Santa Elena Canyon

At Big Bend, we drove down to the Rio Grande
to this spot. I set up my paints and did this
watercolor of the scene.

Where the rocks split is Santa Elena canyon,
by far the most beautiful place we saw.
The river flows through this deep canyon, and
it is quite narrow in places. We hiked the trail
that leads across the river (but still on the U. S.
side!) up the side of the hill, and all the way
back into the canyon. We met several other
groups along the trail. I even met a couple from
Boerne, Texas, the same town I did the Christmas
poster for...neat.

Santa Elena Canyon original watercolor 11 x 14
$150.00
sheltongail@hotmail.com

On the Rocks

What a view! That is me sketching the mountains
and rocks in Big Bend. There is nothing like getting
away, and being an artist full-time. I absolutely
love these precious opportunities. I am grateful
that my husband lets me travel, and takes care of
things while I am away. He totally understands my
need to wander.

These are the people that share my passion for wandering.

The woman right in front of me is Mary Tam, a widow

in her 70's that loves art and enjoys traveling. Linda Loe,

to her left, has taken my painting classes for years, and

has gone with me on all my trips. Next to me is Mary Lee

Coles, Linda's room mate from college (that's how long they
have known each other). She is passionate about learning

all she can; loves art, and has traveled all over the world.

Our trip to Alaska last summer, was her final state; she

has made all 50. I love all these
women; they are such good friends, and we have had some

great times together.

While we were hiking in the canyons and on the trails, I kept
singing the hymn that says, "He hideth my soul in the cleft of
the rock, that shadows a dry thirsty land..." I thought it was so
appropriate for the landscape. This is a sketch of some of those
rocks...

The other song I hummed a lot was "Jesus is a Rock in a weary land...a shelter in the time of storm". And I know He is... I sketched these rocks with the lyrics written with them.

I thank God for the beautiful scenery, and the chance to get to appreciate it.

"Not all who wander are lost."

Along the Way

On the way to Big Bend, we drove through lots of small towns.

I just love old rusting trucks. We found lots of them in Sanderson,

Texas, a dumpy little place between Del Rio and Marathon.

We took lots of pictures of them. This is a watercolor sketch

that is in my journal. I hope to do some more finished paintings

from some of the photos.

Big Bend Trip

I just got back from our week long trip to Big Bend and back.

It was fabulous! We drove to Del Rio the first night. Marathon

Texas the second night. Stayed in the park at the Chisos Mountain

lodge third night. 2 nights in Terlingua, and then back on the

road: one night in Ft. Stockton and beyond.

We loved the park. So much variety and awesome scenery.

I did some painting and kept my sketchbook journal. I will

be posting some of the work in the next few days.

This is a sketch of Judge Roy Bean's building in Langtry, Tx.

We stopped here on our way, and learned all about him and his

"law west of the Pecos".

The second sketch is from the park once we were inside.

More tomorrow. Now for a good night's sleep!!

Big Bend

I am leaving in the morning to go paint in the
desert. Three of my travel painting buddies and
I are doing the "road trip" thing all the way across
Texas to the Big Bend park. We will be there all
week, and will keep a sketchbook journal, and paint
on location with watercolor. We have checked the
weather, and it is supposed to be great. I will post
some of our efforts when we return. Adios!

Discerning Eye

I read a quote tonight by an artist about the art of drawing:

"Much of what we usually regard as the mysterious element

of "talent" is really more accurately described as a combination

of a practiced hand and a discerning eye" Diane Brown

I tend to agree with this statement, though not entirely. As an

art teacher for more than 20 years, I saw students of all

abilities or "talents". There were several of my students that

were just gifted naturally, by God I believe, with an ability to

draw. And then there were a lot that I taught to draw, as I

believe most people can be instructed. I always said that

drawing was a skill, to be learned and practiced just like a

musical instrument. And I could teach them to do that. But

I couldn't teach them to be creative, to have that "discerning

eye" that made them an artist.

I took this photograph while I was exhibiting at an art show

in Denton, Texas. I was on a break from my booth, and

happened to have my camera as I crossed the bridge over

this little creek. This little fellow was having the best time

in the water. I used to do the same thing in a creek long ago

near my home. I would like to draw this, and I have posted

the cropped version to show how I would like the drawing to

be. Will start soon.

for information on drawing/painting classes:

www.peapatchgallery.com click on workshops

"Logged On"

There is a certain feeling of satisfaction when you finally
finish a piece of artwork, especially one that you have
been working on a long time.

I started this colored pencil about a year ago. I took the
photograph at the Audubon zoo in New Orleans, where the
turtles are very tame, and won't immediately jump off the log!
I had the photograph for several years, and knew I wanted
to draw it one day.

I worked on just the turtles first, and almost finished them.
Then the drawing was put aside in order to work on more
pressing things, mainly portrait commissions, with the water
and the log, and most of the details still to be done. I have
been working on it the last few nights, and I believe it is
finished now. I will enter it in the CPSA show this year.
And I am satisfied.

"Logged On" colored pencil 22 x 30 $950.00
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Featured Artist Reception

Last Friday night I attended the reception hosted
by the Natchitoches Art Guild Gallery for me, the
featured artist for the month of January. It was a
nice affair.
I used to belong to this co-op gallery, an eclectic
group of artists mostly from north Louisiana.
Natchitoches is quite a tourist destination. It is
the oldest town in the Louisiana Purchase, and they
have done a wonderful job of preserving their history.
The gallery is located in a restored downtown hotel,
and they get a good bit of foot traffic.
The show will be on display during the month of January.

I am currently working on the turtles again, trying to
get them finished for the CPSA juried show.

The wonder of it all

This is the finished drawing of Hannah. I took this photo in

the backyard of our first little house on Park Street. She was

watching some birds in the tree, and she has that wonderful

expression of innocent wonder. The wind was blowing her

hair, and the light was just right.

Another pencil drawing

This is another pencil drawing I have started of my
daughter, Hannah, when she was about 2 years old.
I am not finished with it, and I will work on it some
more.
I am the featured artist at the gallery in Natchitoches
and the reception is Friday night. So I will get to meet
and greet a lot of people (i hope) who are interested
in my work.

Information on children's portraits:
www.peapatchgallery.com sheltongail@hotmail.com

LSU Tigers-#1

I just got back from the BCS Bowl Championship game,
and our Tigers are #1. It was so much fun. We have
season tickets to the games, and were able to get 4 tickets.
I took some girl friends, and we went down Monday (it's
a 4-5 hour drive to New Orleans from here). It was a great
game, and we are very proud of our team. The only sad
thing was my daughter, the LSU alumni, was not able
to come from her home in Florida. But she was there in
spirit, and I will send her a championship t-shirt!

Grandma and Turtles

This is the finished portrait of Derrick's grandmother.

It is done in just pencil, and I think it captures her

spirit. I may enter this drawing in an upcoming

competition.

The turtles on the log are done in colored pencil, and

I started them a long time ago, and had to put them

aside. I am now able to start on them again, and

hopefully finish them. I am a signature member of

the Colored Pencil Society of America, and their annual

juried show is coming up. I will probably enter this

piece (if I finish it!) I want to title it: "Logged On".

You can check out the CPSA website, pretty cool:

www.cpsa.org

sheltongail@hotmail.com

www.peapatchgallery.com

Profile in pencil

When I was still teaching high school students, we did
a unit on photography every year. I would take my
students all over town to take photos. This is the
grandmother of one of my students at the time. He
wanted to go by her house, and she happened to be
sitting on the porch. I took this photo of her, and have
had it for many years. I thought it would look nice in
pencil. There is such wisdom and peace in her face.
I will continue this drawing tomorrow. Please leave
a comment; I would love to hear from you.

www.peapatchgallery.com sheltongail@hotmail.com

Hannah-completed

This is the finished drawing of my daughter, Hannah.

I hope to do a few more pencil drawings in the next few

days.

It is cold outside, and the three cats are wanting to

come inside. They can see me at my drawing desk

through the window, and when they see me get up,

they go and line up at the back door. That's Huey,

Dewey, and Louie, from right to left.

www.peapatchgallery.com
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Back to Basics

There is nothing more basic in art than drawing with a
pencil. It was my first love, and I still enjoy its simplicity.
I have been enjoying doing some pencil drawings just for
fun. This is my daughter, Hannah, when she was about
3. (she is 24 now). I guess the end of another year has made
me sentimental. And I thought if I had drawn my friend's
child, I should draw my own!

I recalled a song I know about getting back to basics, and
the lyrics are perfect for a new year, too.

"We need to get back to the basics of Life:
a heart that is pure, and a love that is blind;
a faith that is fervently grounded in Christ;
a hope that endures for all time."

I don't know everything the new year will hold,
but these are good goals to start with. I hope to
work on them, as well as some artwork in the coming
days.

Happy New Year! sheltongail@hotmail.com

Portrait of Mattie Claire

I have been taking a break from my artwork,
but certainly haven't been resting! As any woman
knows, we "do" Christmas. Between the shopping,
wrapping, decorating, grocery shopping, cleaning,
cooking, and entertaining, I haven't exactly had a
minute to myself. But we all had a great time, and
celebrated the Savior's birth well.
I have been working on this portrait of my good
friend's little girl, Mattie Claire, for a few days.
It is just in pencil, which I love to work in. Her
hair is done mostly with an eraser. This is the second
drawing I have done of her; they own the first one,
a gift from her husband for Mother's Day. I wanted
to do this one to use as a competition piece in some
shows I have coming soon.

I have to take some work over to the gallery in
Natchitoches, LA on Saturday because I am the
featured artist for the month of January. You can
check out their website:natchitochesartguild.org

For info on children's portraits, email me:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Jonquils in December

This is another Christmas gift for someone.
This is her favorite flower, and her sister
had me paint them for her.
I love flowers. They are just remarkable,
and there are so many varieties. They
are just one more reminder of how awesome
God's creation really is.
For info on commission work: portraits of
children, animals, houses and buildings, etc
www.peapatchgallery.com
sheltongail@hotmail.com

A Time to Sign

I just got back from spending a couple of days in

the little town of Boerne, Texas. I was selected

to draw their annual Christmas Festival Poster,

and I went out there to make an appearance,

and sign some posters.

Boerne is a small town about 30 miles north of

San Antonio. I grew up in San Antonio, and had

been to Boerne several times. They have really

worked hard on their historic downtown, and

today, it is a charming and wonderful place.

Those of you who follow this blog will remember

that I worked on the poster for a couple of weeks.

I spent most of Friday meeting and greeting the

merchants up and down Main Street and signing

their posters. And then Friday evening, I signed

some more in the Gazebo in the park. It was a

lot of fun, and I made a lot of contacts.

Those other photos are of Main Street, and a

little string ensemble playing along the street.

I am holding a poster, and resting my hand!

For more information, you can go to their

website: www.ahillcountrychristmas.com

(My website: peapatchgallery.com has been

down for a couple of days, but the problem

has been addressed, and they assure me it

will be back in a couple of days...sorry for

the confusion. Please try it again in the

near future!!)

sheltongail@hotmail.com

a little tweeking...

I thought I was finished with this portrait,
but decided to tweek some more. I darkened
the shirt, and the background, and worked on
his features a little more. I think the likeness
is pretty good, and I hope they will like it.

I am going to Boerne this weekend to sign the
poster that I did for them. You can see the
finished poster at:www.ahillcountrychristmas.com
It should be a lot of fun, will keep you posted.

for info on all kinds of portraits:
www.peapatchgallery.com

Another Christmas present...

Finished with this portrait...this one is for
the grandparents.
I have a few more to do...