Alla Prima by Richard Schmid

Hey Friends, Thought you might like to know the book above "Alla Prima" is really worth reading. This is the third time I've read it and something new, just little tidbits, sinks into my hard head each time! Is it because I've painted more (experience?) or I'm in a different mood? or maybe because I wasn't reading in bed?
I injured the old knee again last night, almost made me cry, so I've been laying around reading and eating bon-bons, like a little queen. You guys have a great week painting!

Happy Trails.

Original 24x36 Painting

Hey Friends, Not to much to talk about right now so I thought I'd show you a painting I did a few months ago. I have not shown it yet because I can't seem to get it just right in photo shop.
I think the image above is as good as it gets (for me). It's almost exactly the same as the painting. I never would have dreamed that I could finally do this sort of thing with photo shop. I believe the answer is that I lost my fear of computers. If I screw up I just shut the thing off, and come back later.
The yard work is killing me, how about you guys? I was exhausted just from trying to start the mower! But it's all done and I get to paint ALL day tomorrow!!!
Now go read this post from Luann Udell - It should clear up a few things for you.

Happy Trails.

WIN A BEAUTIFUL PAINTING

Hey Friends, I like to visit the links left by people that comment on my blog. Some interesting stuff out there! The image above was painted by Roxanne "the Artist" !! She is a Texas artist and does lovely artwork and has a lovely blog.
Right now she is planning to give the above painting away!! Who wouldn't want that. All you have to do is visit her blog and follow the instructions. Everybody is giving away art but I like the way she is setting hers up. So go see Roxanne's Art Blog.

Happy Trails.

ART BY NIGHT at GALLERY 108

Hey Friends, If you are in the area (Roanoke, Va.) come out for the Art by Night in downtown Roanoke in the market area. Some areas call it an Art Crawl but it means that the galleries all stay open 'til 9pm. Refreshments are served while you browse the new works and a featured artist. At Gallery 108 it is Revelle Hamilton. She has beautiful watercolors on display tonight.
This morning I changed my work. I had birds up but now my cows are hanging. I like all the bright colors! Maybe someone will fall in LOVE with my bovines.
Have a great weekend.

Happy Trails.

Cats and Quang Ho and Maria Pace Wynters

Hey Friends, Just showing off a few of my cat paintings. Again I favor the black and white coats.

All three and a couple more are now listed in my Etsy shop. Cows are not there yet.

But the real reason I'm blogging tonight is - I was wondering if any of you have read the newest issue of SOUTHWEST ART (March). There is an interview of Quang Ho in his studio on page 60. In answer to one question, he said his recent show at Gallery 1261 was eclectic! That it looked like 10 different artists painted the works! ! ! Man, that made me feel so Good! To hear an internationally known, really big time, famous artist say that he didn't want to be pigeoned-hole, was a real eye-opener.

Of course, he didn't have that attitude to start with I bet. He had to build a reputation first. Anyway, now I don't feel so stupid or unprofessional, when my work seems to be all over the place (in style).

Also, wanted you to hear Maria Pace Wynters thoughts and feelings in a recent blogpost. She is brave in her statements and they reflect exactly how I feel. So click on her name and enjoy.

Happy Trails.

Original Cow Paintings - Last Two

Hey Friends, These are the last of the cows. For now. Gotta move on. Love painting their little faces so I'm sure I'll be back with more. That brown fella (gal) above was a real odd looking cow. I tried to sweeten it up a bit.

Of course, this gal was more fun to paint. I just like the black and white. She might be the famous California Happy Cow from the commercials.

Now all I need to do is list them on Etsy. Sheeesh - that'll take hours! And I'm feeling the spring-forward daylight savings time thingy.

Do want to mention that I have a small show to be hung first of May at the famous Mill Mtn. Coffee Shop in the famous little town of Salem, Va.! More later. Have a grand week!

Happy Trails.

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.