Pick My Brains Art

Assemblage Art

2012-02-09T18:23:00.000-08:00

Here is my first assemblage piece. Made from the gifts given to us from our foreign exchange students from Japan in the year 2001 when they came to visit us. All those bits of beautiful things they brought us stayed in a drawer, never to see daylight. It was a shame really. Now with assemblage art, where you put together a piece of art with recycled materials and odd bits of unique things, you can salvage and use these old treasures and bring them to light again.
This piece is three dimensional and multilevel-ed inside the box.
come down to the Gallery at 16 main in Madison to get a better look at it.

Cruciform Abstract on the Easel

2012-02-01T20:56:00.000-08:00

Here is one example of one style of abstract that I was learning. This is in the Cruciform style. There are a lot of considerations to take into account when building this form. This one is not finished and is still under construction. Some of the considerations for the cruciform are that all the corners be different, and that there be an area of slight interest and I think I've begun that with the ink in a circular motion in the center of the form. Also, the form itself shouldn't be to straight forward in it's shape and design. Mine is here. I have some plastic wrap in the upper left corner drying with some paint to add a pattern in the paint. I'm still very elementary with my instruction yet. I have introduced many textures and colors for interest so we shall see in the future how this painting morphs!

New Works and Ideas

2012-02-01T20:42:00.000-08:00

I was recently invited to attend a workshop taught by the woman posed in between myself and my friend here , Joan Blackburn. She is one of the most gentle spirited teachers yet boldly honest in her appraisals of your artwork during class which I greatly valued. She taught watermedia abstracts. Abstracts in the classical sense. I had no idea there were so many considerations in building and an abstract piece! Well I have no art training to help me or build upon in class as a base of knowledge so the one thing I do know is educate yourself! I struggled to keep up but enjoyed every moment at the same time. Joan poured fourth her knowledge , no holds barred. I came away a rich and more expansive person.

Winter Birch

2012-01-17T20:54:00.000-08:00

This painting is an oil on canvas, 16"x20". It's framed in the actual barn wood from our barn that was lovingly taken down this past summer to make room for a new one. My husband saved some of the wood to make frames for just such an occasion as this! So.... I did the painting and husband did the frame from our old barn. A"True" family affair! hehe.

Indian Falls

2012-01-12T17:04:00.000-08:00

The Ta-Da moment has arrived and the painting is finally finished!
20"x30"x1 1/2 , acrylic on canvas.
Indian Falls

On the Easel

2012-01-12T02:08:00.000-08:00

This is another couple of new paintings I've been working on with this new technique of very thin layers of highly tinted acrylic paints. I have been simply randomly placing color on the canvas, wetting it down with a water spray to let it run and get drippy, then let dry.
upon gazing at the dried canvas, the images of what's to be painted on the canvas sort of just appears on it's own if you let it. I begin to see what the canvas is telling me and I paint that out. With the first one I saw a sunset beach and just let that happen. On this second one I saw a magical land mass in the sky with it's own sunset, below that a snowcapped mountain range feeding into a lake and below that even a a painted Arizona-ish style landscape. So much to see! In any case, this one is not finished as I can still see an American Indian's head and shoulders in a waterfall under the floating landmass in the sky. Do you see it?

Birds in Paradise

2012-01-09T17:44:00.000-08:00

Newest painting coming off the easel.... 20"x24' acrylic on canvas, "Birds in Paradise".
I really got into doing this one. It's a whole new technique for me , completely different style from the past. I hope to explore many more like it in the future!
Whaddya think? You like it?

Next Class?

2012-01-07T19:23:00.000-08:00

Worked this little Tulip up for February"s class at the Gallery. Mostly because I have a student who wants to start doing flowers and I thought we'd start with the Tulip. This is a fairly simplistic study, a single flower, fresh and uncomplicated. Both my husband and I were drawn to it and I trust his photographers sense too. This piece is an oil on board, however the class will be oil on canvas.

Flow Painting Class

2012-01-07T11:28:00.000-08:00

New on the Easel, Pastels!

2011-12-19T07:27:00.000-08:00

I Have started venturing into the world of pastels and am really enjoying it. This is my second attempt at portraiture. It's a portrait of one of my grand daughters. I liked the contrast of the darks and lights. I hope to continue to improve.This subject was done on 100lb Bristol vellum.

Here we have a winter scene/landscape. Again, I do hope to improve some. I am right now just experimenting on different surfaces and using different strokes and blending techniques to get certain results. I believe this subject was done on ultramarine sanded Colorfix paper.

So far I have also experimented with watercolor paper as well and sand paper 600 gritt. I do believe I am liking the Bristol vellum the best so far. I will continue to experiment!

F-4 Gibson Mandolin

2011-12-06T18:31:00.000-08:00

More Stringed Instruments

2011-12-05T17:02:00.000-08:00

Awhile back I had done an electric steel guitar in red and promised a series of stringed instruments. Here are two that I have completed. This first is a little Ukulele with a tropical theme.

This gem has already been claimed by my husband. It is an exact replica of Stevie Ray Vaugh's electric guitar. Complete with worn varnish and scars.
On the easel next is a Mandolin, then a Banjo.

Tornado Angel Finished

2011-12-05T17:00:00.000-08:00

Progress Notes

2011-12-02T11:20:00.001-08:00

I am almost finished! Just want to do some final touches and paint the sides and this painting is finished. Thank you Barbara for the inspiration . The presence of your father has been with me this whole time. I have felt him and a whole lot of other angels while working.

background going in

2011-11-30T20:05:00.001-08:00

I've decided to go with the tornado havoc in the background on this painting to represent the clients original intent to have a painting about remembering the goodness of the "angels " that came after the tornadoes.
I still need to put in the sky and the ground, and touch up a few details here and there.
I will devote all of Monday to this painting and hopefully it will be completed then. If that is what God intends.

Daddy Angel Update

2011-11-22T00:28:00.001-08:00

Boots and chainsaw in. Wings need tweaking/shading. I have a background sketched in but I'm not totally convinced that's where it needs to go. I think God keeps leading me to something more ethereal. So, we wait for clarity. This is the hardest thing for me to do.

Angels Among Us

2011-11-21T11:19:00.000-08:00

Back in April of this year, Alabama suffered through some terrible tornado storms which ripped through the lives of many of my friends. One of those friends, Barbara, had a similar storm story as we ourselves did. That being the almost immediate help provided by our neighbors and by strangers alike. They came with their chainsaws and backhoes and cleared fallen trees from homes and helped us put our lives back together. Never asking for payment, never expecting it, just lending a loving hand. Barbara's mother's home and property were cleared by such "Angels". They came and they went. I'd like to think that one real angel in particular was in charge of this clean-up, Barbara's father. So, I begin this painting with him and his token chain saw slung up over his shoulder, leading the charge.

The boots have yet to come in, and the background. I will share progress reports as this painting comes to life.

Stevie Ray Vaughn's Guitar

2011-11-11T13:49:00.000-08:00

Next on the easel! As I promised, a series of stringed instruments. This one chosen by my husband who is a major fan of Stevie Ray Vaughn. He wanted his guitar done. So it begins.

Another days work at the studio produced some more recognizable features of a guitar. As you can sort of see this guitar is all beat up. The varnish is all but strummed away. Scraped and worked out through the pulling out of the soulful blues rhythm rifts that only Stevie could do. All the fine detail and his initials are next. A little more scaring of the surface as well, oh lets not forget those soulful strings!
Stay tuned for the finished product.

Steel Guitar

2011-11-07T17:52:00.000-08:00

This is the hopefully the first in a series of stringed instruments that I will be doing. This first one is the 'Airline String Guitar", 12"x24"acrylic on board. It has a glazed surface and will be framed, as all of them in the series will. For the music lovers out there!

Next Furniture Project

2011-11-07T12:40:00.000-08:00

As you can see, this little table is a bit dated! Like the 80's! So, since we are well past the "crafty" phases of home decor' I decided to re-do this little table.

So, off to the gallery yard this one went for a quick sanding and spray of a light turquoise color, followed by the edges rubbed with mineral spirits to show the darker color underneath.

The finished product! Still drying hard yet, so I can't dress it up with anything. I know it looks lonely all by itself there.
Now for that awful wallpaper! ;)

My Latest Painted Project

2011-11-06T13:06:00.000-08:00

While not a canvas, I have been busy painting on other surfaces. This table really needed updating. I asked my friend Michele Lee who does a lot of furniture finishes how to do this and she gave me a few pointers and away I went! It really wasn't all that difficult and I have already got another piece in the house I've got that needs re-doing! I will try and get that piece done tomorrow and I will post if it turns out alright. Well, even if it flops I'll show you the end result!

Hot Chocolate

2011-10-28T01:26:00.000-07:00

Completing the series in the hot drinks is "Hot Chocolate".
These little paintings were all just for fun and mainly for teaching purposes. This last one was toned in red on an 8"x10" canvas so that the red of the mug could show through. If you look close you can still see the red toning through the creamy top. Also on top of this cup of Cocoa is chocolate curls so that the viewer knows they are looking at Hot Chocolate. Or, at least gets a hint ;)
The top background I chose dark to make the creamy top stand out. It's a Thalo blue/green. The bottom half was yellow over the red toning then burnt sienna finally with a bit of the thalo to darken the shadowing under the base of the cup for consistencies sake. I might have had to use a touch of black there too just to get the darkness in . A stroke of white or two for highlites on the handle and rim. The cup itself is also actually two reds, cad red med, and cad red light. Burnt Sienna toned through out on the cup body with the reds too. Just to tone it done a bit or it would be too bright a red. As you can see the top is just white mashed in this way and that to represent cream and then the brown is just place here and there for the chocolate around the edges , finally topped with the chocolate curls. The curls are tow toned brown and black for depth. Just double load your small flat angled shade brush for this little one stroke curl.

Next Wine and Paint Class

2011-10-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

This Lotus Flower painting will be my next Wine and Paint class at 16 Main Gallery on October the 28th @pm. It's a BYOB. Please call and make your reservations now as classes tend to fill up early friends! 256.325. 0161.

Assorted Mini's

2011-10-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

Today I spent the day working on some holiday mini's for sale at the gallery or just whatever, for kicks. They occupied my time and entertained me most of all. I got the Fall season represented in there and then the ever present Angels found their way into the scene of course!
Let's see we've got a couple of cornucopia's , a pumpkin, a farm with chickens and a rooster in it. Then the Angels. Two singles and a group of standing angels. The group of angels look almost child like in their stature. I hadn't got the leather hanging strap on the standing group of angels yet as I had run out of time.
That's it folks! That's how I spent today! ;)

Espresso Anyone?

2011-10-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

To go along with the coffee painting I did yesterday I did this Espresso painting today at the Gallery during the Madison Street Fest. Lots of visitors today. We all had a great time at the Gallery visiting with the patrons and residents of the town as they got to stroll through Main street filled with vendors of all types including an Artist Alley run by our beloved director Michele Lee. Lisa R, Kristy and myself were the judges for the artists at Artist Alley. There were many great and skilled artisans there to choose from which made the judging all the more difficult. We were to choose best artist and best booth display. There was also a Peoples Choice Award. One of our photographers , Sarah B. did the photography for the ribbon and awards presentations.
Long day, happy little painting to show for it.

Midnight Madness Painting Spree

2011-09-30T16:27:00.001-07:00

8"x8"x1 1/2" gallery wrap, (" Bad Hair Day")
10"x10"x1 1/2"gallery wrap, ("Fall's Inspiration")

8"x8", ("Cup of Joe")

10"x20", ("Abstract Angel-2")
I couldn't help myself! I went on a painting frenzy and in 14 hours , with 5 hours sleep time in there sometime, I painted these four paintings. All acrylic. All of them random as you can see. I wanted to have a few small paintings available for the Madison Street Festival this Saturday (tomorrow).
My husband likes the chicken the best, which one do you like?...........

Angels Among Us

2011-09-18T18:45:00.000-07:00

Well, it seems that there are many angels walking among us these days and they have been very insistant that I paint them for some reason.

They are all unique and seem to have their own "mood" for lack of a better term. Anyway. There they are. The first one is an 8"x10" and the other three are 4"x12", all 1 1/2" gallery wrap textured canvas, acrylic.

Friday Night's Wine and Paint

2011-09-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

These folks floored me with their rendition of the Abstract Angel painting. I was amazed at the way their own unique personalities came out in all their angels. The one on the left seems to be in profile and very ethereal and the center one very regal and proud! The angel on the right was stand up bold stating "here I am ", ready to do business! All a true reflection of each artist. I would love to have each of these artist come work with me again. I really enjoyed myself. Thank you!

Claudia's Earth-Sold

2011-09-16T13:14:00.000-07:00

Yes, today this beautiful piece sold from the Gallery right out of my studio! The patron came in and instantly connected with it. Those are the words all artists love to hear as none of the paintings I do are for me. I just paint them and hope that I get to meet that someone special it was created for, that I got to channel the art for. Today was one of those days.
I also a had friend drop by who chose a piece that they just had to have as well.
All in all it was a very fulfilling day to my soul.

The Welder

2011-09-12T17:50:00.000-07:00

I have a niece who has moved out on her own and attends college now. She loves to weld. She asked me for a painting for her new home and I was kinda stumped for awhile. I got to talking to her a bit on face book and she referred me to a you tube video of her welding. I thought, "That's it!". I froze a shot off the you tube and painted it with a bit more color. I took some creative license with it on that. So this painting is actually our Emilee, in action, welding.

Athens Art on the Squre

2011-09-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

This painting, " The Longhorn" and

this painting, " Three Red Poppies" (a large one, and a small one) all sold at the art show in Athens Alabama Yesterday. This is what my booth looked like before the crowds descended upon us.. Kind of the quiet before the storm! It really was a nice show though. Athens is a very nice town and the people there are of the nicest You will ever meet.
The event was well planned and the layout for all the artisans was well thought out. No major ruts in the ground or soggy spots to deal with. That was a real blessing right there!

Overall I think a good time was had by all. The weather was absolutely perfect! I got to use my square device for credit card services too. I am really glad to be up and running with that this year. I started with that at the beginning of the season or so. It makes it so much easier for folks to make their purchases.
Well, that's it, my report on the show. I loved seeing all my artist friends and getting inspired by all their wonderful pieces.

Band of Angels

2011-09-07T18:24:00.000-07:00

I had some fun putting this painting together. It's done in layers. The first is the texture layer. I used some tissue paper to get a roughened feel. Inspired by my friend at the Gallery who just happened to do a painting using this same technique. I applied the tissued with the same color background color of paint that you see here. It's a mottled beige. Next I did the edges, (oh so boring, I know) but the sequence must be told. Then came then actual angel bodies. I hung the painting on my studio wall to work on upright for this. Working rather quickly, I put in the head, then the body color. Next I outlined the body here and there and sprayed it over-all with a rather generous spray of water and let the magic happen! I chose the next angel colors and did the same process again on down the line untill all nine angels were painted. Lastly came the wings, an outline and a mist. Finally when all was dry, a nice coat of varnish was applied.
This piece brings me so much joy when I look at it, I can't express how thrilled inside it makes me feel. I wonder who will end up with this painting? You know, it's always interesting to see just who connects with a painting in just that special way.

The Biker

2011-08-21T05:55:00.000-07:00

Yay! The Biker is finished!!!!!!
For those of you who have been following along with this piece, it's been a long time coming. I took special care to go at a slow and steady pace on this commission piece so that it remained a labor of love and not a chore. It has taught me a few things along the way, one of the greatest of which has been patience!
So, it is done. I am well pleased and I do hope the client is as well.

g,Breath of Life

2011-08-18T05:22:00.000-07:00

This painting is multi-layered and quite beautiful in person showing much depth not seen in the photo. It is dedicated to my friend Gabriel who signs all her correspondence with a "g".
In the background is a the god head blowing the breath of life into the cosmos, vaguely seen at the center point of the point of the crystals. The three crystals are the trinity of course. and the cosmos and all the spirit selves are in the whole of the background.

Even though I just met you, I knew you. Even though you have left, I shall see you again.

Abstract Angel

2011-08-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege to teach a mother daughter duo in my studio yesterday and we did abstract angels. The daughter was only 7 yrs old and she did very well with this technique. The background was too hard for her so she painted hers in but mother and I did this background that you see here with cheese cloth. We pushed the various paint colors through the mesh onto the canvas and of course it left a lovely course pattern in the background for our Angels.
The Angela were "wet painted". That's a term I may have made up. Apply your colors very rapidly with a wet brush dipped into the paints, dragged onto the canvas, then lightly sprayed with a water mister. It will run to give a nice runny misty effect. To stop the process at any point from running anyfurther, simply lay the canvas flat to dry. We did blow dry the background before applying the angels. However, do not blow dry the misted Angels or the lovely drops will get splayed in different directions and ruin the downward drip effect. Unless of course, that's what you want ; )
Hope you try this Wet Painted technique!

The Painted Bra Project

2011-08-11T19:22:00.000-07:00

The Painted Bra Art Project

The Painted Bra Art Project is to raise awareness for breast cancer. Breast Cancer awareness month is October. The purpose of the FB page is encourage artists to paint a bra. We will use the FB page to display the painted bras and possibly create an auction during October and donate the money to the American Cancer Society. Please email a picture of your painted bra to annabraden@comcast.net by 6 September 2011 or sooner. That will allow enough time to get all the pictures loaded and several weeks to promote our exhibit. Thanks and have fun painting bras!!

My sister Jamie is a breast cancer survivor , Yay! So you know I jumped all over this little project. So... Much... Fun...! Very tough to paint on a bra though. I didn't have any kind of manikin or seamstress dummy thing to place the bra on while painting. I had a box. Ya, that's right, a box. So. I stretched that bra around the box and said, " Hmmmm, just what do I see? " Then I knew, Freedom from cancer represented by a butterfly! Just as the butterfly struggles and transforms itself from the chrysalis only to burst free, so to is our greatest hope for the cancer patient to unfurl their wings and be free from cancer too. One way or the other, our women folk do become free and fly from those strangleholds of cancer. Either to fly home with the angels or to our earth homes and continue with the message to all her sisters that this disease can be beat.
So this little project is to help carry the message for our sisters and raise some funds too.

Cherries

2011-08-07T07:02:00.000-07:00

This little painting is for my September painting class I do believe.
My grand daughter had the job of pitting a bunch of cherries and she did a very good job of it too I might add. She pulled out a pair of joined cherries and proclaimed them twins and said I was to paint them! So, here they are.

Progress notes

2011-08-07T03:05:00.000-07:00

Back to progress on this biker painting. Thought I forgot about it didn't ya?! Well, a little here a little there, I've been working on this painting all the time. Last night I finished the paparazzi on the right hand side. Now to finish them on the left! As you can see they are just basically roughed in on the left. I really have painted them twice! I know , I know! Seems like a lot of work to do it that way doesn't it? But I really wanted to make sure that the crowd was were I wanted them and if I wanted to move them around I could do that at this stage, no problem. They will stay faded in the back in the background though I'm thinking. At least for now. Remember, the main character has yet to make an appearance, The Biker! So, we need to save all the drama for him. He gets main stage.
okay, back to painting.........

The Tired Angel

2011-07-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

This painting is now complete. May I introduce, "The Tired Angel". 12"x24"x1 1/2" gallery wrap acrylic on canvas with a 3D effect made with a product put out by Liquitex called moldeling paste. It's VERY sticky and difficult to work with.
Here's the story of this angels birth:
A fellow artist at the Gallery had made a 3D painting and had used this product and it intrigued me. Then, another artist at the Gallery, a potter, had me construct and hand build a clay project. If you go back a few post to my lotus flower posting you will get the story on that. All that to say that those two artists inspired me to work with my hands on a painting in a three dimensional way that I had not previously tried. Next inspiration came from a client who wanted me to teach her how to paint angels. I had done three mock up paintings of different style angels and was getting quite tired of them when God said, " Ange, why don't you just paint a tired angel then." So I turned my canvas sideways and did just that. I laid her down and made her 3D, just as all those inspiring moments came together to form and birth one little angel. I pulled out the areas closest to you in the modeling paste, painted them, then some of them were lightly sanded.
So there you have it..

Fiday Nights Wine and Paint Class

2011-07-22T20:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a pic of this past Friday night's wine and paint class I taught at 16 Main Gallery. The painting was "Old Glory". Class was full! We learned many different techniques again as always. First texturing the canvas, sketching our images onto the canvases then all the different shadings of reds and whites and blues that go into that simple little flag. Shading for dimension and finally antiquing for a faded fabric look. Of course, there's the wine too for those that do.......

New home for an Old Soul

2011-07-19T18:26:00.000-07:00

This is one of those paintings that just comes from a different place in my soul. It was done in 2009 and titled Psalm 30 vs 5. Today this painting went to live with a very special lady. You can look back into the history of this painting through my old blogs back to August 2009 I believe to get the story behind the painting. I couldn't have chosen a better place for this painting to be than with this lady. A more sensitive being and in tune individual I have never met. I believe she is a true empathic and uses her gift to the good of all she meets. Sherrie, enjoy. This one was always meant for you.

Progress on The Tired Angel

2011-07-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

So here is the latest update on The Tired Angel painting in 3D. Needs a little more tweaking and she's almost there. I brought a couple of my grand daughters down to the studio today and they wanted to touch her. "Please gramma can we touch her?" they cried in unison. Of course I said, "Yes". After all, why do a 3D piece if it cannot be experienced on the physical level ya know? :)

Next Wine and Paint Class

2011-07-14T21:43:00.000-07:00

On the Studio Easel

2011-07-12T14:20:00.000-07:00

This is what I am working on at the studio downtown at 16 Main Gallery. Up on the easel is "The Tired Angel". She lies reclined, resting on her arm on either a cushy sofa or cloud like surface. All the areas that are close to you are brought out in modeling medium. This stuff is really difficult to work with. What you are seeing here now is a rough portrait of this angel. I will smooth a lot of the areas out with sand paper when they dry a little more. This medium is very sticky though. The next step is to paint this medium. It's supposed to take paint well.
The end product will be a monochromatic dimensional painting with raw sienna in the crevasses for depth and interest, a sort of antiquing effect. It's all a giant experiment and I am Very excited though about it.
When she's finished I'll tell you the story behind her development and birth.

On The Easel

2011-07-08T22:10:00.000-07:00

So, I have one third of the crowd in now along the back. The remaining two thirds go along each side of the painting. They will go in next. I've had some fun with them I must say. I even added a red head in there for a bit of interest. Can you spot him?
The biker will be the very last part that I paint as is my pattern to paint the main subject matter last. That way I can see how much pizzazz and color and interest is needed to make it pop as the main focal point of the piece.
See ya next post..........

New on the Easel

2011-07-08T06:55:00.000-07:00

Up next on the ole easel is another commission piece I'm working on. This one is for an avid cyclist and this is The tour De' Flanders race I believe, although I may have that mixed up a bit. Anyway, it's a cyclist coming up through a crowd, toward a church there in the distance. The crowd will be waving flags and be full of paparazzi taking pictures and such as the leader of the pack heads toward the finish. All action packed and very sporty. very detailed, but I am enjoying the process non the less.
I will post more pictures as we progress along so you can see the crowd grow and the biker take form too. Oh ya, also gotta round out that front wobbly wheel! Can't win the race on that!
This is an acrylic on a 20"x20" canvas.

The Lotus Flower

2011-07-06T10:19:00.000-07:00

Today I made my first clay piece since grade school! One of the potters down at the Gallery took the time to find out about each of all of us artists and our work one day to get to know us better and to be able to help with the clients and their selections as well. He got an idea to have each of us to take a hunk of clay and make something that he would then Raku fire . Just so that we could all get to know his medium as he was getting to know ours. What a wonderful idea and very fun. So this is what came out of my head. A Lotus Flower. I am sure it will most probably not hold up under the firing process but it was VERY fun to make . All the artists have each come up with pieces also reflective of their own unique personalities too. Perhaps they will give me permission to take pictures after the glazing and firing process is done and you all can see. Thank you Ned for the experience.

The Longhorn-SOLD

2011-07-02T00:50:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago I introduced you all to this painting that I had up on the easel, The Longhorn, my neighbors. Remember? Well, I have them pretty darn close to complete now. Thought I give you a chance for comments before I put the clear medium on. Still thinking, upon
reflection, that we may use a bit more definition in those horns on the front cow/longhorn? Whadda you think? Looks a bit "ghosty" yet to me. I could be wrong and maybe I should just leave them be!
They measure 12"x24"x1 1/2" gallery wrap, acrylic on canvas

Well, I did round out that front cow/longhorn's horn a bit more. Now it's to my satisfaction. Perhaps I shall post the fixed picture so you can see in the morning?......

Bulls in Progress

2011-06-29T01:32:00.000-07:00

Okay, next up on the ole easel are my neighbors. Yes, I said my neighbors! I live in the country and next door are some long horn cattle. They are just full of character. They will stare you down and not flinch or move an inch from the fence line when you go out there near them. Unlike their regular ole cattle counterparts who were skittish and would shy away from us when we got to near. These guys OWN their territory! So they inspired me to put paint and brush to canvas to capture their attitude some and I hope I've begun to do that for you. The front cow still needs speckles and contouring on her body and both animals need refining on their horns done. I wanted to show you all what I've been up to lately since the last painting.

Finished Painting

2011-06-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

This painting for my friend has finally been finished. It's titled"Cora and Jack" and measures 11"x14", acrylic on canvas.
It's done from a photo taken at the beach down here in Alabama I believe. Mother and son were sitting in the surf tethered together. Just enjoying their day on the shore.
Nice memento of a day well spent I say!

Wine and Paint class

2011-06-25T04:22:00.000-07:00

This is a class photo of Friday nights Ladies Wine and Paint class at 16 Main Gallery that I instructed.We had a blast. What a real good group of women who learned a whole lotta techniques in one night! Texturizing a canvas, painting, antiquing, knife work poppies and finishing up a product with varnish! Well done ladies!

Progress notes

2011-06-23T19:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a little check in on the beach painting I'm doing for a client/friend of mine . I think it's coming along nicely. Needs a couple more tweaks here and there and then I think we'll call it finished and ready for delivery. A few more layers of paint here and there in the chair back and in the black hat I believe. Also am debating on working on the shadows some. They seem too flat to me.
The colors are really very vivid in person and I am really quite pleased with them if I do say so. I so love PAINT! :D

Cora and Jack

2011-06-19T03:03:00.000-07:00

working on this painting this week. It's a little painting for a friend who is at the beach. This picture was of her daughter Cora and her grandson Jack sitting in their chairs in the surf.
It's just their backsides but mother and son are tethered together in the surf and it will be soooo precious when it's done. Ahhhhh, just chiling at the beach. What a wonderful little memento to have. Thank you Martha for asking me to do this one.
I will be adding in the actual painted figures over the next couple of days here.

Thursday the 16th of June!!!!

2011-06-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

I will be setting up with some very talented artist downtown Huntsville at this event. Please brave the heat and come on out and join us! My street prices will be very competitive too! wink wink! ; ) 4:30-8:30pm.
rain or shine.

Next Class

2011-06-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

Pop Art

2011-06-04T06:48:00.000-07:00

It would seem that left unbridled, my mind slips on over to the ' Pop Art" side of the creative world. I say this because this painting happened all on it's own. No plan just threw a gessoed board up on the easel and started painting. No plan, no thoughts, just music and me. It's really quite beautiful in it's own right I suppose. It does seem to represent ( I hope ) a peaceful mind! :) Not too sure about that flower being in the mouth of that venus fly trap type plant thing though, what's that all about?????
It's also quite feminine too. I suppose it reveals a lot about me. The strange thing is that the color choices are not my usual yellow based colors that I prefer. It all just kinda happened one shape morphed into the next, one color called to the next. Before I knew it, this painting had literally painted itself.
I want to thank my friend Deb who stopped by the Gallery to watch the shop so I could just create without interruption, thanks Deb!

16Main: This Thursday! 4-8pm Art on Main

2011-06-01T04:38:00.000-07:00

16Main: This Thursday! 4-8pm Art on Main: "This Thursday from 4-8:30pm is the NEW Art on Main! Come and enjoy all the artists and find that special something! Along with the Art on..."

Mock up/ practice painting

2011-05-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, friends, here's the mock up of the Tina Chick painting. She's coming along although I am thinking about switching the green and purple. Making the background green and the dress purple. Whaddya think? I'm also gonna stretch those legs just a tad bit longer. Tina has some rockin' legs ya know. Not too much though as it IS still a chicken after all. : )

Mini Chicks!

2011-05-27T16:51:00.000-07:00

Back by popular demand, it's the crazy chicks in miniature! I just had to do it folks, I still have these crazy chickens floating around in my head. They need a place to roost!
The next one coming is an ole favorite stage persona in"Crazy Chick" form, Tina Turner.... Yes that's right, a Crazy Chick on stage in full costume! .........Stay tuned.
...........and we're rollin', rollin', rollin on the riva.

Sunrise On The Wood

2011-05-26T18:34:00.000-07:00

perspective shadows, oil on canvas. 18"x36"
There's a glare on the far right tree shadow making it appear too light. It is dark though, just didn't photograph well for some reason.

Three Red Poppies

2011-05-23T16:46:00.000-07:00

This was a textured canvas I did real late the other night and painted a medium cad yellow and white mixture. I brushed some raw sienna lightly over the canvas a small section at a time , then wet it with the brush, then wiped it down a bit. The result was an antiquing effect in the textured nooks and crannies.
I sat with it awhile and waited for inspiration.
That was when in my minds eye I saw the big red poppies in an abstract layout kind of way. While I was sketching out some ideas for the layout my friend Dianne peeked into the studio to see what was gonna become of that canvas I suppose. I painted the poppies then went to bed. Next morning Dianne said she had already peeked again at the painting that morning, just to see how they came out. She liked them, and I'm glad. Hope you enjoy them too.

Paintings on the Easel

2011-05-18T19:22:00.001-07:00

This painting called, 'Wild Poppies" is already sold but I thought you might like to see it. It came off the easel and went so quick I didn't really get a chance to post it. It's 22"x28" acrylic knife work on canvas.

This next painting is called simply , "The Lake" and measures 16"x20" and is an oil on canvas. It was an emotional release after the storms we suffered here in Alabama as was this next painting,

called, "The River". This one was originally inspired from a trip I took to Decatur Alabama. As you drive to Decatur you must cross over the Tennessee river from our direction. I looked out over the water and it was as smooth as glass. You know how it gets sometimes? Just real pretty and peaceful.This painting is 8"x10" and is an oil on canvas.

Another little painting I did sometime ago and framed is called, " Italian Fields" and will go on display somewhere downtown Huntsville with either the tourist or the Von Braun center, I can't remember which. It will go along with a bunch of art from the artist, of which I am one, from 16 Main Gallery in Madison Al. for advertisement of our gallery.
I hope I have caught you up on what I have been doing. I do have a rather large oil painting working down at the gallery. It's not finished yet. I will post in a few more days when it is done. As a teaser let me just say it's an oil and has backlit shadowed trees in it....

Class results

2011-04-23T05:56:00.000-07:00

and here are the results of the abstract painting class last night. I think they did a wonderful job, don't you?

Wine and Paint night lesson at 16 Main Gallery

2011-04-21T08:58:00.000-07:00

Come join me this Friday night, 6 p.m. at 16 Main Gallery and paint this abstract. BYOB for sure!
We'll have fun and use BIG palette knives.
Call to reserve your spot, 256.325.0161

Guiding Angel

2011-04-20T18:09:00.000-07:00

My dear friend is sitting bedside of a loved one who is transitioning from this world to the next. This is a very special time filled with waiting yes, but, most importantly with thoughts of all the treasured memories shared with each other, now and through the years. While speaking with my friend on the phone I felt God lead me to the easel and paints. The images I received over and over again were of the most beautiful angels sitting at the bedside of this loved one. I felt like this one particular angel was The Guiding Angel, there for just that purpose. So, with only an internal knowing of what this angel might look like I began to paint. This is what I saw....

All around the Barnyard!

2011-04-07T16:23:00.001-07:00

You all got to see this painting in an earlier post two weeks ago, Travis and His Chicks. 12"x48"x1 1/2".
I have been very busy with chickens and roosters lately and thought I'd do a wacky kind of painting next.

This painting was all for fun after such a serious painting before it. I call this one , Crazy Chickens! 12"x48"x1 1/2". Had a lot of fun with it and everyone who dropped by the studio had a laugh too!

Finally and the END of the line for chickens for awhile is Hen Pecked, a folksy, arts and crafts style painting. 12"x24'.
Sure do hope you enjoyed these barnyard critters!

On The Easel

2011-04-02T20:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, here is the first step in blocking in some of the color to this Belly Dancer painting. These are just the "little" people.The main Belly Dancer has'nt had any color yet. I will show her to you when she gets a layer of paint on her. For now, this is where I am. There are three belly dancers in total. The camels need to get some color on them and some shadows and highlights yet are still to come. I thought though that perhaps you might like to see the construction.

Travis And His Chicks

2011-03-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

I was painting these chickens and rooster at the studio downtown and my friend happened in and decided to name the rooster Travis. She said as she lowered her voice a bit that Travis spoke like this, And her voice got real sultry and sort of Bostonian in accent. He's the cock of the walk here, keeping these chicks in place. Ever watchful. So, we named this one," Travis and His Chicks".

Landscape class at 16 Main

2011-03-28T20:59:00.000-07:00

this Saturday at 2pm I will be teaching this landscape painting in oils. If you've never tried oils let me assure you you will love them. This class will teach the use of different brushes and even the palette knife. Class begins at 2pm and the fee is $45.00. Should be two hours, perhaps a little longer if necessary.
Get Ready! Let's Paint!
call to reserve your seat, 256.325.0161

Energen Art Competition Reception

2011-03-27T17:03:00.000-07:00

Here's Jim today at the Energen art Reception in Birmingham Alabama. He accompanied me as my guest.

We had a wonderful time, lots of folks milling about and enjoying the fabulous buffet laid out by the Energen Chefs.

And finally, here I am with my entry, "Into The Mystic".
Long drive there and back but Oh So worth it!

Electric Guitar

2011-03-24T16:26:00.000-07:00

This painting was so exciting to watch happen. At first I had all the wrong colors chosen and I quickly changed Magenta for the sage-ish green. I really think the colors now play beautiful music together. When I posted just a segment of the painting, a little corner, my friends on the social network FB declared that it looked like an electric guitar. So, well you guessed it, we named her just that "Electric Guitar". So while you look imagine your favorite guitar riff.

Artist Reception this Saturday

2011-03-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

come on down to the Gallery on Saturday and visit, see what's new, have a snack.

Knife painting class

2011-03-19T12:52:00.000-07:00

Today these beautiful women got to experience the palette knife. The subject was a rose in a vase. I think they did an absolutely fabulous job, didn't they!

Sunflower Sunset-SOLD

2011-03-13T05:51:00.000-07:00

Another painting hot off the easel this week from my studio downtown, "Sunflower Sunset".
My step mother had requested a sunflower or rooster painting for her new kitchen but I didn't get the measurements. This painting was inspired by that but I think it may be too large.This painting measures 20"x30"x1 1/2" gallery wrap. Hope that it fits someones desired place in their home though.

The Mask

2011-03-13T05:46:00.000-07:00

Flow paintings continue here in the studio. This one called "The Mask", measures 20"x24" and is already framed. Love the colors again! Wow, I find this new expression of paint and art to be very fulfilling and quite exciting as I never know what will happen. You can have no real plan when doing these except color choices.

The Genesis

2011-03-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to introduce this new painting! It's a three paneled triptych flow painting. Each panel/canvas is 20"x30"x1 1/2". So the true measurement given an inch between panels is 62"x30"x1 1/2"gallery wrap.
I so love this painting! The colors are phenomenal and remind me of the first verses in the chapter Genesis in the Bible. The creation and formation of the world, air, water , sea and light.
I always feel the presence of my higher power at the creation of my paintings, He surely guided the paint flow on this one.
There is just a WOW factor to see this painting in real life. I surely hope you all enjoy it as much as I am.

Southern Comfort

2011-03-05T15:08:00.000-08:00

This painting is a special painting I created to hang over the couch in our own home. I live in the south and so the name "Southern Comfort" was just a natural. My own couch is a raw sienna color so this painting has that color in it. The other colors are the accent colors currently used here at home. This painting is rather large, 3ftx4ftx1 1/2" gallery wrap. Made in a similar fashion as" Claudias Earth" with flow paints and pouring medium. After all was dry I laid a coat of high gloss gel over the top to even out some of the light refractions. This painting brings me so much comfort and a feeling of warmth that I just can explain or convey in words alone. I can only hope that feeling has been replicated here for you to see and enjoy.

Come Paint with Me

2011-03-03T18:22:00.000-08:00

Feeling a bit of spring fever? I am so let's paint a Daffoldil at 16 Main next week. Call to reserve your spot, 256.325.0161

Three Roses

2011-03-02T19:33:00.000-08:00

This acrylic knife work on canvas was the first painting that I did for a commission piece earlier listed in the blog. I made a mistake and put blues in the painting and the clients decor did not call for blues. So we have this one now framed and ready for the Gallery or the art shows as the season for shows is nearing. My husband actually prefers this one to the other one and I think it's because he does like blue!

Claudia's Earth

2011-02-28T18:05:00.000-08:00

I have a beautiful friend named Claudia who is the one person I know who puts every waking moment of her life into making this earth a more healthy and friendly place to live. She's a great advocate for the dolphins in particular.
I did this flow painting and when it was finished shifting and moving, as these paintings do, I saw a clear representation of Claudia's Earth. So that's this paintings name ,"Claudia's Earth".
I can see all the colors of the sea and the clouds, it's almost as if we are looking upon this ole planet from some distance out, space maybe?
So, here's to you Claudia. Thank you.

Warren receives his commision piece

2011-02-28T17:57:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago Barbara and Warren stopped by the studio and requested a painting be made to represent their beloved family. Three roses , one for each member of the family unit and the vase which itself represents the holding together of the family. The little rose petal lying beside the vase is of course for the family dog.

The painting itself is 20"x24" acrylic knife work on canvas. Each rose petal was carefully sculpted to show dimension and depth.
Thank you Warren and Barbara for allowing me to be the one to" paint" your family portrait!

Hank

2011-02-17T16:31:00.000-08:00

So today we honor an artist who has left this world and has been a traveler to the next for one year now. On this anniversary of sorts, his dear sister and my close friend Deb, would like to share with you some of Hanks art. Deb has been spending the last couple of days in quiet meditation, thoughts and memories all focused on a life shared with Hank as brother and sister , this time 'round. Deb was a devoted sister to Hank and a more loved brother there never was I'd guess. Deb released her grief for Hank today on this anniversary, gazing at his art work and on a full moon with her new kitty, yup, you guessed it, "Hank" snuggled up on her lap.
So Hank, here's to you. Thank you for the beautiful pieces of your soul you left behind in your artwork and in your sister. Grab the tail of the next comet and fly buddy, fly....!

Becky's Flow Painting

2011-02-16T00:08:00.000-08:00

This is my friend Becky. She came in to do a Flow Painting lesson and was really dragging. She had just had to put her loving family dog, Max, down the day before and her spirits were low. Rather than stay in the house she kept her appt to paint and came on down to the studio today and I'm so glad she did. Max was a golden retriever, was well loved by his family, as you could imagine. He had gotten bone cancer and had only just been diagnosed when he took a sudden turn and went down hill prompting the family to gather by his side the day before to say their goodbyes.
Becky decided to use some comforting colors to paint with and they were the colors of her Golden Retriever Max. That part was planned, what wasn't planned and what was soooo freaky was, when she was done with her painting we set it at a distance to look at it and then we saw! Or should I say Becky saw! MAX! Yup! Looking right back at us in the random flow pattern of the paint was the facial image of her loving dog Max. His puppy eyes looking right at us! Flow paintings are totally random abstract paintings with no plan, they just happen. This was truly a GOD thing given to a greiving pet owner to have in memorium forever in tribute to her family dog. So, you guessed it, she named the painting ' Max".

Summer Days

2011-02-14T18:28:00.000-08:00

Lovely new painting just off the easel called, "Summer Days". This painting is very large measuring 24"x48"x1 1/2/"gallery wrap. The medium used is all new to me. My friend Michele has a faux finishing business and had this wax polymer that she used to burnish into wood pieces. She gave me some , and curious, I thought, "Hmmm I wonder what would happen if I mixed paint with it and used the wax as a thickening medium similar to gel?" I did that. I mixed up some beautiful colors that called to me and began. I first laid an underpainting in to get placement and color composition down. Next, I got out the knives! Now you know how I love the knives! All the canvas was done by knife impasto using that wax polymer and acrylic paint. It dried hard overnight. I checked with my friend about the durability of the wax and she assures me that it is quite strong and uses it on fireplace mantles as well as other pieces of furniture. The texture is firm and a semi-gloss when dry.

The Hibiscus

2011-01-30T09:34:00.000-08:00

This lovely flower came to me by way of God. Yes, that's right I said "God". I had a few paintings I wanted to do, then in the way that God does, He showed me this image sorta like burned into the backside of my eyelids. It was this deep throated red hibiscus flower. Giant too like an O'Keefe painting. I said to God, "But God, it's already been done before by other artists" Ya know, like whining to Him! I think we are very amusing to him sometimes. Anyway, so, that's the origin and inspiration behind this painting. Now for the particulars. It measures 18"x24"x1 1/2" gallery wrap and is an oil on canvas. The painting part is done, however, I will be laying on some impasto medium over the top to give this painting some gloss and texture.

First Wine and Paint

2011-01-22T03:01:00.000-08:00

This is the happy crew from 16 Main gallery's first ever Wine and Paint and boy did we have fun. Did'nt all the students do great!?

This friday night, the 21st!

2011-01-20T11:06:00.001-08:00

Wine and Paint night lesson at 16 Main Gallery

2011-01-18T16:29:00.000-08:00

This Friday evening at 6pm come and join me for a Wine and Paint night at 16 Main Gallery in Madison Alabama.
BYOB of your choice, $35.00, all supplies included.
We will do study of wine bottles in acrylic paints on canvas. You will leave the evening with a completed painting and a smile on your face! We do have fun!
Call for reservation: 256.325.0161

New Painting, Crescendo

2011-01-16T19:11:00.000-08:00

This painting I did last week. Another friend and I were working in the studio, she with her project of mixed media and I with another knifed abstract. I started this painting not knowing at all where it was going. With some rather calm music I scumbled in the colors I wanted to use , putting down an underpainting. I felt drawn to those colors even though they are not my usual color palette. When I was sure about the color combination I got excited. I knew I was going to get the knives out. As the excitement in me grew, the music changed and built up, escalating into an explosion of musical notes. I began applying the various paint selections following some internal rhythm.
When I put the last of the paint on, finishing all that I had mixed, I felt a release. The music ended and I knew the painting was nearing completion. Now, all that remained was the musical notes that threw me into this frenzy!. The notes, the black and yellow droplets, are high gloss latex and glisten when the light strikes them, standing out just like they did in my minds eye during the music. Well, the music now was calm again and then I realized what this whole painting was, the crescendo! So, that's what it is called, " Crescendo", 30"x30"x1 1/2" gallery wrap.

February class samples

2011-01-10T22:44:00.001-08:00

I will be teaching a couple of classes next month at 16 Main Gallery. This first one will be on Feb 11th, a Friday night," Champagne and berries." Acrylic. Of course it's a BYOB so ........

This second painting will be on a Saturday afternoon the 26th I think. This one is an oil and is entitled," The Flame and the Flower."
Each class will run 2-3 hours and is designed for most skill levels. We will have still life props by which we will paint by.
These classes are sooooo much fun. I hope you can join us.

....by any other name

2011-01-03T09:01:00.000-08:00

My friend Martha took a picture of a rose recently and I loved it. I decided to do a close up of this rose and try and get a really velvety feel to the petals. Normally I would have done a rose in oils but I felt like challenging myself with the acrylics to get this feel. So, as usually occurs, in my jammies late at night, the rose came to life.

Blue Green

2011-01-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

After a period of artistic abstinence, due to house guest, I needed a painting to wake up the right side of my brain. I knew I wanted the color blue green as the background so that part was easy. Next I had to just do a simple style of painting to loosen up my brush hand and stroke. I am in a flower mood of late so this came out onto the canvas and I didn't fight it.

Sunflowers

2010-12-30T10:44:00.000-08:00

I always seem to gravitate toward the bright colors and this time it's sunflowers. This painting is 18"x24"x1 1/2" gallery wrap, acrylic on canvas.

Three Poppies

2010-12-30T10:43:00.000-08:00

This little painting is done in oils and is on a 1 1/2 inch gallery wrap canvas.

Fish

2010-12-15T16:55:00.001-08:00

I really really enjoy just scumbling in colors onto a canvas and just looking to see what it will become. This one started off all muted camo colors at first. I am drawn more to bright colors, if you hadn't noticed already, so I added a few brights! I swear to all that is holy, I did not try to make another fish! It just happened again! Well, what could I do but just go with it? I also skimmed in some iridescent copper and some blues and greens to set the fish and seaweed back some into the painting.

Coral Reef in Tandem

2010-12-12T07:29:00.000-08:00

This painting is rather large at 30"x30"x1 1/2" gallery wrap. I started this one just by scumbling in some primary colors onto the canvas. I turned the canvas on it's various sides to see what would appear. My friend Michele Lee and I looked and waited to see what God wanted this painting to become. Well, I soon lost my light at the studio to paint by but not before we saw these wonderful little fish swimming out and through the coral reefs. The other sides revealed other options as well but the coral reef and all it's beautiful colors just called to me. I brought it to my home studio and there I began to pull out the basic elements that you now see. Coral Reef in Tandem was born!

Emerging Cockatoo

2010-12-10T18:40:00.001-08:00

I was at the downtown studio the other day and just began scumbling in some color on a canvas. I stood back and saw this bird looking back at me! Okay, it's a sulfur crested cockatoo at that! As with the Emerging Koala, I just pulled the image that I saw, out. Just a few strokes of the brush. I brought it home and finished it off by painting in a branch, then I added some heavy gel medium and paint, lightly skimmed over the surface. If you were to tilt the canvas toward you, you would see painted on the 1 1/2" wrap end, the sulfur crest of the bird.

Starfish

2010-12-10T18:39:00.000-08:00

spent some time with a friend painting one day, she on an abstract and me on this starfish. I suppose I was feeling a little "Beachey".
This starfish has just come ashore and has the water still lapping gently at some of it"s feet/arms/hmmm, I guess you know what I mean! The remarkable color of this particular specimen is true. God really did make this one green.

Sunlit Poppies II- SOLD

2010-12-03T00:50:00.000-08:00

Hillside Poppies

2010-11-27T18:14:00.000-08:00

This little beauty measures 8"x10". It's another perspective painting. This time the perspective is "Near" and "far". Remember when that Sesame Street Character who was blue, Grover I think, would run out and say "Far". Then he would run closer and say" Near"? Ha ha, cracks me up! Anyway I digress. The poppies are smaller in the background and larger in the foreground.
I do believe this is the last of the poppies for awhile. I may paint some red or yellow ones though, ya never know.