Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Highway 11, another roadside attraction

The painting on my easel is currently a local landmark located just beyond Lake Bowen Spartanburg, SC I painted a small "thumbnail" version of this a few yars ago and now I'm tackling this 24" x 36".

My overhead bank of natural lights create a faux skylight so I wear the visor to block out the glare. A painting this size so of "takes me in" and I feel like I'm right on the side of the road on Highway 11. This is beautiful country! In high school we'd cruise out 11 and feel like we were in another world.

When I moved back to Spartanburg after being away for 30 years I was shocked to discover the Boiling Springs area (just down the street from this gas station) had turned into a megatropolis! Gone are the farms and acres and acres of peach fields. I was completely disoriented.

Part of my goal for 2011 is to get out and create plein air paintings to bring back to my studio to paint larger paintings of the many "roadside attractions" that are in danger of disappearing.

Happy drawing & painting!
Isabel

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Postcards from Charleston

My last post was about my "Postcards" project. I've decided to expand on this idea and I have created some "Postcards from Charleston". Both of these series are available at the galleries that represent me in Charleston & Sullivan's Island. In fact both Edward Dare Gallery at Charleston, SC and and Sandpiper Gallery at Sullivan's Island, SC are currently hosting a show for the holidays called "Postcards from Charleston" and "Postcards from Sullivan's Island" through January.

I really am enjoying creating these small works (all of these paintings are 6"x8") in between the larger studio paintings I create. The process of being able to create something in one studio setting and the challenge of keeping things simple keep me on my toes.

© Isabel Forbes 2010
6"x8" oil on canvas, Window Box
© Isabel Forbes 2010
8"x6" oil on canvas, Basket Weaver
© Isabel Forbes 2010
6"x8" oil on canvas, Market
© Isabel Forbes 2010
8"x6" oil on canvas, Charleston Porch
© Isabel Forbes 2010
8"x6" oil on canvas, Carriage Ride
© Isabel Forbes 2010
8"x6" oil on canvas, St Philips Steeple
© Isabel Forbes 2010
8"x6" oil on canvas, Sweetgrass Rose
© Isabel Forbes 2010
8"x6" oil on canvas, Rx King Street
© Isabel Forbes 2010
8"x6" oil on canvas, Sweetgrass Artist
© Isabel Forbes 2010
6"x8" oil on canvas, Artist's Hands

Several of these paintings have already sold, but if you are interested in any of them contact the galleries listed.
Happy drawing & painting!