Artist Sherry Key ~ Ripped me off~

E-MOTO

by: Sherry Key

Entry in EBSQart.com "Ripped Off" Show

Ripped ~ Big Bird

Watercolor, 2002

I love participating with other artists in the Ripped Off shows at EBSQart.com. I have partnered with Sherry Key this year, and she finished way ahead of me. This is her entry in the show. She ripped the original watercolor big bird painting I did in 2002 ~ I was a newbie to painting then and I signed my paintings "Victoria".

Check out this painting and other original works by Sherry Key at EBSQart.com.

I will be working on Sherry's painting for the next few days, hopefully posting a picture of the final painting soon.

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

EBSQart ~ Blogger of the Week

Torrie Smiley

I was thrilled and honored to be EBSQart blogger of the week. I started blogging in May 2006. My blog is still a work in progress. My goal is to have a blog that is informative, fun, and that gives my collectors more information about me and my paintings.

Check out the interview at EBSQ - Art Meets Blog for the full interview and the interviews of other EBSQ artist that I follow and admire.

Thanks for stopping by~ I will be painting later today. (Small loosely painted pear).

Torrie

It is time to RIP OFF!

Claudia's Calla Lilies

8" x 10"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Ripped Off Entry 2009

One of my favorite things every year is the Ripped Off show at EBSQart.com. This is where you pair up with someone, and go through their portfolio and "rip off" a piece of their artwork. It can be one piece or a combination, your interpretation of their work, ideas, medium, technique. This year I have paired with three artists. I will be very busy this month trying to finish all the paintings on time. The first one to tackle is a photo from Sherry Key. I plan on painting this with acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped canvas (16" x 20"). I chose this piece because it is loose and colorful and I can play with swirling puddles of paint.

My next artist to rip is Amanda Makepeace. I have loved this painting since I first saw it and I can't wait to do my version of her lovely orchid. I am still working with several ideas, I can't decide whether to crop the painting and do a version of just the center or back out and do the orchid ~ I have time to decide while I finish my version of Sherry's photo. My orchid painting will be acrylic paint on a 16" x 20" gallery wrapped canvas.

Now comes the hardest part, I am torn between the two photographs from EBSQ artist Carissa Martos. I love both the photos and don't know which one I can render the best painted version. I would love to paint the Golden Gate bridge, but I am afraid my skill level is not quite there yet. I have decided to paint this one last, that way I have time to decide and maybe paint both and see which one I like the best.

Well, as you can see, I have my work cut out for me and I had better get busy. I will be posting the paintings as I finish them before I send them off to live with their artist owners that I Ripped Off.

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Daisies and Lemons ~ New small painting

Daisies and Lemons

6" x 6"
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

After unloading everything from my daughter's baby shower in October 2009, I had a few centerpieces at the house. I put one on the table added a few lemons and took reference photos thinking that needs to be a painting someday......someday finally got here and I painted a small still life of the flowers from her shower. Yes, the baby is here and she is beautiful and 7 months old. Yes, I am finally getting caught up and painting new and different things~

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

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

Coming up~

I am so excited to be included in the EBSQ artists who blog~ the interview will be coming out next week and I will post a link then.

It is time for the Ripped Off show at EBSQart.com. I have agreed to participate with three artists this year (what was I thinking!) I had better get busy~ I will post the paintings as they are finished along with link to the various artists websites.

Yes, I am still working on the martini painting...I have come to the un-fun part, and I guess that could be why it is sitting in the corner half finished.......staring at me with that "you don't love me" glare. All that is left to do is the detail of the glass-- may this week.

Well, I had better get busy, there is much to paint and so little time~

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

The Lazy Red Pear II ~ New small pear painting

The Lazy Red Pear II

6"x 6"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

A new small pear painting is a composition I have done before. I just this painting. I am very happy with the way it turned out.

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

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

Up Next~

I am almost finished with the martini painting, taking a brief break from it to do smaller works. I am also starting still life painting from a reference photo I took of flowers at my daughter's baby shower. My granddaughter is now seven months old, so that was a while ago.

Thanks for stopping by and check back again soon.

Torrie

Red Geraniums ~ New Small Painting

Red Geraniums

6" x 6"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

The original plan was to sit on the porch and paint~ well, the heat wave came much sooner than I expected and I have not been able to sit and paint on the porch, so the next best thing--paint what is on the porch. This potted red geranium lives on my front porch with several other geraniums of varying colors. Hopefully, at some point in time, I will be able to sit and enjoy the porch and paint without burning up.

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

This painting is available for purchase by using the Paypal button above or at my website gallery or in my Etsy.com store.

This weekend has flown by and I did not get as much done as I wanted, but tomorrow is another day~ check back again soon and see what I come up with.

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

Yellow Pear II - Redux ~ New Pear Painting of Old Pear Painting!

Yellow Pear II - Redux

8" x 10"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

Yellow Pear II

~2005~

Yellow Pear II - Redux is my entry to the 2010 Redux show at EBSQart.com We all change. We all grow and evolve. We all have things in our past that we would do differently if we were to be presented with the same situation today. This show gives you the opportunity to do just that. For Redux, you revisit a work of art you created in the past, and reinterpret it in the present.

This was so much fun to do~ I selected one of my early pear paintings from 2005. I have painted so many pears over the years, 2005 is just about where the pear phase started. These were both painted using acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped canvas.

Yellow Pear II - Redux has sold.
~Coming up next~
I am almost finished with the new large version of Martini Stirred. Just the detail work on the glass left to do. I have also started a small painting of the red geraniums on my front porch.
Thanks for stopping by,
Torrie

Finally~ A New Pear Painting!

The Big Red Pear

16" x 20"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

A big red pear with a loosely painted light colored background.

The Big Red Pear was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped museum quality canvas with painted sides. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

The Big Red Pear has sold.

Well, vacation is over and Mom is back safely to Texas, time to get back to work. There is so many things I need to get caught up~ the new martini painting is almost finished. There are paintings to do for several challenge blogs and then there is the "Rip off" show coming next month.

Check back again soon, I will be painting as fast as I can.

Torrie

Golden Martinis ~ New Large Martini Painting

Golden Martinis

16" x 20" x 1.5"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Collection of the Artist

Two loosely painted golden martinis with a hint of olives.

Golden Martinis was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a deep gallery wrapped museum quality canvas with painted sides. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting is in the collection of the artist.

It has been a while since I painted martinis-- it has been fun. I am almost finished with the new Martini, Stirred painting. After that, there is the large pear painting to finish.

There are so many things I want to paint~ and so little time!

Check back soon for another new painting.

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

Martini Painting in Progress~

In Progress~

Martini, Stirred VIII

16" x 20"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Martini, Stirred VII

~Sold~

This weekend was supposed to be filled with painting.........well, didn't happen.

Miranda and Dustin found the perfect house for their little family and we spent the weekend moving from various storage buildings in Charlotte and Shelby to Morganton. It was a fun filled weekend with the unforeseen mishaps that often accompany moving. Once all the boxes are unpacked and everything is in place, we will have fun with decorating!

Time to get back to painting. By popular demand, I am working on two martini paintings. Here is a glimpse of Martini, Stirred VIII in progress. This will be similar to the previous Martini, Stirred painting, but I think I will add more swirls of color.

The second martini painting will be shades of gold, yellow, brown and a touch of red. This will be a very loosely painted and more abstract martini painting.

Hopefully, there will be a completed martini painting soon.

Have a happy Monday~

Torrie

Salt and Pepper on Green ~ Prints now available

Salt and Pepper on Green

Available now in Print

A collector purchased my Salt and Pepper on Red painting and decided her best friend needed the same painting in green. She commissioned this small salt and pepper still life painting. A print of Salt and Pepper on Green is currently available in my Gallery at Fine Art America.

I spent last evening at the gallery crawl in the NoDa area of Charlotte. It was so much fun~ Viewing the work of other fine artists is so inspiring.

Today~


I will be spending the day in the studio today. Currently in progress are two new martini paintings and a new large pear painting. All the paintings are 16" x 20". The new pear painting is a colorful red pear with a light in color loosely painted background.

Thank you for stopping by~

Torrie

Now Available at Fine Art America

Big Bird - 2007

I have recently partnered with Fine Art America to offer prints of my original paintings through their website. You can now choose from a large portion of my work including paintings that are in my private collection.

When I painted Big Bird - 2007, I never imagined how popular he would become. Prints and cards are now available at Fine Art America.

Up Next~

Coming soon, almost finished with new martini paintings and new large pear paintings. Check back again soon.

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

New Ballerina Painting ~ The Swan IV

The Swan IV

16" x 20"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

I have finished the second large ballerina painting. I love painting ballerinas.

The Swan IV was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped museum quality canvas with painted sides. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

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

I have been asked to paint more pear paintings. After looking through my online stores, I do need to add a few pears in different sizes. Watch for new pear paintings on 6"x 6", 8" x 10", and 16" x 20" gallery wrapped canvas.

Well, off to get busy, I am still unpacking boxes from the move....and mom's upcoming visit is just weeks away!

Stop by again soon,

Torrie

The Glass Birds ~ New small painting

The Glass Birds

6" x 6"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

This is my latest painting for the challenge painting group at www.rookiepainter.blogspot.com. These birds are so cute.

Reference Photo

www.rookiepainter.blogspot.com

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

I have been enjoying participating in the different challenge painting blogs. It takes some of the pressure off of deciding what to paint next. Yes, sometimes you do run out of ideas. I am trying to get time to finish one for www.virtualpaintout.blogspot.com I have been wanting to jump into participating in this one for a while, but just now finding the time.

This is a big weekend around the house, Paige is 23 today and there will be a weekend of fun. Audrey Grace will be here. She is 6-months old today. ~Time does fly. I will try to work in some painting between the fun and pool time.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Torrie

Yellow Tulips ~ New painting today~

Yellow Tulips

7" x 9"

Acrylic on Canvas Panel

~Sold~

I have completed my painting for the painting challenge at:

http://www.rookiepainter.blogspot.com/

I am so glad I finished my commissions in time to participate. This was really a fun painting and I am very happy with the way it turned out. The reference photo we used for the challenge is below.

Reference photo for Yellow Tulips

Yellow Tulips was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a canvas panel. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting is available for purchase using the Paypal button above, at my website, or in my Etsy.com store.

UP NEXT~

I am finishing up the second ballerina painting (16" x 20"). I am also thinking of painting a geranium in a clay pot to go with the challenge painting that I just finished.

The next large painting will be a martini painting. I have not painted a martini in a while.

Well, off to paint~

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

New Large Ballerina Painting~ The Ballerina IV

The Ballerina IV

16" x 20"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

A ballerina in pink and white with a muted gray/blue/green background.

The Ballerina IV was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped museum quality canvas with painted sides. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting has sold.

I love painting ballerinas and should paint more of them. I have a larger version of The Swan almost finished. It is also 16" x 20" and is the same as the previous small versions of The Swan.

I have finished my painting for The Rookie Painter painting challenge blog. I will post the painting tomorrow after I take pictures. It is nice to get back into the swing of things. I am almost finished unpacking boxes after the move to Charlotte and Audrey Grace is almost six months old- healthy and beautiful. Life is good~

Check back tomorrow for my painting of the yellow tulips.

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

Happy Friday!~ New Lily Pond Painting

The Green Boat at Giverny

11" x 14"

Acrylic on Canvas Panel

~Sold~

I am painting a large Monet-type lily pond painting for myself and currently working on small studies to see which composition I like best. I went through several paintings and pictures from Monet's pond and loved the green boat.

The Green Boat at Giverny was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a museum quality canvas panel. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

Up Next~


This weekend I will be finishing up the two ballerina paintings. Just a few final touches and they will be done.

After that ~ who knows. I think it is time for new rooster paintings and a new martini painting.
Thanks for stopping by,
Torrie

New Pear Painting~ The Green Pear

The Green Pear

6" x 8"

Oil on Canvas Panel

~Sold~

A single green pear with a light loosely painted background.

The Green Pear was painted using professional artist grade oil paint on a small canvas panel. Painting can be framed or placed on a small display easel. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting is available for purchase using the Paypal button above for $35.00 with $8.00 United States Priority shipping.

You can also purchase this painting from my website or my Etsy.com store.

UP NEXT~

I will be finishing up my last two commissioned paintings this weekend. They are two paintings of a lily pond. I will post pictures as soon as they are finished. The buyer is choosing between the two. One of the paintings will be available for purchase. This will end the backlog of commissions.

I will be finishing the large ballerina paintings next. These are both 16" x 20" versions of the original smaller Ballerina painting and The Swan paintings.

After that....who knows, I have so many ideas. I will be doing a few large paintings for my new place, I will post pictures when they are done so you can see the paintings that I keep.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend~

Torrie

Mystery Artist Show and Sale

The Mystery Artist Show and Sale

Torrie Smiley

The Family

Kevin, Audrey Grace, and Dustin

The Gallery

All the paintings in the show were 5" x 7"

Refreshments

The Mystery Artist Show and Sale in Shelby, North Carolina was so much fun. I love participating in the event and will be there again next year.

I spent the weekend in Chapel Hill, NC visiting with Courtney and wandering around taking pictures. I take my camera everywhere and take reference photos for future paintings. There will be some fun ones coming up soon.

Today, I will be finishing my last commission that should have been done several months ago, then I will be finishing paintings that have been on the easel for a while. Ballerinas, pears, flowers~

Have a wonderful day, thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

Mystery Art Show and Sale ~ Paintings completed!

The Royal Academy of London calls it the "Secret Postcard Event", Artworks of Cincinnati calls it "Secret Artworks", and The Arts Council of Moore County calls it "Anonymous Art". The Cleveland County Arts Council in Shelby, North Carolina calls it

"Mystery Art"

~ An art "Whodunnit" of miniature proportions~

This is the second year that I have participated in the Mystery Art Show and Sale. It is always so much fun. There are 200 paintings included in the event. They are all painted on 5"x 7" gallery wrapped canvas. These small creations are hung anonymously in the gallery and the identity of the artist is given to the purchaser of the painting. All paintings are available for $35.00 with the proceeds going to the Cleveland County Arts Council. Come and join in the fun at the opening reception April 29, 2010 from 5:30 through 8:30 pm. Come early~ the paintings sell quickly.

This year, I painted small versions of some of my favorite pear paintings and "best sellers".

Green Pears on Linen IV

This is a smaller version of the painting that hangs in my kitchen.
I have painted this composition several times. The paintings are in collections in the United States and Australia.

This is the third version of "The Lazy Pear" painting titled:

The Lazy Red Pear

Pear IX

The number nine says it all~ The brightly colored, loosely painted pear is a collector favorite. I included a version of this painting in last year's sale.

I am very honored to have been allowed to participate in this charity event to support the Cleveland County Arts Council in Shelby, NC. I moved to Charlotte at the first of this year, but still try to help out whenever I can. I publicly showed my first painting at the Council's Artist Competition in 2001, so there is a soft spot in my heart for the Council.

Look forward to seeing you there~

Torrie

Two New Pear Paintings Today~

The Pear - 2010

16" x 20"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

A beautiful weekend with plenty of time to paint! Finished two pear paintings that have been in the studio for a while.

The Pear - 2010 is the first large pear painting of this year. A brightly colored pear with a muted background.

The Olive Pear was painted using basically three colors. The dark color which is a mix of Ultramarine Blue and Cadmium Orange. This dark color is then used with only Naples yellow and Unbleached Titanium. This is the result--I call it The Olive Pear~

Both paintings were painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped museum quality canvas with painted sides. Paintings were finished with a light coat of varnish.

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

www.torriesmiley.com

www.torriesmiley.blogspot.com

Coffee on Red ~

Coffee on Red

6" x 6"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

A fresh, hot cup of coffee in a white ceramic cup on a bright red background.

Coffee on Red was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped museum quality canvas with painted sides to allow for hanging without a frame. Painting can also be placed on a small display easel. 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 or my Etsy.com store.

There are so many paintings floating in my head that need to get on canvas! The weather is beautiful and everything is blooming. It is very inspiring. The series "Paintings from the Porch" is currently on hold until the green/yellow mist of floating pollen eases up just a bit.

I am currently finishing up the two lily pond paintings. Half finished and waiting for my undivided attention are two large ballerina paintings and a large pear painting. Look for posts on these paintings in the coming days~

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

www.torriesmiley.com

www.torriesmiley.blogspot.com

Torrie Smiley, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

New Tea with Mint and Lemon Painting~

Tea with Mint and Lemon II

6" x 6"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Available for Purchase

~Sold~

This composition was painted again, this time on a gallery wrapped canvas.

Tea with Mint and Lemon II was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped museum quality canvas with painted sides to allow for hanging without a frame. This painting can also be placed on a small display easel. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting sold 4/2/2010

UP NEXT~

I should be finished with my Lily Pond paintings by the end of the weekend. I have also finished a second teacup painting, and will be finishing my cup of coffee on red this evening. So much to do, so little time.

Spring is here, the trees and blooming around Charlotte. I will have to take time to drive around and take pictures. They are all so pretty.

I am still planing to do a series of painting from my porch. The weather is just perfect and the porch is ready to go!

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

The Pear Family ~ New small pear painting

The Pear Family

5" x 7"

Oil on Canvas Panel

Sold

This was just a small fun painting to do in order to get back into the swing of painting. Momma pear and her three baby pears in shades of blue, gray, green, gold, and yellow.

This painting is currently available for purchase using the Paypal button above, at my website, and in my Etsy.com store.

The Pear Family was painted using professional artist grade oil paint on a small canvas panel. Painting can be framed or placed on a small display easel. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

Spring is here! More daylight, better weather, and everything is blooming. This is my favorite time of the year in North Carolina. Time to get busy and paint! I am thinking of starting a series of "paintings from the porch", small creations while sitting on the porch upstairs. I will let you know how that idea progresses.

Well, off to spring clean a bit and then spend the day painting!

Have a fabulous Sunday~

Torrie

Fresh Orange II ~ New Painting.

Fresh Orange II

5" x 7"

Oil on Canvas Panel

~Sold~

I originally painted this composition in 2008. It is hard to believe it has been two years! It seems like yesterday. I loved painting it then and it was just as fun the second time around.

Fresh Orange II was painted using professional artist grade oil paint on a small canvas panel. Painting can be framed or placed on a small display easel. Painting was finished with a light coat of varnish.

I am busy finishing the lily pond paintings. I started painting two different compositions, now it is going to be three. I am going to do a rendition of one of Monets' paintings of a woman in a boat in the pond at Giverny. Hopefully, they will all be finished by the end of the week.

Next up, the ballerina paintings are going to be finished and I am beginning a large pear painting (16" x 20").

Thanks for stopping by and check back again soon.

Torrie