You Never Know...

...who you will meet at a party?  :)

"Chillin Out", Pastel, 8"x8"

My second cousin, Sharra, captured the photo of this critter, a couple of years ago, while we were sitting outside eating at a restaurant, in Marble Falls, Tx..  We were having our annual Lewis women's reunion.  Talk about good timing!  The minute she showed it to me, I asked if I could paint it.

It was a fun piece to paint and I will be showing it with my collection, Runaway Art.  My Runaway Art paintings are being shown at Grahamstock Glass Gifts & Gallery, in Wimberley, Tx..  www.GrahamstockGlass.com 

W.I.P. shots:

I have expanded my horizons, again!

The good news is that I have been given the opportunity, and am now displaying my artwork at Grahamstock Glass Gifts & Gallery, in Wimberley, Texas.  My works include original paintings, prints of my originals (both framed and not framed), and coffee cups with my original paintings on them.  Something for everyone's budget and taste.

Gail Graham is the owner of Grahamstock Glass Gifts & Gallery.  Be sure to visit her website at www.GrahamstockGlass.com.  She does beautiful Fused Glass artwork, both hanging and tabletop ready, along with her jewelry.

Syl Shoemake is also displaying her unique, one of a kind jewelry.  You will find elements of modern rustic decor to international antiquity as part of her inspiration to create.

Be sure to come in and say "hi" whenever you are in the area.  Wimberley is a fun place to shop and odds are you won't go home empty handed.

May I introduce you to "Duke"

"Duke", Pastel, 10"x8"

My latest pet portrait commission.  Duke is now at Rainbow Bridge.  He was a Redbone Coonhound. His owner rescued him and loved him dearly.  She said he was a very loving and sweet dog and she will miss him immensely.  How could you not with that adorable look on his face!

I so enjoyed working on this painting!  I think I had a smile on my face the whole time.  The referance photo was very small and when enlarged, I lost a lot of detail, but determined to make it work.  I also researched "redbone coonhounds", just to get familiar with that breed, and I have learned how photos can change coloring.  So, luckily, the owner lived within a good distance, and I visited her with several referance photos, and we discussed coloring of his coat.  I later sent her an email with color swatches I had come up with.  She approved one and off I went.  Below, you will see my work in progress.  When I visited her for the final approval--she said "perfect"--whewww!  So I was so happy to leave "Duke" with her.  I sure hope she sends me a photo of it hanging in her office.

ENJOY!!

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.

Good News

I am happy to share the good news that my painting, "Better Than Diamonds", received a 3rd. Place Ribbon in the Pastel/Drawing category.  The show theme is "Images of Life", and is currently showing at the New Braunfels Art Gallery, New Braunfels, Texas, until August 31, 2016.

We had a wonderful reception on Aug. 5th, and there are some great paintings on display.  If you are in the area, be sure to go by and see what talented artists we have.  I am truly honored to have received this award!

For the whole story behind the painting, read my post dated April 16, 2016.

Thanks for reading!

A New Invitation

Invitation for New Braunfels Art League's current show, "Images of Life", July 30th. thru August 31st..  Reception hours are 5 - 7:30 pm, awards at 6:30 pm..
Artists' paintings from left to right are:  Nancy Bower, Rita Ball :), and Daniel Okorodudu.

I also received the call "be sure to come to reception" --code for "you are receiving an award"!  Love those phone calls!!

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.