Surrender

"Surrender" 5 1/2 by 5 1/2, Watercolor

Available Here

Here is a look at today's watercolor. There was just something so sweet about this white rose against that dark background. I really enjoyed this piece. I'm not quite sure why, but I just love all those fussy little details.

This little watercolor was completed on 140lb watercolor paper and completed with artist's quality winsor and newton paints.

I'm already planning my next pastel painting, but it's so crazy I'm not even going to say what it is just in case it doesn't turn out. :)

Have a nice afternoon!

Item of the Week & Special Offer

"In The Garden" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

Available Here

I brought this kitty back from the gallery this weekend and he's now available in my Etsy shop. As this week's item-of-the-week this painting is being offered at a discount price of $45 with free shipping.

I have a few collectors of my original cat paintings, and at $45-$55 they're very reasonably priced. I have a few other original kitties available on my website too.

I'm also having a cigar box sale. If you purchase any box you will receive a reduced price box for free. Also, if you "like" my art page on Facebook I will send you a free hand painted cigar box with any purchase. These offers are supposed to end this Sunday, but I may extend it.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

A New England Lighthouse

"A New England Lighthouse" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

Available Here

I have to begin this post by thanking Sharon at A New England Life for allowing me to use her beautiful photograph as a reference for this painting. Thanks Sharon!

I decided to try a little something different today. I'd been admiring this photo for a long time but was too scared to even try it. For some reason I feel like I cannot paint foliage very well, but I haven't really tried. So, I decided to give it a shot today and I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. I was disappointed with the scan of the painting because it seemed to take something away from it. I think it looks much better in person and I'm very happy with the way it turned out.

As always, this painting was completed with artist quality pastel pencils on pastelbord. The detail of the lighthouse was so much fun. I think I'm going to have to try more paintings like this.

Have a great afternoon!

Goliath - Commissioned Pet Portrait

"Goliath" - Commissioned Pet Portrait, 8 by 10

I've been working the past few days on this pet portrait. A customer requested this painting as a gift for her sister. I was a bit nervous before starting it because the right side of the dog (in the reference photo) was mostly in shadow. It didn't look bad in the photo, I just wasn't sure I was going to be able to render it the way I wanted to with paint. But, I am very pleased with the way that it turned out. The scan isn't perfect, but the original looks great.

If you're interested in a custom pet portrait, just check out my Etsy page. I offer 3 different sizes and I think the prices are very reasonable.

Off to plan my next painting! :)

Cards and Quilts

I just thought I'd share what I've been working on the past couple days. The table runner above I made today. The fabric is all from the "Grand Finale" line by Moda. And it was my very first attempt at applique. I did some little leaves and acorns. It definitely takes a bit more time to do, but it was fun and it's different. This runner is listed on Etsy for $32.00 if anyone is interested.

These are a few cards that I made yesterday. I use my decorative painting style when painting these cards, much like I use for my cigar boxes. I had several of these listed on Etsy but no one seemed interested, so I took them to the gallery instead. I've sold quite a few, so I thought it would be fun to make some more. I don't know about any of you, but I still like to send cards. We are all so much into technology now that people don't send letters and cards like they used to. Maybe I'm just old fashioned. :)

I hope you all have a great night!

Among Lily Pads

"Among Lily Pads" 8 by 10, Pastel Painting

Available Here

SOLD

It's finished! Like I mentioned in my previous post, I felt a bit rusty with this painting considering it has been a couple months since I used my pastels. But it's amazing how quickly it comes back. I also think it's good to take a break once in a while. I've come back from this time off with renewed creativity and fresh ideas.

This painting was completed on pastelbord and I used all CarbOthello pastel pencils. For now this painting is for sale on Etsy, but I might end up taking it to the gallery in a few weeks.

Have a lovely afternoon! :)

Water Lily - Work In Progress

I'm working on a new pastel painting. The main subject is a water lily, but I haven't settled on a name yet. It's been months since I've painted in pastel and I'll admit, I'm a bit rusty! But after painting for a couple hours I started to settle back into my groove. I'm pleased with the way it's progressing.

So far I've only used pastel pencils and the surface is pastelbord. It's an 8 by 10, which is a bit bigger than I would normally work. I've only had a handful of pieces as big as 8 by 10 and my Grandma just purchased 2 of them. I need to start working a bit bigger, so this is a start.

I hope to have this finished in the next couple of days. :)

No Apologies

I made a decision recently to stop feeling guilty and to stop apologizing for my art. Perhaps you're wondering why I would feel guilty or need to apologize for it. Well, I have gotten grief over the years from people who think that I shouldn't sell different types of items in my Etsy shop (I sell original fine art, prints, quilts, hand painted boxes and other decorative painted items). I've also gotten grief for supposedly not finding my "voice" as an artist yet.

To tell you the truth I'm just tired of it all. I shouldn't have to feel guilty because I have many interests. And I sell some of everything on Etsy, which tells me that people enjoy my different crafts as well as my fine artwork. And regarding my "voice" as an artist, I don't know why I have to paint in one medium and in one particular style. That just doesn't match my personality. I like to experiment. Some subjects I like to do a little looser and others I like to do more realistic. I appreciate the opinion of other artists, but I think it's time that I just follow my own path. Art is subjective and there should not be any rules. Giving into the harsh opinions of others has put a damper in my creativity.

I'm choosing to pursue what I choose and that's that. :)

The Smurfs

I'm so excited! I went to see the Smurfs on Sunday and I spotted some of my boxes! The set decorator purchased the three boxes pictured below. My husband, brother and sister and I all went to see the movie and were scanning the rooms trying to find the boxes.

I think I spotted this one and the one below on some tables. I'll have to wait until it comes out on DVD to see where they all were.
This peach roses box was clearly seen in many shots. In the movie, the Smurfs redecorate part of the living room, in the apartment of the main characters and this box is standing up right on the left hand side of the screen on a table. I'll admit that it was very cool seeing something I painted in a movie!

And the movie was cute. If you have kids or enjoy family type movies, you should go see it. :)

I couldn't help but pick up this little Smurf from McDonald's yesterday! :)

As a little celebration I'm having another cigar box sale on Etsy. 50% off any box with coupon code "boxsale."

My brother and sister were visiting this entire last week, but left for home today. While I'm sad that they're gone, I'm happy that things will be going back to normal around here. Which means I should be doing some more painting soon!

I hope you have a great week!