Adding the Details



The watercolor painting with some of the details added

a part of the painting with masking fluid added

close-up of the painting with masking fluid applied

Masking fluid

I continued to work on this painting tonight, and
added many of the details needed to give it
some depth, design and dimension.  Then I added
the masking fluid over most of the outline of
the figure.  This fluid creates a waterproof seal
over the painted portions, so I can freely
wet the background area.  I will do some
really wet and loose, wet into wet paint in
the background that will be in contrast to the
tightly painted figure.  This is the stage in the
painting that can make it or break it, depending on
how well I can control the wet paint.  I'll keep
my fingers crossed and my brush moving!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Woman in Watercolor



Beginning stages of watercolor painting...a light sketch of the outline

Initial washes of color...very light

Adding some shadows and building up the washes as I go

Finally got to start working on some of the Peru art tonight.  I
had some visitors in the gallery today, and I was telling them there
would be a Peruvian art show at Christmas, so I thought
I should at least start on something!  This photo of this woman
in Cuzco was one of my favorites.  I like the light and
shadows, and the colored pattern on the clothing, etc. 
This woman was selling little Peruvian dolls, and she was in
front of our hotel every morning as we boarded the bus.
One day the police came and ran her off; they are not
supposed to be selling items to the tourists outside of the
marketplace.  But she was back the next day...hopeful for
some customers!
I will continue to work on this painting and will post as I
go.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

"Art Party" for a Birthday Girl

The group of smiling "artists" with their creations

The birthday girl did this one

Young hands hard at work

Lots of ooey, gluey fun

We hosted another art party at the
studio and cafe this evening.
It was a birthday party
for a 12 year old little girl,
and a group of her friends.  They
made initial collages, painting
the canvases, and then gluing on their
initial, scraps of paper, and some "bling".
Then they all enjoyed some
brownie sundaes in the cafe.

If you are interested in booking an
art party for yourself or someone
 else, just let us know.
We can also do some events out on the
deck, and would love to work with you to
make some memories!

sheltongail@hotmail.com 

"Long"ing for New Orleans

I did one of my favorite things today on

my way home...spent some time wandering

around the French Quarter down in New

Orleans.  I never get tired of walking those

narrow streets and seeing the sites. (and

tasting the food!)  I cropped a few of these

to make some long compositions...kinda

fun. 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Time to Plan a Party

This is the "before" picture!

I painted this sign on an old window 

Here are the tables

Some red, white and blue blooms

Condiments labeled and ready to enjoy

Lots of old fashioned soda

Striped straws and Mason jars

Cute decorations in the trees

Sunset on the bayou

I have been down in south Louisiana, helping my 

daughter celebrate her husband's 30th birthday. 

My daughter really loves to design and decorate, 

so she had a great time planning and pulling off this 

celebration  She used a patriotic theme, with 

vintage and rustic elements, using burlap, 

tin, glass, and paper products. I painted the 

sign on an old window frame, and we added the 

red, white, and blue flower.  She hung mason jars 

with candles in the trees, and lanterns and burlap 

decorated the tables.  We enjoyed gourmet hamburgers,

with "30" different toppings, and drank our beverages 

out of mason jars.  Apple pie and a red, white, and 

blue strawberry cake finished off the feast.  

She is really interested in pursuing some of 

this party planning 

in the future.  She can carry out a variety of themes, 

and is willing to work in any setting, etc .   If you are in 

need of some ideas, and would like to hire her, 

just let me know!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Costa Rica-Final Paintings

Final Costa Rica Paintings

I was asked to do this pair of paintings for a 

couple from California that had recently visited 

Costa Rica.  This is the bungalow where they had 

stayed.  They wanted a close up, and then an 

overall landscape scene of the area.  The client 

likes them both. The paintings are on their way 

to California, and I can mark them off the list!

If you would like for me to do some paintings for 

you as well, just get in touch with me.  I would be 

happy to work with you.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Photo Friend



Zion National Park



Zion



Sunset at  Zion



Sunrise at Bryce Canyon National Park

Last fall, I met one of my best friends out in
Utah to go and photograph Zion and Bryce
Canyon National parks. (some of you will
remember that I posted some pics).  I heard from
her today, and these are some of her
favorite shots.  She always manages to
get such beautiful panoramic views; a lot
of times I get smaller views!  I told her
she needed to get some of her work together,
and we will do a show together at the gallery...
sounds good to me!

sheltongail@htomail.com

On the Deck

We had a little reception out on the deck at

the gallery today for the Kindergarten school.

The students graduated today, and they wanted

a little reception for them with cake and punch.

The parents and  grandparents came by for

refreshments and lots of pictures.  Congratulations

kids! 

The deck is available for gatherings of all kinds.

Get in touch with us, and we can help you set up

for your event or get-together.

sheltongail@ hotmail.com

Pea Patch Gallery  318-628-3560

Deck Rental  $25.00

We can also do the refreshments, etc

Lima Lights

The first night we were in Peru, our guide

took the group to a park where these dancing

fountains were.  I did not go (stayed at the

hotel, sketching!)  Anyway, these are some of

my daughter's photos.  It is hard to get good

shots in the dark of moving targets!, and I think

she did pretty well. 

I am still working on the paintings of Costa Rica

for a customer, and I have several other commissions

waiting in the wings.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Peace Like a River

Snake River  Yellowstone National Park

I've been working on a few more scripture photos.
I took this photo the first time I visited Yellowstone
in November 2010.  There was already snow, and it was
beautiful scenery.  The forest in the background
had been burned, and many of the bare trunks are
visible.  I believe as Christians, we can still have
that "peace that defies explanation", even in the
midst of all of the wildfires in our lives.  I hope you
experience some of it today...God bless.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Workshop Day: Collage on Canvas



Hard at work on their collages today



Busy, busy



This collage has a magnolia theme



This collage is a collection of recent Mother's Day cards...
very clever



All finished!



A "Mother's Love" collage



"Sweet Magnolia"



"Mountain Travel"

I taught a collage workshop today in the studio for

three women from the Natchitoches Art Guild.  We

had a great time.  They each brought their own photographs

and various paper items, etc.  They painted their canvases

first.  Then they selected their subject matter, and began to

tear and cut the different elements.  When they reached

a satisfactory design, we began to glue down the pieces

one by one.  The final touches, some buttons, old earrings,

and other three dimensional objects, were added last.

One of the collages had a magnolia and garden theme.

She used some of her own photography, some scrap

booking paper, some of my altered photos, and some

old jewelry and buttons.  Another collage was made

up of all of her recent Mother's Day cards.  She

cut them up, and combined them with some

paper and jewels.  The last one is made up of some

travel photos and items from several trips to the

mountains.  She used a map, some pics, and

some old jewelry. and an "explore" sign.

I think they all turned out really well, and they

said they really enjoyed the process.

We also enjoyed some lunch in the cafe when the projects

were all finished. 

good day

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Pet Portrait Final

This is "Drake", a pet portrait gift for the
dog's owner from his mom.  This is the
last stage before I did the background.

Here is the finished painting.  I did
some dark blue and brown washes
around the outline of the dog.  And then
I used some white acylic paint to add
some whiskers.  Happy dog!

sheltongail@hotmail.com
For info on Pet Portraits:
email me or call the gallery
318-628-3560