Friday, March 25, 2022

C is for Cheetah


 On my way back from Florida, I stopped and pulled my work out of the only other gallery I was still in besides my partnership in the Carriage House Gallery in Boerne. Nothing had sold there in quite a while. I know, there was the pandemic, but still. Stuff was still moving (a bit) in Boerne during that time.
So I feel some relief to have one less thing to keep track of, and now I feel like showing off some of the pieces I picked up from there, some of them have aged well!
This is "C is for Cheetah"  (pastel, 20x10 inches, $800 framed) one of the largest paintings in my still unfinished Animal Alphabet Series of 2016. I felt this needed a fairly decent size in order to do justice to the spots.
It also might very well be the ONLY pastel cheetah.   I.  Ever.  Paint.
...Ever.
(OMG, those spots! I don't know how all those wildlife artists do it!)
My favorite part was the reflected light under the chin.
Enjoy this quick GIF and the attached progress photos I dug up from my files.
An alphabet series is a great way to break yourself out of a rut! This worked for me, as evidenced by the fact that I dropped it at "T is for Tiger" (..which I'll post soon!) One of these years I might continue the series and get it done!
What things have you done to get out of a creative rut?

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Golden

 

"Golden"  (pastel, 12x9 inches) $1350

Painted in 2017, this is the fourth or fifth portrait I've done using the toned underpainting technique with the gold and terra cotta primers, and it's sill the most successful with my ultimate goal of  letting much of the underpainting "speak" along with the pastel. I think my favorite part is the reflected light under her chin. That's all underpainting and no pastel!

This was one of the merchants at the Texas Renaissance Festival during the daily parade. I love the parade for catching all kinds of excellent pics!

"Golden" is just now beyond her competition age (most competitions require works less than 4 years old) so it's time to bring her out to the art festivals! She'll be with me this weekend at the Naples Downtown Art Show. If you're in the area, find me in booth 222 on 5th ave between 4th and 5th streets.

See progress pics and read more about my process here!

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Sunset Silhouette

 

"Sunset Silhouette" (pastel, 18x18 inches) $1290 framed

It's been almost exactly a year since I first posted this one. This young Longhorn was painted for my solo exhibition in March of 2021. He hasn't found his forever home yet, so I'm able to bring him to the Naples Downtown Art Show this weekend! Find me in booth 222, on 5th ave between 3rd and 4th streets.

Read more about this painting and see progress pics on the original post here!

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Audrey with Flowers at Seven

 

This week I'll be sharing a few of my favorite paintings that I'll have with me at the Naples Downtown Art Show this weekend. This is "Audrey With Flowers at Seven" (pastel, 26x20 inches) Painted in 2011-2012, it has a long history and many awards. Read all about it and see the reference photo here!

Monday, March 14, 2022

Seeking Social Sheep

 "Seeking Social Sheep" (pastel, 30x40 inches) $6000 framed

It's done!! I've been way overdue for another large painting, and had been eager to get going on this one for months, all sorts of other things getting in the way.... but finally, with an art fest coming up, I really really HAD to get it done! This new sheep painting will be with me at the Naples Downtown Art Show, March 19&20, in Naples Florida. If you're in the area, come see me in booth 222.

See some progress pics here!

Sunday, March 6, 2022

Morning Meditation

 

"Morning Meditation" (pastel, 10x17 inches) $590 framed

This was started in the first day of the Lyn Asselta workshop I took this weekend. I highly recommend her workshop! She's an excellent and challenging instructor. Instead of teaching the 'how' of painting, she teaches the 'why'. Or specifically, how to learn to understand 'why' we paint something. Of course I had a difficult time because most of my 'why's are because "it's pretty and someone might want to buy it." 😂

And hopefully that will be true of this sunrise, which will be with me at the Naples Downtown Art Show, coming soon March 19 & 20! Find me in booth 222 on 5th Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets.

See a quick GIF here!