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.

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!

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.

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Wednesday -  November 20th - 4 -8 pm

Joel's Coffee House

11301 Lakeline Blvd, Ste 120

Austin, TX 78717

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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

Up With the Sun

12x12 oil on panel

Ask Castle Gallery about this painting.

We may as well stay with the horse theme here the rest of the week. This was painted at a rather urban sort of stable tucked away here in Austin. You wouldn't know it was there, but once you drive in, you feel like you are in another world. The barns are mostly brick with windows and green shutters and trim and they have beautiful landscaping all around too. My daughter goes there for summer camp and some 'kids' night out' activities.

Taking A Look Around

12x12 oil on panel

Ask Edward Montgomery Fine Art about this painting.

Ok, if this one doesn't sell eventually, I really don't mind. Its one of my all time favorites. Why? Well, because I love horses. And I love light in it, and the dappling of his coat and the gesture. And it reminds me of NYC and my trips there.

I don't think I ever really talked about the book I put together last fall. Part of what I enjoyed most was the feeling of accomplishment and a sense of growth I saw as I looked back over my paintings. Artists rarely get to see their work in a group or spend time looking back over their body of work. Revisiting the work I'd done over the past several years and having a real sense of pride in the work was huge for me. Not only had I created quite a few paintings, there were enough that hit that high mark I expected. Others might not agree with me on all the choices, heck, I doubt any two people could agree on what to include, but each one of my choices was a milestone in my ability to express myself in paint and brushwork. I can't wait to see where I grow over the next few years.

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

This month Suzanne chose our challenge and really stumped me. We were to paint our favorite cliche', saying or game. I wasn't thinking very creatively. Why is it that when I have to think of a favorite saying, I am totally blank? But I have no doubt I throw out all kinds of things all day with my daughter - "do you think money grows on trees?" "were you raised in a barn?"
Suzanne had some good suggestions too which I wish I had pursued.
Ah well - I played with "You can lead a horse to water." And my painting is a scene from Florida of a wild horse on Cumberland Island. The horses graze on the grasses in the water even though its very salty. And so I assume they don't drink there. Their story is quite interesting. Enjoy the work this month.


You Can Lead A Horse to Water...
10x8 oil on panel
©2010 Robin Cheers




Why Not Queen Me?
6x6 oil on masonite
©2010 Sharman Owings




Good, Bad and Indifferent
10x30 oil on canvas
©2010 Suzanne Berry




Double Mint Twins at the Paris Metro
16x12 oil on panel
©2010 Vicki Ross



No Time Like the Present
6x8 oil on hardboard
©2010 Diana Moses Botkin

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

Our challenge this month was to paint anything we liked, but on a 6x8 support and only with a half-inch brush! Diabolical! Actually, I paint every painting with just one brush, but use a smaller one - a 6 instead of an 8. I think I am just lazy. The artists I paint the model with on Mondays were surprised to learn that. They were aghast when they heard that I don't clean my brushes either. I use OMS (Gamsol) and just swish my brushes in there until they look good and lay them down and walk away. I don't use expensive brushes and they get a lot of abuse I suppose. Using one at a time until it flays out finally or the ferule loosens. I like a synthetic too actually, with a crisp edge.

Now, on to my painting. This horse was turned out one morning during our visit to the dude ranch two years ago this fall. The background was very Texas hill country. Dry scrub. And when I was flying in this past weekend and looked out the window, I was momentarily surprised because the ground looked almost like snow. The colors were so pale and muted. Lovely in their way.. and I wanted to try to capture that in my background here.


Facing the Morning Sun
6x8 oil on panel
©2010 Robin Cheers




Onion
6x8 oil on panel
©2010 Aaron Cordell




Bright Bales
6x8 oil on hardboard
©2010 Diana Moses Botkin




Bling Pouch
6x6 oil on canvas
©2010 Suzanne Berry




Still Life
8x6 oil on canvas
©2010 Vicki Ross

Cowgirl

30 minute study

I've been in the habit lately of just cutting off a piece of linen and taping it up when I need a certain size. Haven't had the right panels available or something. Makes for a bit more work later gluing and mounting things, but its convenient when you want to get right to work.

I'm about to hand my computer off now to get a new smokin' fast (big?) hard drive installed. Lots of tech upgrades lately. Some unplanned too.

Western Wear

8x10 oil on panel

Here is a companion piece I did this week to go along with a similar scene which is at Russell Collection in Austin. They had a customer who wanted 2 small paintings with horses, but no people in them. Hopefully this and my other piece will fit the bill.

This was our first week of summer vacation here. My daughter and I have had several play dates with friends and have been swimming. Its getting quite warm here in Central Texas. I haven't managed to paint much. I hope that when things settle into more of a routine I can work. I did take my french easel and palette downstairs to the kitchen so I can work in there and be more accessible to her.

This week I ordered a lot of frames to prepare for the show in Vermont at the end of July. I am trying very hard to be super organized and not wait until the last possible moment to get the work shipped. I will begin posting the paintings I've been working so hard on these last few months soon. Facebook friends have had some sneak peeks at what has been on my easel, but I didn't get around to posting images on my blog. Its been a little too quiet here. Not for much longer!

Update

I have begun to post numerous times this week but ended up walking away every time. Much like my painting of late. I am really struggling now. Its all these extra things that get in the way of painting. Even when I do have the time, I can't seem to get into the spirit of it.

I struggled several hours this morning on a cafe scene. I hate it. But I'm not going to wipe it off. I am just so bummed now and out of time to figure out what it needs. Maybe fresh eyes tomorrow will help.
To let you know what is up I will just fill you in on the last few months. My daughter developed this habit of pulling her hair out. She is half bald, but has stopped pulling it at least. We're working hard on finding out the reasons why she started it and trying to reduce stress in general. Good luck with that. The new year isn't going so well for my husband at work and apparently the 50+ hours he was already doing wasn't enough so now we hardly see him. And as you might expect, he isn't the funnest person to be around when he is home. ;-)
I am starting menopause at 41. Is this too personal? Might explain some things, however. And my allergies have been awful! Its like a cold that lasts for 2-3 months.

On a good note... which I feel I should end on....I have a solo show in July at Studio 47 in Vermont. So, my studio days right now are focused on trying to create work for that. Also, new works are going to Castle Gallery for their annual Valentine's show next week and I promise to share those here.

Its funny how a blog becomes a link to an audience that I feel some responsibility for. I am still here and still working (trying) and I think about all my friends out there. No need to deluge me with sympathetic thoughts. I am sure you are thinking it and I am sure you all have your own troubles that interfere with your passion. But if you have some idea how to paint when nothing inspires you, let me know! 

Below is the one success I had this week.

12x12 oil on panel

Hot Spot

9x12 oil on panel

Two cowboys visiting during a rodeo in Bertram, Texas. Spent most of my day today working on my kitchen cabinets. That job rather stalled for awhile. I need to get it finished. So, while my "painter's block" continues....guess I will be productive elsewhere.

Taking a Look Around - Horse

12x12 oil on panel

Available at Loretta Goodwin Gallery for their Holiday Open House on November 19th.

I've been too lazy to post lately though I've been painting every day. I'm sending this beauty (the horse, not necessarily the painting) to Loretta Goodwin along with some other horse, cowboy and city scenes. I am exploring a variety of subjects lately. I think that is important for artists... not just to challenge one's self but to avoid being pigeon-holed into only one style or subject. I don't ever want to have to paint only a certain thing. I think with exploration comes growth. I guess I'd get bored doing the same things over and over.

With Feathers Flying

6x6 oil on panel
$100 + s/h

Loved this carriage horse who was so proudly tossing his head, shaking that pretty plumage and trotting around Central Park in June. I'm working on a couple of larger park horse paintings now too. So much for my ballet ideas (for now!)

I can't tell you how happy I am though to have these busy weeks behind me and be able to just focus on painting what makes me happiest.

Dappled Grey

6x6 oil on panel
$100 + $6.50 s/h - sold

Well I am in love with this little painting. I often feel sorry for these carriage horses; those long days on the pavement. But I was surprised to see many of these park horses anxious to work. They pulled hard, wanted to move faster, and really seemed to enjoy it. Maybe they understand what a special tour they give their passengers.

Up and Over Sketch

7x7 oil on paper
PURCHASE

Tune in tomorrow for our monthly challenge postings! It was a huge challenge for me.

The Approach

8x8 oil on loose canvas - sold



Guess what my daughter is doing this week? She's at horse camp! She is having a wonderful time, though how they can stand this heat I don't know. It has been hot hot hot!
This morning I watched a lesson for awhile after I dropped her off. I liked this tightly cropped image of horse and rider approaching a fence. I wish I was riding too. Been a long time.

The Road Less Traveled

12x12 oil on panel

Rather a philosophical title. The Road Not Taken is a favorite poem of mine. That and Stopping by a Snowy Wood... but that wasn't so fitting for this scene.

My husband really loved the previous version I did of this horse and rider. But he wished it was a sunny scene. So, I made it so. The result reminds me of a colorized black and white photo. It has rather an unreal quality. On one hand, that is cool, and on the other, its unnatural.

I've forgotten to tell you all about the place these paintings are drawn from. It is the Dixie Dude Ranch in Bandera, Texas. If you remember, we went there just over a year ago during spring break. I had done some sketches which I posted here at that time.

Rider Approaching

12x12 oil on panel

Continuing my theme here with riders and cowboys. I wonder if one of my galleries will want any of these? Ah well... I'm enjoying myself.

I thought I'd update you about my husband's health. We did finally get a diagnosis - CIDP, though we don't know if the (C) is for sure (chronic) until it happens again. What it is is an autoimmune disease where the myelin sheath that protects your nerves are being attacked. The treatment, which he begins tomorrow, is IViG (immunoglobin) which hopefully turns off, or gets rid of the bad antibodies. Its all a bit more complicated than this, but this isn't the time/place for lengthy medical analysis. We are hopeful that the infusions will help and he will soon feel better. He has two in a row this week, and then we wait and do another session in two weeks, and so on. Thank you to all who have expressed your concerns!

Trail Boss

30x36 oil on canvas

I really have no idea what came over me today. I painted two small paintings of dogs then began to look through my photos for more. I came across some ranch dogs. And the ranch horses. And the next thing I knew I wanted to paint a large horse. Talk about something completely different. I have always loved horses and spent most of my youth doing anything I could to be around them. I had a nice looking chestnut quarter horse like this. Actually, Tasha was bigger and less elegant looking. Horse and rider are on the trails out in Bandera on a crisp March morning.

Trail Horse - 30 Minute Study

12x12 oil on paper
nfs

Another quick study to loosen up and get things flowing. Interestingly, the paper canvas pulls the oil out of the paint pretty quickly, making the stroke "stick" fast which makes me get looser with my color and I do more just putting the paint on and leaving it alone and get a little bolder with color. So the paper, and the fact that I set my timer, are creating some fun results for me.