Artwork, travel, and musings by artist, Gail H. Shelton.
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| We had a "first" in the cafe today...a kid's cooking class! Mrs. Carolyn Lang taught the children about nutrition and servings. And they all got to dip some goodies in some yummy chocolate... nothing better! There is another class in July; Call the gallery for info sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| Rachel, in Victorian mode |
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| The inspiration for the portrait I finally got to meet with the client who commissioned this unusual portrait project. She loved it (thank goodness!) She just wanted a couple of changes: the length of her hair, and the tone of her skin. So I fixed the requests, and this is the finished piece. I will finish framing it tomorrow because she wanted it by the first of July. So, I am in under the time limit, and she is satisfied with the project...woohoo! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| Great Wall of China |
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| Happy Panda I am in the process of planning my next trip...and I think I have decided on China. Go Ahead Tours has a tour that lasts 15 days, and covers all the highlights of this fascinating place. I am looking at July 24, 2013. I would like to organize another group, so if you think you might be interested, let me know. You can go to Go Ahead Tours and check out the whole itinerary, pricing, details, etc. I will be doing some sketching, photography, and some painting during the trip. But non-artists are always welcome! So, get your calendars out, and check the dates, and then save the date for a trip to China! Speaking of Go Ahead Tours, they contacted me about featuring some of my artwork and photography from the Peru trip on their blog. I am very excited about getting to share some of my work on a different venue. I will have to let you know what they decide to feature. Let me know about traveling to China... I look forward to hearing from some of you sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| Park Hill Showroom Dallas,TX I am still in Dallas at the wholesale gift market. This is Park Hill, one of my favorite showrooms. They specialize in rustic, re-purposed furnishings and decorative accessories. The corn stalks, tomatoes, and potatoes are all real, and they add such a warm touch to everything in the showroom. We ordered lots of items here today, and they will be in our shop very soon! Can't wait to get to show all of you just what we picked out, and how it can look great where you are! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| Peace like a River Yellowstone National Park |
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| Wings as Eagles Pair of Bald Eagles Lake Martin, Louisiana |
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| Be Still Egret South Louisiana |
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| Shadow of Your Wings Snowy Egret South Lousiana |
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| Grace is Amazing Narcissus Louisiana |
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| No Fear Blue Agapanthus Flowers California Glory Bee Graphics Here are some of my finished scripture photos: the framed print and the matching photo on canvas. I am very excited to see them all together!This is the collection that I plan to wholesale at the gift market in Dallas (hopefully in January). Now I am in the process of getting the matching note cards printed. I have the blue agapanthus cards already, and the narcissus ones are on the way. Speaking of market, I am leaving later today to go and order some Fall and Christmas items for the shop. I will be buying some jewelry, clothing, decorative accessories, and maybe some vintage things. It will all work together with these images for our Christmas season in the shop that will go up early in November. Planning ahead! sheltongail@hotmail.com All of these items are for sale. The 11 x 14 canvas prints are $45.00 each. The framed ones vary...you can email me for prices. Most of them range from $150.00 -$275.00. All of these would make great Christmas gifts, or inspirational decorative accent. Come by the gallery and check them out! |
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| Airfloat Box for shipping |
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| The drawing ready to be shipped |
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| On his way to Kentucky I didn't know if I mentioned that this colored pencil drawing was accepted into the CPSA International Show, being held in Covington, KY this year. I was in the process of shipping it today, and thought some of you might be interested in the nuts and bolts. First of all, I had to mat and frame the drawing. The mats have to be white or off white so that the show looks uniform. The framing must be unobtrusive, plain and simple. Since I do my own custom framing, I ordered the mat and frame. It had to be under plexiglass, however, and I have to get that locally from the glass supplier, who cuts it to size for me. Once framed, I ordered the special box from Airfloat Systems, a manufacturer that specializes in art shipping crates. They come with the 3 layers of foam that are perforated, so you can punch out the desired size, and the artwork "floats" inside the box. If you need a re-usable shipping box, they are great! Now, to FedEx where it will be shipped to arrive next week. The exhibition director will have someone to uncrate, catalog, judge, and then hang the exhibit. I plan to attend this year, and see all the other wonderful work that made it into the show. I bet you never knew what it takes to get the art to a national juried show. Well, now you do! There is a lot involved, and I have been doing it for a long time. It can be very rewarding, and it is quite an honor to be among some of the best from time to time. sheltongail@hotmail.com Airfloat Systems Mississippi www.cpsa.org . |
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| Pea Patch Gallery 20th Anniversary We are getting ready for the 20th anniversary of the Pea Patch Gallery! It is hard to believe, but 20 years ago in August, we opened the gallery in order to have a place to display not only my work, but the work of my students. I have been trying to think of a way to celebrate, and I think I have decided. I would like to have a Student Show by anyone who has ever taken a class under me...in school, workshop, or private lesson. Each student can bring one piece, ready to hang, any medium, any size. The piece can be something completed with me, or any piece you may have done before or since. The work can be delivered to the gallery, shipped or hand delivered, by July 28th. I am excited to see some of your work! And delighted that I can celebrate this milestone for the gallery showcasing work that I have helped you to create! So, get the word out, and tell your fellow classmates to get something out, dust it off, and drop it by...can't wait to hang it all up. for info: sheltongail@hotmail.com 318-628-3560 I would like to have a reception...maybe around Sept 1...will let you know |
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| It begins with an observation...I noticed this dainty thistle blooming...This is the first photograph... very plain...very boring |
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| So I touched the thistle and some of the petals flew away...now it is more interesting... but could be more dramatic |
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| So I crop and take away the color...now it is getting very interesting |
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| This one has some distortion...some "noise" as they call it. I would like to add some text but I have to think about it some more. Just a few insights as to how the mind of an artist works! Hopefully I can turn this random encounter with a thistle into something worthwhile. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| I worked some more on this drawing tonight. I am going to try to let the client see this tomorrow, and let me know what she thinks. Combining the colored pencil and pastel was the surest way I knew to make a soft, blended drawing, that resembled the Victorian print that she wanted me to copy. I hope it is what she had in mind! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| There are some blackeyed susans down by the creek.... |
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| As I prepared to photograph them, I suddenly had some help from Huey |
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| I tried a back lit shot up close... |
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| Then, a different set up.... |
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| I wanted a blurrier background..... |
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| And of course, the last one I took is my favorite! I love blackeyed susans...the simple wildflowers that blooms along our roads here in the South in the summer. I had been wanting to photograph some before they went away. So, I stopped several places along the highway (risking getting run over by a log truck!). I wasn't able to get what I wanted, so I drove on home. And then I spotted some flowers right along the creek that winds through our land, so I picked some and took them to the house. I moved them around outside, trying different effects, etc, (and with a lot of interference from a certain four-legged friend). I finally liked the very last one I took...isn't is always either the very first one, or the very last?! Hope you are enjoying a simple and beautiful summer where you are. sheltongail@hotmail.com |