Lavender Blue Dilly Dilly

My second painting of blue hydrangeas reminded me of the title of an old song called Lavender Blue Dilly Dilly.  That no doubt dates me but I have great admiration for many of the "old" songs that seem to be forgotten these days!  I used both a palette knife and brushes to complete the painting.  I hope to do more hydrangea paintings and get a chance to try many of the lovely colors in which they come.  Also adding different types of flowers will enhance the look of the final work.  I hope you enjoy this and I hope you will also have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed and prosperous New Year!  This 11x14 painting is available for sale.  Just let me know and it can be shipped promptly.  Enjoy! 

Notecards Available

The paintings shown on the right are now available as notecards. Each one is printed on high quality paper and is accompanied with an envelope.  The cards are 5x7 inches and are blank on the inside.  The price for each card is $3.00 and this includes shipping and handling.  To order go to PegWhitacre.com and click on Notecards.  This will give you the picture,
the title and the price.  Simply choose those cards that you would like to order
and contact me at pwhitacre@att.net or at 865-932-6729.  Orders will be filled
as quickly as possible.  Thank you for looking!

Stellar Jay

This beautiful bird was good enough to just sit on the rock and pose for me as I approached ever so slowly with my camera. It seemed quite happy to let me get a close-up shot which translated into this 5x7 oil painting. It was painted mainly with the palette knife, but brushes were used to get into some of those small corners. It is available directly from the artist. Contact pwhitacre@att.net. Enjoy!

My neighbor's garden

I am not a gardener but I have a neighbor who is a genius at growing things and her house is always full of color, especially in the spring. Early one sunny morning I headed over to see what I could find and spotted these lovely tulips literally glowing in the sunlight. They made a great photo and also turned out just beautifully in this 5x7 painting. It was done with a palette knife to give added texture. The painting is available directly from the artist at pwhitacre@att.net. Enjoy!

Blue Hydrangeas

These beautiful blue flowers grow in  bushes full of large blooms.  These come in several different colors and some people even manage to have different colors on the same plant.  This particular painting is oil on canvas and is 8x8 in size.  It was painted with a palette knife which added lots of texture to the subject.  It is available directly from the artist at pwhitacre@att.net.  Enjoy!

Bard Owl Closeup Portrait th

Owls are fascinating birds with their large eyes that give the impression of great wisdom!  While intelligence may be debatable surely this bird's ability to survive quite nicely in the wild cannot be denied.  However, these owls, like so many wild creatures are often injured by automobiles, careless hunters and other assorted disasters.  In need of help, very often injured animals can depend on wildlife refuges to come to their aid.  If the animal can once again live alone, it will be returned to its natural home.  If they cannot be turned loose, they are often cared for for the remainder of their lives.  And this gives those of us who love wildlife the opportunity to visit them, learn more about them, and to photograph them.  This small painting was completed from a photograph taken at just such a place.  Unfortunately this little guy will never fly free again but he has a good home and is educating many people as we strive to be kinder to our wild friends.  This painting was done with a palette knife and some brushwork.  It is available directly from the artist.  Contact pwhitacre@att.net.  Enjoy!

Fall Creek Falls....a palette knife painting

Tennessee has many great scenic areas and none more lovely than this state park which is named for the beautiful falls within its borders.  Located halfway between Knoxville and Nashville the park can be easily found a short distance south of interstate 40 just outside Cookeville, TN.  The park holds many attractions, not the least of which is a number of trails for hiking, other scenic lookouts and a swinging bridge for the brave of heart!  A modern Lodge is available for overnight guests and a lovely dining room serving excellent meals.  As with so much of TN it is a true gem in the center of the state well worth the drive.  Enjoy

Barn in Moonlight

This small barn sits quite close to the road in rural Northern Virginia and has always fascinated me.  Some people are amused by the darndest things and I am one of them!!  I have photographed it many times at different times of the year and also painted it.  Then I was struck with the idea of painting in the moonlight and I was so pleased with the outcome that I hope to more "night painting" in the future.  It is no longer available as it was sold recently from a restaurant in that area of the state.

Old Barn with Daisies and Wildflowers

Old barns and sheds make great subjects for photographs and paintings.  This painting is a small, 6x6 inch palette knife only work on canvas.  The wildflowers and daisies plus the river running behind the buildings makes this a quiet but pleasant picture.  It is available directly from the artist.  Enjoy!

Large White Hibiscus

While living in Florida for many years, I was able to photograph many of the tropical and more exotic flowers native to that part of the country.  I am not expecially good at identifying the particular genus that each flower belongs to.    However, I believe the beauty of such a flower speaks for itself.  This is an oil on canvas painting with the background completed via palette knife.  It is 20x20 in size and is available directly from the artist.  Contact at pwhitacre@att.net or 865-932-6729.  Enjoy!

Mountain Sunrise

Living in the mountains of East Tennessee provides the artist/photograher with scenes too numerous to mention.  Sunrises are a favorite time for many early risers, and it is fun to see these beautiful bursts of color as they explode across the sky.  I often grab the camera and try to get as many photos as possible of spectacular scenics and then use them as subject matter for paintings.  This is a small (5x7) palette knife painting done quickly to capture the moment.  This little painting is available for $55.00.  Contact the artist at pwhitacre@att.net or 865-932-6729. 

Blue and Gray

I once read an article about photographing flowers through shower glass (plastic).  The idea was to make a photo appear more impressionistic than just straight forward photography.  So I tried it and rather liked the result.  I suggest using it on flowers to give  a different effect.  Since I have been doing a fair amount of palette knife painting I thought this particular picture would work well with the knife.  It does look somewhat impressionistic and also a bit abstract.  Wildflowers growing out of cracks in rocks has been given a new look.  Haven't decided yet whether or not I like it in oil but I am getting used to it and may try others.  Let me know what you think!  For the adventurous,  it is available directly from the artist.  Contact me at pwhitacre@att.net. 

Two White Hibiscus

While living in South Florida I had the pleasure of photographing many of the beauties of that sunny state.  The many tropical flowers found there made great subjects for both photography and painting.  The first time I painted these two blooms I did them on a 9x12 inch canvas.  Turned out just beautifully and I chose then to repeat it on a much larger canvas...this time 20x20!  It is gorgeous and is now finished and ready for framing.  Should you be interested in either of these floral gems please contact me either by e-mail at pwhitacre@att.net or by phone at 865-932-6729.  For more of my work please take a moment to check out my website...www.PegWhitacre.com.  Enjoy the view!

Marblehead Lighthouse

Sitting beside Lake Erie in northern Ohio, this lovely lighthouse has the distinction of being the oldest active lighthouse on the Great Lakes.  It is located near Sandusky, Ohio and was once known as the Sandusky Light.  It stands 65 feet tall and is surrounded by lovely trees and looks directly out over the lake.  The red roof of its lantern room is easy to spot and there is a ferry out to the islands nearby.  This painting is in reality a "hand-painted photograph".  This simply means it began as a black and white photograph which was then painted with oil paints.  This is a very old method of enhancing photographs before the advent of color film.  The original painting is 17"x 141/2" and would have to be matted and framed under glass.  It would be available from the artist for $185.  I also have available canvas prints approximately the same size priced at $55.  Other smaller sizes can be ordered.  Other artwork may be viewed at my website...www.PegWhitacre.com.  If you are interested please call 865-932-6729 or e-mail...pwhitacre@att.net.  Enjoy!

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Located on the coastline of Newport, Oregon, Yaquina Head is without a doubt one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the country.  Sitting on an outcropping of rock it appears from a distance to be almost sitting in the Pacific Ocean.   Completed in 1873, the light is in very good condition considering little work has had to be done for over 100 years.  It can be seen with no problem but is not open to the public except by special arrangement with the Yaquina Bay Coast Guard.  This oil painting is 24x18 inches and is priced at $135.  It is available directly from the artist.  Please contact me at pwhitacre@att.net, or by phone at 865-932-6729.  Also take time to visit my website....www.PegWhitacre.com.

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

Standing at only 38 feet tall, Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is one of the shortest lights along the coast of Maine.  But however vertically challenged it may be,  it sits 79 feet above the ocean and claims some of the most dramatic views along the coast.  Ample parking, picnic tables and climbing on the rocks surrounding the lighthouse make this a popular spot for visitors.  Built in 1827 and rebuilt in 1857, the lighthouse provides an informative museum housing artifacts of Maine lighthouses and the fishing and lobster industries.

Pretty in Pink...Palette Knife Painting by Peg Whitacre

It snowed AGAIN last night and continues today.  Here in Tennessee we don't usually get this much snow ever. but we are making up for past dry winters, I guess.   Anyhow, when it's this cold and snowy my thoughts turn to things that remind me of warmer days (which can't get here soon enought!)  So today I choose to post this palette knife painting of some pretty pink flowers in a vase.  It looks warm and pretty and today we can all use some of that.  It is a 6x6 inch oil on canvas, and is priced at $55.00.  It is available directly from the artist and I can be reached by e-mail..pwhitacre@att.net or phone..865-932-6729.  Enjoy looking and stay warm wherever you are!