Small Works for the Holidays

 "Hillside", 8 x 8, Oil on Linen, Mounted on Panel, (c) Lesley Powell

Everybody else is doing it, so I decided to throw my hat in the ring too.  And what is "it"?  The annual Small Works for the Holidays project, of course~!  In the past I've held a "Small Gems" sale, and so I guess I am returning to my roots.

I'm offering a group of paintings that are sized and priced ideally for gift giving.  Whether it is a gift to yourself, or to somebody else, there is nothing like original art to add warmth to the home and the holidays.  Prices are below--if you'd like to purchase or get more information, just contact me through my website by clicking here.

"Sunset Magic", 8 x 8, Oil on Canvas, Mounted on Panel, (c) Lesley Powell

Here's the scoop on each of these paintings.  The top painting, "Hillside" was painted on location in Provence this past summer.  I can almost feel the hot, arid earth when I look at this one.  Lots of palette knife work--and I didn't event touch it up when I got home!  (Price: $325)

The next painting, "Sunset Magic", was also painted on location in Provence.  You have to be quick when you paint a sunset, because the colors change so fast.  I did this one a couple of years ago, and I have held it as a study to work from in the studio.  But I have finally decided to offer it to a new home. (Price: $295)

"After Corot", 5.5 x 9, Oil on Paper, (c) Lesley Powell

The next painting is a "master copy"-- painted from studying masterpieces of one of my favorite painters, Camille Corot.  This process is a time-honored way of learning.  The idea is not to reproduce a copy, but to interpret the master's work and to learn his thought process.  I learned a great deal from this project, and these one has informed some of my ongoing work. (Matted to 12.5 x 15.75, Price $300)

"Top of the Village", 7 x 10, Oil on Linen, Mounted on Panel, (c) Lesley Powell

Last but not least is "Top of the Village", which depicts the village of Gordes, in the heart of Provence.  This one was also painted entirely on location.  Those perched villages can be a challenge to paint, but a FUN challenge!  I love the cubist vibe that the buildings create as they tumble down the slope. (Price $350).

Thanks for taking a look at these, and do feel free to reach me here for any further information.  Enjoy!

MINI, but Mighty!

"Valley Sunset" , SOLD, (c) Lesley Powell 2020

During the quiet of the pandemic, when so many plans have been cancelled, I've had the luxury of time to experiment in the studio. When I want to try new things, I often start small.  

""Village Houses", SOLD, (c) Lesley Powell 2020

The problems of composition, color and value are the same, whether you are painting a big picture or a small one.  But when working on a small scale, you can complete more paintings in less time. That means that you can learn more! As a bonus, when you experience the inevitable failures, you have not wasted yards and yards of expensive linen.

I am now offering a selection of my best small works for sale.  I call them "MINI, but MIGHTY."  They are Mighty because a small painting can have a big impact. And the options for placing them in your home are limitless--filling that empty spot on your wall, completing a bookcase arrangement, highlighting a tabletop arrangement--you name it. 

"Ménerbes", 4 x 6 inches, (c) Lesley Powell 2020

The MINIs are priced at $100 or less. You can check them out on my website here.  They speak of the joy of discovery, and the promise of new things to come. Thanks for taking a look!

Propped Up

I often paint in a smallish format--works whose largest dimension are, say, 14 or fewer inches. Sometimes I paint larger, but my heart eventually returns to the little ones.  But make no mistake: a painting that is small in size can be monumental in artistry and impact!

So what can you do with a painting that is not designed to fit over a mantle or a sofa? Lots! In fact, a recent issue of House Beautiful caught my eye. The cover featured a beautiful little painting propped on the mantle. That's one of my favorite art placements. It speaks to me of abundance and plenty, as in "Gosh I have so much beautiful art that I've run out of wall space, so I'll just prop this one here". And the casual placement exudes ease and relaxation.

Photo: Suzanne Kasler

Photo: Suzanne Kasler

Here are more examples of art propped on a mantle, from Atlanta designer Suzanne Kasler. In the top image, I think the propped artwork gives a bit of a bohemian atelier feel to this otherwise quite formal living room. And the second image---well, it's definitely drool-worthy, and the painting propped on the mantle is the piece de resistance.

Photo: Traci Zeller

And of course a mantle is not the only perfect place to prop a painting. Bookshelves are always enhanced by artwork. I recently spotted this great bookcase styled by the inimitable Traci Zeller. Love it!

And let's not forget the humble kitchen counter. I love seeing a painting tucked under the kitchen cabinets. It takes an otherwise dead space, and completely enlivens it. Here's what the talented folks at Huff Harrington did in their Paris apartment:

Photo: Huff Harrington Home and Paris Perfect Rentals

The moral of the story: Small is Grand!

Up Close and Personal

Painting by Ken Auster
9 x 12, oil on panel

It is said that a good painting should reward the viewer in many different ways. One way a painting does that is to give you a totally different experience when viewed from a distance than it does when viewed up close. I own a painting by Ken Auster (a California Impressionist painter) that is a great example of this phenomenon. The top photo shows Ken's painting from a reasonable distance. It is clearly recognizable as a scene of the light rail line leading to Uptown Charlotte. Quite realistic and representational. The next few photos show the painting from a close-up vantage point. What a change--it is

Find Me If You Can

Home of Elizabeth Mayhew's client
Photo by Annie Schlechter

I recently read an article in the Washington Post about displaying art. The author, Elizabeth Mayhew, is an interior designer and author of a book (FLIP for Decorating!). She wrote in the Washington Post about the challenge of decorating for a client who is an art advisor. This particular client is a serious art collector who believes that the art should be the main statement in her living space. In this client's opinion, furnishings, fabrics, paint colors, and accessories

Small, Simple and Superlative

"Pansies"
4x8
(c) Catherine Kehoe

I don't know how I have failed to discover Catherine Kehoe before now. She is a very talented painter and teaches at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. As my blog readers know by now, I am an enthusiastic fan of