Sunday, December 22, 2013

Artists needing Artists...

What a wonderful time this weekend was! To spend time with a friend and fellow artist and get to spend a great deal of the time in the studio. Even though we were on the computer a lot and looked at more than a few photos, we actually painted, too. My friend, Pat Getha, was also very sharing in that she showed me a few settings on my camera that that are helpful and I learned a couple of shortcuts in Photoshop.

I shared with her as much as I could by way of art adventures that I have had and lots of paintings that she had never seen, along with some of my hand-pieced quilts that I made ( Pat insists they MUST be in a future painting), so there we go...bouncing ideas off each other.

She worked on a little gem in scratchboard, something she had not done since high school. It was exquisite when she finished! In the meantime, I pulled out a painting that I had started, thinking I knew exactly what was going in the background.........well, it took on a life of its own. It now has a very different background than I had planned and is taking it a whole new direction. THAT is the real high about creating art!

It has a long way to go yet, as many areas are just under painted with acrylics and has yet to be painted over with oils. ( I don't usually work this way, but this is an experiment...) the subtle blues, greens and violets in the background don't show very well in the photo but they are there. Now I have to come up with a completely different title..........many come to mind.

 I would love to hear your suggestions!   Artists need Artists.........

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!    

Monday, November 25, 2013

BE careful! What you wish for may just happen!

Incredible news! I am honored to announce that I have just been notified that my large painting in the 'East meets West' series............'ASPENS AMONG the TETONS'  has been juried into a show at the YELLOWSTONE ART MUSEUM in Billings, Montana.


I was feeling some confidence after a session with a marketing guru who pushed me to 'get my work out there' and to enter some major competitions. So I took his advice; ( and then forgot about it, so sure that mine would not be accepted.)

When I opened the email, I was confused for a minute, not remembering I had submitted and thought someone was playing a prank on me. As I read on, it dawned on me that it was for real! My painting will hang at the YELLOWSTONE ART MUSEUM and hopefully, will sell as well!

Now to build a crate for the second time!  I need to get busy and  ship the painting, so have a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!!!


Thursday, November 7, 2013

THE BIG REVEAL!

Okay, it has been announced publicly, so now I can share....


NEW MURAL TO GRACE DOWNTOWN LIMA BUILDING .....
                           will be revealed in August at Toast to the City.

The August event, a Lima tradition for more than 30 years, generally included a number of musical acts in addition to artistic displays. It had an eclectic run of musical acts over the years, from Buckwheat Zydeco to Loverboy, Brownsville Station to Crystal Bowersock.

“We are looking toward supporting our mission by supporting the development of downtown Lima by doing public art,” Rogers said.
(sample of portrait painting....THE SECRET INGREDIENT...   3 x 5')


... a mural  will be painted by local artist Ruth Ann Sturgill and displayed on the Hofeller, Hiatt & Clark building on North Main Street.“This will feature historical figures relevant to our community,” Rogers said. “This will include people, past and present, who have made an impact on Lima and Allen County.”

Sturgill will start on the portraits in January, completing 3 a month, on 4 x 8' sheets of MDO plywood.  Plans are to have at least 20 completed for the August reveal. Portraits will be close to life-size.

 For a $600 donation, along with a picture, the public can honor any individual by having their image as part of the mural. The donations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with the first 20 guaranteed to be on the Hofeller, Hiatt & Clark building.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

I AM IN TEARS!!!



                                                    tears.....................of great joy!  ( drum roll please!)



My painting, Illumination, has been selected for the SAS show in Scottsdale...
.
 "Best and the Brightest" !
 



What an honor...........when I saw the email, I was preparing myself to see that    'there were so many wonderful works but.....'

(You know how it goes)

I am over the moon with joy! Guess that is a good thing in missing the deadline for the miniature show in Florida because now I will be headed to Scottsdale in January for the opening, rather than Florida. Now there is no schedule conflict.     Happy to have a friend come along if any of you are so inclined, let me know!

Opening is January 10...........CHEERS!

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Celebrate NOVEMBER by giving thanks!

The perfect month of the year to show how thankful I am for all my family and friends. Trying to express that in more than just words, so I have chosen a great GIVE AWAY for the entire month of November!

All those that are followers or choose to start following my blog, can receive a FREE limited edition , signed and numbered, 11 x 14" lithograph fine art print titled 'Brotherly Love'.

What better way to tell you all how much your support means to me as an artist and as a human being! Share with your friends, co-workers, who ever you know! Everyone is eligible...just become a follower by email.
 
When you do, I will email you a link with a button to cover postage...I am checking for the best rate so it will be an even better deal! Use it for a present or keep it for yourself...just my way of saying "THANKS!"

Saturday, October 26, 2013

YEA!!! #60...in the 60 paintings for 60 days for $60.......(each)

Well, it is done, complete, over, finished............

Many wonderful events and happenings on the agenda soon. Hope to be sharing those with many of you. Hint...there will be a give away for those that read my blog, as a thank you. I am also going to be giving gifts for the '25 days of Christmas..."stay tuned for details!

I was thinking of a sunset as the finish to the 60/60/60 but instead chose it to be a....'SUNRISE'

so it is really not the end...it is not completed, finished, done.....it is just getting heated up!

This challenge has got me fired up for all kinds of things. So, as I drink a toast to all of you that bought paintings, make wonderful comments or gave me fabulous critique comments to help me become a better artist....'Salude'   here's to YOU!

 
OBX Sunrise
4 x 6" oil on panel
$60
 



#59 Manne in the Hall 9 x 12" plein air

Just couldn't paint out the windows like the other artists were...all the good views were taken! So I searched around and as I work best in solitude, I scanned the hallway. Sure enough, there was this mannequin posed on a table as part of the advertising for one of the businesses in the building. I thought she made a striking pose, so here it is.......

                                                     #59      Manne in the Hall
                                                                            9 x 12" plein air

                                                                   $60....what a DEAL!

 




Friday, October 25, 2013

#58 Snow in the Shadows; Denver...in the 60 paintings for 60 days for $60

I learned a lot about Denver; including although they get lots of snow, it comes and goes pretty quickly. Sunshine will do that! So even though there was snow in the shadows, the sun melted all the rest as the temps reached near 70! The warmth of the sun was glorious but it was also blinding. It was wonderful to find this view from under one of the shelters to give me some respite from the glare and be able to see to paint. The strange red rock formations enticed me to take a long look!

 
#58 Snow in the Shadows
8 x 10" oil plein air
$60
 


Thursday, October 24, 2013

#57 St. John's Steeple...of the 60 paintings in 60 days for $60

Some days, things just tell you they must be painted! The steeple of St. John's in Delphos, OH, did just that.

The light behind them was really bright, causing the varied angles to create a dark, defined shape against the ever-changing blue sky. I am also drawn to the patina of aged things, such as the copper on this particular steeple. They develop personality as they age. OH, the stories they hold!

The diagonal of the composition was another plus; this being an anchor of the community, the weight in the bottom really anchors it in the painting.

If you ever in the area, be sure to check out this incredible church.

If you know someone that would appreciate this, remember, you can purchase it through Nov., 1 for the incredible price of just $60. (After that it goes back to regular retail)

Thank you for looking...


              St. John's Steeple

               6 x 10" oil plein air
                     $60



#56.... Went to a Garden Party.... of 60 paintings in 60 days for $60

You just never know where you will find flowers planted! Creative gardeners see differently...as did this one who recycled a 'past it's prime' upholstered chair. It served another purpose, as the little black & white kitty decided it was a great place to lounge! Love the use of the old 60's style light base behind it as a planter, too...



Went to a Garden Party
 
plein air 5 x 7" oil
$60
 



Wednesday, October 23, 2013

#54 and #55 in the 60 paintings in 60 days for $60

Had a wonderful time doing a photo shoot last night of two of my granddaughters! Geez, how fast they grow. Seems like they were playing with dolls yesterday now they are talking Homecoming dances and Prom. So that is my excuse for not posting last night.

I was hoping the weather would be a little better and I was going to go paint at a special new place near me but alas, the rain came and changed my plans, so I am offering these for today;

 
The Evening Leader
plein air 6 x 8" oil
$60



 
#55 Orchard Lane
plein air 6 x 8" oil
$60
 


Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Grand Rapids, OH #53 in the 60 paintings for 60 days for $60...

There is something really peaceful about being by a body of water and painting. Just listening to the birds sing and the water gently moving by as it swirls around the multitude of large boulders that create it a meandering path to follow.


Grand Rapids, OH
 
plein air 6x8" oil
 
$60
 



Monday, October 21, 2013

#52 Delphos Alley...plein air 6 x 8"...$60 for the 60/60/60

Just love it when you see  pride in your community and show it by sprucing up the walkways and alleys with flowers and architecture. It makes it so pleasant and people seem to respect it more and not litter as much. It sure was a pleasing sight to my eyes...


Delphos Alley
 
plein air 6 x 8" oil
 
$60
 



#51 of 60 paintings in 60 days for $60

Little White Church was painted plein air and it was cold and windy..tried to use the palette knife as much as possible for the church....fingers don't work the brush so well when cold! Gloves just get coated with paint and then start pulling paint from panel so that doesn't work for me. Guess that just means when the weather is cold, I will choose to paint in the warmth and comfort of the studio...

 
Little White Church
plein air   5 x 7"  oil
 
$60
 



Thursday, October 17, 2013

#50...Single Perfect Blossom... 60 paintings in 60 days for $60

Well, I wanted to do something special for #50!  As I have been fussing with getting the computer working right again for the last two days, there was little time spent painting.  I did get a drawing started for a commission and I ran across this fabulous frame that I recently purchased at an antique store in Wyoming. Instantly I saw this previously created painting of mine in it! The frame I had it in was too heavy and overwhelming; this one just perfectly finishes it around the edges and lets the art shine. Love it when you find that combination. 

One lucky person will be making this one a new resident of their home...will YOU be the lucky one?



#50
 
Single Perfect Blossom
 
framed, 5 x 7" alcohol inks on Yupo paper
 
$60
 
 




 
Thank you for being a part of my artistic adventure.......

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

#49 .......FALLing...60 paintings in 60 days for $60

With some big and small commissions waiting in line in the studio, along with those paintings in my head that I would like to attempt to get on canvas, I am looking forward to completing these 60/60/$60!!!  I can hardly wait to share some of those with you. I have some incredible brown eyes staring at me now, waiting to be immortalized on a painting panel for it's owner as a Christmas gift.

On the other hand, I am happy that many of my paintings have a new home where many can love them! ( remember, these normally sell for up to $250, so grab one before this special ends)

 Here's another one ..... some of you may fall in love with and want to give a new home...


#49     FALLing     8 x 10" oil 
 
$60
 
 




Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Here's #47 and #48 in the 60 in 60 for $60

I am drawn to the diverse and intricate architecture of older buildings; they have so much personality! The patina on the brick , along with intricate texture of aged wood has an appeal to many, myself included! I am especially drawn to curved and domed features on windows and doorways. An example is this capture....

#47 The Blue Door 

 
4 x 6" oil on panel
$60
 


 
 
 
#48
Heron Snack
6 x6" oil on panel
$60
 


 
AS always..............thanks for looking......BLESS you, for buying!

Monday, October 14, 2013

#45 and 46....60 paintings in 60 days for $60

Painting on location can be difficult but it is also  rewarding as you  improve your skills at finding the right color, stroke and value to convey your vision in paint! Sometimes it is a 'flinger' and other times it is priceless. One of the great perks of painting 'en plein air' is getting to soak up all the bounty that nature provides, by way of warmth, sunshine, variety of colors  and terrain!

Here are a couple more I hope you enjoy.........


Dublin Morning Light
9 x 12" oil
$60




 


 
#46 King's Fountain
6 x 10" oil
$60
 



Sunday, October 13, 2013

#42 & 43 ...60 paintings in 60 days for $60 each

I almost forgot to post tonight. Time does get away; esp. as the days are seemingly shorter as we head into fall and this weather has been stupendous! Makes you want to play hooky. Happy to say I have been enjoying daily bike rides, feeling the gentle breeze on my face as I coast down the lane after a fast stint of pedal power!



Below the Saddle
9 x 12" oil
$60




 
Aspen Gold
9 x 12" oil
$60
 
 


#41 Daylily in Pink...60 paintings in 60 days for $60

There was a large group of these and I just wanted to single out one special lily to paint. The colors are a little softer and I didn't put in as much detail as I had planned but I rather like it this way...soft and kind of moody...
#41 Daylily in Pink         9 x 12"
 
$60
 
(remember, this is a limited very special pricing!, do your gift shopping.)
 
 
 
 


Saturday, October 12, 2013

#39 and #40.................of 60 paintings in 60 days for $60

Really busy doing the business side of things. Sure does take away the time from painting but for now, I am a one-woman show....someday (soon, I hope) I will hire a part-time helper!

 
#39 Signs of the Season
9 x 12" oil on panel
$60


 
 

 
#40 Whiskey Basin and Beyond
 
9x 12" oil on panel
$60
 
 


 
Thanks for looking and as always, have a wonderful night!