"Autumn Splendor"

I decided to break out of my comfort zone and try a painting with a palette knife for a change. I used gobs of paint - lots of paint! This one will take a long time to dry. It was fun using bold gestures to go with the energy of the warm colors. You can almost feel the wind blowing the leaves off the trees.

Oil on linen_____8" x 20"

Currently unframed_____SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Morning Mist on the Lake"

I tried to capture the mood of the scene of early morning mist using a limited palette of Indigo, Cobalt Blue, Burnt Sienna, Indian Red and White. Working small gives me more freedom to experiment in case the painting doesn't work out. I think I will keep this one.

Oil on Gessobord_____8" x 8"

Framed______SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Old Truck and Barn"

After about two months, I have finally found my way back to my easel! Taking care of my new gallery among other things really is time consuming - leaving me too tired to paint in the evening. I started this one a while back but never found the time to finish it. It felt so good to fit it into a frame. This scene is typical north Alabama. As the city of Huntsville grows though, these farms are disappearing and turning into subdivisions. The first thing they do is plow down the trees!

Oil on canvas panel 16" x 20"

Framed_____SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Studio 100 Fine Art Gallery"

My gallery at its new location is now OPEN and ready for business. We only had 6 weeks to finalize the design, get bids and get the interior built out and moved from our old location. Nerve wracking, frustrating, messy, but we did it. We had a successful night during the Summer Gallery Tour on July 23rd. Lots of new patrons. It doesn't hurt that we are next door to a popular pizzaria and gelati shop. If you are in Huntsville, AL please stop by. We are located at 117 North Side Square. (256) 539-5845.

"Wild Billy Kirk"

A long time teacher and friend died recently. He was a special person who made a big impact on me and my painting. He died soon after he had a painting accepted in the Oil Painters of America national exhibit this year. He was so excited and I was proud of him. He loved western painting and went to reenactment events for resource material. This pastel painting is of him in his cowboy garb.

Pastel on velour mat board 24" x 18"
Framed _____$1750

Comments are appreciated.

"Santa Cruz by the Bay"

My daughter used to live in Santa Cruz, CA and this is a scene that was a block or two from her house. I understand why it was so hard for her to return to northern Alabama. The ocean has a mysterious pull.

Pastel on pastel paper 11" x 14"
Framed _____ SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Flowers and Cherries"

Pastel still life. Switching from oils is a bit of a stretch, but I love them both. Even though I have hundreds of pastel sticks, finding just the right color can be challenging. This forces me to be creative by applying the color in different ways to get the effect I want.

Pastel on pastelbord 24" x 18"

Framed  $1995

Comments are appreciated.

"Fairy Tale Dreams"

This pastel was recently accepted into the 2009 Southeastern Pastel Society Juried Exhibit in Athens, Georgia. This is truly a pastel painting and not a drawing. I sculpted the shapes of the fabric with the sides of the pastel sticks and thoroughly enjoyed the process. I've been away from pastels for a while, but have missed them. I've got several more pieces planned.

Pastel on pastelbord 18" x 24"

Framed $1750

Comments are appreciated.

"Study in Yellow & Blue"

After painting something very detailed, I decided to have fun with my paints and paint something more loose and sketchy. I had fun globbing on the paint! It was a nice change from my previous painting.

Oil on wood panel 10" x 10"

Framed   SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"New York City Red Hots"

Just finished! I normally don't post my paintings in a frame, but I was anxious to see how it would look. It is easier to tell if it is finished or not with a frame or mat. This scene is from a recent visit to NYC with some friends who were giving us a tour. I was intrigued by the colorful hot dog stands that seemed to be everywhere.

Oil on canvas 16" x 20"

Framed   $1495

Comments are appreciated.

"Old Country Church, Bethel, TN"

Plein air painting from recent workshop in central Tennessee west of Nashville. It was an overcast day, threatening to rain. Luckily we were able to paint under a covered pavillion.

Oil on canvas panel 9" x 12"

Framed   $675

Comments are appreciated.

"Nashville Farmer's Market"

Another of my plein air workshop paintings. We traveled to the Nashville Farmer's Market which is a wonderful place to visit. As it turned out, it was a great place to be for outdoor painting since it is covered and we had a tremendous rain storm pass through while we were there. It was difficult to decide what to paint - every direction was a feast of color. The vendors seemed to enjoy having artists paint their booths.

Oil on canvas panel 12" x 9"

Framed          SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Reed's Produce & Garden Center"

This is my first painting this week from a plein air workshop I am participating in in Franklin, TN. It was a cloudy day, but the bright flowers could not be dimmed. I'm still travel weary from my trip to Reston, VA, but I persevered and finished the painting. The garden center is lively with patrons, but sadly will be gone soon due to the city's plan for "progress".

Oil on canvas panel 9" x 12"

Framed      $675

Comments are appreciated.

"Quick Portrait Sketch"

I am in Reston, VA right now attending a Portrait Conference. I took part in a quick drawing class and was reminded how important drawing on a regular basis is to painters. My sketch pad that I grabbed for the trip had drawings dated 2001.

Graphite sketch on Strathmore paper

NFS

Comments are appreciated.

"Lonely Little Boat"

One last painting before I go on the road - first to Washington, DC and then to a plein air painting workshop in Franklin, TN. I'm both excited and stressed - I hate packing and living out of a suitcase. I love to go new places and see, taste and feel new things. I also enjoy the people I meet along the way. I hope the weather cooperates.

Oil on masonite 6" x 6"

Framed SOLD

Comments are Appreciated.

"Just Picked"

Another of one of my favorite themes - peaches. I've been struggling along on a larger piece that seems destined to never be completed, so took a break and painted something I knew I could finish in a reasonable time - only 2 painting sessions.

Oil on wood panel 8 " x 8"

Framed SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Fruitful Bounty"

Luscious fruit and the bold colors of the table linens drew me to this picture. The warm, bright colors remind me of summer meals on the patio with friends and a cool glass of wine.

Pastel on pastel paper 12" x 16"
Framed    $625

Comments are appreciated.

"Can't Tie Me Down"

This isn't a recent painting, but one I did while in art school many years ago. A bit of beginner's luck I guess. It is very popular when I display in my gallery. It is not for sale, but I do make high quality prints on matte photo paper (13" x 19"). My kids are already fighting over who will get the original when I croak!

Unframed prints available

11.75" x 17.75" actual image size

$65 plus shipping

"Pitcher with Forsythia"

Spring time is slowly arriving and I needed a break from 2 large paintings that I am working on, so decided to paint something that I could finish in one sitting. I need closure sometimes.

Oil on masonite _______6" x 6"

Unframed _______SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Wading Beauties"

Just west of the Ft. Lauderdale airport in Florida are the Flamingo Gardens which is actually a rehab/rescue site for wild birds. The gracefulness of the flamingos and their lucious pink feathers were a pleasure to paint. My biggest challenge was capturing their reflections in the water.

Pastel 24" x 18"

Framed   SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Coneflowers in the Sun"

These flowers with their bright yellow and blue remind me that this dreary, rainy winter won't last forever. Each flower seems to have its own personality, which is why this was fun (or at least interesting!) to paint. Sometimes I would get confused as to which flower I was looking at.

Oil on canvas 12" x 16"

Framed   SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Along the Bayou"

I love painting water. I think it is a primal thing with me. Until I was 18 I always lived within a mile of the coast - somewhere. Water can be so many colors - it is hard to believe it is a clear substance. With pastels I can layer the colors and still see colors underneath.

14" x 11" Pastel on pastelboard

Framed _____SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Pretty in Pink Paperweights"

This is the 2nd in my current paperweight series. Trying to capture the detail of the paperweights as well as the glass proved to be quite a challenge for me. I had to push myself to keep at it. My eyes rebelled! There is a lot to be said for photo-realistic paintings, but I think I will do something a bit more stylized next. Something with a 1" brush!

Oil on masonite 8" x 8"

Framed $375

Comments are appreciated.

"Signs of Spring"

This is a scene from Bellingrath Gardens near Mobile, AL. It was late March and the azaleas were not quite in bloom yet. This made me focus on other flowers that I would have otherwise overlook. This pastel is currently hanging in the Huntsville Museum of Art as part of the museum "Rhapsody in Blue" Art Gala and Auction.

Pastel on pastel paper 19" x 25"

Framed       $1750

Comments are appreciated.

"Autumn Brilliance"

I decided to dust off my pastels before I forget how to use them. This little piece was painted on one of my favorite surfaces - velour mat board. I liked pushing the colors to their limits - I've so many delicious colors that it is a shame not to use them all. I want the viewer to be aware that this is a painting and not a photograph. I love the energy of the colors.

Pastel on velour mat board    8" x  10"

Framed    $495

Comments are appreciated.

"Australian Paperweight"

This paperweight is one of many in my collection, but I think it is my favorite. I brought it home from a trip to Australia. The paperweight seemed to capture the intense colors of a country with practically no air pollution! It is like seeing with new eyes. The challenge of this painting was to see if I could capture the shiny, reflective surface of the glass.

Oil on masonite 8" x 8"

Framed   $375

Comments are appreciated.

"Harvest Time"

Autumn brings warm, golden colors to the vineyards. I painted this pastel on velour mat board and it gave the image a pleasing soft texture.

Pastel on velour mat board     5" x 7"
Framed     SOLD

"Sand Castle"

My granddaughter and I went walking through the state park close to my house. She stopped to notice some busy ants on the ground. She decided that they needed a house! It has been a joy watching her observe life and grow and to be able to record that path with my painting.

Oil on masonite     6" x  6"

Framed     SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Onion & Scallions"

In an effort to paint more, I set up this little still life of onions - one of my favorite foods. As usual it took me much longer to paint than expected. Luckily I photograph my still life setups and paint from my laptop - otherwise the onions would not have looked this fresh when I completed the painting!

Oil on masonite 8" x 8"

Framed_____SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"A Stroll Through Provence"

While I usually paint in either oils or pastel, I occasionally return to watercolors. This scene in Dieulefit, France shows the typical profusion of flowers that seem to grace every doorstep and flower box.

Watercolor on paper    16" x  12"

Framed     SOLD

"Streets of Paris II"

One of the many things that I love about travelling around Europe is all the flowers everywhere. Flowers are planted everywhere with joy and abandon. Flowers so uplift the spirits! This scene is from southern Provence. I can't wait to go back.

Oil on masonite     8" x  8"

Framed      SOLD

"Proud Billy"

While driving around New Hope, AL early one morning looking for things to paint, I came across a field full of goats. This billy goat was standing off to one side surveying the activity. I just liked his pose. I enjoyed modeling his body with my paint.

Oil on canvas panel______ 16" x 12"

Framed ______SOLD

"Home Tweet Home"

I spotted this trio of bird houses in a garden nearby. It was a warm, sunny day and birds were everywhere. I tried using both brush and palette knife to capture the the warmth of the sun as well as the lush foliage.

Oil 12" x 16"

Framed______ SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Peaches & Honey"

The peaches look almost real in this little pastel. I like to use velour mat board for pastels when I want a soft, fuzzy texture. It is also great for portraits.

Pastel on velour mat board     8" x 10"

Framed    $495

Comments are appreciated.

"Toby Wan Kanobi"

This is probably my last post for a while. I'm in the hospital recovering from major unexpected abdominal surgery. I'm in lots of pain. Please keep in touch. -- Ann C.

Oil on masonite     8" x  8"

Framed   $240

"Little Ducks All In A Row"

While working on some larger works, this was a labor of love. My 8-year old granddaughter asked if I would paint something for her. I decided to paint one of her old toys. Using some tiny (1.5" x 3.5") stretched canvas which I had never tried before, I expected to whip it out in no time. I now have a new appreciation for miniaturists!

Oil on canvas        1.5"  x  3.5"

Unframed      NFS

Comments are appreciated.

Faulkner's Dogwood

During a spring visit to Oxford, MS, azaleas, wisteria and other flowers covered the town.  The pink dogwood was in peak bloom when I took this picture in front of William Faulkner's home. The backlighting through the trees added to the interest of the scene. I was drawn to the light and shadows.

Oil on canvas       12" x  16"

Framed     SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Out on a Limb"

I love dragonflies - the irridescent colors and the fact that their favorite food is mosquitoes! Painting on a 6" x 6" panel required my tiniest paint brushes. It was almost more like drawing than painting.

Oil on museum board    6" x  6"

Framed    SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Faulkner's Driveway"

Another in my Oxford, MS series. I had just finished touring William Faulkner's home and as I stood on the door step I saw this scene. Pathways are a reoccuring theme in my paintings. I guess my desire to explore new places - to find surprises around the corner - pulls me in that direction. A friend once noted that my favorite place to visit always seemed to be my most recent.

Oil on canvas panel 16" X 12"

Framed   SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"A Fine Pear"

Another play on words. A little trickier to paint than I expected, but I liked the color combination.

Oil on masonite      8" x  8"

Framed     $375

Comments are appreciated.

"Town Square, Oxford, MS"

A friend and I spent a week wandering around the town of Oxford, Mississippi home to the University of Mississippi and William Faulkner. While most of the scenes I painted were in oils, I decided to capture the town square in pastels. After many starts and stops, I finally finished the scene. One of the reasons that I wanted to remember the view was all the great restaurants that surround the square. We had some memorable suppers.

Pastel on pastel paper 23" x 31"

Framed   $2800

Prints available

Contact ann@anncaudle.com

"Three of a Kind"

I love the variety of these three tomatoes. I'm going to miss their lush fresh taste as the end of the season approaches.

Oil on masonite    6" x 6"

Framed      SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Tea and Biscotti"

My Russian great-grandmother used to drink tea out of a glass like this one and I like to eat biscotti with tea, so I thought that they would make a good combination. I tried to capture the varied textures of the velvet background, the shiny metal and glass and the flowers. The flowers were the hardest part due to the narrow range of color. There is a nice contrast between the impasto flowers and the smooth vase.

Oil on canvas    12" x  16"

Framed    SOLD

Comments are appreicated.

"The End of the Line"

On a recent plein air paintout, I spotted this scene that was too good to pass up. Cabooses are practically a thing of the past. I stopped immediately to capture this remnant of times gone by. The sun was warm with a touch of fall in the air. I enjoy capturing scenes of common locales that people often take for granted.

Oil on canvas panel   8" x 10"

Framed   SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Henny & Penny"

I'm really facinated with birds of all kinds. I enjoy trying to sculpt the vast array of colors and textures - particularly in pastel. I love watching how they interact with other birds and display their individual personalities. I can watch them for hours. I used velour mat board for this painting. It gives an especially soft feel to the feathers.

Pastel on velour mat board  11" x 14"

Framed    SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Misty River"

This is a scene along the Flint River near home - early morning mist rising.

Pastel on pastel paper   6" x 6"

Framed     SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Courtland Cotton Fields"

While much of north Alabama farmland is being transformed in to huge shopping  and entertainment centers, cotton, soybeans, peaches, etc. still can be found growing locally. Watching the fields turn white against the brightly colored patterns of fall color is a pleasing pastime.

Oil on panel   8" x 10"

Framed     SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Inlet on Spring Creek"

This is another of the plein air paintings I did in Courtland, AL. Fall colors are just starting to show, though I think it is more due to the drought we've been experiencing rather than cool weather. Fish were jumping and insects buzzing. The weather was perfect.

Oil on canvas panel 9" x 12"

Framed       SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Courtland Town Square"

Artists across Alabama were invited by the Courtland, AL Historical Society to paint the town for a fundraiser. I don't paint fast, but since the town was close to home, I decided to accept the challenge. I had never visited the town before so everything was new and inviting to paint. I started with the town square. Apparently I captured some of the essence of the town as it sold very quickly. I have so many photos from this painting weekend that you will see more scenes in the future. 

Oil on canvas panel    9' x 12"

Framed    SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

"Scene from Collobrieres, France"

Collobrieres is located north of Nice. It was once the capital of the cork industry. There are cork trees everywhere. It is a quiet, charming little place. During the summer festival, the wine flows freely from a "cupid" fountain in the town square.

Pastel on pastel board   11" x 14"

Framed   SOLD

Comments are appreciated.