If we can do landscape paintings, we can paint anything

My early paintings were always landscape paintings. Artists paint what we see around us.

It doesn't matter if it's city, country or ocean, learn to paint what we see in our everyday life. People will enjoy your paintings because that's what they see too.

Once we learn how to paint landscapes, then we can use the same techniques for any subject.

God's Lighthouse

The gallery owner where I had this seascape painting on display asked me, "Where is this lighthouse?"

I told her God gave me the idea and I just painted what He showed me. So I called the painting, "God's Lighthouse".

God's gift of Jesus is our lighthouse in any and all situations. We can always find our security in Him.

landscape paintings by carol may

I love the outdoors and sharing with others! If we have a gift of painting, it's meant to be shared with others.

Cypress Sunset

It was a privilege to live in Florida for more than thirty years. The sky is beautiful there. And there are lots of Cypress trees.

Here is a "Cypress Sunset" with the sun sparkling across the water. There is a white egret standing watch in the shadow of the cypress tree.

"Country Barns" a best of show painting, twice.

It was a joy painting these Country Barns” on a trip to New England. It was the very first time I got to see the beautiful New England fall colors.

The shadows and sunlight on the front barn especially intrigued me. The barns are different styles, as often happens when they are built years apart.

Doing landscaped paintings out in the country air is very refreshing.

What are the theories used in this award-winning painting?

Find the answers in how to paint good art.

Winter Wonderland

"Winter Wonderland" is a winter in the high Sierra Nevada Mountains, where I was born.

One winter the snow drifts were up to the eaves of the house. We couldn't attend school for two weeks. Was that a gift from God? (just joking)

The dog went up on the snow drifts onto the roof of the house and buried a milk carton.  We had to dig through the snow just to get out of the house.

The snow can be very beautiful, but not so much when you have to work or travel in it. So later, my family moved down to the valley where the climate was milder.

This landscape painting is in my private collection with childhood memories attached.

Swamp Maple

This "Swamp Maple" tree on the edge of a mill pond was showing off its beautiful fall colors. The gnarly trunk with the orange leaves against the cool water and sky made a nice landscape painting.

It was so pretty and it was pure joy painting it.

Sailing Free

An oil painting of a sailboat heading downwind with the colorful spinnaker out doing its job.

My brother's gift was being a boat designer. He built a wooden ketch and sailed it from California through the Panama Canal to Florida. It took many hours out in the cockpit with his hand on the tiller to get there.

This sailboat painting just came out of my head. I left out the second mast of a ketch to make an easier painting. I don't know if my brother used a spinnaker on his sail boat, but it added color to a seascape painting.

We can paint our memories. What are more ideas of what to paint?

Lone Egret

Here is a "Lone Egret" flying across the open prairie. It's a lovely area often missed by the tourists.

The middle of Florida has a prairie area with Sabal Palms and numerous lakes. The Sabal Palm is the Florida state tree.

It's common to see Egrets and other birds flying on their way to catch some frogs or fish.

bring peace beauty into your home with art prints by carol may

Click on an image to see the options.

Reflections

This seagull is thinking, 'reflecting' about what he may find while he is walking the edge of the surf.

This fun ocean painting makes me smile every time I look at it, "Reflections".

Does the ocean intrigue you the way it does me? I made a step-by-step painting tutorial so you can learn How to Paint a Wave.

Cedar Key Canal

On the gulf coast of Florida there are many of homes built on stilts. They have protection from high waters caused by the storms. Here are some stilt houses on a "Cedar Key Canal".

We lived in a stilt house at one time and docked our boat under the house. It was fun!

Honeymoon Cottage

"Honeymoon Cottage" is one of the many stilt homes built out in the bays of the gulf side of Florida.

This home was a Cedar Key landmark for many years. The tropical storms have now sent it to heaven.

Surf Runners

Can't you just hear the surf crashing as the Sandpipers are running to beat the waves? "Surf Runners"

The ocean and the mountains are awesome. We can't help but to do more landscape paintings of God's awesome gifts.

God's Promise

The end of the rainbow. What's at the end of your rainbow? "God's Promise"