God of Wonders

These golden aspen trees were in the mountains
near Santa Fe, New Mexico. I have been there
several times, and it is one of my favorite places.
This time was in the fall, and we caught the aspens
at their peak. They are a spectacular sight...
painting the hillsides with golden splendor.
Just one more of God's wonders.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Psalm 24

"The earth is the Lord's, and all that it contains;
The world and those who dwell in it.
For He has founded it upon the seas, and established
it upon the waters." Psalm 24

I took this photograph on the beach in San Diego.
I was there in the summer to attend the Colored
Pencil Society Show in Los Angeles, and when it
was over, I spent a few days in San Diego. What
a great city. I thoroughly enjoyed the zoo, the
Coronado Hotel, and the old town shopping area.
I tried to get in the water at the beach, and it
was freezing...too cold for this gulf coast girl.
I did see some seals swimming along the surf one
morning..it wasn't too cold for them!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

A Series of Psalms...

A good friend of mine was in the shop the other
day, and he asked me what I would be doing
next. I told him I had always wanted to do a
series of Psalm texts paired with some of my
photography. So I was playing around tonight
with the first one...that is the historic church
in Taos, New Mexico. And the scripture is
from Psalm 24.
There will be some others soon. I may be
doing them as prints and some as notecards.
Will keep you posted.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

"Monday...Monday...."

I have been working on this little boy FOREVER,
and I am not sure I will ever get the likeness. I
am going to let the client see this one tomorrow, and
see if she is satisfied. I am still working on the other
one, too. That's the great thing about pencil..."erase,
draw, blend....erase, draw......" You can go on and 0n.

We're getting geared up for our Christmas Eve get
together. All of my husband's family comes to our
house, and we eat (this year it is Cajun food), take
family portraits, watch the kids perform a skit or
play, etc, and then open gifts. My husband always
reads the Christmas story, too. I have been in
charge of the skit for years, and we have done some
really good ones. This year, they are playing
Christmas carols on kazoos, and doing Cajun jokes
in between songs. It'll be a hoot.

I hope you and yours all have a wonderful
Christmas together, and celebrate the birth of
our Savior in a grand way. Merry Christmas!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Little Boy Blue Again

I started over on this little guy..I didn't like
the way the other one was going. Sometimes
a fresh start is better. This one looks more
like him, and I will try to finish it up in time.

Little Boy Blue

This is my last Christmas commission....yea! I have
been working on him the last couple of nights. He is
the grandson of a friend of mine here in Winnfield.
(there is more to the drawing..this is all that would
fit on the scanner). Anyway, I am about finished, and
will get this to her. It is a gift to her husband. This
is their first grandchild.

I am glad to be finished, now I can start some of my
own shopping! It is a good feeling to know I helped
make Christmas special for a few. May you have
a blessed one as well.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Final Homes

I finished this painting of the home in San Antonio,
and the 3 copies. And now I have just one child's
portrait left! whew...I know how Santa's elves
feel.

for info on children's portraits or house portraits:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Galveston

Just got back from quick trip to Galveston.

Our church held a clothing drive for FBC in

Galveston, and I delivered 50 boxes of

clothes for their "Grace Mart" held today.

They gave out clothing, household items,

and food to the needy and homeless in

town. This is Ray, the pastor. And some

of the volunteers from Americorps, and

the congregation. And those are some of

the happy people we helped! It was great

getting in the real Christmas spirit!

Now it's back to the drawing desk....

Home Sweet Farm

I have been working on this painting of the
farm for a client for Christmas. Will add a
few more details, and then be finished.

I have one more child's portrait to do, and
I have to finish up the San Antonio house
and copies. I am leaving in the morning to
drive to Galveston to take some clothing to
the First Baptist Church there. We did a
clothing drive at our church for them, and
they are having a distribution day this
Saturday. I am pulling a U Haul with 50
boxes of clothes. I will come back sometime Sat
afternoon. I will try to take some pics of the
events and people....should be neat.
You can go to their website and see a list of
some of their needs for the church if you would
like to help: www.fbcgalveston.org

Home on the Farm

This is my last house portrait that I have to
do for Christmas. I have saved it for last
because I was dreading doing it! It is large,
16 x 20, and the rows of crops are killing me!
I will try to get the ink done by tomorrow night,
and then I can paint it.
I still have to finish the ones of the San Antonio
home, but I have to go out of town to get the
copies made, so it will still be several days
before I get them all done. (yes, we live in a
podunk town...and we do not have a Kinko's...)

I heard the neatest thing today about rewarding
patrons who buy our work. One artist includes
some little gift with each piece purchased. for
example, a beach painting could have a small
shell from that beach, etc....or maybe a map with
directions to the location where the artist stood.
Neat idea...I will think about doing some of that.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Home for the Holidays

Another house for a gift...I am making several
copies for the siblings. Will get the copies of
this ink drawing made, and then will paint and
color all of them. This home is in San Antonio,
and a wonderful couple lives there. The husband
was injured in WWII, and is blind. His wife has
stayed devoted to him, and they have had a
great life together. Great role models....

For info on house portraits:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

On to Audrey...

This is Audrey, the grandchild of a good friend

of mine. She is going to give this portrait to her

son, Audrey's father, for Christmas. She wanted

it in color, so I am doing it in colored pencil and

pastel. I should be finished tonight.

for info on children's portraits:

sheltongail@hotmail.com

All through with Lloyd

I finished drawing Lloyd today. Will deliver
this, and start on the next one. I have two
more children's portraits to do, and one more
house portrait. whew....

sheltongail@hotmail.com

In Loving Memory...

I received this photograph from a client that
wants me to draw it in pencil. I believe it is
her father-in-law that passed away recently.
This is a gift, too. Will try to get started
tonight, and have it ready in time.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Lauren

This is the big sister, Lauren, of the other
two children that I have been working on.
The three portraits are a gift from their
mother to their father. And it is a surprise!
I am sure he will be pleased. I hope so.

for info on children's portraits:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Home Sweet Home

I finished painting this home tonight. It has
been a cold and windy winter day here. It
has been good to be inside by the fireplace.

Will continue on some more commissions...
ho, ho, ho!
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Dormers, windows, and railings....

This is part of the house portrait that I am
working on now. I will watercolor it tonight.
I still have a few more commissions to do...
a busy little elf.
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Home for Christmas

I am doing this beautiful home as a gift

for Christmas for a client. I am doing it

in pen and ink, and then will paint it with

watercolor. It is 11 x 14, and will cost

$100.00 If you would like some info on

house portraits, you can email me:

www.sheltongail@hotmail.com

A Christmas Card Photo

Here's our Christmas card photo for this
year. Our daughter's boyfriend was able
to take it for us...maybe that's why she is
smiling so beautifully!!
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Two Dogs Ready

These are the two dogs for Cristi. They are

Christmas gifts. I hope she likes them.

We had a nice Thanksgiving day. We spent

the day with my husband's family. Our

daughter and her boyfriend came home, too.

And we took our annual Christmas card

photo. lots of fun....lots to be thankful for.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

gone to dog #2

Started on this dog #2 for a client. Will work
on him some more.

for info on pet portraits:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Dog Number 1

I have changed from drawing children to
drawing pets! This is one of two that I have
to do for more Christmas presents. (my
hand is getting tired!)

for info on pet portraits:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

The Little Sister

This is the start of the little sister...she looks
like a real live wire! I will tweak some more
on this drawing. And then I will do the big
sister...big surprise for the Dad!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Jack Finished

This is Jack finished. I have to draw his 2
sisters also. I will start one of them tonight.

I spent the weekend in south Louisiana;
saw my daughter's new apartment, and
attended the LSU game...yuk. Not the
apartment, the game. Anyway, I am back
home and ready to get to some of these
commissions. Christmas is coming!!

Jack in the Box

This cute little boy is named Jack. I have to
draw him and his two sisters as a gift from
their mother to their father (another good
surprise). I will be working on them for the
next couple of days.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Carter Tweaked

I went back and tweaked on this drawing of
Carter. It will go with the one of Chloe to their
grandmother. I am on to the next project...
ho, ho, ho!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

The Final Chloe

This is part of the finished drawing of Chloe. I will
send it on to the grandmother so she can give it to
Chloe's mother and father for Christmas.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Chloe...getting started

Started on Chloe tonight...will keep working on her
sweet face.

For info on children's portraits:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Downtown Christmas Open House

Here are some shots from the Christmas Open House

that was held tonight. My show, "It's a Jungle Out

There", with art from the Costa Rica trip was a part

of the festivities. There is also a photo of the t-shirts

that I designed. We had a great crowd, and shoppers

not only browsed , but spent money! (We were a little

worried with all the economic gloom and doom). We

also sponsor a dessert contest, and our winner was a

gooey Snicker cake that was delicious. I think everyone

had a great time, and will be back to shop some more!

Chloe-next up

This is Chloe, and she is Carter's sister. She is
next on my portrait schedule....will try to start
her tomorrow.

Ocotillo Completed

Here it is...will ship it off tomorrow. Hope he likes it!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Ocotillo

This is the ocotillo cactus that grows in Big Bend
National Park. I have to do a little watercolor of
this for a gift for someone that loves this cactus?!
Anyway, I believe he has a special affection for
it, and would love a painting of it in the Big Bend
setting. I will try to start it tonight.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Carter-finished

I finished this drawing of Carter tonight. I have
to draw his sister, too. The two drawings are a
gift from the grandparents to the parents of
these two...and it is a surprise! another one...
I love being in the surprise business.

for info on portraits:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Excuse Me...Carter

I knew his name started with a "C"...anyway,
it's Carter, not Cooper! I started on him today,
and have gotten this far. I will continue with
him tomorrow. funny expression....

for info on children's portraits:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Mini-Cooper

Going to start on this cute little boy...I think his

name is Cooper. Anyway, I wanted to show you

how I take just a snapshot, and with some

cropping and adjusting, I select just the part that

will make the best drawing. Then I enlarge that

to the drawing paper with a light sketch. Then I

begin with the lightest shading, and add darker

values and details as I go. Most of the time I

start around the eyes, because they have to be

just right, or the likeness will not be correct. That's

what I like about pencil, it is so easy to change.

Will keep you posted.

For info on Children's portraits:

sheltongail@hotmail.com

child portrait pencil portrait

Gail Shelton portrait artist

The Painted House

I finished Sharon's house today. It will be
shipped off, and be put under the Christmas
tree!! I love surprises...

sheltongail@hotmail.com

House-under construction

Got most of the ink done today on this house
portrait. Will try to get it painted later tonight.

I spent the day in Ruston at the Cedar Creek
School Holiday Marketplace peddling my wares
with a couple of the dealers in my business. The
school sponsors a Christmas marketplace each
year as a fund raiser. I promoted my pencil
portraits mostly. My friends were mostly
selling lots of children's toys and clothing, so
my children's portraits fit in well. It is tomorrow
as well, and I will go up after I close the shop.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

A House for Christmas

I am on to the next commission; this house
for a woman to give to her husband. This is the
black and white copy...it helps me see the
values (the lights and darks) of the home.
I have started the ink drawing tonight, and
will continue it, and then watercolor it.

sheltongail@hotmail.com
Gail Shelton artist house portrait pen and ink