Category Archives: oil painting

Gallery show, update

Posted on August 16, 2018 | 4 comments

Kit Miracle at the J. Michael Dunn Gallery at Oakland City University, Oakland City, Indiana.

I took a drive over to Oakland City University today to see my newly-hung show at the J. Michael Dunn Gallery. I’ll admit, it’s been a long time since I’ve had enough work to show at a solo show. However, in the past few years I have been able to devote more time to painting and creating.

Most artists understand how amazing it is to walk into a gallery and see your work on display, especially if there are several years’ worth of work. But to see everything out of storage and out of boxes and hung all together…well, it’s just a bit overwhelming.

I’ve posted photos of individual paintings over the past few years but I really haven’t seen the whole body of work in one place. The first thing that struck me is the color. I like color and it shows.

Then there’s the subject matter. Still lifes, landscapes, portraits. It’s all meaningful to me but I’m not sure it is to anyone else. Nevertheless, I love seeing the work hung as a group.

The show runs from August 13^th through September 28^th. The public reception and gallery talk is scheduled for Sunday, September 9^th from 2 to 5 CST. The gallery hours are M-F 10 to 5, weekends by appointment. Check it out. Come on out for the reception or just to view the work.

https://www.oak.edu/facilities/j-michael-dunn-art-gallery

Kit Miracle, gallery show 2

Gallery show-3, Kit Miracle

Gallery show 4, Kit Miracle

Gallery show 5, Kit Miracle

Gallery show 6, Kit Miracle

Gallery show 7, Kit Miracle

Gallery show 8, Kit Miracle

Gallery show 9, Kit Miracle

Gallery show 10, Kit Miracle

Gallery show 11, Kit Miracle

Gallery show 13, Kit Miracle

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Posted in art, contemporary impressionism, oil painting

Tagged acrylic, art, contemporary impressionist, indiana, kit miracle, oakland city university, oil painting

Red Cabbage Still Life – A Challenge in Color and Shape

Posted on December 17, 2017 | Comments Off

Red Cabbage Still Life, oil on canvas, 18 x 24, Kit Miracle

This still life is a little larger and more complex than many of my other recent paintings. I was inspired by a visit to the grocery. I must have had my “artist’s eyes” on that day because I seemed to be dazzled by the beautiful colors and shapes of the vegetables. Several of the more interesting vegetables came home with me that day.

Inspiration in the vegetable department at the grocery. I love these colors and interesting shapes.

Before I tackled the main still life, I first completed several smaller still lifes just to get a feel for the shapes and colors.

Red Cabbage, oil on canvas board, 10 x 10, Kit Miracle

Surprisingly, the red cabbage was the most difficult to paint. It has very subtle hues of purple, red and magenta. It was a tight head so not much interest as far as shape until I peeled back a leaf or two. I think a larger, leafier cabbage would be far more interesting.

Artichoke, oil on canvas board, 10 x 10, Kit Miracle

The artichoke, with it’s pointy leaves and shapes, was very fun to paint.

Radishes in Green Bowl, oil on canvas board, 10 x 10, Kit Miracle

The radishes are usually fun but their greens started to wilt quickly. However, they later generated more new leaves so that was a big help.

The final big still life was painted on an 18 x 24 inch canvas which I had toned in variegated colors. It seems to have a glow all its own. I don’t quite know how that happened except that some of the under painting showed through. Unfortunately, I didn’t’ take step-by-step photos of this painting. I might tweak it a bit more but there’s always a risk of going too far. Sometimes done is done.

These paintings will be for sale on my Etsy shop. KitMiracleArt

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Posted in art, oil painting, still life, Uncategorized

Tagged art, contemporary impressionist, kit miracle, still life, toned canvas, vegetables

Plein air painting, Brooks Bridge, Martin County, Indiana

Posted on December 6, 2017 | 2 comments

Plein air painting of Brooks Bridge, oil on canvas board, Kit Miracle

I went plein air painting with my friend Bill Whorrall on Monday. It was a beautiful and unseasonably warm December day with temps in the 60s. However, the wind was brisk which posed some problems later.

Brooks Bridge across the East Fork of the White River in Martin County, Indiana

Bill lives in Martin County, Indiana which is lovely and boasts a variety of terrains – rivers, stone ledges, hills, woods. We decided to paint this one lane bridge, Brooks Bridge, which spans the East Fork of the White River south of Shoals. We had spotted this location before but the ground was too wet to drive on.

While we were painting, we saw about four vehicles, including a four wheeler; probably the farmer checking us out. (It’s hunting season and there are lots of poachers.) I just waved and he drove back. The sparse traffic is probably why the bridge is only one lane. Yeah, impossible for you city people to believe but they still exist.

Bill was working on some ink drawings that he created with sticks and twigs as drawing instruments. You can see the results here. Really neat.

Plein air painting along the East Fork of the White River south of Shoals. My friend Bill Whorrall is drawing with ink and sticks.

Painting half done

I decided to use a canvas panel toned with yellow paint. It was pretty bright but where it shows through, it seems to add some magic. I like it anyway.

Plein air painting of Brooks Bridge. The wind nearly took my easel right after I took this photo!

The only real problem was that the wind picked up throughout the morning. A strong gust nearly knocked my easel into the river!

I tweaked the final painting in my studio, darkening the details and adding highlights. It’s sometimes difficult to really see and judge colors and contrasts in the bright sunlight. What do you think?

Yeah, it’s for sale at my Etsy shop.

2 Comments

Posted in art, oil painting, plein air painting

Tagged art, bridge, contemporary art, indiana, kit miracle, martin county indiana, plein air, shoals indiana, toned canvas

Ladybug Teapot, a Whimsical Painting

Posted on December 3, 2017 | 2 comments

Ladybug Teapot, oil on canvas, 12 x 16, Kit Miracle

This playful still life was inspired by the whimsical ladybug teapot that I found in my prop cupboard. It’s actually a teapot and cup combination which I paired with some red apples and bright green fabric. Check out the step-by-step of how this painting was created here.

The painting can also be found on my Etsy shop, KitMiracleArt. A great gift for your favorite tea lover!

2 Comments

Posted in art, oil painting, painting instruction, still life, Uncategorized

Tagged art, contemporary impressionist, kit miracle, ladybug, oil painting, painting instruction, still life, tea lover, teapot

Studies in Red – Oil Paintings with Heart

Posted on November 19, 2017 | Comments Off

I’ve always liked red paintings. When I did art fairs for many years, they seemed to be very popular with my patrons, too. Everyone has room for a red painting to brighten up that special spot.

The four paintings that I completed this week are predominantly red or at least in the red/orange family.

The Birdcage, oil on canvas. 12 x 16, Kit Miracle

The first one, The Birdcage, features the antique birdcage that I bought at a flea market earlier this summer. I paired it with some bright red fabric printed with beautiful little birds. Then I decided to do a tea theme with a teacup and small teapot, along with some luscious lemons. Although the painting is a little busy, especially after the simplicity of the others that I’ve been working on lately, I think it works. Boy, that birdcage was difficult to paint! The other challenge was to depict the birds on the fabric without letting them take over the composition.

The Conversation, oil painting, 10 x 10, Kit Miracle

The second painting I did this week is called The Conversation. I can just imagine two friends having a lovely talk in the afternoon sunshine. It looks as if they just left, doesn’t it?

Lamplight, oil painting, 10 x 10, Kit Miracle

Then I painted this bright interior painting called Lamplight. This depicts an interior scene, perhaps an entry hall, with a lamp and a simple bouquet of red flowers. The gold frame of the mirror helps connect the objects on the table.

A Sunny Corner, oil painting, 10 x 10, Kit Miracle

My final painting this week I call The Sunny Corner. I’ve always loved the play of sunlight and shadows on interior walls and floors. The effects are often fleeting but beautiful, nonetheless. The chair just invites the viewer to take a rest and enjoy the sunshine.

Visit my Etsy shop, KitMiracleArt, to see many more painting details.

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Posted in art, contemporary impressionism, oil painting, Uncategorized

Tagged art, contemporary impressionist, interior painting, kit miracle, oil painting, painting, red paintings, still life

Onions and Garlic, a step-by-step demonstration

Posted on November 12, 2017 | Comments Off

Onions and Garlic, 12 x 16, oil on canvas, final- Kit Miracle

I’ve been painting a lot of still lifes lately. This one was inspired when my husband came home recently with a bag of big, beautiful garlic bulbs. I quickly grabbed them before he could put them in a sauce or plant them in the garden. Then I went “shopping” through the house and refrigerator, and even my prop closet for the rest of the items I needed for a still life. This one reminds me of something by Cezanne or Renoir. The impressionists were known for beautiful paintings featuring simple household items.

If you would like to see a demo of this painting step-by-step, click here for the demo page. The painting is for sale on my Etsy shop, KitMiracleArt. Paint has to dry though!

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Posted in art, contemporary impressionism, oil painting, painting instruction, still life, Uncategorized

Tagged art, cezanne, contemporary impressionist, kit miracle, oil painting, onions and garlic, painting demonstration, painting instruction, renoir, still life

Painting Marathon – Trying Something New

Posted on October 15, 2017 | Comments Off

About a week ago, I decided to see how quickly I could paint ten paintings. I’m not quite sure what the spark was. Maybe I was bored, tired of the old style. Something I saw that reminded me of some yellow and blue paintings that I had done years ago. Anyway, I decided to challenge myself, not only with the number of paintings, but stretching to a slightly different style. In this case, my aim was to paint looser, faster, and more colorful.

Apple Jack, oil on board, 16 x 12, Kit Miracle

I chose my subject matter by going “shopping” through my house and refrigerator, and, of course, my prop cupboard in the back of my studio. Hey, I didn’t even remember that I had martini glasses until I spotted them in the back of that cupboard! And a shaker, too. Must have been from a resale shop.

Two Lemons and a Martini Glass, oil on canvas board, 12 x 9, Kit Miracle

It was really great fun. The miserable and damp weather meant that I didn’t feel any guilt at all about holing up in the studio instead of going outside for some fresh air. I didn’t even want to come into the house to eat. (And that never happens!)

Wait for Me!, cherry tomatoes in a dish, oil on canvas, 8 x 10, Kit Miracle

Although I wasn’t deliberately trying to emulate any particular style, I can see a lot of Cezanne and Janet Fish in these paintings. And I’m really eager to try some more, perhaps larger or some landscapes in this style. What do you think? Thanks for stopping by. Your feedback and comments are always welcome.

Oh, yes, all of these paintings are available at my Etsy shop, KitMiracleArt. Check them out.

Three Tomatoes on a White Plate, oil on canvas, 8 x 10, Kit Miracle

Three Lemons in a Blue Bowl, oil on canvas, 8 x 10, Kit Miracle

Pine Sprigs in Antique Blue Bowl, Weller pottery, oil on board, 12 x 16, Kit Miracle

Lucky Four, green apples, oil on canvas, 12 x 16, Kit Miracle

Lemons on Blue Plate, oil on board, 12 x 16, Kit Miracle

Green Apples and Cut Glass Dish, oil on canvas board, 9 x 12, Kit Miracle

Adam and Eve, red apple and green apple, oil on board, 8 x 10, Kit Miracle

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Posted in art, contemporary impressionism, oil painting, painting instruction, still life

Tagged art, bright colors, cezanne, contemporary impressionist, indiana, janet fish, kit miracle, loose painting, oil painting, painting instruction, still life

The Huntress I and II, oil on canvas

Posted on October 1, 2017 | Comments Off

The Huntress I – oil on canvas, 20 x 20, Kit Miracle

The Huntress II – oil on canvas, 20 x 20, Kit Miracle

The Huntress I and II are two paintings that I created earlier this year. Although I have often created a series of paintings, this is the first time that I created a pair of paintings. They each stand alone from a design view, but work better as a pair.

My aim here was to create a bit of mystery, to simplify the background and the figure, and to play off the high intensity light without adding a harshness to the scene

Check out the step-by-step page to learn more about how I made these beautiful pair. https://my90acres.com/artwork/the-huntress-i-and-ii-step-by-step/

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Posted in contemporary impressionism, oil painting, painting instruction

Tagged art, contemporary impressionist, country living, hunting, kit miracle, oil painting, painting instruction, portrait, toned canvas

Telling A Story with Your Art

Posted on September 9, 2017 | Comments Off

Pumpkin Head – final painting, oil on linen, 29.25 x 36, Kit Miracle, Halloween theme, telling a story

I was talking with an artist friend recently and was lamenting that I couldn’t seem to find my style. She was astounded and said that I definitely do have a style. Upon reflection, I’ve had other people tell me that they can recognize my paintings immediately in a gallery full of artwork. So, I guess maybe I do have a recognizable style.

But as we talked further, I said that the paintings that I’m most proud of are the ones that tell a story. To me, storytelling is so much beyond just the skill of being able to render a still life or landscape. This is not really a new thing. Artists have been telling stories through their art for centuries from the first caveman drawings (how to hunt) to relaying biblical scenes to recording street scenes.

Some of the things I think about when I’m creating one of these story paintings are:

How can I engage the viewer? How do I draw him in, step closer, stay awhile?
I want the viewer to ask, What’s next? Is there a next?
If I can, I want to insert an element of surprise. After the viewer stands in front of the painting, they notice the small things. Maybe they have an Ah Ha
I like to insert some emotional aspect. Wonder. Fear. Danger.
And it seems as if many of my story paintings exhibit some quality a little beyond reality.

The painting Pumpkin Head is such a painting.

The straight story here is that my son was carving some pumpkins for my granddaughter for Halloween. When she asked for happy faces, he responded, No, they’re born as pumpkins and they die as scary Jack O’Lanterns! Kinda creepy if you ask me but it set the scene.

Many viewers have picked up on the element of danger here. He really shouldn’t have been carving a pumpkin in his lap…but no blood was shed.

Pumpkin Head – detail, carving jack-o-lantern

And the element of surprise. The viewer doesn’t really know if the child is a boy or girl with the gray outfit and dinosaur boots, until the pink bow is spotted peeking over the pumpkin she is holding.

Pumpkin Head – detail, child with jack-o-lantern

And, of course, there is humor. It’s just a bit silly but something kids have done for years.

Finally, there’s an unreal quality about the painting. Maybe it’s the October light or the impressionistic handling of the paint. The moment in time. The difficulty for me was to decide what to leave out of the painting. I worked on this for two months with the last month taking the most time as I agonized what to change, what to emphasize.

I will make some future posts of other recent story paintings. Meanwhile, think about the idea as you look at the work of Edward Hopper, Grant Wood, or Diego Rivera. Good art is a lot more than just pretty decoration.

To view a step-by-step illustration of Pumpkin Head, visit this page.

Pumpkin Head is currently on exhibit in the annual Juried Show at the Krempp Gallery, Jasper Arts Center, Jasper, Indiana.

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Posted in contemporary impressionism, oil painting, painting instruction

Tagged contemporary impressionist, halloween, jack-o-lantern, kit miracle, oil painting, painting instruction, telling a story

Studio Work

Posted on January 1, 2017 | Comments Off

Like many artists in winter, I don’t have much time to get outdoors to paint. By the time I get home from work, it’s usually dark. However, I paint every week, often several evenings. These are some recent paintings from photos that I took this autumn. One is from a trip to the Indiana Dunes in 2015.

As a contemporary impressionist, I try to capture the “feel” of the scene rather than every little detail. It is often difficult to restrain myself. I think in this day and age, with the benefit of photos, many artists often fall prey to the tendency of painting every detail which has been captured by the camera. But that is not actually the way we see. We see what is directly in front of us but the peripheral edges are often lost. The advent of modern photography continues to tempt us. But that is not why we are artists. Anyone can take a photo but only the few can interpret their feelings in an artistic medium.

Indiana Dunes, 2015, oil on canvas board, 12 x 16, Kit Miracle

This first painting is from a trip that we made to the Indiana Dunes in 2015. Surprising enough, this national park is set on the shore of Lake Michigan in northern Indiana. It seems to have been carved from an industrial landscape but if you spend some quiet time here, you can imagine what the shore was like 100 years ago. I wish I had painted this with a little warmer tones but that is in hindsight. Love the sketchiness of the trees and the ever-moving sand.

Fall Walk, 16 x 20, oil on canvas, Kit Miracle

This next painting is from a photo I took on a walk along my country road this autumn. It is difficult to not go overboard with the bright colors which could lean to garishness. I had to make a great effort to push back the far trees to add some atmosphere which enhanced the foreground trees and the lovely green of the cattle pasture to the right.

Frosty Field in Autumn, 12 x 16, oil on canvas, Kit Miracle

The final painting is just a glance out my bathroom window one frosty morning. Love the early morning light catching the pine tree with the colorful woods behind. Not so successful capturing the feeling of frost. It looks more like a river or lake but there you have it. As any experienced artist knows, not every painting turns out as we wish. But we always learn something, even from our failures.