My sweet cousin, Betsy, and her family took 5 weeks off last year and spent their days enjoying the Tuscan countryside of Italy. . . for her birthday I painted one of her most memorable sites. . . . "Happy Birthday, Cuz!! Love you!"
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
"Betsy's Tuscany"
My sweet cousin, Betsy, and her family took 5 weeks off last year and spent their days enjoying the Tuscan countryside of Italy. . . for her birthday I painted one of her most memorable sites. . . . "Happy Birthday, Cuz!! Love you!"
"Calm in the Midst of the Storm"
9"x12" Oil on Linen Panel
Yes, this was a quick study of a dock overlooking Charleston Harbor; it was sunny where I stood however that stormy sky that is depicted in the distance came up to shore quickly and chased me away!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
"The Shrimp Dock"
9"x12" Oil on GessoBord brand panel
Just before I left the Wreck, I had to paint the sky reflections in the water here. Funny, just as I decided to wrap it up, "Miss Eva" the big shrimp boat that usually docks in this space pulls in. The Captain can maneuver and parallel park that big ol' boat like it were a little Volkswagen!! To see him park it was a treat!
"Resting Shrimper"
Wow! There was a ton of activity down at the Wreck on Shem Creek today! I saw more dolphin swimming by than I've ever seen! I saw momma dolphin with their babies. There was even a couple of dolphin (or maybe the same dolphin trying twice) swimming by me in such a way that it looked as though it were trying to get a good look at me or at what I was doing. The dolphin "surfed" the surface of the water with its eye checking me out. The sea birds were everywhere! Pelican, Egrets, Gulls were all out and about. There were a couple of classes of squealing, giggling kids learning to kayak and sight-see. Even in the distance near town was a Regatta of sail boats. I was out in the middle of action today!
"McCrady's At Dusk"
20"x16" Oil on Linen Panel
A friend just notified me that she and her boyfriend are getting married at McCrady's! Ssshhhh, it's a wedding gift for him. Here's wishing them all the best in their new life together!
Monday, May 21, 2012
"The Spirit Of Courageous" Limited Edition Print
Due to an overwhelming response to the original oil painting, "The Spirit of Courageous," I am having a small number of limited edition prints made of this image. The image will be printed as a high-quality giclee on stretched canvas and the size will be as the original: 24"x20".
The pre-published price is a discounted $250. On June 18th the retail price is $350. So contact me right away to reserve your pre-published print!
Leave a comment or email me at mhoffman7@sc.rr.com and I'll contact you with payment instructions. Thanks!
Thursday, May 17, 2012
"Ageless Beauty"
We painted at one of our favorite Sullivan's Island Creek spots: the Boat House. Next to us sits this forgotten, dilapidated Boat house.
I've seen it many times and yet never noticed it before (as a painting subject, at least).
I am not sure how long it has been here, but it spoke to me through its silvered, weathered wood and crumbling deck created only by years of salty weather and unuse. The character of its uncommon beauty can only occur as each day, season, year and decade passes.
We search each week to paint that which is aged, untouched and natural. . . because of the beautiful character of such things. There seems to be little "beauty" in the "perfect."
As each year of my life comes and goes and I am tempted to yearn for younger days, this gorgeous example teaches and reminds me that there is a deeper beauty found at every stage in life.
"Out-going Flow" (Grey Tide)
Plein Air painting presents endless possibilities to capture the "moment" with Nature's ever-changing systems. . . I've painted this view a few times and not one of them resembles the other. On this day the weather was calm, serene and overcast. A cool breeze kept us comfortable under the Boat House Roof where we painted despite the muggy, warm conditions of the day. In the foggy distance is the refurbished Ben Sawyer Bridge connecting to Sullivan's Island, SC.
Monday, May 14, 2012
"Mercy Beach"
Out at the tip of James Island is a beautiful property owned by "Our Lady of Mercy"
The Wednesday painters were invited to paint here. The property backs right up to Charleston Harbor and boasts great views. I stood at the beginning of the dock looking up the beach. It was beautiful. . . then storm clouds came rolling in and the rain chased me away.
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
"Distant Morris Island"
12"x9" Oil on Linen Panel
My first painting this morning. . . I walked out onto the beach and was met with this glorious sight! The clouds were showing off for me. The tide was low and revealed the retaining rocks which always make for interesting shapes.
It was such a clear day, standing on Fort Moultrie's beach, I could see the Morris Island Light House off of Folly Beach.
"Windswept"
9"x12" Oil on Linen Panel
My second painting of the day. . . I love the shapes of the windswept trees from the ocean breezes. The rocks holding the beach together add interesting shapes and colors too. In the distance you can see the new bridge connecting Downtown Charleston with Mount Pleasant. It was (is) a gorgeous day today.
Friday, April 27, 2012
"Cypress Line" SOLD
9"x12" Oil on Linen Panel
Sold at the "Local Color" Art Exhibit at the Footlight Players Theatre on Queen Street in Downtown Charleston
"Colonial Lake City Park" SOLD
8"x10" Oil on Linen Panel SOLD
the sun came out just in time after some serious thunderstorms last night - the colors sparkled!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
"Boat Landing at Sea Side"
The farm at Sea Side also extends out to the creeks near the intercoastal waterway. Today, as we painted out on the dock, we were joined by two boats of fishermen and dolphin alike!
"Flower Town's Spring Blossom"
Summerville SC is also known as "The Flower Town" for which it hosts an annual springtime festival by the same name (also known as the "Azalea Festival"). This painting was painted and donated for an auction to raise funds for one of Summerville's finest grade (K through 8) schools: Trinity Classical Academy of Summerville. These particular blooms grow in the historic town's square.
"Sea Side Road"
28"x22" Oil on Canvas
This painting was inspired by a small 10"x8" plein air study
I painted at Sea Side Farm a few years ago.
The farm is full of so many gorgeous and picturesque views from which to paint; the greatest dilemma is: "which one??"
"Dappled Through the Oaks" SOLD
Again we were blessed by Anne who invited us to her family's farm where the oaks are majestic and everywhere we looked there was beauty to behold!
"Spring, While We Chatted"
9"x12" Oil on Linen Panel
A dear friend of over 25 years called me as I painted this. We no longer live near each other and our lives are full and demanding, leaving us little time to "just chat." Often, we experience extended gaps of time between phone calls or visits.
The weather was glorious and everything was in bloom. Just as our friendship continues to blossom in an array of springtime color, we always pick up where we left off; and it doesn't matter how long our "winter" keeps us apart, our friendship grows with each passing season.
Monday, March 26, 2012
"In Remembrance Of"
8"x6" Oil on Gessoed Clayboard
"Isabella's Quick Sketch"
Isabella 10"x8" Oil on Linen Panel
A quick study from life for the formalized portait
"Emma's Quick Sketch"
Emma 10"x8" Oil on Linen Panel.
The preliminary quick sketch for the formalized portrait
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
"Lowquat & Pear Blossoms on Hassell"
What a lovely street! Hassell (pronounced "Hazel") Street is in full bloom with Spring's new buds. I was honored as well to have met a few of the neighborhood's friendly residents. The day was sunny and gorgeous and included a plan to paint at least one more painting until the rain came and chased us away.
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
"Come Sit With Me"
Today's gorgeous weather put us on Sullivan's Island. I repainted a familiar scene but using the other set of chairs.
"Sullivan's Point" SOLD
Last week's second painting. . . we were out at the Old Pitt Street Bridge and we set up at the very tip of the bridge looking out over the water.
"Marsh Grasses" SOLD
We met last week at the Old Pitt Street Bridge and painted the vistas from the end of the bridge. This is looking back toward The Old Village in Mount Pleasant.
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
"Lady in the Red Dress"
14"x11" Oil on GessoBord brand panel
This is the pose we worked on last Tuesday and today. I have a couple of touch-ups to do, but mostly I am finished. This model's luminous skin reflected so many beautiful colors that it made the task of painter her so gloriously fun! This truly was a sweet time to get together with friends and paint a lovely young lady!
"Quick Portrait Sketch"
This was done toward the end of our painting time and I wanted to get in a last minute painting of the model (who was FABULOUS, by the way!) I couldn't get enough of this beauty! And she held herself in such a graceful way: didn't move an inch, either!
This is the stuff dreams are made of!!
I plan to finish this further from a couple of photos that were taken of this pose. . . hoping to post the final painting for you soon.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
"Three Steeples"
11"x14" Oil on Gesso Board
Great morning light for my first painting on Wednesday; I couldn't resist it.
"Charleston Roof Tops"
10"x8" Oil on Gesso Board
Thanks to Anne Parker for suggesting this spot to paint!
We had beautiful aerial views that offered lovely painting opportunities.
"Amanda's Beacon" sold
I've painted this several times from nearly the same vantage point each time with a few exceptions. Each time I set up to paint the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse it has been around the same time of day. However, despite painting around the same time of day, the coastal conditions are radically different creating a unique painting every time.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
"A Walk Down The Aisle"
8"x10" Oil on Panel
My camera captured a "cooler" version of this painting. . .
I may have to repost this one too!
"A Walk Down the Aisle" is a commission for someone whose wedding occurred on this path to the beach.
Monday, February 20, 2012
"Isabella's and Emma's Final Sitting"
20"x16" Oil on Linen
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
"College of Charleston Park" (Gloria Parkway)
Keeping in mind to "stay loose" with large notes of color and brush work, I painted this today with the Wednesday Painters downtown near a Campus Park off of George Street. . . one of our favorite spots. "Abstract Impressions" was the focus of the day. . . "Details" were not allowed (smile).
"Charleston Tree Study"
8"x6" Oil on Linen Panel
I want to work on this a bit more. . . light was changing from morning light to afternoon light as I painted this and what originally grabbed my attention to want to paint this image changed a bit. I want to contrast the value of the tree with the surrounding background values. I'll re-post it when I do . . . until then, leave a comment and let me know what you think. thanks!
"The Spirit Of Courageous - King-Sized!"
I repainted the same Lion painting but in a larger . . . it seemed deserving of a Grander format.
Thursday, February 09, 2012
"Creek Shore" (Turquois Tin Roof)
12"x9" Oil on Linen Panel
Thanks, again, to the Shem Creek Bar & Grill which allowed the Wednesday painters to use their "Oar House" and dock to paint the lovely vistas surrounding.
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
"Between Friends"
20"x16" Oil on Linen Panel
This is the first of many "Abstract Impressions" paintings created for The Charleston Artist Collective's March Theme of the same name.
Painting this image straight from my heart was a thrill as I recalled the countless times I have shared a cup of "love" and spent priceless time with my friends!
"Beach Rock Abstraction" SOLD
8"x10" Oil on Linen Panel SOLD
This painting originated at Fort Moultrie Beach looking back toward Charleston. My artist friend, Ann Keane, inspired this painting for me. She paints plein air the initial landscape and then takes it back to her studio and furthers the image painting only with a palette knife. This is how "Beach Rock Abstraction" developed. Thanks, Ann!
"Before the Promenade"
24"x20" Oil on Gallery-Wrapped Linen
This is the largest of the submissions for March's "Abstract Impressions" for The Charleston Artist Collective. This view is of Shem Creek prior to its new boardwalk park.
"Abstract InterCoastal" SOLD
This is the creek which takes you past Sullivan's Island and the Old Village out toward Charleston Harbor. This is one of the works which will be submitted for March's Charleston Artist Collective "Abstract Impressions."
"Alhambra Hall Waterfront Path"
10"x8" Oil on Linen Panel
"Abstract Impressions" is the Theme for the Charleston Artist Collective in March.
"Shem Creek's Roof Top View" SOLD
8"x10" Oil on Gessobord (brand) SOLD
I painted this en plein air prior to the new park which is now located near or on this site. I re-worked this painting to be more "impressionistic" and used "abstract" strokes to coincide with next month's Collective "Abstract Impressions."
"Almost 9"
16"x12" Oil on Linen Panel
My daughter posed for this "quick sketch" but our busy schedules have this on hold until it can be completed. I will re-post it when we resume the sitting. She is almost 9 years old when she sat for me during her Christmas break. . . it's now February and she's enjoyed her 9th birthday.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
"Rocks & Sand"
Once again I am drawn to the shapes of color and value that these randomly places rocks create in the bright sunshine. This was my afternoon painting today.
"Rock On"
9"x12" Oil on Linen Panel
The Wednesday Painters (Sullivan's Island Plein Air Painters) SIPP came out to Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Isl today. Thank God for the bright sunshine and 70+ degree weather! Feels like spring!
"Gia"
A beautiful young lady came to sit in my studio and while she sat I painted a quick study of her. . .
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