Portrait Swap at EBSQart.com

Murphy and Nik

This is the completed portrait for the 2007 Portrait Swap at EBSQart.com. Here is a link to the complete show:

http://www.ebsqart.com/ArtShows/cmd_151_Exhibition_Entries.htm

Nicloe Helbig painted me and I just love it! She is a very talented artist.

Now off to the studio for more painting. I am thinking about starting the daily painting thing....I will try and see if I can keep up the pace for a while before making a commitment. It will definitely be after all the leaves have fallen in the yard and there is no more messy yard to clean up!

Thanks for stopping by and check out the portraits at EBSQart!

Torrie

New to ArtByUs.com

I have joined http://www.artbyus.com/ I love the website. I don't know why I have not joined before. I am going to call it quits on any more websites. I am starting to spend more time on the computer than in the studio. My art is now available for purchase on the following websites just search by my name:

http://www.ebay.com/
http://www.etsy.com/
http://www.artbyus.com/

or you can purchase directly from me with your paypal account.

I will be back in the studio tomorrow painting something new! I will be posting my "Art Swap" portrait tomorrow.

Thanks to all my collectors for your support and I hope making my art available at these websites will make purchasing more convenient.

Torrie

New to Squidoo

Lost Marbles Series Seven

So many websites, so little time. I have a new "lens" at www.Squidoo.com I really do like this site. It gives links to current paintings on eBay of mine and some of my favorite artists too. There is also a spot for blog updates and other fun stuff. I will continue to blog and you can also visit my new Squidoo site:

http://www.squidoo.com/TorrieSmiley/

I am almost done with the portrait of Nik and Murphy. It should be done on time for the portrait swap on www.ebsqart.com but just barely. I hope she likes it. She did a wonderful job on my portrait with my two girls in the background. I love it!

I am almost recovered from my cold and I did manage to spread it to at least one other person...even though I stayed in, Courtney's friend visited over the Thanksgiving Holiday and she did catch it. Sorry Lindsay.

We had a wonderful fun and food-filled Thanksgiving Holiday. I should have just enough time to lose the Thanksgiving pounds before Christmas.

New artwork on the way....something new and different, to be listed in December.

Thanks for stopping by.

Torrie

Under the Weather

California Poppies III

Available for Purchase at:
http://stores.ebay.com/Torrie-Smiley-Original-Works-of-Art

Sorry, I have not been around. Miranda came down with pneumonia and I took really good care of her, until she passed it on to me. I am not the stay-in-the-bed kind of person, but this time I really had no choice. I had Sadie (Miranda's dog) and Stella (my dog) on each side of me in the bed with a huge box of kleenex and we slept and coughed and sneezed for days! I did get my flu shot earlier this month and was quite proud of myself, being proactive to stay healthy and busy this winter.......it is not even cold yet! Needless to say, I am off to a slow start to the busiest time of the year.

I have begun the portrait in the "Portrait Swap" contest at http://www.ebsqart.com/ but I do not like it and I have started over. Hopefully, this new start will be better.

I will try to get new art posted soon, but bear with me. This is the time of year for commissions for Christmas gifts and free painting time is hard to come by.

Courtney is coming home for Thanksgiving, so I am off to buy tons of food for the Holidays!

Thanks for checking in!

Torrie

EBSQ Juried Artist

EBSQ-Plus Juried Artist

I am very pleased to have been selected an EBSQ Juried Artist. I would like to thank the Jury Committee for recognizing my work. I would most like to thank my collectors who support my work and continue to purchase my art.

Thank you!

Torrie

To view a complete listing of my work, please see my complete EBSQ Art Gallery at:

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

New Watercolors, Marbles and Low Country

New Watercolor Paintings

Low Country Series Five, Fishing

Available for purchase at:

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

Sunset at the Beach

Available for Purchase at:

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

Lost Marbles Series Six

Available for Purchase at:

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

Lost Marbles Series Seven

Available for Purchase at:

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

These are the new watercolors from the studio. There will be more marbles coming up. These take more time than you would think.

I am still working with the Low Country Series. I am struggling with the size. I may have to go bigger. I will let you know. The new ones may be 11" x 14".

Well, I had better get busy! So little time, so much to paint.

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

Big Bird 2007-- 2008 ArtWanted.com Calendar

May 20, 2008

ArtWanted.com Calendar

I am very excited about Big Bird 2007 being included in the 2008 Animal Calendar from ArtWanted.com. Big Bird 2007 will be the May 20, 2008 page.

***

Calendars may be purchased through ArtWanted.com at:

To PRE-ORDER your ArtWanted.com calendar(s), please go to:

http://www.ArtWanted.com/ps/Calendar

We expect to start shipping out the calendars towards the end of November.
***


Sunday, November 4, 2007, I will be included in the Etsy.com front page Showcase. I will be working this weekend to get some new paintings ready by Sunday. Stop by Etsy.com and check out the showcase.

New Low Country Watercolors will be available soon. After the overwhelming requests for new Low Country Art, I have set everything aside to concentrate the series. The paintings will be posted as they are finished.


Well, off to the studio.


Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

New Paintings!

New Paintings Available

Bosc Pear

Red Martini

California Poppies III

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

These paintings will be listed for auction on eBay tonight. I have a small (8" x 10") oil painting of a red wine bottle and wine glass that is half finished. It will be listed soon. I have a ton of cleaning I have neglected to do around the house, so that will keep me busy for a while. Next up will be Low Country watercolors and watercolors of the Tall Ships Festival from Charleston.

The Cheap Joe's Sale was wonderful! That is where I bought the great green oil color that I used on the Bosc Pear Painting. I also picked up a 36" x 60" canvas--it was on sale, I had to---I also had to leave it in Charlotte because it did not fit in the car.....It will be coming home soon.

Well, off to Gaffney. I promised to help Bobbie pick out a rug.

Check back again soon. I am going to update my blog with links to Paypal if you would like to purchase paintings directly from my blog.

Have a wonderful day!

Torrie

New Cherries Series

New Watercolor Cherries

Cherries Series Nine

Cherries Series Ten

Cherries Series Eleven

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

The new cherries series will be listed later today on eBay. They are 5" x 7" on 300 lb Arches watercolor paper.

I have spent the day shopping in Charlotte for fun new art stuff with Miranda. We had a blast. I have never laughed to hard... it started with getting lost; then I bought the biggest canvas 36" x 60"--it did not fit in the car.....Bobbie will be bringing it home from Charlotte later this week in the truck......I could not help myself--the canvas was on sale! I have no clue what will be painted, but it will be big!

The vacation is going great! I am exhausted and ready to go back to work so I can rest. I did not get half done that I wanted to do, but the list did get shorter.

I will be going to Chapel Hill tomorrow to take Courtney back to school. It was nice to have her home. After that, I will have one vacation day left.... to work on the "to do" list.

Well, I am off to the art studio to put away my new treasures.

Torrie

Martini, Stirred V

Martini, Stirred V

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

Martini, Stirred V will be listed this evening on eBay. This is the newest Martini in the 2007 series. I will also be listing three new cherry watercolors.

I am off to Charlotte to Cheap Joe's Art Sale!

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Torrie

In Progress, New Big Bird!

New Big Bird 2007

There is a new Big Bird painting on the way. It is 18" x 24", acrylic on a gallery wrapped canvas.

Big Bird will be listed on eBay after it is finished. I have finished Martini, Stirred V that will be listed on eBay this weekend. There will be a new California Poppies painting available soon, it is on the easel.

Also, there will be more Cherries in the watercolor series.

I will be going to Cheap Joe's sidewalk sale in Charlotte tomorrow. I can't wait. There is nothing better than shopping at the art supply store.

Still waiting for it to rain....

Check back again soon.

Torrie

New Pear Watercolors available on Etsy.com

New Pear Watercolors

Available for Purchase at:

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

Pear Series Ten

Pear Series Eleven

Pear Series Twelve

Pear Series Thirteen

Pear Series Fourteen

These small watercolors (5" x 7" on 300 lb Arches Paper) are available for purchase in my Etsy.com store: http://www.torriesmiley.etsy.com/

My apologies to anyone trying to visit my website the past few days. It is back up and running. iPower has been a pain!

Time to get back to work! I am on vacation from the "real job" for a while and I am trying to make the most of it!

Thanks for checking in.

Torrie

New Pink Flamingo

Pink Flamingo II

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

Pink Flamingo II will be listed on eBay for auction today.

I am on "VACATION" from the real job until October 23, 2007. Here is my vacation list of things to day...in no certain order.

Clean out the storage shed

Put up summer clothes, get out winter clothes

Cover the attic vents on the roof

Paint the outside of the house....a nice cream color

Clean out the flower beds and trim the hedges

I will have to definitely do the summer/winter clothes thing....but the rest, who knows.

I may just paint pictures the whole time!

I will be listing watercolors later today... check back soon.

Torrie

New Watercolor Paintings

New Watercolor Series: Cats

Cat Series One

Low Country Series Four - Old Red Boat

Cherries Series Six

Cherries Series Seven

Cherries Series Eight

Here are the newest additions to the Watercolor Series

all paintings are currently on Auction in my eBay store at:

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

Working at the Cleveland County Fair at the Art Exhibit was so much fun...but I am tired. I have added a few new watercolors for sale on eBay. Now for a few days off from painting to clean house, yard work, and get the winter clothes out of the attic.

There will be more art to come. Next up is large paintings in acrylic. --I am getting behind on my list of things to do!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the art.

Torrie

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