Gorry

"Gorry" (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

And here's the last of my last batch, finally! Sorry for the delay. The art show on the weekend was ok, no big sales, but a few small ones. The big sales came right before the weekend; "Nibbling Sibling" (22x28) sold to a friend of a friend, and then "Timid Twins" (36x24, just posted Thursday) sold to a lady in Australia who contacted me the day that it posted! Wow! That doesn't happen every day. So I had a pretty terrific week all in all.

I might take a breather for a few days, while I prep up a new batch of little ones... and some more big ones, I'm running low! Got to re-stock before October's Bayou City Art Fest in Houston.

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Timid Twins

"Timid Twins"  (pastel, 36x24 inches)  sold

Finally! This will be my newest large showpiece for the Beachcomber's Art Show and Sale, South Padre Island, TX, Convention Centre, this weekend July 26 & 27, 2014.

My large paintings have sold fairly well over the last 2 years. "Nibbling Sibling", which was slotted to go to The Gallery at Round Top since they sold "Familial Bliss", just sold to a client from Cactus Jack's this week! So I'll be trying to compose some new large works before October and the Bayou City Art Fest in downtown Houston. This one will probably go to Round Top if it doesn't sell this weekend.

Here are just a handful of the progress shots for Timid Twins (the background gave me the most trouble!):

 Above was my first stop to analyze. Thought it might be done. Looked just like the photo (!) but something wasn't right. (Probably because it 'looked just like the photo'! Duh!)

 Not enough contrast behind the calves' white hides. Also too even a distribution of lights and darks. It had no 'strength'. So away went the photo, and away went the background!

 Instead, I put in a barn wall and another grassy shadow. Also subtly neutralized the shadowed sides of the hides using violets and greens.

 Leaving just the one streak of light to illuminate the calves.

Thanks for watching! Please share!

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I Got Y'r Back!

"I Got Y'r Back!"  (pastel, 16x16 inches) $975 framed

My latest!! This one will be with me at the Beachcomber's Art Show and Sale this weekend, South Padre Island, Texas, Convention Centre, July 26-27, 2014.

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Angora

"Angora"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  sold

Another family member of Shaggy Ray and Jed, from the same photo shoot on the drive to Kansas. She's an Angora goat. Duh. I know, not a very imaginative title. Too busy this week to think.

This painting will be with me at the Beachcomber's Art Show and Sale, South Padre Island Convention Centre this weekend, July 26-27, 2014. No new auctions 'til I get back.

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Prince of Thieves - in HVAA Exhibit

"Prince of Thieves"  (pastel, 8x6 inches)  $1150

I'm happy to announce that this handsome thief will be going to the Salmagundi Club in NYC for the 82cd Annual Juried Exhibition of the Hudson Valley Art Association.
Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony: Friday September 26.
The exhibit runs September 20 - 26, 2014.

I won't be traveling up there this year, but wish me luck anyway!

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Big Red

"Big Red"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  sold

Here's a handsome little rooster to start your weekend. I didn't get any progress shots of this one, but here's the photo and the underpainting:

Duckling - in AIS Exhibit

"Duckling" (pastel, 7x5 inches)

This, one of those rare, fast and flowing works that painted itself last month, I decided to hold back from posting and entered it into an exhibit instead. I'm thrilled to announce it has been accepted into the 15th Annual American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition. Only 165 artists' works were accepted from 1330 entries!

The show will be held at Abend Gallery in Denver Colorado, Oct 2 - Nov 1, 2014.
Opening Reception/Awards Presentation, Oct. 2, 5pm-8pm.

The judge of awards is AIS Master Artist Clayton J. Beck III, who I happen to know appreciates small works and feels they are sometimes underrated.

OK, Clayton - here's one of my best small works to date... we'll see how it ranks with the rest of the amazing entries! ;) I'm overwhelmed to be included in the list of accepted artists, which reads like a Who's Who of American Impressionists!


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Snowball

"Snowball"  (pastel, 8x6 inches)  click here to bid 

This one might be the last bunny for a little while. I'm fresh out of prepared 'dailies' and have a couple of portrait commissions due this month that will take up a lot of my painting time. I do have a couple more Angora goats, a duckling, and a chicken to post in the next few days.

Here are some progress shots of Snowball:

Thanks for watching! Please share!

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Sundae

"Sundae"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

I thought this pretty donkey looked as cool and creamy as a bowl of ice cream!

Here are some progress shots:

Thanks for watching! Please share!

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Dotty

"Dotty"  (pastel, 8x6 inches)  click here to bid

Dotty's got dots. Ok, they're sort of amoeba-shaped dots, but oh well.

Here are some progress shots:

Thanks for watching! Please share!

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Shiraz

"Shiraz"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

A friend recently suggested some dark wine names as title ideas. What a great idea! I didn't want to use my favorite "Cabernet" too soon, so this one is Shiraz. Full-bodied with a hint of dark berries.

Some progress shots:

Thanks for watching! Please share!

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Monty

"Monty"  (pastel, 12x6 inches)  click here to bid

As you might guess, Monty is Minty a half second later from pics taken in rapid-shot mode. My favorite camera feature! His mouth had just closed over his tongue and was chewing back the other direction. But what a face!! Irresistible.

Here are some progress shots:

Thanks for watching! Please share!

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