Artwork, travel, and musings by artist, Gail H. Shelton.
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| Had the first of the summer art classes today...a collage class. I had two adults, Brenda and Nell, and two children, Samuel and Kaylie. They used lots of different papers, photos, and objects to create their projects. And lots of glue!! We all had a great time. The schedule of classes is on the gallery website: www.peapatchgalleryandcafe.com or you can come by and pick one up. We still have lots of room in all of the classes. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| Still putting together some of these odds and ends to take to the market in Dallas. This is made from two porch bannisters, some beaded board, some chicken wire, fabric and a hook! Would make a great memo board in the kitchen or hallway...to pin up all those reminders for soccer practice, dance lessons, ballet class, etc |
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| This one is made from an old cabinet door. I removed the glass, and stapled the chicken wire to the back. I covered that with the fabric, and added a backing. I sealed all the wood, and put the hooks on the bottom. This would be great in a kitchen, office, or hallway, to post all the important reminders that we all keep forgetting! sheltongail@hotmail.com Memo Boards: $45 each Pea Patch Gallery and Café 109 Abel Winnfield, LA |
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| I had the pleasure of going with a couple of my students over to Natchitoches last evening, to take a few pics, watch some birds, and enjoy a good meal. These lotus flowers are growing along one of the lakes there, and they were beautiful. They make me think of China, and the upcoming trip. I will try to paint some of these in the Chinese style soon. pretty |
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| Got to do a little work at the studio today...making these old windows into clip boards by adding chicken wire and fabric. First, I had to clean the windows really well. Carrie, one of my employees helped me cut the chicken wire to the right size. Then, we stapled it to the back of the frame. Then we added the fabric on top of that...stapling it in place with a staple gun. We added a backing and some hanging ribbon. These make great memo boards, jewelry display or storage, photo displays, or memory boards. I have all sorts and sizes of windows, and I can customize the fabric, too. Let me know if you would like one! Great gift or treat for yourself, only $40 each. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| I got my little Chinese signature stamp in...it is there, that little red box! It says, "GAIL" in Chinese characters...cool. I am looking forward to doing lots of brush painting in China..in just 6 weeks! woohoo! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| In preparation for my trip to China, I have been practicing my Chinese brush painting techniques! I used to teach this with my students, and we always enjoyed the simplicity and beauty of the art form. |
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| I will do some of these in my sketch book, as well as on some small postcard size paper to sell along the way. I have ordered my own Chinese initial stamp...to stamp my art with my signature in Chinese! When it comes in, I will have to do a completed piece, and "sign" it with the stamp. I know you have seen the small, red Chinese characters on brush paintings, usually in a box or circle. There are also often some larger characters that have some meaning: hope, harmony, peace, etc. I hope to be able to buy an antique stamp while in China with one of these meanings to add to the work. neat sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| I have been having the best time watching these little guys! The mockingbird pair started trying to build their nest in the wreath on my front door about 6 weeks ago. Then there were 4 little blue eggs. And now, there are 3 very hungry and sleepy little baby birds! I check on them all the time...and I hope they get used to seeing me through the glass, with my camera. I have put up a wire barrier to try to keep my cats away...I so hope that they do not end up as appetizers. I will keep you posted on their progress! "Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!" sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| This is a window frame, and today, I mounted these four painted canvases onto it. The glass panes protect the painted surfaces, but let you see the dragonfly design through them. I thought it might make an interesting piece. |
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| My little magnolia tree in the yard is blooming, and I couldn't resist taking a few pics of the beautiful, creamy white petals today, too. |
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| And who doesn't like "black eyed susans"? These are growing wild along all of our Louisiana roadways right now. They look like "summer" to me! And their simplicity makes me smile. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| Making a little progress on this drawing...still lots to go! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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I started this drawing last night. I drew her older sister several (many!) years ago, and I promised to draw her too. When I saw this photo of her, I knew this would be the one to draw. This little girl is very lively, and funny, and I think this photo captures her spirit. Plus, the lighting is fabulous... when there are lots of shadows, there is more to draw! I hope I can get her likeness just right...I have a long way yet to go, but it sure is fun! sheltongail@hotmail.com I am continuing to get things ready to go to the Dallas wholesale market again soon, so I haven't been doing a lot of art...just marketing stuff. But I really needed to just draw....so this portrait will offer some welcome distraction! |
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We received our final itineraries today for our upcoming trip to China! It is time to start getting excited...and making plans. We don't leave until July 24th, but it will be here soon. Some of the photos are places and things we will see: the Yuyuan Gardens in Shanghai, a Ming dynasty vase, the Forbidden City in Bejiing, and the gorges along the Yangtze River. It will be a great trip, and there should be lots of inspiration for paintings and drawings. I also plan to take as many pictures as I can! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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In a small town, you know a lot of people. As a teacher, I came into contact with a lot of students. And sometimes, you know the parent, as well as the student. I happened to know both in this case. The parent was the daughter of a fellow teacher, and I had watched her grow up over the years. She married, and had 3 beautiful girls. Then, I had the opportunity to teach art to all 3 of them from time to time in various workshops and classes. They were all delightful, and I enjoyed spending time with them. We all never would have guessed the tragedy that would soon take one of those young girls.... the middle one, Autumn. Her mother brought one of Autumn's stories to me; a story she had written as an assignment in school. It was about a life-changing moment between a grandfather and his grand-daughter, when he shares with her how his priorities and attitude changed after a serious accident. The text above is the last paragraph of that story. The mom wanted me to do something with it...she wasn't sure what, and I suggested adding the text to a photograph of some woods, maybe in the fall, with autumn colors. I have been working on this tonight, and this is my favorite of the possible ones. I will let her see it, and see if this is what she wants. Those of you who know me, and our situation, will know that I have shed a tear or two while doing this. But I feel honored that she would ask me to do it...for she knew that I would understand. May God continue to bless this special family, and comfort them always. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| I have been playing around with these "bugs"...made from bits and pieces. This is a chair leg, with some decorative brackets, a spool off of an old typewriter, and some nails. |
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| This "dragonfly" is made from a porch post, some beaded board, a key plate, a drawer pull, and some wire antennas. |
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| This one is also made from the porch post, a hinge, some beaded board, and an upside down fleur de lis hook. These have been fun to do. They will be for sale at the shop, and I will plan to take them to Dallas market in June as well. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| I have been playing around with these little vertical paintings as possible flag designs. There is a flag company that accepts submissions from freelance artists. Right now they are taking Fall and Holiday designs, so I might just send these on to them. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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I was returning from south Louisiana today, and saw these geese near a pond. Thought I would stop and take a few pics. The baby geese were precious...some were younger than others. I thought the parents might be very protective, and threaten me...but obviously, they were used to people, and they came right up to me. I imagine people have been feeding them, and I didn't have a thing with me! But they let me take their pics anyway...and they sure were cute. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| My Wednesday class kids wanted to paint some aprons they could wear during class. (they are always getting paint on their clothes!) |
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| Kate is painting a great big hot pink "K" |
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| Anna got into some red paint and hearts |
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| And this Kate was finding it harder than she thought painting on the fabric. She was doing a chevron pattern, with lots of different colors. I ordered the aprons from Dick Blick. They make several kinds of art aprons. They are using some acrylic paint to paint their designs onto the fabric aprons. The girls all wanted their names on theirs...Samuel is painting an angel fish design. The did not finish them today...so they will work on them again next week. |
