Expand Your Horizons, Part 4

Another "Expanding My Horizons" I did was entering an annual show that I have not participated in before.  It is the "2016 Reflections of Texas & Beyond Art Show", sponsored by the Luling Oil Museum in Luling, Texas.  This year it was dedicated to Ms. Carol Voigt.  A wonderful show and a great reception.  The reception was this past Sunday and the show will be running until Sept. 23, 2016.

I am honored to report that I received the Carol Voigt Memorial Award for "Better Than Diamonds"!!  It does pay(literally) to "Expand Your Horizons"!!  Talk about motivation to paint more!!

"Better Than Diamonds", Pastel

Expand Your Horizons, Part 3

One more venue where my art is being shown is the Bulverde/Spring Branch Library, in Bulverde, Texas.  My thanks to Adette Irish, the Community Display Coordinator of Canyon Lake Art Guild, for arranging the venue for our artists to show their paintings!  Since the display is in the hallway, it was hard to get just one or two photos of all of them.  The library also wrote up a very nice article on me and put it in the local Comal Chronicle.  I feel like a celebrity!

The paintings will be on display until the end of August, so if you are in the area, stop by and take a peek.  Another friend/artist, Leila Reynolds, also has her paintings on display there and they are beautiful to see.

Expand Your Horizons, part 2

Besides entering shows, outside of my comfort zone, I wanted to expand the places where I can display my art, for a longer length of time a show runs for.  I have quiet frequently heard from other artists that people cannot see your work nor have the opportunity to purchase it--if it is stored at your home.  It finally sunk in.

The Canyon Lake Art Guild has a Community Display Coordinator that has found us some great places for our members to show their work.  Some take a commission(retail stores) and some do not(usually the non-profit organizations--like libraries).  My first one was at the Tye Preston Memorial Library, in Sattler, Texas.  I will be hanging there, again, from Oct. thru Dec., 2016.  I have sold one painting and received a commission to do, from hanging there, plus a print sold that is hanging in their reception area.

A new venue for me is the Canyon Animal Hospital in Canyon City, Texas.  A great spot for my animal portraits.  I have both originals and framed prints available, and have had to replace my business cards several times, which tells me the viewers are interested.

"Better Than Diamonds", the painting

"Better Than Diamonds", Pastel, 14" x 11"

Fancy and I.

I posted the reference photo for this painting back on Oct. 24, 2014, along with its story.  Hard to believe it has been that long.  It has also been pinned on the wall of my studio, and every time I looked at it, I kept saying I had to paint it.  Well, I finally did, and am very pleased!  I am also happy with the frame I selected--really accents the light colors in the painting.

Hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I have.  Glad you can't wear a painting out just by looking at it :)

"Celebrate"

"Celebrate", Pastel on velour, 18" x 16"

"Celebrate" is #3 in my series "Paint What You Love".  The first two have my dog, Fancy, in them.  The idea for it came to me because I had received 1st. place awards for the first two, and I wanted her to get a 1st. place award for painting me, aka Fancy's mother.  If you don't catch on to that--I posed like in the famous painting, Whistler's Mother".  I have a lot of referance photos of Fancy, but not one of her jumping.  So, I took time to learn more about a dog's anatomy and did several sketches to see if the proportions were right.  I also took more photos of her in various positions.  Poor thing--she couldn't lay down for a nap without me bothering her.

"Celebrate" is currently in the Canyon Lake Art Guild's, Lasting Impressions Show, at the New Braunfel's Art Gallery, in New Braunfels, Texas, through Mar. 30th..

ENJOY!!

"Paint What You Love", Pastel, 16"x20"

"Have Fun", Pastel, 20"x16"

Some pictures of my paintings have been published!

How exciting it is to see pictures of my paintings published in a book, especially alongside beautiful works of amazing and talented artists.  It was put together by a great team of artists of the Canyon Lake Art Guild.  So Professionally done and I am so happy to have it displayed on my coffee table!!

It can be viewed and purchased, by going to:  www.canyonlakeartguild.com

Accolades

The Canyon Lake Art Guild is currently having their annual "Lasting Impressions" show at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery, in downtown New Braunfels, Texas.  The show is running from April 5th. to April 30th., 2014.  We had our reception on April 6th. with a beautiful turnout, good food, and a fun time!

I would also like to mention that while I was chairperson for the show this year, it all came together because of all the hard work of the members who volunteered to help and coordinate what had to be done to make it a success.  You have my utmost appreciation and gratefulness for making it happen!  THANKS A BUNCH!!

I am happy to report that both of my paintings, won ribbons.  "Beaver Pond" received 1st. Place in the Pastel/Drawing category, and "Ready to Work" won Honorable Mention in the same category.

"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"

"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"

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"

"Gypsy"

I was surprise when I checked my last post and it was dated July.  I have been painting(or playing), but it was a busy summer--taking care of "life's opportunities"(mostly personal).

One painting I was able to do, and am posting now, has a little story.  The title is "Gypsy", and Gypsy is my husband's youngest daughter's dog.  Jennifer rescued her from an animal shelter, not knowing how old.  Well, the years have come and gone, and Gypsy's age is showing, especially the cataracts in her eyes.  Jennifer was willing to have surgery for her, but tests showed it couldn't be done.  One day, while Jennifer was visiting for the weekend, I downloaded some pics from her camera.  I came across one in particular, zoomed in, and cropped.  Viola!!  "Gypsy".  What is great---I performed "artistic surgery" and successfully removed the cataracts!!  I am planning on giving the painting to Jennifer as a surprise, perhaps for Christmas, if I can wait that long.

Enjoy, and Smile while you Paint (it releases tension).  Learned that on the tennis court.

"Gypsy", pastel, 8"x6"

"Shhh....Baby Doll Sleeping

Sometimes while working on a painting, I take a rest from it, especially if there is a problem area, or something just isn't coming out the way I have envisioned.  During such a time, while working on "Have Fun", I decided to play with an old photo I had of my cousin, Devon, when she was little.  When I came across it, I saw a story, hence the title.  I wanted to practice my drawing, and occasionally do that when nothing else is coming to mind, as what to do next.  It slows me down and gets my creative thinking to start working.  Some parts of the drawing process, especially working on values, with a pencil, can be a little tedious.  Evidently the brain must kick in to break the monotony.  The photo was quite small(3"x3", black and white, and was taken in the 1950's), so I scanned it to my computer, cropped, and enlarged.  It needed a lot of work on the values.  Not too long after I thought I was finished, I took a colored pencil workshop with Richard Drayton.  He taught us a lot on doing values with colored pencil, using his technique.  (I loved the workshop!)  Getting my lack of confidence under control, I took it in the last day, after class, hoping he would give me some input.  He pointed out that the darkest area behind Devon should be enlarged.  Something to do with the flash.  That made a lot of difference!  Soon after, "Have Fun" got finished, and I decided to also enter my drawing of Devon in our annual show.  Sure am glad!  As was mentioned in my last blog, "Shhh...Baby Doll Sleeping" tied for 1st. Place in the Drawing/Pastel category, with "Have Fun".

reference photo

Cropped and enlarged

not too crazy about my photo

"Have Fun"

When I received 1st. Place for "Paint What You Love", a fellow artist suggested I do a series.  So, my follow up was "Have Fun"---and I did!!  I've always loved my reference photo.  Fancy, my border collie, was a very active puppy.  If you are at all familiar with border collies, you know what I mean.  Well, this one particular time I was looking at it, trying to get some ideas, and it reminded me of a pastel artist friend who always ends up with pastel all over her face when she's painting.  Then I bought the toy mouse, and of course, you have to have a cat.  Well, there are no cats here!  Fancy enjoys tantalizing and running them out of the yard.  I had never drawn nor painted one, so the research began, looking for cats in poses that would fit into my composition.  I found several for reference, for anatomy, and came up with my own color choice.  Then, my idea was first done on tracing paper, and I did change my mind several times regarding what props to use.  I set them up like I did for "Paint What You Love".  Next, I followed through with choosing a color scheme.

 reference photo

deciding on color scheme

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

"Have Fun" was entered in the 2011, C.L.A.G. annual show, and won 1st. Place in Drawing/Pastel category.  Not only did it receive 1st. Place, but my other entry, "Shhh....Baby Doll Sleeping", tied for first, with it.  I will post that next time.  Needless to say, my feet didn't touch ground the rest of the evening!  Art does have it's HIGHS!!

"Waiting"

"Waiting", pastel, 14" x 11"

"Waiting" is a painting of one of my previous dogs, Brandy.  She had the sweetest disposition and was loved by all that knew her.  Prior to doing her, I had visited The Museum of Western Art, in Kerrville, Texas.  There was one particular artist whose work really caught my attention.  Besides being the only female artist, her works were the only pastels--and--her paintings really stood out because they were done with a black background.  It was like an "ahhhah" moment for me!  And not too much longer after that visit, while reading a book on color, I learned how more vivid colors look against black.  A beautiful contrast.  So, I did a few paintings with this in mind.  I loved the contrast and colors, but need to change their composition, so I won't post them at this time.  Then I decided to do another dog painting, and came across a snapshot of Brandy.  Will include it, because it shows you how, taking a simple photo, cropping it, plus adding an idea(i.e. technique), can produce something completely different.  I was learning to think outside of the box.  Knowledge is really powerful and exciting!!  The brain seems to pull it out of your memory just when you need it.  Keep reading and learning.  Besides that, it keeps the brain cells active--and I need all the help I can get.

Wanting to Paint Dogs

"Please Play Ball", pastel pencil

It was around this time I started having a craving to paint my dogs.  So out comes my pastel pencils, and you can see my first attempt--"Please Play Ball".  It was so enjoyable and fun to do.  I think that is when my "inner self" was telling me what direction to take.  Every time I would come across the referance photo, there was this---paint me, paint me, like what I mentioned in my last post.  I would also like to add an extra comment on that post.  Upon reviewing it, I had an insight I had not thought about before.  The first drawing, "Melissa Rodgers", was from a family photo, a grandmother,--I do not have any childhood memories of her.  The second drawing, "Athene"(my mother), was done from her sitting for our drawing group--in person.  The third drawing, "Ryan", is a grandson.  I took the photo at a family birthday party(I had to draw that smile!!).  I can definitely see the difference between all three, based on my involvement with the subjects.  Just had to throw in this little bit of artsy "ahaa"(light bulb turning on).  Keeping that in mind will take us to my next post--how I came up with "Paint What You Love"