Sunday, June 29, 2014

Composition in Pink and Blue

This is Clara Grace...my only little grandchild.  This was
her first experience in the swimming pool today.
She loves the water...but not quite sure what she is supposed
to do here....

This is her "fish kiss" face...she can do this very well!

I believe she enjoyed her first plunge...we enjoyed watching her.
I am going to draw her soon...just waiting for the perfect picture.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Saturday, June 21, 2014

This and That

This is the last section of the colored pencil show.  I didn't show the whole
thing in the last post...thought I should.  This wall contains mostly flower
subjects.

One day I was walking through Walmart, and these shiny
pinwheels were on display in the toy section.  I bought some
of them, thinking they would make a great drawing.  I arranged
them outside, and photographed them.  I worked from the photo..very
challenging to get all the reflections right.  I titled it, "What Goes Around, Comes
Around". I have prints available.

These are those two new ones that I completed just recently.

This is what I worked on today.  I have these black and white pen and ink
prints of Natchitoches, a historic town nearby.  I sell these to a gift
shop there, and she wanted 10 more.  So I spent the afternoon watercoloring
them.  

And this project, I have been working on for awhile.  These are 4 x 8 signs that
will be installed out on the highway.  They will be replacing some old signs
that are there now.  These new ones match the building better, and will hopefully
bring in some more business!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Strokes of Color

I have been working to get this all colored pencil show all framed
and hanging in the gallery.  There were several pieces that needed
framing or new mats, etc.  But I finally got them all done, and now
they are up.  This section has all the bird images. 

This is one of the older pieces.  It is titled, "Pop Art", and is 100% colored
pencil, 22 x 30.  I used to carry these suckers for my little students when
I was teaching.  One evening after school, I came in and emptied my
pockets, sprawling them on the table.  And I thought it might make a neat drawing.
The lettering was the hardest, since all the white lettering is simply not colored.  I had
to color around the words...tricky!  But this was the piece that I earned my signature status in theColored Pencil Society with; it was accepted into the exhibition held in Memphis over 10 years ago.

And here are some of the big cats...

These are some of my "Riddle Pics"...the ones with the word puns and puzzles.

"Talk to the Horn"...a drawing of a rhino that I took at the
San Diego Zoo.  This one was in the CPSA exhibition in
California a couple of years ago.

I really like drawing water, and this is an example of a water drawing
with a nice dolphin!

I don't really consider myself a "figure" artist...but here are several
people!  The first one is a street musician in New Orleans.  Then, one of
my newer pieces, the clown in the Mardi Gras parade.  The Chinese dancer is
next, and then my great niece, Savannah swimming.  The Chinese Fisherman
is the last one in this section.

The show is open every day...10-5 Monday thru Friday, and 10-3 on Saturday.
It will be up through the summer.  Most of the pieces are for sale, and there are
prints of several of them.  Come by if you get a chance, and view this collection
from over the years.  Lots of colored pencil strokes!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Anatomy of a Dandelion

During my walk this morning, I saw a lot of dandelions along the
road.  It was a beautiful day, and I decided to go get my camera.

I also grabbed a black sketchbook, and tried to hold it behind
the subject to give it some drama! So picture me sitting on the
ground, camera in my right hand, left hand reaching out with
the book in hand behind the thistle, trying to make sure and not block
the sun...awkward

Same photo, just cropped...better

So, then on the computer...playing with some effects.  This is black and white,
with a lot of contrast.

Of course, while shooting, I had some help.  Dewey had to get
under my leg, and snuggle up, shedding his black fur all over
me...lovely.  Thanks, Dewey.

Final image...I would print this one.  That's the beauty of
digital photography.  The computer can enable you to make works
of art from the simplest subject.  You can edit, play, do and undo,
flip, re-color, crop, sharpen, and saturate.

I hope you get a chance to get out and enjoy this beautiful world
of ours this weekend.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Bluebird for Sale



I finished this little drawing today.  It was much harder than I thought it
would be!  All of that background proved to be very tedious.  I had
to draw it around all the branches.  Maybe I should have done the background
first?! But I always do the subject matter first; I feel it is more important, and if
I don't get it right, there will be no reason to spend any time on the background!

This little bluebird lives in my backyard.  I keep several bluebird
boxes on trees surrounding the yard.  I enjoy seeing them go in and out,
taking care of their little ones.  I haven't seen my cats bother any of
them as of yet....but you never know!

I have finished hanging the colored pencil exhibit at the gallery.  I still have
some tweaking to do, but it is all up and ready to view.  I will have the
pricing and details done sometime this week.  I will have this little piece
for sale too.  There are also prints of many of my pieces available
as well.  I look forward to seeing some of you come by!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Bluebird on a Branch  Original Colored Pencil
9 x 12  $75.00