The Watercolor Apprentice

I think I mentioned that I am mentoring another high school
student this semester.  She is wanting to learn
watercolor.  She is doing very well.  We meet one hour
a week, and I guide her through a painting, usually stressing a certain
technique.  These little paintings are my demonstrations for her.
This daisy painting was showing how to use the white of the paper
as a shape..thus the white daisies in the bouquet.

This one taught the use of the pen and ink pen with the watercolor, and was a
lesson in "loosening up"

And on this one, we used the masking fluid that prevents the paint
from reaching an area.  We masked off the roof and painted the
rest.  We removed the mask, and then painted it to look like
snow (like I even know what that looks like?!)

She has to write a paper, and do a presentation.  I will let you
know how she is doing along the way!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Boot Progress

I am making a small amount of progress on this drawing...in
between decorating the house for Christmas, and working
at the gallery!  This is a new brand of paper I am trying...
Stonehenge.  When I went to the Colored Pencil convention last
summer, many of the artists were using it, so I thought I would
give it a try.  I have tried the different areas of texture: boot leather,
stitching, wooden post, and grass just to see if I can make
it work.  I think it will be ok.  It is different from what I am used
to drawing on; it has a lot more "tooth" or texture to the paper.  I
usually use Arches hot pressed paper, and it is fairly smooth.

The customer who wanted the Verda drawing picked it up yesterday
and she loved it.  It feels good to have done something that makes
someone so happy.  May there be many more!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Leaving Verda

This is the finished version of the pen and ink watercolor of
the old Verda grocery store.  

Pretty crepe myrtle leaves...they just don't show up as red and
yellow on film as they are in real life!

Had a relaxing Sunday, after a busy and wonderful holiday

time.  I ate too much, of course, and finally cleaned out the

refrigerator today!

I should be working on last minute art stuff this week, and I

will post as I go. 

 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

These Boots are made for Drawing

This is my last commission piece before Christmas.  It is
going to be colored pencil 11 x 14.  I am starting on it,
and will post some progress when I make some!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Christmas Photo on Thanksgiving

Here we are taking our annual Christmas card photo.  I have to
set it up and run and get in the shot.  We picked this one...
it looks very "Louisiana" with the Spanish moss above
our heads.

Hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends.

A Day of Thanks

The view in the front yard early this morning. 
I hope you and yours have
a relaxing and joyful Thanksgiving Day.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Commissions

Here is the final portrait of the little girl.



And here is more ink on the old grocery store.  I will let her ok this
before I paint it.

Don't Leaf Home

This is what a black cat looks like after he has been rolling in the dirt...dirty Dewey.

I took a walk in the woods today.  Found some nice color in the leaves.
And a dirty black cat...silly.  Hope you had a nice Sunday afternoon...worshipping
God and being thankful.

New Project...Eat Here, Get Gas

This is the old Verda Grocery store, several miles down the road from
where I live.  I have been asked to do a pen and ink and watercolor
of it for a woman for Christmas.  I believe her family used to
own or run this store, and the building is no longer
there.  This is an old photograph I happened to have
(and could find?!..miracle).  

I have barely started the pen and ink...just to show you the very beginning.

She has a large number of requests...one being that I
add this kind of gas pump instead of the "modern" ones
in the photo.  I saw this one in my recent trip to
Arkansas, and knew I needed a pic of it for reference
for this commission.  And she specifically wanted it to be
Texaco...so I was very lucky!
I will post more progress as I move forward.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Children's Portrait

I have been working hard on this drawing this week.  I am just
about finished.This photo is not too good...I will take one
tomorrow in the sunlight.
I think I mentioned this is the second drawing I have
done for this customer.This is her niece; I drew here nephew
a couple of years ago.  I believe
she is giving this as a gift.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Rest for Souls and Soles

These are my students in my class today.  We did colored pencil drawings using
white pencils on black matboard.  They thought it was cool...

I sold this framed photograph today to some sweet
people from Montana.  They have a second home near
Winnfield, and they have been by the gallery numerous
times.  They bought this one for themselves...

And they bought this one for a friend.  They were familiar with this verse from the
book of Jeremiah, and said it was one of their favorites as well.  I like the meaning of
the verse, and I thought it went well with the boots that someone has
been standing in, walking in, and there are also "souls" and then there
are "soles"!  Hope you find rest for yours today too!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

The Eyes Have it

I was able to make a little more progress on this drawing...the eyes, some more
shading in the face, and started in the background. I still have the clothing to
do (which looks very tedious!) and the rest of the background.  Back to the
drawing board!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

SKB Plein Air in Wyoming 2012

Last fall, I was able to attend this great workshop.  I did not

attend this year, but they sent me this video highlighting

some of the activities during the week.  It is a good look at

what painting outdoors is all about, and the scenery is

beautiful.  Maybe I will be able to attend again soon.  Till

then, enjoy!

Gratitude

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?feature=player_embedded&v=nj2ofrX7jAk

 

In this season of thanksgiving, we are so grateful for

the beauty that God surrounds us with.  Please enjoy

the video above that so wonderfully expresses the

gratitude we should express.  Praise God from whom

all blessings flow.  Have a wonderful Sunday.

 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

(Thank you Doug for sharing this great video)

Open House Finalized

Some of my smiling helpers on Open House night!

I've had some company here to help during Open House, and do some
shopping themselves.  These are my great nieces: Jessica (10) and
Savannah (6).  Here they are in Natchitoches on the river bank.

I let Jessica have the camera today, and she shot these photos...good for her!

We had a good turnout Thursday night, and our sales were
fair.  There  are always a lot of out of town people, and they always
like to buy while they are here.  The evening is a nice social event for
the local Winnfield people...some of them come home just for the
evening, and see friends and family all over town.
And that was true again this year...I saw many former students
and friends from all over.  It was fun to have some family here as
well...and they spent some $ too!

There is still a good selection of all of our Christmas goodies: new
clothing, lots of dips and mixes for party goers or hostess gifts, s
pecial gifts for that "hard to buy for" person...
all in one place with fast and friendly service. 
Come by and check us out.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

A Little Art

I got a chance to work a little on this bow..just about finished with it. 
The bow is white in the photo, and I am going to do a dark background
around it that will make it stand out.

This "woodland Santa" grouping is for sale in the shop.  It is made out of metal and
painted.  It includes the standing Santa, 2 raccoons, and the two fawns...cute.

These are new Christmas cards made by Leanin Tree.  They look
like ornaments, and you can hang them on a tree. 
They are folded and do open...a place for your greeting
and signature.  We have 16 different styles...come in
and check them out.


A little art at home (the portrait of the baby girl) and a little
art at the shop...just a mix today.  Open house is tomorrow
from 5-9 pm, and we are ready!  We are looking
forward to seeing many of you there. 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Cupcakes on Canvas

Cupcake design on canvas

 

 

I did these two cupcake canvases today.  One is on a stretched canvas, and the other is

on a canvas board.  I painted the canvases first, and printed the designs on glossy paper

with the computer.  When the paint was dry, I collaged the prints onto the canvases.  I

added some glitter paint, just to add some bling!  I will be selling these in the shop, or

I can ship them to any of you anywhere!

 

Cupcake Canvas  8 x 10  $25.00

Cupcake Canvas  11 x 14  $45.00

 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

 

Peru in the Gallery

Here is the Peru art on display in the gallery

More of the Peru art

We have lots of "bohemian" clothing and jewelry that goes
well with the Peru colors, etc. 

These are alpaca scarves that I bought from Peru.  They would make a unique gift for someone on your Christmas list

We are almost finished setting everything up for the open house.
We are looking forward to seeing all of you real soon!

I picked up the Christmas t-shirt today, and we are folding
them all!, and they will be for sale starting on Thursday

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Being Still

After a hectic weekend on the road,  and busy in between,
I am back home, and looking forward to some Sunday rest.  I
took these this weekend, and I like the peaceful stillness, and
serene attitude of the birds. 
"Be still and know that I am God" 
enjoy

sheltongail@hotmail.com