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

Paintings Available at the Cleveland County Heart Ball

On Point II

18" x 24"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Field of Poppies III

16" x 20"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

On Point III and Field of Poppies III was requested to be included in the silent auction at the Cleveland County Heart Ball in Shelby, North Carolina, February 27, 2010.

The 2010 Cleveland County Heart Ball is one of the region’s premier black-tie events. For the past several years, the Cleveland County Heart Ball has attracted the city’s largest companies and most recognized corporate, healthcare and social leaders. It is the mission of the American Heart Association to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The association's impact goal is to reduce coronary heart disease, stroke and risk by 25 percent by 2010. For more information regarding the American Heart Association and upcoming events, click here.

This is the second year I have participated in the event. I am planning to continue working with the Heart Association and their Annual Heart Ball in the coming years.

Now, back to painting~

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

Lemons on Blue - Happy Valentine's Day!

Lemons On Blue

6" x 6"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

Happy Valentine's Day!

Lemons on Blue was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped museum quality canvas with painted side to allow for hanging without a frame. This painting can also be placed on a small display easel. Lemons on Blue was finished with a light coat of varnish.

This painting is available for purchase using the PayPal button above or purchasing from my website, or my Etsy.com store.

Painting today. I am getting paintings ready for upcoming painting challenges. I am working on a still life painting of three oranges against a dark background. In the reference photo, the background appears to be black. I am going to mix a bunch of colors and make my own black instead of using a flat black color. Hopefully this will add depth and interest to the background of the painting. Hopefully, I will have it finished and posted by tomorrow evening. Here is the link to this months' challenge http://www.rookiepainter.blogspot.com/ Wish me luck!

Well, off to mix paint~

Torrie

New Painting Available, Red Apple and Lemons

Red Apple and Lemons

6" x 6"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

Taking a break from painting pears, I painted lemons and an apple. This small painting is available for purchase by using the Paypal link above or you can purchase it in my Etsy.com store.

I am almost finished with the Lily pond painting that was commissioned. It is coming along nicely. In between working on the pond painting, I have been painting lemon still life paintings.

I have to finish a large ballerina painting for the upcoming heart gala in March and then I have a long list of paintings I want to complete now that I am back to painting. Coming soon will be poppy landscapes, roosters, I am even thinking of painting a cat. I have so many ideas, I need to make use of my sketch book and write these ideas down before they disappear from my brain, only to be replaced by something less important or colorful.

Well, it is late and the intermittent wireless is aggravating. Check back tomorrow for another new lemon painting.

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

www.torriesmiley.com

New Paintings Completed~

Lemons and Red Bowl IV

8" x 10"

Acrylic on Canvas Panel

~Sold~

The Robin's Nest

8" x 10"

Acrylic on Canvas Panel

~Sold~

The Cow

11" x 14"

Acrylic on Canvas Panel

~Sold~

I have finished with this group of commissioned paintings that were to be completed before Christmas. The customers have been so nice and patient waiting on me to get back to work. I have a few more to get finished.

Up next:

I am painting Monet's Lily Pond at Giverny. I have a customer who has bought two of my lily pond paintings and has commissioned a third to go with the grouping. I will be painting the lily pond and including Monet's green boat that he featured in his paintings. This should be a fun commission to do.

Last but not least, I will be finishing up paintings that have been promised to the American Heart Association for the upcoming gala and auction.

It is nice to be back to painting on a regular basis.

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

Lean on Me ~ New Pear Painting

Lean on Me

6" x 6"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

A new romantic pear painting just in time for Valentine's day.....give me a break, I am no romantic--but, I do like how cute the pears are cuddled up together.

Lean on me was painted using professional artist grade acrylic paint on a gallery wrapped 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 is no longer available for purchase.

Well, off to paint the pretty face of a cow.

Thanks for stopping by and stay warm!

Torrie

Prickly Pear Cactus ~ New kind of "pear" painting.

Prickly Pear Cactus

5" x 7"

Oil on Canvas Panel

A bit of a departure from my usual pears~ This was a fun painting that made me a little homesick for West Texas. Prickly Pear Cactus was painted using professional artist grade oil paint on a museum quality canvas panel. This painting can be framed or sat on a small display easel.

I have almost finished with my commissioned paintings and then I will be finishing my large (16" x 20") ballerina paintings. I am anxious to get back to work on them.

Check back again tomorrow, there is a new red pear painting coming soon~

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

EBSQart.com Spotlight on Still Life Interview with Torrie Smiley

The photo taken from across the room

Later with photo software, zoom and crop

Zoom and crop again

The featured Gallery at EBSQart.com this month is Still Life. I was asked to do an interview for their blog. Here is the interview, you can also see the interview on their EBSQ: Art Meets Blog.

What do I find compelling about Still Life is such a hard question to answer! I had to really think about it and what I discovered, to my amazement, is I love still life paintings. So many times when I set up to paint just for fun, it is still life. Landscapes and portraits seem like work.

When visiting galleries, I always gravitate toward the still life paintings. The different compositions-the setup, lighting, the everday objects The differences in technique can make the same still life look so different. I love detailed realistic still life and at the same time enjoy loose impressionistic still life paintings.

I often find myself looking at everyday objects the way the light is hitting it, the random placement, and immediately I think "that's a painting". I was eating at a restaurant in Ohio not long ago and from across the room I saw their water table set up, the light was hitting it in such a way, it was beautiful. I immediately grabbed my camera and discretely took several photos.

I guess what I am randomly trying to say is, I never set out to be a still life painter, my brain just led me that way.

This was then end of the interview. I have included the photos from the restaurant that day in Ohio. There is the original photo, the cropped versions of what could be two different paintings. See what you think....who knows when I will get around to painting it.

Have a wonderful day, I am off to actually cook dinner (lemon chicken with carrots)....those of you who know me are laughing right now.

Check back again soon,

Torrie

New Poppy Painting today~

Two Poppies

6" x 6"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

I took the photos for this painting this past summer of the poppies blooming along Highway 74 through North Carolina. They were beautiful. I took several reference photos and then went on to painting other things. I came across some of the photos while moving the studio and decided to a paint poppies.

Two poppies is available for purchase by using the paypal button above or my online gallery with ebsqart.com or my Etsy.com store.

I am finishing up Lemons and Red Bowl for a commissioned piece and then getting busy with another Lily Pond painting. It is so nice to be painting again.

Thanks for stopping by and check back tomorrow~

Torrie

The Website is up and ready!

www.TorrieSmiley.com

The new and improved website is now online. Drop by and see the newly designed website.

Thank you Seth Wright for your hard work and creativity in putting my paintings online. I love it!

My newest pear painting has sold to a collector that has been patiently waiting for me to get back to work.

I have a new small poppy painting finished that will be available online by tomorrow. The commissioned paintings are coming along and soon there will also be new ballerina paintings available for purchase. The new year is off to a great start!

Thanks for dropping by~have a wonderful week!

Torrie

The Gold Pear III, new pear painting~

The Gold Pear III

5" x 7"

Oil on Canvas Panel

~Sold~

This is my first pear painting in my new studio. I am not used to having so much room and the sunlight is wonderful. We will have to make some changes with the lighting in the room to paint in the evening. I want to add the recessed lighting that is in the rest of the house and then add track lighting to spotlight my work areas. That will be fun. This painting is available for purchase by using the Paypal button above or from my Etsy.com store or my Online Gallery with EBSQ.com

I am also working on commissioned paintings. The Lemons and Red Bowl should be finished by tomorrow. I have also started a still life featuring the silver teapot I picked up at Goodwill last year.

Well, it is getting late, I have to get up early and paint!

Thanks for stopping by,

Torrie

The New Studio

The New Studio

Time to get busy! All moved in a ready to go. Hopefully, I will get a lot done this weekend, so many paintings waiting to be finished!

This is the new office/studio. So much room and great light! The hospital computer is against the front wall, so while doing the "day job", I can dream up a new painting, enjoy the view, or watch TV (on the shelves on the right). When it is time to paint, the cabinet doors on the right open and there are brushes, paint, and canvas all tucked away. The cabinets to the left with the glass doors hold vases, pitchers, bowls, cups, and other items used in my still life paintings. The gate-leg table has convenient drawers that hold my most used tubes of paint to be close at hand. All the studio furniture is from Ikea. Dustin put all the cabinets together; Kevin and Aaron put the table and desk together.

UP NEXT~

Almost finished with the website upgrade. Seth Wright has finished with the actual site, now we are just uploading all the paintings.

New Year, new studio, new website, new granddaughter~ Life is good!

Torrie

Tar Heel Born, Tar Heel Bred IV ~ Finally a new painting!

Tar Heel Born, Tar Heel Bred IV

6" x 6"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

"I'm a Tar Heel born, I'm a Tar Heel bred; and when I die, I'm a Tar Heel dead."

Whenever Courtney is home from Chapel Hill, I get the urge to paint Carolina blue.

This painting is available for purchase in my online gallery or in my Etsy.com store.

Trying to get back into the routine. I am getting used to the new studio. Lots of space, I just have to remember where I put everything. I will post pictures, once it is presentable. It is still a bit of a mess.

UP NEXT~

Finishing up commissions~ a lily pond painting, new rendition of Lemons and Red Bowl, and a new version of Alabama Cow.

Thanks for stopping by, now off to work~

Torrie

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Audrey Grace

Miranda, Dustin, and Audrey

I am the luckiest woman in the world. I have a wonderful family that keeps getting bigger and better!

Audrey Grace is growing and doing really well. She is still living in the hospital in Asheville, but she has been moved from the NICU and is now living in the transition room with her parents waiting to get to go home. She still has the small defect in her heart that hopefully will resolve itself as she gets a few weeks older.

Now, it is time for Grandma to get back to work! I am finishing commissions that should have been done before the holidays and breaking in the new studio. Lots more room, new computer, and a TV...just for fun.

I am having my website redone, thanks to Seth at www.SethAWright.com He is working very hard to make me a fabulous website.....and I am trying not to drive him crazy. I will let you know when he is finished and the new site is online.

Now, off to get busy. I hope your Christmas holidays were as joy-filled as mine and your new year the best ever!

Torrie

New Series of Pear Paintings ~

Golden Pear with Black

6" x 6"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~


Golden Pear with Red
6" x 6"
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

Golden Pear with Gold
6" x 6"
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
~Sold~

I experimented with different colors of underpainting. Three canvas were underpainted, one with red, one with gold, and the last one with black. The same color palette was used to complete the painting with the only difference being the color of the canvas. In the end, the shade of the underpainting came forth deeper after the varnish was applied.

It is nice to get back into the studio and paint again. I am still finding my way around the new studio and emptying boxes. I am very excited about getting settled into the new space.

Miranda and Audrey are doing well, which makes it easier juggling the real job, painting, and trips to Asheville. I can't wait for them to get to go home and get settled as a family.

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

EBSQ-Etsy Featured Friday~~ it's ME!

Claudia's Calla Lilies

8" x 10"

Acrylic on Canvas

~Sold~

How very exciting to wake up this morning and find out I was selected as EBSQ-Etsy Featured Friday store at Etsy.com. This is the perfect end to a fabulous week! Thank you so much Kris for featuring my store.

I spent a wonderful day in Asheville with Miranda and Audrey Grace yesterday. They are both doing amazingly well. No more IV fluids for Audrey. Miranda can now hold her baby girl without her being tethered to her machines.

Now, everything is falling back into place. I am going to PAINT this weekend. So many things I want to paint! I took pictures on my way to Asheville. It was a beautiful day and I got great shots. There will definitely be new landscape paintings in the near future.

Well, off to work! Have a wonderful weekend~

Torrie

Audrey Grace Wood

Audrey Grace Wood

Born 11/21/09

3 lb, 1 ounce -- 16 inches long

To my friends who follow my blog and my work, I have been taking some time away from painting. Due to complications of pregnancy, my daughter Miranda, gave birth to my first grandchild earlier than expected. Audrey Grace Wood was born 10 weeks early. She is doing very well in the NICU and continuing to improve everyday, breathing on her own, sucking on her pacifier, and giving the nurses a hard time about taking a bath. We are very fortunate and blessed she is doing so well.

Miranda continues to struggle to improve. Her blood pressure remains high, but her pneumonia has improved. She has yet to see her baby girl because of infectious precaution isolation in the hospital. Hopefully, she will get to hold her soon. I am amazed at her strength and very proud of her. Dustin has been taking pictures and videos of the baby for Miranda to watch. He has been taking care of the pets, the house, trying to work, and spend time with Audrey since her mother cannot be there. He is a very special young man.

Miranda, Dustin, and Audrey will take up residence at the hospital in Asheville until it is time to bring Audrey home.

Thanks to everyone for your kindness throughout this difficult time.

Torrie

Check this out! Daily Painters International Art Gallery

Daily Painters International Art Gallery

I am so very excited to be included in a group of International Artists showing and selling their work at Daily Painters International Art Gallery. This blog is updated daily by some of my favorite artists with their most recent paintings. Visit the gallery and get to know some incredible daily painters.

This is a new and exciting adventure coming for me just as I am moving into my new larger studio. I am so looking forward to participating!

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie

Finally~ a new painting! Tea with Mint and Lemon

Tea with Mint and Lemon

5" x 7"

Oil on Canvas Panel

~Sold~

Tea with Mint and Lemon is a new painting currently available for purchase in my Etsy.com store and in my EBSQart.com gallery. There has been so much going on, there has not been time to paint. I am currently working to finish six commissioned pieces ranging from ballerina feet to bird's nests.

I should have the new series of pear paintings finished and listed by the end of the weekend.

I am in the process of moving to Charlotte and there has been no time to paint~~ plus, everything is being put in boxes! The new place has a much larger studio space and that means more painting can be done. It has been difficult to coordinate the move of the home office (the "real" job for the hospital) and set up a new studio while continuing to work, paint, and get ready for the new grandbaby.

The Baby Shower for Audrey Grace

Speaking of Audrey Grace, the baby shower was last month and it was just beautiful! Marcia, Audrey's other grandmother, decorated the rooms with balloons, fresh flowers, toys, and lots of pink and purple. It was a lovely shower. The staff at North Lake Country Club were so very nice and did such a wonderful job with the food and service. Now, we just wait.......Audrey is due to arrive January 25, 2010.

Well, off to pack more boxes,

Torrie

New Paintings Available for Purchase!

DaVinci Chianti for One

16" x 20"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Martini, Stirred VII

16" x 20"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

Strawberry Martini

16" x 20"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

The Lily Pond II

16" x 20"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

Pear IV

8" x 10"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

~Sold~

More White Wine

8" x 10"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

A group of paintings that have been on loan to a gallery in Indiana have just been returned and are now available for purchase in my Etsy.com store and in my EBSQart.com gallery.

I had a wonderful time on my trip to Ohio. It was so much fun playing with Taylor at Miami University at Oxford, Ohio. Now that I am home, there is so much catching up to do. I do plan or participating in the newest painting challenge at Different Strokes from Different Folks. This time we are painting rooftops. I am thinking of painting mine very colorful and abstract....we will just have to see what happens.

The ballerina paintings are almost finished. I am hoping to have them finished by the end of the weekend. There is so much to do and so little time. I am working the "real job" this weekend and there is my nephew's wedding shower to attend on Sunday~ Congratulations Jeremy and Andrea!

Thanks for stopping by~

Torrie