Friday, April 20, 2012

We're Here!

Our hotel in Lima

Down by the sea near our hotel

The view of the ocean

some of the modern buildings

We ate lunch here

the first apartment building...French design

Some of the city gov't buildings

I am in Lima, Peru, with a group led by
Go Ahead Tour company.  There are 40 of us altogether;
5 in our Louisiana group.  We flew from New Orleans
to Miami, then on to Lima.  We arrived LATE on Thursday
night (acutally Friday am).  Today was our first day,
and we spent it sightseeing. 
We walked down to the ocean from our hotel.  There are
beautiful cliffs overlooking the water, and we had lunch
there.  Then we took a city tour on the bus, hitting all the
major sites in the city.  Lima has 8 million people!, and
lots of traffic!  We saw some beautiful architecture and
churches.  I will post more as we go.  Stay tuned!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Ice Cream and Canvas

The graduating group

Fun, fun!

paint, scissors, and glue, oh my!

a little instruction


We had a graduation art party on Tues night
in the cafe.  The girls did a painted collage
on canvas, and then enjoyed some ice cream
sundaes.  There were 20 of them, and they all had a
great time. 

for information on art parties,
email me:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

I am Packed!



I am packed!  We are leaving tomorrow to
go to Peru, to tour, sketch, and paint (and
eat and shop!>)  I hope to be able to post while
I am away.  It will all depend on the WIFI
availability!  So, stay tuned for some beautiful,
magical scenery, and some updates from the
southern hemisphere. 

Monday, April 16, 2012

A Teach-able Moment

Katie's hands on the wheel

A smile about the outcome!

Careful....

Finishing touches, and a little help
from a paper towel

Daniel teaching watercolor today


We had a lot going on this afternoon in the studio: I
was helping Katie with her clay project, and Mr.
Rockett was teaching watercolor painting to his
students.  Katie is working on her Senior Project,
a high school class that requires the students to
learn a skill that they have never tried before.
And they must complete a research paper, and
finish a project, as well as do a demonstration.
She still has a couple of weeks left, but I won't
be here...so we are trying to get through. Fun,
fun...! (Don't we all work better under
pressure?!)

sheltongail@hotmail.com

I am continuing to post some things on the
Fine Art America site for sale...
www.fineartamerica.com

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Riddle Pics in Print

Duck Tape

The Birds and the B's

Counting Sheep
I have signed up for a website called Fine Art America.
This site enables artists to sell their work as prints, canvas
prints, and notecards.  From now on, you will be able to
buy some of my images through this site.  The first
set I am adding are the "Riddle Pics".  I have never
offered them as prints before, and if you have a
favorite, or would like to give one as a gift, now you
can!  So, visit the site often, and see what is new.
And I would appreciate you sharing that info with
all your friends!  There are many fine artists on the
site, so happy browsing.  I hope you find something
special you can't live without!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

A Day in the Garden

The dePingre Home in Minden

My watercolor sketch in progress

The beautiful backyard

One of the fountains

A nice place for a dip

The homeowners and their paintings


I spent the day in Minden, Louisiana, as a
garden artist during their annual garden tour.  I
participated last year, and was invited again this year.
The home I was assigned to was lovely, and I enjoyed
meeting the owners and painting their home for them.
I met a lot of visitors, and hope some of them will
make their way to Winnfield to come and see the
gallery and have a little lunch with us!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Friday, April 13, 2012

It's Greek to Me

I took this photograph during my trip to Greece.  It was on the
coast of the Peloponnese, near Rio.  It was just a great sunset,
and I was blessed enough to witness it with my camera.
I sold a framed copy of this today to a group who is going to
present it to one of their members as a gift to commemorate a
special occasion.  I feel honored that they wanted to present
her with some of my artwork.  I hope she is pleased.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Life's a Bowl of Cherries



I still teach some children's art classes once a
week at the gallery.  Today, we worked on
some colored pencil techniques.  They all drew
the cherry: layering yellow, orange, red orange,
and finally red.  Then they worked on a toucan,
using the same techniques that they used on
the cherry.  They are quite the "little artists",
and they make me smile!

I will be teaching some one day workshop
classes this summer.  I will try to post the
schedule soon.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Cat Humor

As a cat owner, my daughter thought I
would appreciate this humorous take on
a cat's attitude.  She has one, and I have three...
and this is probably what they
are thinking, at least some of the time!


Day 972 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.
The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Evil People!
Day 973 of my captivity.
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Day 974 of my captivity.
Two workmen came to the house today. As they rested after strengthening the interior of my confines, I sat on one, gently hooking my claws into their clothing. My plan was to cling on until they left, thus escape with them under the cover of their departure. The other workman went outside first and came back smelling strangely after something called a "cigarette". Curses! I'd picked the wrong one! I heard they are coming back again in another week. I will repeat my escape attempt then.
Day 975 of my captivity.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.
The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now......!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Nearing Completion

I have added the background of this tiger painting. 
I also added the white whiskers, and a few other
details.  I will tweak a couple of other spots,
and then see if he looks finished.  I already have the
frame, and I will mat it and finish framing this week.
Go Tigers!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Monday, April 9, 2012

A Tiger in Stages

close up of the frisket

a lot more detail

more detail added

First stage of the tiger painting
The senior class has made their selection of the tiger
they want for their donation to the high school.  This
is the chosen pose.  I started on this watercolor painting
today.  The first step is get it drawn off.  Then I add the
lightest washes of color...pale orange and gold for the
fur, and light blue and gray for the white fur shadows.

Then I started to add the darker washes, and some of the
black stripes.   I added more and more detail, building up
the washes as I went.  Any area that is still
white is simply unpainted paper.

The last stage I did tonight was to mask off the edges of the
tiger, and especially the white fur on his chin, etc. This helps
save the white paper when I add the really wet background.
The frisket is like rubber cement and seals off the paper and
will repel the water.  So I can freely paint the background
without overlapping the outline.  And it will leave some white
whiskers and fur.  It has to dry awhile.  I will paint the
background and try to finish up tomorrow.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Easter Day


'He is not here...He is risen!'

I hope you all had a blessed Easter, with family and friends,
celebrating the joyous resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hallelujah!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Thursday, April 5, 2012

2012 Tiger Tribute



I have been commissioned by the graduating class
at the high school for a tiger drawing.  They are going
to donate it to the school from their class. 
I am going to let them select from these 3 photos.  I like
each of them...any one would be fine, but I want them
to have a say.  It has to be finished by May, so I will
try to get busy on it right away!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

"I am the Potter...You are the Clay"

Katie and her first pot!

Having fun with the wheel and the clay

Here I am again...mentoring another senior in high school!
This one, Katie, wanted to learn how to throw on the
wheel.  She was in luck, because I used to LOVE doing
just that, way back there in college.  We borrowed a wheel,
she bought the clay and tools, and we got started today.
It was like riding a bicycle..I remembered what to do,
and was able to show her a few things.  She's a natural...
and successfully finished a pot today!  We will
keep working at it, and see what we can accomplish...
should be fun, and messy!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Monday, April 2, 2012

Window to the World


Here's the finished window...it turned out well.
I like the soft green color of the window
frame.  I think if it was blue, it would be too
much.  I think it coordinates with the blues
of the ocean.  I hope she likes it.  I can always
paint the window frame, if the green doesn't
fit in.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Greek Revival




All of these photos from my Greek trip are included
in this window collage

The collage from the back

From the front...not quite dry!

the whole window, from the front,
but still wet


I was asked to do a Greek window collage for
my niece as a birthday gift.  She went to Greece
a couple of  years ago, and loved Santarini.
I printed off the photos, and collaged then
to the window tonight.  The glue will dry
overnight, and I will post some pics of the
finished product tomorrow!

sheltongail@hotmail.com