August Painting of the Month

This month, we are putting the spotlight on this little painting by Meredith Dwyer.  This sweet little Cavalier King Charles is one of her smaller paintings, but as you can easily see, the detail is superb. Right down to the slight tilt of the dog’s head, she’s captured it perfectly.

Meredith Dwyer, “Cavalier King Charles,” oil on canvas, 5″ x 7″, $1200

Meredith Dwyer’s style and technique are reminiscent of the old master works of art. Dwyer works in many mediums: pastels, oils, pencil, and pen and ink, but prefers to work in oil. She paints miniature dog paintings as well as larger. Her paintings are superb in detail; even the miniatures, which can be as small as a dime. Her thirst for perfection coupled with her ability to create in almost photographic detail makes for a beautiful likeness of the animal. In that intimate moment of viewing a Dwyer canvas, one can almost feel the energy of the animal as they come alive through the blending of lines, textures, and color. Meredith Dwyer’s dog paintings adorn the walls of homes in England, France, Spain, and Africa and all over the United States.

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July Paintings of the Month

Yes, that’s right, we have two paintings of the month! We were so caught up with Palate and Palette that we didn’t mention it sooner, so for those of you not on the email list, we’re sorry you missed out!

Lese Corrigan, “Bulldog,” 7″ x 5″, oil, $650

First we have Lese Corrigan’s “Bulldog,” an small oil painting just full of the character and life Lese brings to her work. Look at all of that amazing texture!

Katrina McDowell, “Grazing Horses,” oil, 24″ x 36″ $6500

Next up is Katrina McDowell’s “Grazing Horses,” (below) a larger oil with beautiful light and color that lends the painting a calm, peaceful quality.

Both of these pieces were part of our “Southern Atrtists” feature for Palate and Palette.  Lese Corrigan was born and raised right here in Charleston, and Katrina McDowell lives in Alabama. Both of these women are truly wonderful examples of the kind of art the South has to offer!

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June 2012 Painting of the Month!

Larry Wheeler, “Mend the Line,” 20 x 16, Oil

Here’s a little something different for y’all this month, and here’s a little about the wonderful artist!

Since 1979, a major focus of Larry Wheeler’s work has been the integration of the human figure into the natural landscape, most often with horses as the link unifying the image. Atmosphere, design, and relationships between people and their horses are some of the important elements in his paintings, captured in scenes from Palm Beach polo to Irish hunts; from Maryland timber races to racing at Saratoga. Having drawn and painted from childhood, Larry Wheeler began his formal art studies with portrait painter Jack Brock, in Atlanta in 1961. Wheeler received a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 1966. His commissioned works continue to be in demand.

To see more of Larry Wheeler’s work: click here!

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March’s Feature Artist – David McEwan

This month, we are pleased to feature Scottish artist David McEwan. In the tradition of the United Kingdom, McEwan paints beautiful narritive paintings. Stags at Balmoral, featured here, was painted at Queen Elizabeth II’s estate in Scotland, called Balmoral.  (Click the image to see more of McEwan’s work.)

David McEwan, Stags at Balmoral, oil on canvas, 24" x 30"

David McEwen has been a professional painter and internationally respected teacher for more years than he cares to remember. His formal training began when, at the age of 13, he was accepted into a special group formed at The University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, by the renowned painter Victor Pasmore. Although Pasmore was an abstract painter he insisted that his students followed classical training.

Over the next few years McEwen added formal qualifications to his early training with Bachelors degrees and a Masters degree. He taught Fine Art at schools and colleges until the early nineties when he decided to become a full-time painter.

David and his wife Sally had many contacts in the world of equestrian sports and commissions began to come in from International and Olympic riders for paintings of themselves and their horses. Since 1992 almost 1000 commissions in watercolour, pastel and oil have been completed.

In 1997 McEwen and his wife moved to a 13th century town in the South of France. With this new inspiration David’s work has been included in several magazines, International Artist named him as a ” Master Painter of the World”, been included in a number of prestigious exhibitions, he has been a prize winner in several international competitions and is a member of a number of painting societies.

The Government of The Falkland Islands invited McEwen to fly there to paint the horses used by the farming community. The collection grew to include landscapes, wildlife, portraits and marine studies which were exhibited inLondonandStanley. All of the paintings sold and a major Marine Company commissioned a set of 15 Boardroom paintings.

Although McEwen has a waiting list for commissioned work he still finds time to teach and paint his favourite subjects and has exhibited in Montpellier, Orlean, Madrid, Marbella, California and Florida.

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