Paint This!

Lanas Restaurant & Bar, Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Artist Gina Brown recently visited Charleston when the Shelby Lee Gallery on Church St. started carrying her paintings. Looking for other scenes to paint after her brief lowcountry visit she happened upon....(tada) my blog.

Gina was kind enough to write asking if I would allow her to use my photos as inspiration and it tickled me to no end. Yes, indeed. That would be just fine with me. So often I take a picture and think what a great painting it could be. I can't wait to see what she comes up with. Check out her blog at Gina Brown Art.

Charleston Bird with Attitude

Charleston Bird with Attitude, Waterfront Park, Charleston, S.C.

I mentioned that artist Gina Brown was using some of my pictures for paintings and this is the first one she did. This sassy bird was posing for me down at the waterfront park one day and I was tickled to see him make an appearance on her canvas.

Maybe we could do a whole series of people I know with attitudes!

Check out more of Gina's Art at Gina Brown Art.

Sunset on Folly

Folly Beach, S.C.

I am enjoying so much the idea that artists are finding inspiration in pictures I've taken. It's even better than being an artist myself!

This is a piece that Gina Brown painted of a sunset on Folly Beach. I remember it clearly because it was an evening last year when my Dad was visiting from Canada. We walked out on the pier after dinner and the colors on the water were incredible.

You can find this and other pieces at: Gina Brown Art.

Two Boats

Gina Brown Art

I am always tickled when artist Gina Brown paints a picture from one of my photos. Cool, eh!

Picture this painting of a picture....

Major Peter Bocquet House, Broad St., Charleston, S.C.

Artist Gina Brown finished another painting based on one of my Charleston photos. I am enjoying this! Check out her entry at: Gina Brown Art.

Y'all behave. I've been invited out to dinner like a big kid. I'll be back and want to hear that you ate all your peas.

Sunset on Folly

Sunset on Folly, S.C.

I mentioned some time ago how flattered I was that artist Gina Brown was using some of my photos as inspiration for her paintings. I loved the idea and was tickled to get a chance to meet her in person during the recent Spoleto Festival. Gina told me that she had left something for me at the Shelby Lee Gallery on Church St. and I walked down there last weekend to see what it was.

Isn't it beautiful? She left the folly beach sunset picture for me, framed and ready to hang. I can't believe my luck. It looks perfect in my living room. Thank you, Gina!

Charleston East Battery

"Charleston East Battery"
12 x 16, oil on linen
 
Once and awhile, an artist will paint a work of art based on one of my photographs. I can't think of anything more flattering especially when I really like the painting. In this case, Gina Brown painted a scene from East Battery that includes the William Ravenel House.  Isn't it lovely? Visit Gina's blog and her art web site.

Art Walking

McCrady's Restaurant, Unity Alley, Charleston, S.C.

Artist Gina Brown is doing a Charleston series again, with most of her paintings based on my photos. I love it! Check out her painting blog to see more of the series. This particular one features two of my favorite things - good food and the adorable British style Charleston Black Cab.

Gina shows locally at Shelby Lee Gallery on Church St. just off Market so if you are in town stop by. They look even better in real life.

Okay kids, enough lolly-gagging around. Who is going walking with me?

Painting in Washington Park

Rick Reinert, Plein Air Painting, Washington Park, Charleston, S.C.

My artist friend Gina Brown alerted me to the annual plein air painting event at Washington Park yesterday. Area artists set up their easels in the park and surrounding streets and let us all watch as they paint scenery, live models and still life scenes. The art work is framed and auctioned later in the evening benefiting the Charleston County High Schools' fine art programs. Cool, eh?!

In my next life perhaps I will be a gifted artist. Meanwhile I am an admirer of these talented folk and love watching them at work.