Eagle Progress

Making a little progress on this eagle drawing....
slow going.  The feathers are tedious.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Clip It

Well, it's not exactly "fine art", but the pay is great!  The
school board wanted me to do 65 of these clipboards for
their Special Ed teachers.  They will get them on their inservice day
coming up in August.  I told them I would have them
ready by August 1, and I made the deadline!

I had to paint them first, either white or black.  Some of my  employees
helped me.  We tried to do 10 a day.  I did the calligraphy on the
contact paper...again, about 10 a day.   I sealed each one with Modge Podge,
and then tied the burlap bows on the clip.  I will get them
delivered today...yay!

Now I have to concentrate on the Inservice I am doing in Lake Charles for
60 Art teachers on Aug 9th.  I have to do some lesson plans, a two hour presentation
on colored pencil techniques, including a demo, and bring some
of my art to display.  It'll be great; it is so much fun to teach Art teachers.
They catch on immediately and usually run with it!  We all speak the
same language, and instantly bond.  I am really looking forward to it.
Now I just have to get it all ready!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

This and That

I just entered this drawing in the National Animal Art show in
Irving Texas.  It is colored pencil on Mi-Tientes paper, from a
photo I took at the San Diego zoo of "Rosie" the rhino.

This is a work in progress that I just started for a client.  He
loves eagles, and collects all kinds.  He gave me this photo, and
wanted it done this size.  The paper is much whiter...this photo is
very yellow!

My drawing desk, pencils, photo, and pencil sharpener...all tricks of the
trade.  It will take me several days, maybe a week to finish it.  It depends on
how often I get to sit down and work, and how well my hand holds out!

This is another entry in the Animal Art show....
"Spring Cleaning", a colored pencil of a flamingo.

This is the last entry in the art show..."Alligator Shoes", one of my
"Riddle Pics" series.  It is also colored pencil.

I made myself stop long enough to enter this art show.  I get
many invitations to enter shows, and I often let the
deadline slip by.  I kept getting emails from this show,
so I was reminded often!  If they are juried in, I can deliver
them to Dallas.  I will know in about a month whether they
will be selected.

The eagle drawing is for a local doctor.  He collects all
kinds of eagles...artwork, photography, sculptures, etc
This is his photo, and I told him I would edit the composition.
I put the eagle more to the left, and will leave out much
of the background.  Will post my progress...

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Gone to Print

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I have finished the digital copy of my sketchbook journal from my Italy trip.  The link above should allow you to preview the book.  They are $100, and the shipping is free if you are interested.  The book has a leather cover, 40 pages, most of my paintings from the journal, lots of my photos, and a few new paintings.  I think it turned out really well.  It was a great trip, and the book records the places we visited, and the memories we made as a group....a wonderful keepsake.  Just get in touch with me if you are interested.  Thanks!  Gail Shelton   sheltongail@hotmail.com      Pea Patch Gallery  318-628-3560

Gone Wild

A cross between a horse and a zebra...a zorse!

I went with my daughter and my two grandchildren to a safari
park near our home today.  It was such a fun experience...for the kids
and for us.  They had a wide variety of animals, and we were
able to feed them as they came close to the bus we were riding in.
Got some funny photos too...lots of fun.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

A Change of Heart

Finished another little watercolor of a
Louisiana subject...a great egret perched on a
stump in the swamp.

There was a time when I wouldn't have ever painted
something like this.  When I first moved to Louisiana from
Texas, I painted and drew the local landmarks and I did
a lot of wildlife, mostly ducks and deer.  I thought the
"white bird in the swamp" was a little cliche'...a LOT of
artists in Louisiana did that kind of painting.  I believed they
did not need one more.  I did not want to do such an over-worked
subject, and felt I had nothing to add.  Over the years, I have grown to
love the swampy parts of this state, and the beautiful birds
that live there.  I have taken numerous swamp tours, and spent lots
of time photographing these graceful birds.  I have done lots of paintings
and drawings of them...and I enjoy doing them.  They do sell well,
and most people who walk into the gallery, are looking for Louisiana subject
matter...often the "white bird in the swamp"!!  So, there will be some more
paintings  like these...so if you like them, great.  If you don't, maybe
they will grow on you.  Just give it a little time!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Back to Louisiana

Did a little "Louisiana" painting tonight...a snowy egret, and a
shrimp boat.  I usually sell these down south at the Louisiana
Marketplace.  It's time to take a few more down there.

I took the photos in south Louisiana awhile back.  I went hunting
the boats...found some around Houma and Bayou Teche.   I still
have a few more photos I like...will try to do them soon.   I have LOTS of
egret photos...I take them all the time.  This one is the smaller
snowy egret...he's a little  fluffier.

Snowy Egret watercolor  10 x 6   $45
Shrimp Boat   10 x 6  $45


sheltongail@hotmail.com

Show Time

Got word today that these two works were accepted into the
Bosque Conservatory juried show.  I am very happy about it....I have
been rejected from the last three shows I entered!  It's gets very
frustrating sometimes.  I know that when you put your work out there,
you open yourself up to scrutiny, and judgement.   And the jury process is
so subjective.  It simply comes down to the juror's preferences, and
what kind of show he or she wants to put together.  But I'm glad
I passed the test this time!  I will share details about the show when
I receive them.  Woohoo!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

"Bike Shadows"  Watercolor             " Not So Angry Bird"   Colored Pencil

Grapes of Joy

I have been growing grapes for awhile, but
I never seem to be able to take any pics of them..
the birds or possums beat me to it!
Anyway, late this afternoon, the light was perfect,
and I managed to take a few...enjoy!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Hot off the Press

When I travel, I always complete a sketchbook journal during
the trip.  It includes pencil sketches, pen and ink drawings,
and watercolor paintings done along the way.  When I get home,
I upload the images in the journal to Shutterfly, and make a digital
copy for the other members of the group to purchase.
I am happy to say that I have completed that copy online, and
they will be ready to order soon!  I have ordered one copy to make sure
everything prints well, and then I will make it available to others.
It is 40 pages, containing most of the original pages plus lots of
my photographs, and several new paintings.  It has a leather
cover, and is 8 x 11.  It will cost $100, and I cover the shipping costs.

Let me know if you would be interested in buying a copy.  I can
take credit cards by phone, or you can use PayPal.
Thanks!!

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

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Link to Shutterfly