Sunday, December 29, 2013

Palette Ponderings


V....Vaughan took this photo at Joel's and sent it to me. I can't quite remember why it intrigued her but I think it was the palette arrangement sort of reflecting the painting image. I have mixed - quite unconsciously - my colors as they appear in the painting. The darkest darks were the first down (alizarin and pthalo). I used that to sketch my figures as well as paint the darks. Then I mixed the fuscia shirt color, the green shadow color is below just as it is in the painting and the flesh tones and background light to the side. 

I don't know if I do that other times. Maybe I do since it was quite unplanned. I think when I have a larger space I start mixing my darks (cool colors) on the left and work lighter (warm colors) to the right. That is how my palette is set up as well. 

Note: you don't need fancy equipment and the perfect setting to work! Lately I've been sitting on my family room floor painting while "watching" the tv and hanging with my family. 

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Horse and Groom - Greeting Card



5x7 water soluble graphite on watercolor paper
greeting card
$30 + $5 sh


And so Christmas is around the corner. I wish all my friends the happiest of tidings at this blessed season.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Runabout - Greeting Card



7x5 water soluble graphite on watercolor paper
greeting card
$30 + $5 sh




Happy Winter Solstice. The days will be getting longer now. More light to paint by!

Friday, December 20, 2013

The Times - Greeting Card

 
7x5 water soluble graphite on watercolor paper
greeting card
$30 + $5 sh


One of my favorite things to do - sketch people in coffee shops. Its interesting to note that its primarily men who read the newspapers.


***

There is still time to buy a piece of original art for a gift that lasts lifetimes.
See my ETSY store for large and small works.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Window Seat - Greeting Card

7x5 water soluble graphite on watercolor paper
greeting card
$30 + $5 sh


Barely have had time to paint, but am doing so in fits and spurts. The season is upon us, and I am finishing last gift shopping, wrapping and shipping and beginning baking. Lots of little parties for the kids and family. Its all holly jolly!
We've snapped out of our arctic blast here and are enjoying some lovely "winter" weather - 70 and sunny. :-)

Today are the class parties and in the afternoon the Girl Scouts are going caroling at a nursing home nearby. I hope that all my cyber friends out there are having as pleasant a time - remembering the reason for the season. I myself have been a little too stressed and am trying to take deep breaths. So much to do... best to remember WHY we do it.


***

Check my ETSY store for more available art. I've shipped to Italy and Australia recently. So amazed at the reach my artwork can have. So very blessed too.


Thursday, December 12, 2013

Early Hours

12x9 oil on panel

Available at Castle Gallery

I did this sketch as an idea for a commissioned painting and decided to go ahead and send it to the gallery for their holiday opening. It looks rather festive! The setting is an Indiana restaurant "Joseph Decuis".

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Is Paco In There?

12x9 oil on panel

Available at Castle Gallery

Reframed, signed, varnished and sent to Castle for their Holiday Show opening Dec. 14.
More about the painting here.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

No Waiting

 16x16 oil on panel

Available at Castle Gallery

This is an interior view of a Kerrville restaurant "Franciscos" that I like a lot. I painted the sidewalk in front of this restaurant during the Kerrville Outdoor Painter's event in Oct. and that painting won the Quick Draw event. I'll share a better photo of it tomorrow since its also available at the holiday show at Castle Gallery Dec. 14th.

Follow on Bloglovin

Monday, December 09, 2013

Kitchen Konfab

14x18 oil on panel

Available at Castle Gallery

Castle Gallery will be hosting their annual Holiday Show Saturday, December 14, 6-10pm. From what I hear its always a fun party with great art, yummy food and live music!

This is a recent painting featuring the kitchen of a local Austin restaurant Roaring Fork (great name). I took some liberties with the chef hats - the togues are such fun.

Friday night I was in Marietta at dk Gallery and had a lovely time meeting Donna and her husband, the gallery staff, several of my collectors and some wonderful artists. The gallery is really a unique blend with some really exciting art. Wonderful to meet you all Susan, Holly, Elizabeth, and Jodie!

I am in love with "May-retta" too - lots and lots of painting ideas now!

Friday, December 06, 2013

Jeannie Seated Serendipitously

12x9 oil on paper - work in progress

Tuesday I was finally getting to work - having moved my things into my living room downstairs where it was so sunny and bright - when V called. She was nearby and wanted to see if I could meet at Starbucks. Then her sister called her and we agreed I should focus on my work and she'd visit her sister. THEN she called back and said her sister would like to pose for us if I'd like. Well, of course I liked that!

She sat in my sunny window and we all visited while we sketched.
I am definitely going to finish this up. It's a nice start.

I am in Atlanta - Marietta specifically - come visit with me at dk Gallery tonight 6-9 pm!

Follow on Bloglovin

Thursday, December 05, 2013

Chartres St. Sunset

6x6 oil on panel - sold
$100 + s/h


Revisiting New Orleans in my mind.



***
Upcoming Events:
  • December 6: Small Gems show dk Gallery, Marietta, GA
  • December 14: Annual Holiday Show, Castle Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN

Wednesday, December 04, 2013

Carrie's Family

12x9 oil on panel - sold

This is a commissioned piece for a very dear "old" friend. The kiddos are her niece and nephew and I hope I am not spoiling any surprises by sharing this here now. Carrie came to visit me at our Chocolate and Chiaroscuro event. I hadn't seen her in quite a long time. We reminisced about "coming a long way, baby" since our first meeting in Austin as volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. 

I used to have an annual party and forced all our friends (think construction types) to put on suits and nice dresses to come to my little apartment for a Christmas Ball. We had no other reason to dress up so I made my own fancy dress party! Ah, good times. 

Incidentally, I met my husband on the construction site. I saw him walking with a heavy box of nails on his shoulder... he had a good swagger (that we still laugh at today!) He came to my Christmas party that year... cleaned up very nicely. We were engaged the next Christmas and married in April ('00). Ah, even better times.

Carrie sent me this photo to work from. It was a neat composition - right up my alley. ha ha! 

Follow on Bloglovin

Tuesday, December 03, 2013

On A Wintry Day - Cafe Scene

6x6 oil on panel - sold
$100 + s/h

Aside from a few commissions this week, I am painting some small works that are perfect for gift giving. I've been debating ways to sell - there are so many options from ETSY to the daily painter's websites/auctions, to a store on my own website. For now, ETSY seems the best bet since there is a whole community or artisans drawing people to the site.

Later in the week, I am heading to Georgia for the opening at dk Gallery Friday night. I am really looking forward to this little excursion. I always enjoy exploring and it will be very nice to meet some of my new collectors. If you live in the Atlanta area, come by on Friday night 6-9 pm. 

Follow on Bloglovin

Friday, November 29, 2013

Thankfully


7x5 water soluble graphite portrait sketch
Commission - nfs

Happy post Thanksgiving! What a perfectly lovely afternoon we had at Joel's on Wednesday. I got to paint and sketch a perfectly lovely young lady for a friend's Christmas gift. 

I think I made my model look a little older, unfortunately. But hopefully she will grow into her portrait! Lol


I started a second sketch using casein. But the eyes are all wrong. My limited palette of casein is an issue. As is my inexperience with the medium. I will finish this at home  either with oil or casein. 

Now - I don't want to ignore the fact that this is the biggest shopping weekend of the year (though I almost feel ashamed for us at all the desperate commercialization I'm seeing.) But truly in the spirit of expressing my gratitude to my friends and fans, I have a special discount for my email/newsletter subscribers only! Sign up today - in the right column and I will send you codes for 25% off and/or $100 off purchases over $500. My shop on ETSY is filling up with my studio inventory finally. Help me make space (literally and creatively) for new work!


Sunday, November 24, 2013

Restaurant Themed Greeting Cards

$15 + sh - set of 8 blank greeting cards

I've made a set of restaurant themed greeting cards featuring 4 different reproductions of recent paintings. The cards are blank inside, about 4"x6" and include envelopes.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Trumpet Blast



7x5 water soluble graphite on watercolor paper
greeting card
$30 + $5 sh




TGIF! Finally have time to paint and create! I'm working on some small works for blog (daily painters galleries) for the upcoming holidays. And finalizing a couple of restaurant scenes to send to Castle Gallery. Have a beautiful weekend friends!

***
Upcoming Events:
  • November 29: Major's Fundraising Art Sale begins 
  • December 6: Small Gems show dk Gallery, Marietta, GA
  • December ?: Annual Holiday Show, Castle Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN

Thursday, November 21, 2013

First Chair

7x5 water soluble graphite original sketch
greeting card
$30 + $5 sh
Last night was our open studio event and it was a lovely evening. Better, I think, than if I had it at my home studio (which really is much too messy to allow people to safely enter!) With V.... there it was more relaxed and - well, just like our regular meetings but with more people!
It's so nice to meet new people and share my art with them. Thank you to all who came by!



So there are still some original sketch greeting cards available - and I love doing these so much that I will continue to create more and offer them either on ETSY or my own website (store is in the works maybe - more on that later. So many ideas and options!) ack!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Dominick the Donkey

5x7 water soluble graphite on paper (greeting card)
$30 + $5 sh

One of many small original sketches available at our "open studio" event.


****
Wednesday -  November 20th - 4 -8 pm
11301 Lakeline Blvd, Ste 120
Austin, TX 78717
***
Upcoming Events: 
  • November 20: Chocolate and Chiaroscuro Event, Joel's Coffee House, Austin
  • November 29: Major's Fundraising Art Sale begins 
  • December 6: Small Gems show dk Gallery, Marietta, GA

Monday, November 18, 2013

Mother and Child

7x5 water soluble graphite on paper (greeting card)
$30 + $5 SH
 
One of many small original sketches available at our "open studio" event.


****

V....Vaughan said on her blog yesterday that we "solve all the world's problems" over yummy chocolate and coffee/hot choc at Joel's. Maybe its not as lofty as that, but it is extremely meaningful time for me to get to unwind, to talk shop with another full time, dedicated, hard working artist, and to play with new ideas. One of my favorite new mediums is the water soluble graphite. I love to sketch. Adding water to the sketch is almost cathartic... it reminds me of this great little art "toy" I saw at a museum once - the Buddha Board. But this is permanent.
Please join us tomorrow and watch us sketch a customer or chat with us about art and life, and enjoy Joel's treats - gluten and nut free wall of choices too! - as well as delicious chocolates made by Brad/Austin Truffle Co. 
Wednesday -  November 20th - 4 -8 pm

11301 Lakeline Blvd, Ste 120

Austin, TX 78717
***
Upcoming Events: 
  • November 20: Chocolate and Chiaroscuro Event, Joel's Coffee House, Austin
  • November 29: Major's Fundraising Art Sale begins 
  • December 6: Small Gems show dk Gallery, Marietta, GA

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Summer Halo

8x6 oil on panel
$450 framed

Available at dk Gallery

Today I am framing and packing my small works for the December show at dk Gallery. I am excited to get to attend the opening reception this time on Friday Dec. 6. If you are in the Atlanta area, I'd love to meet you at the gallery.

Today would be a good day to be wading in Barton Springs like this little girl. I bet its packed with people and dogs playing. Its near record highs today in Austin. Though earlier this week, it was near freezing overnight. I can move my plants back outside now I think.

***
 
Upcoming Events: 
  • November 20: Chocolate and Chiaroscuro Event, Joel's Coffee House, Austin
  • November 29: Major's Fundraising Art Sale begins 
  • December 6: Small Gems show dk Gallery, Marietta, GA
 

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Conductor Card

7x5 water soluble graphite on paper (greeting card) - sold

One of many small original sketches available at our "open studio" event.

****

Please join artists Robin Cheers and V....Vaughan at their "satellite studio" for gourmet chocolate and new collections of gift sized artworks just in time for the holidays. With Joel's offering amazing artisan chocolates, locally crafted teas, fresh coffees and seasonal treats, Robin and V.... will be sketching from life. So bring YOUR LIFE, a child or pet to pose for an original sketch by the artists...a truly original gift idea. Also available are original art greeting cards and small paintings. 
Wednesday -  November 20th - 4 -8 pm

11301 Lakeline Blvd, Ste 120

Austin, TX 78717
***
Upcoming Events: 
  • November 20: Chocolate and Chiaroscuro Event, Joel's Coffee House, Austin
  • November 29: Major's Fundraising Art Sale begins 
  • December 6: Small Gems show dk Gallery, Marietta, GA

Friday, November 15, 2013

Zesty

7x5 water soluble graphite on paper (greeting card)
$30 + $5 sh
 
One of many small original sketches available at our "open studio" event.


****

Please join artists Robin Cheers and V....Vaughan at their "satellite studio" for gourmet chocolate and new collections of gift sized artworks just in time for the holidays. With Joel's offering amazing artisan chocolates, locally crafted teas, fresh coffees and seasonal treats, Robin and V.... will be sketching from life. So bring YOUR LIFE, a child or pet to pose for an original sketch by the artists...a truly original gift idea. Also available are original art greeting cards and small paintings. 
Wednesday -  November 20th - 4 -8 pm

11301 Lakeline Blvd, Ste 120

Austin, TX 78717
***
Upcoming Events: 
  • November 20: Chocolate and Chiaroscuro Event, Joel's Coffee House, Austin
  • November 29: Major's Fundraising Art Sale begins 
  • December 6: Small Gems show dk Gallery, Marietta, GA
 

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Major Smiling

5x7 fine art card - sold
water soluble carbon 

This is one of my dogs, Major, enjoying the sunshine. He got to enjoy it today despite the cold and despite the fact that he is recovering from a very difficult surgery. Today is one week since they took out part of his intestines to remove two masses. 
He is really underweight and anemic since he was unable to eat/pass food for about a week before surgery. 

Today I had the first promising news. His blood work shows the anemia improving.  We've (I've) been nursing him and syringe feeding him and he is acting more like himself. But it will be a long recovery yet. We're loving on him lots and so grateful for all the vet care he's gotten. He's made a lot of friends who are pulling for him! 

Cards like this one are some of what V....Vaughan and I are going to offer at our "Chocolate and Chiaroscuro" open house November 20th. 
Friends who come to that event get the first opportunity to buy these fine art greeting cards. They are 5x7 watercolor cards and you can send them to a friend or that hard to buy for coworker - or keep them for yourself and put in a frame! The cards are unique, original sketches. Something I haven't offered before. 

Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Tyler Trumpets


A page from my sketchbook in casein

I've discovered a new medium thanks to James Gurney. I was intrigued by his use of casein in his sketches and wanted to try it. (you must look at and follow his blog!) I found a small set at a local art supply store and set to work last night. I like it a lot. For one thing, I can sit on the couch with my family in the evening and sketch. Casein paint is a water soluble medium made with milk proteins as a binder and it is permanent.

I've drawn and painted this man before so you probably recognize him. He is a very talented street musician in New Orleans. I thought of my nephew while painting this - he is a trumpet player in his high school band. Their band has had some wonderful opportunities to perform. Most recently during the Cleveland Browns football game. Unfortunately, my nephew is ill and was unable to join them. 

I still need to research casein more but I think I will like being able to sketch and develop painting ideas with it. I think I will need a couple more colors - a better red and green choice for sure. The Shiva set I bought has "Shiva" green (thalo?), an unusually bright ultramarine blue, rose red and Naples yellow as well as black and white.

Monday, November 04, 2013

Jenny and Jill Sketch


A page from my sketchbook

When I've had a few minutes to sit down lately - in between errands, chores, volunteering, dog vetting, party hostessing, decorating and undecorating, etc. - I've been sketching. Mostly with the water soluble charcoal. But after awhile, I felt that I had no finesse with it so I switched to a mechanical pencil. It may have something to do with my paper in my sketchbook as well. This is rougher than my last book... and I prefer smooth... just like my painting surfaces.

I was working from photos on the laptop this evening when I found these mules and liked their faces. I painted them awhile ago and the painting is still available at Castle Gallery.



Here is an image of the painting and the gallery's mobile site from my handy iPhone

All this work in grays has me craving color. I cannot allow so much other stuff (the computer/email especially!) get in the way of painting the rest of this week!

Sunday, November 03, 2013

Chocolate and Chiaroscuro


Join us Wednesday, November 20th from 4-8 pm for an open "studio"
event at our satellite studio!

V....Vaughan and I frequently get together to work and talk over coffee and hot chocolate (and artisan chocolates!) at Joel's Coffee House in NW Austin. We consider it our satellite studio and are so grateful that they allow us to work there!  

This month we will have an evening reception to share some of our small works that we frequently create during our time there. We invite you to come enjoy some of Brad Payton's wonderful gourmet chocolates, visit with us, add some fine art to your collection, sit for a quick portrait sketch by one of us, and have a delicious coffee or tea. 

Both V and I enjoy working with water soluble graphite and plan to offer original art greeting cards for your holiday gift giving. We will also have some color (oil or watercolor) greeting cards and small originals. We look forward to seeing you there!

11301 Lakeline Blvd, Ste 120
Austin, TX 78717
512-349-9695

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Wave Runner

6x6 oil on panel
$450 framed

Available at dk Gallery
  Wow my days are just flying by. I haven't had a chance to pick up a brush this week though I made some yummy and creative caramel apples this morning. Once the Halloween festivities are over, and Harvest Festival at school this weekend, I am sure things will settle down nicely. Remember those carefree days at beach not too long ago?

Friday, October 25, 2013

Exhibit Montmartre

8x8 oil on panel

Ask dk Gallery about this painting

I am packing again. This makes 3 out of 4 weekends I will be out of town this month. Its a little crazy! This weekend is a Girl Scouts camping trip and should be a lot of fun. Our weather is just beautiful now in central Texas.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Seafoam


10x8 oil on panel 
Ask dk Gallery about this painting

I'm working on some small paintings for the upcoming "Small Gems" show at dk Gallery which opens December 6th. I plan to attend that opening and am really looking forward to that visit. I'm taking my daughter because I could not go to Atlanta without her or risk her eternal disfavor! She desperately wants to visit the Georgia Aquarium - she has hopes of meeting Jeff Corwin and working there one day. 

Tis the season for small. A lot of galleries and artists turn to these tiny treasures thinking that people like to buy for holiday gift giving. What a lovely gift original fine art makes. I am painting quite a few in the hopes of offering some here, entering the 6x6" Squared show again at Randy Higbee Gallery, and putting together a little event at Joel's Coffee House where V....Vaughan and I work together so often. We owe Brad, the chocolatier extraordinaire, some payback for allowing us to use his space to paint large and small, and do some occasional teaching.


Here it is framed and ready to go!

Friday, October 11, 2013

I Feel Like a Rock star


Today I was invited to go to my daughter's school and do a demo and little talk for the entire 5th grade class (100+ kids). I had no idea what to expect and I spent most of the morning going through photos and trying to decide what to paint. Did they want to see something from start to complete finish? In 45 minutes? Or did they just want to see a start of a more complicated scene? Did they want a lesson? Something that goes along with their curriculum? I decided to do a kid on the beach - something that allows me to paint big shapes and is a single object that I could almost finish. I demonstrated working large to small, dark to light, and thick over thin. And I talked about impressionism and my style and what inspires me.

The above is a little out of focus (phone camera), but I have to say I am pretty proud of what I managed to get done. The kids were so nice and asked really good questions. I've know many of these kids since Anna started school there as a kindergartner, so it was good to have a friendly audience! With the oohs and ahhs and the round of applause, I felt like a rock star!

I will finish this up soon. I hope! When I looked around my studio today for complete paintings to take in to show, I realized I have a lot of almost done work. Time to get things ready to go to my galleries.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...