Floral Series, So Far

 

Time seems to flies these days. I have been working in the studio all day, but have been very neglect ibex of posting and blogging about my new work. I think that the last time I sent out an email newsletter was last fall … yes fall of 2015. At least I can not be accuses of filling your email boxes with spam !! But I do need to apologize for not getting my latest works out there for those who are interested in my art … and I know there are some of you out there in cyber world who are collectors and following my work.

 

"Bee Balm After Winter#1 "   charcoal on toned rag,   20 x 12.5"  ©2016

I have been painting,drawing and creating new works in new media and stretching my creative repertoire. I have started a series of floral work  in charcoal, conte and gouache. So far works are on paper. I plan on using other substrates and mediums as I see where I can go with this series.

 

"Bee Balm After Winter #2  , charcoal on toned rag  12.5 x 20"  Sold  ©2016

 

I started with portraying my spent bee balm seed stalks, as they stand after our old Maine winter.  I am enjoying this working series.… with 5 done so far. I am starting to do another subjects too. Working in a  series as always been a favorite way of working for me. It is as if one finished work pushes me onto the next… all connected , all different. Here are the works so far. What do you think? 

 

"Bee Balm After Winter #3  , charcoal on toned rag  12.5 x 20" ©2016

 

"Bee Balm After Winter #4" , charcoal on toned rag paper  8 x 8"  ©2016

 

 

"Bee Balm After Winter #5 ,  charcoal and qouache on toned rag , 20 x 12.5"   ©2016

Snow bound And Two New Small Horse Paintings

First published  12/15/2013 

 

Old mother nature has covered our farm's landscape with a new cloak of white. It is a thick cloak...at least 10" thick! So needless to say, time is being spent shoveling out from the winter storm. On a farm, winter chorses take more time...less studio time for the artist who insists she needs horses in her life. I plead guilty. But I wouldn't change it for the world. And more times than not, my paintings involve horses. The latest two small gems coming out of my studio are of two horses....grays,  and full of attitude. They are available on my website .... a fun pair.

"Stand Tall #1"  casein  on board   4 x 4" ©2013 www.kathipeters.com

"Stand Tall #2"  , casein on board,  4 x 4" ©2013 wwwkathipeters.com

The blanket of snow that covers our farm will become a subject to be painted in the near future, I am sure. I have said it before and I will say it again....I could stay on this farm and I would have enough scenes that I could paint for my life time.

Here is one..... !!!!

New Painting Of Irish Drafts... And The Studio Clean-Up Sale

My summer playtime memories are slowly becoming my fall subjects for paintings. I am back into my casein paints and I have finished a 12 x 9” painting of a handsome pair of driving Irish Drafts that were up at Wildwood Stables, enjoying the Rockefeller’s carriage roads like we were.

  

 "The Spotted Irish Drafts"  Casein on paper   12 x 9" 

My “Specially Priced Works -Or My Studio Clean –Up” Sale is going well. I have added some new works to the mix there, and hopefully everyone can find something to love and help me clean up my studio space. I am busy packing up work that has been bought…..and want to thank all those folks for their interest in my work, whatever the medium……casein , watercolor, or oil…..they are all good! Nell thanks you too!  

Now I need to get back to a commission painting!!

A Change Of Address.....Or A Need To Simplify My Life

"Ground Driving The Belgians - Acadia"  Casein  6 x 6"

I have moved....well , no I haven't moved....my blog has. It has been a long time it seems since I started my blog on BlogSpot....ions ago. It is time to make my life easier NOW. I am not getting any younger.....in fact the opposite seems to be so. So, one less Internet connection would be nice....less bother .I am moving [or HAVE moved my studio blog to my website KATHIPETERS.COM

There you can find my usual  mundane chatter and new art works in the making, ... or already done. Just like I have been doing here for nigh on 6  years now???? Wow , times sure flies when you are having fun! And I am having fun! Finally back driving our horses, and enjoying life to its fullest!
I hope you will come on over to my NEW BLOG PAGE .......and stay in touch. I love to read your comments and to have you continue to follow my art... and collect my art!  I have to feed those horses you know!  So bookmark the new blog page.....and come on over.
 

Sit and visit for a while.....you are always welcome at Cob Cottage Studio!

 Nell and I are waiting for you!

 

 

Celebrating 100 Years Of Acadia's Carriage Roads & My Paintings In A Show

"Around The Mountain Break - Acadia"  Casein on  board ,  16 x 20"

 I have delivered my art work,  including my newly painted casein painting  "Around The Mountain Break - Acadia",  to Skyline Farm Carriage Museum, in North Yarmouth, Maine.  My work will be hanging there during their "100 Years of Acadia National Park's Carriage Roads" exhibit.

I feel so honored to have been asked to hang a solo showing during the summer months, and also to have been asked to do a "Meet The Artist" talk in mid June... to speak about the stories behind my paintings exhibited there. The show opened May18th , and that day was also their annual "PLOW DAY" with a scheduled 6 draft teams that  plowed the earth to prepare the farm's vegetable gardens. Love spring!

Colors of spring at Cob Cottage.

The Hawthorne tree puts forth its joy.

Passing On The Love

"Be My Valentine"  casein    8 x 6"    Sold

 t is that time of year already. Again!! Seems the past weeks have flown by, even if plagued a bit by a case of cabin fever. But last week was productive and full of fun and adventure, literally and artistically. Though this painting done last year...  is a perfect work to use for today's celebration......SO a big old grateful Happy Valentine's Day to all my blog followers , the collectors of my artwork, friends and fellow artists!!  This Jack with attitude is a wonderful subject...and his owners are very special people.....Thank you so much Dia and Sydney!!! and of course The Wonderful Forrest Gump!!!!  

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!!

More Plein Air....I am Addicted

"Two Poppies"  Oil on copper    4 x 4"  copyright 2012  www.kathipeters.com

I am addicted.If the sun is shining I have this urge to head outside,smell fresh air and leave my studio comfort to fight bugs and the elements!! With a few colorful flowers peeking through the ferns and not yet blooming perennials...two poppies sung out. "Two Poppies"  were painted.

Now the weather  man has predicted rain for tomorrow.I promise myself that tomorrow I will stay focused on the studio painting that needs finishing...I promise!!

June's Song Brings New Oil Paintings

"June's Song"    Oil on copper      6 x 6"              Available

I do know that I should be working on paintings for the upcoming show at Equidae Gallery in Saratoga Springs, NY, for July....and my only excuse for producing the work I am doing  lately is that I needed a change. That is my story and I am sticking with it!  The few wonderful sunny days we have had lately have called me out to paint plein air, and to explore natural light and the vast array of subject matter that sits outside my studio walls. No need to even leave my farm. There are subjects enough for a lifetime of painting here. And so, I have been venturing forth, with Nell by my side,....and I have added two small oil painting gems......from my world here, on Cob Cottage Farm, to my website in the Small Works Collection.



"First Flower - Pond Lily"  Oil on copper      4 x 4"            Available

Yet the past few days have been spent in the studio, while rain pounds down around. The brook is reaching over its banks and my gardens are strewn with wilting flowers. Sad. But I have captured some of June's song in the paintings above. Enjoy! The sun WILL come out tomorrow!

And The Thunder Rolled



At the end of the rain the sky cleared....what a lovely sight!


It has rained and it has thundered and lightening fell all around. Nell does not like thunderstorms and has followed me around like my shadow, always at my feet, wanting to get into my lap, or better still around my neck. We have spent some bonding closeness for sure. And when we go out for walks now, after all the rain and mugginess the mosquitoes have descended about the farm. They are everywhere, and persistent in their pursuit of blood!! I am an easy victim. They feast on my bounty!! But on an happier note...the fireflies are back!! This is good!! I saw them on our walk to the barn last night, between thunderstorms, and they are a welcome sight! They eat mosquitoes....let the feast begin!!

"The Hammock"   Oil on copper     6 x 6"  copyright 2012 www.kathipeters.com

I did get some painting in this week....outside! I packed up my trusty Guerilla thumbox pochade and ventured out into the sunshine and fresh air for some plein air time, and it was just what 'the doctor ordered'....I had started to be feeling a bit stuck in a rut creative wise...and the plein air painting snapped me out of  that rut! And I produced two fun painting to boot. So my advice to all my blog readers who are feeling down or bored with life....plein air paint!! Or as my good friend and plein air mentor always says "Get out and paint"!!!

"View Through The Arbor"  Oil on copper    6 x 6" 

So the new paintings are available on my website......I am glad that I got out and painted.Thanks Renee!!!

 I will  get out and paint more often!!

One More Job Done

"Heading To The Ring"   Oil on copper     12 x 12"      copyright 2012  www.kathipeters.com

I started the day with full intentions of starting a new painting....but was waylaid by the brilliant sunshine and the flowers languishing in their flats in the sun-warmed greenhouse. They begged to be moved into the window-boxes  that adorn our cottage. So  I  carried the flats up to deck, where Nell and I enjoyed the beautiful weather, and I succeeding in crossing one job off my long list of To-Do's that dictates my days each spring at Cob Cottage.

The gardens are starting to bloom with new splashes of  color each day. I can loose so much time just walking around looking for new bursts of bloom that herald each season....and this is the season of new growth and promise.

The front raised garden.....bursting with spring promise.

Even the invasive dandelion sings happy yellow beside some pink and yellow tulips and  blue scilla in the front garden.

One painting is done too....a new oil on copper panel of a young rider on her way to the show ring. "Heading To The Ring" is 12 x 12" and ready to frame.
I am working on more oils on copper and getting work together for Equidae Gallery for this summer's Saratoga season. I am so looking forward to Saratoga .....so I need to paint and fit the gardening jobs around my studio work. I love it!!

Keeneland Study

"The Paddock Walk"    oil   6 x 8"    copyright 2012     www.kathipeters.com

I have been looking through photos for reference material for new paintings. I have just finished [?] this small 6 x8" study in oil of a Keeneland Paddock scene. I was planning on maybe doing it bigger ,and more involved. I love the colors in this. I tried to keep it loose...keep it simple. The oil is giving off a glare now,and so I will get a better shot when things dry a bit. This is done on canvas on board, so it will take longer to dry than my oils on copper panels do. I will probably put it on my website when done.

The studio smells  of oil paint and medium.... so Nell and I took a walk into our fields that are now open, with only snow around the woods line. The sun shines brightly today, with a nippy March wind that is refreshing after a morning in the studio. What a blessing to have this spot to walk in, explore and enjoy. There was so much I saw in this short walk that I want to paint. God willing. So back to the paint.

The Birches In March   copyright 2012  www.kathipeters.com

Changes

Snow blankets the look-in-to garden.

We thought that spring had come but winter charged back in with biting wind and snow. The horses were starting to shed, but when the weather changed, I think they now are appreciating their winter coats. Over the weekend we awoke to a fresh blanket of winter white.....lovely to look at and not so deep that we had to spend hours shoveling. If but all the storms would be like this!!!

And while the weather took a turn for the worst I Moved my office to my studio….pc and desk and files…..this change will make it easier for me to take care of business. It also allows me the use of my larger monitor for reference of images while I paint. Easier on my eyes!! My studio is finally put back together, after days of bedlam …sort of. I am working again, doing some drawing and working on some new paintings. I have my summer galleries plans laid out…..and need to get ‘to work’ on new work. This is good. I also will be doing some painting demonstrations this summer…..all in the works.

And locally in Maine, I have 2 paintings hanging in the Aarhus Gallery’s "44n 69w Radius Belfast"  show which runs March 1^st - April 1^st. The opening reception is March 2, 5-8pm. Their openings are always packed and entertaining. Aarhus is a lovely Belfast Maine Gallery. This all-encompassing show, featuring work by Maine artists, celebrates the vast creative local community. From the sales of this show, the gallery donates 20% of proceeds to food banks within a thirty-mile radius of Belfast. This is wonderful, especially this year….the way things are. I am happy to take part!!

Now.....back to my drawing.....and the changed around studio. [I think I do this every year at this time....change things around!!] Back to work!!!!

©2012 kathipeters.com

After Christmas

Morning dawns over the farm the day before Christmas ©2011 kathi peters

We had a lovely Christmas with family and friends. Christmas day blessed us with a perfect snowfall....Santa found Cob Cottage and all the four-legged family members received gifts. Now we are all getting back to work....and I am in my studio after what seemed to be a long break. Too long.

A vacant home during the winter months.©2011 kathi peters

  Nell and I are enjoying walks along our woods trails and found this small nest left after the occupants headed south. I think it might be a chickadee nest?? Or maybe Nuthatch's? I will be doing a painting of this nest....I do feel the need to do work other than equine art...!! I think I will try it in oil???

So new work will soon be available....and soon it will be a new year with new goals. I have been "thinking" a lot of late.

Holiday Wishes From Cob Cottage

©2011  Kathi Peters

It is a very damp cold gray day outside. A drizzling rain is covering our farm [and most of Maine] with ice.So in between wrapping Christmas presents and taking care of office paperwork, Nell and I decided it was time to get into the Holiday spirit and have Nell pose with her Holiday outfit.....she as always thought she could be one of Santa's reindeer!!

                                                         

                                                        BEST WISHES EVERYONE!!! 

Getting Back To Business [ As Usual ]



"A Handful"     Casein on Clayboard   5 X 5"        ©2011

A small casein on board is my latest work done and I find I try to get back to the business of working in the studio. I had to process the loss of my old friend Dom and some other changes in my life. It was time to take a break...and I feel better now.....better for having taken the time to morn and celebrate. Life goes on.

I also have been doing a bit of drawing....another change.....and a discipline always enjoyed. In the past, I have drawn a lot...but of late, not so much as I might like.I am going to make a point of doing more drawing....not just drawing out the paintings to be done...but actually sketching,drawing to get a better handle on what I see and what I am putting down on paper. In essence getting back to my roots artistically.

"Sweet Memories"  Charcoal on Vellum  12 x 9 1/2" © kathipeters 2011

The above charcoal drawing is of my dresser and mirror in our bedroom.....with a flower vase that was my mother's and a dish that is from a dresser set that was my mother's too.I think the dish was used for hair to be kept in...hair pulled our of a hair brush?? or maybe for a women's jewelry to be put in at night? The the jar is mine...I bought it because I liked the flowers on it....what it should be used for I haven't a clue. 

Yes...it is good to be back in the studio.



Painting In & Out - In Casein & Oil

"Day Lilies and Bird Bath" Plein Air

I felt a need to get out of the studio and away from the casein painting I am working on, so I readied my Thumbox with oil paint and a new 8 x 6" copper panel...and off into the very warm day I went, to sit in the shade on the north of our house, while I painted the glorious yellow day lilies in blossom where they sit under the front "Look Into Garden"'s bird bath. I am liking the ability to change medium and subject matter....and environment. I am starting to get the knack of plein air work. It is a learning process for me. I have a hard time focusing on what to paint and how to approach the work when I am surrouned by so much visual abundance. I am thinking that this changing of gears,so to speak,will only help me with my studio work too. Now that I have the small  plein air oil drying in the studio,I look at it and can see where values need to be addressed,lines fixed and will finish off the painting... and will then be putting it up on my website.

I also finished a small casein of our JRT  from the photo that I posted in my last blog entry. "A Sweet Face" is varnished, framed and going to a good home. It is so easy to buy work off my website over the Internet using PayPal's secure login. Don't forget!

"A Sweet Face"   casein on board      6 x 6"     SOLD

They say we are getting some rain.This is good.The fields are dry around our farm....the gardens need watering daily.The watering takes a good part of the day.I have to grab my studio time when I can. I am grabbing some time now!

Things That Take Me Away From My Studio

"Pond Iris"            oil on copper panel                    6 x 8"

I have a new copper panel ready for painting Plein Air....I want to get out and paint the pond lilies in our field pond,a bigger and deeper pond than the small oil I finished a few days ago.[ "Pond Iris" ] The yellow and white pond lilies in the big pond are in full bloom, reaching for the sun from the depth of the deep dark pond. Nellie and I have been there several times on our walks to check out their growth, but I have yet to get time to go there and actually paint. Maybe over the next few days,if it doesn't rain.

My artwork for Equidae Gallery,Saratoga Springs,NY, has FINALLY left the studio after a snafu on my carrier's part. The show there opens this Thursday, July 22, 2011. I guess my shipping problem is one of the down-sides of living in the woods!

The weather lately has been  very hot by Maine standards My studio is cool in the summer, so Nell and I have been staying in the studio a lot .....so if I do go out to paint, I will leave Nell in the house,sleeping. I think.

Take me!!???

Packing, Labeling & Other Mundane Things

"Running"  casein on board   image size 6x6" copyright 2011 Kathi Peters

The studio is a mess as I get art works ready to ship out the Equidae Gallery in Saratoga Springs,NY. This little JRT painting, titled "Running", is one of 5 works,image size 6 x 6" and  all framed to measure 10" x 10"...all being set to celebrate it's being the Gallery's tenth year in Saratoga!! So they will be sent, along with other larger works. The show opens July 22 and hangs until Sept.5th. 2011.  I will be headed over to Saratoga Springs later....about the beginning of August. On August 5th, I will be talking and doing a demonstration on painting with casein at 10:00am at Equidae Gallery. I would love to see folks there....to talk and to ask me questions of this under-rated medium.I will try and explain my methods and ways.....but remember, I am not a teacher.....!!! But I will do my best at playing one!! 
Then in the evening is the Champagne Reception and I will be there, meeting, greeting and would be happy to help you pick out the next painting for your art collection!

Summer is in full swing here in Maine. Hot surrounds the farm and Nell and I enjoy our studio time in my cool studio.Outside the sun bakes, the flowers bloom and all need daily watering...another time consuming chore. The air smells of roses.I am not complaining!!

Drawn To The Gardens

The garden outside my studio.

The gardens outside my studio are in full bloom now.I sit at my drawing board and paint and look out the window upon this myriad of colors....How they tempt me to come out side. I have been working on the watercolor of  Acadia drafts.... and it is all I can do to keep my mind on the work at hand. But I have made some headway on it...This is almost done....the  work in progress is at this point now:     

"Acadian Clyde"s  watercolor....... almost done.

Life on the farm is in full swing...and between the mowing, weeding and chores I am getting paperwork, paintings and framing done. Life is good ...if a bit fragmented during this season. Paintings are framed and ready to ship to the next show in SaratogaSprings the end of the month. I will tell more about Equidae Gallery's show in another blog post.

The studio is cool....I am headed there now! Nell and I will enjoy the studio's cool while looking out at the summer hot..... remembering what winter is like in Maine!!

Roses Etc....

My garden hat and my roses.....soon to be my painting!!!!

I so love this time of year. The time when our roses start blooming and the air is filled with the sweet aroma of the sun warmed blossoms. Honey bees busy themselves with their daily task and butterflies dart in and out of the gardens. I love it.
Nellie on the other hand is busy keeping my chair warm for me....a chair that I only have time to sit in for a short time in the evenings.....so Nell is very busy too .....protecting  my chair.

Nell warming my chair.

I have new work on my website.......one of my latest caseins...an 8 x 10" work of a draft all soapy ...a draft I saw a short while ago it Wildwood Stables in Acadia National Park. I call it "Soapy Draft" . An appropriate title.

"Soapy Draft"    casein on board           8 x 10"



I am thinking I will paint my garden hat and roses...in oils...on my new copper panels....To the studio I go!!   Nell is sleeping.