Oil painting adventure

It has been a long time since I was a complete novice at some sort of art making.  Recently, I placed myself in the position of "total newbie" when I joined an ongoing painting group and brought out my oil paints.  Watercolor and acrylic have been my materials of choice for a good number of years, so working with slippery oil paint was a different thing altogether.  I wouldn't say the result is where I would like to remain as an oil painter, but there were some things that I wasn't totally unhappy about.  Long way to go.

So thankful!

On this Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving Day 2014, I reflect on what I have been blessed with thus far in my life.  So Much.  More than I deserve, for the most part.  I vow to be a better steward of my gifts and share more with those who have less.  Thanksgiving blessings to all.

Studio Tour Recap

It's been a month since the first weekend of the Whatcom Artists Studio Tour.  Being my first year on the tour, I didn't know what to expect.  I had hoped for 100 visitors and a few sales.  The response surpassed those hopes, so I'm very pleased and will definitely participate again in 2015.  Above are a couple of little original acrylic paintings I gave away in a drawing.  It was so fun to art-speak for hours on end.

Calendar 2015

After much muttering and gnashing of teeth, I was able to coax a calendar of my images out of my Photoshop program.  They have been well received so far and would make a nice gift, I think.  I'll start a little earlier for 2016.

Larger Than Life

Rhody Blossom - Acrylic on Canvas

The summer is absolutely flying by...as it always seems to.  My big goal is getting things painted for the October Whatcom Artists Studio Tour...enough paintings to fill my new 30' x 20' art workspace.  I got a big idea to "stage" interiors outside in my yard and photograph the paintings in natural light.  The problem that was quickly apparent was that sunny natural light creates too much contrast drama and overcast days have been few in number.  Not complaining...just saying.  This one is a little dark.  That's a birdcage next to the faux bed.  All in all, it was a fun photo shoot and I hope to keep dragging stuff out into the yard to set up the shots.  Wish someone would come over and put it all away afterwards.

The Sweet Robin

The robin.  They've just always been there.  In the yard, cocking their heads to one side listening for worms.  Do worms make a noise?  They must.   Every now and again I get a request from a market customer for a robin card for someone with the same name....so here it is.

New Studio and Humble Beginnings

I always love before and after pictures of artistic projects.  Order out of chaos.  So after last years' Whatcom County Artists Studio Tour and seeing the grand and humble work spaces of fellow artists,  I had a burning desire to create a space where I could work on mixed media and larger canvases.  My living room just wasn't cutting it, what with acrylic paint and medium flying all over.  After considering a couple of options for space on the property, we elected to tackle my father's woodworking shop.  This is pretty much the state of things before he had to move to assisted living.  This was his "playpen" and he knew where everything was.  Amazing.   I'm happy to report that I'll be included in the 2014 Whatcom County Artists Studio Tour, which means this new studio needs to get put together pronto.  I'll post more pics as things progress.