Bread

Bread, Oil on Linen, 24x30

What is more inviting than a table full of bread?  I just love all of their various textures, shapes and colors. The copper pot and the old terra cotta olive jar added even more interesting textures to the mix.  This was a fun painting to do, and the bonus was that my studio smelled like a bakery for two weeks!

I just returned from Pinehurst, NC where my work was featured in the annual holiday open house at Hollyhocks Art Gallery.  We had a great turnout and another bonus, I sold two paintings!

 

Antipasto

Antipasto, Oil on Linen, 16x20

This is one of my new paintings.  I have been particularly inspired by food themes lately.  This one kept making me hungry, though.

I am happy to announce that as of October 4, my work is now available through Hollyhocks Art Gallery, 905 Linden Road in Pinehurst, NC.  My thanks to owner, Jane Casnelli, who spotted my work at the Moore County Art Center show in August and invited me to be part of her gallery. Pinehurst is a lovely historic village in the Sandhills of North Carolina about and hour south of Raleigh and just over three hours north of Charleston.  It is noted for its world class golf courses and for its elegant horse farms and equestrian activities.  Some new themes might be forthcoming....

Announcing My New Website!

                                                     White Cloth and Garlic, 24x18

Now that I am once again able to focus on painting after a lengthy hiatus, it was time not only to update my website, but for a whole new design as well which I am excited to share with you. Please check it out at juliemesserschmidt.com and let me know what you think!  

"White Cloth and Garlic" is one of my favorite recently completed pieces, so I chose it as the  home page image.

Sox On The Rocks

                                         Oil on Linen, 10 x 10

Just two weeks until the end of the baseball season.  As a die hard Red Sox fan, it has been a long summer, too long.  This time last year they were playing their way to a World Series Championship. This year they will have the honor of becoming the first major league team to go from worst (2012) to first to worst in three seasons!  The Sox really are on the rocks this year, so what is a fan to do but drown their sorrows with a favorite tipple?  I know my friend and fellow Red Sox fan enjoys the occasional martini, so this one's for you, Ruth.  Happy Birthday!   As for the Sox, there's always next year......

Study In The Style of David Leffel

I did this 8x10 study today having been inspired by watching a new video by David Leffel posted on Brightlightfineart.com.  I set up a similar arrangement to the one in the demo, then played the video while painting my own set up.  It was kind of like having him watch over my shoulder guiding and inspiring me but without the nervousness really having him there would induce.  I listened as I painted and glanced over at the video from time to time.  I approached the painting process in the way he described and am pretty pleased with the way this turned out.  Even though ultimately my own painting style has a different feel and look, I love David's work, and the paint quality he achieves.  I think this was a helpful learning process, and if nothing more, I spent a fun afternoon logging some brush mileage.  

On View in Pinehurst, NC

                                          "Good Fortune" 8x8

                                           "Perfect Pear" 8x8

                               
These paintings will be included in the show "An Evening in France" at Hollyhocks Gallery, 905 Linden Road, in Pinehurst, NC  September 5, 2014 and continuing throughout the month.

Gallery owner, Jane Casnelli, graciously invited me to exhibit them at her gallery having seen them at the Moore County Fine Arts Festival in Southern Pines, where they were exhibited during the month of August.