Kayaking Commission

 Kayaking Commission

One of my very best supporters, 

we'll call her Missy,

contacted me around Thanksgiving and asked if I could paint a commission for her husband for Christmas.  

I was thrilled that she asked.

So thrilled I said YES!

I have a basic contract I send out for all commissions and even though we've been friends for well over 20 years, I sent it to her as well, so we both knew what to expect.

She sent me a beautiful photo of a sunset on a river or a lake, with one kayaker in it and asked me if I could put another in it also.

The first one was her husband and she wanted me to add her in the painting.

She sent me photos of them in their boats so I could get a feel of the colors, the types of paddles, clothing and hats they usually wore.  

Next, I did a pencil sketch of the scene.

I start with this sketch and if we agree I'm the right person for the job, we move forward.

My process is to keep a client involved in the creativity of the piece all along the way so they know exactly what they are getting.  I can fix things much earlier in the process than be ready to deliver the work and find out I went totally in the wrong direction.  

Missy liked the feel of the sketch even though the boats were wrong, the perspective is what we were looking for at this point.  

This is the first sketch in acrylic paint on the canvas. 

I'm looking to get the perspective of the distance and the size

of the boats correct.  

You will see almost none of this in the final painting.

The clouds were dramatic in the photo as was the sun, 

so they went in first.

Refining the clouds, the sun and beginning to add in water and reflections.  Still haven't don't anything with the trees.

Toned down the sunset a little, started adding the trees, and 

putting the boats in. 

Getting more color and definition on the boats, 

and trying to get a glassy effect on the water.  

Here's a closer look at the kayakers.

Here's an even closer look.  

I usually send the client a time-lapse video of the work progressing and a close-up video of the finished painting, just so there are no surprises for either of us.

Sometimes in doing commissions, the artist is trying to get a vision of something out of someone elses head.

Not always an easy task.  

But so far, my method has worked well for me.

If you would like to commission a painting we should talk.

My contact info is in the Contact Me tab (pretty sharp, huh?) 

on the front page of this blog.  

If you email, put the word commission or whatever you want to talk about in the subject line.  

Click HERE to view all my available art.  

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Hope you enjoyed this post.

31 Rose Paintings in 31 Days

WHEW!!!

I did it!

I challenged myself to painting 31 rose paintings during July, you know, the month with 31 days, and I finished on time and under budget, (so to speak).

I learned so much during this challenge

and I really appreciate all those who followed along on Instagram and Facebook and encouraged me.

I created a tab on this blog about the journey and all the paintings are listed individually.

Thank you so much for clicking the link and scrolling through.  

Appreciate any comments on the work as well.

Click HERE to read the story and see the paintings.

Here's 22 of them after signing them all

 and waiting to varnish them.  

This little video gives you a glimpse of them.  

Click HERE to see them all.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

I truly appreciate all your support!

Have a great day and let's paint together real soon.

For That Guy Who Needs NOTHING!

Frustrating, I know!

We all have that guy on our list who needs NOTHING

and doesn't really want anything.

You search, and search,

and shop and think!

 Art is often something people would love and enjoy

but won't spend the money on themselves.

I have a suggestion and I'm pretty sure 

I can help you in any price range. 

Let me show you a few things he might like.

(We'll talk about women tomorrow)

I call this Man Cave Art

6" x 6" Acrylic on a panel.
Sits great on a shelf on an easel (not included)
$50 + shipping

8" x 8" Hog Wild

Unframed Acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping 

8" x 8" Unframed Acrylic on a panel

Red Case

$95 + $6 shipping

 11" x 14" Acrylic on stretched canvas

Framed (not shown) in a rustic barn wood frame.

$175 + $20 shipping

Augusta Ferry

Here are several other options for you if that's not enough.

Click HERE to go to my Etsy Shop.

Click HERE to view available art on this blog. 

Don't forget!

I give away a painting every single month,

but you have to subscribe to this blog to be entered.

Enter by signing up with your email below.

Then you'll receive an email asking you to confirm that you did sign up.  Click the confirmation link in that email.

While you're there, drag my email into your primary folder so you'll know if I contact you as a winner.

  

Oh To Be Young - Motivational Monday

Young Van Gogh's

OK, I can't really motivate you to be young,

but

I can show you how much fun these

young Van Gogh's had in a special art class Saturday.

Carroll County schools had a Saturday gifted and talented

day where for 3 hours kids had the opportunity to try out new skills and learn all sorts of new concepts. 
Let's get this party started!

I had a group of 13, 3rd - 5th graders and one 1st grader

come together for an hour to paint Starry Night

by Van Gogh.
Yep, I gave them a whole hour!

And that was ALL they needed!
These artists were motivated and intent on accomplishing the near impossible.

Paint a masterpiece in an hour.

Here's a short video of artists at work.

(I don't know why I always hold my phone in the wrong orientation, but I do.  I'll have to work on that.) 

 You can see, they did a super job on that mission!

They worked hard, quickly, followed directions,

and everyone left with what I think are great interpretations of

Starry Night.

I'd like to thank my trusty side kick and dedicated helper,

Tara Mefford for be so willing to give up time on her Saturday and help with this great bunch of super painters.

If this looks like something your child or you would like to do

click HERE to get the scoop on how it can happen at your home.  

I hope you've heard about my online art course/ classes, but did you know I have added a FREE class to the mix,
 just so you can see if my method will work for you?

I have done just that and if you are a beginning painter who would like some instruction from someone who has taught hundreds of beginning painters, now is your opportunity to check out this FREE class and see for yourself.  

Click HERE to sign up for the FREE class.

Scroll to the bottom for the FREE Daisy Painting Class

and click the green "learn more" button.
Look it over and then

you'll be asked to register for the class.
After you complete the registration form,

you will receive an email with your login credentials and a link to the class.

It's available to you only for forever.

Please don't share your login with anyone,

cause they can get it for themselves,

but please do share how you got it!

Did I mention this was FREE! 

 

Click HERE to see my available art.  

I give away a small painting every single month,

and you can get in on that great deal,

by clicking the yellow button below.

When you receive an email asking if you did enter,

click the confirmation link and slide my email into your primary box so if you win, you'll know!
Every month I draw out a winner and send them an email with No Joke, You WON! in the subject box.
Then you have 24 hours to respond with your address so I can send you the painting.

 

Click HERE to enter

Life Changing Events

Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?

It's not often easy,

and it's not often kind,

Did you ever have to finally decide?

Yeah!  I'm a child of the 60's

and I had to finally decide.

 This fun, cute, even spunky little art gallery,

will be closing it's doors for good,

Saturday, December 19.

I know, it's sad, but it is what it is

and I can't make it otherwise.

I've had a really great time though,

teaching many children and adults

all about painting.

I want to thank all  my loyal customers 
for coming into River Run Gallery
and painting, drawing, and shopping
from the bottom of my heart.
I have so appreciated your support and friendship!

The artists in River Run Gallery

will begin to move their art out of the gallery 

on the 18th and 19th,

so,

if there's something you've had your eye on,

NOW would be a really good time to come on it

and get that wrap, purse, photograph, jewelry

or painting.  

All garden stones are 50% off

and all paintings are30% off.

I have a great selection of earrings that are 20% off.

And for those of you who want to learn 

how to paint from the ground up,

I've created an online beginning painting course, with the absolute beginner in mind.

Click HERE to give it a look,

(no obligation, you're just browsing).  

Our website at www.riverrungallery.com

will come down, December 15

and our blog will come down sometime 

before the first of the year.  

But on a happier note, this blog will continue

as I continue painting and creating

and teaching beginning art classes.

I plan on putting together art camps in the summer,

although I'm not sure where,

it might be out at our farm.

And I will continue giving away a painting every single month,

so get your name in the hat by clicking on the link below.

November Painting Giveaway

 

Click Here to Enter for a FREE Painting

Let's not be strangers.

Stop in to see me before we close December 19,

and then,

open up my blog posts or newsletters to see what's going on

in my little corner of the art world.

Finally,

I have some fixtures and signage I'm selling if you're local and 

would like a pretty good deal on it.

Just let me know.

Getting From Point A to Somewhere Else

Or As Stephen Covey Would Say,

Begin With The End in Mind

I was asked recently to host a birthday party in River Run Gallery for a young girl and they wanted to paint bunnies.

Then I received a text with the photo of the particular bunny they wanted to paint.

You've seen those phone pics right.

About 1 square inch.

So where do I start?

This is where I started.

On my 18" x 24" sketch pad.

Yes, I took the 1 square inch pic and turned into a larger than life size drawing.

I knew that would be too much for this party, 

so,

I thought this would be a doable painting for my young friends.

   And I was so RIGHT!

Look at all those happy faces and bunnies!

I love it when a plan comes together! 

I've heard from lots of people that they wished they lived closer so they could take advantage of the painting classes in River Run Gallery.

Now neither you nor I have to move.

I have created an online course for beginning painters that I think you're going to love.

You can scope it out at

https://www.paintingwithacrylics101.com 

You've been warned! 

Giving Birth

Announcing

https://www.paintingwithacrylics101.com

(wow!  It fit on one line). 

I know!

 It's the cutest online course 

you've ever seen. 

This course has been months

 in the creation phase,

has already had tons of videos of it taken,

was born with 11 modules

and 3 bonuses

and much thanks goes to midwife Meredith Adler.

She coached me all the way!

I was pretty terrified once I had it all complete

to finally go LIVE!

I sat there for over 1/2 an hour trying to decide was I going to click the go live button.

Finally - 

After much pacing,

chewing on my lip

and ripping off all my nails,

I hit the button.

And there it was,

all ready for the people outside of my head

to see and judge.

It must be real,

because now it has its own facebook page.

  Hit that like and share button.

 Thanks to all for every suggestion I've received along the way.

Even the creation of the facebook page came as a sugguestion.

Please feel free to share this with 

as many people as you choose. 

 

 

Big ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCING . . .

I am busily creating an online painting course

for beginning acrylic painters.

I hope to have it up and ready by August 1st.

Painting With Acrylics 101.com

will teach you:

How to mix and use color

What brushes to buy and how to use them

What paints to purchase

How to lay out your palette

Composition

Perspective

and lots of other goodies,

and will include step by step instructions 

for these two paintings.

  OK, these two roosters count as one painting,

but you can paint it anyway you want.

I have taught this in my gallery before,

and I chose it for this online course because of the barnwood

in the background, the straw, and of course the rooster.

There's lots to learn in this one, but it's not so difficult a beginner can't have success.

This is the second painting and I've never taught it before and it won't be taught anywhere else but this course.

This will be somewhat challenging, 

but is definitely doable.

You have the benefit in an online course to stop as often as you need to and watch a video again and again.  

I also will have lots of cheat sheets and check lists as well as a shopping list of supplies and places to get things online or brick and mortar stores.

The price for this course is practically insane at $129

and will only be that low the first 60 days it is available.

After that a considerable price increase is planned.

Hopefully, you're signed up to receive my blog

as that is the first place I announce anything.  

Look for the official launch sometime around the first of August.

I'm having a ball creating it

and it is one of the most challenging things I've ever done. 

But, it's coming along and so far,

I'm pretty proud of it.

If you've always wanted to learn how to paint,

this course is for you,

or it may be just the thing for someone you know.

Please feel free to share this information.

And for Heaven's Sake,

Get signed up to receive my blog in your inbox.