New Painting - Red Wine - Oil on Canvas Panel

Red Wine

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

This is the newest listing in my eBay store. I am sorry it has been so long since my last post and I have not been painting as much as usual. I have not been feeling well....(which is really not me, I burn the candle at both ends and stay busy) so it slowed me down quite a bit. I am getting back to my old self, but I have to get used to the idea of eating right, exercising, and taking care of myself. I will be in the studio steady for the first week in July. There will be new art, both oil and acrylic. I also hope to start some watercolors of the trip to the Tall Ships Festival in Charleston.

Thanks for waiting for the posts and the new art.

Torrie

Pear Reflections I and II

Pear Reflections II

Pear Reflections I

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

These two new paintings will be listed on eBay this evening.

This is a followup piece to Pear Reflections using a red background instead of the dark blue. I also split the composition to be an individual painting of the two Bosc pears. I often paint pieces over and over again with subtle differences, partly as practice and also to see the way my technique and art has progressed and changed.

I have started a Charleston painting from the adventure to the Tall Boat Festival. It is coming along...

I will be starting more Martini art and I am thinking of doing Tuscan Sun again ....only bigger.

Check back again soon...

Torrie

Art Competition June 14, 2007

2007 Cleveland County Artists' Competition

The opening reception and awards presentation for the 2007 Cleveland County Artists' Competition will be June 14, 2007 at 7:30 pm.

I will be entering "Green Apple Martini". This is one of my favorite paintings. I love the glass. This is one of those instances where, I don't know how I did it, and I don't think I could ever do it this well again. Hopefully, the Judge (David Edgar from Charlotte, North Carolina) will like the painting as much as I do.

The painting will hang in the Cleveland County Arts Council Gallery until July 26, 2007. The gallery will be open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Please drop by and see the art! Admission is free. 111 South Washington Street, Shelby, North Carolina.

Thanks again for stopping by,

Torrie

Green Pears on Linen - New on eBay

Green Pears on Linen - 2007

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

New to eBay for auction: Green Pears on Linen - 2007

I have done this composition several times before. I have painted this quite large (24 x 36) and it hangs over my stove in the kitchen and I have painted as a commissioned piece. Every time I paint it, I do not try to copy the last painting I did, but use the reference photo. It is fun to look back and see the difference in how I have progressed both as an artist and how the different moods and events at the time have put subtle differences in the painting. I always think the one I have just completed is the best, but as with everything, beauty is strictly the opinion of the current viewer.

Please enjoy, Green Pears on Linen - 2007.

Torrie

DaVinci Chianti

DaVinci Chianti

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

This is a new painting for the 2007 Wine Series. It is an 11 x 14 and will be on eBay this evening for sale. The EBSQart.com website has had problems for the past several days. Hopefully, they will have it straightened out soon. I use their website for my auction templates.

Well, on to art. I have a commission piece to do for a patron at Lake Lure, North Carolina, but I do plan on sneaking in a Charleston painting in the next couple of days.

Thanks for stopping by.

Torrie

Charleston, South Carolina

Tall Ships Festival

I have fallen in love with Charleston. This was my first visit and I went to the Tall Ships Festival. The boats were wonderful. We ate way too much food at the Noisy Oyster ---the desert was worth every calorie!! If dreams came true, I would live in one of the beautifully restored buildings downtown above my own Gallery and Studio. But, I will have to settle for now with my cozy little home studio and a hospital day job.

Charleston is only a quick 3+ hour trip from Shelby. I plan on going again --off season, so I won't have to fight the crowds and really visit, and take tons of pictures, and do a lot of sketching.

I had Courtney help me with the picture taking, and I am now waiting for her to download my 80+ pictures. I will probably be doing watercolor nautical art by the summer.

But for now-- back to the real world and what is currently on the easel:

A wine painting of red wine (Chianti) 11 x 14

Also, a new version of the award winning Big Bird painting....this time bigger and in acrylic.

I am also getting ready for an Art Competition in June.

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

Thanks for checking in.

Torrie

Big Bird

Big Bird

I am so excited! "Big Bird" won Member's Mention in the EBSQart.com Wild Birds Art Show for the Month of April. This was one of my first watercolor paintings. He was sold and now lives in South Carolina.....I am going to have to paint him again.

Check out the show at EBSQart. com

Torrie

Strawberry Martini

Strawberry Martini

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

Strawberry Martini to be listed today on eBay. This is the newest Martini in the 2007 Bar Art Series.

Happy Mother's Day! I will be hanging out with Courtney today until Miranda gets off work. Currently on the easel is a knife painted landscape, very immpressionistic and new for me. I hope everyone will like it. Next, a new wine painting and anything else that come to mind.

Next week is the "The Tall Boats" in Charleston. We will be going for the day. I can't wait.

Check back again soon.

Torrie

Tuscan Sun

Tuscan Sun

New for eBay! It will be listed Tuesday. Tuscan Sun is an oil painting on 6 x 6 canvas panel.

I am going to Chapel Hill to spend some time with the baby before she comes home from school. We are going to the "Bodies" exhibit Monday. I cannot wait.

Currently on the canvas is the most abstract/impressionist knife painting I have ever done. If it turns out well, it will be "Rocks at Lake Lure" 16 x 20 canvas. Hopefully, what is in my head will make it to the canvas. Drawn and ready to paint is a 16 x 20 "Strawberry Martini" for the 2007 Martini Series.

Well, off to go pack.

Torrie

Magnolia II - 2007

Magnolia II - 2007

16 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas
http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

This is a new magnolia piece. Larger than the first. This will be listed on eBay later today.

Once again there is too much to do and too little time. Too much work at the hospital, and I don't like working everyday. I just want to paint. I have to replace the begonias in the yard that were killed by the late freeze. The yard needs more pink. It would be nice to work in the yard today, but there is no time....I miss Lowe's. I do plan on starting more martini paintings and a new wine painting. That will be for later tonight, if the real world doesn't wear me out first.

Thanks for checking in.

Torrie

Oil Painting

Two Green Pears

Field of Poppies 2007

These are two small 6 x 6 oil paintings on canvas panel. This reaffirms why I paint using acrylic. Oil paint drys slowly and I tend to get it all over me before I am finished with the painting. These will be listed for sale on eBay as soon as they dry and I varnish them.

Enjoy the new work. I will be back to painting with fast-drying acrylic this afternoon.

Thanks for stopping by.

Torrie

Pear Reflections

Pear Reflections

8 x 10 Acrylic on Canvas
http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

This is the newest painting to be added to the eBay store. I am slowly getting back in the routine. It has been a long couple of weeks. There are still more tests to run and doctors to see, but I am almost back to my old cranky self. Now, I have tons and tons of things to catch up on. The weather is wonderful. The hammock is being used on a regular basis. The flowers that died in the last freeze will soon be replaced.

I plan on starting oil landscapes today. If they turn out well you will be seeing them soon on eBay. They are small study size 6 x 6 canvas panels. I am very excited.

I also plan to do small pastel paintings this summer. Little paintings to do while hanging out in the backyard until it gets dark. This is going to be a wonderful summer!

Well, time to run. Too much to do, too little time.

Have a wonderful day!

Torrie

Three Pears II - 2007

Three Pears II - 2007

This painting was requested by a previous buyer. I had wanted to have more new paintings online by now, but in the words of John Lennon, "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans."

I did make it to the new "Cheap Joe's" store in Charlotte last weekend. I love art supply stores. But it was all down hill from there. I don't make a good "sick" person. I am not the type to lay on the sofa and watch TV, but I am getting the hang of it. I can see my art studio from the sofa and all the blank canvas' are calling my name. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day to paint.

Check back again soon.

Torrie

The floating green mist!

HAPPY SPRING!!

Spring has come early to Shelby, North Carolina. The trees and flowers have never been prettier. The green pollen that covers everything and hangs in the air in the spring is particularly heavy this year. I can usually hold my own with the floating green mist, leave the windows open for fresh breezes, and plant pink flowers everywhere, but this year I have fallen victim to the plague of the city......sinus disease! It has slowed me down.....but I will not stop....well, maybe just for a while. I will be going to Cheap Joe's tomorrow. They have opened a store in Charlotte and that is where I plan to spend all my money!! Now instead of an all day trip to Boone for art supplies...it is a 45 minute drive!! I have a commission to paint some pears and I have a request for larger magnolias and I have started a windmill painting. New art is on the way, if I can just keep breathing.

Check out the art show for Wild Birds on EBSQart.com. I have entered a watercolor "Big Bird".

Enjoy your Easter. I plan on spending mine painting, enjoying my children, playing with the dogs, and taking Benadryl.


Thanks for stopping by.

Torrie

Rooster Wine

Rooster Wine

11 x 14 Acrylic on Canvas

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

This is the newest painting in the 2007 Wine Series. This painting will be listed for sale on eBay this evening. I will start working on a second martini painting tonight that will be titled "Three Olive Martini".

Thanks for stopping by.

Torrie

UNC Chapel Hill Tar Heels

Baby Courtney watching basketball!

GO HEELS!

Today is for painting and watching Basketball!

Thanks for checking in-

Torrie

New Painting, Bell Peppers

Bell Peppers

8 x 10 Acrylic on Canvas
http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

Well, I didn't mention this one in the last blog, it was one of those, "saw the peppers had to paint them".

Now to get back on track, tomorrow I plan on starting the larger Magnolia. This weekend, it is the new martini painting, and I am working on a new red wine painting....11 x 14.

The weather is supposed to be great this weekend. Hopefully, I will not be tempted to plant flowers instead.

I am thinking this summer I may do a series of plein air pastels done in my backyard. Small creations from hanging out in the great outdoors. I will keep you informed.

Thanks for checking in!

Torrie

Happy Day!!

EBSQart.com, "Art of the Day"

I am so excited. I have been a member of EBSQart.com since November 2005 and this is the first piece to have been selected as "Art of the Day". It is such motivator. This past weekend I started a companion piece to go with this Martini.

I have also started a larger Magnolia. This time on a 16 x 20 gallery wrapped canvas. I vaguely remember the small magnolia not coming together easily, I have my fingers crossed on the larger one.

I took the baby back to school yesterday, "Go HEELS!" It was sad to leave her once again, but I have Miranda and Sadie to keep me company.

I did not get as much painting done over spring break like I wanted, but the house is clean, the yard is looking good, and now its time to paint!

Thanks for checking in and your continued interest in my art. I have some surprises coming up....Marine art!! I am thinking of painting a boat.....also, getting back to my roots with some new Western art. Cowboys and cows!

Happy Spring!

Torrie

Martini - Stirred

Martini - Stirred

16 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas

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

New painting just listed on eBay. Vacation is wonderful! Painting new and different stuff and having a wonderful time with the family.

Today is yard work. The weather is going to be beautiful and it is a day to play outside. I will probably paint something small tonight. I haven't decided what yet.

Have a wonderful day!

Torrie

VACATION!!

New Paintings

Blue Rooster 16 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas

Three Green Pears 8 x 10 Acrylic on Canvas

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

Vacation!! Courtney is home from Chapel Hill and I have taken the week off from the Hospital to enjoy family, friends, and painting!

These two new paintings will be listed for sale on eBay this evening. My sister will be in today from Charlotte and we are going bear hunting in the mountains. --Mom wants a carved wood bear for her front yard and we are going up to Lake Lure where the wood carving artists hang out and find her a bear.

This is going to be a fun week of painting some new and different stuff. Hopefully, I will not get distracted by yard work, house cleaning, and laundry, and can just have fun painting.

Check back again soon.

Torrie