Naptime

Naptime

8 x 15, pastel

The latest off the easel! Man, am I ready for some spring weather!!! So tired of this gray, drizzle that it inspired me to paint one of my sweet little fawns from last year. A little wishful thinking on my part.

It will be here sooner than you might think. The does are plumping out with the new crop to come...can't wait. They are just so sweet and cute, even if they do eat the shrubs.

This painting will be hanging in the Gallerie at Gruene. Drop by and check it out in person!!

Update! When hanging this at the Gallerie, a fellow artist (male) said Precious was too foofoo a name! So Precious became Naptime, and currently resides in Rogers, Arkansas!!!

Hill Country Beauty

Hill Country Beauty

40" x 20", pastel

Well, it's been awhile since I last posted a painting and here is the culprit!!! This is the first pastel larger than 16 x 20 inches that I have attempted. It took a number of days to complete, so nothing to post.

This doe was one of 25 deer in our backyard back in May. We normally have the 'maternity' ward in our backyard of about 10-12 does and yearlings. But on this particular day, the regulars were out there and I looked up and there were an additional 13-14 deer. I was snapping away trying to get some photos to use as an inspiration.

You can see this painting in person at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery Texas Show through the month of July (until it sells). It is a wonderful show with beautiful art. The reception is open to the public on July 11, 5:30-7:30pm. Hope you can make it!

Tree Hugger

Tree Hugger

8 x 6, pastel

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There is a love, hate relationship with these little critters at our house. Cute little buggers, but destructive in the flowerbed. They certainly love for the birds to flip food out of the feeders. 

They are fun to watch when they chase each other up, down, and around the oak trees. Was lucky to catch this guy on the sunny side.

Winkin' Llama

Winkin' Llama

8 x 6, pastel

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This llama was too cute. He looks like he is puckering up to kiss, or is that spit???????

Sir Basset

Sir Basset

12 x 9, pastel

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Love basset hounds, those sad eyes and droopy ears.  I have been wanting to paint this guy since I saw him at a Farmers' Market. He had a buddy (another basset) but he just wouldn't cooperate with the camera.

I took a hint from Rita Kirkman and under painted the non-white areas of the dog with Azo Gold acrylic paint (diluted). You can see it peeking through on the body, ears and head. I tried really hard not to go heavy with the pastel and leave it showing through. Thanks, Rita. Without the under painting, I don't think I could have covered the Wallis white paper without using heavy pastel . You can see below that with the layers of gold acrylic, I had a head start on completing the painting.

I also added green and violet in the white shadows--who knew! What they say holds true--value is more important than color!  If the value is correct, almost any color will work and it is way more interesting than gray!!!

Exciting happening today!

Lucky

6 x 8, pastel

Once again I am re-posting, sorry, but I just had to share with you. Today this painting was chosen as a Daily Paintworks Facebook Pick of the Day!!! This means that if you go to Daily Paintworks Facebook page, this painting is on that front page to be seen by hundreds of people that visit that site daily. That is just so cool. I do not have a Facebook page, but I can still get to the front page ( I just can't leave a msg. on it for the other paintings I like), open it and look at the lovely paintings chosen, and you can too.

People have been telling me that I need to join Facebook. Maybe I should pay attention to them!

Rockport Cat

Rockport Cat

7 x 7, watercolor

Click to buy

My quilting friends and I try to go on a retreat twice a year and this is the resident cat. We stay at the Retreat House, just a fabulous set-up for quilters. I am not a cat person but this one was pretty friendly and visited routinely for several years. 

Billy G

Billy G

8 x 6, pastel

 

 

Billy G, (you know, billy goat), lives between Fischer and Blanco. First attempt at a goat, I do believe, and also, at the attempt to show contempt!

 

Really wanted to name it, "You lookin' at me?"

 

I have been invited to be a demonstrating artist at a fund raiser put on in Wimberley to benefit non-profit organizations in the area. Looking forward to meeting the wonderful ladies involved and sharing my art with them. Thank you, Rita, for the vote of confidence in my ability to do this.

 

 



Lucky

Lucky

6 x 8, Pastel

Man, it was good to get to paint yesterday! You know I have been trying to be looser, more painterly in my style---I failed royally in the loose department with this one. But now really, can a squirrel this up-close-and-personal be loose? You've got to see those whiskers, hairs, and gleam in the eye! I labored several hours on this one, thinking at one point I was going to have to get the wet rag out and wipe it off--but I didn't. Oh, the name Lucky----well, he is still running around the yard!!!

I painted a landscape after I painted Lucky, got a little closer to the style I have been striving for. It may show up in a later post.

       Curley #2       

9 x 12, pastel

Can you tell I like to paint animals? This is my second version of Curley, the first lives in Pennylvania with a couple who had a Curley who looked just like him. This Curley needs a good home, too.

Attended the TPS show opening/reception last night. There is some beautiful art there by artists from across the nation. Hope you can get by to see it.

Also, New Braunfels' own, Rita Kirkman, has a two woman show opening next Friday at Cactus Jack's in Gruene. Her partner in art is Jeannette Cuevas. The reception starts at 6 pm on the 26th. There are rumors that door prizes of their art will be given away that night!!!!! This coincides with the Texas Clay Festival in Gruene.

Feels So Good

Feels So Good

(10 x 14, watercolor)

Had to post this guy today, because I feel good too! It has finally rained !!! PTL!

You just know how good scratching that itch feels.

Today I've got to get on matting/framing my entries for the Artober Art Show down at the gallery--much rather be painting! Rainy days are great for creating-don't you think?