Original Painting of Raven-Details

Hey Friends, I think this post may turn out to be pretty funny. You know how you have a choice of putting your photos in the middle or on the left or right? Well, I've seen others put the image on the side and the verbage on the other side. Thought I'd give it a go. I clicked the left and you see what I got!! It's always a mystery how I do these things. I'll try to work around this.

Theimage above is just acrylic splattered with alcohol and then more acrylic layered on, transparent acrylic. And more alcohol. If the acrylic is somewhat dry, you get the tiny marks. Then in the corner I laid down a pink layer and swirled a comb through it.

The image on the left above is the limb the Raven is sitting on. Painted thinly or transparently. It has a watercolor look. The orange dots were placed with the brush handle. Obviously the other is the Raven's tail.

The images above are details of the beautiful birds features. The background was painted in blocks. Taped off, then paint was dripped and rolled with a brayer and alcohol, etc. in layers. I'm not doing so well with getting this verbage where I want it. HA! My daughter still needs to fix this thing. I'd love for it to be done before that Baby Boy arrives!!! Hint Hint!

I realize I didn't post the full image but I dare not go back and try to add something else. I'll just do that next time. It's more fun trying to put this puzzle together anyway.

Happy Trails.

RAVEN Original Painting Details

Hey Friends, I have a friend, Kelli, who lives in Alaska! She was curious about a couple of mypaintings, so I thought I would show her a few close ups. I thought maybe you would like to see also. This is a contemporary twist on the famous Raven. Ravens are so smart and good looking.

In this close up, you can see one section of the Real Gold Leaf and the Ravens tail feathers.

This close up shows a stamp I hand made from a sheet of foam. I like to make my own stamps.

Here is the famous nosy face.

This section just shows the effect you get by dragging things through the paint. Here I used a comb type thingy for decorating cakes! This style or technique is one of my very most favorite ways to create.

Tomorrow I will post another Raven, but right now I must get going to see my daughter in the hospital and take her some PB&J sandwiches.

Happy Trails!

HOSPITALS AND DOCTORS

Hey Friends, Just a quick note to tell you my youngest daughter has had a major relapse! She has been in the hospital since Aug.4th and needless to say we've been there too. Hopefully not many of youknow what a giant pain all this is. It is hard for doctors to figure out what the problem might be especially in the gastro tract.
Thanks to my friends for your encouraging comments and hope to have time soon to reply and maybe post another colorful painting.
Now I'm off to the hospital.
Happy Trails.

Expressionism or Impressionism?

Hey Friends, Got a new painting to show you. Actually this is only the top half (it's 24x8) cuz I don't yet know enough about Photoshop to correct the color difference where the two scans meet! I know, I shouldn't tell the world what a Dolt I am but as Popeye says " I yam what I yam." My newer ones are even more colorful. Going through a stage, which I've done before. I've been reading William Herring's book " A Horse of a different Color" for about the 12th time. Maybe that is why I'm going nuts with the color. He is an artist from Texas and this book is illustrated in black & white drawings so I'm not sure where the color fits in.
Happy Trails.

NEW DELL COMPUTER

Hey Friends, Good to be back! My computer died and I have a NEW Dell. Shiny black and Fast! I'm having trouble with this blogpost though. The pictures uploading fine but I can't click with the mouse to put that little blinky thing whereever I want to type! Exasparating.

This is a quik note to let you know I haven't died yet and what I've been doing besides painting (which I've done a lot of). The skys here in SW Va. have been gorgeous this summer and I've carried the camera around clicking as I drive!! The nighttime temps have been chilly too, good for sleeping but the tomatoes aren't happy. And of course following the little flying Angel around with the camera! She's a ham.

With the old computer, I could click between the photos and type, now I can't. And I always forget the photos upload in a backwards order.

Tomorrow I'll show some new paintings. My world has been pretty colorful!! hope yours has been too. Must be off to work.

Happy Trails.

2nd HELPINGS (formerly Art on a Mission)

Hey Friends, A message for all the locals. Local to Roanoke/Salem area. I'm really happy to tell you the Rescue Mission has finally gotten their new space ready to open!!!!! Their gallery used to be in the Tanglewood Mall next to Penneys. They have been closed since March. Hopefully, you can read the postcard/invitation above to find their new home. This bldg. used to be Sears, a really long time ago. Not far from the intersection of Williamson Rd. and Orange Ave.(460) next to the Roa. Civic Center, which is right off I581. It is real easy to find and lots of parking-close by. It appears there will be live music! Hope you can be there. I'm busy getting some new work framed or ready for hanging. I always have to scan or photograph everything and thats such a chore. HAPPY FATHERS DAY to all you Dads.

Happy Trails!

ROANOKE SIDEWALK ART SHOW

Hey Friends, Boy - was I shocked when I checked my blog this morning! I hadn't posted in a MONTH! It's hard to realize how fast days go by - how fast LIFE is going by!
Anyway, I've got a few pictures from the annual art show in downtown Roanoke, Va. Above is me, myself, and the love of my life-Lillie! She brought her mom to the show just to see her TuTu. The only thing that impressed her was a bag of rubber bands.

Here is a shot looking north at the famous Roanoke City Market Bldg. I had a great spot on this tiny street, almost in front of the now famous Taubman Museum!

Here is a shot looking south with the famous Hotel Roanoke in the background. A gorgeous old hotel you should visit next time you're in Roanoke.

The show this year was wonderful for me. The weather was heavenly and the crowd was large. I sold more artwork this year than in several previous years. Who would have ever guessed. I'm still not up to snuff on this here Internet thingy but I'm afraid it's all my fault. I honestly don't have the time to fumble with it enough to promote myself. My youngest daughter, my baby named Jessi (she's the one thats been so sick) is trying to help me out a bit, while looking for a job. She has some time on her hands at the moment, thank goodness.

I'm thinking about giving Bon Air (in Richmond) another try this fall. Maybe. A lady in my Va. group within Design Style Guide is from Richmond so I'll have to ask her.

I'll be back soon with some new artwork. I have been painting a lot which is a great thing, almost as good as eating ice cream.

Happy Trails.

FUN TO READ

Hey Friends, I just wanted to post a couple of links I found on Casey Klahn's blog (the Colorist). The first is about writing better blogs, nothing earth shaking but worth reading. The second is just plain funny - about ALIENS. I'm sure we should all be making ourselves a hat.



Happy Trails.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

Hey Friends, Boy - How time flys! Sorry to be absent so long. Since going to UVA with my sick baby and her Dad, I've been either baby-sitting my precious grand daughter or working in the yard. Not to mention taking the day off for Mothers Day to be with my girls. All this worry about my daughter has been a real blog killer. The only time I wasn't feeling stressed was when I was digging holes for trees. (and at my age and physical no-condition it was a job just to keep from passing out!!!) Now to finish this story - my daughter is going to be OK - I feel sure of it! She was finally able to get a prescription from Canada for her stomach (will be here soon) and the other issues are finally being addressed. The medical world is slower than any sloth you ever saw on TV. It's truly a wonder anyone makes it out of a hospital.
I've got one street festival to do on May 30 & 31, so I'll be busy for the next few days.
I notice several new followers on my blog, so I'm going to say Hi to them.
I'll be back soon!
Happy Trails.

Water Can with Flowers

Hey Friends, Wanted to show you this painting I just finished. It's one of my fav's. I love watering cans and have several. I think they make a lovely container for a flower painting. What say you? I like the metal cans, even when they are rusty.

For the life of me I can't remember the name of the flower in the can. I know it doesn't matter, but it bugs me when I can't remember a detail. I'm thinking I want to paint this in a larger size. It would be ready for a local show first part of May. Do you think this would be a good gift for Mothers Day or a gardener's birthday? I had better get out to the studio and slap some paint around.

Happy Trails.