Original Paintings and a visit to Art Quiver

Hey Friends, More Cows! I think I may be off this jag - for now. I have 2 more after these 2.

I'll post them later. Don't want to bore you too much on this fine start to the weekend.

A couple days ago I visited the studio of T. Lawson, whom my daughter models for real often. He has a beautiful studio, one most of us wish for! And I love, love his art work!!! His mind works totally different from mine. He's Pablo-ish. So I put a link here for you to easily check his work. His gallery is on Art Quiver. I've heard of this sight before. Don't think it's the route for me mostly because of the return policy. I can't see the advantage of that, can you?

Go look and tell me what you think. Have a great weekend.

Happy Trails.

Original Cow Paintings and Marie Fox

Hey Friends, I forgot to take pictures at the party. I had my camera dangling on my wrist the whole time, too! So I thought I'd show you a couple more cows. Cows are funny creatures and interesting to paint. I'll list them in my etsy shop tomorrow, I think.

Also wanted to tell you about another interesting artist, Marie Fox. Found her blog last week and thought you might like her work as much as I do. Her full-figured models are fabulous! Click on here for her blog.

Happy Trails.

Original Paintings

Hey Friends, Cows! Now I know why I see so many paintings of cows. They are so easy and quick to paint! I mentioned in a post that I was shoveling snow and then painting for an hour or so, alternating the activity, trying not to hurt the old back. So I ended up painting 7 cows! They are 8"x8" so you know they came along pretty fast anyway.

I put 3 on this post so you could see how I tighten up as time goes by. The green one should have been the last one. Notice the first cow is pretty loose. The red one is fairly loose but the green one is pretty tight! Why do I do that? Don't have a clue. But it is something I need to pay attention to.

I also painted about 4 of birds, 3 of cats, a couple landscapes, and 3 Wabbits! I do love to paint! Now I must varnish and put on the backings and hangers.

This evening Gallery 108 (downtown Roanoke) is hosting a little party so the new members and original members can meet. I know this will be a good time. I'll post photos later.

Happy Trails.

Weekly Busy Work ! !

Hey Friends, Just thought I'd show you what I've been busy doing the last few days. Seems to be a weekly exercise this winter. This is at the top of the driveway.

This is about the same spot and I'm just starting to shovel a path for my car tires. Thats all I want to do but of course I'll have to take out some of the depth. My car is low to the ground and the last snow took out the muffler! Sounds like a motorcycle now!!

Showing the bottom sharp turn. The little cedar is really flexible. Every snow bends her over to the ground. This snow is HEAVY & WET and the cedar top was stuck in the ice.

This view is just past the sharp turn. If you look real hard, you'll see the little creek or spring that we have to cross the first time. You have to cross it again a little further up.

Anyway, snow is pretty but I hate it. I would or will shovel for an hour or so, go back in, warm up and paint for an hour or two, then go shovel for another hour. The calvary (my brothers) will be here Sunday to dig me out, Bless their little hearts!

I've missed two days at my REAL job and I'm hoping my boss will see this post. I don't think they really believe it's this bad.

Next post I'll show you a couple shots from the Art by Night @ Gallery 108 that took place Thursday the 4th. I had a good time.

Happy Trails.

ORIGINAL PAINTING NEEDS CRITIQUE

Hey Friends, I'm seeking some Honest opinions about my painting above, which I so very creatively titled "He Loves Me". I positively love it! I'm borrowing from Robert Burridge and Maria Pace Wynters. Borrowing!! Not copying I hope. I'm not going to say why I like it, until I hear some others thoughts. Much appreciated!

Just thought I'd throw this one in 'cuz she's so cute! No critique needed, Right?!?

Hope all are having a wonderful Sunday. My brothers came to my rescue and shoveled a path to escape this dang gone SNOW!

Happy Trails.

Original Art Finished and Found

Hey Friends, I have gotten several small pieces finished up. Let's see what you have done! The painting above is on Masa Rice Paper attached to mat board using acrylics. Lots of water and medium used to make it look like watercolor. I think I'm finished. The image doesn't look as bright or saturated as the original.

This painting I found in a box with several others. I'm famous for packing a box really well (using all the space) and then FORGETTING ABOUT IT. Usually when I come across these boxes again, I have at some point in time searched for these paintings, I slap myself again and again saying "How many times have I told you not to do this!?"

This is also painted on Masa paper. I've been in love with rice paper, specifically Masa for a long time. Vera Dickerson, a local artist and instructor, introduced this paper during a workshop.

Some more art blogs that might be of interest to you are BRUSH-PAPER-WATER. This is Chris Beck's blog and she is always introducing us to some interesting work. Her post today is about Katherine Cartwright. Go look and enjoy your Wednesday!

Happy Trails.

SOLD

Hey Friends, Just thought I would tell you the painting above sold today.! I'm a member of the League of Roanoke Artists and we have several spaces to showcase our work. One space is in the lobby of Lewis Gale Hospital. I have sold several pieces there but it is always a thrill to have some one plunk down their money for something I created!!! Thank you.
Happy Trails!

INTERESTING BLOGS

Hey Friends, Just a quick note to tell you about a couple of interesting blogs I've come across. Interesting to me because I'm a fan of the arts. Even better is when an artist has a sense of humor. I recently came across Dreama Tolle Perry (she is on That Daily Painters site). Click it and scroll down to the part about her book. And then there is Maria Pace Wynters (also on That D P site). I loved her post about the veil.
AND I found out this morning, Dreama T.P. is holding some Workshops! ! ! I want to take 1 or 2! Her workshops aren't that far from me! I haven't taken a workshop in the last 100 years! so I'm really excited. Can't wait. So I'm going to email her for some details!!!!!

Happy Trails

MY LOVES, GALLERY 108, NEW PAINTING

Hey Friends, I finally got this photo from my daughter (the one in the middle). I've been nagging her since Christmas. She had it put on a mug for me. I love it! Look at how much my granbabes have grown!!! Just wanted to share a little of my personal life.

Above is the new gallery I am in now ! It is a co-op gallery and I'm like 1/7th of a member or something like that. I'm really HAPPY about this. Always wanted a gallery in downtown Roanoke. It is right across the street from the new Taubman Museum, so stop in soon!

Here is a link to Gallery 108. They haven't gotten me on the site yet because I need to make a CD for them to download from. Yeah, more computer work that I hate doing.

And the image above is one of about four I painted at the same time. The others are real dogs, this one is the least ugly. I think I'm falling out of love with acrylics. Blending, soft edges are not easy to start with and then add the dry air of 12 degrees and it's frustrating. I also don't like the canvas panels I have right now - too grainy! I prefer to work on gessoed masonite but I can't afford to buy them and it's a Major deal to get the table saw out of the shed to cut my own. Poor Sue, I could whine for hours but it's not really my best talent.

I only know I've got to get busy and get better. I've got shows coming up ! ! !

Hope you guys are having a wonderful 2010 so far!

Happy Trails.

END OF AN ERA? and Snow Painting

Hey Friends, A bit of sad news . See the van above? I love that van. I've had her for 10 years and we have been to a lot of pretty locations. I sold her yesterday. I feel all teary eyed and sad. How can an adult woman be so attached to a machine? She has been sitting here in the yard for the last 3 years, driven just enough to keep her systems in shape. Still paying for insurance and taxes, etc. on her. I think she went to a happy place. Grace Baptist Chuch in Dublin bought her. A small church with about 20 kids to haul around. Maybe it represents some part of my life that is over now.

I knocked this one out in a short amount of time last night. This is the top of our driveway. You keep sliding on down to the left (steep) and make a hairpin turn to the right over a spring, then bear to the right over another spring! ! And its all covered (at the moment) with about 1" of ice and several inches of snow! Yes, snow is beautiful until you start shoveling.

The weather man says we may get some more tomorrow.

Vans hate snow.

Happy Trails in 2010!!