Good Morning and Merry Christmas!

Here is my last under painting before the holiday celebrations begin! This piece is another inspired by the tree covered hills of Conkles Hollow. It is 24" tall and 8" wide.


I may be absent from my blog for a few days but enjoy family and friends while I am gone and have a good holiday!

Until next time...

Winter Light

Good Day!

I used some of my left over winter purples to under paint this piece. This is inspired by a path I like to run and a winter sun. Looks cold doesn't it?!! Brrrrrrrrr. It's just a small piece though so you only have to shiver a little! It is 10" tall and 8" wide. Color later.

Until next time...

Good Evening! Here is the completed under painting for Winter Wonderland. It is 24" tall and 30" wide. This photo doesn't do it justice, but I like how this piece is coming along. I might try another snow piece. I have more "snow purple" left!!

Until next time...

Hello.

Here are a couple progress shots of "Winter Wonderland." Just frozen water left to under paint.

Until next time...

Winter Wonderland

Hello!

As we are nearing Christmas and there is always the fantasy that the holiday will be snowy... I thought I would try to paint some snow! Here is the painted sketch I did for my snowy creek in the woods. I have some purples left over from my big under painting that will be perfect for this under painting also. I will take some progress shots as I go.

Until next time...

Good Evening!

Here is the latest update on the water scene we are following. I cannot remember if I have named this one yet or not. This gives me a good idea of where my trees will go. I also love painting rocks so I made sure to add a few to the foreground. Now we wait for the purple to dry. I will probably wait until after Christmas to add the color and details to this painting since it is so large. Meanwhile, I have some purples left. Perhaps I can do some more under painting!

Until next time...

Hello!

I was able to catch a fairly good picture of my wooded hillsides under painted. With the layout of this piece, I was able to under paint the sky and the hills at the same time. I can't wait to add color to this one. I have some fabulous fall colors planned for these trees. Tonight, I hope to under paint the trees and lake onto the first sky I showed you earlier in the week. The sky should be dry enough by now. More tomorrow.

Until next time...

Hello!

My husband caught me in action again. Here I am painting on my new scene I will call "Wooded Hillsides." I was able to finish the under painting but so far it is too glistening to get a good photo of the progress. I will try again tomorrow. Meanwhile, I have prepped a couple more canvases for us to follow. I like having several going at once to offset the dry times - that way I'm never without a painting to work on! I have planned an evergreen lined meadow and to get into the winter spirit, I have also planned a winter creek scene with snow. I've not painted snow before. Should be fun.

Until next time...

Hello!

Usually when I want to start a new painting to follow, I show the photograph I am using as reference. This time, I thought it would be fun to see the initial sketch. This piece is 12" wide and 36" tall. It is inspired by the trip I took to Conkles Hollow in the fall. I find white canvas a bit distracting, so I painted the entire canvas this light blue. Then I sketched the scene with a darker blue paint. Next, I will start the under painting in oil. More soon!

Until next time...

New Work

Hello! Long time, no write... but here I am! I come bearing new painting progress. I believe I have finished most of my "follow a paintings" that I've started on here lately - so the next couple of days I will introduce the new in this studio. Actually, you have seen a glimpse of this first piece in the past. This is the canvas that would never dry! It seems to be drying okay now and I have some new ideas for it. As you can tell, I've made some progress on the sky. I think I will try one of my river/lake scenes on this. I have not tried water on a large scale yet so this may be a wonderful challenge. This canvas is 36" wide and 48" high. I can see the trees mingling with the clouds and some of the clouds reflecting in water below the trees. I'll keep you posted!

The weather is about to get a bit yucky. Be careful when you are out!

Until next time...

Another Painting

Good Morning!
I know you have seen my evergreens in the past but with the summer leaves gone, they seem to be the only green around these days! Of course, I add my signature gardens underneath. Perhaps I will try a winter scene soon and see how it turns out. I have some pictures from last winter's snow that could inspire a snowy masterpiece! Today I am going to finish working on the paperwork side of being the artist. It is show application time. However, I am hoping I can sneak in a paint brush too!

Until next time...

Brrrr...

Hello!
I hope everyone is keeping warm! To envision warmth, enjoy another painting from my latest painting spree. This one I have entitled "Gone Fishing." The rocks in the front remind me of a perfect place to sit down, relax and throw the line in when I was younger. This painting is 10"tall and 8" wide. The trees and rocks continue around the sides which is a really nice addition to this particular scene.

Until next time...

Autumn Drama

Good Afternoon!

I was cleaning the studio and hanging my new paintings when I thought I would pause to share another of my new scenes. I had taken a picture of a really intense red maple this fall and thought that would be pretty fantastic to paint. I added a couple other little colored shrubs but otherwise I let the red tree take over the whole painting! The painting is titled "Red Maple" and it is 8" tall by 10" wide. Enjoy!

Until next time...

Good Morning!

I thought I would share another painting I finished this week. This one is called "Clearing for Deer." When I was thinking of a title for this, I couldn't help but think about that deer I blogged about several weeks ago. This was just the sort of place he was hanging out in - open and free but not too far from the woods where he could hide if he needed to. At the moment he is hiding because I just shared his special place with the whole Internet!! Oh well!

Until next time...

Good Day! Here is a peak at another painting I finished this week. I actually have 10 new small paintings finished just in time for the holidays. Small pieces are often chosen if they are to be gifts so I thought I'd have a few available to choose from this season. Since I had just finished a red barn in my Minnesota Farm commission, I thought another red barn would be fun to paint. I've painted a piece similar to this in the past and it turned out really cute. This one seems to have a similar charm. Enjoy! And if you would like to see the rest of the new paintings today, head over to http://www.amykayetaylor.com/ - go to Oil Paintings, then Midwest, and the new pieces are shown first under "New for December."

Until next time...

New Painting

Hello!

I have rumored that I am working on some new paintings and here is proof that the rumor is true! This is a cute fall scene that I painted. It is 8"x8" and painted on its sides as well. The square format is a lot of fun to design. Another tomorrow!

Until next time...

Finished again

Good Morning!

Here is a peak at the final look of Minnesota Farm. I like painting barns and buildings with "planks." I am able to give the building my clean style along with the character that comes with being built out of planks of wood. In this case, I was bringing life back into buildings that are now very old and faded. It was fun to imagine what it may have looked like in it's golden years. Enjoy!

Until next time...

Finished

Good Morning!

I wanted to share the finished version of my commission "Favorite Place." It turned out quite tranquil I think. This is an actual restaurant you can eat at and I hear it is very nice! Today I will be working on a couple other pieces. I have several on my agenda this week as well as cleaning the house for company - that means the studio too! Have a good week and I'll be back soon!

Until next time...

New Painting

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have had some troubles keeping up with my blog this week it seems. I'm quite sorry about that but here is a bit of what I have been up to. I believe I mentioned in the last post that I had a new commission. This is a special place where my client goes every year for vacation. She is having the scene painted as a gift for the person she always goes with. I'm calling this piece, for now, "Favorite Place." Here you see the under painting. I have been working on the details the past couple days and should be finished with it soon. I will also be finishing "Minnesota Farm" very soon as well. I shall try to check in more often this week and share my finished pieces!

Until next time...

Booth

Hi!

This past weekend I was in Cincinnati for a show and I had a corner space. I got to set up in a unique way. It was rather nice so I thought I'd share. Now I am working on several projects at the same time including a new commision and some more small paintings for the holiday season. I should be able to share pictures of my progress soon.

Until next time...

New River Painting

Hello!

Yesterday I was able to get a couple of paintings finished in my waterway series. The first painting was very similar to the first river bend painting I finished a couple weeks ago. However, it is already hanging in a special place in someones home - so I painted another piece from the same photo. The second painting on the other hand, is inspired by a different photo and is featured above. Same river - but about a quarter of a mile down stream. There was this beautiful orange tree with white bark that just stood out and looked radiant. This painting is 14" tall and 11" wide. I have called it "Autumn Reflections." Enjoy.

Until next time...

Little Paintings

Hello! Happy Tuesday! I was actually able to paint today. It was nice to be back in the studio! Earlier I showed a picture with some under paintings of rivers and little paintings. The little paintings are finished and here is a peak at them. They are each 4"x4" and I sell them with a little easel. They are quite cute actually. They are great for those who think they have no more space for 2-D art! Enjoy! I hope to have a couple rivers finished tomorrow.

Until next time...

Happy Friday!

Hello!
It seems I've been a bit out of touch! The end of this week quite flew by!! Presently, I am at a show in Cleveland selling my paintings. I set up yesterday and today we were open 10-8. It was a bit of a long day but I certainly survived!! We will be here through Sunday. However, Monday promises to be a pretty productive day as all of my under paintings should FINALLY be dry! The winter-like weather is playing with the drying time. I still could not paint on my lakes Wednesday before I left for Cleveland. Crazy! I'll try to take some pictures of the show this weekend.

Until next time...

Minnesota Farm

Good Morning!

Happy Veterans Day! Today I have a few things on my agenda and hope to get into the studio and work later on this evening. For now I would like to share the under painting that lay out the house and the barns in Minnesota farm. The next layer will be the final layer where everything gets details and everything comes to life. Can't wait - it should be ready for that very soon!

Until next time...

skies and shadows

Hello!

Hope you had a good weekend. Mine was nice - relaxing, although I got a little bit of work done also. I told you that I had some extra blue paint from Minnesota farm that would become new skies. Well, I have started some new paintings inspired by my lake and river pictures. I picked three scenes that I really thought had nice potential and I shadowed them in on an 8x10, an 11x14 and a 16x20. The tiny paintings you see in the photo are part of my "little" series. Those are tiny 4x4's that are displayed on little easels. They are nothing short of cute when they are finished! I will have an updated picture of Minnesota Farm next. I was able to get my shadows on that one too.

Until next time...

Flowers for Bessy

Good Morning!

Last night was a bit of a late night but it was well worth it! I finished my Holstein painting, Bessy! I will probably give the painting an alternate title when it goes on my website. It is 40" tall and 30" wide. I have painted around the sides as always. I think Bessy looks quite sweet playing in the flowers! Enjoy!

Until next time...

Beautiful sighting

Good Afternoon!

I thought I'd blog just quickly about the run I just had. I am back in running mode as it has turned fall/ winter and I have more time to head out and train. Today, I decided to go to one of my favorite places to run - one where I'm always finding inspiration to paint. Today, I decided to bring the camera. Although my legs were about to disown me due to all the stops and starts, I got some great shots of late fall. And.. I got to spend a little time with this young buck. He was very patient with me and let me take his picture. I moved on soon after as to not disturb his lunch anymore! I also got to run a short ways with a squirrel and his nut - he wasn't up to sharing his snack though! Now it's back to work!

Until next time...

Farm Sky, take 2

Good morning!

Yesterday seemed to be a very good day for getting important things completed. I hope today turns out the same way. Today I need to write my monthly Taylor Times. Welcome to you if you are coming from there! I am also working on Bessy today before the paints I've mixed become too sticky! I have finished the trees behind her - now I just have the grass and flowers around her. I have finished the sky for the Minnesota farm we've started following. I actually like this sky better so I think the change of thought was a good thing! Tomorrow it should be dry enough for building under paintings. Can't wait - I haven't painted a building in a while... it'll be a nice new challenge!

Until next time...

Series Finished

Good Morning!

Last night, while we were awaiting the announcement of our new president elect, I painted on the last of my 8x10 series. Here is a peak at how they look. I am particularly excited about the lake piece in the top corner. I look forward to working on a larger lake painting in the near future. I am sure we will follow it when it happens. Right now, I have to concentrate on the Minnesota farm and finish Bessy.

Until next time...

Time for Trees

Hello!

Happy Election Day - I hope you've had a chance to go vote! Meanwhile, I am painting trees! Here are three of my 8x10 series finished. I was in an evergreen mode so I finished all of those. I have three more to finish in that series and it looks as though the purple is dry enough to work on some foliage on Bessy in the near future. Today is a busy day with other things interrupting but I'm attempting to sneak in a little painting anyway!

By the way, one of my most loyal readers went into foot surgery today - Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

Until next time...

Mooo!

Good Morning!

I have a wonderful progress shot of Bessy. I finished her body last night and was able to place the trees and shrubs around her. I think she is just beautiful!! Today, my plans include finishing a couple of my 8x10 series and working on the Minnesota Farm sky. It seems we would like more sky and grass in our farm scene so we are flipping the piece to be 20" high and 16" wide to achieve that goal. I will use my first sky for another scene of my liking!!

Until next time...

Sweet Face

A quick note to say hello and show off the beautiful face of Miss Bessy. I am working on her body now. More tomorrow!

Until next time...

Weekend

Hello!

What a nice weekend I've had so far. Friday evening I left you with a pallet for Bessy just before our little Halloween party. It wasn't anything fancy but we baked and decorated halloween sugar cookies and carved jack-o-lanterns. The picture about is our Jacks in the dark. Mine is the one on the right. That was a lot of fun. Yesterday, I cleaned up from that party and then got ready to have a tiny sewing party with my mother. She and I love to quilt and lately we've been able to get together and do a bit of sewing. I have often wondered what my landscapes would look like quilted so I started a sky. The other picture is my sky so far in fabric. The next time we get together, I will add some clouds. I think the layering system may work for fabric too! Now, I've cleaned up from that and I'm back to painting. I should have a nice image of the painting progress on Bessy by this evening.

Until next time...

Happy Halloween

Hello and Boo!

Before I relax in an evening of Pumpkin carving and cookie baking, I thought I might actually get a little bit of work done in the studio! So, ever wondered what colors make up a Holstein? When I'm painting a Holstein I mix the colors seen above. And you thought they were just black and white!! I'm not sure if I'll use all those colors but I think most of them have potential to work their way into my Bessy to help her come to life. I will, of course, keep you updated!!

Until next time...

Farm Sky

Hello!

As the purple shadows dry for the 8x10 series, I have been scheming for the other paintings we are following. Above is the under painting and final sky for my farm commission. It will be named Minnesota Farm because that is where the farm is located. I kept the sky fairly quiet with a little less contrast than usual for me. I know the house and the barns are the main characters and they should have the most drama. I want the sky to play a nice role in the painting but I need it to stay in the background this time. It is really growing on me though...

I have some sky colors left over and if you follow my blogs you know what that means! I can't waste it - so get ready for a new series of skies. I actually have an under painting started that we saw a LONG time ago. It is the one that never dried. Well, sit it in the corner long enough and it will finally dry! I think I'll get it back out and try a final sky on it with my left over colors. Then we'll go from there. You never quite know what will happen next in the Taylor studio!

Until next time...

Paint!

Hello!

I am excited to say, I've been painting!! Here are the shadows for my 8x10 collection. I shuffled through some new pictures I had printed and got some fresh scenes. I am experimenting with a pond in one of them and a couple different tree lines in others. I have painted two with round bails. They are quite popular around here - I personally like to paint them - they have great texture. Next up, a sky for the farm scene. Also, Bessy has been begging for some more paint!!

Until next time...

Landscape Portrait

Good morning!

How nice to be blogging again! Today, I believe, is a great day in the studio with limited interruptions. Actually, I have to stop saying that - because something always comes up that makes me a lier!! Anyway, if that is the case, shadows finally go on my skies and Bessy finally comes to life!

The last few days I have been working on a couple commissions that have come my way. I finished another large basket for a wedding gift. I also started a landscape portrait commission. Landscape portraits are paintings of specific land or buildings that are very special to the person buying the painting. Above you see I am in the drawing stage for this portrait. This is presently a very old farm that has experienced some changes over the years. My patron would like it as she remembers it growing up. She took some pictures of the land presently and researched some pictures of how it used to be and here is the composition she needs to approve before I start painting. It is three drawings put together on the computer. I will probably start on her sky since I know that won't change and then add the buildings later. I think we'll follow this piece too. I think it will be different and special. Okay, now I'm off for a run and I should be back later today with some paint to show you!!

Until next time...

Final Skies

Hello! It is funny how a week that looked totally open and full of painting opportunities ended up so very full of other things!! I did get a chance to finished the skies I started earlier in the week though. You see them above. I actually found another started sky that needed details so I added it to the group. Next up, shadows! Today I get to visit my mom and sew some so that will be really nice. I haven't sewed in quite a while! Tomorrow is scheduled as a studio day though so I hope to even work on Bessy some! That would be fabulous!

Until next time...

New Skies

Hello!

I am in the middle of a big data entry project and as I continue to type, I need little brain breaks. So, instead of constantly getting interrupted on "Bessy" (my husband come home and named my Holstein Bessy!), I started some small skies that I welcome interruptions on! These are all 8x10's which is a popular size for both me and my patrons. I am imagining trees and round bails on a few of these and there are a couple mystery paintings. We'll just wait and see how I'm inspired for them! These are the ugly under paintings for the skies. Final skies coming right up!

Until next time...

Another peak

Hi!

This is the last look for the evening. I may work a little more on her but I have to get rested and ready for the half marathon my sister and I will be walking tomorrow morning. It starts early so I'd better not stay up all night painting!!

Until next time...

Painting Progress

Hello!

A quick note to share the under painting so far on my sweet holstein. She is going to be beautiful. And now for a background...

Until next time...

New Painting

Good Morning!

Here a little of what I worked on last night. While I was taking fall pictures and old family barn pictures in Pennsylvania last week, I took one other set of pictures. We were heading back to the main road from my great grandfathers farm when I spotted a working dairy farm. I have painted cows in the past. My "Friendly Gathering" gets a lot of attention at shows. However, those are Herefords, or "white faces." My husband's uncle raises them and I've spent some time hanging out with them and photographing them. However, due undoubtedly to the commercials that feature them and their unique markings the "black and white" cows seem to be more popular. These are Holsteins and are what my dad's family used to raise. I would never paint one though because I had never met one face to face. I had no connection to a Holstein. Well, we ran across this Holstein farm last weekend and I stopped to take pictures. It was wonderful because they were very curious as to why I had stopped and they started coming to the fence. I got to talk to them a bit and got some wonderful pictures. The best part about painting cows is that they have great personalities and it shows in their faces. This particular cow really caught my attention and I just had to paint her. When finished I will enter her to be considered for a special show in February. So far, you see a photo of her and the sketch I made on the canvas with the under painting of the sky. Today I should at least finish the under painting. Hopefully, I get the chance to work on her too!

Until next time...

Happy Friday!

Hello all!

I think I have gotten enough pictures taken this week to keep me busy throughout the winter painting months! This year I didn't know what to expect from my collection as the green pieces were brand new for me. I didn't paint as much as I could have during the winter because, of course, you only want to paint what people want to hang on their walls!! So - I ended up doing a whole lot of painting between shows. This year I have a better idea of how my collection is perceived and I can do a lot more painting during the winter to have in inventory for the next show season. That is the plan anyway! I have two shows left this year and the holiday season to get ready for, but otherwise, I can get started on some new concepts for a fresh look next year. Above is one of the pond pictures I took while shooting beautiful fall landscapes this week. I think this one has potential to be a really nice painting. Today I am cleaning and reorganizing the studio. If all goes well I can start a new painting this afternoon! Yippee! I will, as always, keep you posted!

Until next time...

Picture time!

Good Day!


It has been a beautiful couple of days in Ohio lately. There is rumor that this will change soon, so I have been taking advantage of the warmer, sunnier weather! Sunday I headed to southeastern Ohio for some views from Hocking Hills. That was very nice, but the best images of fall colors was from the hike we took hiking Conkles Hollow.

Yesterday, I went to visit my grandmother in Northwest Pennsylvania. There I found some wonderful color as well as more farm scenes and a beautiful pond. You see a picture of the artist taking photos at Conkles Hollow and a barn that once belonged to my great, great Grandfather. It was once a working dairy farm in the 50's and 60's. The only trace of the farm now is the milking barn. If not for it's history, I may have passed it up - but do not be surprised if it turns up in a painting in the future.


Today, I am headed to one more local destination. There is a pond there that has been teasing me reflecting the fall colors along the highway.


Until next time...

Show Time

Hello!

I am back from my show today. Here is a photo my husband took of my booth. It was a double booth and an absolutely gorgeous day! With the double booth I was able to spread out and use both sides of all of my walls. I was able to show my southwest scenery on the back walls. I do not get a double booth very often it is fun when I can.

The next couple of days I am going on some fall tree scouting trips. Tomorrow I am going to check out the southeastern portion of Ohio and Monday, I am going to head north. It should be great. I'll share a picture or two as we go along.

Until next time...

Autumn Colors

Good Morning!

Yesterday was a fantastic day of painting! It is always great to add the many colors of the final layer of paint. I finished eight small to medium sized paintings yesterday. It was a long day but well worth the time. Above is a piece that I added the most fall colors to. It is actually 6"x 8." It is amazing how much detail and charm you can fit in such a small area. Today is a packing and catching up day. I have another show tomorrow. For some reason, it always takes me about a day to get everything ready for a show. Anyway, enjoy the painting and I'll check in soon!

Until next time...