Common sense...

A penny for your thoughts....you can guess this
"Riddle Pic" with some common sense.

I am working on a t-shirt design for a client in
New Orleans. I will post some of the sketches
if I can.
sheltongail@hotmail.com

C

I am not afraid...

Here's a "Riddle Pic" with a bug that most people
are afraid of! Living where we do, we always
have lots of these everywhere. One night as I
walked across the patio, I spotted a huge wolf
spider. As I looked closer, I could see that she
was covered with tiny baby spiders, thousands
of them...ugh. Isn't nature amazing?

I am still planning on painting on location at
the Garden Tour in Shreveport this weekend.
It is called: Le Tour des Jardins and is sponsored
by the Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners.
There are six gardens on the tour, and two
community project gardens. There are six
artists involved with the plein air painting and
we also get to have a booth at the LSUS Pioneer
Heritage Center. If you want more info, you can
contact them at 318-698-0010 or
www.lsuagcenter.com/nwlamg
hopefully I won't run into any spiders.....

My favorite color...

I have some of these little birds in the backyard,
and I can hear their sweet songs everyday.
Remember, the answer to this "Riddle Pic" is
not a sparrow...

"Riddle Pic " colored pencil SOLD
prints available $5.00

Snug as....

I hope you are guessing these...whenever I exhibit
these in a show, the viewers always enjoy figuring
them out. I had an old guy in overalls at one show
saying out loud that he wanted to meet the artist.
Not knowing what to expect out of him, I cautiously
made my way over to him and introduced myself.
He said that he wanted to meet me because this was
the first art he had ever seen that actually had a
point and made sense! Ya never know.....

"Riddle Pics" series
sheltongail@hotmail.com

This "Riddle Pic" counts

A friend here in Winnfield raised these sheep
for awhile. You could almost imagine you
were in the English countryside when you
saw them grazing in the field. I sold this
original to a grandmother who was giving
it to her granddaughter, because they
always did this at bedtime.....
night,night!

"Riddle Pic"...for the birds

Here's another riddle....Lisa Meyer has guessed
them all correctly! Feel free to post your answer
in a comment. If you want to include your
mailing address, I will send you a "Riddle Pic"
postcard.

I am working on a couple of commissions and
will post them soon. The "Destinations" show
is just about finished, and I am working on all
the academic stuff (making the labels, program,
etc). It all looks great...I am pleased with it all.

Chocolate Moose

Some more fun with the "Riddle Pics"....this is
a cartoon "chocolate moose" that I drew to
include in the "Palms to Pines" show (in the
Alaska section). Anyway, when I was at gift
market in Atlanta, Georgia last summer, I
found this candy company that can put
artwork on chocolate! So, they took my
moose drawing, and made it into a chocolate
bar...thus, a "chocolate moose!" I sell these
in the gallery, and they have been a real hit!


"Chocolate Moose" orig colored pencil 11 x 14
$200.00 chocolate bars $3.00

Another "Riddle Pic" for spring

This is another spring "Riddle Pic", at least
here in Louisiana, because these creatures
are at their peak right now, and everyone is
eating them!!
I have not gotten any comments telling me
your guesses for these riddles....send me
your answers!

Slow and Steady Wins the Race...

Another "Riddle Pic" for your entertainment..
hint...this is not a turtle.

Spring "Riddle Pic"

Another "Riddle Pic"...in time for spring. You
guess it.

I took a break from drawing tonight and
watched a little of "Mr. Holland's Opus".
As a retired art teacher, I can identify
with much of the story. It brought back
a lot of memories from my school days,
some painful, some wonderful. I am
just grateful that I am so blessed to
have been able to retire after just 20
years and pursue this art dream of
mine.

For info on "Riddle Pics" go to
www.peapatchgallery.com

Riddle Pic...you guess

Here's another "Riddle Pic"...you guess it, and
tell me in a comment!

I taught a beginner watercolor class today, and
it was a lot of fun. I had some 10 year olds,
one teenager, and a couple of adults...quite a
varied group. Everyone completed their
small painting, and had a great time. I
teach workshops once a month at the gallery.
The schedule is on the website. The current
one is just about out of date, so I will be
updating it soon with the summer schedule.
I teach some watercolor classes, colored pencil,
drawing (pencil and ink), pastel, computer
graphics, and collage. The classes last from
10:30-3:00 and we provide lunch in the cafe.
Most of them run $40.00 and that usually
includes some of the supplies. Email me if
you have any questions.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Butterfly Kisses

Seven years ago I started drawing a series
I call "Riddle Pics". They are a series that
combine an animal and an object that
together form a word puzzle or pun.
This is "Butterfly Kisses", one of my most
popular ones.
I am not working on show pieces right now,
so I thought I would post these for awhile.

"Butterfly Kisses" available as a print
11 x 14 $45.00
Mousepad $8.00
Nightshirt $20.00

Cathedral in New Orleans

I drove to Monroe, LA today to pick up
another couple of enlargements from my
printer. This is one of them. This is the
St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. I took
this photo in the spring of the year when
I was down there painting a few years ago.
It will be included in the "Destinations"
show. (I keep adding more...I hope they
have room!)

St. Louis Cathedral black & white photo
11 X 14 $75.00

The Pencil and Kristen

I have been working on this portrait of my
niece, and I am getting closer to a good
likeness. I am never satisfied until it
looks just like them.

I was given this neat little story about a
pencil this week:

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside,
just before putting him in the box. 'There
are five things you need to know before
I send you out into the world."
1. You will be able to do many great
things, but only if you allow yourself to be
guided by someone's hand.
2. You will experience a painful sharpening
from time to time, but you will need it to
become a better pencil.
3. You will be able to correct any mistake
you might make with the help of someone's
hand.
4. The most important part of you will always
be what's inside.
5. On every surface where you are used, you
must leave your mark. No matter what the
condition, you must continue.

The pencil understood and promised to
remember this advice, and became the best
pencil he could be. Great advice, huh?!

for info on portraits: www.peapatchgallery.com

New York Views

I have been going through my negatives and
trying to organize them. These are two photos
from New York that I have decided to add to the
"Destinations" show. The top one is the
reflection of the street in a glass building; you
can see the yellow taxis, a crosswalk, people,
and someone on a bicycle. It is very abstract,
and quite interesting. The second one is a
bread counter in the Grand Central Station.

I was in New York this particular time in March
of 05. I was with a group from our choir who
were there to perform in Carnegie Hall. We
joined the whole group, about 150, from all
over the nation, and sang "Vesperae Solennes
De Confessore" by Mozart. It was in Latin,
and we had been practicing for months. It
was a wonderful experience, and we are
getting ready to repeat it. A group from our
choir is preparing to go again at the end of
May to sing Brahm's "German Requiem".
I hope to get some more great photos of
New York, and try to hit all my notes!

"New York Reflections" photograph
16 x 20 $150.00 SOLD
"Got Dough?" photograph
11 x 14 $75.00

Finished Home

This is the finished home of a couple here
in my town. I finished painting it this
evening.
I have a couple of other commission things
to do, and will be working on them for
the next few nights.

For info on House Portraits:
www.peapatchgallery.com
sheltongail@hotmail.com

"Le Tour"- Garden Tour Shreveport, LA

I guess you can tell I am on a "flower kick" this
spring. I do love them. These are some of my
favorites, and they are being printed to be sold
at the upcoming "Le Tour" garden tour in
Shreveport, LA. It is a sponsored tour of several
of the beautiful gardens and homes in the city.
They have asked a few artists to paint on location
in the gardens that day, and I am included. We
also get to have a booth in which I will have some
flower photography, watercolors, and colored
pencil drawings. The tour is May 3, and we are
hoping for good weather! The paintings that I
do that day will also be for sale as I finish them.
That's the beauty of watercolor...dries fast, and
is very portable. Will let you know how it all goes....

More Ink...

I have just about finished the ink drawing of
this home. It has taken me awhile. I will
try to get it painted tomorrow night.

I have been drawing tonight while watching
"Ben Hur"...I have seen it at least 20 times.
And I still tear-up at the end each time.
I used the movie in my classroom when I
was teaching art history. I used it as an
example of Roman art and architecture,
and Roman society. They always loved it.
I've even seen big, tough football players
get a little teary at the end as well.
I was saddened at the news of Charleton
Heston's death...I am a big fan. He will be
missed.

For info on house portraits: email me
sheltongail@hotmail.com or go to the
website: peapatchgallery.com

Commission time...

It's back to the drawing board, and this house
portrait. It is a beautiful home, and I had to
take these photos before the trees budded out,
or you couldn't see it! It is a large piece, 16 x 20,
and it will take me several nights to just do the
ink drawing. And then I will watercolor it.

I am getting excited about my Costa Rica trip.
I am taking a group of 11 with me for 10 days
all over the country. We will tour the rain
forest, an orchid farm, a butterfly house, and
the volcano. We go into the tops of the rain
forest and down a river. I will be painting and
sketching along the way. We leave on June
7th.

"Not all who wander are lost"

for info on house portraits: email me
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Smiler's-New York City

This is one more of the "Destinations"
show pieces. It is "Smiler's Grocery"
in New York City. I was there in the
fall of the year (note the pumpkins
on the ground), and did this small
watercolor. I was there for a reception
for an American Artist's Professional
League show in which I had a piece.
New York is great in the fall, and I
have had the privelege to go several
times at that time of the year. (I have
been in the AAPL show nine times!)
Anyway, I love the colorful little
grocery stores, so different from our
huge superstore grocery stores. Of
course, New Yorkers go in and buy
just what they can carry home with
them for the evening...I load up my
suburban with a week's worth!

"Smiler's" orig wc 16 x 20 framed
$175.00

Photos from a Sunday walk

A friend told me that they don't actually read this blog,

they usually just look at the pictures...so today is just

for them...lots of pictures. It was another beautiful

Sunday here, and I spent some time outdoors after

church, taking some more photos of the wildflowers.

As you can see, I had some assistance from Louie

and Huey. We walked through the fields, and then

down to the creek, taking photos along the way.

There were lots of flowers, bees and butterflies.

Just a really nice time to enjoy some of God's

wonderful creation.

All of the photos are available as prints. If you are

interested in any, just let me know.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Ellis Island-Pencil

This is a pencil drawing of Ellis Island, and the ferry
that brought me to the island. I took this photo late
in the afternoon...hence the long shadows. It was
extremely cold..hence no people enjoying sitting
outside. This drawing will be included in the
"Destinations" show in the New York City group.

I laid out the whole show today in my own gallery.
I have plenty of work, and it will all fit nicely. In
the main gallery room will be the Italian pieces,
the Big Bend work, and the Alaska ones. Down the
hallway will be the Key West artwork. And in the
red room, New Orleans and New York will be
featured. I just have a few left to be framed, and
then it will all be ready.

I attended the reception for the Peyton Memorial
Art show last night, and it was very nice. I received
my award, and visited with several artist friends
and teachers. The show is varied, and has a nice
blend of traditional and contemporary work. If some
of you are in the Alexandria area, you should really
try to go by and see the show. It is at the First
United Methodist Church and lasts until the 12th.


Ellis Island Ferry original pencil drawing 22 x 29
$350

A Winner in Winnfield

I heard today that my pencil drawing of "Essie Mae"
won at the Tom Peyton Art Show. I will attend the
reception tonight, and get my check!! woohoo!

These are two pen and ink drawings of Winnfield
landmarks that are no longer here. The top one is
the Winnfield Hotel that finally was torn down a
couple of years ago. The farmhouse is Earl Long's
Pea Patch Farm that the former governor used to
have here. It burned down several years ago. I
have these drawings in print, and I hand-watercolor
them. These two are for a lawyer here for his
office.

My business is named after the Pea Patch Farm.
We house the art gallery, an antique and gift mall,
and Uncle Earl's Cafe, where we serve black-eyed
peas and cornbread, soups, salads, and daily
specials. The cafe was recently included in a new
cookbook: "Louisiana's Best Restaurant Recipes";
a wonderful cookbook full of recipes from all the
famous restaurants all over the state. My cook gets
a real kick out of signing copies for customers. They
are $19.95 + shipping if anyone is interested. You
can check out our website to see our business, and
email me if you'd like a cookbook.

sheltongail@hotmail.com
www.peapatchgallery.com

Tiger Inn revisited

I did this pen and ink of this old store that is
no longer in Winnfield. It is a gift for the
daughter of the one-time owner of this
establishment. I hand-watercolored it
tonight, and will mat and frame it for the
client tomorrow.
I had some black and white prints made of
this drawing, and will color some of them
as well. A little nostalgia goes a long way...

Tiger Inn Prints 11 x 14 $20.00
Hand-watercolored $35.00
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Longhorn-Big Bend

This longhorn will be in the show with the Big Bend artwork.
It is done in colored pencil, and is large: 22 x 30. It has been
on display and for sale in a store in Dallas for awhile and has
not sold. I picked it up recently so that it could be included in
this "Destinations" show. Maybe a University of Texas fan
will happen along and take him home.

I have a small aquarium and recently added some mollies.
As I fed them this morning, I was amazed to see some
tiny little fish swimming all over the place! I guess I had
bought a pregnant fish without knowing it. Anyway, I
set up a separate tank tonight to put the babies in....I
read that the adults would eat them! so all 13 of them are
safe for now in their new home. We have a home for the
mollies...now we need one for the longhorn!

Longhorn orig colored pencil 22 x 30 framed $850.00
sheltongail@hotmail.com