Peony Power

Aren't peonies beautiful? I didn't mention this

bouquet that greeted guests at the home of the

Rossi's where I painted on location last weekend.

Not only were they beautiful, but they had a sweet,

sweet smell, too. And I was able to start a pastel

drawing of them while I was there last Sunday.

I will try to finish it sometime this week. But I

thought you might enjoy the real thing, and the

start of the drawing.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

In the Garden

I am back from a weekend in the garden, painting

and visiting with the over 1000 visitors that made

the tour. It was delightful weather after the storms

passed through Friday night; cool, sunny, with a

light breeze.

I did some watercolors, and sold some as I painted

them. I also took my pastels, and worked on a large

still life of some beautiful peonies in a vase that the

owner had displayed at the entry way. All in all, it

was a good time. Maybe I will get some visitors to

the gallery that will make the journey down to Winnfield.

I am going to be giving away several of the little

watercolors that I did of the garden. The owner took

2 of them, but I have about 5 left, and thought I would

give them away to my followers. I will draw some names

out, and try to notify you tomorrow. Good Luck!!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Garden Flower Pots

A couple more little watercolors to sell at the
upcoming Le Jardin Garden Tour. I am trying
to do some ahead of time, so I will have more
things to sell than just the things I can finish
that day.

I have done a lot of painting on location. It is
one of my favorite things to do. I enjoy interacting
with the people, and they are always intrigued to
get to watch an artist at work. I have done it
several times in San Antonio (my home town),
in front of the Alamo and down on the riverwalk.
I have painted in the Grand Canyon, on the Grand
Canal in Venice, in the gardens in Charleston, and
down in the French Quarter. I am always honored
when someone buys my work as soon as I finish it;
it is such a thrill, and such validation (which is
one thing I believe all artists need!) I would love to
hear some of your stories of being an artist out in the
world...email me with some details!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Painting the Garden

I started painting some small watercolors of the

Rossi garden where I will be in a week and a half.

I hope I will be able to sell some of these during

the tour. When I did the tour before, I realized that

the customers really wanted "garden paintings",

not just "flower paintings". They wanted a garden

element...a statue, a bench, a fence, a birdhouse,

along with the flowers. So maybe these will be more

popular. We'll see!

sheltongail@hotmail.com