Class Time Again

My example for them

I taught my Wednesday art class again today.  We used some colored pencils
on watercolor paper, and then used some Gamsol with a paintbrush to
melt the pencil wax.  It turns the pencils into "watercolor" pencils.
I had them copy a bright colored landscape, and they liked getting
to use all those bright colors!

Classes are offered on Wednesdays from 4-5 pm for students
age 10 and up.  You can get a schedule at the gallery,
or I can email one to you.  Would love for your child
to join us.

sheltongail@hotmail.com
Pea Patch Gallery  318-628-3560

Painting an Egret

I teach a watercolor class on Tuesdays to a couple
of students. This is my demonstration piece for today's lesson:
using the masking fluid to mask off the white areas.

When the masking fluid is dry, it peels right off!  It is kind of like
rubber cement, and it saves the white paper underneath.  We were able
to paint the wet, loose blue wash right over the masked white bird.

Watercolor palette we were using

This is Dana's painting..not quite finished.  We will have to
finish it up next week.  She did a great job!

mine...will post when I am finished!

I am enjoying getting to paint with some students....
one of my favorite things to do.  I love these
white egrets...they are so "Louisiana".

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Boots for Bag



I am still working on the boot design.  
Do you like the "stay young at heart" or
"take time to put your feet up" slogan?  I would
appreciate your feedback!

I have also been working on a new Pea Patch Gallery and
Cafe website.  Trying to get all my ducks in a row...I haven't
been able to update the one I had...now I will be able to. 
When it is up and running, I will let you check it out.
We do have a Facebook page for the Pea Patch Gallery,
and I try to post updates there too. 

I am teaching a workshop at the YACA convention (youth
art council of america) in Alexandria on the 15th.  I am going
to show them colored pencil on canvas (what learned at the CPSA
convention last August).  I think they will love it.  It is a new
way to use something they already know how to do...and it is very cool.

And we are still signing people up for the PERU DINNER on the 23rd. 
I am preparing the power point slide show for that too!  (just
staying too busy!!) 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

 

It's a Little Sketchy

When I was at market in Dallas, I had many requests for a
Texas-themed design, and a boot design.  So, I have been
working on some sketches...working out ideas, etc.  This is
always the first step in the process!

I have been trying to decide on slogans or sayings too.  The
bags I am thinking about are a little larger, and would
make a good weekend bag.  

There is a bright turquoise bag and a good red bag.  I would like to
use them.  The Texas design would be good on the red bag,
and the boot design will be on the turquoise bag.  I would like to
get a sample bag from the company in order to match the colors well.

I will try to post the progress on these designs.  yeehaw!
I would welcome any comments or suggestions.
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Hang-Ups

We have been moving things around for the last couple of
weeks, since I got home from market.  This is our display
in the windows at the front of the shop now.  We moved the
large cabinet made from the doors into the middle and
built around it....lots of new spring stuff.

Then I got the bright idea to put this old bench on top of the
cabinet...and it fit.  We added some birdcages and
pots for good measure.



This cute wheelbarrow is reproduction, but
adorable.  The globe is really old, and so is the scale.  The
box it is all sitting on is new, but made to look old.

I love the sign about what our children teach us!

More of our new spring stuff...lots of things for outside
and the garden.

Our handyman, Nelson, never knows what I am going to ask him to do
next.  But he is always game, whatever it is.  Today, we hung up
two things, a bicycle, and this old ladder.  Our ceilings in the Pea Patch
are 14 feet tall, and I am always looking for something to fill up
the vertical space!  You see me doing a great job of holding the ladder,
and cheering him on.

The friend taking the pics said it didn't look nearly as
scary on film as it did in real life!
 

Nelson even agreed to add the finishing touches of hanging up the
purses on our new "ladder purse rack".

Tah Dah!  Now, I just hope no one wants to buy all of them tomorrow!
This display is in my friend Beverly's booth.  She was
wanting a way to hang the purses up high...well now she
has one!


I heard from several of you about the dinner party. 
The spots are going
fast! 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

An Evening in Peru-Dinner Party!

I have had many of you asking when our next dinner party/gallery talk would be.  Well, you don't have to wait much longer!  Our "Evening in Peru" will be
on Saturday February 23rd at 6PM.



Pete and Hannah Schneider will again be our chefs, and they
are planning some delicious appetizers, entrees, and desserts for
the occasion.  After we enjoy the meal, I will give a
gallery talk and slide show about our trip to Peru and
my resulting artwork. 

We will start taking reservations now.  You can call the gallery and
reserve your spot.  The tickets are $35.00 and there will only be
30 spots available. I am looking forward to it, it should
be a great time.

sheltongail@hotmail.com
Pea Patch Gallery  318-628-3560

Class Time

Kate and Kate, working side by side!  Anna is doing her thing too!

Samuel is hard at work on his wild animal creation.

This was my little example for them today.

We resumed our Wednesday art classes today.  We
did some fun little collages, using some tissue paper,
scrapbooking paper, and some bits and pieces.  They
had fun, as usual!  And took home their little
creations...finished and proud.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

You can pick up a schedule of art classes at the
Pea Patch Gallery.  The classes are for ages 10 and
up, and they are $10.

Flower Art

While I was at market, I was across the aisle from this booth.  It is a
very successful business run by some young girls, and they were
very busy.  I thought I would share their website with you, and
you could check them out.  They make cute hats with a frayed
flower in lots of different styles. 

www.frayedflower.com

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Heavenly Sunset

I drove to nearby Black Lake late this afternoon, because
the sky was shaping up to be a great sunset.  I was not disappointed!
I took photos from several different locations, and I am always
amazed at how fast the sky changes.  There were several boats full
of fisherman coming in while I was there, and they helped make the
ripples on the water.  I wish I could have gotten some ducks flying
over, but there weren't any.  All in all, it was beautiful, and peaceful for
a Sunday evening.

"O God enthroned in heaven, I lift my eyes to you"
psalm 123:1

sheltongail@hotmail.com

New Catalog

Click here to view this photo book larger

I have been working on this little catalog of my
collections, and I finished it this morning.  If you are
a store owner, and would like to have one, just let me know.
In the meantime, you can go to www.ghsenterprises.com to see
the products.  The prices listed are wholesale only!

sheltongail@hotmail.com


Shutterfly offers exclusive layouts and designs so you can make your book just the way you want.

Show Pics Rewind

Just a few more pics from the Gift Market...these were in the
vintage cash and carry furniture/decorative side.
These antique booths were incredible...so many creative
uses of vintage stuff.   I love these old vintage labels
on old window frames...so colorful.

I am home and tying to get things straightened out at the
gallery.  We have in some new spring things, and I am
working in some of the art that I brought back.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

(these are cell phone pics...!)

A View of the Show

This is Brad, and he makes vintage angels, birds, etc.  He was one of my
neighbors, and he and his wife were very helpful.

One of his angels....neat

This is a mosaic using vintage t cups, and
shades of blue...beautiful, and lots of hard work!

This is Susan, and she makes the mosaics...cool

This is Mike, and he sells leather purses and wallets made by the Native
Americans.  He lives in Phoenix, and reps their handiwork.  Nice guy!

These are some of the designs on the bags.

I was able to go upstairs today and try to show you how large this
show is.  This is just the Cash and Carry section.  Through that door is
the Cash and Carry Vintage Home section, filled with antiques,
reproduction furniture, etc.  

I am all packed up and ready to come home.  It was a
great experience.  I met and talked to SO many people
and business owners, showing them my products and
introducing myself.  I did sell some things, but I hope to
get some online orders as well.  I have already
committed to come back in June and do it again.

sheltongail@hotmail.com