Artwork, travel, and musings by artist, Gail H. Shelton.
 |
Another project to be done before I leave for China. A man in Baton Rouge saw the sign I had done several years ago on this blog, and contacted me about doing one for him. I finally found some wood I could use; I pieced it together, and I started painting it yesterday. I have some outlining to do, and tweaking, but should be finished tomorrow. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| I am still working on some "Texas" things for the Arizona client. He has a contract to sell some products in the gift shop at the Alamo, and he wants an image to use on some things. I just sent this to him...I have to know which flag to use, if he wants a cannon, and what color to make the sky? Seems like some "nit picky" details, but I don't want to do something, and then have to do it over! Hopefully, we are close on this one. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| I am finally at home, with a day off, and it is time to catch up on some of these art projects waiting on my desk! I am still doing some western designs for a client who lives in Phoenix. And the flower sign is for a wedding in August in Texas. She wants two, and these are the flowers she will be using. This is just a preliminary sketch...she will let me know if this is the way to proceed. Feels good to make a little headway! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| That same client wanted something along this line...we will see what he thinks. I am revising the Alamo one to include some walls. Happy 4th! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| Here's the first sketch of the Alamo for the client that wanted this. I have sent it to him, and I will see what he says. |
 |
| Another benefit from the wholesale trade show has been the contacts made with other vendors and business people. I had a request for a design featuring the Alamo, complete with canon, and the Texas flag of the time. I found these images that I will use for references, and I will start drawing some sketches for this client soon. You know that this is a project dear to my heart... as a Texan...and as a native of San Antonio!! Remember the Alamo! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| These are my tote bags, by the dozen. Sold several this way during the show...hooray! |
 |
| And this is another one of my neighbors....Silver Spoon Jewelry, out of California. The designs are based on antique silverware patterns. |
 |
| These are some of their earrings |
 |
| And some flower necklaces |
 |
| And some pearl bracelets...pretty! |
 |
| And this is a new design...this cute owl |
 |
| These are decorated hats from "Frayed Flower". They were here at the show in January, and stayed busy the whole time. |
 |
 |
| And look at this cute LSU version...Geaux Tigers! We finished up today, and got everything loaded. I will be going home tomorrow, with some new things for the shop. Come by when you get a chance and check it all out! sheltongail@hotmail.com FrayedFlower.com SilverSpoonJewelry.com |
 |
| I am still in Dallas at the wholesale Gift Market. I had a few minutes to drive around downtown tonight before the sun went all the way down. Some of the buildings are really cool....very abstract. |
 |
| I've never really done much abstract art, but I think the patterns on these buildings would make a good starting point. |
 |
| And this one looks like the "chevron" pattern that is so "hot" right now, on clothing, purses, and all kinds of fabric. |
 |
| Some more patterns formed by the reflections of one building on the side of another |
 |
| Nice juxtaposition of colors, patterns, and shapes... art in the city. We have one more day of trying to sell my wares. I have met some really interesting people. And made some good contacts that will hopefully turn into good customers! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| One of the great benefits of doing a trade show, is getting to meet other artists and see their interesting work. These are beautiful old watches made into one-of-kind jewelry pieces. |
 |
| The name of the company is Rewind Jewelry, and you can find out more info from Carlos at carlosslightly@gmail.com |
 |
| And this adorable red head is next door to me, and this is her first time at market. Her booth is really cute, and her jewelry creations are re-cycled and re-purposed odds and ends, that are very unique. |
 |
| Here is the section with individual charms, displayed on playing cards...what a novel idea! I bought a little bird charm to attach to my dealer badge...fun. She is from Missouri, and always attends this show: Open Air Vintage Market St .Louis Friday Sept 20-Sunday Sept 22 stlouis.vintagemarketdays.com If you happen to be in the area in the fall, check it out Cash and Carry section of the Dallas market if you can...thru Monday the 24th at 3 pm sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| These smiling girls bought all three of these chicken wire memo boards. They picked them up this morning, and were happy, happy, happy! |
 |
| We added these to the booth this morning... we had to re-arrange. good problem |
 |
| Some of the boot merchandise has been attracting a lot of attention. We sold a piece similar to this today. |
 |
| I am also demonstrating during the day...doing a little watercolor. These are two boot designs...fun |
 |
| Cute, colorful, "sweet' designs |
 |
| And believe it or not...this is where those all come from! Having a great time, meeting people, making some contacts, and selling some stuff! We have 2 1/2 more days...should be able so sell some more. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| Got the booth at market all set up today! Now we are ready for business, in the morning, bright and early at 8:30! I will let you know how it goes...wish me luck sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
Watching the sun set is one of my very favorite things to do. I am fascinated with the ever-changing sky...the patterns in the clouds, the colors, sun rays, the peacefulness. Tonight's sky was especially beautiful. One of my good friends says that I am always "chasing sunsets" wherever I happen to be. Today, I just had to walk out my back door. Happy Father's Day! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| Getting things together for market...this is a banner that will advertise me! as an artist who can make appearances in their stores. I am adding this aspect this time to my marketing efforts. I hope to be able to schedule some appearances in other stores, demonstrating watercolor painting, bringing samples of my work, etc. |
 |
And this is the new "Texas" bag...the design features the Alamo, the Texas flag,and cowboy boot, a bluebonnet, and an armadillo. Having grown up in Texas, I am more than familiar with all these things! As children, our parents always took us at Easter time to have pictures made sitting in the bluebonnet fields. I chased lots of armadillos with my brother in the hill country around San Antonio. I owned several pair of cowboy boots...in fact, I was on the dance line in high school, and we dressed like the Kilgore Rangerettes, in red, white, and blue with white cowboy boots! AND, my first job after high school involved working downtown at the Alamo! I guess I am still "Texas" at heart...but my Louisiana roots are strong now too. I guess I can love them both! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| Another memo board window with cute polka dot fabric...great for a child's room. |
 |
| How about this for a UT fan? Great orange chevron fabric and wire on a vintage window, complete with cute doorknob. |
 |
| And one more funny bug, made from a porch post, with old brackets, some beaded board, and odds and ends. fun I leave for wholesale market in Dallas in a week! So, we are trying to put together some last minute things....more stuff to pack along and try to sell. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| I had to return to Natchitoches today, and decided to re-visit the lotus blossoms. A lot of them had bloomed and some of them were already bloomed out. Then I stopped by Saline Lake on the way home, and took some cypress shots. Pretty day sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| I had a chance to make a little progress on this drawing of Molly. I am still not sure about the likeness. I will have to tweak a little more. Stay tuned sheltongail@hotmail.com |
