Something for me

This project is something I did for myself.  I love cowgirl boots and have seen these beautiful boots online but the price is much more than I want to pay.  Here is a photo of those very expensive boots.

I have a pair of over 20 year old brown boots that were looking pretty shabby and the idea came to me to spruce them up a little bit.  I have done paintings of cowgirl boots so why not paint some real boots?  Here is what I did.

I did not try to make them look like the expensive boots but did use the color scheme for my inspiration. I had planned to take a before photo but forgot.  Take my word for it that they were pretty beat up looking. The toes were all scuffed up but  the soles are good and they are extremely comfortable so I thought it was worth a try.  I am happy with the results and can't wait to wear them.

Another Coyote Painting

I did this painting at the request of my friend Trina.  She owns the free standing coyote and wanted a smaller painting as a companion piece.  The frame is blue so she decided on a blue background.  I also completed another small gecko bowl to replace one I sold at the gallery.

I cleaned my shop yesterday and am ready to start a new painting.  I'm not sure what I will do next.  I may start work on my "Double Exposure" exhibition entries.I'll decide tomorrow.  There will be no painting today because I have a full day with church this morning, the gallery reception this afternoon and company coming for dinner this evening.

SAAG Gallery Reception

The new show at the Saag Gallery opened the first of the year and will last until the end of March.  Sunday will be the "meet the artists" reception.  The show includes some new artists and some of the previous artists.  Come and enjoy the beautiful art and talk to the artists who created it.  All the information is on the flyer.

Mama Quail

Here is the quail I finished yesterday.  Usually I call all the critters I paint "he" but in this case I decided this is a Mama Quail.  I painted another quail statue a few months ago which sold at the Sun City Arts Festival which was a definite "he".  Too bad I didn't have them at the same time.  They would have made a cute couple.  I'll post a photo of him below.

My next project is a commissioned job. My friend who bought the free standing coyote wants a painted version that is smaller than the one I did recently that you can see a few posts back.  Anyway, she found the perfect size frame which she gave to me. The canvas is cut to fit the frame and I have it base coated and as soon as it is dry I'll paint it.  I also have to start work on two entries to an exhibition called "Double Exposure"  which will open in March.  I'll give more information on that closer to the time of the show.

White Roses in Talavera Vase

I completed the painting I mentioned a few posts ago.  It is a larger version of one I sold. Size is 16X20  This one features white roses in the Talavera vase.  I also changed a few colors on the vase.  To see the original scroll back to the post after the stained glass angel.  I think I will show this one at Soundpoint Audiology when they are ready for a change out of paintings.

I have started work on a 3D quail.  I may have time to finish it today.  I want to have it ready to show at the "Meet the Artists" reception at the SAAG Gallery on Sunday.  I'll post a photo when it is done.

Roger's latest stained glass window

Roger finished this window yesterday.  It is in memory of the son of one of our friends who passed away as a young man.  She decide this is what she wanted when she saw a photo of the window posted below that was also done in memory of the son of other friends of ours who had passed away when he was 15.

Mata Ortiz Saguaro on Stool Seat

This is the commissioned job I just finished.  It is the seat of a stool.  Size is 15" in diameter.  The owners removed if from the stool to make it easier for me to paint.  I believe it is a metal stool with a back.  Hopefully I'll get to see it when it is put together. 

My next painting will be something I did before in a smaller size which I sold at the gallery.   It is roses in a Talavera style vase.  When I finished the first one I thought I would like to do another changing the roses from red to white.  That is what I am going to do with this one.  Below is a photo of the pattern traced onto the prepped canvas sitting in the frame that I decided on for the new larger 20X16 painting.  It is a preview of things to come.  Below that is a photo of the first 15X11 painting with the red roses .  It will be interesting to see how they compare to each other.  I'll post photo when I complete the new painting.

Jackrabbit

I went almost a week without an opportunity to paint.  Everyday was full of activities from morning to night.  Finally yesterday I was able to get back to painting.  I did this little fellow.  

My next project is a commissioned job.  I had painted 3 chairs for some friends a few years ago. Each chair has a different image on the seat.   They recently bought a stool and decided they wanted to have me paint the seat with an image that will compliment the chairs.  They chose a saguaro cactus done in the Mata Ortiz style.  I'm glad they were able to remove the seat from the stool and bring only that to me.  It makes it much easier to work on that way.  I prepped it yesterday and will start the painting today.  I'll post a photo when it is completed.

Something Old and Something New

I finished my new coyote painting.  It is 20X10 and is based on the large free standing coyote.  I call it Coyote Serenade.

The next painting is one I did awhile back.  I have had many people admire it but because it is not Southwest Style it didn't sell.  That problem was taken care of when a friend from NY was visiting her parents here over New Years stopped by and bought it.  It is now in the mail and on the way to its' new home in a very cold place!  The title of this one is "With a Moroccan Flair" and size is 20X16.

Cowgirl Dream

This is the first painting I completed in 2014.  It is something new.  I have three long skinny frames that I wanted to fill.  Each one is different from the others.  I decided to do something horizontal in this one.  I put the blank canvas in the frame and stared at it for awhile and at first thought I would do three pair of boots.  Anyone who knows me knows I have a boot fetish.  (I own 20 pair)  Any way I base coated the canvas using colors that would compliment the frame. Once that was done I started drawing the pattern on tracing paper.  After I drew the rug and first pair of boots I decided not to do three pair of boots but other cowgirl type of items.  I drew in the hat and thought sunflowers would make it girly looking so drew in a few of those.  I needed something else so did a little research on the computer on western gear and the minute I saw a lantern I knew that would be perfect.  I put in the lantern and another sunflower and  that was all it needed.  I think it took longer to come up with the idea and drawing then the actual painting time.  I did not have a title in mind but once it was finished I thought it looked like a flying carpet and the lantern had a sort of dreamy look to it so came up with the title "Cowgirl Dream".  Size of the painting is 8X20. 

I have the next canvas prepped  and have transferred the pattern on to it so it is ready to paint.  This one is the same size and will be vertical.  If you check back a few posts you will see a coyote that is on a stand.  I thought it would be fun to do him on canvas howling at the moon.   I'm glad I made a pattern of him before I took him to the gallery because he sold and is now in his new home.  I also sent a copy of the pattern to my son who cuts wooden items for me so that he can make a few more that will sit on a stand.  Well, I've been on the computer long enough.  Time to start work on Mr. Coyote.

New 2014 Show at SAAG Gallery

I had a very busy day yesterday so didn't do a blog post.  Here are photos of my booth at the SAAG Gallery.  This show is for three months.  The opening reception will be on Sunday, January 26 from 1 to 4.  You can shop the gallery any time but if you want to meet the artists and have refreshments and be entertained come to the reception.  Here are the photos of what I am showing.

 

I did take time yesterday to work on a drawing for a new painting.  It can take a long time to work up an idea for a painting and get it all down on paper.  Once that is done I transfer it on to the canvas then paint.  I have to be gone until later this afternoon but hope to get started on the actual painting part this evening.  It may take awhile to finish this one because I have things on my schedule I have to work around.

Calla Lilies in Black Vase and Stained Glass Window

Happy New Year everyone!  The photos today are of my last painting of 2013 and the last window Roger built in 2013.  Both were completed yesterday which was New Year's Eve. 

The painting is a small version of "Calla Lilies in Black Vase".  The size is 17X11 and is painted on canvas board and is in a simple black frame.  I painted the original a few years ago for Brian & Sarah when they lived in a penthouse apartment in downtown San Antonio.  I think the size of that one was about 40X17.  It was pretty big.  They still have it and it hangs in the music room of their house.  I always loved that painting so decided to try it in the smaller size.  There is something different about this painting then my other work which is more folk artsy.  This one has a more contemporary feel.  I like to change things up every so often.  Let me know what you think.  There is a place to comment at the end of each post.

Although this photo looks smaller than the one above the painting size is 40X15 inches with 1 1/2 inch sides.  It is painted on an artist board box.   There is no frame.  The edges are painted and give the impression of a frame.

Here is a photo of Roger's window.  It will be installed as a side panel by a front door.  The owners wanted something that would let in light but block anyone from seeing in the house.  They did not want any color, only bevels and textured glass.  Again, the photo is deceiving as the size is 70" high by 14 1/2" wide.

Roger is already working on the first commissioned window of 2014 and I have a number of canvases prepped and ready to go.  My mind is full of ideas for new original paintings.  I usually get very creative at the first of the year.  I guess it is because all my commissions are done and the pressure of the holidays is over and I have more free time to experiment with new ideas.  Tomorrow I will post photos of my SAAG Gallery booth for the new three month session.