Boerne in Color

Just a color option on the poster design.
Will paint once approved. keep you posted...

Pen and Ink poster-finished

I haven't been posting everyday because I have
been working on this piece. This is the finished
pen and ink part of the poster for the Boerne
Christmas festival. It is fairly large, 17 x 21, and it
has taken me several days to finish all the ink
work. Now I will run several copies and do some
color schemes that will be approved, and then I
will do the final painting on the poster. It will be
a challenge because they want it to portray the
festival at night, so that the lights on the buildings
will show up!? In watercolor, there is no white
paint...so I am not sure how I am going to pull it
off. I think I can do the lights in colored pencil;
it is waxy and will resist the watercolor. So there
will be some glow saved around the image.
We'll see!!

I tried tonight to view the new website that is
posting the Last Supper by Leonardo. My little
computer was not able to bring up a clear image,
unless there is something I don't know to do.
If anyone knows, let me know.
I went to Italy over a year ago, and visited Venice,
Florence, and Rome. I was able to paint on location
in all three cities, and my show last Christmas at the
gallery included all the work from the Italy trip.
I may start posting some of that work during this
Christmas season. From now till then, I will be doing
lots of commission portraits for gifts.

Thanks for viewing. I sold two of the Alaska pieces
this week, before the show even opened. One of the
customers was from England, and she bought a moose.
You never know....

cross hatch city

When you draw with pen and ink, you make
a series of small lines that build up to make
the values of light and dark. If you cross
them over each other, it is known as
cross-hatch. If you use small dots,
it is called stipple. I will be using lots
of pen and ink techniques on this poster
for the city of Boerne. I just started the pen
and ink tonight...I have been drawing it off
with pencil first. Will take me several
nights to finish this.

I have been hanging the "Palms to Pines"
show at the gallery in preparation for
our annual downtown Christmas Open
House. The show will open that night
(our biggest crowds of the year). It is
shaping up. Feels good to see it all come
together.
www.peapatchgallery.com
sheltongail@hotmail.con

Portrait-3 Siblings

I finished this portrait this evening.
They are very cute little kids.
The client wanted them done in regular
pencil, and then tinted with colored
pencil.

Will be working on the poster from
now on...!

Boy #1

I've started on these children. too cute... I love the
freckles on this one.
more as I go.....

For information on portraits of children, pets, or
homes, please visit the website:
www.peapatchgallery.com
of email me:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Lots of kids

Today was a day filled with children. At the
gallery, we had a children's photographer set
up to take Halloween costume portraits. We
had some pirates, a mermaid, a couple of
pumpkins, and some tears and some smiles.
We also had Sarah who does ceramic plates
with designs made from children's feet and
hand prints. The children have to put their
feet in some wet glaze and step on the plates,
and then she uses that to make the design:
reindeer, butterflies, frogs, etc. You just have
to see them to understand. I don't know her
website, but I will post it.
I was teaching in the studio, and we could hear
lots of activity in the front of the building. I think
it was enjoyed by all.

Staying in the children mode, I have to do this
portrait of these siblings. I am starting it tonight,
and will post as I make some progress.

Finished Portrait

I believe this is the finished portrait of Scotty.
I hope his family likes it. I will be working on
the poster for the Christmas festival for the
next few days.

(If you are interested in a children's portrait,
you can check the website for examples and
prices:www.peapatchgallery.com)

More Scotty

I have been working on this

drawing of Scotty all day

today. I have redone his

features several times

(thank goodness for

erasers) I think I have the

likeness well now, and I

will work on the background

and his clothing next.

Should be finished

tomorrow.

I am doing a presentation tomorrow at a

church in Natchitoches, LA. Several

years ago, I had done a series of artwork

with a teacup theme...a kind of "my cup

runneth over" show. A good friend was

helping with a women's tea down in New

Orleans, and she asked me to come and

speak to the group, and my "teacup ministry"

was born. I give an inspirational talk about

dealing with adversity, and sell my art

and t-shirts, etc. God has really blessed this

ministry; I have spoken to large and small

groups all over the state in the last several years.

If you are interested in me addressing your

group, you can email me.

sheltongail@hotmail.com www.peapatchgallery.com

Scotty

I do a few children's

portraits. I can't say

that I enjoy doing

them; I enjoy them

when they are finished

and I can present

them to the client

and they are pleased.

The drawings themselves

are never easy.

Anyone that does

portraits knows that

unless you have it

exactly right, it will not look

like them. And you can't always

put your finger on what isn't

right.

I had a woman and her parents come in the gallery the other day with a little girl about 3, and a boy in a wheelchair about 13. The boy was unresponsive, and obviously severly handicapped.

They had an envelope with them, and she wanted me to do a children's portrait. She pulled out a photo of a little boy in a huge black cowboy hat. She went on to explain that it was Scotty, her son, before the accident. And it was one of the only photos she had of him at that time. I was heartbroken, and certainly agreed to do it.

This is part of the drawing of Scotty that I have just started.

Scotty original colored pencil SOLD

Poster Sketch #2

This is a more finished sketch for the
Christmas poster for Boerne. This
is what I spent most of my weekend
doing. After a few changes, I will
draw the final one in ink, and then
watercolor it, and add a border.
I think it will turn out nicely, and
captures the feeling of the little
town. I will attend the festival one
weekend and sign some of the
posters, and meet and greet.
Should be a lot of fun.

Boerne Christmas sketch NFS

Finished Horses

It is a beautiful fall day here in Louisiana. It is
cool and crisp, and clear.
I finished these horses this afternoon. They were
fun to draw. I do a lot of animal portraits, and I
always enjoy doing them.
I am looking out the window onto the back porch
and patio. Our three young cats, Huey, Dewey,
and Louie, are sleeping on the picnic table. Their
fur is fluffed up because of the chill in the air.

I will be working on the poster for the Boerne
Christmas festival the rest of the weekend.

Finished Horses commission-sold 11 x 14

Things to do...

I have several commission pieces to do
for clients for Christmas gifts. This is
one of a mare and colt. This is the second
drawing I have done of this horse for this
couple. They were pleased with the first
one, and this is a different colt, and they
wanted another drawing. This is just the
start...it will take me several nights to
finish it.

www.peapatchgallery.com
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Christmas poster sketch 1

At the art show in San Antonio, I met a man that
was interested in me doing the Christmas poster
for the town of Boerne, TX. I met with him in
the quaint little town, took some photos, and am
in the process of completing some sketches for him.
This is one that I picture in layers featuring some
of the elements of the event.
You can find out more about their wonderful
extravaganza at www.ahillcountrychristmas.com
I will keep you posted on my progress.

On the road home again!

I have

finished the

show in San

Antonio; it

went well;

made some

sales and

some contacts,

saw some

family and

old friends....

it was good.

On the way over, I stopped at this fruit stand somewhere

near Brenham, Texas. They had a whole wagon of

pumpkins out front that caught my eye, so I stopped and

took some pictures. I did this painting while I was in

San Antonio.

I drove all the way home today...it's about an 8-9 hour

drive. The weather was beautiful, and the ride smooth.

Thanks to all the family and friends that came out and

supported me! I appreciate all the help from my brother

and sister-in-law...they were troupers.

It's good to be home.

Game Face

I got my booth all set up today,
with the help of my brother
(thank you Brian). The assembly
hall at La Villita will hold about
50 artists, and we were all busy
in there today, arranging and
re-arranging. The last time I
was in that building was for my
senior prom (I won't mention
the year!).
I am anticipating good sales, and
good crowds. Hope to see you
there!

International collection

I am in San Antonio now, and I
painted on location down on the
river today. I painted a little
watercolor of the Arneson
River theatre, and a couple
from Australia watched me
paint, and then purchased it
when I was finished. So, I can
now say that my work in in
international collections...ha!

I did a couple of the Alamo, too,
and met people from Las Vegas,
Albequerque, and Minnesota.

More painting on location tomorrow.