Nothing to Dread

This is one of the interesting people I photographed during the Ecuador
trip.  He was at the market in Otovalo, playing the pan flute and
strumming his guitar.  His dreadlocks were very interesting, and I liked
the shadows on his white shirt, etc.  I also like the composition.
But I knew it would be a little bit challenging to draw.

I started on it.  This is Mi-Tientes drawing paper.  It comes in a variety
of colors.  This is a sandstone color.  When using colored paper,
you have to put down a whole lot of white pencil first.  Otherwise, the colors
will not be bright enough.  So, this is the first step; I am layering some white
colored pencil on the paper, paying attention to the highlights.  I printed
the photo in b & w also, to help define those values.  It should be fun!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Sally the Crab

Sally Lightfoot

Finished this crab watercolor!  It was so fun!  I LOVE the primary color scheme...
red, blue, and yellow.  Do you think God was thinking about that when He
made them?  This is a mature crab; we saw lots of them.  The immature ones were
very dark...grey or black with lots of spots.  They don't get this bright coloring till
they are full grown.  They were stunning.  And they were very
entertaining to watch...tiptoeing (is that a word?) across the sand or lava.
I went ahead and left the background white, because I wanted that nice blue
shadow underneath.  I also added some colored pencil on several areas to
add some texture.
It is about 22 x 13, and is for sale.  $200
 It will be on display up at the gallery after I get it matted.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Louisiana Pecan Festival Poster Time

I got some fun exciting news today.  This is my entry for the Louisiana
Pecan Festival poster from last year.  I didn't do a new design this
year.  But they called , and said they wanted to use this
design for this year's poster. yea!  But I do have to change the date to
2014.  As soon as that is done, it is off to the Pecan Festival office in Colfax.

They will print them, and I will have to go down there and sign all of
them.  They will be on sale during the festival which is the first
weekend in November.  Why not plan to go, eat some pecan pie,
buy a poster, and jam to some music!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

I am still working on the digital copy of the Galapagos book.  I am
about a third of the way through.  It is looking pretty good.
Will keep you posted.

And...anyone interested in going with me to Germany,
Switzerland, and Austria next summer...there are only 5 spots
left!  So, if you want to go, hurry and sign up to reserve a spot.
just sayin....

Feeling Crabby

Sally Lightfoot Crab

I started a watercolor of one of these crabs.  (I don't know
why it uploaded sideways?!)  Anyway, these are the
initial washes...just a light, thin, glaze of color on the white paper.

Starting to add some of the details and the darks, and building up
the layers.  This is where the illusion of shadows is added (value), and he
starts to take shape.  Will keep working on him.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

In Flight

This is the finished watercolor of the pelican.  

Here it is with the masking fluid on it.  It coats the painted part and allows
for the wet, loose background to be painted freely.  Once it was dry, I wet the
background with clear water.  

Here it is with the wet paint washed across it.  I sprinkled some salt
on a couple of areas.  The salt soaks up the pigment, and leaves some interesting
little sparkles in the wash.  Once dry, the masking fluid rolls off, a lot like
rubber cement.  I will mat it, and it will be at the gallery.
It is for sale, $150.  It is 21 x 13.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Painted Pelican

Finally getting to paint some Galapagos subjects..yea!  I had
some great pics of a brown pelican, so I decided to start there.
These birds live along the coast in Louisiana; in fact, they are our
state bird.  They were endangered at one time, but they have made a
strong comeback.  They were recently affected by the BP oil spill, and several
oil laden pelicans made the news.  We may not ever know the full effects of
the oil spill.  But I am glad to see these guys healthy and flying around when
I visit down south...either here or in the Galapagos islands!

I will add a background to this watercolor.  I am going to cover up this bird with
the masking fluid that will protect it.  Then I will paint the whole background
in a looser style.  Once dry, I will remove the masking fluid, and add any needed
details.  Here I go!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Paint All Around

I was captivated in the islands by the interesting landscape....
the black lava rock with the white bird "graffiti" decorating it.
Here is a little watercolor of a blue footed boobie perched atop some
lava formation, dripping with the white shapes.  It is about 9 x 12, and is
$45.00.


Painting Class...with Chalk Paint

Molly Hunt came today and taught a painting class in the
studio.  She and her daughter sell this kind of paint in a booth
in my store, and they offer classes on how to use it.  She
had just 3 students today, but she is planning to teach more
classes soon, including next Saturday, the 23rd.

This is a sample of what they painted today.  They used some
 different waxes, and some gold leaf to get
different effects.  It looked like fun!

Some of their supplies.  The class on the 23rd is at 10 am, $75.00, and all supplies
are included.  You can call the gallery if you might be interested.
Thanks!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Home Sweet Home

Here is the finished house portrait.  I painted it with watercolor....putting
in those bright pinks and pale greens, along with the grey
shadows on the roof and the house.
I hope they will be pleased with it.  I will mat it tomorrow and let
them know it is ready.

I started a watercolor of a blue footed booby tonight.  Will post in the
morning.

sheltongail@hotmail.com
House Portraits: 11 x 14  $150

To Grandmother's House We Go

Had a chance late last night to finish up the ink drawing of
this house.  I will go ahead now and paint it with watercolor.
The house itself is not very colorful...just white with dark green shutters.
The mass of bushes out front are all azaleas, and they are bright
pink.  There will be lots of shades of green: light greyish green in the
background, dark green foliage on the bushes, and a medium
green on the grassy lawn.  I will post again after it is painted.

For info on house portraits (great Christmas gifts for the person
who has everything!), email me or call the gallery.  Very reasonable,
and there is still plenty of time.  Let me know if you would be
interested.  Thanks!

sheltongail@hotmail.com
Pea Patch Gallery  318-628-3560

It's All About Me...Ha!

In Quito, at the top of the mountain

Painting in the market 

Can you see me in the lava rocks...sketching?

This is our "Cormorant" group from the boat

This is for all of you that say you never see me in the photos!
I was just able to see my daughter's pictures, and all of these were on
her camera.  I don't get to see myself painting or sketching,
so it is fun for me too.I look really serious in some of
them...I guess I was concentrating.
I really like the one in the lava rocks.  We had finished snorkeling,
and I had brought my book along.  So, I sat in the rocks and
sketched the scenery.I still have on my wet suit, so I blend in.
I didn't know she had taken this one.
Anyway, I thought you might enjoy seeing me at work... on
the book.  
I just received a new scanner, and I am beginning to scan and work
on the pages.  Will keep you posted on the progress.\\
sheltongail@hotmail.com

House and Home

Sooner or later, real life comes creeping in.  I have to put away my
island subjects in order to work on more pressing commissions!!
This is a house portrait I have been asked to do for a daughter...
this is her parent's house here in Winnfield.  It will be a simple pen and ink
drawing, and then I will watercolor it as well.  It is one of the
prettiest yards in town during the spring; those azalea bushes are really
beautiful.  Both of her parents have passed away, and they are
planning to sell the house.  She wanted to be sure and get the portrait
done before that happened, so I am trying to do it fairly quickly.
Will keep the progress posted.

I am pretty much finished with the Galapagos book.  I would like to add
some of the finished pieces too.  I will begin scanning it soon, and uploading
the pages and working on the text.  Those of you interested, can let me know
if you would like to order one.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Not This Bird Again!!

I just got news that this drawing of the emu, "Not So Angry Bird"
is a finalist in the Artist's Magazine annual competition.
This drawing has received some real recognition!  Who knew?!
Anyway, it is always nice to see your name in print,
and receive some validation.  woohoo!

sheltongail@hotmail.com
http://www.artistsnetwork.com/the-artists-magazine

I Believe I Can Fly

In Louisiana, cormorants are very common.  We see them in all of
our lakes and rivers.  They are avid fisherman, and there are lots of
fish in Louisiana!  It was so neat to see them in the islands.
But...these were a little different.  Jose', our naturalist, told us that
as they have evolved, their wings have grown shorter.  Therefore,
they cannot fly.  It was very interesting to see them this way.  But they
do look very symbolic of this place....kind of iconic.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

See Turtle

Two more pages in my sketchbook journal...almost finished.
I will begin scanning the pages, and working on the
digital copy soon.  It always takes longer than I like....I am
too much of a perfectionist (I keep doing and re-doing the pages)!
I will add a lot of my photographs, and I will try to
add some of my finished paintings and drawings. I predicted that
it would be finished around the first of November...that gives
me plenty of time.  It may be ready before that...will keep you
posted.  

Under the Sea

 
Snorkeling

Such fun memories!  These pictures were from our first day of snorkeling.
I used my little underwater camera for the first time.  The selfie was
just for fun...I think is is hilarious.  The water was very cold, and my
eyes are huge!  The sea turtle swam right by me...wow.  The little penguins
swam with us, bobbing up and down in the water and the waves.  And the
iguana was busy eating some algae on the bottom.
The page in my book I was able to do there on the beach.
I sketched with my black pen, and then actually painted it later
that night on the boat.

fun, fun

sheltongail@hotmail.com