More Metro...

I am still working on doing some elaborations to

the existing sketchbook. This is one of the remaining

two Metro stations with the original Art Noveau,

wrought iron and glass canopy entrances. They were

designed by Hector Guimard. This one is the Abbesse

station, in the heart of Montmartre. The organ grinder

was already done in the sketchbook, and I added the

watercolor. Still have a few more pages to do.

There are 6 names in the hat for the watercolor

give-away...we will draw a name this Saturday.

It is not too late to enter...with those odds, you have

a great chance!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Another page for Virginia

Still working on pages in the little sketchbook for my

friend Virginia. On this page, I did the watercolor;

the line drawing was already there.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Art from the Heart

One of the ladies that travels with me is very special.

She is well into her eighties, and as spunky as ever.

I adore her, and she always brightens my time on the

trips.

One of her friends bought this little sketchbook for her

before the trip. It is a published book of Fabrice Moireau's

lovely drawings and watercolors of Paris. And she

wanted me to add to it as an additional gift to her. So,

tonight, I added this bicycle drawing to one of the

blank pages (it has several throughout, to let you add

your thoughts and artwork). I plan to do several more

little original snip-its to personalize this keepsake for her.

Don't forget to register for the give-away; the Paris

painting will be given away this Saturday during my

watercolor workshop. That reminds me...I have a

workshop schedule for the summer art classes. I believe

it is on the website: www.peapatchgallery.com or you

can let me know, and I can snail mail one to you.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

the Bosque Conservatory show

In the little town of Clifton, Texas, there is the Bosque

Conservatory. They sponsor a very prestigious juried

show every year. They have several catagories: drawings,

watermedia, pastel, etc. These are three of my five entries:

a pastel ("Rock and Roll"); a pencil drawing ("Retirement");

and the watercolor ("Road Warrior"). Will have to let you

know if any of them get in.

I am still planning to give away the Eiffel Tower painting.

You need to leave me a comment and tell me you would like

to enter. We will draw the winner on June 13th.

Go to www.bosqueconservatory.com to see info about the

show.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Sketchbooks are Here!

When I return from my painting trips, I do a

printed copy of my sketchbook journal that I painted

during the trip. This one is from my Paris trip. It

is brown leather, and 42 pages. It includes many of

my watercolors, pen & ink drawings, and photographs

from my journey to France, as well as some thoughts

and observations. I am selling them for $60.00, and will

ship them to you free! Please let me know if you are

interested.

(I also have a really neat one from the Costa Rica trip if

you would like that, too! It's $45.00)

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Show Time

There are always a lot of juried shows in the Fall that

I usually enter. The deadlines are approaching quickly.

These two photographs are going to be in the Contemporary

Artist's Guild show at the Alexandria Museum this summer.

The top one is a photo of some huge leaves that had fallen

in a pond in Costa Rica. I stood on a bridge over them and

captured the reflections in the water as well as the leaf

patterns. The second one is taken from behind a huge

waterfall that I managed to squeeze behind. The water

was roaring down just a few feet from me, and I was

damp from the spray. I can still hear the roar when I

look at this photo. I had a visitor in the gallery awhile back,

and they were from Costa Rica. He told me that an

earthquake had struck the area around the waterfall, and

the entire face of the cliff had fallen off. The waterfall had

completely changed, and the event killed and injured

several people. It makes me very sad; for the people

and for the circumstances. But I am glad that I was able

to take some of the last photos of this beautiful scene.

Photos on Canvas 30 x 40 $400.00 each

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Eiffel Tower Giveaway

I was talking to a friend today, and she suggested

I ought to do a giveaway on the blog, so here goes.

This is an original watercolor that I painted while

in Paris. It is matted in a 8 x 10 mat, ready for

framing in a standard frame.

To be eligible for this free painting, leave me a

comment with your contact info, and I will have

my employees at the gallery do a drawing from the

names on lucky June the 13th. I will send the

painting to the winner!

I will try to start giving away something every

couple of weeks, so keep coming back! I look forward

to hearing from you.

Original Watercolor Free! Post a comment to get your

name in the hat.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

This is one of the small narrow streets in the

little town of Chartres. I made the buildings

a whole lot more colorful than they were...one

of my other watercolor teachers always told us

that we were the masters of the environment;

we could control the color. We were not always

limited to what they call "local color." Anyway, I

am not entirely satisfied with this one, I will try

again.

I am still waiting on the arrival of the Paris sketchbooks.

Chartres Street 11 x 14 $150.00

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Collage Fun

I finished these two Paris collages today. I used some

reproduction vintage Paris postcards that I bought in

the gift shop at the Arc de Triomphe, and some decorative

papers, etc. They are done on 9 x 12 canvas.

Pair of Paris Collages 9 x 12 on canvas $50 each/$100 pair

sheltongail@hotmail.com

More Paris

Original Watercolor Cafe de la Place 11 x 14

$150.00

sheltongail@hotmail.com

I am in the process of planning our trip for next

summer. We are doing the Mediterranean cruise:

Leaves out of Venice, goes to Greek islands, Croatia,

and back to Venice. It will be in early June 2010.

I will know the exact dates soon. If you are interested,

please let me know, and I can get the info to you.

I am also planning to go to Yellowstone in the fall, 2010,

and take a photography workshop. I will know more

details later also. Should be really neat. They take

you places in the park that regular visitors don't get

to see. I would like to take a group with me if anyone

is interested.

Metro Mania

Anyone who has been to Paris has probably taken

the Metro. It was a fun experience, very clean,

and safe. We rode it a lot.

I was intrigued by the variety of Metro signs...

from the vintage ones on Montmartre, to the

more modern versions I saw in Montparnasse.

The two pages are from my sketchbook, and are

included in the printed version. The Metro sign

is one of the only two left in the Art Deco style.

This one is at the Abbesse stop. It is also in the

sketchbook.

Original Watercolor Metro 7 x 11 $50.00

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Sketchbooks Finished!

I have permanent computer cramps in my hands

and back...I have logged countless hours trying to

get the uploaded version of the Paris Travel Sketchbook

finally finished. It would have been done earlier if I

weren't such a perfectionist...I kept changing and

re-arranging. Anyway, I am happy with it now, and

they have been ordered. They should be here in

about 2 weeks. If you would like one, please let me

know.

Paris Sketchbook Art and Photography from

Paris Spring 2009 $60.00 40 pages/leather cover

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Fun Food Page

Here's a photo collage page from the printed version
of the sketchbook. I had some great food in Paris, as
you can see, mostly sweets! And pastry...ooh la la.
I am in the process of trying to lose the weight I
gained while there!

Paris Sketchbook Art and Photos from Paris Trip
$60.00 each Free shipping
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Sunset in Paris

I was able to take some photos at sunset one evening while in

Paris. This statue is on the Place de la Concorde, one of the

five royal squares in Paris. It is flanked by two royal palaces,

and the obelisk from Luxor is in the center. It was here that

Louis XVI, Danton, and Robespierre were publicly guillotined.

It was much more peaceful while I was there!

I am almost finished with the printed copy of my sketchbook.

It should be available early in June. I will let you know.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Original Watercolor Concorde Plaza - Sunset 11 x 14 $150.00

More Cafes'

My watercolor instructor in college always had
issues with the way I paint. He always wanted
me to loosen up...to get more abstract. He said
that if a painting was going to look like a photograph,
you might as well just frame the photograph. A
painting should look like a painting.
This is the same sidewalk cafe that I posted a couple
of nights ago. This however, is a little looser version.
I am TRYING to loosen up...sometimes it is such a
struggle. Will keep trying Dr. Bryant!!

Original watercolor 10 x 7 Rosy Cafe' $50.00
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Maison Catherine

Our guide told us that this was one of the oldest restaurants in

Paris. It is up on Montmartre, where the artists paint. Charming...

Original Watercolor: Maison Catherine 11 x 14 $150.00

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Snack Time

People in Paris dine out on the sidewalk...and raccoons dine

on my sidewalk every night! I came home to find the little

scavenger finishing off the cat food on the back porch. He

was very bold, and refused to be afraid, and stayed right

there till he was finished, despite me moving closer and

closer to get the photo! He comes every night to polish off

whatever he can find....my grapes on my grapevines,

birdseed in the birdfeeders, etc. I guess that is part of living

in the woods...we are not alone.

Original Watercolor Pink Cafe 12 x 7 $50

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Charmed by Boats

If I had to single out one experience that was my

absolute favorite while in Paris, this is it. This is

Allun and his handmade boats that he rents to

children at the pond in front of the Louvre in the

Tuilleries Garden. I just happened upon them,

and I was instantly charmed by the cherubic

children running and pushing the colorful boats

across the little pond, squealing with delight,

and entertaining us all.

I spoke to Allun at length. He told me he had

hand crafted the boats himself about 25 years

ago, and has been there almost every day since.

He wears the bright purple shirt most days so

the children can spot him. He rolls in the cart

loaded with the boats and poles, and sets up by

the pond, and waits for his daily participants.

He rents the boat and the pole for 30 minutes

for a few euros. He lets the child pick out the

boat..he says they always know just which one

they want.

I did some painting while there, and did some

sketches of the children as well. It was a grand

time; I had a peaceful smile on my face while there.

I am doing several other paintings of these boats

and children...will post soon.

Original Watercolor 3 boats 5 x 7 $25.00

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Tower Eiffel

Another pen & ink and watercolor sketch of the

Tower. I will probably do several more versions.

Original Watercolor 11 x 14 Eiffel Tower $150.00

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Rolling Stone

I traveled outside of Paris to the little town of Giverny to

tour Monet's home. This little stone cottage was down the

road from his house. I loved how the vines were growing

all over the building...it looks so quaint, so "French".

Original Watercolor Stone Cottage-Giverny 11 x 14

$150.00

sheltongail@hotmail.com