Dat 15: "A Painting a Day" to Benefit the David Adler Music & Arts Center

"King & Queen"

For today's feature, I have reproduced two of my original watercolors

as 11" x 14" glossy metal prints! I love the sleek, chic look of these prints.

I'm also offering the pair as two 4" x 6" reproductions printed on parchment paper.

Ideal for smaller spaces.

These charming pieces will be a regal addition to your "castle."

Just a reminder, these pieces will be available for 3 days only. Don't miss your chance to bid on these and others to help support the David Adler Music & Arts Center!

Enjoy!

4" x 6" Framed print
Click here to bid

"Queen Bee" 11" x14" Glossy Metal Print
Click here to bid

"King of the Castle" 11" x14" Glossy Metal Print
Click here to bid

4" x 6" Framed Print
Click here to bid

Day 14: "A Painting a Day" to benefit the David Adler Music & Arts Center

"Music Mini: Piano"  by Stephanie Toral

Click here to bid

"Music Minis"

For today's feature, I created three small pen & ink drawings of piano keys, a violin and a guitar composed of musical notes. 

Each image measures 3.5" square. These simple pieces are framed in rustic black frames. A perfect little stocking stuffer, teacher, or grab bag gift this holiday season!

Just a reminder, these pieces will be available for 3 days only. Don't miss your chance to bid on these and others to help support the David Adler Music & Arts Center! 

"Music Mini: Guitar" by Stephanie Toral
Click here to bid

The David Adler Music and Arts Center offers musical instruction to students of all ages and ability levels. Our goal is to provide residents of Lake County with the opportunity to learn music, or enhance their musical education. Individual instruction provides the direction necessary for a student to begin musical study or improve upon their skills in a one-on-one learning environment. Our degreed faculty range from music educators to professional musicians who are experts in a variety of musical styles.

Traditional Music Instruction

The David Adler Music and Arts Center offers traditional

individual music instruction in piano, violin, viola, cello

electric and acoustic guitar, banjo, and voice.

Suzuki Music Instruction

"Music Mini: Violin" by Stephanie Toral
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The David Adler Music and Arts Center offers Suzuki Instruction in violin and cello.

Parents are expected to observe and take notes during individual lessons so that they can facilitate efficient daily practice at home. Children as young as 4 or 5 can begin to study an instrument with the Suzuki approach. Parents are required to come to each lesson so that they can effectively help their children practice at home. Parents need not be proficient on their child’s instrument, but should be prepared to learn enough about the instrument to help their child.

Day 13: "A Painting a Day" to benefit the David Adler Music & Arts Center

"White Stallion in Profile"

My love affair with horses began as a child, watching my grandfather train his beautiful trotters, Mischevious Task and Queen's Ned. Growing up, I would ride as often as I could and have enjoyed watching my daughter Cara enthusiastically share my passion for these amazing and beautiful animals.

Elegant and graceful this watercolor captures the beauty of one of nature's

most beautiful creatures. This striking, clean, design painted on parchment paper is available in a chic mirrored frame when you select the BUY IT NOW option. The subtle sophistication of this design makes this piece ideal to integrate into any home.

Just a reminder, this piece will be available for 3 days only. Don't miss your chance to bid

on this piece and others to help support the David Adler Music & Arts Center! 

"White Stallion in Profile"
6" x 6"  Watercolor on Parchment
Click here to bid 

This piece is sold framed as shown
in a 12" x 12" mirrored frame
when you select the
BUY IT NOW option.

Day 12: "A Painting a Day" to Benefit the David Adler Music & Arts Center

"Tree of Life"

The Tree of Life in its various forms is recognized in all cultures as a symbol of immortality

and eternal life. From ancient Chinese and Egyptian culture to Germanic paganism and Mesoamerica, it has been sought after throughout the ages.

While depicted in many different contexts, the imagery across all cultures is essentially

the same. The Tree of Life is the tree whose fruit gives eternal life to all who might obtain it.

In addition to its religious references, it is a reminder of our past (roots - ancestry), present (tree body - knots included) and future (fruit - labor and posterity).

I chose to depict this powerful symbol as a calligraphy composition based on a

verse from the book of Proverbs: 

"It is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it.
Its ways are ways of pleasantness. All its paths are peace."

"Tree of Life" by Stephanie Toral
Watercolor 8" x 10"
Click here to bid

Day 11: "A Painting a Day" to Benefit the David Adler Music & Arts Center

Day 11

"Lokta Poppies"

"Lokta Poppy I"
Watercolor   8" x 8"
Click here to bid

Today, I am am offering a pair of beautiful oriental poppies painted on handmade Lokta paper infused with gold metallic ink.

I love painting on this surface because of the unique way the paper absorbs the paint.

The gold streaks of ink resist the watercolor and this give these pieces such a interesting look.

The red poppy is the traditional symbol of remebrance in this country and in Europe.

Quite fitting for Veteran's Day.

"Lokta Poppy I"
Watercolor   8" x 8"
Click here to bid

In Chinese culture the red poppy is a symbol of deep and passionate love.

Days 10: "A Painting a Day to Benefit the David Adler Music & Arts Center

Day 10

"Vintage Dragonflies"

"Vintage Dragonfly II"
Watercolor
Sold Framed as Shown
9" x 10.5"
Click here to bid

Today, I am am offering two watercolor paintings of one of my favorite subjectsinspired by my love of vintage botanical illustration and ephemora.Presented in unique hexagonal mirrored frames, this charming pair of paintings
make a wonderful display on a small side, entry or powder room wall.

"Vintage Dragonfly I"
Watercolor
Sold Framed as Shown
9" x 10.5"
Click here to bid

Day Nine: "A Painting a Day" to Benefit the David Adler Music & Arts Center

"Persian Rose" Series

The ranuculus is one of my favorite blooms! I love their variety: brilliant and bold or soft and subtle, they always delight!

I also love exploring the meanings assigned to flowers. Did you know that ranuculus is Latin for "little frog?" Perhaps the reason is this:

"According to legend, a young Persian prince became enamored with a beautiful nymph and sang to her night and day. The nymphs became so tired of listening to the young prince sing that they turned him into a ranunculus flower."

This small and endearing flower was in Victorian times, sent to tell a lover that they were charming and attractive.

Today, I am offering two watercolors of these beautiful blooms painted on handmade paper infused with silver metallic ink.

"Persian Rose II" by Stephanie Toral
Watercolor  8" x 10"
Click here to bid

"Persian Rose I" by Stephanie Toral
Watercolor  8" x 10"
Click here to bid 

These two pieces are available framed as shown above when you choose the BUY IT NOW option in the auction listing. The stunning "Quicksilver" 12" x 14" frame with a bright white double mat is the perfect complement to these pieces.

Day Eight: "A Painting a Day" to Benefit the David Adler Music & Arts Center

"Bluebird I" by Stephanie Toral
Watercolor  5" x 7"
Click here to bid

Bluebirds

Birds are a very popular subject and a favorite of mine! Today's "A Painting a Day" offerings are a simple pair of watercolor bluebirds.

"Bluebird II" by Stephanie Toral
Watercolor   5" x 7"
Click here to bid

Day 7: "A Painting a Day" to Benefit the David Adler Music & Arts Center

Nantucket Bicycle

I was looking through some old photos and came across this pic of a vintage bicycle I took while my family and I were vacationing on Nantucket a few summers ago. I decided to use this pphoto as inspiration for today's painting. I chose to take some artistic license and crop in tightly on the image, change the background and add more wear and tear to the bike to create a more interesting composition. 

"Nantucket Bicycle"
Watercolor  10" x 8"
This piece is available framed as
shown when the bid
meets the BUY IT NOW price listed

Click here to bid

Day Six: "A Painting a Day" to Benefit the David Adler Music & Arts Center

Je t'aime Paris

"Je t'aime Paris Trio"
Upper Left: 3" x 4"   Upper Right: 4 x 6"
Bottom: 7" x 5"
Prints on Parchment Paper in Antique Zinc Finish Frames
Click here to bid

Paris has been an inspiration for me for many years. For today's
 "A Painting a Day" selections
I decided to offer reproductions
of a few of my favorite pieces!

"Eiffel Tower Detail"
12" x12" Glossy Metal Print
Click here to bid

Day Five: "A Painting a Day"

"Cubs" Series

Congratulations to our very own Chicago Cubs! 2016 World Series Champs!

While watching the Cubs celebration parade, I couldn't resist the temptation to paint a couple of my favorite meme from this years World Series! ENJOY!

"Madden's Cub" by Stephanie Toral
Watercolor   7" x5" image framed in slim black 10" x 8" frame
Click here to bid

"Fly the W" by Stephanie Toral
Watercolor  7" x 5" image framed in slim black 10" x 8" frame
Click here to bid

Day Four: "A Painting a Day" to Benefit the David Adler Music & Arts Center

Keep It Simple

"Dragonfly Monotype" by Stephanie Toral
10" x 8"
Click here to bid 

I find that most often, less is more and that is certainly true in the case of today's piece, "Dragonfly Monotype."

"Simplicity

is the ultimate sophistication."

- Leonardo da Vinci

I chose to focus on one of my favorite subjects, but this time attempting to create a powerful image with just the essentail details.  I wanted the piece to have a strong graphic quality 

so I chose to use a monotype

print technique.

This piece is available to bid on until 11 p.m. on Sunday, November 6.

Day One: "A Painting a Day" to Benefit the David Adler Music & Arts Center

"Musical Palette: Cello" 
Available - contact stephanietoral@comcast.net

"Musical Palette" Series

"Musical Palette: Guitar" 
Available - contact stephanietoral@comcast.net

My "A Painting a Day"  project begins with a series of four small, 7" x 5" watercolors depicting a cello, guitar, piano and violin in joyful, primary colors!

There's no better way to begin this endeavor to benefit the David Adler Music & Arts Center than with a series of paintings celebrating music and highlighting the wonderful music instruction programs and concert series offered by the DAMAC all year long!

"Without music,

life would be a 

mistake."

― Friedrich Nietzsche

"Musical Palette: Piano" SOLD

"Musical Palette: Violin" SOLD

I wanted to create a colorful series that expresses the joy we all feel from music and to celebrate the young students and dedicated instructors at the DAMAC. I gave these compositions a strong, graphic feel and chose to paint this series in exuberant watercolor.

The perfect gift for the musician(s) in your life. Bid on one or the entire series.
All pieces are matted in a single white mat. Framing is available, see the auction listing for each piece for all the details!

1" Slim Framing in Black, Red or Green
is available. Bright White Double Mat.
10" x 8" Frame size. 

Day Three: "A Painting a Day" to Benefit the David Adler Music & Arts Center

"Feather" Series

Today's series of watercolors and monotypes was inspired by a feather I found while out and about gallery hopping in the city with a friend. I thought I would be most inspired by the art we had seen that day, but instead, I was fascinated by a feather I found in a home decor shop. I was drawn to the graphic spots and soft vanes that created new shapes each time I bristled them. I had no idea that this simple object would spark my imagination in so many ways.

"Brave Soul" by Stephanie Toral
7" x 5" Watercolor on Paper
Sold Framed as Shown
Click here to bid

"Feather Trio" by Stephanie Toral
Watercolor on Paper   Image Size: 10" x 8"   Framed Size" 19" x 16"
This piece is sold framed as shown in a 
"Seville" Bronze frame when the bid meets the BUY IT NOW price
Click here to bid

"Gentle Spirit" by Stephanie Toral
7" x 5" Watecolor on Paper
Sold Framed as Shown
Click here to bid

"Kind Heart" by Stephanie Toral
7" x 5" Watercolor on Paper
Sold Framed as Shown
Click here to bid

First, I created the watercolor, "Feather Trio." These three feathers
are painted on hand-made paper that is infused with gold metallic ink.

Next, I created the series of smaller paintings, "Gentle Spirit,"
"Brave Soul," and "Kind Heart." These are also watercolors painted on handmade paper. I love the soft way in which the paper absorbs the paint .

Finally, I chose to do something a bit bolder and more graphic with the image so this time I decided to create monotypes. Monotype is a unique process in which a combination of printmaking and painting techniques are used. To create these one-of-a-kind pieces, I painted the image with water soluable printmaking ink on a plexiglass plate. I then transferred the image to paper by using a hand-held metal press.

The term monotype is used to describe work developed on top of an unaltered plate,
utilizing its flat surface.

"Indigo Feather I"
by Stephanie Toral
5" x 7" Monotype
Click here to bid

"Indigo Feather II"
by Stephanie Toral
5" x 7" Monotype
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