Friday, December 30, 2011

Journey of the Journal




My friend in San Antonio sent this little journal to
me.  It belongs to a 5th grade student, Jacob, who
lives in California.  It is part of a class assignment
to learn about areas of the US.  The journal is sent
around to people to do a page about their area,
state, outstanding or unusual characteristics, etc.
You are supposed to put in some postcards, and send
one to the class.  And then write a little about your
town and state.  Above are some pages from Oregon,
San Antonio, and mine.  Really cute idea.  I am going
to try to share it with our 5th grade class here.  cool


I am still giving away a Daddy's Hands print..
leave me a comment. 
And, I am up past 20,000 views on the blog...
very exciting!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Renewable




I took the time tonight to add this scripture
to this photo.  I have really been thinking and
praying about the direction of my art in the
new year.  I would really like to market these
scripture images heavily this next year.  I am
going to go to gift market in Dallas in a couple
of weeks, and I plan to talk to some of the temporary
vendors there about booth rental, etc.  I would like
 to find an artist who is doing what I want to do, and
pick their brain!  I am really interested in selling
prints, prints on canvas, and note cards with a series
of the scripture photos on them.  I would have to look
into wholesale manufacturing, and I have some contacts
in that area.  Anyway, we will see where it all leads.
I will definitely need to renew my strength!

I am still giving away a "Daddy's Hands" print;
leave me a comment, and I will pick the winner this
Sunday, the 1st. 

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

"Birrrdy, It's Cold Outside"

I love getting cards at Christmas, and I especially
love ones with original art.  This one is from an
old friend that I grew up with in San Antonio.  We
lived a few blocks from each other, but really got
to be friends in junior high school.  We even sang in
a folk singing group together...of course, she was the
star in the front, playing the guitar...I was the slightly
off key back up singer in the back row!  She went on
to have a great career in music, and is now enjoying
creating art.  She is the award winning country music
singer, Holly Dunn.  You can see more of her artwork,
and can purchase her music on her website: 
On the website you can see our
collaboration poster for her "Daddy's Hands" song.  I
drew the illustration, and her hand written lyrics are
beside the drawing.  I also have some of the prints for
sale, if anyone is interested.  In fact, I think I will give
one away.  Post a comment, and I will draw a winning
name from the entries, on January 1st.  Happy New Year!


Daddy's Hand Prints  $25.00 

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Gotta Start Somewhere...

Started on this tiger drawing tonight...around
the eye.  It's as good a place to start as any, and
if the eye isn't right...ain't nothing right!  So, here
is the "eye of the tiger"...hope it is good luck for
the Baton Rouge ones.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Monday, December 26, 2011

"Here Kitty, Kitty.."

All of the LSU fans are very excited about
the upcoming BCS championship game, including
me!  And I am all caught up with my commissions
right now (whew), so I thought I would work on
something just for me.  I took this photo last fall
of Mike, the LSU tiger, taking a dip in the water. 
I have wanted to draw it since then.  I am going to
give it a try.  I need some other pieces for some upcoming
competitions.  And this one would be a good one.
I will keep you posted.  GEAUX Tigers! 

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas Memories


Every year on Christmas Eve, the family gathers
down at our home to enjoy good food and good times.
When all the children were small, I started doing some
kind of skit or play with them.  This is one of the
first ones we did together...the Christmas story.
My daughter played Mary, my nephew Matt was
Joseph, his brother Andrew was a shepherd,
niece Katie, the angel, niece Dottie, the sheep,
and little Caroline held the sign for us.
I read the story from the book of Luke, and they
acted out their roles, quite splendidly for the rest
of the family audience. 

I hope you were able to make some great Christmas
memories with you and yours this holiday season.
May God richly bless us all in the new year.


Friday, December 23, 2011

"In My Little Town"



When I was doing my student teaching (I won't
mention the year!), I had a student named Randy
Fenoli.  He was quite the artist...very creative
and bright.  I taught him to use watercolors that
semester, and we had a lot of fun.
Fast forward to 2011...Randy is the star of "Say
Yes to the Dress" on TLC, and the author of a
new book, "It's All About the Dress".  He has been
an accomplished wedding dress designer for
years, and currently lives in NYC.  He was in
Winnfield today, though, for a book signing
where he graduated from high school.  Many of
his old teachers were there, and lots of family and
friends.  It was a delight to get to see him (we have
seen each other a few other times over the years).
He signed a couple of books for me, and promised to
never forget where he comes from.  amen


"It's All About the Dress"  Randy Fenoli
Available at most major bookstores and
Amazon.com

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Christmas in New Orleans

 My daughter and I down in New Orleans earlier
this month.
 We wanted to be sure and go by the Roosevelt
Hotel downtown to see their decorations in the
lobby.  It is a tradition in the city, and there were
lots of families there taking pictures, etc.
 This is a gingerbread city...with New Orleans
landmarks, and Santa pulled by alligators...too cute
Another view of the lobby of the hotel...
beautiful.

I have been enjoying seeing some of the
"tacky Christmas lights" blogs and reports
on TV, and it made me remember that I
had taken these pics earlier this month.  These
would be in the "classy and elegant" catagory!
If you are near New Orleans in the next few
days, go by and see them yourself....wonderful.
I hope you are enjoying the sights and sounds of
the season where you are.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

On the Down Hill Slide

I am closer to getting these portraits finished,
and I am sure the client will be glad to get
them by Christmas.  I will be glad to!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Next!

This one is on the drawing board tonight...
will post some progress as I go.
(you can tell she is the sister to
the boy from yesterday's drawing...)


Sunday, December 18, 2011

pencil progress

I made some progress tonight on this drawing..
will tweak a little, and finish it up!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Next Portrait

I have three more pencil portraits to do.
The customer did not necessarily want them
by Christmas (whew).  I am starting on this
cute little boy tonight and will post some
progress.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Tigers Times Two


I added this text to these tiger photos, and
they will be for sale at the shop.  Our WSHS
tigers and our LSU tigers have both done
really well this year.  If you want a player's
name or number, or some other custom
lettering, I can do that too.  Go Tigers!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Decorated Invitations

I worked on decorating this wedding invitation
tonight.  It is a gift for the bride from a customer,
and I needed to finish it so I can try to get it
framed before the wedding (Dec 31st).  I used some
pen and ink and some colored pencils to add some
ivy and swirls. 

I heard from the Barnwell Art Center in Shreveport
this week, and they are interested in hanging my
Louisiana show in their gallery in late January and
February.  I told them I would be happy to!  They
have to approve the work and the board has to vote.
I sent some images today, and should hear from them
soon.  I'm excited!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

All Kinds of Art in the Store

 We have been REALLY busy at the gallery...
that is a good problem to have!  Shoppers are
getting serious about putting something under
the tree...here are some more ideas.  This is a
painted metal grouping by Round Top Collections.
It is called "Woodland Santa"...with the adorable
woodland creatures gathered around him.  This
group would look great on a porch or patio, or
inside the front door.
 Here is that finished photo collage on canvas that
I did of the plantation homes and oak trees.  It looks
good with the metal scroll panels on each side...cool
 I do alot of custom framing for customers.  One brought
in this George Rodrigue print of Drew Brees and the Blue
Dog for me to frame, and here is the finished product.
 I still have a few of my Christmas t-shirts left..just
a few, mostly XL.  They are $25, and really cute!
And some of you probably watched as I worked on
this pencil portrait of a little girl named Molly.  Here
it is framed before I delivered to the owner's home
and hung it on the wall...Merry Christmas! 

We have lots of gifts and goodies all through the
store, and we would be more than happy to help
you select something special this year. 

Pea Patch Gallery 
109 S. Abel  Winnfield, LA
71483   318-628-3560

Monday, December 12, 2011

Streetcars, Homes, and an Ostrich

 The famous St. Charles streetcar decked out for
Christmas...and full of tourists!
 One of the homes on the New Orleans Christmas
Tour was owned by some real animal lovers.  This
young ostrich belonged to them, and it was loose in
the backyard!  She and I got to know each other...
and she gave me a little nibble on my hand...ouch.


These are some of the exteriors of the homes.
We could not take any photos inside.  All of the
homes were at least 100 years old.  They were
amazing, and really put us in the Christmas spirit.



Sunday, December 11, 2011

Touring New Orleans at Christmas

I am still down in New Orleans, and today, my daughter
and I went on the Garden District Christmas Tour of Homes.
It was lovely, and each home was very unique.  (I will post
some more pics when I get home tomorrow...).

Saturday, December 10, 2011

A Day at the Dome



Our high school football team has made it into the 
State Final, to be played this morning in the Superdome 
in New Orleans!  They are very excited, and I know it is 
a dream come true for most of them.  The last time the 
team was there was 1982, and I was there to cheer that 
team on.  The coolest thing is that there will be members 
and coaches of that team there today to cheer this 2011 
version on!  We are just proud that they made it this far.
Go Winnfield! 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Girls Times Two

I am going to finish this portrait for this client
before Christmas.  I am continuing to add some
shading and details a little at a time (in between
working fulltime at the gallery, Christmas shopping,
cooking, going to football games out of town!!)
Anyway, enough excuses...I just need to sit down
and draw.  more tomorrow!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

One of a Kind Jewelry





I had the pleasure of meeting a gentleman on the plane
to Alexandria the other day.  His wife designs and makes
one of a kind jewelry pieces.  I told him I was very interested,
and he gave me her website (see above).  I really like these...
he said she uses vintage and antique amulets, discs, etc and
strings them with various old and new beads to create some
really unique pieces.  You can check them out on her website,
and you may find a really special gift this Christmas!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Mentor-Final Project


I mentioned that I was participating in the
Senior Project again this semester (I serve
as a mentor to a high school senior to teach
them a subject they know nothing about).
Emily has been learning photography with me
this fall.  It is time to turn in her final project,
and I am printing two of her images for her to
mat and use for her presentation.  I love the horse
and boy image.  She did both of these on her own
time, and then used Photoshop to alter and enhance
them.  I think she did a great job.  Congrats Emily!
I am sure you will get an A (if you don't, let me know...
I may be able to talk to your teacher!!)

Monday, December 5, 2011

Gameday Animals

 This is the Georgia Dome....where the Tigers played
the Bulldogs....
 There were some monkeys in the audience, too....
 ...and a honey badger doing his thing...
...and a concerned Tiger (just during the first half),
looking on from the sidelines.  Just a bunch of animals
everywhere I looked!!

I was happy to hear that the Winnfield Tigers won
their game as well, and are heading to the SuperDome
to play this Saturday for the State Championship..
congrats to them too!  It must be the "year of the tiger"
...little tigers and big tigers!




What a Zoo!











Lions, and Tigers and Bears, oh my!

I spent an amazing weekend in
Atlanta, Georgia, cheering on
the LSU Tigers to their victory
over the Georgia Bulldogs...it
was a nerve-wracking ride!

On Sunday, we were able to unwind
a little at the Atlanta zoo,
watching some of the amazing
animals there.  They are one
of the zoos in the nation that
house Panda bears..and these
were more than happy to pose for the
camera.  The lions were majestic
and reminded me of the "Lion King"
movie, perched up on this rock.
And then there were the Siberian
tiger cubs...I had never seen any
young tigers before.  They are
twins, a girl and a boy, and they
are 6 months old.  They played, and
ran, and tackled each other just like
the LSU tigers! It was a joy to
watch them all.