Happy New Year

I know I haven't posted in awhile...busy with all the Christmas activities!
Now things are settling down, and I have had time to start on
a drawing.  This is just the start...still have a ways to go.
I will keep working on her hair, more shadows on her face,
and her clothes.  I hope her smile makes you hopeful for
a happy new year!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

"Come and Sing to our Silence"

There are so many things to get done during the Christmas season!
The decorating, the shopping, cooking, wrapping gifts,
and addressing and sending cards.  It can all be sort of
overwhelming.  And it is easy to become apathetic and
disillusioned.

We sang our Christmas program tonight.  It was filled with
encouraging messages of hope, peace, and joy.  It
 warmed my soul as I sang the lyrics
to the beautiful music.  One song spoke to me: 

"Lord Jesus, come and shine in our darkness;
come and speak to our longing; 
come and sing to our silence..... 
Let Christmas begin." 

I believe if I can hold onto the real meaning of this season...
preparing for Christ's return to our hearts
and our lives, then the discouragement and
despair will disappear. 
My "to do " list will seem joyful, and making preparations for
my family and friends will bring a sense of gratitude.  I am grateful for
our Savior and a season each year when we celebrate His birth, and
remember why He came.  Let Christmas begin...in each of you.
And God bless us all!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Vintage Photo

This is one of my last commissions before Christmas.  The client wanted
this old photo drawn in pencil.

I am almost finished!

sheltongail@ Hotmail.com

A Direct Path

This is the scripture photo that I finished for a customer.  It is
a Christmas gift for her husband, who is a pastor.  She said he
has always wanted to visit the Rocky Mountains, so she thought
he might enjoy a mountain scene.  And she liked the barn...they
live in the country, and enjoy it.  And this is his favorite scripture.
So, all in all, he should like it, and should be surprised. (I am pretty
sure he doesn't view this blog!)  I will get this framed, and
wrapped up....one more off my list!

For info on scripture photos (they make great gifts!)
Email me or call the gallery:
sheltongail@hotmail.com    318-628-3560

Lennon

!

I have been tweaking some more on this drawing...just about finished!
The checks are complete at least...whew    Her hair needs a little
work, and the shading on her face needs some touch-up.  Now that I look
at the photograph, I am able to see what needs doing.  So,
back to the drawing board one more time.

sheltongail@hotmail.com
 

Dog Inspired

I got up early this morning, and decided to give this dog
another try with colored pencil.  I am happier with this
one, and I will ship it today.  It is a small drawing, about
8 x 11, and I will mat it to a custom frame size. 

If you would like info on pet portraits, just email me, or give
me a call at the gallery.  At this time, however, I do not
think I could have it by Christmas!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

A Checkered Present

This is always such a busy time of year for me.  I am not
complaining...it is a good problem to have! 
But I always end up with several projects to finish
before Christmas for customers.  I am still working on this portrait.
The gingham pattern is very tedious!  It still needs some
tweaking on the face...not quite right yet.

And I am trying to do this dog this week.  It is a bittersweet story.  This is
my cousin Linda's dog, and she had asked me to draw him as a gift
for her husband, I think.  It was awhile ago.  Anyway, I believe the dog
is no longer alive.  And my cousin passed away last week as well.
She was suffering from cancer, and it just proved too much for her.
Her sister had asked if I could finish it quickly...the memorial service is this Saturday.
I started on this watercolor.  I may try to tweak it some more, or do a
quick colored pencil drawing.  This is the only photo I have..

I hope to have something to send by late tomorrow! 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Happy Thanksgiving

Just a few pics on the way down to south Louisiana.  These white
pelicans come down here during the winter, and spend a few
months here. 
I have also seen them in Yellowstone when I have been
there in the summer.  So, these birds are quite the travelers!
And I guess they have fared better today than their
cousins, the turkey.

Hope you have had a blessed Thanksgiving! 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Direct Your Path

I had a request this week for a scripture photo.  They

would like the verse from Proverbs 3:5-6.  "Trust in the

Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will

direct your path". 

It is to be a gift for her husband this Christmas, and she

said he liked mountains, woods, water.  I have about

a million more photos ! to choose from.  She is

looking at these, and will let me know something soon.

 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

 

I can do the same thing for you.  If there is a special verse

or song, etc., I can add it to the photo of your choice for

a very personalized gift....but hurry! and let me

know.  Thanks!

Shaping Up

I have been making some progress on this drawing.  It is
coming together.  I will work some more on her hair, and
adding some more shading on her face. 
I am not looking forward to doing the checks on her dress!?
Maybe I will just do it plain.  We will see how much time
I have.  I still need to do a couple more by Christmas.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Back to the Drawing Board

Isn't that a cute smile?  I am back at the drawing table.  I
have this portrait to do as a Christmas gift for a client.
Tonight I just have the initial sketch in place.  I will start
doing more of the light shading, and adding some hair.
I hope to be finished soon, as I have one more
after this one to finish also.nc
Stay tuned!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Autumn Geese

Just a few nice pics of some beautiful geese. 
These happen to live right
by the hospital where I was this week.
I did hear some a few days ago, flying overhead, heading
south.  Winter must be near!

The Art of Being a Mom

I usually don't share a lot of personal information on this
blog; I usually save this one for my artwork.  But, I
guess this little bundle is a work of art in her own way.
This is Clara Grace, my first grand child.

This is my daughter Hannah, right after the baby was born.  She
seemed to recognize Hannah's voice.  What a sweet miracle that God
lets us be a part of.  He is good.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Open House 2013

We had our annual Christmas Open House tonight.  These are
some of my "elves" helping sell t-shirts!

Shoppers enjoying some samples of dips and mixes...yum



Decisions....!



Our cute wagon and burlap tree

Crosses

We had the sweetest young lady come and
play her harp this evening.  It was beautiful.  She played
some lovely Christmas carols and songs for
about 3 hours!  Great job!!

This is one of the outdoor Christmas
tree stakes I made out of some old pallet
wood.  This went home with a lucky shopper!

We had a great time tonight.  Thanks to all of you in the community
that came out and supported our little town.  It seemed like
we had a really good turnout, and the vendors and I both did
really well. 
We still have a lot to sell, so come on back soon.  I still have
my 2013 Christmas t-shirts, and lots of the hand made
gifts and decorations. 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Peace, Love, and Joy all Around

I finished another wreath today.  It has some neat chevron ribbon, some
white wooden snowflakes, and some burlap ribbon too.
I painted the "peace, love, and joy" words on the snowflakes
in tan paint. 

We are still working on a really neat arch for our entryway.
It is made up of wooden doors, windows, shutters, odds and ends
that are all connected together.  We (my niece and I) finished
painting it all white today.  You will have to stay tuned to see it....
we will move it into the shop on Tuesday!!

sheltongail@hotmail.com