Happy New Year 2016

Wishing you and yours a safe and very Happy New Year!

 A big thank you to all of you who have supported me, cheered me on, taken my classes and workshops, and purchased my paintings and prints! I look forward to serving you again in 2016.


May you and yours be blessed in the coming of this brand new year!

New class session begins on January 6, 2016. 

Email me for more information or check my website:

www.christinetierney.com


 

Grand Marais Plein Air Event

Grand Marais Minnesota

Art Colony Plein Air Competition

September 2015 

I was honored to have been juried in to the annual Grand Marais Art Colony Plein Air Competition this fall. For 8 days all I did was paint, eat, paint some more, and sleep. The weather was perfect, and of course the scenery on the North Shore is impossible to top! Here are some of my paintings. They are on display at the Johnson Heritage Post in Grand Marais, MN through November 15th. 

www.grandmaraisartcolony.org 

 

Falls at Cascade River

Oil, 14x11" 

I carted my painting stuff up rugged steps, over rough terrain, and finally set up my easel on one of the bridges overlooking the falls. While I was painting, a man and his wife stopped to talk to me. He (jokingly) told me he had seen my umbrella from far away and thought I was selling ice cream!

 

Quick Paint at Artist's Point (90 minute timed competition)

Oil, 9.5x9 inches 

We had thunderstorms the morning of the scheduled Quick Paint, but the heavy rain held off during the event. It was misty and drizzled a bit but I stayed dry under my umbrella in my rain gear. And yes, this was painted in 90 minutes, start to finish.

Gunflint Tavern  (Nocturne Paint)

Oil, 14x11 inches

The street lights near me kept going on and off, alternating one after the other about every three minutes the entire time I painted this scene, so of course the light kept changing back and forth, on and off. But the tavern had live music and it was wonderful to listen to while I painted.

Lighthouse at Artist's Point

Oil, 8x8 inches 

Beautiful sky, rocks and trees, water, and this great little lighthouse. A painter's dream.

 Little Airstream

Oil, 9x12 inches

I found this little camper while wandering through the campground along Lake Superior. It belongs to some Snowbirds who I was told live in it all summer, then go someplace tropical for the winter.  The campground is really a big retirement community, and the neighbors were all friendly and interested in what I was painting. One of the neighbors even brought me a huge piece of fresh-caught smoked trout! What a treat!

Berglund's Dairy Farm

Oil, 11x14 inches

This dairy farm is located up in the hills overlooking Lake Superior. There is beautiful scenery every direction you look. Cows, hay bales, chickens, even pigs. The young girl that lives at the farm introduced me to a cow named Carol. We purchased pork chops and pork sausage from the owners and had a good home-cooked meal at our little rented cabin.

www.christinetierney.com

www.grandmaraisartcolony.org 

Painting at Macy's

Painting at Macy's

I was invited to paint inside Macy's at Burnsville Center during their Shop for a Cause promotion. I set up my easel near the Chanel fragrance counter and painted these two small (6x8 inch) oil paintings. Many customers stopped to watch and ask questions, and several stopped to ask for directions!

  "Which one? #5, #19, or #22?"

Oil, 6x8 inches

 

 "Inside the Glass Case"

This is the second painting I created on-site during an in-store promotion at my local Macy's. I loved how the light showed off the delicate colors of the perfume inside the round bottles, with the beautiful pink product boxes wrapped in cellophane surrounding them. Oil, 6x8 inches

Don't Bother Me

Don't Bother Me

Pastel, 10.5 x 6.5 inches 

Absorbed by her reading, this woman had managed to shut out the world.

 

$275 USD

To purchase, click here

 

Along the Lester River

Along the Lester River

Lester River, Duluth, Minnesota

Oil, 11x14 inches

A small part of the numerous waterfalls that are part of the beautiful Lester River in Duluth, Minnesota. $350 USD
To purchase click here

Glensheen Garden

Glensheen Garden

 Oil, 11x14 inches

Painted in Duluth, MN Paint du Nord Plein Air Competition, with some studio touch-up. The bright pink roses caught my eye as soon as I entered this garden sanctuary. What a lovely estate with beautiful grounds!

$250. USD + S&H To purchase information click below:
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/christine-tierney/glensheen-garden/404413

Fireworks!!

Fireworks!!

 Oil, studio painting, 30x40 inches
A quiet fireworks display on Island Lake in the Chippewa National Forest in Northern Minnesota.

Below are my small studies for the finished painting above:

Waiting for Dusk

Plein air study, oil, 9x12 inches

Fourth of July at the Cabin

Plein air study, oil, 9x12 inches

These 3 paintings are on exhibit at the Ames Center Gallery in Burnsville. Opening reception is Thursday, August 13, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. 12600 Nicollet Avenue South, Burnsville MN 55337

www.ames-center.com/art-gallery.html

The Wayzata Art Experience

Marquee Place, Downtown Wayzata

Oil, Plein Air, 11 x 14 inches

 

Last week I painted in Downtown Wayzata as part of the annual Wayzata Art Experience. During the week leading up to the weekend event artists were asked to paint the Wayzata area, representing downtown and the Lake Minnetonka area landmarks, scenes, and familiar surroundings, and turn in framed artwork on Saturday to be judged for awards. The week flew by and I was running out of time so I finally drove out late last Thursday evening hoping to find inspiration in a night scene with the lights. At last the lights came on and I chose to paint the old theater marquee. I painted until 11:00 p.m. that night, mosquitoes adding their barbed critiques.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/christine-tierney/marquee-place-downtown-wayzata/395598

Painting Demo - Tomatoes and Shallots

Painting Demo - Tomatoes and Shallots

An oil painting demonstration, painted live during the Eagan Art Festival. 

Thanks to everyone who came to see me perform!  : )

Oil, 11 x 14 inches, available at auction - click below for details:

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/404712

Pink Peonies

Pink Peonies

Oil, Plein Air, 6x6"

Painted from life in my garden today. 

These beautiful pink peonies come and go so quickly. 

Almost like a time-lapse, they were opening as I painted! 

Just as I was finishing the painting and ready to add my signature, there was a huge crash out on the street in front of my home (I live on a cul-de-sac). An SUV had run into a parked car and pushed it up into the neighbor's lawn! Turns out the 73-year old driver turned the corner and blacked out. He and his wife were quite shaken-up. Paramedics and police came. Thankfully no one was hurt but the driver was taken to the hospital for observation. Both cars had to be towed. Such excitement!

See below for my painting process:

1.) View of the peonies from my patio:

2.) My sketch:

3.) My block-in:

4.) Final painting:

$100 USD.
To purchase, click here

Rock n Roll Rapids

Rock 'n Roll Rapids

Oil, Plein Air, 8x6 inches

 

In the middle of the action on a rock on the Big Fork River in northern Minnesota! This was painted plein air with the rapids doing a wild dance all around me. Nature at its finest.

www.christinetierney.com

Iris

Iris

Oil, Plein Air, 11 x 14" - Painted at the Lake Harriet Rose Gardens

See it in person at my studio during our 

First Thursday Open Studio event!

Thursday, June 4, 2015

5:00-8:00 p.m.

190 S. River Ridge Circle - Studio #102

Burnsville, MN 55337

First Thursday Open Studios at 190 River Ridge

Open Studio

Thursday June 4

5-8pm

My studio will be open for this event. 

Stop by and see what I've been up to!

If you can't make it June 4th, we will be open again 

on Thursday, July 2 and August 6.

Next Class Session starts May 20th

A Sneak Peek at Some of My Adult Students Artwork!

There are a couple of spaces open in my adult Oil & Pastel Painting classes on Wednesday mornings. Next 6-week session begins May 20th. Classes run 9am to noon, located at 190 S River Ridge Circle, Burnsville. 

www.christinetierney.com

What my young students are up to...

Recent projects by some of my younger students:

These eagle drawings are from some of my teen students. We learned the grid method of reproducing a subject from a photograph. You can see the guidelines. 

They did an amazing job!

Below are Mother's Day gifts created by the younger group of students - personalized candles just for Mom!
 

I am offering Youth & Teen Drawing Lessons this summer. 

For more information and a brochure email me: christinetierneystudio@gmail.com

Paintin' on the Dock of the Bay

Paintin' on the Dock of the Bay

A gorgeous day on Lake Minnetonka! I found inspiration in the light and shadow play on the hose and fire extinguisher, of all things!

www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/christine-tierney-5389/artwork

Some of my student's paintings

So proud of my students!

Here are some of their paintings:

 Still Life, Oil, Flemish Method

Here is a sample of one of my student's paintings -
This adult student had previously taken drawing lessons but had never painted before. After some extreme editing of an overzealous still life setup, we simplified and arrived at this striking scene of her now grown son's baby shoes. She took notes, asked a lot of questions, and worked diligently at learning the basic concepts and techniques of this traditional painting method during my class. Beautifully done!

Classes every Wednesday. See my website for details: www.christinetierney.com

Still life, Pastel

The soccer ball and shoes are the pastel work of my student Barb, in my morning adult painting class. She started out learning basic drawing and has advanced to working with hard pastel and learning color. Notice the beautiful colors in the soccer ball. This pastel was done from life. Nice work, Barb!

Classes every Wednesday. See my website for details: www.christinetierney.com

I teach painting, drawing, color theory, composition and art history. My students range in age from Adults to elementary level age 6. My method of teaching adults and teens is to first ask questions about individual student goals, next observe what the student is currently capable of, and then work with the student to assist them in achieving their artistic goals. No pressure, no stress. Art should not be painful! I encourage and support every step of the way. My greatest rewards are observing the breakthroughs and those delicious "aha" moments when the student sees a marked improvement in their artistic skills and begins to understand the process.

Classes are Wednesdays, 

6-week sessions (or drop-in, space permitting)

See my website for details:

www.christinetierney.com

Lisa's Letter - Mary Pettis Workshop

Lisa's Letter

(Mary Pettis Workshop)

Lisa's Letter, 14 x 11, oil

I had the privilege of taking a workshop from accomplished artist Mary Pettis yesterday. I learned a lot, especially with regard to the inner artist, process, and emotion of painting. Mary is a brilliant artist, so open and sharing of her knowledge and artistic experience. I came away from the workshop with "new eyes" and a fervent desire to paint stronger and more intuitively while being thoughtful and efficient with application, strokes and color. I am grateful for the experience. Time will tell how this new knowledge will affect my future works.

www.christinetierney.com

March 15th, 7:31 a.m.

March 15th, 7:31 a.m.

A beautiful morning on Island lake. With the high temperature predicted to be 66 way up north here, the snow is melting rapidly. How soon before the ice is out?

Oil, plein air, 6 x 8 inches, $100.

To purchase, click here

Wine & Dine Night

Wine & Dine Night

I was invited to paint as the featured artist at the Bite of Burnsville, a Chamber of Commerce event featuring the best cuisine from local restaurants and, of course, wine! I set up with a blank canvas and chose my subject. Once I finessed the setup and the lighting I started to paint. While the guests mingled and browsed, I painted, stopping to chat and answer their questions. Many came back several times during the evening to check on my progress. This is the result of my efforts by the end of the evening.

Oil, 14 x 11 inches, $350. USD

To purchase click here

Visit my website: www.christinetierney.com 

Salt n Pepper

Salt n Pepper

These salt and pepper shakers are from the old small town 

bar and cafe my grandparents used to own. 

If they could talk, oh the stories they could tell! 

6x6 inches, unframed, $75.00 USD

To purchase, click here

See more of my paintings on my website:

www.christinetierney.com

Slippery Drive

Slippery Drive

Riding in the Big Red Truck with my husband at the wheel, I was mesmerized by the misty light of the cars ahead and the traffic signals. Sleet was just starting to accumulate on the roads, making for a sloppy and slippery drive. I pulled out my camera, captured the moment, and made up my mind to paint a studio pastel of this delicious scene!

 Soft pastel on museum quality sanded paper. 12x12 inches. 

$575 USD - Price is for unframed. 

To purchase, click here

See my website for more of my paintings: www.christinetierney.com

30 Paintings in 30 Days!

30 Paintings in 30 Days!

January 1-30, 2015

(whew!) 

And here they all are....

This has been an exciting adventure for me. I learned to make decisions quickly, paint fast, and mostly to just have fun with it instead of overthinking things. I stretched myself beyond what I thought I was capable of, and I now have 30 brand new paintings that probably wouldn't exist if I hadn't accepted this challenge.

I have some larger painting projects to complete, but will keep up with this exercise of painting daily, and will be posting regularly (but not daily) on my online painting gallery (click here)

Thank you for your continued support! 
To see the paintings individually, visit my website:

www.christinetierney.com

 

A Toast To You!

A Toast To You!

Thanks for following my self-imposed "boot camp" daily challenge of 30 paintings in 30 days. I made my goal! Fast & furious, sometimes doing 2 a day just to allow for other commitments (teaching, eating, sleeping...) I promise to keep painting and posting, just not as often. I have a large commission to work on and a couple of larger studio works to be completed. Thanks to those who purchased my paintings, and thank you all for all the uplifting, supportive comments. I have enjoyed this journey. Oh, and here's a nod to my brother who is recovering from successful cancer surgery -- John, remember you almost burned the house down with one of these toasters! : ) 

Day 30 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

Oil, 6x8 inches, $100 USD
To see the entire 30 day collection click here

Or see more of my paintings on my website: www.christinetierney.com

Red Wing Beater Jar

Red Wing Beater Jar

My mom's old Red Wing beater jar. 
My parents honeymooned in Red Wing, and this piece of pottery was always very special to her. Oil, 8 x 6 inches, $100.
Day 29 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.
 
www.christinetierney.com

Mike's Baby Cup

Mike's Baby Cup

It seemed fitting with my husband's birthday approaching that I paint something to commemorate his early days. This little silver mug was his when he was a baby. It is also the smallest painting in this series. 

Day 28 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

To see the rest of the collection, click here

Or view more of my artwork on my website: www.christinetierney.com

Date Night

Date Night

Must be going someplace fancy. I'm thinking steak and lobster.

Oil, 6 x 8 inches, unframed, $100 USD

Day 27 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

To purchase or see my challenge paintings, click here

Or visit my website to see more of my artwork:

www.christinetierney.com

Green Tea Mug

Green Tea Mug

A simple study. Oil, 6 x 5 inches, $50 USD

Day 25 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

To see my progress in this 30 day challenge, or to purchase, click here

To view more of my paintings, visit my WEBSITE

Tulips Relaxed

Tulips Relaxed

After I completed yesterday's painting, I noticed my silver vase was leaking so I moved the pretty pink tulips into a different vase. When I went to studio today the tulips had relaxed and looked more graceful.

Day 24 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

Oil, 6 x 8 inches, $100 USD

To purchase click here

To see more of my paintings visit my website

Pink Tulips

Pink Tulips

Soft pink tulips to brighten the gray light of winter. 

 Oil, 8 x 6 inches, $100 USD

Day 23 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

Follow my daily paintings progress here:

 http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/christine-tierney-5389/artwork

or visit my WEBSITE

Orange Study

Orange Study

A pastel study.

Simple. Orange you glad? I know I am.

Day 22 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. 

Follow my daily paintings progress here

Or visit my website to see more of my paintings -

www.christinetierney.com