Friday, December 20, 2013

Happy Holidays

 
Hey Friends,  I'm lucky enough to be heading south in the morning !  Will be spending the next week with family in Myrtle Beach.  Just keep your fingers crossed for decent weather.
I may not have a chance to tell you to have a wonderful time this holiday so I'm telling you now....
HAVE A GREAT WEEK !
See you next year.
Happy Trails
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, December 13, 2013

Ebay Store re-opened

Hey Friends,  Several years ago I opened a store on Ebay.   I have recently learned from a generous gift from Jack White (he is a Famous artist and author) that I was indeed to impatient.  It takes forever and a bazillion days to have any success on Ebay.  He created a fictional character to paint pictures to auction on the giant.  And he had good success after about a year. !!  A whole year !!

So I'm giving it another go.  First time I only lasted about a month or so.  And was totally ignorant about the words to list, etc.  Hopefully, I have learned from Mr. White (I mean, I hope he's not pulling my leg).

I'm sure I've mentioned sometime in the past that I have a boatload of paintings in my studio to do SOMEthing with.  So this might be a good way to get going.  I'm starting each piece at $.01.
Yes, that's the advice I've been given, so ONE penny it is.

Another thing I'm doing with some of this overstock is sanding and re-gessoing to paint MORE.  I shall be participating in Leslie Saeta's challenge  again this January.  That's 30 paintings in 30 days.

I'm hoping I can list these in my DPW shop and connect to Ebay just like I did for my Etsy shop.
Won't that make my life a bit easier?

So Click here if you want to see what my Ebay listing looks like.  (Fingers are crossed)
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Double Line Painters has a new website

Hey Friends,  Haven't posted for a bit I know, but this time of year I've got lots of excuses.  This little treasure is a 5" x 7" original on Arches watercolor paper.  Done with ink and watercolor.  It's a shed door I saw a couple years ago on Fort Lewis Road here in Salem, Virginia.  You can find it in my Etsy shop

I do believe I'm about ready to re-open my Ebay store.  I have a bazillion paintings sitting in boxes in my studio so maybe someone will like them enough to place a bid.  Soon I think.

And Double Line Painters have a new website and newsletter you should sign up for.  Judy has done a fantastic job with the website.  http://dlpbr.fineartstudioonline.com/email-newsletter

Go to our blog, listed over there on the right side bar in blog roll, to learn more.

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Hoping You have a Wonderful Thanksgiving

 A precious little male sitting in a dogwood at my sisters house this past spring.  Love these memories.
And talking of memories !  Here is what I'm thankful for this year, this day and forever.  My precious Babes 4 years ago......Nico was 5 hours old in this picture.   His sister was trying to hold him the same way this morning....They still love each other.

So now you know what I'm  MOST thankful for.  My babes,family and my paints and my painting buddies.
Have a wonderful Holiday and Happy Trails

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

After the Dishes are Done

Hey Friends,  Just added this to my Etsy store.  It is a giclee on canvas and embellished with crackle paste and string gel.  This is on a wrapped 10" x 8" canvas and it is varnished. 
This treatment sort of gives it a framed/matted look.  You can see some extreme close ups in Etsy.
This would make a sweet gift for any female on your list.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Friday, November 15, 2013

Summer Spot

 Hey Friends,  A neighbor at the end of our little country road, has a pair of these old metal chairs on his patio.  I've painted chairs very similar in the past and hope to paint more in the future.  They have such character.  His have a few rust spots but you can't see them at this distance.
You can have this reminder of summer time by clicking here in my Etsy store.

 And I wanted to show you and NaNaCat the haze of smoke hanging over the Roanoke Valley today. Wytheville is about 60 miles SW of us and there is a big forest fire burning since yesterday.  As luck would have it, there is a wind from that direction blowing it up here.  It stings my eyes a bit but it is pretty, isn't it.  This valley is gorgeous anyway you see it.  After playing with my gran babe, I drove to Mill Mountain about dusk.  Was hoping to see more Sun interacting with the smoke, but. . . .
And when you turn around, you see the famous Star.  We are called the Star City of the South.  It's a beautiful symbol, especially when flying into this valley at night !

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Looking for the Right One

Hey Friends, A sweet little Blue bird "Looking for the Right One" this past spring.  Saw him at my sisters house.   Maybe some year I'll see some at my home.  I've got a bluebird house up and some mealworms (yuk).
He is looking for a new home in my Etsy shop.
And on another note, that me up there, painting at RR Donnelly today.  We had a fun day, fighting the wind and painting the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.  The sun was out in full force and if the wind had stopped, we would have been too hot.  As it was, I was just right.  Can't wait to go back this spring.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Ray of Sunshine

Hey Friends,  I'm still happy to be painting birds and sunshine !  They just suit me better.  But I'm meeting my DLP group in the morning to paint, plein-aire, the beautiful mountains here in Salem.  So I may have a snow scene for you tomorrow.  Just kidding, no snow tomorrow thank goodness.  Just cold and maybe windy.  Most of us are pretty wimpy so we'll see what happens.
You can check out the details on the Goldfinch in my Etsy shop.   Meantime . . . . . . .
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Nap Time

Don't know about you but I have a hard time letting Summer go.  I would much rather be laying in a hammock, reading, with the sun twinkling between the leaves.  The precious little birds flitting and chirping everywhere.  This is the gift for your summer lover.  Maybe for their lake house.
I'll have it in my Etsy shop in a minute.  Click here for the details.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Tea for You

Hey Friends,  Today has been pretty laid back, not the usual Saturday for me.  My sweet babes did not spend the night with me (their great-granny is sickly) so I cleaned and straightened the studio !
It has been a while because of all the activites with the Double Line Painters.  And I'll never fuss about being too busy and I've got some swamp land in Louisiana for you.
I even got to cut mats and shrink wrap all of the pen and ink pieces I've been doing.  I have more sketched out but not finished.
Don't you think your Auntie would like to have this little darlin' for her tea table?
She is going into my Etsy shop.  You can click here for the details.
Happy Trails
Travel well

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Geraniums in Old Window

Hey Friends,  I've been playing with the pen, ink and water color for about a week now.  Mostly at night, in front of TV.   I'm still enjoying it.  I'm doing a bit of this and that.  Some birds, some windows, some doors, mailboxes, and some chickens.  I need to find a pheasant photo.  I got some pheasant photos of my neighbors exotic pheasants (beautiful birds) but not the common North American variety.  Here is link to my Etsy shop.
Yesterday I took a short trip around Salem, getting some photos of the fall colors.  The colors don't seem to be so great this year.   I don't understand why the colors can be SO different from one year to the next.
In the morning I will meet my plein-aire group, the Double Line Painters, and we will be making deli-papers.  These are colorful papers for collages.  To me making these papers is the most fun part of collages.
DLP also hung a big show at the Jefferson Center this morning and a smaller one at the Salem Museum this afternoon.  Both shows will hang through the end of December, so you have lots of time to go by and find a unique gift for any occasion this year. 
 Judy took this photo of Linda and me, hanging work at the Salem Museum.
And here Linda is demonstrating how to hang a mini-painting on a tree.  Yeah, we can get pretty goofy at times.   Click here for the DLP blog to see more photos.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Summer's Mailbox

Hey Friends,  Something different today.   Not a bird in sight!  Such a shame, a bluebird perched on that box would be pretty.
This is painted first with pen and ink then watercolor to fill it out. I'm listing it in my Etsy shop.
 On another note, Judy, Mary Anne and myself where out today in Bedford, Va. taking photos of BARNS !  There is a beautiful red barn behind us in this photo.  But we were thrilled these cows came over to say HI !   Judy is the photographer here.   I took 298 photos today .  We had a good day and enough fodder for 200 paintings.  We also came across a farm with a lot of colorful chickens and roosters.   I was happy to get this reference.  I was thinking of you NaNaKat when photographing the chickens.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Hummingbird

Hey Friends,  I like the idea of this tiny little fella hanging onto a lite-up tree light.  After watching these precious little birds all summer, I want to immortalize a few by painting them.   I will have to rely on my imagination because I surely couldn't get any decent photos of the little dare devils.
I have different lights I can use for props and would love to find a life sized artificial bird.  Maybe I can make one from clay !
On another note, I will be out with the Double Line Painters this Thursday in Bedford, Va.  This is to gather reference photos of any local barns to paint from.   This is a special project by Bedford and I will have to find the invitation to share with you, so it will make sense.  Mary Anne wrote a bit in her blog and here is the link.
I'm listing this hummer in my Etsy shop and in the DPW gallery.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Rosey Finch

Hey Friends,  Another bird you say.  Yeah, I still love them and love to paint them.  This measures 6" x 5" on 300 lb. arches watercolor paper.  I have put it in an off-white mat and it's in my Etsy shop.

I'm getting some work ready for our Holiday show at the Salem Museum and the Jefferson Center in Roanoke.   We will be hanging both on the same day !  It is lovely to be busy.  Hoping you can make it to both places during Nov. or Dec. to see some new works.  Art makes a wonderful gift for anyone, and in my case, any nature lover.   I will post some images from both places closer to the hanging.

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Mini Original Art for the Holidays

Hey Friends,  Yes, How I've slacked off since that challenge ended.  Bad - Bad.  I have been busy even though I haven't shown you anything.  At night, I like to give my Mom a little company.  She isn't getting any younger, so we watch some TV and holler at each other ( we're both deaf).  I can take that for just so long and then I pull out the paints and pens, and start doodling.
Pen and Ink with watercolor has proven to be pretty neat and doesn't take up much room.  Since it has turned winter here in Virginia (I hate this) I can't play outside any more, so I'll have to be content with this for now.
These are small little jewels and would make nice, inexpensive gifts for almost anyone, especially the person that has everything.  If you want a mini of any subject,  just let me know.  I will probably be able to do it with a little flair.   Check this out in my Etsy shop, HERE.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Friends and Lovers

 Hey Friends,  I'm posting the latest work first because I'm afraid I'll get in trouble with DPW.  They (DPW) pull the first image on your blog to post on their site in my gallery.  Hope that makes since.  Anyway a couple times I've just blogged about what's going on (nothing for sale) and some one made a comment about it being a photo and not a painting.  So just to be safe I'm doing it this way from now on.   Maybe.  The painting above just sort of grew from beginning with the piece of green paper with the musical notes on it.  It actually came in the mail as a postcard invitation to a concert.  You can see in the real piece that I stitched on it with a sewing machine before gelling it on the canvas panel.  Another piece of the GranBabes music sheets, real oat grass from the yard and a feather stencil and silk flowers.  And I'll put this in my Etsy shop.
And today I met up with my painting buddies here in Salem, Va. to enjoy a drizzly day, chatting and painting under the picnic shelter.  Enjoyed every minute.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

More of the Plein-Aire Frustration

 Hey Friends,  The majority of this day has been beautiful here in SW Va.  So after a few little chores, I threw my stuff on the golf cart and headed down Gum Springs.
 This is another neighbors quaint little homestead.  Above I have finished the first of the shed.
 Between this photo and the second one, I made a mess.  One leg on the easel gave way when I was moving it to paint that gorgeous tree.  The palette flipped very conveniently on top of the canvas panel that I had the tree drawn on.   Of course it was a mess but much better than grass and dirt in the paint.   I just got the biggest brush I had and using the turps blended all the different colors across the drawing.
So you can see I recovered but I'll tell ya, this plein-aire job is almost more than I can take.   If  I didn't want to be outside so much, I'd say "Forget It".  And I don't seem to be getting any better at it.  That's the part that's really frustrating.  I have been told more than once I'm to impatient, that's the reason I haven't given up yet.   What I really need is a class/workshop from someone that's good at this.   My color choices suck, especially in the fall.  Enough whining.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Autumn at Ikenberry Orchard with the Double Line Painters

 Hey Friends, Just a quick post to show a bit of the beautiful colors we saw and painted today.  We set up on the huge comfortable porch at Ikenberry's Orchard on Rt. 220 in Botetourt, Va.   They have a vast selection of pumpkins and gourds and mums to decorate with.
 And a ton of freshly picked apples of every variety you can think of.  My favorite was called MUTSU !   Totally new to me but I'm going back for more.
Here is that fab porch I mentioned.  This shot was very early in the morning. Starting about 10am, the place was rockin' !   Must have been a thousand people through here buying tons of goodies.  We LOVE this place.   Gwen is a wonderful host and very appreciated.
Go to Ikenberry's very soon, before they run out of apples.

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Can You Stop the Rain ?!

 Hey Friends,  Another little piece of inspiration.   Wouldn't it be cute if we humans could look up into the trees and see little purple umbrellas here and there?  We would know the little birds were doing OK.  Maybe I'm reverting to childhood.
This was painted on the piano papers again, all free hand with acrylics.  I love to make the little paperdoll chains into any creature-the little blue birds there at the bottom.  And this one has my finger prints all over it too.  If I thought it was possible at all, I'd catch a bird and make foot prints with it, before setting it free.  Wouldn't that be the coolest thing I've done yet.
I went to an apple orchard today with my sister and of course I got a bunch of pictures.  Soon I can paint from them and munch on apples whilst I work..
Here is the link to my Etsy shop

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

the Best Things in Life are Free

 Hey Friends,  This piece started with the printed paper from my GranBabes piano practice book.
 Thought a few process shots might be fun.  The paper has been gelled to the thick canvas and starting with the blue acrylics.
 The stamp I carved myself and I added the vine  so it could be green.
 Here I have finished with the stamp and painted in the utility wire with the blackbirds resting.  I don't know if you can tell but I really like the finger prints I made all over the piece.  Kinda like certain brush strokes but made with the fingers.
And I have found quite a few feathers this year and I like them a lot so I use them every chance I get.  And here are the edges of the piece.  Did you notice how stained and worn my table is?  I like to put paint right on the table instead of the palette, especially when working with a tiny brush and very small strokes.   I shall put this in my Etsy Shop.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Glorious Day for an Artist

 Hello Friends and Neighbors,   This morning was beautiful here in the mountains of SW Virginia.  Maybe it isn't obvious in these photos but the sun was shining nicely, there was a breeze, and the temp. was perfect.   I jumped on the golf cart and headed down the road to my neighbor's pond.
 These wonderful folks don't mind me painting or my GranBabes chasing their chickens or dog.  They love to come here.  They live in the city and love running loose in the country.  In the top photo you can see that the ducks are hiding in the corner of the pond.   They are very skiddish of strangers.
In the 2nd painting, which was about an hour later, I guess they were getting used to my presence, because as you can see, they were right out in the middle of the pond.   You've never seen such splashing and fluffing and chasing.  They seem to really love each other.
In this second painting, after backing up to get photos, I could see that I didn't like the large yellowish spot on the left and below the ducks.  I changed that but forgot to re shoot.  Once they dry I'll scan both and show you that it looks better now.
I truly enjoyed this day and hope there are more to come.  I need this practice badly to improve.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Deep Breathing

 Hey Friends,  The companion to the last post, "Tight Rope Walking".  These titles sound almost depressing or worrisome.  But they are straight from my Gran Babes piano practice book.
After gluing the paper on the canvas and painting the flamingo, I spread the acrylic gel on with a palette knife and while wet, swirl one of those cake frosting things with comb-like teeth.  Sure you know what I'm talking about, everyone has a couple in their drawer.  Ha.
This is going to my Etsy shop-Click Here.

And go to the DLP blog to see all about our reception last night in Lynchburg.

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Tight Rope Walking

 Hey Friends,  Trying to keep a little momentum going here.  I really enjoyed Leslie Saeta's challenge, but it was a challenge !.   I can paint every day but when you add a couple hours of computer time, every day,  it's a little different.  And if there are any artist out there with storage problems or how do you keep up with NOT sending any to galleries.  I'm afraid to send any thing from my DPW gallery or Etsy shop to my galleries because I know I'd end up selling the same thing in 2 different locations.   Does that make sense?
 My GranBabe is taking piano lessons and I was perusing her books.  I saw several song titles that struck a chord so I copied them.  Tight rope walking could be any one of us.  These spindly flamingos always seem to be walking on the edge, so why not a rope.
This painting has a companion and I'll finish it tomorrow.  This will go in my Etsy shop too.
Click here.

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Monday, September 30, 2013

No. 30 Last Day in Leslie Saeta's Challenge....Thank You Leslie

 Hey Friends,  Last Day !  This is No.30.This is the last dictionary page that I've finished to date.  "L" is for Lad (like in boy).   I thought of the old rhyme, Sticks and Stones may hurt................So up in the corner is a real stone, and a real stick.  Could not find a bone small enough so I made the paper cut outs along the left.  Just love feathers so it made it's way in too.  And there is a photo of the lad throwing a stone into the river.

So now I will put this in my Etsy store.  And now I must get busy and finish my dictionary series.  I'm going to miss the pressure of a painting a day but Hope and Pray I don't lose too much momentum.  I know I won't be doing one a day but I'm shooting for every other day.  I've got a couple requests for dictionary art subjects - leviathan (never even heard that word before, had to look it up in the dictionary, Ha) and mermaid.  Won't they be fun to do.

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Day 29 - Right Side of Diptych

 Hey Friends,  This is the other half of the diptych, I posted the left half yesterday.
 These close ups show you how much texture there is
 I used Golden's Glass Bead Gel to form the flowers.  Conventional work for the BumbleBee's.
This is in my Etsy Shop along with the other half.   Click Here.
The last day is almost here.  I think I'll post what I painted at Centerfest  in Bedford, Va.  This is a plein-aire piece and I asked for critiques, so it looks a bit better than the majority of my plein-aire works !  But I'm getting better, slowly.

Happy Trails
Travel Well



Thought I'd throw this in at the last second.  For anyone that doesn't know what a diptych is.  And this is before I was finished.   Diptych's hang togather.