Expand Your Horizons

This doesn't apply to just artists--it applies to everyone and their life.  It is how we improve, not only our personal life, but also what we do outside our home.

Periodically, I stop and write down some new goals.  Otherwise, I probably would be doing the same thing I've done for the past two or three years.  "Write" is an action verb, and writing down goals does subconsciously put our thought to action.

So--one of my goals was/is to enter shows outside of my current venues.  It is not as easy as it sounds--I am stepping out of my comfort zone.  New places, new artists--like changing schools and having to start all over.  But I did it.  My first was entering the Art on 12 Guest Artist Show.  It is not a judged show, but three of my paintings are now hanging at Art on 12 Gallery, in Wimberley, Texas, for the month of July.

"Lunch in the Garden", Pastel

Top:  "Black Swallowtail", Pastel

Bottom:  "And God Provides", Pastel

A Fun Piece to Do

"Working for Sh..  :)", Charcoal/Pastel, 8" x 8"

This was a fun piece to do, in-between my "normal" paintings, and I will be adding it to my series "Runaway Art".  The album can be viewed on my FB page, R.J. Collectibles - Fine Art.

I love to work with charcoal and an eraser, then add a touch of pastel color to it.  While working on this, I thought to myself...who but an artist would go looking for dung beetles on their morning walk (except maybe a little boy).

Google "dung beetles" and, believe it or not, there is some interesting information on them, from how they navigate, where they take the dung, and what they do with it.  Then you can say you learned something new today.

"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"

"MoonPie" Shined for Me

I am happy to share that my painting, "MoonPie", was awarded 1st. Place/Drawing Media, in the current show at New Braunfels Art League, put on by the Canyon Lake Art Guild.  The show, Lasting Impressions, will be there until March 30th..  Try to go see--there is some beautiful work displayed.  Thanks again, Molly Jackson White, for letting me paint MoonPie.  Thanks, also, to Lyn Belisle, our wonderful judge.  Be sure to check out her wonderful work at Lyn Belisle Art Studio on FaceBook.

"MoonPie", Pastel, 10" x 8"

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

A New Venue

I don't know about you, but I sure enjoy waking up in the morning with a good cup of coffee in one of my favorite coffee cups.  I have several--most of them from someplace I have traveled.  Then there is my clear glass coffee cup--an all time favorite.  I just added one more, and possibly three.

I have put four of my paintings on a 11 oz. mug, ordered from ZAZZLE, at www.zazzle.com.  I LOVE THEM!!  They came out great.  I will be retailing them for only $20 (includes tax), plus shipping.  They will make great stocking stuffers for Christmas, and a good year round gift.  I personally think the Llama ones would be great for men.  Everybody likes unique coffee cups!  Just email me if interested.  Can you guess which one has become my new favorite?  "Paint What You Love".  I have already received orders for them--going to have to order more :)!

"Paint What You Love" 

"Worn Traveler"

"Llamacita"

"Llamacita Wants A Kiss"

I will probably be adding more designs on the mugs, plus some other products.  Stay tuned!!

"Moonpie"

"Moonpie", Pastel on pastelmat (buttercup), 10"x8"

An acquaintance/friend of mine, Molly White, from New Braunfels Art League and Facebook, posted a photo of Moonpie (a friend's goat).  Several of us asked if we could paint her and Molly said yes, and made it a challenge.  We were to post our finished paintings and see what everyone did.  THANKS, Molly!!  I really enjoyed painting her.