30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge Day 19: Stage 1, 2 and 3 of Flower Salute

Stage 1 of Flower Salute

Stage 2 of Flower Salute

Stage 3 of Flower Salute

Tomorrow I'll reveal the final painting!  

Oh and here is a photo of the flowers on my table...

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 18 Crystal Wandering Water

Crystal Wandering Water
Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 11' x 14"

Fair river! in thy bright, clear flow
Of crystal, wandering water,
Thou art an emblem of the glow
Of beauty- the unhidden heart-
The playful maziness of art

-Edgar Allen Poe from To the River 

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 17 Marsh on Carrot Island

Marsh on Carrot Island
Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 24" x 36"

This is a painting I created a few years ago...

It took me a few years of staring at it on my wall but I finally realized why this painting wasn't working for me.  It was that the sky was too dark in value.  I lightened it up and now we are done.

Onward!

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 16 Heart's Ease

Heart's Ease
Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"

Heart's ease or pansy, pleasure or thought,
Which would the picture give us of these?
Surely the heart that conceived it sought
Heart's Ease

-Algernon Charles Swinburne

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 15 Child from his Heart

Child from his Heart
Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Acrylic on Canvas 18" x 24"

"Spring comes with a bound, Spring the deliverer...

Here that child from his heart drinks of eternity."

-Robert Louis Stevenson

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 14 Heart and Hands

Heart and Hands
Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Acrylic on Canvas 18" x 24"
Buy Now

"You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist."

-Gandhi

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 13 Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe
Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Acrylic on Canvas 24" x 36"

A Flower Given to My Daughter

Frail the white rose and frail are
Her hands that gave
Whose soul is sere and paler
Than time's wan wave.

Rosefrail and fair -- yet frailest
A wonder wild
In gentle eyes thou veilest,
My blueveined child.

-James Joyce

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 12 Splendid is the Flower

Splendid is the Flower
Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"

The Flower

Once in a golden hour
I cast to earth a seed.
Up there came a flower,
The people said, a weed.

To and fro they went
Thro' my garden bower,
And muttering discontent
Cursed me and my flower.

Then it grew so tall
It wore a crown of light,
But thieves from o'er the wall
Stole the seed by night.

Sow'd it far and wide
By every town and tower,
Till all the people cried,
'Splendid is the flower! '

Read my little fable:
He that runs may read.
Most can raise the flowers now,
For all have got the seed.

And some are pretty enough,
And some are poor indeed;
And now again the people
Call it but a weed.

-Alfred Lord Tennyson 

So what the heck was Tennyson saying? 

That whether something is splendid or a weed is all based on our perception... 

how we label things,

how we divide up our world into good vs. bad. 

If you only seed weeds around you... you are "poor indeed."

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 11 Everything is Coming Up Roses

Everything is Coming Up Roses
Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 11' x 14"

"You got nothing to do but relax
Blow a kiss, take a bow
Honey, everything's coming up roses."

-Stephen Sondheim

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 10 Crimson Flowers

Crimson Flowers
Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 18" x 24"

"For the crimson flower of our life is eaten by the cankerworm of truth,

And no hand can gather up the fallen withered petals of the rose of youth.

Yet I am not sorry that I loved you -ah! what else had I a boy to do? -

For the hungry teeth of time devour, and the silent-footed years pursue."

-Oscar Wilde, From "Flowers of Love" 

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 9 Italy Commission

Italy Commission
Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 11" x 14"

"Life is a walk to the edge of a cliff.  

Everyday we step nearer to what lies over the brink."

Deepak Chopra

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 8 Harvest Still Life

Harvest Still Life
Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"
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(This is another painting that I reworked.  I unified the background.  Much better!)

"The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest."

-William Blake

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 7 Flowers at the Window

Flowers at the Window
Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 12" x 16"

(This is a painting from a few years ago that I reworked!  I'm glad I gave it a second chance.)

"If you want the people to understand you, 

invite them to your life 

and let them see the world from your window!” 

-Mehmet Murat ildan

30 Paintins in 30 Days Challenge: Day 6 Peonies in Glass

Peonies in Glass
Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 12" x 16"

"Painting is silent poetry, 

and poetry is painting that speaks.”

-Plutarch

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 5 The Egret

The Egret
Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"
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"It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds."

-Aesop

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 4 Blue Moon of Kentucky

Blue Moon of Kentucky
Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"
Buy Now

"Blue Moon of Kentucky keep on shining

Shine on the one that's gone and proved untrue.

Blue Moon of Kentucky keep on shining

Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue."

-Bill Monroe

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 3 Waterfall in the Blue Ridge

Waterfall in the Blue Ridge
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 11" x 14"

"Nature does not hurry and yet everything is accomplished."

-Lao Tzu

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 2 The Secret Tree

The Secret Tree
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Acrylic on Canvas 18" x 24"

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you 

because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places."

-Roald Dahl

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day 1 Roses Commission

Large Roses Commission
Copyright Hirschten 2016
Oil on Canvas 30" x 50"

My patron who commissioned this painting wanted such peaceful colors!  

Soft neutrals with french blue... it is calming.

 

"He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home."

-Goethe

Happy New Year!

The Apothecary's Window

The Apothecary's Window
Copyright 2016 Hirschten

This is an unusual painting that was inspired by the frame!  I found it at an antique shop in Chicago.  The lovely curved wooden frame held a black piece of wood.  I cleaned it up, reapplied a coat of black paint and added the image of wildflowers from my garden.  I named it "The Apothecary's Window" because the black background reminds me of some of the early herbal paintings.  I imagine this on the wall of a medieval doctor.

The Gardener

The Gardener
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Collage Painting on Canvas, 16' x 20"

"Oh, sacrament of summer days,
Oh, last communion in the haze,
Permit a child to join,

Thy sacred emblems to partake,
Thy consecrated bread to break,
Taste thine immortal wine!"

-Emily Dickinson

The Nest

The Nest
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Collage Painting on Canvas, 16" x 20"

"If I can stop one Heart from breaking 
I shall not live in vain

If I can ease one life the Aching 
Or cool one Pain 

Or help one fainting Robin 
Unto his Nest again 

I shall not live in Vain"

-Emily Dickinson

Alchemy of Art Podcast Episode 37 Interview with Artist and Curator Kyle Herrington

Also available on iTunes.


Today's episode features an interview with artist and curator, Kyle Herrington.  The chat covers his thoughts on modern artwork, using humor and censorship.
Find out more about Kyle's work at: www.kyleaherrington.com

In addition Hirschten shares two true stories from art history: the story of the painting the Mona Lisa and what happened to the works of the Louvre museum during World War II.


On the Alchemy of Art podcast we interview artists from a wide variety of mediums about their creative process and art philosophy.  Each episode includes folktales and true stories about artists to inspire you and keep you going.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author and public speaker.  Find out more at www.azhirfineart.com

Bouquet of Zinnias

Bouquet of Zinnias
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"

"When you are grateful - 

when you can see what you have - 

you unlock blessings to flow in your life."

- Suze Orman

Spider in the Garden

Spider in the Garden
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 18" x 24"

"When you rise in the morning, 

give thanks for the light, 

for your life, 

for your strength. 

Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. 

If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself."

- Tecumseh

Alchemy of Art Podcast 36 How to Make a Difference

Also available on iTunes

In the wake of social unrest following the 2016 election Hirschten shares uplifting stories of many different inspiring artists including Jacques Louis David, Picasso, Romare Bearden, Thornton Dial, Charles Dickens, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Ella Jenkins, Pete Seeger and Sadoko Susaki and the 1,000 Paper Cranes.  Each of these artists used their artwork to share stories of injustice and push for social change.  Only by sharing what is happening can artists open people's eyes to what is going on around them.

On the Alchemy of Art podcast we interview artists from a wide variety of mediums about their creative process and art philosophy.  Each episode includes folktales and true stories about artists to inspire you and keep you going.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author and public speaker. Find out more at www.azhirfineart.com

Memories of Virginia Beach

Memories of Virginia Beach
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"
SOLD

"Thanks for all the fish."

-Douglas Adams

Alchemy of Art Podcast Episode 35: Should You Become a Professional Artist?

Also available on iTunes.

Have you fantasized about becoming a professional artist?  In this episode Hirschten creates a pro/con list that breaks down the good, the bad and the ugly sides of becoming a professional artist. The story of the day explains the creation of Kolam designs.

On the Alchemy of Art podcast we interview artists from a wide variety of mediums about their creative process and art philosophy.  Each episode includes folktales and true stories about artists to inspire you and keep you going.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author and public speaker.  Find out more at www.azhirfineart.com

The 2016 Thanksgiving Giveaway Painting!

This is it!
The 2016 Thanksgiving Giveway Painting
Enter here to Win

Yes, it is that time of year again!  Time for my annual Thanksgiving Painting Giveaway.  One of my newsletter subscribers will win this framed original painting, "Roses on the Table."

I created this painting of yummy coral colored roses late one evening a few years ago.  It was featured in the 2015 Hoosier Salon Exhibition then I just had to hang it on my own wall for a year.  Now I am ready to share it with one lucky winner.  Maybe it will be you!

How it works:  On November 25th I will be using a random number generator to select the winner from my list of subscribers.  Subscribe here

To increase your chances: Invite your friends and family to join the newsletter. 

Good luck!

Tree on a Hot August Morning

Tree on a Hot August Morning
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 11" x 14"

"Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. 

Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence."

-Hal Borland