Small Projects

I have been busy the past few weeks with things other than painting but did find time to paint a little.  I worked on some small projects.  I did a couple of domino train stations which I did at home and a sunflower tray and small rose bowl that I painted while at the SAAG gallery.  I'll be working two shifts this week and two next week.  I'll take something to work on in my free time.  Probably another small bowl.  Here are photos of these small projects.

Saguaro Train Stations
 



6" Rose Bowl and 16"X7" Sunflower Tray

Today I started work on two large commissioned paintings.  Both will be versions of my Surreal Saguaro.  These are going to different people.  One wants a red background and the other a black background.  I have base coated the art board panels and have added texture.  I may have to do another coat.  I will make that decision when the paint dries.  Later today I will chalk in the saguaro and maybe add the border.  The actual saguaro will take some time to paint because they are large and will have a lot of detail.  I haven't decided if I will work on them together or complete one and then work on the other.  I am leaning towards doing them simultaneously because they will have the same color palette.  I'm not sure what will work best.  Hmmmm, which way to go?



The new show at SAAG Gallery

Today was the change over at the SAAG Gallery.  Some new artists are coming in and the current artists relocated and changed out their art.  The opening reception will be Friday, August 2 from 5 to 8 PM.  There will be refreshments, entertainment and a special showing of art created  by young artists who attended summer art camp at Toscana Gallery.  See the photos below to see the art I am displaying in my new cubical.

Framing Lesson

It is time to take a break from painting and get caught up on my framing.  Here is a step by step series of photos showing the procedure of how I frame my paintings.

My Framing Tools.

                                                       

1.  After placing canvas in frame I shoot in the framers points with the framers gun.

2.  I apply double stick tape around the edges with a double stick tape gun.

3.  Roll the paper across the back of the frame letting it overhang the edges.

4.  Cut off the paper roll then trim the excess paper on the edges using Stanley knife.

5. Measure and mark where you want to place screws that hold wire.  I usually place them about 1/4 of the way down from top.  Oh, by the way make sure you check the painting and have the correct side of the painting up.  I've learned this lesson the hard way!

6.  Punch starter hole with hole punch.

7.  I then screw in a 1/2 inch #8 lath screw about half way down.  I like these screws because they have a large head that holds the wire against the frame.

8.  Next wrap #2 braided picture wire around one screw two times then wrap it around its self and trim excess.  Stretch the wire loosely leaving a little slack to the other screw and wrap it around the screw twice and then around itself  a few times and trim excess. Finally, tighten the screws against the frame to hold wire in place.

9. I finish the frame back by applying a business card and painting title card with the double stick tape gun.  Last of all I sign the back using a Sharpie.

 

The back of the painting is  as important as the front. I like to have a nice neat looking back. I have finished many paintings in the past few months, 24 in fact, and have put off doing the framing.  1 down and 23 to go!

KIds and their critters

At the end of my last post I showed a photo of the above animals in their raw wood state.  I painted them in rainbow colors.  When I added the faces I thought they looked cute as is.  I decided if I decorated them with dots they would be too busy. 

We went to visit our grandson Matt, his wife April and the boys this afternoon and had a delicious lunch with them at their new home.  I think the boys were happy with their new pets that Grandpa Mark made and Great-grandma Pam painted.  See the photos below.

                               The twins are Sean and Blake and Tyler is in the middle.

Boys will be boys!

The Pots and Plants Series Continues

Pots, Plants and Grapes

Pots, Plants and Chili Peppers
 

I had the idea for these two paintings tossing around in my head since I finished the last  pots and plants painting.  I decide to do them while the idea was still fresh.  I have ideas for more in this series but must move on to other things.

  My next project is something completely different.  Here is a photo of what I will be working on.

This is the story behind these three guys.  Our grandson Matthew and his family recently moved to Tucson.  His dad, our son Mark, who does woodworking made these animals for Tyler, Sean and Blake who are his grandsons and our great-grandsons.  He sent them to me because the boys have been wanting something that I had painted. We will be visiting them this weekend so I thought I better get these critters done.  They are a surprise for the boys.  I'll take a photo of them with their new friends and post it next week.

12" Red Rose Plate

This was yesterday's project.  It is a 12' wooden plate.  Since I sold the last rose bowl that I had at the SAAG Gallery I decided to do another rose and thought it would be perfect on this plate.  I have painted a large red rose many times in every size canvas from 4foot square to 5X7.  I have painted it on bowls and trays and this is the second plate I did.  The other one was a 8 inches.  I have that one saved to donate to the SAAG monthly give-a-way sometime in the future.  Even though I have painted the rose many times for some reason this one seems especially beautiful to me.  I will post a few other versions below.

I first had the idea of painting an endless rose that went from border to border in December of 2008.  This is the first one that I painted.  I'm sorry to say I don't remember who bought it and also how many others I painted in this size over the years.  I started to keep better records in the past few years so I do know who bought the last one.  It was in January to my friend Randi.  Here is the one she owns.

Last June I did a painting demonstration for a fund raiser for SAACA.   I did this four foot square canvas in two hours.  If you go back through my older posts you will find the story about that event.

Instructions on how I paint this saguaro.

Yes, I know if you are a follower of my blog that you have seen this image many times before.  It has become my signature piece.  I sold a large version of it a few weeks ago so decided I must do another.  This one is medium size, 11X14.  Even though I paint "Surreal Saguaro" frequently each one is unique in its' own way. Here is a step-by-step run through of how they are created:
1. I draw the saguaro freehand with a chalk pencil on the canvas That has been base coated.
2. I then randomly divide it into abstract sections.
3. With no idea in mind I pick a color and start to paint in a section or two on each arm then choose another color and continue this process until each section is painted in.  4.Next I shade the edges of each section with a complementary darker color.
5. Once this is done I start decorating each section with dots or swirls or whatever comes to mind with a color that I think will make the designs stand out. 
6. When the designs are done I outline each section with black paint.
7.  This is the part that I always hesitate on before doing.  The saguaro looks pretty good at this point and I am tempted to leave well enough alone but it still doesn't have the 3D effect.  To obtain that look I must divide each arm into thin vertical sections with black paint.  I lightly chalk in the divisions then hold my breath and paint over the chalk lines in black.
8. The last step in achieving the 3D look is to highlight with white.  I paint in a thin white line in the center of each of the "ribs".
9.  To finish the painting I complete the border, sign it and apply a coat or two of polycrylic.  It is now ready for the frame.

I don't mind telling how I create a painting because I taught decorative painting for over 15 years and it is in my nature to share my techniques.  If you have any questions go to the place below where it says "no comments" and click on that and a window will come up that allows you to comment.  Ask your question and leave an email address and I will answer you that way.

Oh, forgot to mention I sold my "San Xavier Mission" painting and a rose bowl at the SAAG Gallery yesterday. 

Two small classic desert scenes

I never left the house yesterday so had time to complete these two paintings.  I now have seven 8X10 classic desert scenes for the November art festival.  I think ten would be a good number to have for that show.  I am running out of 8X10 frames so that means I'll have to get to some yard sales or thrift stores soon. Along with the two paintings, I got a few more domino train stations base coated yesterday and a couple of prepped canvases that I will work on today.  This will be another "at home" day so I may complete at least one painting. 

On another subject, we found a scorpion in our bathroom last night. It was on the floor in the doorway into the room.  I don't know how I missed stepping on it.  I was barefooted.  Even though we killed it I made sure I had shoes on when I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom just in case he had a friend. This is the second one in the house in the 17 years we have lived here.  The other one was about 9 years ago.  I paint scorpions in my critter series but I don't want live ones in my house! 

Here is one of my colorful critter paintings.  Some people love these paintings and others are phobic and don't even want to look at them.  My inspiration for this type of painting was the Oaxacan animal carvings that are so colorful and covered with dots.  It fit my style perfectly.

A new "old" painting

In my last post I mentioned I would go in a different direction for my next painting but not sure what the subject matter would be.  I woke up the next morning thinking of my Indian Maiden painting.  I always sell this painting  no matter what the size and since I haven't done her in a long time I decided that was the one to do.  This painting is a 12X9.

Along with working on this painting I have two canvases prepped for desert scenes.  I also am getting the base coat on that large stack of domino train stations.  I try to do two a day so at the end of two weeks I should have them ready to paint the designs.  Oh, I did something else....my shop was getting pretty messy so I took the time to do a clean up.  It is so nice to have a neat area to work in.  The sad part is that in about three days it will be a mess again.  There is no way to work continually without making a mess.  I don't have to leave the house today so may be able to complete the two desert scenes. 

Pots, Plants and Pears

Pots, Plants and Pears
8X10

I finished the newest addition to my "Pots and Plants" series.  I have ideas for more paintings that will fit into this category but I think it is time to move on to something else.  I'm not sure what direction I will go in next.  I have had lots of creative fun doing these pots and plants paintings but I don't want to overload myself with one type of painting when I do the Sun City Art Festival in November.  I need some more small desert scenes and I should do another boot painting and then there are the domino holders.  I also have a lot of 11X14 frames that need filled.  Hmmmm....I better get busy! 

Here are the other paintings in the "Pots and Plants"series.  Price is $50 each.  I plan to make some greeting cards featuring these paintings.  A set of 5 will be $20.

Pots, Plants and Pomagrantes
8X10

Pots, Plant and Indian Corn
8X10

Pots, Plants and Red Fruit
8X10

Pots, Plants and Tin Star
8X10

Rubber Duckies! What's that all about?

Why did I paint a couple of rubber duckies?  Here's the scoop.  SAAG is having a party tomorrow and we were asked to bring a rubber ducky that we had painted.  Seems there is going to be a rubber ducky race.  Can't wait to see how that works. I bought these fellows at the $1 store.  Since I am on a sunflower kick lately I decided to do one with flowers and the other is my patchwork design.  Along with painting the duckies I completed a domino train station that was a special order item.  They wanted the background blue with my phantom herd pattern.  This is the first one of the shipment of 24 that I just received.  One down and 23 to go.  I will be showing them at the Sun City Art Festival in November.  Did I ever mention that my son Mark from GA cuts these out for me?  Good job Mark!

Today I am going to work on my Pots, Plants and Pears painting.  I have the background on the canvas but haven't even drawn the pattern yet so I better get started.

Pots, Plants and Tin Star

Here is the newest painting in my Pots and Plants series. Like the rest in the series it is an 8X10. I have always loved the Mexican tin stars so decided to put one in this painting.  My next painting will include pears as the extra element.  I'm still tossing around what the plant will be.  I have an idea for one of the pots.  I still haven't decided on what kind of cloth to use.  Once I start drawing I'm sure the ideas will start to flow.