Hereabouts

4 feet tall x 5 feet wide, oil and cold wax on 1.75 inch cradled hardboard.

My first huge painting, it was wondeful working large, only a little awkward to move around considering it's wider than I am tall.

Come walk into my woods.

Work in Progress

On the 4th of July weekend while camping and kayaking on Lake Huron with friends and family drove right by this abandoned home.   Still working on values and color decided to put in the birds at the end of the painting session yesterday, now waiting for this layer dry before I go on.  

Painting these abandoned houses has turned into a great adventure for me.  Not really searching for them just keeping my eyes open. 

In 2005-2008 when the housing market went upside down so many people walked away from their homes this maybe the aftermath. To date I have photographed 11 different homes.

After telling my husband about stopping at these houses he suggested that I carry boots and my gun when I travel and be  more prepared approaching these places.   Most of these houses are hidden in tall grass that's creepy to walk through and wearing tall boots does offer some comfort from snakes and other things.  Sometimes they are in a remote location and that is part of the challenge.

 This will be the 3rd painting in the abandoned home series, would like to hear your comments about this subject and what effect this disaster caused on you or someone you know.

Tire Swing

Echoes of another time, waiting for redemption. 

 Nestled in the backyard of an abandoned house, located along a well traveled road.

Muse Over

20 x 24 original oil painting on hardboard.

The girl, the woman, the past, the future.

Up in The Clouds

24 x 30 original oil painting on hardboard.   

Cool crisp clean air, heavenly.  Visit the clouds it's a wonderful experience.

Brewing

Crazy weather all over the country, storms, fires and floods this week.  

Watching the clouds draw attention to the sky,  scary, threatening, and exciting.  

11 x 14 original oil painting available to purchase.

Project Pop Up

Just to give you an idea of the summer long exhibit in Lansing, the art was made into prints.  Hat with Lace my oil painitng of  my granddaughter is part of the exhibit.   The reflections come from the windows and lights on behind them.  

10 artist were selected and this only shows 6 of us.  

The gallery has projects planned for every Wednesday to have some art fun.  Check out their website for more information.

www.lansingartgallery.org

White Peonies and Red Beauty in Exhibition

Shape and Shadow 

National 

Juried Still Life Exhibition

Exhibit May 8, 2015 to June 19, 2015

Mount Dora Center for the Arts

138 E. 5th Ave.

Mount Dora, FL 32757

Both paintings were shipped to this event.  If anyone is in the area and goes to the show I would love to hear from you.  Painting still life's is one of my passions and sad that I won't be able to attend.  

Milkweed Pods Burnt Umber Layer

 My mail box sits among the milk weeds and after cutting a few and playing with them this is my composition.   Some people spray paint them and use them in floral displays, mine are just laying around with my rocks and other interesting items.

Taking Root

AVAILABLE 

8.5 x 11.5 cold wax oil painting on  Arches 100% pure cotton oil paper.  

Here the painting appears flat and cold; in life it is very organic and alive.  Photography can only do so much.  This piece would be suited for matting and framing.

First Lily

Available

Spring time pure and white full of fragrance and sunshine.  This was painted last year and never posted not sure how it got missed.   Crocus ,Daffodil, Tulips and Lily, start the season for me. Hyacinth's use to have some they have disappeared...hmmm need to plant some.

Lost Memories

AVAILABLE 

Visit my website

www.darlenemowatt.com

11 x 14 original oil painting.  Drove by this abandoned farm house the window trim caught my eye.  On my way back home that day stopped to walk around.  The snow was really deep it was very cold and my boots were at home so not much walking was done.  Would have liked to get up close and peeked in the windows and may do that this summer if my travels take me that way again.

FROGS and TOADS

I am participating in a survey.

As participation mandates, it was necessary for me to establish a route consisting of 10 wetland area's.   

Within 5 square miles of my house my travels took me to Gregory State Game Area, Brighton Recreation Area, and Pinckney Recreation Area. 

My Last stop......

HELL

  

Workshop in Asheville NC

These three paintings were created 

while attending a workshop with 

Mark Bettis in his studio gallery.

  

This painting was created on paper.  













My attraction to this technique of using oil with cold wax was brewing for almost three years.......decided to head down to NC to get some hands on experience.  I loved it.

WORK IN PROGRESS also started on this road trip.

Thinking of going back and forth creating paintings using these techniques.

VERY EXCITED

Work In Progress

The values of the painting have been established.  The color fields are still being developed throughout the lower half of the painting.   The final process to complete this painting will be developing the center of interest and moving you through the painting using contrasting edges and values.

Work In Progress

White Peonies

Just completed a 20 x 16 original oil on hardboard.  A still life looks good with any decor and never goes out of style.  

Scattered Trees

SOLD

A new painting using a new technique.  I have been messing around with cold wax oils for over a year and I'm very excited with the results of this painting and all ready have others started.

My favorite place, in the woods, come into my world.

Want To Go Skiing

Available for Purchase

For the third year, one of my snowmen have posed for a painting.   This joyful fella is the newest addition to my collection.   A snowman dressed in holiday cheer brings a smile to my face and fond memories of winters past.

Winter's playing hockey, sledding, skating, skiing and hiking along with Hot Dam.  More recently Fireball Whiskey has been added for warmth and courage, oh ....it doesn't have to be winter.

Bowled Over

Sold

It must have been a great raspberry season some where the fruit was spectacular recently.  They were getting gobbled up so fast almost forgot to stop and paint them.

Line Up

Available for Purchase

Drawn to the peaches for the color, shapes and shadows, oh and they taste good.

Lately my paintings have been 16 x 20 and up in size,  Selecting this small composition was more difficult.

Some artist's work is always recognizable they may use the same pallet, subject or size, mixing things up is part of my artistic process and keeps me challenged .... or maybe it's A.D.D.?

Hat With Lace

Available for Purchase

20 x 24 inches oil on hardboard.   Loved the lace cascading down onto the dress the shapes and angles created from this pose.

Believe

Nearing completion on a still life and working on another figure painting then an opportunity to bring this idea to fruition presented itself.  The intent gaze of a father and the wink of a child.

Once the paint dry's I am going to try a technique that will tone down the whites and give the painting an aged look.

NATIONAL JURIED EXHIBIT

Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center
In Association with the Smithsonian Institution
13480 Dowell Rd.
Dowell, MD 20629

www.annmariegarden.org

Two of my paintings are in this exhibit.  My brother is getting married at the Outer Banks, NC Oct.17th,, I will be stopping by the exhibit on my way home to Michigan.   Luck is with me.... every time we stop for gas I am buying a lotto ticket.

If your in the area stop by and see this exhibit, 4 of my daily paintings are in the show.

Riverside Arts Center
76 North Huron Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Look Out

Available for Purchase

This is a 11 x 14 oil painting on hardboard.  A view from Clingsmans Dome in the the Smoky Mountains.   Clouds drifting, land and sky converging.   The highest elevation in the park.    Each year for the last five we have made a trip to the park to enjoy the beauty and history.

Flower keeper

Available

This flower is a new addition to my garden this year and the name escapes me, they were planted from a seed package.  If you know please comment.  They grow 3-4 feet tall and produce lots of blooms.    This vase was a great keeper for the flowers and added complementing shapes.

From the Garden

Available

The garden seemed to take forever this year.  Once it started producing it has been a great crop.  Our cucumbers are 18 inches long, no kidding.  There are two tomatoes plants .  When they started ripening there were so many tomatoes it made 8 quarts of spaghetti sauce.   We have been so busy eating everything this is the first painting of my vegetables.  

Cracked Eggs

Available

While making breakfast here it was ...right in front of me.  My little egg beater who roams around the kitchen happened to catch the scene.   What a character...he pops up in my paintings every now and then.

Crooked Tree Arts Center 

Petoskey, Michigan

September 20 - November 15, 2014

OPENING RECEPTION: 2014 JURIED FINE ART EXHIBITION AND GLPAPA EXHIBIT

September 20, 4-6 pm.

I

WHITE RIVER LIGHTHOUSE IS IN THE EXHIBIT, HOPE YOU CAN STOP BY AND SEE ALL THE GREAT PAINTINGS.

Red beauty

Available

The simple beauty of an object brought to life by the paint.   This depth of color is amazing and why I paint with oil colors.