Painting Incidents

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Painting on Fence Board

Old fence board makes fun seasonal art. I made A & M snowmen, Christmas trees, and a dozen or more trees.

I like this so well that I'm making a permanent arrangement, at least until Julie asks me to hand them over!

I'm finishing some projects. Over New Years, we stayed in Leakey, Texas. It was so cold, wet, and rainy, that we spent the entire time watching John Wayne movies, football games, and for me, painting.

Prints of Ligonier on the square are available:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/town-square-at-christmas-beth-waltman.html

The original, 16X20 acrylic work on canvas, can be purchased for $150.

Please contact through the link.

I really enjoyed doing this painting. When I was a child, the "Diamond"--the town square--was decorated for Christmas. White lights twinkled in abundance. A nativity set was always prominently displayed. Just driving around the area, especially when a soft snow drifted down, was a trip through Wonderland!

So when I began this, I used Liquitex Basics light blue violet to sketch it in. Obviously, I need to work more on architecture and perspective. But the moment of nostalgia caught me, and I worked feverishly until it seemed complete!

Prints of the Frio River in springtime are available:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/spring-river-beth-waltman.html

The original, a 12X14 on canvas, can be purchased for $75. Please contact through the link.

Originally, I had this started as a watercolor. Watercolor just is not my medium. So yesterday, in the interest of finishing projects, I set out experimenting. Finally got the amazing blends of colors that showed in the photograph on this day.

Prints of "This Tree, Mom!" are available:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/this-is-the-one-beth-waltman.html

The original is for sale for $100. Please contact through FineArtAmerica.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

This and That.

I made this one with Yvonne.

We girls got together for a paint night.

There is something really gratifying about painting with a friend. You somehow spur each other on to choose, attempt, and complete a work.

Prints or the original can be purchased at:

Copper Moon

These desert flowers are a reflection on the unexpected beauty we find in nature.

Prints or original can be purchases at :

Cactus Flower

When learning to paint, don't be afraid to make mistakes. Expect that you might even hate some of your work at the start. At the same time, you'll be amazed how many people say, "Will you paint one just like that for me?"

Mr. G, the art teacher at my school, gave me lots of helpful getting-started advice. "You don't have to buy expensive paint to make nice paintings. Liquitex Basics work just fine." I have occasionally added a pricier paint, and haven't found it to really outshine the basics, unless I was looking to add a different (thicker) texture.

My painting goals for 2015: paint and post pictures at least weekly, sketch almost daily; learn figures and faces; progress with animal drawings. I want to try something outside of my comfort zone monthly--a building, a different color or angle.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Deserts and Hills

I've had a lot of fun already this Christmas Vacation.

I'm fairly happy with this Frio River painting. I would like to put some kids playing on the bank, or maybe some deer. Or wild turkeys. Maybe a small dragon! Or a stegasaurus.

The painting above is a whimsical moon to hang in my friend's bathroom. It needed to match Lowe's "Coral Passion" shade, so I hope we covered that! There are metallic bronze highlights on the branches.

I've perched the paintings on my piano on top of the fake greenery. Nice effect, right?