Monday, November 19, 2012

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.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

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

Friday, November 16, 2012

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

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

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

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

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

Monday, November 12, 2012

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!


Sunday, November 11, 2012

Gratitude




 
 
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.
 
(Thank you Doug for sharing this great video)

Saturday, November 10, 2012

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

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

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


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

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
 














 

Monday, November 5, 2012

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

Sunday, November 4, 2012

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

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Head Case

Made a little progress on the hair and headband...more to come!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Friday, November 2, 2012

This and That

Our jewel-toned Christmas tree in the gallery...ready for
Open House


My poppy design bags on display

The teacup bag with the trivets

This is our "Junk-a-Doodle" corner up in the gallery
There's the old bike I bought up in Arkansas, and some of our
chalkboard pieces. 

There are lots of goodies up here...a little of this...a little of that. 

Here are a couple of shots of the shop as we continue to get it ready for the holidays.
We have the tree finished, and the ornaments are really beautiful.  My bags are on
display, along with some other related items.  And then there is our junk corner,
filled with lots of goodies.
We are looking forward to next Thursday, and hope to see you then!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Trees, Toddlers and Toes

Woke up to another beautiful fall morning....some fog and some sunlight make a
great combination.  Can you see the little spider webs in the wet grass?

Still looking for some fall color...here are some sumac leaves turning red

More sun and fog and trees.  I never get tired of spending time
along this creek early in the morning (when I get up early in the
morning?!)

I did do a little art today.  I have this portrait to do for someone for Christmas.  This is the
second one I have done for this customer.  The drawing is large, 16 x 20 before the
mat.  This is the hardest phase...getting it all down in the right proportion, etc.  I think I have
a good start, so the rest should be easier...hopefully?!


And then this is the last "painting project" of the day...just
resting on the couch, waiting for them to dry!

We are still working hard on getting ready for Open House. 
Tomorrow, Nov 2, is a First Friday and we are giving
away a $50 Gift Certificate.  Come by the shop and
you can register to win!

sheltongail@hotmail.com