Riding Top Down

16"x 20"
Oil on Canvas
$400

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

I think I am ready to call this one finished.

Two times the fun

I just realized yesterday that I hadn't posted these two commission pieces yet. Ron came in a while back to commission two pieces for his two daughters. He wanted the same photo for both pieces, but each painting could be different. Before I started, I thought that it would be a challenge to do two paintings from the same photo. After I started, I knew it would be a challenge! I worked on both pieces at the same time, and while I would be happy with the likeness in one, I would be happier with the painting in the other. At the end of the day, I ended up with two distinct pieces that I like for different reasons, and both girls were happy, so done, and done.

A Bit of Detail

I am almost done with this piece, so I thought I would post a closer shot of the four teens in the car. I love the symmetry of this photograph, as well as the reflection on the hood of the car. And, I like how both guys are looking straight at the camera, but the girls seem to have been caught mid-conversation.

Change is comin'

Hello friends!
Just a quick post to say that I am in the process of making a few changes to this blog, my vintage blog, and my Etsy store. Don't worry, though! I will still be posting my daily work, as well as commissions and show announcements. But I would like to start focusing on more of my inspirations and other things that might be of interest to you. So, you can help me out by leaving a comment on this post about what you would like most to see on this blog. Maybe you want to know more about the process I go through to create a painting. Perhaps you would like more video (so would I, honestly.) Just let me know if there is something you have been curious about. This blog is no good without your input! Thanks a million! ~Emily

Progressing

I don't post a lot of pieces in progress, because I have discovered that, when I do, often I will end up not liking the piece or abandoning it midway through, or forget to post the final product. But, I really like where this one is going so far, so I thought I would take the chance.

Rinse Cycle

11"x 14"
Oil on Masonite
$200

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

I intended to post this piece yesterday, but discovered too late that I had left my camera at home. I wanted to do something a little different from the work I have been doing recently, so I pulled out this laundromat photo. I think I have mentioned before that I love laundromats for some unknown reason. Whatever the reason, I enjoyed the simplicity of this piece, as well as trying to make it look like an old photo with the border and burned corners.

Dancing in the Moonlight

Carol commissioned the piece I posted a few weeks ago of the family standing in front of the New York skyline. Recently she sent me the picture for this piece of she and her sister dancing. I think this is such a sweet photo- the movement of the dresses, the joy on their faces, the party going on in the background. Thanks, Carol, for another great one!

On another note, whenever I name one of my posts after a song, I end up singing that song for the rest of the day...

Happy Valentine's Day!

I love my patrons!
I just wanted to take this moment to thank all of you who have supported me and my work, whether through purchasing or commissioning a piece, coming to my shows, stopping by the studio, telling others about my work, or sending me words of encouragement. I couldn't do what I do without you! Thanks, and Happy Valentine's Day! Much Love. ~Emily

Of Dark and Light

8"x 10"
Oil on Canvas
$120

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

I don't know why I love this photo so much. I believe it is my great-grandparents. I just love the simplicity of them standing in front of their house, with the fence and barn in the background. I only noticed when I started doing the painting that it is pretty evenly divided into a dark and light side. And I love the white dress against the dark background, and the dark suit against the white house.

About to Start

11"x 14"
Oil on Masonite
$200

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

This piece was done from a great photo of my grandparents after their wedding. I did a larger version of this picture for my Where I Came From series. While I was working on this piece, I was trying to imagine what they were thinking- my Grandfather casually leaning against the car, clutching my Grandmother's hand; my Grandmother, shyly looking down in her fabulous hat and suit. I wish I could ask them what they were thinking and feeling at this moment, when a new phase of their lives was about to start.

More adventures in watercolor

I am still experimenting with watercolor paints, figuring out what I can (and can't) do. It's a bit of a challenge, but I am determined to overcome! A woman and her husband came in to the shop today, and she mentioned that she painted as well- oil, acrylic, anything but watercolor. When I mentioned to her that I had started playing around with watercolor she made the most disgusted face. Maybe all oil painters have this ingrained aversion to watercolor...

First Date

18"x 18"
Oil on Canvas
$300

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

I found the photo that I based this painting on on Square America while looking for images of vintage cars. I don't know who these people are, or what they were doing, but the image makes me think about a first date (I mean, look at how far apart they are sitting!). I can just imagine him coming to pick her up in his parent's car, wearing his best sweater and button-down, and that she spent all day getting her hair into that perfect wave. Yes, this is the kind of thing I think about while I am painting.

I am doing a giveaway! You have the chance to win a 9"x12" painting from the photo of your choice. Just click over to my Facebook fan page and leave a comment. That's it! You have until midnight this Friday, February 12 to enter. The winner will be chosen randomly.

Days Like This

I like days like today that are a little different from the norm, but where I am still able to get a lot of work done. I started the morning off bright and early hanging a few paintings at Adam's Bistro, located on Pelham Rd. here in Greenville. If you have never been to Adam's Bistro, you need to go because not only do they hang work by local artists, they have some of the best food and friendliest service in this city. Several pieces from my Oil and Rouge series and my Modern Conveniences series will be on display through May, so be sure to stop by.

I have spent the rest of the afternoon emailing, researching, and doing all the business stuff that often gets put on the back burner, but is so important to being a successful artist. So, I thought today I would post another older piece in the spirit of Valentine's Day.


"Multi-Tasking"
24"x 24"
Oil on Canvas
$500

This painting, currently one of the ones on display at Adam's Bistro, probably gets more comments than all of my other paintings. People want to know why she has been painted in, while he remains a mere outline in the background. I have had people ask if it is a feminist statement, if he is a figment of her imagination, or if he is the spirit of her departed husband. Do you have an interpretation? Want to know what I think? You'll just have to come by the studio and ask me...

It's Friday night. Do you know where your art is?

Every year in Greenville, hundreds of innocent paintings are without a good home. These paintings, through no fault of their own, are left without the simple comforts of good lighting, a wall to hang on, and people to admire them. Don't let this tragedy go on any longer. There is something you can do. Visit an artist's studio today, and for the cost of a new appliance, you can sponsor one of these paintings in your home. Not only will you feel the joy of providing comfort and display space to a beautiful painting, you will inspire your friends and neighbors to help out as well. Together we can stop the overcrowding of artists' studios in our area and make a difference. So don't wait. Visit an artist's studio today or go to www.EmilyClarkeStudio.com to find out how you can help.

This public service announcement brought to you by Emily Clarke Studio, Greenville, SC.

People and their cars

A lot of my time this week has been spent on this commission. This was another one that I was excited to work on from the beginning, and it just seemed to come together with no major problems. Unexpectedly, my favorite thing to paint in this piece was the car. I think people never get tired of taking pictures of themselves with their cars. I used to have a picture of my old car up on the bulletin board above my desk. And, people back in the 40's and 50's used to do it too. I have been coming across a lot of photos recently of vintage folks and their cars. Expect to see more of these showing up in my work soon! Have a photo you want to share? Email it to me.

I'm Back and Feelin' the love!

"Being Charming"
12"x 12"
Oil on Masonite
$220
Available in my Etsy shop.

In case you were wondering, I spent the majority of last week huddled under a blanket, fighting a terrible cold, and watching entire seasons of Lost in one sitting. Many thanks to those of you who sent me well wishes and offered help. I have been blessed with a wonderful mother who, despite living in another state, manages to still take care of me when I am sick. I have spent much of this week catching up on commissions that were neglected last week. In the spirit of the quickly approaching Valentines Day, I thought I would post this piece from my Oil and Rouge series. This piece, and many other small pieces and prints, is available in my Etsy shop, as well as in the studio. Maybe it would make a good gift for your Valentine.