Lemon Spongecake Sheep on Merlot

Lemon Spongecake Sheep on Merlot.......18 x 36 gallery wrap canvas.

The background was going to be called Candied Apple but by the time I was done it looked darker and more like a wine color.....thus merlot.  The black faced sheep family are super vibrant, almost glowing a shade of yellow.....and they look like sponges!

Magenta Orchid Owls on Kiwi

Magenta Orchid Owls on Kiwi .....18x36 gallery wrap canvas.  The colors on these guys remind me of blooming wild orchid flowers.......

Glowing Owl on Vanilla Cappuccino & more Giraffes!

Glowing Owl on Vanilla Cappuccino (24 x 24)......one of my favorite subjects to paint.....another owl!   Am trying to capture the interesting colors of a cup of cappuccino with swirls of vanilla.  I thought the reds and light yellows complimented the cappuccino background nicely.....

Candy Sprinkle Spotted Seals on Glacier!

Finally.......Candy Sprinkle Spotted Seals on Glacier completed.......on a gallery wrap 18 x 36 canvas.
This is my first drip painting in awhile......I like the icy cobalt blue effect.....may try this on another painting.

Also a closeup of one of the seals.....shows the candy sprinkle spots!

Blog Review & Free Giveaway!

I received a wonderful blog review on a popular Mom Blog, Kindred Spirit Mommy and am doing a giveaway of (guess what) my most popular Jelly Bean Giraffes on Pineapple.

See the blog review and information on the giveaway at: http://kindredspiritmommy.com/clara-nilles-colorful-animals-print-giveaway/

Follow the directions on the blog review to enter for the giveaway!

Artist Interview

Check out my Artist Interview on popular artist blog.....Creative Artists!!

Chocolate Mint Owls on Pink Sherbet

Chocolate Mint Owls on Pink Sherbet.....completed w thick gallery wrap canvas w pink wrap-around.  Owls have tinges of cranberry, raspberry, lemon, mint chips..... with a pink sherbet background......obviously I had ice cream in mind when painting this!

Moody Blue Ring Octopi on Indigo

Completed commissioned painting......whew....this was quite a bit of work!

I'm pleased w the results.......using complementary color scheme really worked for these guys, making them almost glow and pop off the canvas.  The actual painting is even brighter than the pic.  Once I varnish it will be even brighter!

THANK YOU Kristyn and Ian!!

Thank you!!

A big thank you to all the buyers that came out to First Sunday to have me sign their originals!   What a pleasure to meet every one of you!  And thank you to Jennifer and Toby who bought an original!

Archival Arts Impressions: Surtex Art Licensing Show Review

Archival Arts Impressions: Surtex Art Licensing Show Review: "This week Archival Arts is very pleased to feature artist and guest blogger Clara Nilles who often visits our shop with her colorful acry..."

FIRST SUNDAY ART WALK

I am going to be in Annapolis, MD for FIRST SUNDAY ART WALK at Artfx Gallery tomm, June 5th.. Will be selling and signing prints in front of the gallery.   My latest paintings will also be available.

There will also be a lemonade stand!  I'm going to sneak shots of Vodka in for my favorite clients!

See you there!

Mardi Gras Octopus on Seagrass

Finally finished.....Mardi Gras Octopus on Seagrass.
I didn't intend it ...but he has all the colors of Mardi Gras and he seems to be glowing........

I am starting to like these long format canvases.......can create nice offset compositions.....worked well for the octopus.....or multiple lineup of individuals which I like to paint.  This one is a long and narrow 15 x 40, not too large to be unwieldy.

SURTEX

SURTEX (www.surtex.com) the East Coast's largest trade show for original art and design licensing was held in New York City this year in mid May.    I was there for the first day and enjoyed an incredible show.......it was educational and alot of information gathering.  Spoke to many industry and professional experts in the field and learned lots of stuff about the licensing market.

See my guest blogger commentaries on SURTEX at:  http://www.archivalarts.blogspot.com/

The next licensing trade show, the International Licensing Expo (http://www.licensingexpo.com/) is in June in Las Vegas.  Might have to make a trip to Sin City.....perfect excuse!

My studio

This is my studio......a quiet treasured place where time stands still for me.  I can disappear and paint the entire day.....loosing track of time.   Nothing else in life come close to how I feel when I'm able to be creative.........

Inside my studio.....generally a mess....and I'm usually such a clean person!  I typically have 4 to 5 paintings going on at the same time......in various stages of completion.   Now that I'm getting into prints,  its cluttered with even more stuff.

Scott Plaster's Whimsical Animal Art

I found Scott Plaster's work kinda by accident.....searching for other whimsical artists like myself.  But his work instantly attracted me with its lighthearted style, soft colors, and gentle animals, each with its own personality.   His whimsical animal art is not cartoon-like, common styles of other whimsical arists.   He uses detailed brushstrokes in oil, that gives a soft touch to crocodiles, creates delicate beetles, and adds silky depth to the fur of a marmoset monkey.   His paintings are engaging, with a refreshing style thats a combination of color, charm, and smiles.  
 
Scott Plaster is well know in art galleries and art boutique shops across the North Carolina Piedmont triad area.  Scott is also very active in the North Carolina art community.  He is one of the founders of the Cosmic Cow Society that promotes local NC art.  He markets a full line of matted ready-to-frame art reproductions,  art note card sets, art greeting cards, art posters, stickers, and even art online e-cards.  His free whimsical online greeting cards are available at his Online Art Greeting Card Site.  


You can check out Scott's art at his website and blog: 

Theresa Paden

I recently found Theresa Paden's art and I love her work!  She is a horse lover....like me and paints horses, buffalo, and other wildlife.   I also love her use of colors.  Theresa has a couple of websites:

www.theresapaden.com
http://paintingsofhorses.blogspot.com/

Below check out her buffalo painting w drips.....I love it!

Latest Commission - Octopus on Boysenberry

My latest commission.....an octopus (or octopi for plural?) painting.    Just started painting first layers.   The buyers wanted blue ringed octopus so I'm doing quite a bit of research on them since I have never actually seen one.

This one is a large 30 x 40 on thick gallery wrap.

Have also started another octopus horizontal.....will post images soon. :-)

More progress.............the octopus  on the right will be bright red and the left will be shades of yellow and lime green.  Both will have highlights of bright blue rings.....will post updates soon!

More progress.......

Candied Crabs on Banana Cream

15 x 40 acrylic on canvas

Fiddler crabs are funny fellows, scurrying across the sand so that you can never get a real good look at them.  This painting captures their gregarious nature in all colors of the rainbow.    They seem to be chattering and jousting with each other as they show off their colored shells.

This original painting is on sale at ARTFX Gallery in Annapolis, MD. See www.artfxgallery.org.

Lemon Llamas on Lavender

22 x 28 acrylic on canvas

Llamas are naturally curious and friendly.  I loved painting their curly thick coats and long eyelashes!
These fellows will be on sale at ARTFX Gallery in Annapolis, MD in late May.  They will also be available in adorable mini giclees.   See www.artfxgallery.org.