Saturday, October 30, 2010

Break

I am in New Orleans, visiting family and
friends. Will post some interesting photos of
some of the creatures in the French Quarter
for Voodoo Fest and Halloween....oooooh

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Happy Halloween!




Just some ghouls and goblins from the Pea Patch (with
spiders on our heads) and Pharmacy Services (my husband
as Billy the Exterminator) If you don't know who Billy is,
go to Vexcon.com and try to watch an episode. You won't
forget him....I promise.
Hope you and yours all had a safe and happy Halloween.

"Sugar"


This is "Sugar". I believe this drawing is going to be a
Christmas gift, and will be special because "Sugar" is no
longer with the family. My daughter and son in law just
got a boxer puppy, and I have always heard that they are
very good dogs. "Sugar" looks like she was very loved,
and was very sweet. I hope the drawing will be a treasured
keepsake.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

In the Spirit of Fruit



I received my latest copy of "Southwest Art" magazine,
and was delighted to see some colored pencil in the spotlight.
They sponsored an art contest for those over 31 years old,
and Cecile Baird won first place with her drawing: "Anyway
You Slice It". I also posted a photo of one of her other
outstanding pieces, "Juicy Fruit". I have had the pleasure
of seeing her work in person during several Colored Pencil
juried shows across the nation. I saw the banana piece just
recently during the CPSA convention show in California last
August. It was exquisite. As a colored pencil artist myself,
I am thoroughly impressed and appreciative of her skill and
expertise. I am so glad she won this honor, and I wish her
all the best.
I am continuing to work on the dog portrait, and will post
when finished. I thought you would enjoy seeing this other
wonderful work.
sheltongail@hotmail.com
For info on Pet Portraits: email me or call the
gallery: Pea Patch Gallery 318-628-3560

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Boxers and Books



I am a Signature Member of the Colored Pencil Society
of America. That doesn't mean anything to most of you,
but I was very proud when I achieved that honor. And
that is the front of the new book just released that features
one work by each of us in that group. My piece, "Girl's Day
Out" is included in the book, and it was so neat to see it
there. I think you can order the book from Amazon. It
contains some really impressive work.
And that is the progress I have made on the boxer tonight.
I haven't worked on it long..I snuck away for a break at the
movies. "Secretariat" is a real treat, very inspirational and
uplifting. It is very well done artistically, too, from the acting
to the cinematography. Go see it, you will enjoy it.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Dog Day Monday



It is time to start on all the commissions I have to do before
Christmas for lots of clients. This one has to be finished by
November 10th, so it is the first one out of the gate. Her
beautiful expression makes me smile as I am studying her
features and trying to capture them on the paper.
I mentioned that I was waiting on some supplies. I get most
of what I use online at Cheap Joe's. I have used them for
years, and they have great service and reasonable prices. If
you are an artist and need something delivered to your door,
they are a great way to go. They also offer many workshops
in all kinds of media at their facility in North Carolina (I think).
Look them up if you are interested. www.cheapjoes.com

Sunday, October 24, 2010

A Walk in the Woods














I love to go for a walk on Sunday afternoons, and
my three cats always want to go too. We walked
through lots of leaves today...crunchy and dry. There
were countless shades of brown, and one black cat.
"In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will
direct your path." Proverbs 3:6

Grin and Bear It









Still working on a few bears for the Royal Sonesta
Teddy Bear Tea. You can go to their website and
find some info on it. It would be a real special thing
to do with a daughter, niece, or granddaughter.
I hope they will like something here...they are
supposed to look at them tomorrow. Will keep
my fingers crossed.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Falling for You

I realized I had not selected anything to give away this month.
So, here is a photograph that I felt was fitting for an autumn
giveaway. I took this while in Costa Rica, and those leaves had
fallen into a small creek. They were huge, at least 12 inches long,
and they were beautifully arranged by nature. The photograph
is double matted to an 11 x 14 standard size. I will draw a name
from the list of followers at the end of the month. Sign up and
you could win!

Barely a Sketch


I got a call today from a client I do some business with in New Orleans. He
needs a bear design to use with a promotion that the Royal Sonesta Hotel is
doing. Every Christmas, they have a "Teddy Bear" Tea at the hotel for little
girls and their moms. They want something they can use for an ornament,
stationary, etc. Anyway, not a problem, except they want it Monday...this
Monday! So, I am not asleep, I am drawing bears! I am thinking all -over
wallpaper type designs with various symbols or themes: teacup, fleur de lis,
and that's as far as I have gotten. Maybe I will sleep on it...

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Stained Glass Class


When I was in college, I took a stained glass class, and made several windows and pieces for myself and my family. I really enjoyed it, and most of those pieces are still around. I also taught this unit to my high school classes over the years. But since I retired 8 (yes, 8) years ago, I haven't picked up a glass cutter at all.

Our high school started a program a couple of years ago called "Senior Project". I believe it is a national program. Basically, the student must decide to learn some skill, or shadow some professional in order to learn something new that they know nothing about. They must complete a project with the mentor's help, and write a paper describing their journey. I have participated the last two years, teaching beginning drawing to two young students; one completing a self portrait, and the other, a portrait of his home. This year I have just been approached by a young lady who would like to learn how to do stained glass. I told her I would love to. She will have to do the majority of the work however! because my arthritic hands are just not what they used to be. I know I can't push down on the glass cutter anymore...but I believe I can show her how. Anyway, we will give it a try in the spring. I will have to dust off my skills, and get prepared.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Dog Days of Autumn









I mentioned that I have some dog portraits to do
for Christmas gifts for some clients. Aren't these
adorable? I have to draw one each of the two, and
then draw one with them together. I am still
waiting on my supplies (oh, the joy of living in a
small town!). But I will start on them soon.
The dog photo postcard I picked up years ago at
a festival. I loved the layout and the unique pics.
The artist did pet photography, and would come to
you. He also donated some of his proceeds to a local
animal welfare organization. Lucky dogs!
Pet Portraits starting at $100
email me for details

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Go Green- Olive green





LCI Paper has some really neat paper products: blank
cards, stationary, etc. I ordered these 5 x 5 note cards
and I have been enjoying doing some different card
designs on them. These are some original little watercolor
paintings of some olive trees that I saw in Greece. I
punched out the lacy border with a Martha Stewart
scrap booking tool. I used some pen and ink for details
and lettering.
I had the nicest treat today. One of my favorite students,
John Nichols, came by the gallery today with his 13 yr old
daughter (he graduated in 87).
He wanted to show her some of my work, and
inquire about some art lessons. They made their way around
the whole building, and I could hear him describing and
explaining to her all he still knew about art, techniques,
design, and subject matter. It was so special. John was one
of the most talented artists I ever taught, and he went on
to major in art at LSU. He was also an outstanding athlete,
and still holds state records in the discus throw. But today,
he was a warm and devoted daddy, sharing his love for art
with his only daughter. I look forward to teaching her, and
sharing some of that love I have also with her.
A great day to be an artist...


Monday, October 18, 2010

Watercolor Trio





These are three little Greek watercolor greeting
cards. They are drawn with a waterproof pen, and
then painted. They are 5 x 7 and come with the
envelope.
I am going to start working on some commission
pieces that I have to do for Christmas. I have 3
dogs, a grandpa, a toddler girl, and a couple of
teen girls to do. I am waiting on some supplies to come
in, and then I will get started. Should keep me busy
for a couple of weeks. If you are considering a
commission piece, you need to contact me asap!
I am sneaking away to Yellowstone for a couple of
days to take some pics and spend some time with
an old high school friend who is a photographer as well.
I am looking forward to it..it is my first trip to the
park. I do plan to go again sometime, and stay longer.
This trip will give me a chance to learn the ropes, so
when I go back, I will be prepared. I am going early
in November, and will be back in plenty of time for
our downtown Open House!
Greece Watercolor Note cards $5.00 each

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Preview








































Here are a few pics of what we have done so
far up in the gallery. The top pics are of some
of the jewelry that is for sale..some I bought in
Greece and in Turkey. The beautiful gold, pearl
and turquoise pendant was purchased in the
Turkish bazaar. The cord is braided silk, and
there are some small gold coin earrings that
go with it. The other pieces are assorted glass
beads and silver.
The tote bag with the tree design came from a
company called Handmade Expressions. It is
one of those "free trade" organizations that helps
women in villages all over the world sell their
handmade items. I bought some scarves and
several different kinds of bags from them to
add to the exhibit. They are kind of "boho chic"
and go well with all the other artwork. (and I
like helping those women out)
The artwork is scattered around. I will probably
move some of the pieces some, but at least it is
all up in the gallery area! should be ready by the
end of the week...woohoo!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Variations on a Theme



Two versions of the same column photograph from
the Acropolis in Athens...both are on cards. the
computer and Photoshop make all this a lot of fun.
I am almost through hanging the Greece show.
I still have to set up a few more things, but we are
close. It really looks good, I am pleased. (and I
rarely am!...) We still have to put up Christmas
trees with the Greek ornaments, etc., but we
will wait till after Halloween to do that. too many
holidays clashing...

Friday, October 15, 2010

Smile, it's Friday!


One of the many things I do during a busy
week is teaching a beginner drawing class to
some young students in town. One of them
is learning to draw with pastels. This week
we just had some fun, and drew some cartoon
animals and colored them with the chalk. These
are two of my examples that I did for her.
I can remember taking a drawing class at the
YMCA when I was about 10, and we learned to
draw some animals. I loved it then, and I still
do! I hope they make you smile.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Declaration


This was one of my favorite photos from the Greece
trip. We were staying in a hotel right on the beach,
and this was the scene right across from us to the
west. We were there two nights and the sunset was
awesome both evenings. I was reminded of the
beautiful sunsets I witnessed in Costa Rica; we also
stayed on the west coast there.
I started hanging some more of the Greece work
today, and the show is taking shape.

Ephesus Presentation





In Sunday school we are studying Ephesians,
and I am doing a presentation this week with
photographs from the ancient city. I spent
tonight getting them together in a Power
Point. It will be fun to share them with the
class, and I enjoyed revisiting them as I selected
ones to use.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Tri-Olives



If you know what a triptych is, then this post is for
you! Here are 2 that I have finished with olive designs
on them. They are on 12 x 12 canvases, gessoed, stained,
and painted with acrylic. The top set has some collaged
Greek relief sculpture print across the bottom. I added
the word "olive" in Italian, English, and Greek. too
much fun.. They will go in the licensing file...maybe you
will see them in a store near you soon! The originals
will be for sale during the Greek art show.
Greek Olive Triptych $150.00