A Trio of Riddles

Three more "RiddlePics"....at the end of the month.

I am drawing the name of one of the followers tonight,

and I will announce the winner tomorrow! They will

receive an original drawing of a RiddlePic of their

choice. The winner can pick from some of the ones

I have posted, or can commission one. (as long as I

can draw it!:)

Original RiddlePics 9x9 Ink and Marker drawings

$50.00 each

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Framed "Glory Bee" Graphic

I have been working on these scripture photos for

awhile now. I have put together a catalog, and I

am starting to market them. This is a photo of one

of them framed. This lamp was on a wall in New Orleans,

and I took this photo late in the afternoon, thus the

long shadows.

If you would like to know more about these photos,

please email me, and I can send you more information.

They are available as notecards, small and large prints,

and canvas prints. Would make great gifts for pastors,

ministers, friends, etc.

(this is just one of the 20 in the catalog)

sheltongail@hotmail.com

"Glory Bee" graphics Scripture Photos

Paris Re-visited

I had done several of these Paris collages

before Christmas, and I had sold most of

them. So I took a break from the RiddlePics,

and finished these 2 new collages. I still have

to add a couple of finishing touches. They are

larger than the other ones; these are 16 x 20

on canvas. They will go up in the gallery in the

"American in Paris" exhibit that will be there

for another couple of months.

I will get back to riddles....

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Photo Collages on Canvas 16 x 20 $85.00 each

Nobody's Favorite

I grew up with two older brothers, and I couldn't

have been more of a tomboy. I tagged along with

them on hunting and fishing trips, and did most

everything they did.

Growing up in Texas, there were lots of these

creatures around. I have heard them in person,

and the buzzing sound is quite a chilling experience.

Just a couple of days till I give one away! Your

choice, if you are the winner.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Original RiddlePics 9x9 $50.00 each

Two Money Animals

Two cases of money riddles.

The last buffalo I saw were around the LBJ State

Park west of Austin, Texas. There is a herd they

keep there that stays near the road, and you can

photograph them easily.

There used to be some stables here and a family

that raised this type of horse. I loved to drive by

and see the frisky young colts galloping all over the

fields. I believe they are bred to run, and they started

young. Beautiful...

I will be giving away one of these original drawings

this Sunday, the 31st. I will draw a name from among the

list of followers. All you have to do is sign up....it's free, and

you don't have to blog!

Original RiddlePics 9x9 $50.00 each

sheltongail@hotmail.com

3 Servings a Day

I don't really have much to say about this one...
I know these things are a nuisance. But I do love
fruit...so maybe it's a yinyang kind of thing!

Original RiddlePics 9x9 $50 each
sheltongail@hotmail.com

A Friend named Jack

Several years ago, Jack Hanna made an appearance

at the zoo nearby, and I attended the event. It was

a luncheon where he did a presentation about

wildlife, and showed us some of his animals. It was

great. I have always liked him, and I was anxious to

meet him. I had taken some of my "RiddlePic"

artwork with me to give to him. I did get to meet

him, and he was impressed with my work. He loved

the word pun idea. I told him I would draw one for

him. His pet rabbit is named "Jack", and I ended up

drawing him one of these RiddlePics. In return, he

sent me a copy of one of his children's books about

animals. It was all pretty cool.

Original RiddlePics 9x9 $50.00

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Spring Workshop Schedule

I teach a variety of classes at my gallery
in Winnfield, LA. I am doing a couple
this spring, and here is the schedule. All
of the classes are for beginners or intermediates,
ages 10 and up. They are from 10:30 am to
3:00 p.m. on Saturdays. We provide lunch
served in the cafe. Supply lists are available upon
registration, and some supplies are included.
All classes are $40.00

1. Collage on Canvas Feb 13 Fun and easy for
anyone. Lots of cut and paste. Will complete one
canvas during the class.
2. Artist's Trading Cards March 13 Will make small
works of art and trade them with members of the
class and me! Lots of fun (look up Art trading cards
online to see some examples)
3. Watercolor on Location April 17 Beginning watercolor
at Gail's home Will paint outdoors weather permitting
4. Pastel Drawing May 22 Beginning instruction in pastel
chalk drawing

Call or email to register at least 2 weeks in advance please.
Pea Patch Gallery 109 S. Abel Winnfield, LA 71483
sheltongail@hotmail.com

For the love of chocolate

I just watched some interview with Sarah Palin, and

she said she was going to make some moose stew

for dinner. It made me do this "RiddlePic".

When I was in Alaska, I wanted so much to see a

moose. I saw several from the windows of the speeding

train or bus, but none up close. The only one I did

see up close was at the zoo in Anchorage. And all my

photos of him have a chain link fence in them!

Original RiddlePic 9x9 $50.00

One week to sign up as a follower to be eligible for

the blog giveaways...

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Sea and Star

Two more "RiddlePics"...They don't really go

together, but I finished them both tonight, and

decided to put them both up.

Original RiddlePics 9x9 Marker and Bristol

$50.00 each

Free One at the end of the Month to a Follower!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

When I was about 10, I took a drawing class
down at the YMCA in the summer. We learned
to draw some cartoon animals, simple shapes,
with some personality. I loved it. And I can
still draw some of those first little cartoons I
learned a LONG time ago!! Anyway, one of the
animals we learned to draw was a horse. And
when I teach children, it is almost always the
one animal they want to draw.

I think I read somewhere that there is a special
bond between horses and people. And I am sure
those who raise them and care for them could
testify to that. I have never had a horse, but I
have ridden them. And they are thrilling to be
around.

This RiddlePic is one of those old sayings. One
of the judges in our little town has one of my more
finished versions of this in his office. His wife
bought it for him because she told me he says it
all the time! (like I believe this is all he says>?!)
Anyway, if you are a follower, you could win this
one, or one of your choice at the end of the month.

Original RiddlePics 9x9 $50 each Bristol board/marker
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Botanical Amphibian

As I sit at my drawing desk at home, I face an outside

window. I use a fairly bright light, and all night, small

bugs congregate all over the window. In the summer,

these little guys cling to the window and feast on the

multitudes. All I can see is their underbellies and their

sticky, padded feet from my side of the window. I

think this is a better view.

Original "RiddlePics" 9x9 Bristol Board, Ink, & Marker

$50.00 each

sheltongail@hotmail.com

A State and Local thing

Just a reminder: Become a follower and be eligible

for giveaways. This month: an original "RiddlePic"

of your choice!

Our local high school football team's mascot is

the tiger....and of course, LSU's is as well.

Consequently, I draw a lot of tigers. As the art

teacher at the high school, I drew them on

homecoming doors, posters, signs, bulletin

boards, spirit ribbons (you get the idea). And

as a fine artist, I have drawn and sold many

more serious ones.

This is just one as a "RiddlePic" to join the others.

I am sure you can hum the tune...

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Original RiddlePics 9x9 $50.00

Two for One, and One for Free

I've been having so much fun with these RiddlePics.

Here's two more. My husband, (who is extremely

left-brained?!) could not guess the top one. But he

got the bottom one. More to come.

I think I will give an original one away at the end

of this month. The winner will have their choice.

To be eligible to win, you need to be one of the

followers. I draw the winning name from among

the list of followers. So sign up, and you may be the

lucky one this month!

I am signing up for an art licensing workshop in NYC
later this spring. I am so excited. It is taught by

Cheryl Phelps, and covers licensing greeting cards

and other products, self promotion, trade shows,

developing a product line, etc. You can google her

and see her work. I am sure I will learn alot. It may

not be too late to teach an old dog a new trick!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

RiddlePics originals 9x9 $50 each

It takes a Pair

When I started doing the RiddlePics several

years ago, this was the second one I did. I

sold the original to a woman from Winnfield

who buys them for her daughters. This is

a much more comical version...but I like it.

"RiddlePic" original 12 x 12 $50.00

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Later Gator

another "RiddlePic"...kind of a Louisiana
thing.

The Shutterfly book I was working on is
a collection of the scripture photos I have
been doing. I call them "Glory Bee Graphics",
and I included about 20 of them in the
catalog. They are available in 12 x 18 prints,
11 x 14 prints, 5 x 7 notecards, or 24 x 36
canvas prints. I am going to use the catalog
books to market the images. They should be
here in a couple of days.

"RiddlePics" original 9 x 9 ink, marker on
Bristol $50.00 each
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Hooray for New Orleans!

In honor of New Orleans and the Saints, I decided

to post some New Orleans photos today. I haven't

been drawing today; I have been working on a

Shutterfly book online ALL day. Anyway, more on

that later.

The 'hear no evil, see no evil, etc...monkeys were

in a shop window down on Royal Street. I thought

they were hilarious. The church silhouette is the

famous St. Louis Cathedral. And the poster in the

window is George Rodrigue's really famous "Blue Dog".

The city is one of the most fascinating place to me.

And I am happy they have something to be excited

and hopeful about. Who dat??

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Hamlet

I bet you never thought of this saying in

terms of bugs and objects...well, here it is.

I think it would make a great t-shirt.

Let me know how you like it....

sheltongail@hotmail.com

"RiddlePics"

Just a little chicken

A fun little chicken....and my favorite time

of year! RiddlePic mania!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Making a Marker

I got in the markers, a set of 48 Dick Blick

studio markers. They are beautiful, and I

am enjoying playing with them.

I colored this little "RiddlePic" using them.

It is on Bristol paper. I am going to experiment

some more. too much fun..

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Riddle Pic Revival

Several years ago (nine to be exact), I started

a series of drawings that combine an animal

and an object, and when said together, they

form a word pun. I called them "RiddlePics".

I have done lots of them. I published them in

calendars, sold originals and prints, t-shirts,

etc. I have always enjoyed doing them.

I am going to start doing some in a more

graphic cartoon style. I have made a list of

about 110...and I am going to start doing them,

going down the list! This is the first one. You

can leave a comment to guess it. I am waiting

on some markers I ordered to color it. I wanted

a slicker look than the colored pencil I usually use.

I plan to eventually publish them in a small book.

You can let me know if you would be interested

in one. Let me hear from you.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

"I am the vine, You are the branches."

Two more scripture photos. The top one is from my

recent trip out to Texas. I posted some photos of

these neat old oak trees a few nights ago. The dark

branches make an interesting pattern against the

blue winter sky.

The swamp photo was taken out at Saline Lake, near

Winnfield. The lake is filled with cypress trees and

Spanish moss, and looks very typical of south

Louisiana. It is a great fishing destination, and there

are many hunting and fishing camps around the

lake. I have a few friends who live out there, and

I ventured out to their camps last fall to take some

of these photos.

Scripture Photo Fine Art Prints: 12 x 18 $35.00

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Beach is the Word

Another couple of scripture photos, this time from

the beach. I took the photo of the child running into

the surf in Costa Rica. It was sunset, and his family

had just gotten there. The little boy jumped out of

their car, and ran toward the water. He dodged waves,

running back and forth, squealing with delight. I asked

his parents if I could photograph him, and they agreed.

The starfish photo I took in Galveston. I was there

on a humanitarian trip to deliver some clothing to the

victims of the hurricane. The beach was virtually deserted,

and there was damage everywhere. I believe, however,

that real joy can be found in difficult situations, and many

of the Galveston people did just that.

Scripture Photos: Train a Child / Starfish Joy

12 x 18 Photo Print/Fine Art Rag Paper $35.00

5x7 notecard $5.00

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Peace like a River

I don't know if it is as cold where you are as it is
here, but it was a good day to stay inside. I spent
some time working on a few scripture photos. I am
getting ready to start marketing them as either
prints or notecards.

This photo was taken back in the fall at Lake
Claiborne in northwest Louisiana. The water level
had gone down, and the wonderful sand ripple patterns
were left behind. They stretched the length of the
shore, and I enjoyed posing leaves on the ridges in
different ways. I think this is the first one I took, and
it is one of my favorites.

I will be giving away something this month; haven't
really decided what yet. But if you sign up to be a
"follower", you will be eligible for the giveaways.
Welcome to my new follower; I look forward to several
more of you joining up!

sheltongail@hotmail.com
Scripture Photos 12 x 18 Fine Art photo $35.00
5 x 7 blank notecard + envelope $5.00

Baby Boy Final

I believe I am finished with this drawing...I have

tweaked on it all night.

My best drawing teacher was Mr. Buscaglia during

my freshman year at the University of Texas.

He was determined to say the least. We stood at

our easels for 3 hours, three days a week. And

drew. I hear his voice in my head each time I

work on a drawing, remembering his wisdom

and knowledge. I did not always appreciate

it then...but I do now! I guess that is the

legacy of a good teacher.

for info on Children's portraits:

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Progress...

I've made a little progress on this drawing of

this little boy..will try to finish tonight.

My longhorns didn't fare too well. I feel so

sorry for Colt; but wasn't he a gracious and

strong loser. I loved his Christian comments.

I believe God will bless him for his faithfulness

and boldness.

for info on Children's portraits:

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Go Horns...Hook Em'

I attended the University of Texas in Austin

my freshman year in college...majoring in Studio

Art...in the 70's....yes, last century!? Anyway,

I saw this fine looking longhorn on my recent

trip to Texas, and thought I would post him in

honor of the game today. As an avid LSU fan

as well, I am for anyone who can beat Alabama...

woohooo!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

A New Beginning

Starting the new year starting to draw this

new little boy. This is the first stage of

blocking in and starting to shade lightly.

I think I have said before that I like to do

the eyes early in the piece, because if they

are not right...the whole thing will not be

correct. And they are the most fun to

draw! The drawing seems to come to life

once the eyes are done.

"Here's looking at you, kid".

For info on children's portraits:

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Free Bird

I remembered that I said I would give one

of these prints away to one of my followers.

I drew a name, and Kim is the winner. I will

try to send her a message, so she can receive

her print.

I have heard we may get some more snow this

week. Maybe some new snow photos will be in

the works!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Baby Boy in Black and White

This is my next commission piece...isn't he

adorable?! Someone paid for this piece as

a gift last Christmas, and they just now sent

the photo. I think they were waiting for him

to get a little older! And now, here he is. This

should be fun to do. Will keep you posted.

For info on Children's Portraits:

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Winter Silouette

Winter strips the leaves from these beautiful

trees, revealing their knarled structure. I really

enjoyed seeing them on my long drive through

the countryside. I believe they are oaks....either

bur oaks or pin oaks, etc...? Anyway, I think they

look like Halloween trees...very spooky. They

looked sunning against the clear blue Texas sky.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Charming Boerne

One of the small towns I love to visit near

San Antonio is Boerne. I did the Christmas

poster for them a couple of years ago. This

trip I did some shopping. The town was all

decked out, and it was a beautiful day.

I was intrigued by the Metro sign at one of

the shops...that is a real Paris sign. I just

saw many of them last spring while in Paris.

I wonder how it showed up in Boerne?!

neat...

sheltongail@hotmail.com

On the Backroads

When I drive to San Antonio, I take the back way.

I am only on the interstate for about an hour. The

other 8 hours are on mostly two lane roads. I love

to see the small towns and farms. Watching for

antique stores is an entertaining pastime. This

shop is in Caldwell, Texas, and I stopped here to

stretch my legs, and shop around. You never know

what kind of treasures you might find. I bought some

things here that I am going to use in some collages

in the near future. Art and antiques...who knew?

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Happy New Year from San Antonio!

It can't possibly really be 2010....I thought

we would all be in flying cars by now?!

I am in San Antonio, and we just watched

the fireworks sparkle over the Tower of

the America's in downtown. ooohh...ahhhh

These are photos inside my favorite Mexican

food restaurant where we ate today...MiTierra's

in El Mercado in downtown as well. It is all

decked out for Christmas in a very merry way.

I hope you all got to ring in the new year in

a wonderful way...may the new year hold only

the best for you.

sheltongail@hotmail.com