Painting Birds Nests and a Horse

Fun Painting Classes Last Week

I had two classes scheduled this last week and

they were both at General Butler State Park

in Carrollton, KY

One class was on a Friday night and while we didn't have a huge crowd, we had fun painting regardless. 

Jeanne hasn't painted in approximately 50 years or more.

She was very attentive had a great command of color and using her brush even after all that time.

We painted this fun birds nest.

I think she did a great job.

If you're looking for some entertainment, I'll be teaching the third Friday of every month through 2019,

at General Butler State Park at 7 p.m. on the mezzanine 

in the lodge.

Go to their website and you can see what we'll be painting several weeks in advance.

Join us!

Then. . .

I had a great group Monday, April 22 in the afternoon

also at General Butler State Park.

This large group was all primed to paint a derby horse and the spires of Churchill Downs.  

Judy won this painting I did at Christy's Candles in Madison, IN.

Here's our group shot.

We had a great time and I think everyone hopes to do it again.

It's funny when you look at all these paintings.

Everyone had the same basic instruction,

but

they are all different

just like these ladies. 

Hopefully you'll be joining us painting at Butler sometime soon. 

Flying without a Net

Flying without a Net

Creating art is normally a solitary pursuit.

You work alone for most of the time, sometimes days at a time.

Some people equate it to flying without a net.  

You know what you like,

the colors you like,

the subject you like,

BUT

and that's a pretty big but,

you don't know how your art will be received.

There are no focus groups,

no marketing surveys,

no product analysis

for art.

It is made because the artist has to make it, draw it, paint it, sculpt it, whatever it,

it has to be made.

Having said all that, sometimes you get some validation 

and it feels SO GOOD!

I went to Art in the Garden in Augusta, KY this past weekend

and I had a wonderful time.

 

This framed 10" x 8" acrylic found a forever home.

Here's a link to my facebook page to show Mary with her new hydrangea table.

These are two of the three paintings I did of Augusta scenery.

 

Walls of art.

 

The two paintings in the matts are two acrylic paintings I did on canvas paper.

I matted them and I love the colors in them.

 

 

Forever Pink was painted from a set up I did.

This is a vase I've had for 30-40 years and I love it.

We raise all these flowers.

 

Walls from a distance.  

Talking to lots of people about my art is validating in itself, even if no one else liked it.

But, when you hear great comments it is so good for your artistic soul.

Thank you to everyone who stopped and talked with me.

Thank you Barb Pask for coming the two hours to Augusta, KY.  It was so great to see you.

I'm sorry I missed you Missy and I hope you feel better soon.

I try to have a lot of variety in types and prices of art,

and I did sell 8 of my painted roof slate shingles. 

Art in the Garden has lots of great music, a variety of artists,

and a tremendously beautiful setting.

Are You a Winner???

Are You the Lucky Winner?

During our recent Blog Carnival I offered three of my most popular notecards to one lucky person who left a comment on my blog.

 Hope your name was in there.

Today during my art class with my young student, Katelyn,

she drew a name out of the hat.

Can you see your name in there?

 Katelyn's pulling out the name.

Hope it's yours!

 

She's looking at the name!!!!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!

 Nelly at Art in My Attic is the lucky winner!

 

Nelly email me with your snail mail address at

slgraves6@gmail.com

and and I'll get these three out to you  ASAP.

Thanks to all for leaving a comment and hope you enjoyed to Blog Carnival.

I hear we'll be doing this again in the next 6 weeks or so.

Check it out and pass it around the next time we have the opportunity.

Day 30, Really, The Party's Over

The Party's Over

Here is my last painting in the 30 paintings in 30 days.  

I can't believe it's over and I did it!

I usually paint every day, but I don't always complete a painting every day,

But I pushed really hard and finished the Leslie Saeta Challenge.

I finished the challenge, but I don't have a name for this painting.

It's another Florida painting.

Leave me a comment on a name.

One thing I do think I improved on during the challenge is painting grass.

I've really enjoyed looking at all the paintings on Leslie's blog every day.

It's interesting to see how some artists select their subjects,

How I came to know their styles and could pick their paintings out immediately.

Thank you to all who have participated in the challenge

and to those of you I've gotten to know during the last 30 days.

6" x 6" acrylic on a canvas panel, unframed

$50 + $6 shipping

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Buying the Artist

I follow artbizblog by Alyson Stanfield and she had deep thought Thursday asking the question do you buy the art or the artist.  This has brought on deep thoughts in deed.  Jim (a fellow follower) responded on her blog that collectors buy the artist and people buy the art.

Now that's a deep thought.

As I thought about it, I think Jim is right.There are artists I follow that I know I would be buying the artist.  These are artists I've followed and see their work whenever they post new work.  They have different styles and the main similar thread is their use of beautiful color.

Barbara Ball Pask - friend from high school in Mason, OH and great artist.  Love the way she turns an everyday normal house into beautiful art.

Dreama Tolle Perry - I took a class from and is responsible for not only incredibly beautiful art but also for making a cat and a mouse famous.

Becky Joy - definitely has the right name.  Viewing her art brings joy to my life.

Laurel Daniel - another prolific artist who is active and out there creating beautiful pieces every day.

These are just a few of the artists I enjoy following.  I receive many inspiring works of art in my inbox every day.  Isn't that fun!?

What about you?  Who are your fav's and would you be buying the art or the artist?

Leave a comment about your thoughts on this topic.

Here's a 5 x 7 painting I did inspired by a beautiful place, 

Stream Cliff Farms and after I took a class with Dreama Tolle Perry.

(Since we're visual people, I had to throw in a fun painting.)

Just had another thought.

As artists we are influenced by so many other artists,

when you buy a piece of art from one artist,

you're really getting little snippets from other artists as well.

Just thinking.

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Some ideas for Mother's Day

Roses

are the theme for these two hand painted items.

The painting is a framed 5" x 7" acrylic.

The frame has been painted and distressed to coordinate.

The bird house is wood and hand painted.

I'm selling them together for $50 + $10 shipping.

 

A really cute welcome plaque featuring a hummingbird

getting a snack.

SOLD

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This wooden candle sconce has a glass votive cup and includes the candle.

$20 w/free shipping.

All of these items would look great together or separately and were painted with a shabby chic,

or country cottage home in mind.

Very soft, Very feminine.

Don't let these get away. 

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Birdhouse Business Card

Condo Living

Is a 12" x 12" acrylic on stretched gallery wrap canvas.

I painted it from a photograph I took several years ago

at Streamcliff Herb Farm.

I have already painted it in a 5"x7" format

and wanted to try something bigger.

Once I got it finished I realized I wanted to use it as my new business card.

I bought a groupon a while back from Vistaprint,

so

I uploaded the picture of the painting and created my own

business cards, mailing labels, a banner for my tent,

and several tote bags.

So, I'd like to get your opinion.  

Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  

I love the colors in this painting and the style is from a class I took in February from

Dreama Tolle Perry.

Maybe you'll get one of my postcards with this painting on it.  

The painting is currently in 

Gallery 104, LaGrange, KY.

If you're interested please contact me to assure availability.

$200 + $20 shipping.

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Paintings in the Gallery

Lilacs

$50 + $7 shipping

framed 5 x 7" acrylic on panel

Lilacs and all the small unframed pieces below are currently at

Gallery 104 in LaGrange, KY.

They are all 5 x 7's except for the last one, "Purple Rain" is 8 x 10"

If you're interested in any, please contact me so I can check with the gallery on their availability.

They are bright and colorful and fun little paintings.

The Housing District

$75 + $6 shipping

Triplets

$35 + $6 shipping

Up

$40 + $6 shipping

Singular

$50 + $6 shipping

Purple Rain

$50 + 7 shipping

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Gallery Rotation

These three Water Lilies are now in Gallery 104

LaGrange, KY.

I painted them to hang horizontally and they can be purchased separately

for $100 each or $275 for all 3.

Plus $10 shipping for 1 or 2 or $20 for all 3.

Water Lilies #2

These are each 12: x 12" gallery wraps and painting continues around all edges.

Water Lilies #3

These were a lot of fun to paint.

Balcony Victory

is a 12" x 12" gallery wrap canvas.

I took a class and did one like this, only in a 6"x6".

When I got home I had to try it again without a great teacher like Dreama Tolle Perry standing behind me.

I really like the style and the colors of this painting.

$150 + $20 shipping.

Lilacs

is a 5"x7" framed acrylic of

what else,

Lilacs.

I have them in my yard and they are beautiful.

$50 + $10 shipping

Sweetness

speaks for itself.

This was so fun to paint, I've painted it in this 12"x12" and a 6"x6".

This one is the 12"x12" gallery wrap and all sides are painted.

$150 + $20 shipping.

All of these paintings are currently at Gallery 104 in LaGrange, KY.

Please contact me if interested in any of them to check on availability.

Thanks for stopping by.

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The Housing District

Housing District

is from a photo I took several years ago at Stream Cliff Herb Farm.

It is the coolest place with all its little shops, tearoom and greenhouses full of herbs.

I have always wanted to paint this photo so,

Here it is.

It is currently in Gallery 104, LaGrange, KY

so if you're interested, please contact me to assure it's availability.

It is an unframed acrylic on a 5 x 7 panel.

$75 +$6 shipping

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