Tile Trio

These are 3 more of those tile collages. They have

the round magnets stuck on them, too. They are

about 12 inches square, and can be used like a memo

board. They are kinda funky and fun. At least I am

making a dent in the pile of old ceiling tile I have!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Vintage Ceiling Tile Memo Boards $25.00 each

Collages

These are the collages I finished with the images

I printed last night. It is hard to make out the

details, but I really like how they turned out.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Multi-Tasking

Busy day today...I worked at the shop, framing

and selling stuff. I did some printing for my

ongoing portfolio project. And then tonight, I

played around with some of these Greek images,

carvings, frescoes, etc. I printed them, and will

use them in some collages.

I was thinking about how important the computer

is to almost everything I do now. And when I graduated

from college, there was really no such thing. (I am showing

my age..) anyway, I really enjoy using it, and it does

make a lot of this art stuff easier. I can change a design

with the touch of a button, instead of doing it all by

hand. And I can print multiple images, and use them

in lots of different ways. Multi-tasking...I do it, and the

computer does it too!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Window to the World

Nice window photo from Naphlio, Greece. I

knew it would be one that I would like to paint.

There's one of the early progress, and then the

finished watercolor. It is on a full sheet of paper,

22 x 30, but I will crop it some (as shown). Will

be for sale...anyone interested, let me know.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

My printer let me know the large giclee' prints

of six of my photographs are ready, and I will

be picking them up this week. Can't wait to see

them. They are 30 x 40 and printed on canvas.

If you are interested in having a photo printed

on canvas, I can give you his contact info. He

does a great job.

Color Option

Been working on this Christmas shirt. This

is one color option. If printed on a lime green

shirt, the green areas would not have to be

ink. I would probably use the brown a few

other places: the lion's nose, the sheep's face

and feet, and the outside outline. Let me know

what you think.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Grapes of Greece

I finished this watercolor of some grapes I

saw in Greece. I posted some of the steps

involved:

1. The photograph itself/ taken near the

town of Naphlio, down a country road

near our hotel

2. Step One/ After drawing the outline,

I masked out the white areas. Then I wet

the paper and added some washes that ran

and mixed together

3. Washes/Glazing I added the grapes and leaves

in washes on dry paper, building up form

4. Final Details/ I added the darks last and a few

details

I will add the mats and finish this up in a frame.

This painting, along with some photos and other

artwork, will be for sale in the gallery as part of

the "A Greek Odyssey" show.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

I have heard from a few of you about the Christmas

t-shirt..most of you like the lion. I will continue to

work on that design. Thanks!

Greek Collages

After I finished laughing at the cats and

the "bug", if did these two Greek collages.

They are magnetic, having a vintage ceiling

tile in the center. I used some of my photography,

and some copies of old Greek stamps that I

bought while there. The magnets that I had

done will go with these little memo boards.

Greek Collage Memo Board

$25.00 each Several designs available

sheltongail@hotmail.com

What "bugs" you?

I had a fun time this afternoon, introducing

my three amigos, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, to

an electronic bug that Monday's Child (the toy

booth in my shop) is selling. It runs, spins, whirls

around, flips, etc, and will make you laugh out loud.

I thought they would enjoy chasing it. Actually, they

didn't know what to think. They were really intrigued,

but were not too anxious to get very close to it.

At least they didn't bite it, and get a shock! too funny

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Hex Bug battery powered robot bug

T Shirt Time

These are two sketches for the Christmas

t shirt this year. Let me know which one

you like the best. I can do a colored shirt,

but these would really look best on a white

shirt. I like the lion, but it doesn't look very

"Christmasy". Maybe I can work with the

colors...maybe add a holiday border? Will

keep working till I am satisfied! perfectionism..

such a burden!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Studio Time

My recent remodeling job in the studio at

the Pea Patch is finished. It feels so good to

get it all done and in place.

I started with the floor, and painted a rug

design directly onto the old linoleum floor. There

was already a lot of paint on the floor, and I didn't

want to put down a real rug or carpet that would

only get paint on it too. So, I painted the rug, and

then sealed it with polyurethane. The new tables

and chairs finish off that space. (these are the

smaller children's set; we have larger ones for the

adults).

My new desk is lit up by the antique gas light that

my father had in his office back in San Antonio. I had

the electrician re-wire it, and hang it from the tall

ceiling.

The storage cabinets house some of my many art

books and some supplies. And the 3 computer cabinets

hide the computers I use to teach some computer

graphics classes.

I am pleased how it all turned out. Hopefully, I can

keep it clean and organized....a real struggle for us

right-brained people. If you are in town, stop by the

shop and I will give you a studio tour!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Zeus to You

Working on another Greece photo collage

using this Zeus photo...it just says, "Greek"

to me.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Fishing Boats

I just printed this photo of some fishing boats

in Greece. It will be in the upcoming show.

I am still printing cards, and doing some watercolor

painting too.

I had a winner in the column contest. Patrick

answered correctly, and was the first responder

(this morning at 7 am!). I will be sending him

a set of the column design cards.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Column Contest

Another Greek design on a card. How about

a contest? The first person to email me and

list the 3 types of Greek columns, and tell me

which one this is, will win a set of these cards!

(4 with the envelopes). On your mark, go!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

More Cards...

Having too much fun doing these cards...

I went to bed at 2 am last night!!

These have some of my photos that I

digitized (is that a word?!), printed, and

then collaged onto the card with other

papers. still working on some more...

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Just a Note

More Greek cards..that is the set of the 4

photo ones. I took all of the photos on the

island of Mykonos. I really like the blue and

white color scheme on the island.

The collage ones were really fun. Some of the

papers are glittery, and I added some puffy paint.

They are all 5 inches square, and come with the

envelopes. I think I will give one away this month.

We are starting to arrange and rearrange the shop

for the show and the upcoming downtown Christmas

Open House...which will be November 11. We have

to make room for all of the new merchandise that

I ordered at market that will be arriving soon. I hope

to have the show up by November 1st.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Greece Notes

I have been working on these note cards for the

Greece show. There are the photo ones with

blue and white scenes from Mykonos; the set

includes 1 card and envelope of each design.

And the other cards are mixed media collages.

I am still playing around with them, and may

just sell them individually.

I am back from the Gift Market in Dallas. I saw

lots of neat ideas and artwork. I am inspired to

do lots more of my license designs, because one

day, I hope to see some of my work on some of

those products!

I finished reading, "The Last Lecture" by Randy

Pausch. I am sure most of you are familiar with

this wonderful legacy left by this incredible man.

He talks a great deal in the book about childhood

dreams. It made me think of my own dreams, and

the goals I have always had, for my personal life,

and my art career. I have been so blessed to have achieved

many of those dreams, some even beyond my wildest

ones. But the art dreams still remain unfulfilled in

a lot of ways. So, I will continue to try reaching for

them. And hopefully will see some progress soon!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Gone to Market

Because I own the shop, and I have to

stock it with some merchandise (other

than my artwork?!), I go to Gift Market

at least once a year. I am in Dallas now

for the last market before Christmas. It

is a smaller market, not nearly as crowded,

and fewer showrooms are open. I bought

jewelry today. This is one of my favorite

showrooms: www.pinkandthings.com I

bought lots of jewelry in there today...some

pearl cluster neclaces, fleur de lis earrings,

bracelets, and neclaces, and some turquoise.

Another jewelry dealer I like is:

www.pinkhouseimports.com There must be

something about the word, PINK....check them

out.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Magnet in the Round

I orderd these round magnets today to go with the

Greece artwork. I have done some collages on the

old metal tiles, and these magnets will go with them.

There will be some extras for sale, too.

I used Zazzle; it is the first time I have used them.

I am not sure of the quality, so I did not order many.

But I can always re-order. If anyone has used them,

and has some feedback, let me know. thanks!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Whatever Floats Your Boat

I have a colleague that enlarges some of my photos

and prints them on canvas. I am preparing some

of the Greek photos to send to him. These are

two that I am considering. Who doesn't love

water and boats?

sheltongail@hotmail.com

900 and Counting

Wow, this is my 900th post! I am glad some

of you have been following along all this time.

I hope to do at least 900 more :)

These are the three entries for the upcoming

Blossom II Art of Flowers competition to be held

in Houston later this year. September 30th is the

deadline, and they are taking digital entries this

year. There is no limit to the number of entries,

but I thought that three would be sufficient.

These pieces are all done in colored pencil on

Arches hot pressed watercolor paper. All of these

are flowers in my yard: the hollyhocks bloomed

after they had been planted 3 years; my daughter

planted the "Texas" yellow roses; and the tulip

magnolia tree is still really small after many years

in the ground, but it is the first to bloom every spring.

If anyone is interested in entering the show, go to:

http://www.blossomartcompetition2010.com/ for info and

entry procedure. Wish me luck!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Botanical Blue

I finally got back to this watercolor, and

finished it up tonight. The top photo has the

masking fluid still on the paper, and the second

pouring of the liquid paint. Then I removed the

masking fluid (it just rolls off like rubber cement).

And I finished up with some direct painting of the

berries, leaves and fluffy blooms. It will be matted

and framed, and will hang in the Greek art show

coming soon.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

A Merry Time at Mary Mac's

I don't often post pics of food...but there

was a real "art" to where we shared a meal

while in Atlanta. This is Mary Mac's Tea Room,

located on Ponce De Leon Avenue in Midtown.

The restaurant was started by Mary McKinsey

in 1945, and has been serving Southern favorites

ever since. It was wrapped up, but we were seated

and served quickly, and the food was scrumptious.

You fill out your own menu card and the waitress

returns with your selections, hot and delicious.

That's some fried chicken strips, sweet potato

casserole, hopping john (peas and rice) and

some shrimp and grits, fried okra, and creamed

corn...yum. There are over 30 side orders to choose

from: fried green tomatoes, butter beans, turnip

greens, etc. And they bring a bread basket with

yeast rolls, cornbread, and homemade cinnamon

rolls (which they also sell by the dozen!) Can you

tell I really enjoyed it? If you are ever in town, make

sure you go....you will be glad you did!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

www.marymacs.com