Belle

It's been fun trying to capture all the subtle color in these white flowers. 

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"

SOLD

The Journey

Sold!...to the man who grew the flower, snapped the photo, inspired the title and penned the verse.

The Journey
by Bruce McMillan    (Click on his name to see some of Bruce's art)
Each day slides in now,
depth in the folds to enjoy,
blooms not forever.

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"
SOLD

Hope is the Whisper

I love words, I'm a collector of quotes. I've been looking for ways to include this passion in my paintings. I did a fun series a while back with fortune cookies including some of my favorite quotes. Recently I received a beautiful card from a dear friend with these words as the beginning lines. Knowing I also have an affinity for feathers, she included this one from her daughter's wedding bouquet. Perhaps we'll be seeing more powerful words in my art...

Oil on panel, 6" x 6", $100 + $10 domestic shipping

 
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

On the Lookout

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"

SOLD

Just Chillin'

Another of our sweet guests. I can't get enough of them!

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"

SOLD

Waiting My Turn

We have a beautiful long twisted piece of driftwood attached outside on our deck. We tie bags of suet and seeds up and down it for the birds. So many different varieties come to feed there. This chickadee was waiting his turn...probably for a woodpecker to finish his meal. 

Oil on panel,6" x 6" SOLD

Room to Grow

Here's another amaryllis painting  from my friend Bruce's image. The painting is a bit more delicate than the scan captured I think. You can check out Bruce's beautiful watercolor versions of his amaryllis here.

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"

SOLD

Winter White

A friend of mine has recently been snapping the most beautiful images of his white amaryllis in the snow and painting from them. He graciously offered me some images to work from. This is the first painting I did. I'll post the second tomorrow. To view Bruce's amaryllis watercolor sketch series, please visit here and scroll down a few paintings for his interpretations.

Oil on panel, 6" x 6", $100 + $10 domestic shipping

 
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

Happy Hour

This was from a summer visit to a favorite outdoor tapas bar overlooking the ocean. The beverage was some sort of luscious fresh plum drink. I wasn't completely sure I loved it the first time...so I had two. ;o)

Oil on panel, 6" x 6", $100 + $10 domestic shipping

 
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

Most Talkative

I thoroughly enjoyed painting this guy with his ruffled feathers.  The title came from it being "Senior Superlative" time and our youngest is a high school senior. She was absolutely thrilled and delighted to be voted...wait for it...Class Clown! Yup. Not in a disruptive way, she's just really funny! :o)

I've submitted this guy to this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge, painting summer in winter. And right now, it's 42 degrees in Maine this morning and so I am...off to the ocean!

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"

SOLD

Five in the Hole

I've painted from a similar image a couple of times before. Some things just crave to be painted more than once...this was one of 'em.

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"

SOLD

Before the Snowfall

I did this painting before Christmas...just getting around to posting it now. I'm delighted to say a week and a half stretches before me with no medical appointments/test/scans etc. Freedom! And I shall paint. :o)

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"

SOLD

Ring in the New Year

My mother-in-law attached this lovely silver bell and ribbon to a Christmas package of mine. I couldn't resist painting it. I tried it twice. The one above is my second try.

Here's the first time (and the first painting I've done with my image on the new iPad rather than painting from my printed image) The one below is not for sale (unless someone can't live without it!). It's the first painting I've done in awhile and more of a practice than anything. The one above IS for sale. :o)

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"

SOLD

Something to Say

This nuthatch was painted before Christmas as a personally commissioned gift...which I'm always so delighted to be a small part of. 

My friends, I can't even begin to tell you of the days and the ways your words of caring support and encouragement have bolstered me. And in those moments when one can feel so small and fragile, I'm reminded I'm never alone. 

I hope to be painting again soon...

With a full heart,

Bren

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"

SOLD

In-lightened

Dear friends, fellow artists and art lovers,

It has been a whirlwind (hurricane!) of a couple of weeks. You may have noticed I haven't posted anything here for a while. This isn't easy news to share, especially in such an impersonal way, but I wanted to tell you myself why this blog has been lacking as of late.

I've heard lots of anatomical, scientific and medical words over the past week, but the bottom line is I have metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. I begin chemotherapy treatment (I prefer to call it "Elixir of Life!" therapy) after Christmas.

Painting has always been a meditation for me...one where blissful hours pass unnoticed. As time and energy allow, I fully intend to continue that joyful meditation.

We all know that it's not the circumstances that are important but how we choose to respond to them.

I choose comfort.
I choose happiness.
I choose peace.

Bren

oil on panel, 6" x 6"
SOLD

2014 Art Calendars

My 2014 Desk Calendars are now available while supplies last.  Each month displays a different painting from the past year. Below you can see each month's art selection. The calendars are 4" x 8" and are self standing. Perhaps a stocking stuffer gift?

SOLD OUT

 

 

You Chick

Here's the last of this chickadee series. But they were so popular and we are so surrounded by them and I take more reference snaps by the minute...I'm sure there'll be lots more! See the whole Dr. Seuss series below.

Oil on panel, 5" x 5"

SOLD

One Chick, Two Chick

Red Chick, Blue Chick
Warm Chick, Cool Chick
Me Chick, You Chick

Me Chick

I love the size and shape of these guys. So sweet! This is another little 5" x 5".

Oil on panel, 5" x 5"

SOLD

Two Chick

We have a beautiful long piece of driftwood attached to the deck off our second floor bedroom. We hang suet cakes from it and I love the way the birds come and perch there. Its smooth weathered beauty and twisted shape add a fun element to the compositions. 

I'm busily preparing for our Open House in two days! I've hung over 175 new paintings. Today I will light them, set up displays of my work spaces, prep refreshments, decorate, do some write ups about the paintings...and clean, clean, clean!

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"
SOLD

One Chick

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"
SOLD

Blue Chick

Here's another intimate little gal. She, like Red Chick, is done on a 5" x 5" panel. Just perfect for her diminutive size.

Oil on panel, 5" x 5"
SOLD

Red Chick

Here's another in the "Chick Series." This one's a little more intimate on a 5" x 5" panel. That size seems to fit these little creatures so well. Today's the last day of a three day art fair I've been participating in. So I'm off to peddle my wares...but not before I feed the chickadees! 

Oil on panel, 5" x 5"

SOLD

Cool Chick

Here's another in the 'chick' series. I'm really enjoying painting these little creatures. 

Wishing you a peaceful Thanksgiving as you joyously reflect on your many blessings.

Gratefully,

Bren

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"

SOLD

Warm Chick

The chickadees are here in full force...and they're hungry! I love these little guys. We have feeders all around. There's one right outside the window where I stand to paint, so I can watch them up close. One of my greatest pleasures is hand feeding them from my second floor studio window. In fact I spent time doing that this afternoon. I've begun a little series in appreciation of them...it has sort of a Dr. Seuss flair (the tiles)...you'll see.

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"

SOLD

Lost

A couple of years ago I spent some time hiking in southern Maine with friends. It was a beautiful place and a glorious day. I was totally focused snapping shot after shot with my camera...enjoying myself. Until I discovered that in my excitement to capture all this beauty, I had gotten separated from my pals, wandered off the trail and couldn't find my way back. After 20 or so VERY uncomfortable (ie. PANICKED!) minutes of shouting and imagining every possible scenario of how this late afternoon might lead to a night by myself, my friends and I were reunited! They soon realized I wasn't following behind and came back in the direction we'd come...but it took a while. I was never so glad to see anybody in my life! I got some great shots though! 

Oil on panel, 6" x 6", $100 + $10 domestic shipping

 
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

Studio Open House

Art Studio Reception

Saturday, December 7, 2013
between 1 and 4 pm

Please gather your friends and join me,
Brenda Ferguson
for an art celebration in my studio home in Dixmont, Maine.

Enjoy refreshments and browse my newest art.
I'm excited to share close to 200 brand new petite (6" x 6") oil paintings
with petite prices.

Win the above painting
Early Winter
6" x 6", Oil on panel

The drawing for Early Winter is at 2:00 pm.
No purchase is necessary; recipient must be present to win.

My gift for all who attend
is a 25% discount on all
displayed paintings during this event only.

Quick Directions
I95 Etna-Dixmont Exit 167,
turn onto Route 143 toward Dixmont for 3.5 miles,
turn right on North Road for 2 miles to studio-house number 298.

Drip

I thought I was intimidated by water drops...honestly I used to just leave them out. But I loved painting these! It's great fun!

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"
SOLD

Studio Open House

I've begun, in the past couple of weeks, preparing for our annual Studio Open House. Clearing the walls and spaces, prepping the paintings to hang, planning the refreshments...decking the halls so to speak! It's only a couple of weeks away on Saturday, December 7 between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. We open our home, hang 150 or so new paintings and share some holiday cheer! If you're in the neighborhood, stop by! (and who wouldn't be in Dixmont, Maine?? It's a happenin' place!)

Thought I'd share a few of the initial preparations with you. We had a beautiful day a few days ago, so I took all the paintings outside to varnish. Then brought them in to finish drying.