Louisiana....Coming Home

"Louisiana...Coming Home"

Just about all ready!  Here are some of the pieces headed to 
Lake Charles for my show opening on the 30th.  It will be held at the 
Central School Arts and Humanities Center at 809 Kirby St in Lake Charles.
I have been really busy framing everything, and  
preparing the labels, etc.  I will hang it all on Monday, 
and come  back to Winnfield.  Then, on Friday morning, I 
will be on TV in Lake Charles, where they will interview me 
about the show.  Ha!  ought to be interesting.  I think I can 
"clean up" my Southern accent...maybe.  
Then the opening reception will be Friday night, the 30th 
from 5-9pm.  It will be lots of fun...hope some of you can 
make it.  If not, the show will be up through October 21.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Blue Ribbon in Irving

The art show that my rhino drawing is in is sponsored by this
organization.

I got to stop in and see the show after I left Waco the other day.
I have posted some of the other artists' work here too.  This is
a scratchboard that is very nice.

That's me with "A Wrinkle in Time"...colored pencil drawing
of a rhino.

A zebra in watercolor

I enjoyed getting to see the Animals in Art show in Irving, Tx.
It was a nice variety of work.  Paintings, drawings, and some photography were
 all represented.  The show will stay up another 2 weeks or so.
If the rhino doesn't sell, it will be shipped back home.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Waco and Magnolia

While I was staying in Waco for the Bosque show, I managed to

go  by the Silos...the business of Chip and Joanna Gains'.  For anyone

who doesn't know, they are the stars of the HGTV show, "Fixer Upper".

Not only have they fixed up houses, now they have fixed up

these old abandoned silos in downtown Waco. 

What a restoration project?! Wow..they did a first class job.  The

complex takes up a whole city block, and they have used all of the

space very well.  The main shopping store, Magnolia, is a two level

area, stocked with all her signature style items.  The lower level

houses Chip's Corner, and lots more signs and decorative accessories.

Outside, there is a lawn area where customers can play, outdoor

seating where the food trucks are parked, and a bakery with

outdoor seating as well. 

I bought a couple of things, enjoyed some lunch, and took a

few pics.  What a great thing for Waco and their downtown.

Yay Chip and Joanna!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

A Double Hit!!

Wow...what a great time in Texas!  I have been in Clifton, Texas

for the 31st Bosque Art Center juried show.  What a beautiful place.

It is housed in the old Clifton College building.  And the Arts Council

is very active, and doing a great job! 

The banquet was held on Saturday night, and it was exciting!  My

piece, "Not So Angry Bird" won the Silver medal in Drawing!!!

Wow, what an honor...I am shocked!  There were some

fabulous pieces in this show.  And then...it SOLD!!!

That hasn't happened in a long time (only once before!).

To God be the glory for His goodness in giving

me this talent.  May I always use it to glorify Him!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

"Peace, Love, and Beignets" Finished

Just about finished with this drawing of a dishwasher at the
famous Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans.  I finished the apron last
night, and tonight I worked on the background.  I tossed and turned
all night last night about the background.  I don't like them...viewers of
this blog know that!  The cafe building has a green and white striped
awning, and I thought about some stripes in the background.
Then I thought about drawing some of the building (a column, etc).
Too busy...So I did what I usually do!!  Just some color smudged
around!  Maybe simpler is better.  I like it for now.  May
tweak a little more before I frame it.  I did the background with
pastel chalk...if I had done it in colored pencil, it would have
taken me FOREVER!!

I am heading out to Clifton Texas for the opening reception of
the Bosque Conservatory show.  Will be back next week, and ready
to finish framing everything.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Work in Progress....A Saint's shirt

Got a chance to work on this drawing tonight.  I worked mostly on
the black shirt.  I put down a base layer of black lightly.  Then drew in
the highlight areas.  Then I darkened the black areas.  I used an eraser on the
highlights to lighten up some of them.  The hardest part is keeping it all
clean.   The black pencil tends to smear very easily.  I cleaned it all up
as best I could.

I have to decide what to do in the background.  I don't like backgrounds very
much.  I would prefer to not do one...just leave it plain.  I may just add some
color, and fade it out.  

I just have the lettering on the apron to go, and then the background.  Should finish
soon.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Cafe duMonde

This is a new work in progress...a colored pencil drawing
of this man working at the Cafe Du Monde down in
New Orleans.  I took the photo several years ago when I was
at the cafe.  I had gone inside and saw him washing dishes in
the back.  I slipped over with my camera, and snapped this
shot.  I decided to include this in the Lake Charles show.  That is
if I finish it in time!


sheltongail@hotmail.com

On a Roll

Finished this mixed media piece last night, acrylic and
watercolor.  I photographed the turtles at the zoo, but
added the log, etc.  I love turtles for some reason.  I am not
even sure why.
Several years ago, I took a swamp tour to take some pics,
ant there were a lot of different people on the boat...some
Orientals, a few Yankees for NYC, and us.  As we rounded a
bend in the bayou, there was a log full of turtles.  They
almost fell out of the boat trying to get a picture and see them....
turtles.  I guess we see them all the time, and it is nothing special.
funny

And this is one I am just starting...a little heron.  Again,
I saw him at the zoo.  Should finish him up soon.

The show in Lake Charles is in September.  I'll have to get all these
framed and ready....busy, busy!!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Logged On

Two more mixed media pieces finished.
These are each from photos that I have taken recently.
Both of them are watercolor backgrounds and acrylic
paint on the subjects.  These have been really
fun.  I am enjoying working with the acrylic...you can
fix the mistakes!  With watercolor alone, it has to be right
the first time...it is difficult to fix or change without being able
to tell.  The acrylic is similar to oil..you can fiddle with it
till you like it!  I am planning to frame these for the Lake
Charles show in September.

Pelicans Two  $250
Logged On   $250

Blue Pelican

I finished this watercolor of this pelican.  I waited for it to
dry, and then removed the masking fluid.  Then I tweaked the
pelican.  Sometimes the fluid removes some of the paint off
the paper, and it has to be touched up.  I will
mat and frame it for the Lake Charles exhibit.

Blue Pelican   15 x 22  $250

Unexpected Treat in the Air

Yesterday, I had to travel to Shreveport, Louisiana.  It is a long two hour
drive through farmland, bayous, and rivers.  Just north of Natchitoches,
I spotted a large bird flying toward me across a field.  I knew it was too
large to be an egret.  A heron perhaps? But the white feathers finally made my
heart stop!  It was a whooping crane...fully grown and magnificent, gliding toward the
Bayou Pierre. Wow!

That probably doesn't mean much to most people. When I was growing up, these birds were on the brink of extinction.  There were
only a few left in the wild.  There was one at the San Antonio Zoo named
Rosie, and I can remember going to see her.  We knew it might be the last
one we ever saw.

Several years ago, I had the privilege of visiting down at White Lake,
where Louisiana is trying to re-introduce the breed into the
area.  It is a complex program, involving importing the chicks
from up East where there is an active breeding program, and caring
for them in the marsh until they are old enough to be released.  The workers
dress like whooping cranes to go into their enclosure, so that they do
not become familiar with humans.  They are kept in a netted area until
they can fly, and they continue to monitor them.  They have had mixed results.
Many have been killed by animals, cars, and a few have even been
shot!  Ahhh!   But they are making a slow comeback.  And yesterday proved
that!  I am sure this bird I saw was one of theirs, and that he was
banded and tracked.  Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to see them often
and it be an everyday experience!
Good luck beautiful birds!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

These are photos I took down at White Lake.

Pelican Progress

Been working on this pelican painting.  First step is to paint
the pelican in detail on the dry paper.  Then I covered him in the
masking fluid.  That has to dry completely.
When dry, I wet the paper, and added the blue washes in a splashy
style.  When that is all dry, I will peel off the masking fluid. It is
a whole lot like rubber cement.  Then I will tweak the
pelican if needed....stay tuned!!

sheltongail@hotmail.com