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

A Few More

A few more that are headed down south to the Louisiana Marketplace.
As soon as I posted the first one (the egret in the blue background),
someone wanted it!  So it is sold already!!  Hopefully, customers down
there will be receptive to these as well....fingers crossed!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Thinking outside the Square

This is the first two little square canvases that I finished.
I added a blue wash over the background, before I added the
birds.  They are painted with acrylic paint.

I did a couple of others...painting these blackeyed susans onto
the blue background.   There is a lot of texture on the canvas.
It doesn't show up that well in these pics.  These have been
really fun...plan to do some more!

5" square canvases  $50 each

sheltongail@hotmail.com

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

The Learning Curve

In our Tuesday art class today, Dana finished her egret
painting.  I thought she did a nice job.

This is her next project...a white iris.  She applied the masking fluid
onto the paper, covering up the drawing of the flower.  She will
continue on it next week.

This is Jordan's "Louisiana" montage piece.  She designed the whole
thing.  It is for a contest, and has to have a Louisiana theme.  I think
she got it all in there!  She will keep working on it.

I have two new students in the group...a couple of friends wanted to learn some basic things, and today was their first day.  I started them off with
 some pen and ink.  Students always have some success with it.  They
both did very well,
drawing this little bird using different techniques with the pen.

And this is my finished egret watercolor painting.  It is about 12
 inches by 16 inches, and I would like to sell it.  I would take $40
for it if anyone is interested.  I can ship it free!  Just leave me a
comment or email me:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Info on Adult Art classes:
Tuesdays  from 4-5 pm  $10 an lesson
Call the gallery to register  318-628-3560