Who Let the Dogs Out?

This is Sugar and Bentley, and they are going to make

someone's Christmas very special! I do enjoy drawing

pets for people, especially when the finished product is

a surprise gift.

And I sold another Greece piece today...it is going to be a

Christmas surprise as well. But I can't tell you which

one it was because the recipient reads this blog!

so much fun....

sheltongail@hotmail.com

gail shelton art

Here's Looking at You, Kid

I have managed to work on this drawing a little

more this weekend. The other dog's eye can be

seen right at the edge...kinda scary! Anyway, this

is the third drawing for this client, and I know she

is anxious to get them all, so I will try to finish it

tonight.

I haven't had any guesses for the November

give-away. If you email me or leave me a comment,

I may give you a clue!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

gail shelton art

"Come ye Thankful people, Come"

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was,

"thank you", that would suffice."

Eckhart

Thinking back over the recent Thanksgiving holiday,

and all my many blessings, I wanted to take just a moment

to reflect. I spent some time outdoors, and these lovely

trees border my patio. The sun was absolutely dancing

among the gold and red leaves, and the dark seed pods

were such a contrast against them. I guess life

is like that as well. There are some great times that we

spend in the light, dancing through our days without a

care. And then there are the days of contrast....when

dark situations enter the picture, and our dancing ceases.

And yet, when you view the picture all together..you

notice that it looks best when both are present.

Many of you know what Thanksgiving holds for me and my

family. It is always a bittersweet day for me. And yet

each year, I recognize that gratitude is God's saving grace

to us all. For gratitude is the only answer to all of life's

hardships...I try to find my way there....daily.

"Gratitude is an art of painting an adversity

into a lovely picture."

Kak Sri

I hope you all had a glorious day, and were able to give

God the gratitude He deserves.

may He bless,

gail

sheltongail@hotmail.com

On the Road still...

"The world is a book, and those who do

not travel, read only a page."

St. Augustine

When I got to the gallery this morning, these 3 adorable

vehicles drove up. The merry couples, decked out in warm

coats and scarves, were traveling from College Station in

Texas (boo aggies....) to meet up with an antique car group

out of Houston. There are no heaters in these! and the high

here today is supposed to be 45. I am glad they think this

would be fun! Anyway, they shopped and went on their

way. But I thought the vehicles were so charming, and

real works of art.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

gail shelton art

"Sugar" and Sugar Free

Lots going on tonight...I have been working on this drawing

of "Sugar" and "Bentley" together. Haven't gotten too far.

Had to draw in between making the other "work of art" at the

top: a low carb pumpkin cheesecake for tomorrow. I am not

used to taking pics of food, so forgive me if it doesn't look like

all the other outstanding photos I see on the cooking blogs!

But I thought I would give it a shot. I found the recipe online,

and because I try to eat a low carb diet (most of the time!) I

wanted to make it so I could eat some tomorrow without so

much guilt!

I hope you all get to have a wonderful time with family and

friends on Thanksgiving day. I know I am thankful for so many

things....including two great customers today who really made

me think what I do is somehow all worthwhile...thanks.

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow..."

sheltongail@hotmail.com

gail shelton art

Gone to the Dogs

"I would rather see the portrait of a dog I know, than all

the allegorical paintings they can show me in the world."

Samuel Johnson

More dogs to do for someone for Christmas....I thought

I was almost finished...but I am just a sucker..and I won't

turn anyone down. She just brought me this photo, and

I will do it in pencil, after I finish the other three I have to

do!

gail shelton art

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Fall Color

"Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and

the less the artist does, the better."

Andre Gide


Just a few views from my studio at home...the leaves are

really beginning to change to beautiful hues. This is such a

lovely time of year, filled with family celebrations, football,

and festive occassions. My heart is saddened however, at the

loss of so many in our community, and the families affected by

sorrow. God is the only source of comfort, and I pray they

will feel His presence even in the changing times and the

changing leaves.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

gail shelton art

Blossom Competition

"An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one."

Cooley

I know these images are small...they come from the

Blossom Art Competition from last year. I received my

rejection email this week...my two colored pencil pieces

did not make it into the show. You can visit the site and

see some really beautiful work, and they have a virtual gallery

tour that is neat. Oh well, maybe next year.

www.blossomartcompetition.com

sheltongail@hotmail.com

A Little Art and Music

"A musician must make music, an artist

must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be

ultimately at peace with himself. What one can

be, one must be." Abrahan Maslow

I was down in New Orleans a couple of weeks

ago, and promised to post a couple of the pics of

some of the characters I encountered. Well, here

are 3: one of the street artists, a very accomplished

architectural water colorist; one of the street musicians

and his clarinet; and the bottom one is a combination

artist and musician...that instrument is a work of art,

a collage of sorts...and he made great music on it as well.

There are always a lot of interesting folks around

Jackson Square. I encourage any of you who love to travel,

to make New Orleans a destination. It is trying very

hard to recover from the assorted devastation, and could

use every tourist dollar.

If you need some recommendations, I would

gladly share some travel tips.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

glory bee graphics

I have been doing some scripture photos for awhile now, and I have

organized them into their own little business. I call them, "Glory Bee

Graphics". I have been marketing them under this name and I thought

I would post this business card that I use with them. These are some of

the images that I plan to approach a licensing agent with starting in January.

I am trying to add to the collection, and the Yellowstone images are

perfect for some that I have in mind. There will be a whole mountain scenery

collection that include some photos that I took in Utah last February, and

Yellowstone, just recently. But there is also a seashore collection, River of Life

collection, and Let Your Little Light Shine collection, just to name a few.

All of the images are available as 12 x 18 posters, 11 x 14 prints, and 5x7 notecards.

I sold one of these today, and that's what made me think I needed to post some

info about it...plus, I haven't drawn or painted a thing today! needed a day off...

more later,

sheltongail@hotmail.com

"Bentley"

This is "Bentley"...a Brussels Griffon, and he belongs to the

same family that I did the drawing of "Sugar" for (several

posts back). And she also wants a larger drawing of the two of

them together. I will have to start on that tomorrow. But for now,

this one is almost finished.

I did sell some artwork on the night of the Open House. I sold one

of the framed photos of Mykonos, and two watercolors. But there

is still lots of work up, ready to view and to buy!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Dog Day Tuesday

Started on this little dog's portrait tonight. He is

very comical...and I promise, his eyes really do look like

that! Will keep drawing and should have him done by

tomorrow night.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Almost Done

I've been working on this drawing all night, and it is just about done.

Sometimes they just come together quickly and easily. And then

sometimes, the struggle to capture the likeness is a long process!

That's when I go through a mental and visual checklist:

1. Is it the eyes? Are they the right shape, distance apart, pupil in the

right place, eyelids correct? etc

2. Is it the shape of the face? the right contour? the right size, proportion?

3. What about the nose? too flat? too big?? too small?

4. Mouth? slight smile? open or closed? lips need to be thinner or thicker?

5. Hair/Head right shape, value, outline

Anyway, there is a lot that goes into one of these portraits. My daughter and

husband are good sounding boards. They can almost always pinpoint what it

is that is not quite right. And if something is not quite right, it will not look like

them. Everything has to be perfect. And sometimes, perfection takes a long time.

But not tonight! Maybe it has something to do with how cute she is!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Baby Commission

I am still working on these Christmas gift

commissions for clients. This precious one will

be next. I have started, but not very far along.

Should have more to show tomorrow.

Hope you had a peaceful, worshipful, and relaxed

Sunday. It is raining here, and we are grateful!

It is also a little cooler, but afterall, it is November.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"

Just a few pics right before the Open House crowds descended

upon us. That's two shots of the gallery itself, then a couple of

garden merchandise displays, and then some Christmas items,

(candles, room spray, napkins, tray...). We had a great time during

the Open House. It has become a real social event for the town;

people come back home to visit with family and shop together,

out of town visitors get to see the best of our shops, and all the

shop owners get to really showcase their wares.

If you didn't make it this year, there is always next year! It is always

the second Thursday in November, from 5-9 in the evening.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Canyon of the Yellowstone

Here are a few more Yellowstone pics. You've probably

seen this shot on many a postcard. It was exciting to get to

see it in person. And the sun was out! The picture with the

rushing water is above the falls, and the one of me on the

bridge is there, too. You drive across this river and then on

beside it, and pull up at the end of the road. You get out and

walk to "Artist's Point", and look back, and you see the

lower falls (that's what they call them). Anyway, it was a

beautiful site. The two of us were there, one other couple,

and a gentleman...all with our cameras. We all took some,

and then I offered to take the couple's picture together. I knew

from their accent they were not American...they were from

Russia! How cool...

I will be printing up some large prints of some of these to sell

in the shop. Should turn out beautifully.

We did real well at the Open House last night. will have to

upload the pics...tomorrow.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Portrait of Joe

I have several (lots, really!) of commissions to do for

people before Christmas. This is one I have been working

on now for a couple of nights. It is about finished.

I taught with this man at the high school for many years,

and he is a good guy. His wife wanted a drawing of him.

Next to this portrait on the left, is another sketch of him

in his yard. I suggested the montage when she had so many

pics of him and couldn't decide. I hope she will like it.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Feeling Blue

Someone said something to me about the misty pictures the other day.

So I thought I'd better post some "happier" ones. As I looked through

them, this bright blue kept jumping out at me, and since it is my favorite

color, and since the whole Greek art show is blue, and our Christmas

tree in the gallery is decorated in blue...well, you get the idea. So, here,

enjoy these beautiful scenes with their bright blue colors in common. And

I usually do tweak the colors and contrast, but I promise, I didn't even

touch these. It really was that blue!

Thanks for all the heartfelt comments about Raelene. I still can't

believe the whole thing; it will take some time to sink in. Many of you

have asked about her photography. Most of it is in her studio, and I

do not know what her husband will want to do. If and when I hear from

him, I will let you know. I don't know if he will want to sell any of it or

not...it's a hard call. Her booth in the shop is still open, and will be until

I hear otherwise.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

I've been Buffaloed

I guess the most iconic image of Yellowstone

has to be the buffalo. I have seen some before,

but they have all been in captivity. These were

my first "wild" buffalo. And of course, we were

so excited at the first ones we saw up really close, right

next to road. But they were far from wild....I guess they

are so used to cameras and humans. They barely even

glanced our way, and rambled right in front of the car.

But I have seen the videos of those who chose to get

too close to one of these massive beasts, and I assure

you, I wasn't going to be on the next U-tube must-see

video! I kept my distance, and used my zoom lens.

These are just a couple of my favorite shots.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Tribute to a Friend

I am saddended today at the loss of a friend. She

left us way too soon, and much too quickly, just

yesterday.

I knew her for years as a fellow teacher, and she

has had a booth in my business for many years where

she sold crafts, specialty gifts, and her wonderful

photography. She was not an easy person to know;

at times, cynical and brutally honest. But she was

fiercely loyal to those she liked, and somehow, I fell

into that catagory. She made me laugh, made me think,

inspired me, and annoyed me all at the same time. Those

of you who knew her know exactly what I mean! But

she will be missed so much; by her husband and son, her

students, her church, the community, and by me. We

all admired her booth today, and shed some tears and

shared some laughs. Life is just too short. Go and smell

some roses tomorrow.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

"Birdman"

Photograph by

Raelene Pell

Yellowstone in the Mist

To say that it was foggy in Yellowstone, especially in

the mornings, would be a vast understatement. We

left each day fairly early and drove to the park, and on

our way, it was very misty and foggy. I realized that because

it was cold, about 31 degrees, and the ground was warm from

all the geysers, etc, vapor prevailed. It did add to what we

affectionately called, "a mood shot". Here are a few. I thought

they would be appropriate for a sleepy Sunday in November,

and the approaching winter season.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

duck, duck. goose

I love to draw and paint birds, and have done it for years.

I had the opportunity to see lots of waterfowl while in the

park. These are just a few of my favorites. They would all

make great drawings or paintings. Will have to put them

on the list.

sheltongail@hotmail.com