Figuratively Speaking - What?

8"x10" oil

When I photographed this cute little guy he was really unsure of what I wanted.  It made him look reticent which was not what I was going for.  He had that look that said, "What?"  My husband eats bacon and I am a vegetarian, so I buy him bacon crumbles from the warehouse store and that way he always has some meat to sprinkle on his salad, eggs, or rice.  I went and got some of his bacon to see if I could convince the pup to cooperate.  It did the trick a little too well.  I suddenly had all his attention and could have had him dressed in a clown suit and juggling balls for those bacon bits. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to bribe people so easily?  Maybe not.  I don't think I could handle that kind of power.  I have a lot of fun things coming up that require much preparation. I suspect when people are trying to break into my concentration force field I give them that look of, "What?"  I am not sure if I just blundered through multiple things when I was younger or if in fact I just can't do so many things at one time now that I qualify for Medicare.  My life is made of lists and if it isn't on the list, it just ain't going to happen!  I can't complain though.  I got to meet a sweet little dog that hasn't quite got the gist of manners or good behavior but has loads of potential.  I have days filled with things on my list that I get to do and on a good day, I get to check a lot of them off my list.  Right now....blog post....check....that's done!  Go Figure!

Figuratively Speaking-Innocent Delight

6"x6" oil Sold

             I visited my neighbor today who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl this weekend.  She is perfect, soft and miniature!  There is something so unique about being around a newborn.  They are so fresh and unimprinted.  When they look around there is a surprise and wonderment in their eyes.  That seems to slowly change over time as we get older and more aware of the ins and outs of how the world works.  Still there are those moments of astonishment that can catch the most cynical of us with "Innocent Delight."  I believe it is a worthwhile mission to seek that out, whether in others or by looking for the miracles in the way life and our physical world are created.  I will be with my grandkids on Christmas morning and I am looking forward to their delight that the cookies have been eaten and mystery behind the pretty wrapped packages.  I would love to hear about your moments of innocent delight and I wish you many more!

Figuratively Speaking - Sisters

6"x6" oil  SOLD

The thing about sisters.....where do I begin?  I am blessed with 4 sisters and several more almost sisters.  They each are unique, individualistic, self assured, talented and opinionated.  I am second in line, got hand me downs (which I never minded) was the most rebellious, and was always in awe of one of my other sisters.  My older sister, is one of the most generous and giving of women I know.  She is also hard headed, creative, imaginative, evasive and stronger than she realizes.  She has always loved books and reading which is amazing because I remember my father teaching her how to read and it was a painful process.  It was so painful, I decided I would learn on my own!  The same thing happened when we started to drive.  There were times when we just butted heads, and she knew, better than anyone,  how to get me to cry. But,  there have been more times where we have been best of friends.  All of my sisters are creative and beautiful.  Linda paints and knits.  Barb sews and gardens and raised 7 kids.  Sharon makes beautiful handmade cards and never forgets an event, anniversary, birthday or holiday.  Patty could be anything she set her mind to.  She is a natural at interior decorating and fashion (neither of which I know anything about).  Then there is Mary who is smart and so, so funny and Brenda who is sweet, smart, organized and full of surprises.  I don't think any of them read my blog, but I love them all and am OK saying it to my little world of which you are included.  Let me know who is special to you.

12"x12" oil SOLD

This is a painting of Carol and her cousin Heidi.  Today Carol and Heidi are undergoing surgery to remove one of Carol's kidneys to give to Heidi.  What a brave and generous act of love! This painting was commissioned in part to honor that event.   My main concern was to capture the posture and attitude of the ladies in an environment that suggests their family summer home.  Carol is a dynamic and very talented woman who is capable of enviable yoga poses!  I do not know Heidi, but I am sure she is as beautiful as she looks.  This painting is a compilation of many photo references.  It was probably my most challenging commission so far.
If you would like to commission a painting please email me at chrisholzsch@hotmail.com.

Sloany Bolognie

8"x10" oil  SOLD

Sloan, dressed for her recital,  caught her first glimpse of herself in a mirror.  This was a fun painting to do, especially the tutu.  I hope I was able to capture her surprise and amazement at herself, and I hope she never forgets that feeling that she is special.

I Can Fly

6"x6" oil SOLD

I love the expression on this cutie's face.  It was a really fun painting to do and I loved the abstract aspects of it, especially the rhythms and patterns, the dashes and drops of color.  I have been attempting to paint with less saturated colors and this one fits that bill.  It is not that I don't love the beautiful strong colors, it is just that I think I need to explore other options including those that don't come easy for me.

Hole In One

8"x10" oil SOLD

I love it when people commemorate an important event by purchasing a piece of art.  Certainly getting a hole in one on the golf course counts as a significant point in time.  This is a gift from the purchaser, so if you recognize this guy, don't tell him!

Working Together

4"x6" oil

We call it play, they call it work.  They are diligent gardeners, pulling up plants and planting weeds.

Backyard Fun

30"x48"  acrylic SOLD

This is quite large and I really wanted to approach it more stylized and graphic.  I made a number of changes before I delivered it, and forgot to take a photo, but you get the idea.

Naia

6"x6" oil

I couldn't help but smile the whole time I was painting beautiful Naia.

Moonlight Ritual

30"x48"  Acrylic  SOLD

This is a lot different for the paintings I have been doing for several years.  It is quite large and is very stylized.  I envisioned this painting over a year ago and have just now finally painted it.  Although it is very simple in design, it took a lot of editing and revision for me to get what I wanted, so there is a lot of paint on the canvas.  I am really happy with it and I believe it tells the story I wanted to tell.

Also Keepers of the Beauty

11" x 11"  oil  SOLD

First I must give my apologies to Dreama Tolle Perry because I stole her title.  She is a phenomenal artist and writer and posted on her blog about those who are "Keeper of Beauty."  I was doing this commission at the time I read her post, and knew that the owners of this lovely garden are one couple Dreama was referring to.  There are a lot of details in this composition, but I wanted to tell the story of the architecture of the plantings, the allure of the koi pond, the babbling of the brook and bird songs, and the sculptural references.  Unfortunately there is a glare on both sides of this photo, making the edges look washed out.

Roses in Bottle

4"x6" oil SOLD

I am happy with this painting!

Little Pumpkin

5"x7" acrylic SOLD

Coming out of the fog of 4 days without electricity, internet or telephones.  It is really beautiful here..kind of like a magical winter wonderland, but there is a harsh side to the reality.  One that requires preparation...a generator, woodstove, lanterns and down comforters.  Once those things are taken care of, our attitudes can switch from "what we don't have" to "what an amazing place this is!"

The Browns

12"x12" oil Sold

This is a commission which took me forever to frame.  I don't know what I was thinking when I painted it in this diamond shape...sometimes doing something different backfires!  Anyway, I am happy with how it turned out and am hoping the Browns feel the same way.  They are such a beautiful family.  I added the suggestion of a white fence to help ground the diamond shape.  I think that works.

A Crowded Room

3"x7" original mixed media

I went to a workshop with abstract artist Mareva Millarc.  She utilizes the "left over" materials from her husband's workshop.  He is landscape painter Peter Huntoon who does beautiful watercolors and oils.  Mareva's method includes, music, mixed materials, freedom and identifying the interesting shapes and lines needed to make a statement.  Mostly it was just a lot of fun to try out someone else's method.

In Good Hands

7"x7" graphite drawing SOLD

Here is something different!  I haven't done a serious drawing for a long time...years in fact.  I do love to draw but most of the time I am just doing sketches without shading and modeling.  I was asked to do this image and decided pencil was the way to go.  I had much fun doing it and it makes me want to do more.

30-30 Challenge #29

2"x4.5" acrylic SOLD

 

There is a pond behind my house that has a creek running into it and creek running out.  It provides the lovely sound of babbling water and frogs in the summer.  My grandkids love to fish there, although actually catching a fish is secondary to just standing or sitting on the dock with a fishing pole!  We get interesting visitors to that pond , including an occasional heron and ducks and geese.  I have seen a ermine and on rare occasion a moose or bear.  This photo reference was the product of wildlife photographer Dale Waack, whom I really appreciate giving me permission to study it and use it for this painting.

30-30 Challenge #28

2"x4.5" acrylic SOLD

This is an image I have wanted to paint for years, but never got around to it.  I took a photo when visiting Florida (my birth state) because I was so blown away by a garden filled with orchids.  They provide the image of such interesting structure.  I love how they smell and how they make me feel and I have the perfect place to grow them indoors, but I won't because I could not bare to kill them or let them die, and that is a very likely scenario!

30-30 Challenge #27

2"x4.5" acrylic  SOLD

I have to remember to plant zinnias and cosmos next year.  They offer such easy to grow options that create such a beautiful design through the summer and into fall.  What I really liked about painting this one is the patterns of the flowers, stems, "leaves" and buds.  Pattern is so important in paintings and I sometimes forget that, and then other times it becomes the theme of the painting.