My Mother's Day Gift - Plein Air Easel

Last Mother's Day my hubby purchased an easel for my plein air trips - I love it! I find it easy to set up on site, and it's fairly lightweight but sturdy. Oh and I picked up a clip on umbrella to go with it, I'll post the links for you below. 

I started off setting it up in my backyard to test the whole thing out and surprisingly it went very smoothly! The little clip was helpful for keeping the canvas in place, but I did have to touch up the area when I was finished. 

Now I use it all the time on location, here's a photo of me at Simpson Point out in Brunswick Maine with my Mother last fall.  I'm excited because it's just about time we headed back out again as the weather is going to be in the 70's this week, can't wait! 

I even use the easel for my Acrylic Paint Night events.  They have another one for Watercolor with a little kit to change them out from oil to watercolor. I've found that I use my oil one for all of them, and just bring a watercolor pallet and water instead of the oil jar. Easy!

Here are the Referral Links for the Easel and Umbrella Kit, if you want to check them out! 

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day 2

Harpswell, Maine

Oil on Canvas  12" x 24"

It's Day 2, got a late start on today's painting last night after everyone settled in for the night. My
back porch area where I normally paint is now to cold, so I brought my easel into my kitchen area and set up. I do however create a mess in my kitchen!

I'm thinking maybe I should have stuck with watercolor's, but I was feeling an urge to work with oils. Normally, most of my friends and family wouldn't call me a moody person, but I certainly have different Artist personalities! I really do try to pick a theme when I start the 30 day challenge, but it just doesn't seem to work for me. I must paint what I feel.

We'll just have to see where tomorrow will lead me.

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Day 16 of 30 in 30 - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Original Oil on Canvas

Size: 8x10" 

More Purchase Information

I'm changing things up a bit on Day 16 - You would think little chili peppers would be easy....but these little fellers were time consuming.
I  have been painting everyday, but I"ve had a horrible cold and it's left me a bit
lay-zay-fair posting on my blog, but if you are interested you can still see day's 12-15 on my facebook page  or my esty store. 

Hobby Lobby Auburn, Maine - Alcohol Ink, Watercolor, and Oil Classes for 2015

New Classes Scheduled for 2015
 Hobby Lobby in Auburn Maine!

 Reserve your seat now and purchase your tickets for any event right here!

Hobby Lobby Alcohol Ink Classes on Tile - All supplies Included $40 per Class (9x18" Tile)

5/23/2015-  "Tree"                              Sat, May 23rd -           1:00- 2:30pm

6/20/2015 - "Birch Tree"                    Sat, June 20th -           1:00- 2:30pm

7/18/2015 - "Hydrangeas"                  Sat, July  18th -           1:00 -2:30pm

8/22/2015 - "Dragonfly"                    Sat, August 22 -           1:00 -2:30pm

9/19/2015 - "Abstract"                       Sat, September 19th -  1:00 -2:30pm

10/17/2015 - "Flowers"                      Sat, October 17th -      1:00 -2:30pm

11/21/2015 - "Cardinals"                    Sat, November 21st -  1:00 -2:30pm

Enter Your Preferred Date

Hobby Lobby 5x7" Watercolor Classes - All supplies Included $30 per Class

5/23/2015 - "Lighthouse"                     Sat, May 23rd -          3:30-5:30pm

6/20/2015 - "Through the Window"     Sat, June 20th -          3:30-5:30pm

7/18/2015 - "Birch Tree"                      Sat, July  18th -          3:30-5:30pm

8/22/2015 - "Sand Dollar"                    Sat, August 22 -         3:30-5:30pm

9/19/2015 - "Fall"                                 Sat, September 19th - 3:30-5:30pm

10/17/2015 - "Pumpkins"                     Sat, October 17th        3:30-5:30pm

11/21/2015 - "Cardinal"                       Sat, November 21st -  3:30-5:30pm

Enter Your Preferred Date

Hobby Lobby Water Soluble Oil Class  - Class runs for 4 weeks  - $120

(supply list will be emailed when you sign up) 

                      9/30/2015 - 10/21/2015 - "Maine Seascape"

Class Dates:

•  September 30 - 6:30-8:30pm
•  October 7th - 6:30-8:30pm
•  October 14th - 6:30-8:30pm
•  October 21st - 6:30-8:30pm

 

 Prepaid tickets are Transferable to another person but may not be exchanged for another class.

Any questions please contact: Kellie Chasse at KellieChasse@gmail.com or  (207) 241-0086

Challenge accepted ~ Re-creating an Oil Painting with Watercolors!

I had a lot of fun attempting to re-create my original Oil painting from last week with watercolors!

24"x24" Oil on Gallery wrapped Canvas

"On The Rocks"

$650

 

Watercolor - 11x14"
"On The Rocks II"

$325

The biggest difference and challenge for me re-creating with watercolors/gouache would be the details in the rocks.

The original Oil painting rocks were created using a palette knife and I was able to get a lot of
depth with the using black, but with watercolors it was duller an needed more details, so I added the
yellow ochre, and Titanium white (gouache) and worked in some dry brushing.


Kellie Chasse,
KellieChasse@gmail.com
(207) 241-0086

"Paradigm" - 20x20" Oil Painting Abstract by Kellie Chasse

"Paradigm" 

20x20" Oil - $400

Deep Edge Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Eighteen "Make a Wish

"Make A Wish"

40x30" Oil on Canvas

$900

 Wasn't sure where I was going with this one today, but I really had a great time being free to let it take me where the painting wanted to go.....Really loved the freedom of it!

 Check out the ART HAIR - well, honestly if you know me...this is how my hair is almost all the time. Put it up and get it out of the face kind of do!

Got this HUGE 40x30 Canvas for Christmas and I've been waiting until the mood hit me to paint something one it.

Have to work on painting the edges/sides later tonight....maybe after the football game - GO PATS!!
That's my wish - for them to win the super bowl!

SOLD Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Seventeen

Mini painting 4x6" Mat.

It was a slow day at the Portland International Jetport, so I picked up my watercolors and
decided to take the time to do my daily painting.....Didn't feel like thinking too much so I thought I'd attempt the sand dollar again, but with watercolor instead of oils. It turned out pretty cute!

I may add this one to my Watercolor Paint Night Classes - what do you think?

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Eight

 "More On The Way"

6x6" Oil Deep Edge Cotton Stretched Canvas 

$100

I think I'm in love with the larger brush strokes and using only one brush!  I found these little mini 6x6" Deep Edge Canvas in my "Art Supply" closet, or my outside porch area. It's the little back porch that has the best view of the back yard and the water view, yet it's turned into my "stash" area for the winter.

That will change once the warmer weather comes, because we plan to finish that room off and make it into a "nice" charming/cozy area to drink our morning coffee and stare blissfully at the beautiful view we own, and yes I mean we "OWN" ....as in Mortgage Free!

Having no mortgage and a simplified home allows me to do what I love everyday! I am so lucky to have the support of my wonderful family and friends, and of course none of this would be possible if it wasn't for my collectors!

   Our backyard - see this is looking out my "stash area" window!

There is More on the way...day 9 starts soon!

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Seven

 

 "A Flower Like No Other"

6x6" Oil Deep Edge Cotton Stretched Canvas 

$100

One of my favorite movies as a blonde hair, green eyed, pigtailed, skinny little kid was the Wizard of Oz. Did you ever get to stay up late on a school night, with your mom making that special "stay up  late" food with the incredible smell coming from the kitchen... of "homemade" not microwaved but stove top popped popcorn with real butter and oil! The big ole bowl of yummy, buttery, salty, gold! Now, I don't eat much corn at all...you know...that big scary thing called GMO's and all those microwave cancer causing machines...UGH!

Whew...where did I go....anyways, back to pretty little flowers. Do you all remember the bright fields of the dreamy brilliant red poppies that almost took out Dorothy? Well, I didn't realize until I watched it again as an adult that they were poppies....bummer...I love that flower!

Hope you enjoy  my version (smell free however) of the not so "Deadly Poppy Field"

Thirty Paintings In 30 Days - Day 1

$300  12x12" Oil on Cavas

Starting off the 30 day painting challenge with an oil painting - the size is 12x12" and I think I'll go smaller for the rest of the challenge, including doing some watercolor and Alcohol Ink paintings. Once again I have no plan....it gives me the freedom to just paint with my mood.

Here is the original photograph taken at Reid State Park before you get to the beach. It's on the Todd's Point Road. I did some plein air painting there with my mother and our dear friend on Friday and it was the most perfect day all year. A breezy 77 degrees. I'm not looking forward to the winter at all. According to the Farmer's Almanac we are looking at another very cold and snowy winter.

 

Left is Shelby (Mom) and one the right is Carol Ann.

Current Solo Exhibit - Reflections of Maine

Reflections of Maine

On exhibit at The Sea Dog in Topsham, Maine now through September 1st. 

Oil Paintings

Work in Progress - A Foggy Day in Maine

 Here's what I worked on today...still in progress, more rocks and reflections to paint in the front. Another larger Gallery wrapped canvas 36'x24"

 Started with a light gray purple background - you can just make out the island in the back...it's covered in fog.

Adding the island in here with some reflections in the water - still a bunch of work to do. It's a rainy day out there today, so I should be able to get more accomplished.  I'll post the final photo later!

Interview with Artist Darlene Nile

Early this spring my mother and I had the pleasure of meeting Darlene Nile during one of our PartyPainter Classes in Farmington Maine. We have had a number of classes since and have gotten to know Darlene well. This month I decided to share some of Darlene's work with all of you. We think she is very talented and hope you enjoy her journey along with us!
 

This was drawn in 1977 on 18 x 24 charcoal paper with pastels, Darlene was a junior in high school.

Darlene, How did you get started or interested in painting?

"I Started in Pencils, charcoal, colored pencils when I was a
Senior in high school. Then in 1978  I started painting in Oils."

Tell us about your awards?
"Won an award splatter kit from the art in high school!"
My First Time and came in 2011 First Place Oil “Franklin County Fair in Farmington”
(Animal Fox)

2012 Second Place in Oil (building on Ocean out towards Bailey island)
and two watercolors (Seascape and one landscape)
“Franklin County Fair in Farmington”

2nd place 2012 local fair this year 6x8" Watercolor (first)

8x10" 2nd place in the local fair this year 2012

 

16 x 20 painted 2011 - Local fair, won 1st place

12 x 16 Oil 2012 - 2nd Place Local Farm

What’s your favorite thing to paint?
"Outdoor landscapes and animals".


Could you talk about your painting techniques?  

I'm not a detailed painter but more of an impressionist,. Very big on colors, but enjoy more natural colors choices."

First Large Oil on canvas 30 x 48

Do you have a favorite artist?
"Monet".

 
Where were you born?
"Norridgewock, Maine. I have lived in Maine all my life but have never lived on the coast."

If you could live anywhere where would you live?
"Popham Beach or on an island".








Thanks for taking time out of your day to speak with me Darlene. Looking forward to seeing more of your work soon!


                   Please feel to contact me if interested in purchasing Darlene's work.