Fall foliage

This weekend's finish

Art Shows

I've been asked by two people this week to participate in art shows.  One is a craft fair in Katy, and one is a show for September in Fulshear.

While that's exciting, and I might send a few things to the Katy show, I'm not selling art at this time.  Maybe in the future?

I wonder how real artists do it? I can't imagine piecing enough commissions together to make a living. How many people are out there who appreciate hand-painted items, and are willing to pay?  And if they have the cash, where will they spend, and on what?  And that probably applies to top-level, professionally trained artists, not li'l old me.

At this time, I'm not selling paintings.  The materials are so pricey that people are blown away when I ask them to simply replace my canvas if they want a painting.  When friends are serious about wanting a piece of original art, they happily buy me supplies.  When they are just looking for a budget-minded way to decorate the house, they do better to visit Hobby Lobby.  Or make their own attempt.  What I do is not that hard--a few trees, a sunset, a beach.

At any rate, I already have a job.  But it makes me wonder whether this might be a fun retirement hobby?

Whoville

Another effort at Dr. Seuss. This is for a friend's dining room.
I used Liquitex basics, some Dick Blick acrylic, and for the gold, one of those little bottles of craft paint.  It's metallic enamel by FolkArt.

Now, please don't tell me that no serious artist uses craft paint in their projects.  I am not a serious artist. Just having fun here!  

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This is so funny to me that this whimsical painting is a favorite for many people! It ws so much fun to do.

Frosted Trees

A little reminder of Christmas; I used a dark gesso and worked up.  I'm still trying to finish it with a sheen. My middle daughter has dibs on this one.

Krystal hates the sun in this. She says it looks like a nasty yellow spider with a fried egg center.  So I'm painting it out and painting in stars and a dark, snowy sky.  We'll see. 

Desert Rose

This one is going to the Katy craft show.

Moonlight

Everyone keeps stealing my beach scenes, so I'm starting one for me.

I hang these at the front of my classroom beside a photograph that has "Dream" worked into the seascape.  I keep painting beaches, moons, night...and people keep stealing them.  So I'll sneak this one in and hang it.  

You can see the tape at the horizon where I'm trying not to have a vague and shaky line. 

The doctor's painting

These steps look a bit mysterious. The flowers sweep up both sides. Deep woods surround, and the top step almost disappears in shadow.

Amanda's Hill

Amanda came to paint with me. I showed her a few basic starting tips, and look at this beauty she produced!

Amanda's path

She's starting this beautiful mountain path.

Teals for Natalia

This will eventually resemble a tree. For now, lights and darks.

Here's a twin for the first painting.  The background was rubbed on with a cloth.  It made an interesting effect.  I think I need to take a background like this to school and let all the students sign, maybe with a silver sharpie.

There, a little gold.  Cheesy but fun.  Since this is free form rather than a photo copy, it was pure joy.

Winter trees

Krystal would like some glitter on this, which will make it look like a giant Christmas card. We'll try it! What can it hurt?

I usually paint the lightest colors in first.  For this one, I used dark gesso, then slowly added lighter shades.  The photo that inspires me shows a sinking sun that causes deep shadows. There are all shades of pink and tenders pastel yellow right between the clouds and the retreating sun.  I'll add those in over several days so I can thin with glaze.  

Collaborative Painting

My friend and "sponsor" came over last night to try her hand at painting. Since Dr. MG is the creative drive behind many of my efforts, it made sense that she should pick up a brush and go to it. What fun we had! Later in the evening, C. Came by and added to his canvas. I am ending up by finishing off the doctor's tulip path.

So why do I see online artists hating on the wine and paint clubs? I don't get it. You resent someone enjoying a night with brushes, pigments, and socialization? We can't all be trained at the Sorbonne, and few of us will take the art world by storm. We aren't hurting anyone, and it keeps us out of the malls and off the streets. Have a sense of humor, and admit that amateur artists are experiencing enough creativity to appreciate true and trained genius.

Kids show their style and color sense.  This kiddo is careful to never overlap, to never mix colors.  My other grandson splatter paint all over the canvas. 

Double Rainbow

Found an amazing photo at winder ground,com. Trying to reproduce the mood

Paintings for Good Homes

TJ looked longingly at my rendition of Starry Night. Yet again, he asked if he could have it. And once again, I explained my terms. "Just bring me a canvas to replace it."

The other day, he had grumbled that teachers are rich, why couldn't I give him a painting. Since I have students who ask me for money, for my IPad, for my jewelry, and for the paintings on my classroom wall, I must draw parameters around my stuff. I give away pencils pretty freely. Painting supplies, however, must be replaced.

TJ asked the art teacher for a blank canvas. Last Friday, he went home with my Starry Night.

Then Kristen came into town. She had written me a check and also sent a very nice set of acrylics through Amazon. She took away 7 paintings. She liked all the tree paintings.

I feel oddly like a pet owner who hopes her kittens or puppies will be treated well in their new homes. It's not wrenching, as yielding a child for adoption must be. It's more a nagging doubt. That realization dawns that you can't possibly keep stacks of canvases around the house--or kittens, or gerbils, or dogs. Someone else who will love your creature should have that chance. And now I have wall space in class, and storage space at home to start the next sets!

Negative space

Apparently, the darks are as definitive as the lights. It's the shadows that make sunny flecks pop.

Glazes

I'm pondering this week how to finish my paintings. I have a nice Liquitex glaze that adds sheen as in water surfaces. I think I want a matte finish, thought, to seal some of my works.

Fortunately, Dr. MG gave me a Hobby Lobby gift certificate and I can try a new product without breaking my piggy bank.

It's time to buy Caed his first paint set.

Waterfall

Added some shadows; creating depth and coolness.
Last night, there was nothing much to do except paint and relax.  School had been hectic and tense.  As I dabbed on the paint, I felt myself unknot, muscle by muscle.

Waterfall

For a master bath for a friend--day 2

Lately

I miss the beach in Punta Cana