Pastel artist featured for July

Pastel artist Carolyn Molder is the featured this month on Cow Art and More. Carolyn has been painting in pastels and watercolors for almost a decade. A move to the mountains of North Carolina was the perfect fit for her artistic talents, allowing her to completely immerse herself in the peaceful surroundings. Most recently, Carolyn's painting, "Azalea Light", was selected to hang in the office of the newly elected Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives.

Enjoy learning more about Carolyn and her art this month. She will answer a series of questions describing her inspiration and processes. Purchase any of Carolyn's art this month and receive free shipping.

Watch painter Linda Blondheim in action

Cow Art and More acrylic and oil painter Linda Blondheim will painting at two "paint-outs" in Florida between now and May 1. The first live painting event is the Evinston Paint Out in Evinston, Florida. The best Florida landscape painters are invited to come and paint. They then sell the artwork as "fresh and wet" paintings in the wetroom gallery located in the Wood & Swink Old Store and Post Office. Proceeds of the art sales benefit the store and its restoration. Linda is this year's poster artist (seen in the poster at left). The Evinston paint out is April 17 to 24, 2010.










Just as Linda finishes up the Evinston paint out, she travels south to Winter Park, Florida (a suburb of Orlando). The Winter Park paint out runs from April 24 to May 1, 2010. Dur­ing this spe­cial event, 26 of Florida’s finest plein air artists will roam across our fair city cap­tur­ing many of your favorite land­scapes and land­marks with oils, water­col­ors and pastels.

Plein Air is a French term mean­ing “in the open air”. This term is used to describe art works painted out­doors with the sub­ject directly in view rather than in a stu­dio. Plein air artists cap­ture the spirit and essence of a land­scape or sub­ject by incor­po­rat­ing nat­ural light, color and move­ment into their works.

Linda Blondheim gives insight into her work

What else would you like people to know about your work that they may not know already?

My work is thematic in approach. I will explore themes and subjects for long periods, because intense study of a subject reveals its soul. I also base many of my paintings on particular studies of technique. This is the way we grow as a painter.

I love the land, animals, people, cooking and culture of my beloved South. I am particularly indebted to the farmers, ranchers and land conservationists who allow me to paint on their private lands.

Picture credit: "Wood Farm", 18 inches by 24 inches, oil on canvas

Click here to see more information about this painting

North Carolina Artist Carolyn Molder Now Has Art On Cow Art And More

North Carolina artist Carolyn Molder is the newest addition to the Cow Art and More artist family. Carolyn has won awards for her realistic pastel drawings. She has shown in art shows from Florida to North Carolina and has had two solo exhibitions. Carolyn also teaches pastel drawing and watercolor painting from her studio. Carolyn takes pride in capturing the scenes of rural America for future generations to enjoy. Her work will be featured in the new products area of Cow Art and More for the next month.

Picture credit: "Red Roof Barn", pastel on paper

Click here to go to the Cow Art and More website to learn more about this drawing

Linda Blondheim shares advice

What advice to you have for aspiring painters?

There is no substitute for easel time. Work hard, study hard. Do many practice paintings, Study areas of painting like values, color mixing,composition in small studies. That will improve your painting.

Picture credit: "Wacahoota Cattle Ranch", oil on canvas, 18 inches by 24 inches

Click here to read more about this painting

Linda Blondheim talks more about her painting

Do you ever have goof ups or work you don't like?

All the time. Those are the most instructive. I consider painting to be an ongoing study, never a finished skill set.

Picture credit: "North Florida Cattle Ranch", oil on birch panel, 20 inches by 24 inches

Click here to go to Cow Art and More to purchase this painting

Linda Blondheim explains her painting skills

How long does it take you to paint a painting?

Small paintings are done alla prima, from start to finish in one session, usually from 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. Large format paintings can take from 1-3 weeks.

Picture credit: A 5 stages board showing how Linda does a painting from start to finish

Linda Blondheim reveals how she picks her subjects

How did you decide what to paint?

I became very interested in the Southern Landscape about 20 years ago. I started painting on location then and continue to work both on location with a small paint box and in the studio for larger format work. My fascination with the landscape goes on endlessly. I also enjoy Bovines and Canines as subjects.

Picture credit: Linda painting on location

Click here to go to the Cow Art and More website to see Linda's work