Umbrella Pines in Colorful Narrow Format, 8 x 24, oil

Umbrella Pines of Rome

8" x 24", oil on gallery wrapped canvas

special: $225.00

These Umbrella Pines fascinated me the entire time I painted in Rome.  Their graceful shapes almost looked like hats atop the gnarled and knobby trunks.  I liked them even better when I learned that they were imported to Rome for the pine nut which comes from them.  

This colorful piece is especially affordable today as I am offering it in my etsy shop for only $225.00 plus shipping.  (On my website it is offered for $300.00).  So act quickly and snag this original beauty in a narrow format today...it won't even need the addition of a frame as it is on gallery wrapped canvas and painted on all four edges.

The colors and the price will make you smile as you think of warm roasted pine nuts and the graceful trees they come from.

www.cindymichaudart.blogspot.com

African Crowned Crane

"African Crowned Crane"

7'' x 5'' Watercolor and Ink

Matted in white to fit standard 8'' x 10'' frame

$40.00 plus shipping

Buy Here

Bird lovers will get a kick out of this pompous African Crowned Crane strutting his/her stuff! Or maybe you know someone who deserves a “crown” and this will suit. Either way this 7 x 5 watercolor on paper with plenty of pen and ink will be a spot of color where ever it is placed. The painting comes matted in white so that you can slip it into an 8 x 10 standard frame of your choice. If you need something larger then consider this as a one-of-a-kind gift for someone you know. It’s affordable and it’s unique.

You R Unique

"You R Unique"

7'' x 5'' Watercolor

Matted in White 

$40.00 plus shipping

Buy Here

Perfect for a child’s room as a happy reminder that it is OK to be different, this original watercolor measures 7” x 5” and is matted in white to fit a standard 10” x 8” frame of your choice. This was drawn from a photo made of a sweet giraffe when he was just 8 days old, but he became pink and green in my imagination. Do you have a friend who needs to celebrate their uniqueness? This art piece will make the most thoughtful gift ever. While feeling different often makes us sad, feeling unique is truly something special!

Bajio Mountain Blues

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"Bajio Mountain Blues"

6'' x 12'' Oil on Board Framed

$75.00 plus shipping

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The Bajio Mountains are in central Mexico and offer splendid views of ancient mountains and fertile fields. Anyone who has enjoyed watching the sun grace the mountains or set over them will have the blues about returning. This horizontal depiction is done in oil on board and framed in subtle gold wood. The piece holds all the color of emotion and hints of of fields waiting to be planted. This will be shipped framed and can be displayed either on the wall, in an easel or set upon a book shelf. Hasta la vista Mexico!

Back to San Miguel

I'm back in San Miguel...well, via my art.  I'm in the studio catching up on all of the smaller pieces I began while visiting Mexico because I am itching to start some new pieces.  I have lots of new ideas on things I want to paint but promised myself to complete these first.  Sometimes the smaller sizes are much more difficult and time consuming than they ought to be. Let's start the tour:

Lavender Morning

8 x 10, oil on canvas

I'm a sucker for trying to paint memories (not by memory!) and this brings to mind the wonderful fresh lavender growing all around our front porch.  I could sit on the stoop of our little house smelling the lavender while watching the sun come up over the mountains behind us. It cast all kinds of kinky shadows on the fields and mountains in front of us and every morning was a different show.

  

La Casa Zen, Simple Choice Farm

8 x 10, oil on canvas

This is Elizabeth's little zen house which was next door to us.  The shadows were always fun to watch and this moment the light particularly shown on the jacaranda tree just over the fence from her.  It was threatening to burst into bloom any day.  Meanwhile the colors of the stucco were very much the colors of the earth.  

Bajio Mountains

6 x 12, oil on panel, framed

Hacienda Azul

6 x 6, canvas board, unframed

Our elevation was about 7000 feet and very dry.  The Bajio Mountains must be very old as they were rounded and worn down covered with low growing vegetation.  The second little sketch is called "Blue Farm House"...do you see it?  I just loved the color of the large home....hacienda could be a plantation or a little farm.

Plaza San Francisco

12 x 9 oil on panel

Last on today's tour is the interior mall of the Plaza San Francisco which is downtown near the famous jardin. When the work day begins several restaurants along this courtyard will drag out tables and chairs to sell coffees, drinks and meals.  Some of the shop owners will also display their wares along the walk and of course "travelling salespeople" will hawk their crafts, jewelry and assorted other items along the stone walk.

This was such a pleasant place to observe life that we often found ourselves in the vicinity (not to mention that the Starbucks with free wi-fi was just around the corner...horrors!!).  One day we were in the park just people watching and the school kids came running through the area chasing each other.  It seems they had made eggs filled with confetti which they smashed on each others heads in celebration of carnivale (mardi gras).  The plaza and jardin (garden) were full of confetti for days following!

I can't promise that these pieces are done (I have been known to make additions even after framing...) but for the moment they will rest; I can revisit for a touch up if needed before I finish the frame.  They will eventually make it to my shop on FB/etsy or to my website for sale.  Meanwhile if one tickles your fancy just let me know.

Hasta luego, mis amigos,

Cindy