Apple cutting board and two small bowls

I decided to work on a few small projects for the first show of 2014 at the SAAG Gallery.  The first photo is of a 9" cutting board in the shape of an apple.  I did a "Pots, Plant and Apples" painting which I thought would fit the theme of the board.

Next is a very small bowl.  I have a big box full of small salad bowls which sometime come with the large serving size bowls that I like to paint.  I really didn't want to put time and effort into painting these small bowls but since I have so many of them I thought maybe it was time to paint a few and show them at the gallery.  I love the shape of this bowl and the finish was beautiful so I left it natural and painted a gecko on it because it fit the shape of the bowl and is quick to do.

While rummaging around in the box of small bowls I came across this bowl that I had painted in the past but never finished off with polycrylic.  It only took a few minutes to touch up a few scratches that happened when I threw new bowls into the box.  I think I will not sell this one but use it for my business cards.  I'll make that decision when I set up my booth. 

Colorful Coyote

I had fun painting this colorful guy.  He is made of tin on a wooden base and stands 17" high.  He will go to the SAAG Gallery next week and will be looking for a home. 

I have a couple of canvases prepped and ready but not sure which one I will work on first.  I only have a couple of days until the gallery change over.  I may hold off on the canvas paintings and do another craft item.  Decisions, decisions......What to do next?

Queen of the Night In Purple Frame

I sold a larger Queen of the Night painting at Soundpoint Audiology a month or so ago so decided to do a new one in a smaller size which I plan to show at the SAAG Gallery.  I finished this one on Christmas Eve.  The size is 11X14.  I refinished the white frame by painting it a purple metallic then antiquing it with a dark wash.  It pulls out the purple shading in the flowers.  I've painted a number of versions of this painting but each one is unique because I free hand the flowers on the canvas.  I'll post photos of the two other ones I painted in the past.

As you can see they are all the same subject...the queen of the night cactus flower....but each painting is different from the others.  The two bottom paintings have sold.  Hopefully the new one will sell too!

Merry Christmas

A small version of "I Love to Paint Roses"

This is a small version of a painting I did some time ago.  I sold the large one at the show I did at Skyline Country Club last January.  Since I really do love to paint roses I thought it was time to do another one.  I decided to do an 8X10 for two reasons.  The first is that I want to show it at the SAAG Gallery in the next session and my booth size is not that large so smaller paintings work better.  The other reason is that I had this perfect 8X10 frame.  If you look closely it has a design of tiny rosebuds.  It was a very bright gold which I toned down with a wash of dark green paint. I think it works better with the painting. I also used a more intense orange in the new version.  I free handed the pattern so it is not exactly the same.  To tell the truth I think I like the first one I did better.  It was always one of my personal favorites.  I'll post a photo of it below.  The size is 12X24 but it looks smaller in the photo. 

A different bowl and box

I finished two new projects.  The subject matter of both fit my usual style but the objects are a little different. 

This box has a rough textured finish and has an insert for the painting which gives it a framed effect. 

I decided to call this object a bowl.  It is has an odd shape and is about 3" deep and has a flat bottom.  I don't think it was meant to be a planter because it is made of wood.  Anyway, it is a great decorative piece.  I think it would be perfect to set on a coffee table and use for a container for the TV remote.

 I finally got the news of when my show at the Tucson Botanical Gardens will be.  I was hoping it wouldn't be too soon because I need time to prepare.  Guess I don't need to worry about having enough time....my show is scheduled for December of 2015!

I will work on some canvas paintings next.  They will be for the SAAG Gallery and Soundpoint Audiology. 

Desert Beauty

 

I decided it was time to do another 11X14 desert scene.  I titled this one "Desert Beauty".  I have probably used that title before but I am running out of names for this type of painting.  If the painting is 8X10 or smaller I call them "Classic Desert Scene" but if they are larger I give them a title but coming up with new names gets harder with each new painting. 

 

 I took a break from a bowl I was working on to do this painting.  I will finish the bowl next and post a photo when it is done. 

 

 By-the-way, for some reason this blog was acting up today and giving me a hard time downloading the photo.  I hate when that kind of thing happens.  I also had problems this week getting my email.  I had to prove that I was me.  When I took my first computer class the instructor told us not to keep a baseball bat in the same room as the computer.  I know why he said that...I have been tempted many times over the years to give the computer a good wack with a bat!

Peacock Box

In my last post I said I wasn't sure what my next project would be.  Here is what I decided to do.  I had this box base coated in black and looked at it for a while trying to get a vision on what to paint on it when suddenly I thought of a peacock.  I keep an "idea" file on my computer and pulled up the one on peacocks and looked at peacock paintings I did in the past to give me an idea of how to draw one for the box.  I thought it would look good to have his tail droop over the front of the box.  I sketched out the pattern on tracing paper and transferred it to the box.  It only took me a half hour to paint the peacock and maybe another 20 minutes to free hand the design on the sides.  Sometimes it takes longer to prep a piece and make a decision on the pattern and then draw and transfer the pattern than it takes for the actual painting.  That is what happened in this case.  As soon as the paint was dry I applied the polycrylic then relized I hadn't taken a photo of the box with just the flat paint.  I had to wait until the polycrylic dried until I took the photo.  That is why there is a reflection on the box.  You can still get a pretty good idea of what the finished painting looks like.  I will take the box to the SAAG Gallery tomorrow.  I am ready to go back to my shop and paint something else but like before, I don't know what I will do. Guess I'll just go poke around in my collection of objects and see what strikes my fancy to paint on.  Once that decision is made I'll have to think of what to paint on it.  As always, I'll post a photo once it is done.

Camo Duck and another Desert Bowl

A few days ago I posted a before picture of the duck decoy that would be my next project.  Here is a photo of  what he looks like now.  I call him Camo Duck.  I decide to go the Duck Dynasty route which seems to be all the rage now. He doesn't have a beard but I dressed him in camo leaves.  I think he has personality.  He is for sale at the SAAG Gallery.

When I posted a photo of the last desert scene bowl I thought it would be the last one I would do for awhile but my "bowl lady" emailed me that she needed one more.  The only bowl I had left was a little different because it has a depression in the center.  I painted it and she came today to pick up both bowls and was very happy with them.  We made an agreement that in the future if she wanted anymore that she would shop for the bowls and bring them to me to paint.  Here is a photo of the last one.

I spent some time this morning straightening up my shop to get ready for my next project.  I have finished all my commissioned work and can now work on what ever I feel like.  At this point I haven't decided what I will do next.  I have some large paintings in mind but may wait until after the first of the year to work on them and spend the next coupe of weeks working on some of the 3D items I have collected.  As soon as I complete my next creation I'll post a photo.

Award

A month ago I entered a painting in the SAAG Show at the El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort.  At the opening reception paintings were judged and First, Second and Third prizes were awarded and the people attending had the opportunity to vote for their favorite painting for the People's Choice Award.  Yesterday at the SAAG meeting I found out my "Surreal Saguaro" painting won that award.   What a nice honor to receive.  Thanks to all who voted for my painting.  I was going to post a photo of the painting but would you believe I couldn't find one on my computer.  I have painted many versions of Surreal Saguaro but must not have taken a photo of that exact painting.  It is similar to the one you see at the beginning of this blog.

Tortoise in Many Colors

I finished this tortoise that I started a few weeks ago before I had to do the commissioned jobs.  All he needs is a coat of polycrylic and he will be ready to show at the gallery.  I have another critter I want to show with him.  Hopefully I can complete him in a few days.  Here is  the before painting photo. 

Last two commissioned jobs of the year

I finished the last two commissioned jobs I had to do.  The first is a roadrunner painting ordered by someone that bought one for her home and decided she wanted another one with a purple border for her office. The desert scene bowl was ordered by the customer that I nick-named "the bowl lady".  I lost track of how many bowls she ordered.....I think this one makes 5.  I still have to finish the back of the painting and apply polycrylic to the bowl before I call and let them know they are finished and ready for pick up.  My next project is to finish something I was working on before I got these jobs.

Flowers in Yellow Vase

This is a painting I did a few years ago for our Son Brian & his wife Sarah.  When we were visiting them in San Antonio I realized I never took a photo of it so decided to take one.  I am posting it even though it is not the best quality because of the reflection but you get the idea of the painting.  The photos I take at home are much better because I have a place to take them where I don't have to use a flash which minimizes reflections.

I am back to painting and completed one commissioned job but still have to apply polycrylic.  I am working on the other commissioned bowl which I may have done tomorrow.  I'll post photos when they are done.  Once these two projects are finished I can work on what ever I feel like doing.  I need to work on boxes and and other functional items for the gallery and also must start on some larger paintings for shows that I will be doing next year.

I will take a break tonight and decorate the tree.  If I don't do it before I get too involved in painting it might not get done.

More trip doodles

I am back from our Thanksgiving trip to San Antonio.  That means I have more travel doodles to show you.  The round trip was 1800 miles and if I was not driving I was doing doodles.  This is what I came up with. 

Each of these doodles was done on a separate page.  I did this computer composite to make them easier to post.

 I hope to get back to painting tomorrow.  I'll post new paintings when I complete them.

Very Large Surreal Saguaro

I completed the 4'X2' Surreal Saguaro commissioned painting and the owner picked it up yesterday.  This painting is done on an artist box with 2" sides.  The buyer was very specific on what he wanted.  He wanted it as close as possible to the saguaro on my business card with a red background.  My shop is small and I had to set the board up on boxes to work on it.  There was not much room to move around.  I was glad to finish it and glad he was happy with the end results.  I don't think I want to do another project this large for a LONG time.  As soon as I finished it I took the time to paint another Cowgirl's Delight box.  I sold the one I had at the SAAG Gallery and needed a replacement.  Photo is below.

What comes next?  I have two more commissioned jobs, another desert scene bowl and an 8X10 roadrunner.  Those will be next.  After that I will just paint what ever I am in the mood to paint.  I'll work on new ideas for canvas paintings.  My inventory is getting low and I have some shows coming up in 2014.  Also, since I have collected a good supply of functional items I will work on them in between the canvas paintings.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  I will be taking some time off and won't post again until December.

Blue Bottle and Prickly Pears

I did this painting a couple of years ago.  For some reason it is one of my favorite paintings.  I enjoyed painting it and I was happy with the results.  I also love the frame.  It is very old and was in poor shape and I had to repair it and then refinish it.  I love the scalloped inner edge and tried to complement it with the way I decorated the border.  I think because I like it I have only shown it a few times and put a higher price on it.  I usually hold it back from a show but I needed a replacement painting for "Queen of the Night" which I sold at Soundpoint Audiology so decided it was time to show it again.  If it doesn't sell this time I think I willkeep it and find a place to hang it in my home.  Below is a photo of the painting that I sold. 

I may finish the large saguaro painting that I am working on today.  I'll post a photo of it as soon as it is done.  Must get back to work now if I want to complete it today!

Holidazzle 2013

The SAAG Gallery holiday show opens today.  The reception will be on Saturday, Nov.23 from 1 to 4.  Light refreshments will be served and there will be entertainment.  Come and meet the artists.  Below are photos of my booth.

 

Tiny and Huge projects!

The past two days were very busy.  On both days I left the house early in the morning and didn't get home until after 5 PM.  I was just too tired in the evenings to get any painting done.  I am happy to say I have no place I have to be today but home so will have a lot of quality painting time.   My last project is quite a contrast to my next project.  Here is a photo of the tiny roadrunner I found at a yard sale. He measures 9" from tip of beak to end of tail and stands 4" high. I think I might gift him to a friend.

My next project is a commissioned painting and is 4' tall and 2' wide.  I base coated the artist box in red and sketched the saguaro on in chalk pencil.  I start the painting today. Here is a photo as it looks now.  I will post a photo when the painting is finished.  It will probably be after Thanksgiving before I complete the painting.

Tomorrow I will post information on the SAAG Gallery Holidazzle Show which opens tomorrow.

Lots of Bowls!

It has been awhile since my last post.  I have been spending all my time working on 4 desert scene bowls that were commissioned by a lady who wants them for gifts.  Not only did I have to paint them I also had to shop for them.  That meant trips to thrift stores and yard sales.  I was blessed in finding these bowls which are each very unique and adaptable to a desert scene painting. 

My next two projects are also commissioned jobs.  One is a small 8X10 roadrunner painting and the other is a very large 48X24 surreal saguaro painting.  When these paintings are completed I will be free to start work on developing new ideas for works of art.  I have collected many interesting objects while I was shopping for the bowls that I am looking forward to painting. One more thing I would like to mention is that Holidazzle, which is the SAAG Gallery holiday show, starts next week.  I will post information on it in a few days.

Report on Sun City Art Festival

The Sun City Oro Valley Art Festival was a success.  Lots of people came through the doors.  I had the opportunity to see old friends and to meet new people.  Some of those I met for the first time were people who follow my blog or my Facebook posts.  It was nice to meet them in person.  I also met several people who bought some of my art at the SAAG Gallery.  Tom and Carol were one of those couples who bought items at SAAG.  They recently moved to the Tucson area.  In our conversation  we found we had friends in common. It is a small world!  Part of the enjoyment of doing a show like this is that I get to  meet and talk to so many nice people.  My sales were the same as last year in both the amount I made and the number of items I sold which was slightly less than half of what I showed.  I am glad I have inventory left because Holidazzle will be starting soon at the SAAG Gallery.  Look for that information in an up coming post. 

Information on Sun City Art Festival

I am all packed up and ready to set up this afternoon for the art festival.  Doors open at 9 tomorrow morning.  Looking for a big turn out.  Start you Christmas shopping.  Lots of great gift items to choose from.  Hope to see you there!

Quail, Bowl and Box

The day after tomorrow is the Sun City Art Festival.  I have to set up tomorrow afternoon.  I have been busy getting ready.  I have my layout arrangement done and everything is priced. Some things are packed up.  I will finish the rest of the packing this evening.  I still have to make up some signs and tomorrow morning I will send out an email reminder to my art list. I also have to get all the paper work ready.  Preparing for a show is lots of work!  While I was doing most of this stuff I still found time to paint three more items.  I call these my bonus items.  I don't have the exact count ( I will do that tomorrow after I set up) but I know I have over 60 paintings in all sizes and over 40 craft items.  17 of those are domino train stations.  I started with 24 but yesterday I had someone come to the house and buy 7 of them for her domino club.  Here are photos of the three newest items.

This is a quail statue which stands about 12" high

This sunflower box is 6"X9"

This rose painting is on a 9" shallow bowl

Beautiful Stained Glass window

When Brian & Sarah visited us early in the month they wanted to learn how to construct a stained glass window.  If you go to older posts you will see them working on a window.  They were not here long enough to complete it so Roger finished it.  This window is a companion to the windows we installed in their San Antonio home in August. You can see those in an older post. We will be taking another trip there soon to install this one.  Here is a photo.

Critter and Cacti Paintings and Tray

I accomplished the goal I set for myself for the Sun City Art Festival.  These are the last paintings that I wanted to finish.  Since I still have five working days until set up I may get a few more things done but I consider those bonus items.  Tomorrow I will start all the busy work I mentioned in my last post.  Things that need to be done like framing and pricing and planing the layout.  Once I get those done I may have time to complete a few more items.  We will see!  Here are photos of what I completed yesterday.  There are two 6X12 paintings and a 12" square tray.

Oh, I just remembered that I wanted to mention that I sold the gold day of the dead skull that I took to the SAAG Gallery just a few days ago.  That is the third one I sold this month.  I had no idea they would be so popular.  I don't have time to do another one before the Halloween season is over but noticed Michales will have all Halloween objects at 60% off this week so I think I will take advantage of the sale and buy some skulls and put them away until next year.

12" Desert Plate

I think I worked so much on Wednesday that I suffered painting burnout yesterday.  I did spend a little time in the shop late in the afternoon preparing a few things for painting but didn't have much ambition so took the evening off.  I got my nails done this morning and then went to lunch with friends and didn't get home until after 2 so no time for painting until I got home.  I was more in the mood to paint this afternoon and completed a desert scene on this plate.

On Friday one week from today, I will be setting up for the Sun City Art Festival which will be the next day, Saturday November 2 from 9 to 4.  I feel more relaxed as I see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I have a few more projects I would like to complete in the next few days.  Then I must spend my time framing a few paintings and pricing items and planning my display layout.  There is much to do to prepare for a 7 hour show.  If you have been reading my blog you know I have been working towards this for months.  The "problem" I had this year is that now that I am in the SAAG Gallery I kept depleting my inventory because of the sales I made there.  I think I finally have enough items for the art festival and also for the Gallery Holidazzle show which will start mid November.  I'll post information on both shows soon.

Very Productive Day!

I had a full day at home yesterday.  I started painting at around 8 in the morning and worked until 8 in the evening with a number of breaks to eat and relax.  I accomplished a lot.  The first project was a re-do.  By that I mean I took something I had painted about a year ago that hadn't sold and painted out the subject matter and did a whole new painting of a new subject. In the photo below you will see a rustic round tray painted with a day of the dead skull which is what I changed. This picture also shows a couple of other items that I did last year and sold.

Because this tray was so rustic looking I decided to do something that would compliment the long rustic tray that is featured in my last post.  Here is what I came up with.

My next project was to complete two chili pepper cutting boards.  I had sold all I had on hand and needed more for the up coming art festival. 

Between working on these items I also prepped other things so that I have something ready to work on the next day. I then got a call from the SAAG Gallery telling me I had sold a couple of items and to bring in something to replace them.  Since one of the items was a day of the dead skull and it is that time of year and I had another one already painted I decided that is what I would take.  While the skull was done I did not have a stand to put it on so I took the time to paint one.  I kept it simple...black with gold dots which would go good with the glittery gold skull. 

After dinner I spent some time painting this cigar box that I got from an artist friend that I recently met while working the gallery.  She told me about a smoke shop that will sell the empty boxes at a good price.  I will go there soon to check out what they have.  Since the Sun City Art Festival is before Thanksgiving I decide to paint a pot, plants and pumpkin painting.  I sold the last one that I did shortly after I showed it at the gallery.

I got lots of work done yesterday but today is a different story.  I was gone all morning and into the afternoon and haven't done anything yet but am heading to my shop as soon as I finish this post.  Hopefully I will have something to show tomorrow!