 |
| another scripture photo...sweet little sparrow... sheltongail@hotmail.com |
Artwork, travel, and musings by artist, Gail H. Shelton.
Monday, June 11, 2012
A Challenging Proposition
I was commissioned to do a very interesting
piece awhile back, and I am just starting to work
on it. The client owns the Victorian print of the
young girl with the flowers. The young girl in the
photo is her granddaughter. She wants me to draw
the child in the same style as the print. She gave me
the photos of her that were already posed in a similar
way, so that helped. But it is going to be a challenge!
I am working in colored pencil and pastel, so that
I can get the soft, blurry quality. But I will admit, that
I might be in over my head?! It will probably take me
a long time, and I will try to post some progress.
Hopefully there will be some?!!
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Ice Cream and Canvas
We had another Art Party at the Pea Patch today. It
was a birthday party for a 10 year old girl. They enjoyed
making their initial canvases, and eating ice cream sundaes.
For info on Art Parties, just call us or email me. fun, fun
sheltongail@hotmail.com
Pea Patch Gallery and Cafe
318-628-3560
Completed Paintings
 |
| This is the finished painting of the flower woman in Peru |
 |
| Here is the sheep painting I finished up these two paintings. I changed the woman's hand, and took all the masking fluid off of the sheep. They will both be on display up in the gallery. sheltongail@hotmail.com Watercolors of Peru: Flower Woman $300 Sheep in a Row $200 |
Thursday, June 7, 2012
A Verse or Two
 |
I have a new printer who is doing some canvas prints for
me. I received the first one last week and I was very
pleased. These are some more that I have sent him to do.
I am printing these as note cards as well. I plan to market
them next January at the gift market in Dallas. (I did not
make it for the June one this time!) I am working on many
more that I hope to get him to do for me.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Working on the Sheep
 |
| I added the grass, their faces, and their legs! |
 |
| A close up of their faces |
 |
| Getting ready to paint the background |
 |
| The blue violet wet into wet background wash |
 |
| Letting it all dry The sheep painting is taking shape! First I added the foreground grass. I chose to do it in shades of yellow and gold, to help unify the colors already in their wool coats. Next, I finished their faces and legs. After all that was dry, I used the masking fluid to mask out all of the sheep and the grass, so I could do the wet background. In order to do the background, I turned the painting upside down, so the water would run off the top of the page. I wet the whole area, and then added some blue and violet watercolor, letting it mix on the page. You can see it beaded up on the masking fluid. It will be dry in the morning, and I will take off the mask, and it should just need a little tweaking. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Sheep in a Row
 |
| watercolor of sheep in Peru |
 |
| close up of the first washes |
 |
In Peru, I saw alpacas, llamas, donkeys, ....typical animals I expected to see. But we did see some sheep also...the kind I saw in Greece. Not that we don't have sheep in Louisiana (we do). But these were really cool, and the lighting was just right. This photo just "screamed watercolor" at me, so I had to paint it. So here are the initial washes of color, blending golden yellow, purple and ultramarine blue. After all, you can't just paint them white...there is no white watercolor paint! I will continue to add some details in their faces and their legs. I will put in some foreground grass, and some kind of dark background that will help silhouette their fur. So, stay tuned, and see if I can pull it off!  |
Travel Journal-Peru
 |
| Our Group in Peru There were just 5 of us; Go Ahead Tours put us with the rest of the travelers |
 |
| Edwin, our tour director |
 |
| This is my group with Edwin: two friends from Winnfield, Sue and Charlotte; my daughter, Hannah and her husband Pete I realized I hadn't posted these pics of the whole group from the trip to Peru. I have been trying to work on the digital copy of the book, and I wanted to include this group shot. The digital copy includes some of the paintings and sketches from my sketchbook, and lots of my digital photos. It will be ready in a couple of weeks. I will post about availability when I finish it. sheltongail@hotmail.com Peru Travel Journal Digital Copy $100 |
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Flower Woman Finalized
 |
| Cusco Market Flower Woman I continued to work on this watercolor today. I added some more washes of color on her clothing. Then I worked on her face. I put in the background last... letting it overlap onto her clothes to tie them together more. I don't think I will add any more details to the flowers; I kind of like them loose and undefined. I may work on her hands some more..they are not quite right yet. Watercolor can be very unforgiving! That is one reason a lot of artists do not care for it. It is hard to fix mistakes, and to "do over" some areas. So, you learn to do it right the first time! or learn to like it the way it turns out! I still teach some watercolor classes, if anyone is interested in learning to tame this medium. Or at least giving it a try! Just get in touch with me at the gallery for a schedule of summer classes. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Flower Market Woman
One of the last days we were in Cuzco, we went to
the market in downtown. People were selling food,
flowers, coffee, chocolate, clothing, and craft items.
I am trying to go through my photos, and decide
which ones to paint. I started on this watercolor
tonight of this flower woman. I love her hat, and
the wild arrangement of the flowers on the ground.
I started with the first washes, and some bright
colors on the flowers. I'll let this dry, and then build
up some more layers of color tomorrow.
I heard from my customers in California that I did
the two Costa Rica paintings for. They loved them,
and they are more than pleased, they said. Hooray!
I like happy customers!
Friday, June 1, 2012
Doll Lady
 |
| While the wash was still wet... |
 |
| Final painting I finished this watercolor up tonight. It brings some good memories to mind. I have a couple of shows to enter, and this one may turn into an entry. We'll see! sheltongail@hotmail.com "Doll Lady" Cuzco, Peru Watercolor 22 x 30 $500 |
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Adding the Details
 |
| The watercolor painting with some of the details added |
 |
| a part of the painting with masking fluid added |
 |
| close-up of the painting with masking fluid applied |
 |
| Masking fluid I continued to work on this painting tonight, and added many of the details needed to give it some depth, design and dimension. Then I added the masking fluid over most of the outline of the figure. This fluid creates a waterproof seal over the painted portions, so I can freely wet the background area. I will do some really wet and loose, wet into wet paint in the background that will be in contrast to the tightly painted figure. This is the stage in the painting that can make it or break it, depending on how well I can control the wet paint. I'll keep my fingers crossed and my brush moving! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Woman in Watercolor
 |
| Beginning stages of watercolor painting...a light sketch of the outline |
 |
| Initial washes of color...very light |
 |
| Adding some shadows and building up the washes as I go Finally got to start working on some of the Peru art tonight. I had some visitors in the gallery today, and I was telling them there would be a Peruvian art show at Christmas, so I thought I should at least start on something! This photo of this woman in Cuzco was one of my favorites. I like the light and shadows, and the colored pattern on the clothing, etc. This woman was selling little Peruvian dolls, and she was in front of our hotel every morning as we boarded the bus. One day the police came and ran her off; they are not supposed to be selling items to the tourists outside of the marketplace. But she was back the next day...hopeful for some customers! I will continue to work on this painting and will post as I go. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
"Art Party" for a Birthday Girl
 |
| The group of smiling "artists" with their creations |
 |
| The birthday girl did this one |
 |
| Young hands hard at work |
 |
| Lots of ooey, gluey fun We hosted another art party at the studio and cafe this evening. It was a birthday party for a 12 year old little girl, and a group of her friends. They made initial collages, painting the canvases, and then gluing on their initial, scraps of paper, and some "bling". Then they all enjoyed some brownie sundaes in the cafe. If you are interested in booking an art party for yourself or someone else, just let us know. We can also do some events out on the deck, and would love to work with you to make some memories! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
Monday, May 28, 2012
"Long"ing for New Orleans
I did one of my favorite things today on
my way home...spent some time wandering
around the French Quarter down in New
Orleans. I never get tired of walking those
narrow streets and seeing the sites. (and
tasting the food!) I cropped a few of these
to make some long compositions...kinda
fun.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Time to Plan a Party
 |
| This is the "before" picture! |
 | ||
| I painted this sign on an old window |
 |
| Here are the tables |
 |
| Some red, white and blue blooms |
 |
| Condiments labeled and ready to enjoy |
 |
| Lots of old fashioned soda |
 |
| Striped straws and Mason jars |
 |
| Cute decorations in the trees |
 | ||||
| Sunset on the bayou |
I have been down in south Louisiana, helping my
daughter celebrate her husband's 30th birthday.
My daughter really loves to design and decorate,
so she had a great time planning and pulling off this
celebration She used a patriotic theme, with
vintage and rustic elements, using burlap,
tin, glass, and paper products. I painted the
sign on an old window frame, and we added the
red, white, and blue flower. She hung mason jars
with candles in the trees, and lanterns and burlap
decorated the tables. We enjoyed gourmet hamburgers,
with "30" different toppings, and drank our beverages
out of mason jars. Apple pie and a red, white, and
blue strawberry cake finished off the feast.
She is really interested in pursuing some of
this party planning
in the future. She can carry out a variety of themes,
and is willing to work in any setting, etc . If you are in
need of some ideas, and would like to hire her,
just let me know!
sheltongail@hotmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)