Pet and Wildlife Art by Angela

Interview With Artist Roby Baer

Continuing with my "Artist's I Admire" series, I recently interviewed artist Roberta (Roby) Baer. I have been an admirer of her work ever since I happened upon it on Etsy. The level of realism that she's able to achieve is incredible. Please read the interview below and take a look at a few of Roby's beautiful paintings.

"Glass Beach"

Can you share a little bit about your art background?

Other than taking a couple high school art classes, I am self-taught. My mother was a recreational painter and my grandmother was more of a professional painter.

Which mediums do you work in and why?

I work in pastels due to my grandmother's influence. While she would paint with oils, she would let us use her pastels and it carried throughout my entire life.

How often do you paint?

I paint from 5-7 days a week depending on what is going on.

"Eye Of The Storm"

What subjects do you most enjoy painting and why?

I most enjoy painting wildlife because of my parents' love of nature. We were always outside and I gravitate towards mammals.

How would you describe your painting style?

My painting style is photorealism.

Can you tell me a little about your painting process?

My painting process starts with Bristol Board 500. I begin with a graphite sketch... The sketch is very accurate and this keeps me on track when I start to add my pastels. I begin with stick pastels smudging that into the tooth of the board. After achieving the desired foundation, I start to lay in hairs or detail with CarbOthello pastel pencils. I choose not to use any fixatives as it darkens the overall appearance and the painting is no longer achivally sound.

"Wind Chaser"

Do you set art related goals for yourself?

I have deadlines for everything that I do. I challenge myself by entering juried and national juried shows.

What is your favorite part about being an artist?

My favorite part about being an artist is the interaction I have with fellow artists and other people. I very much enjoy hearing different interpretations of my work.

"Self Portrait"

How has blogging and the internet changed your life as an artist?

The internet is integral part of how I do my research (e.g., making sure my animals are factual and true to their habitat at any time of year). The blog is a place for me to share with people new paintings I have completed and has allowed me to connect with others.

Do you have any advice for artists just starting out?

My advice is to practice your drawing skills if your goal is realism. This is the most important foundation towards being a good artist. Do your homework... learn tones, values and good composition. These are the building blocks to achieving success.

You can see Roby's Etsy page here, and her blog here.

Thanks Roby!

Tis The Season For Quilting

New blush baby blanket, available here.

Well I just added my first baby blanket to my Etsy store. This blanket is so cute and soft! I'm tempted to make a larger one for myself. I'm having a lot of fun with these, in fact I started a couple more today.

I'm so happy that quilting weather has finally arrived. My sewing room is on the 2nd floor of my home and in the summer the air conditioning just doesn't cool it off very well. I've been anxiously awaiting this cooler weather so that I can get some quilting projects done. This morning I put in a Harry Potter movie, made some hot chocolate and got started on a new blanket. It was my idea of a perfect morning. :)

I promise not to share every new blanket that I make, but if you like keep your eye on my Etsy store because some super cute blankets are coming!

Have a great weekend!

Baby Blanket

I recently finished up my college classes (and am now on break for a couple weeks) and got right to work on a few quilts I had to make. The first was a holiday table runner (a surprise gift for a friend) and the second was this cute baby blanket. A couple that my husband knows is about to have their first baby and I thought I would make them a blanket. They didn't find out the gender of the baby so I had to make it neutral.

The first quilt I ever made, I made about 2 years ago, and I actually haven't made one since. It's quite difficult to quilt on my sewing machine once the piece gets large, but a friend clued me in on "tying" and I love it. It's great because I used a poly-cotton blend batting and after tying the blanket is so soft. If it was tightly quilted it would be stiff. So anyway, I'm very pleased with the way it turned out and I've decided to make some for Etsy (in fact I've already made another one and which I will be sewing binding on this evening).

So, just another item that I will be adding to my Etsy shop. Look out for them! :)

Remembrance

"Remembrance" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

Available Here

Today we remember the tragic events that took place on this day 10 years ago. My thoughts and prayers are with those lost and their families today. Whatever problems we think we have should feel so very small today.

I was a senior in high school, in advanced biology class, when the news broke. My teacher turned on the television and we spent the rest of the day just watching the news coverage. I've always felt deeply patriotic, but this really sparked something in me. Had 9-11 not happened, I'm not sure I would have joined the military shortly after graduating. I had a deep yearning to serve and I served a short time in the Air Force.

Thank you to those who continue to serve our country.

Thank you to Pat at Back Porch Musings for allowing me to use her photograph as a reference for this painting.

Thomas Kinkade Reproduction in Pastel

Thomas Kinkade Reproduction, 9 by 12, Pastel

Been wondering what the "challenging painting" I've been working on was? Well, here it is. I attempted the unthinkable, recreating a Thomas Kinkade in pastel. Thomas Kinkade is one of my very favorite artists. I have his calendar hanging in my kitchen and I kept admiring this particular painting. Then I got the crazy idea to give it a try in pastel. Obviously I wasn't able to do it justice, but I think it turned out fairly decently.

My intentions were to see if a Thomas Kinkade type of style was achievable in pastel. I have to say I think it would be a lot easier in oil, but with some practice and developed techniques I think it just might be possible with pastel.

This piece was so much fun, I just love all that detail. I was disappointed when I went to photograph the painting because the colors appeared so dull. I tried to fix it in photoshop and it helped a bit. The colors are so much prettier in person.

I hope you are having a great week!