Ocotillo Completed

Here it is...will ship it off tomorrow. Hope he likes it!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Ocotillo

This is the ocotillo cactus that grows in Big Bend
National Park. I have to do a little watercolor of
this for a gift for someone that loves this cactus?!
Anyway, I believe he has a special affection for
it, and would love a painting of it in the Big Bend
setting. I will try to start it tonight.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Carter-finished

I finished this drawing of Carter tonight. I have
to draw his sister, too. The two drawings are a
gift from the grandparents to the parents of
these two...and it is a surprise! another one...
I love being in the surprise business.

for info on portraits:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Excuse Me...Carter

I knew his name started with a "C"...anyway,
it's Carter, not Cooper! I started on him today,
and have gotten this far. I will continue with
him tomorrow. funny expression....

for info on children's portraits:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Mini-Cooper

Going to start on this cute little boy...I think his

name is Cooper. Anyway, I wanted to show you

how I take just a snapshot, and with some

cropping and adjusting, I select just the part that

will make the best drawing. Then I enlarge that

to the drawing paper with a light sketch. Then I

begin with the lightest shading, and add darker

values and details as I go. Most of the time I

start around the eyes, because they have to be

just right, or the likeness will not be correct. That's

what I like about pencil, it is so easy to change.

Will keep you posted.

For info on Children's portraits:

sheltongail@hotmail.com

child portrait pencil portrait

Gail Shelton portrait artist

The Painted House

I finished Sharon's house today. It will be
shipped off, and be put under the Christmas
tree!! I love surprises...

sheltongail@hotmail.com

House-under construction

Got most of the ink done today on this house
portrait. Will try to get it painted later tonight.

I spent the day in Ruston at the Cedar Creek
School Holiday Marketplace peddling my wares
with a couple of the dealers in my business. The
school sponsors a Christmas marketplace each
year as a fund raiser. I promoted my pencil
portraits mostly. My friends were mostly
selling lots of children's toys and clothing, so
my children's portraits fit in well. It is tomorrow
as well, and I will go up after I close the shop.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

A House for Christmas

I am on to the next commission; this house
for a woman to give to her husband. This is the
black and white copy...it helps me see the
values (the lights and darks) of the home.
I have started the ink drawing tonight, and
will continue it, and then watercolor it.

sheltongail@hotmail.com
Gail Shelton artist house portrait pen and ink

The Painted Man

got this man and dog painted tonight...will
tweak a little.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Man's Best Friend

I'm working on this pen and ink drawing of that
same dog I did a few nights ago, along with his
master. The man's wife commissioned this of
them both as a Christmas gift. I will finish
the ink tonight, and then do the watercolor
tomorrow.

The Costa Rica show is up and ready to open.
Today we got the TV/DVD player running with
a DVD of Costa Rica's wildlife and landscapes,
backed with piano music. It all looks great; I am
very pleased with it. It will officially open
next week during the Open House.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Fall Foliage

I wandered around the pasture late this afternoon,

and took a few pics of the fall colors and textures.

We are just starting to get some color here in the

South. I heard on the news that the Northeast

states were already past peak color. I have always

wanted to make it up there, and plan to soon.

There is a bus tour by the Caravan Company that

leaves out of Boston, and makes a loop and comes

down the Maine coast, and back into Boston. It

looks pretty good. If anyone has some experience

traveling up there, I would love some input.

I spent the morning doing a presentation about

portraits at the regional DKG teacher's sorority

conference. There were about 100 women there,

and I enjoyed speaking to them and sharing

about my artwork.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Star of Wonder Ornaments

If you remember, my Christmas t-shirt this

year is blue and purple with the words:

"Star of Wonder, Star of Night;

Star with Royal Beauty Bright"

I am busy painting glass ornaments with

patterns and designs from the shirt design.

They will be for sale at the Downtown

Christmas Open House on November 13th.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

White Trash

Our little town does downtown trick-or-treating, and
it was today (because there is an out of town high school
football game tomorrow...everything revolves around
football...) Anyway, we all dressed up at the Pea Patch,
and I was "White Trash". My cook was a banana, her
assistant was a motorcycle mama; there was a flower
child, a 50's girl, and cat woman.

Our church hosted a Halloween carnival with games and
prizes. I helped in the coke and popcorn booth, and I
know we served 500 cokes. It was a hoot...I love to see
the children in their costumes.

Happy Halloween!
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Dog gone...

I was able to finish this pet portrait last night. I
did it in pen and ink first, and then painted it with
watercolor. I still have one more to do for this
client, one of her husband with the dog, and I will
start on it tonight.

For info on pet portraits:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

A dog for Christmas

Have been doing all sorts of things other than
drawing and painting...lots of stuff for the gallery;
signs, etc. I started on this dog tonight, one of
several commissions I have to do for Christmas
gifts. I will paint it in watercolor when I am
finished with the ink drawing.

for info on portraits: pets, houses, children
sheltongail@hotmail.com

costa rica shells

This is a digitally enhanced photo that I am using
in a collage on canvas for the Costa Rica show.
There will be a pair of them, in blues and browns
on 12 x 12 gallery wrapped canvases. I will have
to post the finished product later....my digital
camera is on loan.

Started today to set up the gallery for the show.
It will take me about a week. It should all come

together. The opening is the 13th of November.

sheltongail@hotmail.com
Gail Shelton artist

Hibiscus Canvas

Doing a few more things for the Costa Rica show.
This is a photo of a yellow hibiscus that I am
going to collage onto a canvas, and then add a
painted border.

I am in the process of framing several of the
other pieces. I think it will all come together.
Will keep you posted.

sheltongail@hotmail.com
Gail Shelton artist

Pencil Portrait

I worked on this portrait all day at the art
festival. I had a lot of compliments, and
should get a few commissions, hopefully!
It still needs a little tweaking....

For info on portraits: email me
sheltongail@hotmail.com
Gail H. Shelton artist

Showtime

I just got back from the Columbia Art and Folk

Festival. I was entertained all day...that is a

community band that played some Sousa; that

is a shot of part of the downtown booths; some

silly teenagers rode the kiddie train; and an

r & b band finished up the day with some Earth,

Wind, and Fire. I enjoyed the music all day...

my booth was close by. The weather was just

right, and there was a fair crowd. Not many

sales, however. I think the economy has

everyone scared, and art is the last thing they

want to spend money on right now. I did give

out a lot of info on portraits, and should get

some commissions.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Gail H. Shelton artist

Pencil Profile

I am going to the Columbia Art and Folk festival
tomorrow. I will be demonstrating pencil portraits,
so I started this one tonight to work on tomorrow.
Will let you know how it goes.

sheltongail@hotmail.com
Gail Shelton artist