Finished painting and sale on paint

Sepia Cactus

On my last post I showed a photo of a canvas with the pattern transferred on to it ready to paint.  Here is that painting finished and in the frame.  It is monochromatic in colors that resemble old sepia photos.  For that reason I have titled it "Sepia Cactus."  I have done versions of it before and have a smaller one that I just finished that I will post at a future time.

I went to Michaels today to take advantage of a sale on paint.  I got 35 bottles at 50% off and used my 40% off coupon for the bushes.  I love a good bargain!  Now I must go restock my paint shelves....not a job I enjoy doing.  On the other hand I won't have to do it again for awhile.  I almost have as much paint on my shelves that Michaels have.

Paintings in Progress

I have been busy working on multiple paintings for the various shows coming up in early 2013.  Here are a bunch of small ones that I have completed painting but are waiting for the protective coat of polycrylic.  I like to do that when I have a number of paintings finished.  When they are dry I then do the framing.  As you can see by this photo the paintings are sitting in their frames.  For those of you who are new to my blog, I would like to mention that I always pick a frame first then do the painting to complement the frame.  Also, you see the same subject matter in various sizes.  The reason for that is that I do not sell prints of my paintings.  Everything I sell are original.  What I do is draw a pattern on tracing paper then make copies of it on the computer in various sizes which I can then transfer onto canvas of different size. Some of the above paintings are 8X10 and some 5X7 plus a few other sizes.  These paintings will be at the De Grazia show.The photo below is of a painting that is ready to paint showing the tracing paper pattern and the canvas with the pattern transferred on to it.  This one is larger 12X16.  It will be a version of "Sepia Cactus" which is the second one on the right in the photo above.  I will be showing this one at the Skyline Country Club exhibition.  I'll post more information on these shows later in January closer to the time of the openings.

Merry Christmas

Just wanted to take this opportunity to wish all who follow this blog Merry Christmas and God's blessings in the new year.  2012 has been very productive for me.  I was hoping to average a painting a week.  I don't have an exact count but I know I did much more than that counting both canvas paintings and functional items.  Again, I don't have an exact count, but know I sold or gifted over 100 works of art this year.  I am still busy preparing for three shows coming up in January, February and April of 2013.  I will have to have to have at least 75 paintings for these shows.  Since I love every minute I spend creating new art it makes me happy to have something to work towards.  I praise God for giving me something I enjoy doing so much to fill my time at this point of my life.  The same goes for Roger who spends just as much time in his shop working on his stained glass windows.  Retirement has been great for us as what we are doing now is not work but lots of fun!

Mick & Carol's Painting

God's Gift
18X22

This painting was done for Roger's cousin and his wife in WV.  I waited to post it until they received it.  Carol liked the smaller version I did months back and wanted one in a bigger size and different colors.  It was a challenge to convert it from vertical to horizontal but I finally came up with the idea of a painting within a painting.  I added the cross painting on an easel. If you go back through older posts you will find the original 8X10 painting.  I have been busy the past month working on commissioned work including two paintings and various functional items.  I have not posted photos because they are to be gifts for Christmas and I don't want to take a chance of the recipients seeing them if they happen to look at this blog.  I am now working on some large paintings for the up coming exhibitions in 2013.