Yard Sale Treasures

Our area had community yards sales this past Saturday.  I had to take advantage of so many sales even though we have company visiting from out of town.  They were willing so off we went.  I hit the jackpot!  They were happy with what they got too, although they had to limit size of what they bought to what will fit in a suitcase.  On the other hand I found some large items.  I found a nice side table at one place and a chair at another.  It wasn't till I took this photo that I noticed how good they looked together.  I have decided to paint them as a set. I also got a number of nice bowls and various other interesting items.  Here is a photo of what I got and how they look now.  As I paint each item I will post a photo of how I re-purposed them.  I already have ideas dancing around in my mind.  I won't have any painting time until this weekend and when I do get back to painting I have to complete a commissioned job and I should do a few canvas paintings before I move on to my yard sale treasures.

Double Exposure Entries

There was an excellent turnout for the Double Exposure Exhibition yesterday evening.  The entries were spectacular!  Such creative imagination went into each work of art.  I am happy to say I took a third place prize on one of my entries.  It was the bowl I painted based on a photo done by Laura Stafford.

This is the photo titled "Gambel Quail" and below is the painting I did that was inspired by the photo. It took a third place in the 3D division..

This is what the display looked like at the exhibition showing the photo, a painting done by Saundra Trumbell and my bowl.  I would also like to mention that the bowl has sold. Below you will see my other entry and the photo it is based on which was taken by Mary Nation.  The title of both works is " Mother and Foal".

Double Exposure Opening Reception

This is going to be a great art exhibition.  Participating artists are members of Southern Arizona Arts Guild.  It features great photographers who's works are interpreted  by artists who work in other mediums.  I have two entries, a canvas painting and a bowl.  All the information on the opening reception is on the flyer posted above.  It will be an evening of fine art, music and refreshment.  

Happy Easter 2014

I want to send Easter Blessings to all my blog followers.  I decided to share this painting I in 2010.  The title is "Ukrainian Egg Cross".  I painted it for an Exhibition/Contest that had the theme of cultural diversity.  Over the years many people have compared my use of dots to other types of "dot art" in other cultures such as the Aboriginal dot painting, Byzantine style painting, and Ukrainian Easter Egg painting.  That is where I got my inspiration to do this painting.  I did not get a prize on this piece but did sell it during the exhibition.  This is a one of a kind painting.  I have never done another that is even similar.

I did receive an honorable mention on the other painting I entered.  The title of that painting is "Dia de los Muertos".  Much of my subject matter is based on Mexican Folk Art so with the theme of cultural diversity I thought The Day of the Dead would be a good subject.  I also sold that painting during the exhibition.  I have done many versions of the subject over the years.  It has been one of my more popular subjects.  Here is a photo of the painting.

ELSA

I mentioned in my last post that I had a couple of commissioned jobs.  This is one of them.  The customer supplied the 6" letters and color samples. They will hang in the nursery of her expected grand-daughter. This is a first for me.  I have never decorated letters before.  It was a quick easy project.

I will start my next project later today.  It is a bowling pin with a design on the front and back.  Before I allow myself painting time I have decided I MUST organize my closet.  Temps are starting to hit the 90's so the turtlenecks need to go into storage and hot weather clothes must come out.  No painting until I do this job!  Painting will be my reward.

"Rock On" and more Mexican Domino Train Stations

Even though I had two weeks of company I was able to start a number of projects.  I spent the whole day Sunday finishing them.  Here is what I did.

Yes, this is a rock.  My daughter asked me to bring her some of our smooth river rocks that we have in our yard when we traveled to her house in NM.  She paints them and sells them at the Farmers Market.  I had painted and sold some in the past so decided to do one myself and put it in the SAAG Gallery.  This one is about 5" X 4".  It will make a nice paper weight.

Since I sold all but one of my Mexican Domino Train Stations that I showed at the SAAG Gallery I decided I better do some more.  I did 7 of them but sold two at home before I even had a chance to take them to the gallery.  The first two are the ones that sold and the next 5 are the ones I took to the gallery.

                                      

I was hoping to start a new canvas painting as my next project but got two commissions this week so will have to complete those before I do the canvas painting.

Zentangle Doodles....Again

It has been over a week since I last did a blog post.  I have had two weeks of company and two short overnight trips to NM.  I did get some painting done in that time and finished a number of projects yesterday. I'll post photos of those tomorrow but this evening I am posting photos of the doodles I did while in the car going back and forth to NM.  It is a way to pass the time in the car.  I still haven't decided what to do with the doodles except to post them here.  I keep thinking about using them for cards but still haven't done that yet.  The collection keeps growing.  Hope you enjoy seeing them.

I find it is easier to post my designs by making a composite of them on the computer.  These are just random squiggles that I kept adding to as I went along.  I didn't have any ideas in mind as I worked on them.  There was a little more thought process in the ones posted below.  I had an idea in mind when I started and let that idea flow as I created them.  I added the border on the computer.

As you will notice the a few of these do not look like the black and white that is the original drawing.  For some reason my scanner show them as more sepia colored.  I did not take the time to color adjust.

April Meet the Artists Reception at the SAAG Gallery

Here is the flyer for the SAAG Gallery Meet the Artists Reception and Anniversary Party.  All the information is on the flyer.  Click on it to enlarge.  Hope to see you there on Sunday.

Critter Collage 2

My last commissioned painting was picked up yesterday.  It is a smaller version of "Critter Collage".  The size is 16X20.  The customer furnished the frame.  Here is a photo of the painting.

I did this one slightly different than the first larger version of the painting.  In this one I eliminated the scorpion and tarantula and replaced them with a jackrabbit.  I also changed the direction of the horse and added some baby quails.  I used the same color pallet but changed up color placement.  Below is a photo of the larger 28X22 version.  You can see they are the same but different in their own unique way.  

I found one other difference in the two paintings when I was searching my computer files for this one.  It is titled "Colorful Critter Collage".  I had forgotten that so the new one has the title of "Critter Collage".

I am all caught up with my commissioned work so am taking a short painting break and enjoying my company.  I did have a little time yesterday to put in some shop time while my husband and Kara went to the pool.  Sorry but 80 is just too cold for me to go swimming.  It has to be over 100 before I will go into the water.  I opted to stay home and work in the shop.  I prepped some domino train stations and a box.  Now if I get some free time I have something ready to paint.

April 2014 SAAG Gallery Display

My new display is up at the SAAG Gallery.  I have a different space this time.  We change our location every couple of months and display new art to keep the gallery fresh looking.  I have always had a bay in the past but this time I was given a straight wall which allowed me to add another display shelf.  I am showing all new art which includes my butterfly series and some of my traditional southwest themed paintings.  I also have a new collection of greeting cards.  Please stop by the gallery to see the fine work of all the SAAG member artists.  The" meet the artist" reception will be on Sunday, April 2 from 2 to 5.  The gallery is located in the Casas Adobe Plaza on Oracle.