Follow the Path

Sometimes we are following a path and really don't know why nor where it will lead us.  If we find we have misgivings about it, we stop.  Otherwise, we continue, and are often in awe at the good that occurred at the destination.  "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."  Proverbs 16:9.  Such an event recently occurred in my art journey.

I decided I wanted to have some prints made of four of my paintings, but I also needed some good photos, and I didn't trust my photography skills nor my tweaking them on the computer.  Well, Bob Cook, from the New Braunfels Art League, was doing a presentation on "Digital Imagery for Artists".  Very informative and well done.  He also said he did a service of not only taking pictures of your paintings, but also printing.  He had my attention and my business.  He, also, helped me decide what size of prints to order.  One suggestion was a 12" x 24" of my butterfly painting, "Worn Traveler".  At first I didn't want that size because it was larger than the original (8" x 16").  Why I thought that, I have no idea.  On the day I gave him my order for prints, I went ahead and ordered one of that size--then wondered why I did--completely baffled with myself.  All of my prints were beautiful.  When I went to look for some frames, I found one for "Worn Traveler".  It was perfect.  I showed it to a lady that loved my original and she bought it (the print, framed) on the spot.  This gets even better--it is now hanging in the reception area at our beautiful Tye Preston Memorial Library!!  I would never have imagined.

My many THANKS to Bob for the service he provides, his suggestions, and his prompting to order the 12" x 24".  He does beautiful photography and has a websit you should definitely check out:  www.bobcookart.com  

"A Loving Worker"

I would like to introduce all of you to Bailey, an Australian Shepherd.  I met Bailey, and her owner, Bridget, at our local library, a year ago, and instantly fell in love with Bailey (please don't tell Fancy, my border collie!).  Bridget gave me permission to take some photos (glad I had my iPhone), and Bailey enjoyed every minute of it.  Every time I would see the photos on my computer, I always thought to myself--you've got to paint this dog!!  Finally, I did.  The whole time I was working on the painting, I remembered that day at the library--there was a smile on my face every minute.  Knowing your subject first hand does make a difference when you go to paint it.

Bridget and Bailey are members and workers of Pet Partners, a service program of the Delta Society.  Registered Pet Partners bring the physical and emotional benefits of human-animal interaction to people in a variety of settings.  Delta Society's mission is to improve human health through service and therapy animals.  You can find out more information and view a wonderful video of their work at:  www.petpartners.org.  Bailey's resume is quite impressive (wish mine looked that good).  She has completed several obedience programs and has completed her AKC Canine Good Citizen program.  Besides being involved in various special school classrooms, such as Life Skills, Alternative Behaviour, Autistic and Severely Emotionally Disturbed students, she has worked with brain injured adults at the Texas Learning Center in Galveston, TX..  She has also assisted in several suicide interventions with great success.  Bailey currently volunteers as a Reading Dog at our local Tye Preston Memorial Library.  TALK ABOUT A V.I.P. (Very Important Partner)!!

As you can probably conclude--all of this was made possible by the love and training of owner, Bridget.  She is a retired Special Education Teacher and Counselor, of 34 years.  She now volunteers in the schools, etc., with Bailey, to enhance positive awareness of the human animal involvement.

After I finished "A Loving Worker", I sent Bridget a preview of it.  Bridget replied with "Wow, your painting of Bailey brought tears to my eyes.  You captured that look that she gives me when we are working, that says, "I'm ready to work, where are my kiddos!".
P.S.  Bridget bought the painting!!  I was going to enter it in a show, but am much more happy it is hanging in the home of Bailey's loving owner.

  "A Loving Worker", Pastel, 10" x 8"

A New Award

The show "For the Love of Animals" that I mentioned in my previous blog, had their reception this past Fri., Sept. 6th..  There are some beautiful paintings at the show and I am elated to let you know I received a 3rd. Place ribbon in the Water media, Pastel, Drawing category.  It is for "Waiting".  I posted a blog on it on Jan. 24th., 2012.  But, of course, I have to include the pic here, with ribbon attached!!  It is one of my favorite paintings.  Enjoy!

An Invitation

You are all invited!!  The following invitation is for the upcoming New Braunfels Art League Show, Sept. 4th. thru Sept. 29th., 2013.  The title of the show is "For the Love of Animals".  The address and date/time of reception, awards, is on the card.

I am both excited and honored that one of the paintings I am entering, was selected to be on the invitation!!  I did two blogs on "Think Big", April 13th. and Jan. 8th..  Another painting I am entering is "Waiting", blog on Jan. 24th., 2012.  The third one is a new painting, "A Loving Worker", and I will post a blog on her soon.

Hope you can make it to the reception on Sept. 6th., and/or show while it is there.!!

"Scruppy"

"Scruppy" is a commissioned pet portrait I have recently finished.  A customer that I had sold my ceramic molds, kilns, to, commissioned me to do him for a friend in Florida.  He was a challenge, as I did not have good referance photos.  They were too small and too far away.  Also, a couple of them were when he was younger, and some when he is now older.  Plus, the coloring of him was hard to determine.  Lesson learned!!  Do not accept a commission until you see the referance photos first, or are able to take your own.  However, I will tell you that I am stubborn enough, I took on the challenge.  To end the story, I had my customer send her friend a photo of the painting, to see if it looked anything like Scruppy.  She received word that it looked like a younger version.  So, "Scruppy" is now in the hands of his master.  It was a good experience!!

"Scruppy", Pastel, 8" x 6"

"Red Jungle Fowl"

This is one of my pastels I decided to do when I didn't know what I wanted to paint next, so I just went through my photos and picked this chicken whose photo I took when we were in Hawaii.  They run loose all over the place.  I will first show the original and then how it shows now.  When it was first finished, there was something that didn't seem right.  I realized it was the composition.  I like my diagonal, but too much space at top.  So I resized it to 8" x 8".  I remembered hearing "you can't go wrong with a square format".  I do like it better.  If anyone has any feedback on that thought, please let me know.  I am still learning composition (and there is a lot to learn!!).

"Red Jungle Fowl", Pastel, 8" x 8"

"Indian Blanket"

This is the latest in my series, Texas Wildflowers.  "Indian Blanket" is the common name.

I am enjoying doing them, but still not sure if it is the style I want.  I guess I am wanting something a little different, but not sure what.  An idea came to me yesterday, so will have to work on it to see if it will work out.  So many times I have an idea, but it doesn't come together on paper.  Bet nobody has had that problem before (yeah, right!).  After all, it is a part of the creative process.  I'll keep you posted.

"Indian Blanket", Pastel, 8" x 8"

Just Tooting My Horn!

The Canyon Lake Art Guild is currently having their Annual "Lasting Impressions" Show at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery(www.newbraunfelsartleague.org.).  It will be showing April 7th. thru May 1st., 2013.  If you are in the area and would like to see it, go to their web site for address and hours.

The category I entered is Drawing media:  Pastel, Colored Pencil, Pen and Ink, Graphite.  I am very happy to announce that I received a 2nd. Place Red ribbon!!  Now I can say that all three of the paintings in my "Paint What You Love" series have ribbons.  The first two were 1st. Place, each.  See previous blog for photos.

"Think Big", Pastel, 20" x 16"(unframed)

I have been enjoying reading(and learning) from other blogs that include wips(work in progress), so thought I would try to do a short one on "Think Big":

Will start with my drawing on tracing paper.  I always do this, so I can see if my composition looks o.k., and can also make changes, if necessary.  I also make sure my focal area is in the right place(using the golden mean).  A grid method is used, sometimes, but I try to keep a loose hand on my pencil, and not be so exact.  As you can see from my referance photo, I added sky, to give more depth, and some complementary color.  I liked the log on the right, and wanted it to point to the dog.  Some more ivy was added, trying to give a color trail to focal area, plus some color contrast.

I would also like to mention that my sister(Valerie) and her daughter(Brooke) have teamed up to do a business, and currently have two spaces at the Red Rooster Antiques and Design Center, 971 West San Antonio St., New Braunfels, Tx..  One of the spaces is called "Family Reunion".  They asked me to display some of my paintings, of which I am delighted to accommodate.  Also, on display, is some wonderful Photography by my cousin, Bonnie Crumley, and Jewelry by her daughter, Melanie Truesdell.  Valerie and Brooke redo old furniture, etc., into a great distressed look, using CeCe Caldwell's "naturally green" paint.  They have some beautiful pieces for sale, and also sell the paint, in their other space.  Be sure to check it out.

Thanks for reading!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and "Think Big"

I have been wanting to post to my blog ever since before Thanksgiving.  However, the holidays and family matters had higher priorities.  On Jan. 1st., I did start the New Year off in my studio--thinking that might be a good omen.  Doing so did get me off to a good start.

I finished "Think Big", the third painting to add to my series "Paint What You Love".  The photo referance and the dog, belongs to my hairdresser.  The minute I saw it, the title came to me, and I obtained permission from her to use it in my paintings.  The dog's name is Honey, a yellow lab.  I am including it in my series because the title covers a lot of territory in the artist's life.  When I first started painting, I would do small sizes(8"x10" or smaller).  I kept hearing "do larger paintings--it will loosen you up".  So I did, and it did help.  "Think Big" can also mean make bigger goals and dreams--don't limit yourself--shoot for the stars!  Dream of that Best of Show or 1st. Place ribbon.  Envision people wanting to hang your paintings in their homes or businesses.  Keep learning--we don't know it all, yet(and never will).

Just to refresh your memory, I will include my other two paintings, to show as a series.

 "Think Big", Pastel, 20" x 16"

"Paint What You Love", Pastel, 16" x 20"

"Have Fun", Pastel, 20" x 16"