Are You A Calander Girl?

Carrollton, KY Calendars

You can get your own calendar of paintings I did

during the September 30 paintings in 30 days.

My theme was, "Scenes From My Front Door"

so every page features a different painting of something seen in Carroll County, KY.

They are wall calendars with a spiral binding.

These make great gifts for those whoever lived in Carrollton, KY or if you love that small town feel and look.

They are $20 + $5 shipping

and are in a very limited quantity.

 

 

River Run Gallery Classes

What's Happening in

River Run Gallery Fun Art Studio

We've had lots of classes at River Run Gallery

and I'm just sharing a few photos and videos of the classes we've had.

Tonight these little ladies painted snowmen.

They did a wonderful job.

I know this is sideways, but as hard as I tried,

I couldn't turn it.

This is part of a retirement party we had at River Run Gallery

for a lady from Carrollton, Utilities.

I can't believe Crystal is ready to retire.

Love these ladies and their snowmen.

Any age can paint a snowman tile.

 

They thought they could hide behind these beautiful flowers.

 

 But, I found them!

How cute are these snow men painters?

 

These are all people who've painted in 

River Run Gallery Fun Art Studio

in the last week or two.

We've had lots of fun and created some beautiful paintings.

If you'd like to let your creativity loose,

I can help.

I provide everything you or your child needs to complete a painting

or a tile.

Click HERE  to go to River Run Gallery

from there you can sign up to receive the blog in your inbox.

Once on the blog home page,

there is a tab for Calendar of Classes and Events.

If you click on that it will show you the paintings we're doing,

the day and the time, what the cost is,

and there is a buy now button where you can sign up and pay online.

It just can't get much easier.

Thanks for stopping by today. 

Giraffe Paintings

Painting Giraffes

These may have been hard,

but they did a great job.

Here are a few videos to show you just how much fun 

these hard paintings were.  

We might have had a few rough moments,

but they all did a great job.

 

 

The proof is in the final pics.

 Tuesday evenings class.

 

 

This was Saturdays class.

Sometimes the hard things bring on the most fun

and the most learning.

Fun and Whimsical Giraffe

Fun and Whimsical

I've never really painted a giraffe before,

but I put one on my calendar of classes for the 5-9 year olds.

So, I had to get with it and figure it out.

   This was my first attempt.

I used a new box of sharpie markers for this.

They were loads of fun to work with.

I was just trying to get proportion, shapes and figure out how to draw a giraffe.

Then I tried this.

This was done with paint and markers.

Awful lot of fun happened here.

Shape of the head is off, but it was fun.

Finally, I settled on this one.

This is the one we'll be painting in Mom, Monet and Me.

I only take 4 children at a time and an adult must accompany them.

Sat., Oct 25, 2-3 p.m.

Tue., Oct 28, 5-6 p.m.

A Fist Full of Reasons to Go to a Gallery Opening.

What is a gallery opening and why should I go?

Aren't galleries always open?

A gallery opening is a way of saying, "Hey we have new art you might want to see!"

A gallery opening is a festive affair where usually the featured artist is there, dressed  in something other than their paint splattered clothes.

A gallery opening is a chance to meet the artist or artists and find out about them and how and why they create what they create.  You will learn about their process.  You will learn about what inspires them.  You will some really cool stuff.  Maybe you'll be inspired to create your own art.

A gallery opening is a chance to get dressed up (nothing formal) and go out for the evening.

A gallery opening usually has food.  Yum! Who doesn't like food?

A gallery usually has an opening when they have a new artist or a competition, or a new show, or if the artists have changed out their work and everything is different from the last time you were in.

A gallery opening is usually free, at least in Carrollton, KY and it is a fun change of pace from the Friday night football game, shopping at the mall, or sitting home in your jammies.

You don't have to stay long.  Come in, walk around, look at the art, talk to the artist, have a bite to eat.  Now that doesn't sound too painful does it?

We will be having openings the first Friday of every month from 4-8 p.m. so pencil us onto your calendar.  It will usually be a featured artist of the month, but we could branch out into a theme show or something else wild and crazy.  

I usually give something away.  Who doesn't like free stuff?  No free original art for you?  OK, don't put your name in the hat.  

Sometimes I have a pretty good sale on certain items.  Not sayin for sure, but you'll want to check out the prices on all the paintings I did as demonstrations during classes.

So there, now you have a fist full of reasons to come to our gallery opening tonight.  As if seeing 30 paintings in 30 days wasn't enough of a reason.  

See you tonight.

449 Main St.

Carrollton, KY  41008

4-8 p.m.

30 in 30 wrap up

30 in 30 Wrap Up

and what I learned.

This is not all 30, but I couldn't get all 30 on one. 

You have to be smarter than the template or program and I obviously am not.

Anyway, I learned a lot from this challenge.  One of the things was perspective finally started to come together during the challenge.  One of my favorites is the motorcycle because of the buildings in the background.  All of a sudden how to get the perspective correct came to me, after much study, practice and observation.  Then I did the city scape and after several failed drawings I realized where my error was and was able to correct it and paint that painting.  The boat brought it's own form of perspective issues, which I began to understand and was able to see clearly how to paint it.  I had a breakthrough while painting the bright red and yellow carnations and daisies.  The carnations and all its ruffles had always escaped me, and then after studying the actual flower I again saw how I could do it.  

Learning how to see is huge to an artist and I learned this more during this challenge than ever before.  I still have so much to learn about observing and seeing, but I feel like I opened a door to know how to do it and know what I'm seeing.

Thanks so much for following along during the challenge.  If you have a favorite I would love to know what it is. Just leave it in the comments. 

All the paintings will be on display during the month of October with an opening reception, Friday, Oct 3, 4-8 p.m.  If you're in the area, please stop by for food, friends fun and art.

You're the best. 

Day 30 - Show Off

Day 30 !!!!! - Show Off

Not me, the daisies!

8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping.

These daisies grow in my yard and they spread like crazy.  Notice that one in the middle, staring at us, seems to be saying, "I am the prettiest, the biggest and the best daisy in the garden".  There's always one in every crowd who is a show off.  Even in this crowd.

Thank you for coming along on this journey with me.  I hope it hasn't been as exhausting for you as it has been for me!  I am tired, but no time to rest this week.  Teaching garden stones tonight, teaching grade school teachers tomorrow night, Friday night I'm hosting an opening reception at River Run Gallery Fun Art Studio, 449 Main St., Carrollton, KY., from 4-8 p.m.  The 30 paintings in 30 days will all be there ready for you to view them.  We'll have food, friends and fun and hopefully you.

 

Day 29 - Precious

Day 29 - Precious

OMG!  She is so precious!

8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6

My husband, Jim, raises lots of animals on our small farm.  He has rabbits, goats, a calf, miniature horses, pigeons and sheep.  Sheep are calm and mostly nice.  The rams will, however, often but you if he thinks you're doing something he doesn't like.  The mom, though are sweet and very good mothers.  

Baby goats sometimes struggle at birth and we sometimes keep them in a box in our kitchen in the winter.  Baby lambs are much stronger and within minutes are  bouncing around.  And, they are so CUTE!  

Thank you for following along on this, my fourth 30 paintings in 30 days challenge and I hope you have enjoyed the "scenes from my front door".  Friday, Oct. 3, 4-8 p.m. is an opening reception and all 30 paintings will be on display.  If I painted something of yours and you would like to purchase it, you can take 10% off that night.  Please stop by and enjoy some food, fun and friends.   

Day 28 - My Blue Heaven

Day 28 - My Blue Heaven

8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping

I live out on a small farm in Kentucky and we have lots of hills and trees and the sunsets are often spectacular, but they don't last long.  I snapped this one Friday night on the way into the house.  Then I tried to paint in from my cell phone pic on Saturday for Sunday's painting.  I have barely been able to keep up let alone get ahead, so this is the first time I've been ahead since Day One.

I've done the 30 in 30 days challenge by Leslie Saeta all four times now and as I've said, this has been the hardest of the four.  I don't know that I'll go again if we do it in January.  But we'll have to see.

Friday, Oct. 3, from 4-8 p.m I'm having a reception at River Run Gallery Fun Art Studio, 449 Main St., Carrollton, KY featuring the  30 paintings in 30 days.  Please come out and join me, if you're in the area.  We'll have some fun, food, friends and art, as seen from my front door.

Day 27 Red Case

Day 27 - Red Case 

8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping

I'm not sure if it's vintage or antique, but I do know it's beautiful.

But it's also red.  All red.  Everything is red.

And that's really hard to show a shape  or features if everything is one color.

I mixed up a half a  dozen or more of reds so I could get some shape and dimension. 

Even the engine is red.

Good thing the tires are black.

Day 27.  The challenge is almost over.
Friday, Oct. 3, 4-8 p.m. at River Run Gallery, 449 Main St., Carrollton, KY.,
 I'm having an artist reception featuring all 30 paintings.
There will be some light refreshments, friends and hopefully you.
Please stop in.

 

Day 26 - Two For Tea

Day 26 - Two For Tea

8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping

Day 26, only four more to go in the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge and I see daylight.  Please don't be a train.  This time the challenge has been very challenging, but I have had several break through moments and that's what happens when you can paint every day with some kind of goal.  The goal can be to paint 20 minutes, to paint using two colors and white, to paint something I've never painted before, to not let a pear kick me all over the studio.  This one did.

I've never painted a pear before and I've heard several people say how hard they are with all the angles.  Well, they were right.  The pear was much harder than the apple.  The teapot, oh the teapot.  I love it and all it's reflections bouncing everywhere since it is enamel.  It was a great find at a local auction recently.

Thanks for following along on this journey this month.  Whew,I'm tired! 

Day 25 - Main Street Hibiscus

Day 25 - Main Street Hibiscus

 8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping

This potted hibiscus can be seen from my gallery, since that's my theme, "scenes from my front door".  If you live in Carrollton, KY., no doubt you've seen it, but where have you seen it.  Think hard I'm sure it will come to you.  Leave a comment if you know where to find it.

Breakthrough Moment:   As I was painting this I had a break through moment painting the leaves.  I have had trouble in the past painting a flower with a trumpet center, but I also learned a lot about that from this flower.  I photographed it and painted it from the photo.  The most important part of being an artist is learning how to see, and I stared at this photo a lot before and during the painting process.  I learned how to get the ruffles in the petals and how to get the trumpet looking longer.  You have to make a hard edge across the front of the trumpet in a lighter shade with the back of the trumpet being darker and with no bend. 

Thank you for following along on this challenge and you're invited to a gallery opening Friday, October 3, from 4-8 p.m.  I'll have all 30 paintings on display with information about each one.  If you own the building or item I painted and want to purchase it, you will receive a 10% discount that night. 

Day 24 - Dinner at Grandma's

Dinner At Grandma's

8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping

This is my plate from my Grandma Kirk's best Sunday China.  I doubt I ever ate off of it because I don't think I ever got to eat at the dining room table.  We were always at a card table in the living room with all the "children".  But I have a plate.

I've looked all over the country for more plates or other pieces to go with my plate, but I've never found one single piece.  It's got freesias and not roses, so you don't see them every day.  But any way, it hangs on the wall and it can be seen from my front door which is my theme.

Only six more days and the challenge will be over.  I'm exhausted this time, but I'm going to make it.  But I may not be able to do it again in January this time.  But I have learned so much from each challenge I've participated in and I am so grateful to all my family and friends who have followed along on this journey.

 

Day 23 - Tent City

Day 23 - Tent City

 Tent City

8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping

It's fall and festivals are happening everywhere.  Carrollton, KY is no different as we have the tobacco festival this weekend.  Carrollton once was the king of the burley tobacco market and this festival has been going on for over 60 years.

There's a parade, pageants, the bucket brigade, rides, fried everything, raffles, giveaways, and lots of things for sale.  There is free entertainment every night and dancing in the street.

The two tents I painted are directly across the street from River Run Gallery.  The pageants were held there the last several nights.  I had a really bad day yesterday, painting and otherwise, so this one is a day late, but as long as I get the 30 paintings done in 30 days it counts in my world.

Thank you so much for following along on my crazy challenging journey this month.  I appreciate everyone of you.   

Day 22 - Banana Shade

Day 22 - Banana Shade

This little park scene is steps from River Run Gallery,

But it was kicking my behind all over the sidewalk.

I've never painted banana leaves before,

And they were fun figuring out how to paint them.

The tables were another story.

I'm thinking about changing the color of the umbrellas,

but this is the color they are right now.

I don't know what will happen to these banana trees,

cause we get snow in Kentucky,

so they'll need to come out of there.

Anyway, this little bit of paradise is a beautiful tropical spot in Carrollton, KY.

 

Day 21 - Sunday Afternoon

Day 21 - Sunday Afternoon

Day 21 - Sunday Afternoon

8" x 8" acrylic on a panel $95 + $6 shipping

Small towns all across the country look a lot like this.  Empty.  Shops, stores and offices closed up.
Quiet. Restful. Unassuming.

Only nine more days in the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.  Time has flown by.  I have grown a lot and had several break through moments.  This painting has some of the benefits of those break throughs.  Perspective has given me fits in the past, but I'm beginning to make some progress.  I had to draw this several times, because I couldn't get it right.  The street is going up hill but the angles of the buildings and windows needed to go down hill.  I knew what had to happen but I didn't know how to do it.  Finally, I saw it in my head.  Stop thinking about it and just do it.  So I did.   

Day 20 - The Pumpkin Patch

Day 20 - The Pumpkin Patch

Here in Carrollton, KY we are having yard sales and side walk sales 

all around the court house square.

It's a beautiful day, even if a little breezy.

A lady unloaded a bunch of pumpkins from her truck

so you know I had to paint one or two.

Day 19 - Hog Wild

Day 19 - Hog Wild

And Wild It Is.

This sits out on the street in front of the gallery daily,

and it is beautiful.  

 I haven't ridden a motorcycle since 1973,

but this is so pretty.

And it had lots of challenges.

Not to mention all the shapes, 

the distance perspective,

glass,

and all that chrome.

Hog Wild 

8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping

Day 18 - Abstract Sunflower

Day 18 - Abstract Sunflower

After being kicked all around the gallery today, starting over twice,

I finally decided the piece I was trying to do was too difficult to fit into an 8"x8" panel,

I didn't have the patience,

I couldn't get the perspective right

or any other excuse you want to create.

I wanted to complete a painting using my theme of "Scenes from my front door"

so I did what any self respecting artist would do,

I improvised. 

I got out my file of photos of things I've photographed in my front yard and voila'

Out came this sunflower.

It was in my front yard with all this beautiful light coming through lots of green leaves of some sort.

So,

here is Day 18 - Abstract Sunflower

8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping

Day 17 - Gased and Ready

Day 17 - Gased and Ready

This boat can be seen from the deck of River Run Gallery 

in Carrollton, KY.

It's at a private dock and I'm pretty sure it's gased and ready to go at a moment's notice.

I've been working on improving my perspective and this gave me lots of challenge.

Or as a friend I worked with would say, "Here's an opportunity to learn something."

I did learn a lot from this painting.

I also love to paint water and reflections.  

These were really fun because there were so many layers of reflections.  

Gased and Ready

8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping. 

Day 16 - Barred

Day 16 - Barred

This was a really fun painting to do because I did it plein air in front of the library.

I had lots of people walking by commenting on it, and at one time I had a pretty good size group of young people watching and asking questions.

One young man wanted to know what I was doing.

I told him I was painting the jail.

He said, "I know that, but why are you painting?"

I replied, "because that's what I do".

I thought about the exchange the rest of the evening and I don't know why,

it's just what I do.

 8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping

This jail is old, like Carrollton and it was used up until the late 1960's or early 70's as a jail.  It has four cells and a pot bellied stove in the middle to heat them all.  The windows are narrow slits in the stone work and they have glass now,but I'm not sure they always did.   It is a tourist attraction today and you can go in and walk all the way around the cells.  The Main St. office is upstairs, just under that over hang on the right.  You can take your photo in one of those scenes with the holes cut out for your face.  It's kind of creepy when you go in for the first time, and I've had more than one grandchild back their way out almost before they got in. 

So all you artists out there, put in the comments why you paint.  I'm still thinking about that answer myself.

OMG It's Day 15 - Dreams

OMG!  It's Day 15

Do You Have Dreams

I don't know how many of you had these kind of dreams as a little girl,

but I sure did.

This tutu and pointe shoes are in the dance studio down the street from me.

We all have dreams of one kind or another.

These were mine until I was about 17.

Then I finally realized I was not flexible enough,

didn't have good hip turnout,

and probably just didn't want it badly enough.

This is not quite ready for prime time,

a tweak and there needs to be done,

but it's day 15 and I can't dawdle.

I must move on to the next one.

Day 14 - Decco Daisies

Day 14 - Decco Daisies

8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping

I had a great time painting this still life.  I've never painted an apple or grapes before.  They were loads of fun and I'm sure I'll be painting them again.