The Twelve Days of Christmas Paintings

As I write this, the snow is gently falling in upstate NY. I get so excited this time of year as we get ready for Christmas! For the past 5 years, I have been using the 12 Days of Christmas theme to create cards, gifts and prints. This year I painted 5 Golden Rings which I was in California visiting my daughter. The sun and light was perfect to work on this piece. Here are my paintings as of 2009 which I wanted to share with you! Enjoy!

On the first day of Christmas....my true love gave to me....

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Two Turtle Doves

Three French Hens

Four Calling Birds

Five Golden Rings

This year I have so many things to be grateful for and wish all of you love, peace and prosperity.

The Puggle Paintings - A Painter's Best Friend!

Two years ago, my son, Bryan came home from college for the summer and felt it would be good if we got another dog... since it had been awhile without Star, our Beagle that had been part of the family for over 16 years. Even though I resisted doing so and made up all kinds of excuses, agreed to go see a new litter just weeks old. After looking into the eyes of this little guy and watching his tail wag in excitement, my heart melted and he came home with us!  

He even posed for me.. in the wicker chair on the porch this summer in the Adirondacks. Here is a detail...

All I have to do is say "studio" and he is at the door ready to go to work! He's great company, listens and is always happy! 


Some of my newer oil paintings are now hanging at the Pat Rini Rohrer Gallery in Canandaigua, NY. I had all of the frames created at Finger Lakes Gallery and Frame which is right across the street and did a fabulous job. Stop by sometime to take a look at both successful businesses run by highly creative people.

The Quiet Place Paintings ~ Finger Lakes, New York

For those of you craving some peace and serenity, time to reflect, rejuvenate and experience nature, there is a special place in the Finger Lakes to do so. The Quiet Place is a labor of love for two creative and inspiring people - Jan McKie and Eric Moon. Each cabin and setting has their own unique feeling, views and details but all carry have something in common - Quiet! Through the years I have enjoyed capturing in watercolor each of the individual properties. I hope you can experience one of The Quiet Places sometime soon. Here are some of the paintings. All of the details to book your stay are on the website www.thequietplace.com.

Inspired by the Beauty of the Finger Lakes, New York

Today I am creating  in my design studio which is in a two room renovated 1800's schoolhouse. I am blessed to have large windows to look outside and get inspired!  The Finger Lakes area where I live is absolutely gorgeous this time of the year! Leaves are changing to shades of yellow ocre, alizarin crimson, burnt sienna and on a sunny day like today everything is in 3D.The farm markets are alive with fresh produce - pumpkins, apples, grapes all ready to enjoy! One of my dreams over the years has been to integrate design with painting and through the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection (a creative, energetic and amazing client) - have been given the opportunity to do so... Here is this years Visitors Guide. Check out the link and you can go page by page. Enjoy the day!

 http://visitfingerlakes.lunarcow.com

Brantingham Lake- Adirondack Autumn Reflections

To begin with, it is getting much colder very fast in the Northeast and I am writing this blog with a cup of chai tea in hand and my dog "Banks" curled up on my lap with his sweatshirt on, trying to stay warm.
I have been loving the autumn reflections on the lake this year, capturing them with loose oil brushstrokes.

Prussian Blue is a new addition to my palette... and has been giving me some bold colors and dramatic effects. I hope to describe in this new work, the stillness and serenity of the lake as well as the dynamic beauty of nature.   Enjoy the day. Stop to capture the beauty around you for a few moments if you can.

Canandaigua Lake En Plein Aire

Painting has always been a passion and able to heal me when I am feeling all kinds of emotions. One day after both of my children left for college and I was feeling a little lost, I wandered into the Pat Rini Rohrer Gallery in Canandaigua. Pat is one of the best artists in the Finger Lakes area and suggested I take a class in oils to start exploring this new phase of my life. Pat was an angel that showed up at just the right time. When the student is ready, the teacher appears!  These are a few of the paintings from this summer's plein aire class I took with Pat and the other amazing artists.... we are a group learning and growing with each other, creating art and enjoying the beauty of the Finger Lakes area where we live. 

Plein air is a term derived from the French phrase en plein aire, which literally means 'in the open air'. It's a familiar concept today, but in the late 1800s when the Impressionists ventured out of their studios into nature to investigate and capture the effects of sunlight and different times of days on a subject, it was quite revolutionary.

Watercolor Painting in the Finger Lakes

Yesterday I had the opportunity to teach a one-on-one watercolor class with an amazing woman, Pat Charland at her beautiful home. Pat is owner of Sunflower INK , a Public Relations and Communications firm. She is such a talented, fun person to be with. On the way home, the views were awesome! Here are a few photos displaying a glimpse of the beauty of Autumn in the Finger Lakes.

A Painting of Ana Alcaide - Songwriter in Toledo, Spain

As John, Bryan and I were touring Toledo, we heard beautiful music and saw a crowd gathered around a woman playing a nyckelharpa - keyed fiddle. Her CD is called COMO la LUNA y el SOL and her website is www.anaalcaide.com. I play her music often when I am painting and it takes me to a mystical and dreamy place... I am currently working on this painting of Ana. It is just so inspiring to see women around the world expressing from their heart and spirit which reaches out to so many... I hope that one day my art can touch someone like Ana's music has touched me.

New paintings inspired by Sorolla and Madrid

After seeing Sorolla's magnificent work in Madrid, I was able to purchase through a very generous person, the book : Joaquin Sorolla The Painter by Edmund Peel which is now one of my most cherished reference books. I am in awe of the light, color and dynamic images integrated into his amazing paintings. Here are two of my most recent paintings "Cafe con leche" and "Parque del Retiro"  I am excited about the direction that they are going....

Inspiration by Joaquin Sorolla

Our trip to Madrid, Spain in March changed my life! One artist in particular has influenced my art in so many ways. We were able to see his studio and home. Hope you are inspired too! Here are some of my favorite painting!

Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida (February 27, 1863 - August 10, 1923) was a Spanish painter, born in Valencia, who excelled in the painting of portraits, landscapes, and monumental works of social and historical themes.

Adirondack Painting

"Peaceful Presence" 

Cindy Altmire Harris 

Oil on canvas

14" x 24"

Autumn Creative Retreat in the Adirondacks

Over the past few years the idea of a "Women's Creative Retreat" has been forming and this weekend five courageous women experienced the seed of this concept. Through painting, writing, and sharing amazing breakthroughs were made. Look for more information on my blog about upcoming womens retreats. 

My First Blog!

I'm so excited. Emily is home from California and helped me create my first blog. Here I am walking in the field by my home studio...