Crazy Bird Lady

This little guy left the nest today, and is on the ground in my yard.
I really like his "bad hair", and his huge feet!

Here is the nest on my wreath on the front door.  This is the last one
to leave today...the other three already "flew the coop"

This one is sitting on his sibling...can you see him under him?  You can
make out his beak...he's being squished

He looks so scared...!

I couldn't resist posting this one too...this was a group several
years ago.  Love this shot

The mother bird giving them a treat!

And this is a baby bluebird from awhile ago as well.
Just thought I would include him.

I know there are "crazy cat ladies"....but I guess I am a
"crazy bird lady".  I love watching the birds around my
home.  The little mockingbirds just left the nest this morning;
I have been watching them for the last two weeks.
This is the third batch of babies we have had on the front
door.  It gives us a really special view of them.

Anyway, I love to photograph them, and do a lot of artwork of
birds.  I think because they are very accessible and easy to photograph,
they end up in my drawings and paintings.  Hope you enjoy looking at
them, and they bring a smile to your face!

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

Eye on the Sparrow

Started a new drawing today.  I took the photo out in
Texas..it's some old farm equipment.  I thought it needed a
bird..so I added the sparrow for one of my other photos.  There is
a lot left to do...lots of different textures: rusty metal, weathered
wood, metal bolts and springs, background foliage.
It should be fun!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo

Audubon Zoo   New Orleans

Got to take my grandchildren to the zoo this past weekend.  It is one
of my favorite places. They are known for their bird collections, and birds
are one of my favorite subjects for artwork.  Took a few pics in between
chasing an adorable 2 yr old around.  Our favorite animals were the
giraffes.  They were not out in their enclosure (they told us if it is muddy,
they don't let them out because they might slip and break a leg). They
were in their barn, and we got to see them up CLOSE...really CLOSE!
And they are huge!!  They were right on the other side of a  wire
fence...we could experience them from the ground level, and appreciate
their height!  In fact, the large males had to duck to come inside the door...
amazing!! (no pics...it was dark, and too close up for my big lens...!)

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Black, White, and Red Birds

Finished this 11 x 14 canvas tonight...gesso on burlap with hand
lettering.  My lettering is certainly not perfect...but that's
what makes it charming?!  I really like the saying...kind of a
twist on "Bloom where you are Planted".

And these two are the last small canvases that I finished
last night.  These have already been sprayed with the sealer.

And I also finished this canvas.  I painted the black
acrylic over the gesso, and then the white lettering.  Again,
the letters are far from perfect...but I like the
saying as well.

These will all be for sale at the Pea Patch Gallery
and Cafe.  The small canvases are $25 each,
and the large lettered ones are $40.

Square Minded

I recently saw some neat little canvases at a gift shop down
in Covington, Louisiana.  They were coated with this modeling paste,
that provides some great texture on the surface.  So, I thought I would give
it a try.  I spread the paste with a letter opener! because I do not
own a palette knife?!  I am just a watercolor painter...and we don't use
palette knives much...

And then I have painted them blue as a first coat.  I am planning to
paint some kind of bird on them.  It may be an egret or heron.  Or
a bluebird or sparrow...I haven't decided yet.   I will play around with
the background colors some more until I get them interesting.
I enjoy doing something different from time to time.  And since it is more
difficult for me to draw right now (having trouble with arthritis in my hands),
painting is not quite as painful.

Will try to post the final results!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Through the Lens

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a teacher is getting to see one
of your former students pursuing the passion you share.  I had the pleasure
of visiting with Joe Stroud yesterday, an art student that I taught many years ago.
He finished his education at the Savannah College of Art and Design, with a major in
Photography and Art History.  I have kept in touch with him over the years.  He
lived out west for awhile, and traveled taking pictures all over the country.
He has moved back home (Winnfield, Louisiana) and is still taking photos of
wildlife and landscapes.

We are currently hosting a Photography Contest at the gallery, and he brought several
photos by.   The ones above are on his wonderful website: www.joestroudphotography.com
I encourage you to visit his site, and purchase a print.  They are beautiful and
varied...something for everyone.  Please help support an artist!

sheltongail@hotmail.com
www.joestroudphotography.com 

Student Once More

I am in Lindale, Texas! and this is Maureen Killaby's wonderful
studio.  I am here for a colored pencil workshop taught by an artist
from London, England, Mr. Alan Woollett.

Here is Alan demonstrating for us.  We are all drawing a barn owl
that he has already done.  We began with a light pencil sketch, and then
started with the dark background. This is not how I would regularly work, so
I am glad to try something new!

Her studio is in an old building, kinda  like mine.

This is my start....my dark background, leaving some white
whispy strokes for the feathers.

"The touch of the master's hand...."

This is where we stopped today.  This is my drawing.  I really liked
doing the straw, and making it look like it was receding in the
dark.  I can't wait to start the bird!

Stay tuned!
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

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

Strokes of Color

I have been working to get this all colored pencil show all framed
and hanging in the gallery.  There were several pieces that needed
framing or new mats, etc.  But I finally got them all done, and now
they are up.  This section has all the bird images. 

This is one of the older pieces.  It is titled, "Pop Art", and is 100% colored
pencil, 22 x 30.  I used to carry these suckers for my little students when
I was teaching.  One evening after school, I came in and emptied my
pockets, sprawling them on the table.  And I thought it might make a neat drawing.
The lettering was the hardest, since all the white lettering is simply not colored.  I had
to color around the words...tricky!  But this was the piece that I earned my signature status in theColored Pencil Society with; it was accepted into the exhibition held in Memphis over 10 years ago.

And here are some of the big cats...

These are some of my "Riddle Pics"...the ones with the word puns and puzzles.

"Talk to the Horn"...a drawing of a rhino that I took at the
San Diego Zoo.  This one was in the CPSA exhibition in
California a couple of years ago.

I really like drawing water, and this is an example of a water drawing
with a nice dolphin!

I don't really consider myself a "figure" artist...but here are several
people!  The first one is a street musician in New Orleans.  Then, one of
my newer pieces, the clown in the Mardi Gras parade.  The Chinese dancer is
next, and then my great niece, Savannah swimming.  The Chinese Fisherman
is the last one in this section.

The show is open every day...10-5 Monday thru Friday, and 10-3 on Saturday.
It will be up through the summer.  Most of the pieces are for sale, and there are
prints of several of them.  Come by if you get a chance, and view this collection
from over the years.  Lots of colored pencil strokes!

sheltongail@hotmail.com