crafters who offer handmade items specifically for Interior Design/Decor. This is an exciting new avenue for Interior Designers and the general public to shop specifically for their decorating needs.

You can use the link above to go directly to my listing at the Design Style Guide and view others listed on the site.

The website http://www.designstyleguide.net/ is currently under construction. I will give an update of the launch date. For now, you can use the blog for more information and activity within the group, see the blog listed below.

http://designstyleguide.blogspot.com/

I am thrilled to be involved with this wonderful group of artists and crafters!

Torrie

Two Red Pears II - click here to purchase

Two Red Pears II

6" x 6 Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

New painting today! Two Red Pears II is another painting using the small 6" x 6" canvas. This painting is available for purchase in all the usual places.

Today has been so busy with mailing paintings and getting the studio a bit more organized. I should be painting, but I seem to have let the day get away from me. Still working on the new landscapes, hopefully they will be ready soon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Torrie

Gold Pear with Grapes, New Pear Painting!

Gold Pear with Grapes

6" x 6" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Gold Pear with Grapes in the newest small pear painting. It is available for purchase directly from my gallery, at eBay.com, or ETSY.com.

I am working on another small pear painting. Hopefully, it will be finished tonight. Check back again tomorrow afternoon to see if it is finished.

There is a Craft Fair in the works for October 11, 2008 in Charlotte (Craft Attack 2008). It is being hosted by a group of my Etsy Artist and Crafter friends. I will update you with more information and the website as it progresses.

Well, back to the studio. There has been so much distraction with home repairs, yard work, and the "real job" it is getting harder and harder to get into the studio to do my most favorite thing!

Check back again soon.

Torrie

Completed Commissions

Completed Commissions in Blue

Lemons and Blue Bowl III

Tea with Lemons II

Lemons and Cream II

Flow Blue with Lemons

I had a customer originally purchase Flow Blue with Lemons at my Etsy.com store. She then commissioned the other three paintings to complete a set of four for her dining room. These were all painted on 8" x 10" gallery wrapped canvas to be hung with or without framing.

I received an update from Flourish Boutique and Gallery. I have included a copy of the newsletter at the bottom of the blog. Check out the pictures in the newsletter and see if you can spot my paintings!

Well, off to the studio.....remember those landscapes I have been promising!

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

Gold Pear on Pink - - New Pear Painting!

Gold Pear on Pink

6" x 6" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This is the newest pear painting. I will be finishing up the commissions this week, then....who knows. I keep saying I plan on doing more Landscapes....so, I guess it is about time.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Father's Day Weekend. June and July are big months in our family--lots of birthdays and holidays. Too many reasons to eat CAKE! The oldest this month is PaPa Smiley at 87...the youngest, my baby dachshund Stella who turned 4!

Back to the studio to finish Tea with Lemons. I will post a picture when it is finished before it moves to Illinois.

Thanks for stopping by!

Torrie

The Lily Pond

The Lily Pond

16" x 20" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

I have been working on very detailed commissioned paintings, so I took and break and completed the loosely painted lily pond painting.

I am hoping to have a painting ready for the Knife Painting Show by the end of the month. I do no normally paint with a knife so this one should be fun.

Well, back to the studio.

Thanks for stopping by.

Torrie

Sale at ETSY.com!

YART SALE!!

I am participating in the First Annual YART Sale at www.etsy.com

I have cleaned out the studio and listed several paintings that have been hanging around.....

Stop by to see if there is something you like. 

See you at the SALE!

Torrie

Lemons and Cream II

Lemons and Cream II

8" x 10" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
Commissioned Painting

This is the second in the series of three commissioned paintings. The next will be Tea with Lemons II.

So many ideas, so little time to paint! Look for new paintings soon. There will be more pears, landscapes, and martinis!

Thanks for stopping by......

Torrie

PS....If I seem to be distracted.....I will be 49 on Wednesday.........time flies when you are having fun!

Lemons and Blue Bowl III

Lemons and Blue Bowl III

8" x 10" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Commissioned Painting

I have been busy working on the three paintings that have been commissioned in the Flow Blue Series. This is the first completed painting.

There is more to come.

Torrie

Martini, Stirred VIII - New Bar Art!

Martini, Stirred VIII

16" x 20" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This is the newest painting in the Martini Series.

I have been commissioned to paint the complete Flow Blue Series for a collector. I will be busy with that for a while. I will try to work in a few new small paintings in between.

The weather has been absolutely beautiful! The flowers are blooming and the hydrangeas are going to be perfect this year. Look for floral paintings in the near future.

Well, off to paint!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Torrie

Grandma's Lemons, New Painting!

Grandma's Lemons

8" x 10" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This lemon press/juicer has been used to make lemon pies for five generations of my family. I had bought a bag of lemons to use in still life arrangements --after taking reference photos....we made a pie.

My apologies for my gallery being down for the last few days. EBSQart.com which hosts my gallery lost a server. The new server is in place and the gallery is again up and running and even faster!

Currently working on new martini paintings. These should be done hopefully by the end of the long weekend.

I am really going to finish the landscape paintings in the studio.....the Monet style pond and the poppy landscape are on their way to being completed.

I have to weed the flower bed and plant the tomatos---then back to painting!

Thanks for stopping by!

Torrie

Flow Blue and Lemons, New Painting!

Flow Blue and Lemons

Flow Blue and Lemons

Available for purchase

8" x 10" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

New Painting! Flow Blue with Lemons is the newest in the Flow Blue series. Finished this one last night. This is my favorite Flow Blue pitcher. It will probably be painted again---maybe with pears.

Miranda is coming home from her Florida vacation today. I am off to the airport to bring her home.

The next painting will be a plein air cloud painting for the show at www.EBSQart.com if the weather cooperates!

Check back again soon!

Torrie

Finally---New Paintings!

New Paintings Available for Purchase

Lemons and Red Bowl III

8" x 10" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

                                                                                        Pear Trio

8" x 10" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Paintings are available for purchase at the links on the right.

Things are getting back to normal, whatever that is.....Courtney has gone back to Chapel Hill. She will be taking classes this summer. Miranda is off to Florida for vacation and I will have a week to myself. Time to paint-paint-paint!

I have painted a new version of Lemons and Red Bowl. The lemon paintings have been fan favorites. There are more lemon paintings to come.

Pear Trio is a new pear painting. It wasn't planned. I just felt like pears.

Check back again soon. New paintings on the way!

Torrie

Hi Honey, I'm Home!

Back from the Beach!

Me and my fabulous new camera are home from the beach. I took this picture from my fifth floor hotel room balcony of the birds on the beach. I had a marvelous time. The staff at the Patricia Grand Resort were very nice and the three days went by too fast! I took several pictures of children playing in the surf and on the beach. There will be watercolors of the vacation coming soon.

The baby is coming home for two weeks from Chapel Hill before she starts the summer classes. We will be grilling out and bonding before she leaves home again. She will also bring home great new ideas for paintings.

Well, I better get going. 250+ emails to catch up on and tons of sandy laundry.

Thanks for stopping by!

Torrie

To the BEACH!!

GONE TO THE BEACH!

I am doing my part to stimulate the economy! I have taken my $600.00 from the Government and gone to the beach! I will be back when the cash runs out...

Look for new watercolors of the beach and other new fun paintings when I get home.

Torrie : )

Bowl of Strawberries - New painting today!

Bowel of Strawberries

8" x 10" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Mom has made it back safely to Texas and settled in with Flakoti. I am back to the routine. This is the newest finished painting since taking a vacation with Mom. It is also the first painting that I have photographed using my new Cannon Digital Camera.....I love my new camera! This painting is currently listed in my Etsy.com store.

There will be more paintings to come this week. Check back again soon!

Torrie

Two More Green Pears, New Painting Today!

Two More Green Pears

6" x 6" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Sorry, I have not been around.....my mother is here for a visit and we went to Atlanta this past weekend to see my sister graduate from college. Yeah! We had a wonderful road trip.

This is the last of the small canvas. I will have to get some more of these soon. But first! While on the road trip I picked up a new Flow Blue Pitcher. It will be the center of new still life paintings to come.

I also have an orchid in bloom. My little plant that has sat quietly in my studio has come to life with three magnificent blooms. This will be featured with my new little Japanese teapot in a still life.

I have new martini paintings on the way and I am still working on the "Monet-like" pond garden painting. This should keep me busy for a while.

I would like to thank all my new "fans" on Facebook! Thanks for keeping up with my art!

Well, I had better go.... so much to do, so little time.

Torrie

Two Gold Pears, New Painting Today!

Two Gold Pears

Two Gold Pears

6"x 6" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Two Gold Pears is the newest painting on the small 6" x 6" canvas I have recently been using.

Two Red Pears sold quickly after being listed on the internet. I am sorry for those who missed the opportunity to purchase. If you would like to commission one for yourself, just send me an email. You can also choose your size.

Staying too busy, but the paint is flowing smoothly!'

Off to the studio....the ideas are flooding in!

Thanks for stopping by.

Torrie

Two Red Pears, New Painting today! ~~SOLD~~

Two Red Pears - SOLD

6" x 6" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Available for purchase directly from Artist

This is the newest pear painting! I am almost out of the case of 6" x 6" canvas that I purchased. I have enjoyed them so much. I will definitely have to order more. That is the down side of living in a small town. --No art stores. The last time I drove to Charlotte to buy canvas, they were out of my size. Since gas is ridiculously expensive, I think I will just continue to order online from http://www.cheapjoes.com/ The staff at Cheap Joes are wonderful and ordering is simple, but I miss strolling down the aisle looking at all the pretty art supplies and wondering what I could do with them.... My favorite is looking at the pastels. A wall of color neatly organized and on display.....it is like a rainbow on the wall. Well, back to the real world.

I do have the water lily pond started....I guess I am intimidated by the beautiful ponds of Monet....I have been putting off really getting into it. I will post it as soon as I have conquered my fear and finished it.

I have recently opened a store on www.zazzle.com/torriesmiley At my zazzle store you will be able to buy stamps, mouse pads, note cards, coffee cups and many other items made from my original paintings. I will not be selling any prints of my paintings, just gift items. I have not fully stocked the store yet, so if there is a painting you would like to have made into note cards, postage stamps, etc..., just email me and I will add the item to the store.

Well, I had better get going. So much to do.....

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the new painting!

Torrie

Three Olive Martini IV

Three Olive Martini IV

Commissioned Painting

I am caught up! For the time being.

I have sent five paintings to be included in the gallery opening of Flourish Boutique and Gallery in South Bend, Indiana in June. If you are near there in June, stop in and check it out! I will give more updates as the time for the opening nears.

I have just finished this commissioned martini painting and can now get back to the other paintings I have been working on.

I will be opening a store at http://www.zazzle.com/ soon. You will be able to purchase my art in prints, cards, and other gift items. I will update you when the store is opened.

The weather has been wonderful! Much needed rain is here! I have planted hydrangeas, begonias, azaleas, and calla lilies. Soon there will be paintings of them all!

Biggest news! My orchid plant that has been in my studio for two years.....just three green leaves and a stick has finally bloomed! There are three beautiful orchids. These will definitely be in a painting very soon.

Thanks for stopping by....there will be more paintings soon,

Torrie

Two New Paintings!

Pear II

8" x 10" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Tomato

                                                                    6" x 6" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

These are two new painting just listed for sale, you can purchase through the title link at my http://www.torriesmiley.etsy.com/ store or from me directly at my website gallery http://www.torriesmiley.com/

Things are starting to slow down. Courtney is back at Chapel Hill, after a mild concussion. (Low blood sugar resulted in a fainting spell and a knot on her forehead the size of a small country!) She is doing well, but I am exhausted. My children are making me old! My worry wrinkle is getting deeper----

I have been getting paintings ready for a gallery opening in June in South Bend, Indiana. I will give more details as the time draws near.

I am still working on the martini commissions...but there are some other new paintings that will be finished soon...so keep in touch.

Torrie

Sunlit Tomatoes - New Painting!

Sunlit Tomatoes

8" x 10" Acrylic on Canvas

I just finished "Sunlit Tomatoes". It is available for purchase from all the usual places or just click the title above to buy directly from the artist.

I am in the process of getting some paintings together for a gallery opening in April. I will update you more as it progresses.

I have been on vacation this week, accomplishing not-a-whole-lot. I guess I better develop that old Southern 'gitter done' attitude and get busy.

I am going to paint a smaller tomato painting. I have two commissioned martini paintings to finish, and I still have not painted my bathroom.......

Well, guess I better get busy. Enjoy the new painting. For a list of online stores selling my work, go to www.torriesmiley.com

Thanks for stopping by!

Torrie

Tar Heel Martini, New March Madness Painting!

Tar Heel Martini

16"x 20" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Available on Auction at eBay

It is that time of year again! March Madness! It all started when my daughter was accepted at UNC Chapel Hill. Since then, I have started watching a lot of basketball. This painting has been in the back of my mind for a while.....well, I let it out and here it is......

Tar Heel Martini, --- my daughter said it needed more Carolina blue, but I like it.

I will be headed off to UNC to take her back to school from Spring break this weekend. There is no telling what I will be inspired to paint while I am on campus!

I will be painting more than usual this next week....but it will be the bathroom walls. I am doing some more work on the continuing project that is my house.

I do have a waterlily painting drawn on canvas and ready to paint, similar in style to the ones of Monet. There will also be more pear paintings.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the art!

Torrie

http://www.torriesmiley.com/

Pears and Pink Tulips, Just listed for Sale!

Pears and Pink Tulips

16" x 20" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

I have just finished "Pears and Pink Tulips". You can purchase directly from me by clicking the link above, or shopping in my Etsy.com store or at ArtbyUs.com.

I have started something new. My baby girl has come home for Spring Break from UNC Chapel Hill. It is so nice to have her home safe. While we were watching the Duke/UNC game the other night, it came to me. I will be painting a Martini painting very similar to the Award Winning "Martini, Stirred". This time it will be Carolina Blue--with a Basketball in the center instead of the olive. Check back again soon to see how it turns out! I often catch Tar Heel fever after a visit to the campus. Courtney thinks she gets to take it back to school with her.....we will have to see about that!

Thanks for stopping by!

Torrie

The Old Red Boat

The Old Red Boat

16" x 20" Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This is the newest finished painting. Don't worry the tulips are next! I was just in the mood to paint something loose. I have painted this boat before, but never this large. The painting has a thick textured appearance. I am very pleased with how it turned out. This painting is available for sale directly from the artist, or through my etsy store at http://www.torriesmiley.etsy.com/ or through http://www.artbyus.com/

Up next: The tulip painting. I will start this new painting tonight. It is also going to be 16" x 20".

Thanks for checking in!

Torrie

Sneak Peak!

Currently on the easel

This will be titled "Pink Tulips, Green Pears"--maybe..

Remember when John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans"--well, that would explain the lack of posts and new paintings! I have now figured out, I get the flu shot, so I can take care of everyone who chooses NOT to get the flu shot! Gallons of ginger ale, soup, and Lysol wipes later......it is time to paint!

And now for planned art ~~ : )

I don't generally post the reference photo when I have just finished the drawing, but I wanted to give you a hint. Tomorrow's game plan is to start painting this wonderful tulip painting. I guess I am just hurrying spring, but I picked up these tulips for a centerpiece at this past week's Mary Kay party and had to paint them.

I have also begun drawing a water lily painting/koi pond. (Another hint that I can't wait for spring!)

And last but surely not least---I have a started another "Old Red Boat" painting...this time 16" x 20" oil on gallery wrapped canvas.

These are not my usual paintings....I am stepping out of my usual comfort zone and painting spring!

Check back again soon to see the progress.

Torrie