Crystal Bridges

On Saturday, we made our way up to Bentonville, Arkansas, to see
the Crystal Bridges Art Museum.  This is the sign
on the way in.

The entrance to the museum with a great silver tree sculpture

This building is wonderful...I have never seen anything quite like it. 
The units are grouped over the lake, with lots of glass
walls that let the light in.

One of my favorite paintings in the museum...it looked like a lot of
the landscape right outside.

Another one of my favorite paintings...I love how the
wave looks transparent..wow

Outside the building...part of the extensive gardens and a great metal sculpture. 
We didn't go outside...it was cold and raining!

This is a magnificent complex...all dedicated to American art.  It was the vision of

the daughter of Sam Walton (of Walmart).  It has been open only a year.  The crowds

were large that day...lots of families, large groups, and art enthusiasts of all kinds.

There is a large cafe and dining area, and also an auditorium for presentations.

They do some art educational activities for children.  There is just a lot going on here!

And it is definitely worth seeing....so plan a trip to Bentonville, Arkansas (of all places),

and enjoy a great time, communing with art and nature.

Mission Accomplished

We got up before sunrise this morning, and made our way out to Boxley Valley
where the elk usually browse.  They told us that early morning would be the
best time to see them...and they were right!  The elk were there and they were
stirring around.  It was cold, about 34 degrees, and the crisp mountain air
was filled with the bugling and whistling of the bulls.  We were not alone;
there were about a dozen other photographers there, whispering and
moving their tripods around.  The elk didn't seem to notice.  A few of
the bulls chased each other a little...but we didn't get to see any challenges.
All in all, it was a great morning, and I have many more wonderful
photos of these beautiful animals.

I will print some of these, and they will be available in the gallery.


sheltongail@hotmail.com

Elk Herd   Boxley Valley
Ponca, Arkansas
 

Elk in Arkansas

We managed to find the elk herd in Boxley valley, near Ponca, Arkansas yesterday.
It was an overcast day, and rainy, but these pics still came out ok.  
The bulls were chasing the females around  quite a bit, and feeling rather
frisky!  They were magnificent, and we got to hear them bugle as well...the
whistling call they make.  It was great to see them...they were right near the
road.  There were lots of other people watching them as well. 

We are going back in the morning, to see if we can get them in a different
light.  Hopefully, we will see some sunshine, and some elk!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Along the Way

We ate lunch here on the way to Harrison, Arkansas

yum....peanut butter and chocolate ganache pie..

"Patsy's Antiques in Ozone, Arkansas   This cute store was next door
to the diner.   I found an adorable quilt here for $25...wow

We stopped along the Buffalo River...just beautiful

Add caption

Can you see the little snails on the rocks?



We made it up into Arkansas yesterday, and spent the night in Conway, above
Little Rock.  We drove on farther north this morning, into a cold front
moving through the state.  The temperature dropped, and it rained most of
the day.  We managed to get a few good shots on our way to
find the elk.

We did find the elk late in the day...and I got some great shots of some
really big bull elk.  But I will save those till tomorrow! so stay
tuned!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

On the Road...Destination Arkansas

I am excited about getting to leave tomorrow for northern
Arkansas to try to photograph
some of these elk.  These photographs are located on a blog:
www.arkansaswildlifephotography.com
His photos are for sale, and you can visit the blog to find
out how to purchase
these images on Christmas cards, prints, etc. 

I will be posting during the trip.  So stay tuned...there may be some
elk in my future.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Photographic Interpretation: Peru Flower Pot

Pretty pot of flowers down in Peru

Work in progress: colored pencil on canvas board

The finished piece

I started working on this little piece this morning.  The
photograph was taken during my trip to Peru. 
I wanted to play around with the techniques
that I learned from my last workshop....
colored pencil and gamsol on watercolor canvas board. 
I started drawing with the pencils, and used the gamsol to soften
them.  I didn't like how that was going, so I added some
watercolor on top of the colored pencil.  And then finally, I used
some acrylic paint to add the small white baby's breath flowers,
 and a few details here and there.

So, it ended up "a little of this, a little of that". 
But it turned out ok.
I will include it with the Peru art show in the gallery
that is going up soon.

sheltongail@hotmail.com
"Peru Flower Pot" 
8 x 10 Canvas   Mixed Media
$100

Art in the Foyer

While I was in Baton Rouge, I managed to visit a shop called

"The Foyer" on Perkins Road.  It is an eclectic shop, filled with

antiques, collectibles, decorative accessories, and lots of art.  I

was impressed with several of the artists displaying there.  The

artist at the top paints birds on pages of music or books, including

the bible.  Rhea Gary paints the colorful marshes and swamps.  I

think I have posted her work on here before.  I love her use of

color, and her commitment to save the marshland of Louisiana.

Her prints and originals are available on her website.  Terri Dakmak

is the last artist, a watercolorist.  She also does colorful work, with

lots of animals and patterns....very cool. 

 

If you are in Baton Rouge sometime, check out this shop.  They also

have a Facebook page. 

 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

 

www.terridakmak.com

 

Antiques and Tigers

Had a busy Saturday, in the rain!  Drove down to Baton Rouge, and stopped at
a few antique stores on the way.  I love the "Bayou some Stuff" sign...too
clever.  We watched the Tigers play, and they won...good job. 

I'm at home now on another rainy Sunday afternoon.  I hope to get some
art done, but a nap sounds good too!!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Blue Man Solo

I think I am finally finished with this drawing.  I used some of the
new techniques that I learned at the Colored Pencil convention
this summer.  I used the solvent Gamsol to "melt" the wax in the
pencils to blend together the background.  I also used a colorless blender
for the first time.  Usually when I draw with colored pencils, I do not
burnish them (use a lot of pressure to make a slick surface).  But I wanted the
silk of the costume to look shiny, so I used a white pencil to seal it
over, and the blender to even it out.  Interesting.
And then I used some spray fixative; it is supposed to keep the wax
bloom away.  Wax bloom forms when you do burnish these pencils:
the wax on the paper with come to the surface and cause a white, filmy
look to the drawing.  That is one of the reasons I have never wanted
to burnish the pencils.  Who knew that the fixative would stop that! I
guess you can teach an old dog a new trick!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

(I am sure this is too much technical information for some of you! But you
fellow artists will understand!)

"Blue Man Solo"
Colored Pencil  15 x 22
$800

Product Display

I am continuing to get in products that I am having
manufactured with my designs. Here is another canvas
scripture photo and the matching note cards.  The canvases
are 11 x 14, gallery wrapped, and sell for $60.00. 
The note cards (4 x 6) come in sets of 4 with envelopes,
and sell for $10.00.   These two products will be available
at the gallery, and after I attend the wholesale gift market
in Dallas in January, hopefully in a
gift store near you! 
I call this line, "Glory Bee Graphics", and I will have
several designs in the line.  You can see many of them in
the gallery now, and several more by
Open House on November 8th. 
Thanks for your support!

sheltongail@hotmail.com
Glory Bee Graphics Canvas prints: $60.00
Note cards  $10 a set

 

Cats in the Mist

I had always heard that as you age, you sleep less.  Well, anyone who
knows me, knows that I am usually up very late at night, and never up early
in the morning.  But lately, I have been waking up early in the
morning...so early in fact, I have seen the sunrise a few times!
inconceivable! 
This morning was beautiful, and I was able to go outside with
the camera and the cats, and take a few shots.  It is starting to get
foggy in the mornings now, and the Fall is one of my favorite times
of year.  Enjoy!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Cupcake Chalkboard

This is the chalkboard paint...a spray paint
that turns flat surfaces into chalkboards! cool

I cut a piece of masonite to fit the entire window, and sprayed it with the
chalkboard paint.  When it was dry, I nailed it to the back of the
window frame.

Here is the window so far...wtih the chalkboard behind the glass and filling up
the open panes on the end.



And then here is the window with the cupcake art on the glass panes,
with the blackboard at the bottom.  I will attach a hanger, and seal the
whole thing, and it will be ready to go!  fun, fun


sheltongail@hotmail.com
Cupcake Chalkboard  $100 

Cupcakes Re-Visited

I have sent this design off to be printed on the same jute bags,
except for the color.  These bags will be brown, and I think they
will set off the cupcakes well.  I also just printed this out large,
and I am going to collage it to a window with a built in
chalkboard...should be cute.  I don't know whiy I hadn't
thought of using my own art on the windows (duh), so I will
see how it does, and then I can do lots more!
Stay tuned....


sheltongail@hotmail.com

Peru Blue Man

I am starting to near completion on this colored pencil drawing.  I may
leave the bottom corner unfinished.  It gives the illusion of
movement better than just a solid black surface.  The satin surface of
the costume has been very difficult...I am not sure I have it right
yet.  I may tweak a little more.  Overall, I am pretty pleased.  I loved
this photograph, and knew I wanted to do something with it. I love
the dynamic composition, and great colors.  You will be able to
see the original soon at the gallery. 

I also need a title, if anyone wants to make a suggestion!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Peru Blue Man Dancer
prismacolor on hot pressed watercolor paper
15 x 22
$750