Artwork, travel, and musings by artist, Gail H. Shelton.
 |
| When I was out and about today, I took some pics of some azaleas...wild and domestic. The wild ones grow along a creek near our house. I always look forward to seeing them in the spring. They look like "dancing ladies" or "ballerinas". The hot pink azalea at the bottom is a typical one found here in the South. The late freeze this year really put a damper on some of the blooms, but these managed to show out! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| I received a letter this announcing the annual Louisiana Pecan Festival poster contest. I won the contest a couple of years ago. So, last night I did some preliminary sketches. This idea revolves around signs at the festival...I like the bright colors and the graphic style. It may be a possibility. I will do some more sketches before I decide. |
 |
| I have been watching the bluebirds in the yard, and I managed to get a few good pics of them yesterday and this morning. I have several birdhouses, and they use them every spring. And successfully, I see, by the young bird out on his own this morning. I spotted him on the branch, and his mother came once and gave him a tidbit. He was content to stay right there, and I was glad, because I had 3 very active cats wandering around my legs, watching me take photos. It would have turned into a scene from "Wild Kingdom"...survival of the fittest! I'm glad the baby bird lived to see another day. Hopefully, I will see him again. I have hung all of the "bird" art in the gallery, and will have an opening soon. I am going to print up some small prints of these bluebirds, too. Small Print/Bluebird $12.00 Large Print/Bluebird $25.00 sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| This is the owl drawing, in progress. It is interesting...I took this photo at a different time of day, and the exposure is really different. The contrast is really strong! |
 |
| This is the finished drawing...much closer to the actual color, etc. I have been hanging all of my "bird art" in the gallery this week, and I will add this one to them. This was fun to draw...lots of different textures and patterns. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
 |
| It was "Crazy Sock" day at school...you can see my little artists enjoyed that! |
 |
| My friend Cyndi paints the cutest things...these are her Easter baskets that she is selling through the shop. She can paint on almost anything, and does gift totes for birthday parties, personalized crayon boxes, pebgboards and chalkboards, etc. Think about ordering something soon from her...for a special occasion, or just a "happy!" Cyndi Beaubouef Pea Patch Gallery sheltongail@hotmail.com 318-628-3560 |
 |
 |
"...the whole earth is full of His glory...." Isaiah 6:3 I have been busy and out of pocket lately. I haven't had much time to do any artwork. Spring is a restless time... wanting to get outside, start new projects, travel...and the weather is still not cooperating. Really cool nights and unreasonably windy days...have prevented me from many things on my to do list. Hope to get out in the yard this week, and back at my drawing table as well. Hope you all have a blessed and beautiful Easter celebration wherever you are...in whatever weather. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| Finished up this drawing for the CPSA show...have titled it: "Spring Cleaning" 8 x 18 Prismacolor pencil on Arches WC paper sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| I finished up some framing for a customer over the weekend. This is a Jazz Fest Poster from New Orleans. I really like the wonderful colors and style of this one. |
 |
| This is her other print, called "Post Mardi Gras Magnolia." After the parades in New Orleans, there are always beads left hanging in the trees. This artist has captured the whole idea very well! For your custom framing needs, just call us or bring it by. I enjoy helping customers pick out the perfect mat and frame. We have lots of moldings and mats available, from formal to rustic, and everything in between. sheltongail@hotmail.com Pea Patch Gallery 1-318-628-3560 |
 |
| Still setting up parts of the shop with some artwork...These are some Greek collages. |
 |
| Greek Revival: Here is a "Greek" corner...with some of my artwork from my trip to Greece a couple of years ago. I decided to bring it all back out, and fill up this nook. |
 |
I really enjoyed hanging this up today...I remember where I was when I took the photos. Greece was a beautiful place...so full of history. I have a couple more watercolors to add to this...I need to finish framing them. I hope you will come in and re-visit some of this Greek corner. There are some cute little notecards that I made as well. Hope to see you soon...opah! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| Just a little "work in progress", this drawing of a preening flamingo. I have to have another piece for a show entry, and I thought I could do this quickly. Looking for a title...if anything comes to mind! |
 |
| We have been working on getting things back in place in the gallery, since we took down the latest show by Shay Kelley. This is the "Paris" corner, with the large window photo of the Eiffel Tower, some smaller photos of Paris, and a couple of collages. |
 |
| And in this corner, we have hung the "Glory Bee Graphics" scripture photos. I have several of the large framed pieces, smaller framed ones, some matted prints, and the gallery-wrapped canvas prints. The image of the boots, the birdhouses, and the butterfly continue to be everyone's favorites! It's a great time to buy some original art: 1. Spring cleaning- While you are cleaning out and straightening up at your home, make some room for something new on your wall, or on an easel on a table. It will lift your spirits to view it each day. 2. Wedding Season- We have several brides registered at the shop, and I know there are lots of weddings coming up this spring and summer. Why not give them some original art as a gift? It will be something you will be remembered by, and the couple will cherish your thoughtfulness, and treasure the artwork for years to come. 3. Mother's Day and Graduation- Two of the biggest gift giving events will soon be on the calendar. Why not commission a piece of art for your mom? or your graduate? How about a house portrait, or a pet portrait? Why not buy your mom a beautiful scripture photo with her favorite verse on it? Or give one to that special graduate? It will be a unique and creative gift that the recipient will appreciate far into the future. So, come in and browse through the art gallery...something may just tickle your fancy...something for yourself or for someone on your list. We look forward to seeing you, and helping you make that special memory. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| I had some time today to work on these windows. This one has a fabric pin board, and chalkboard top. I put a piece of beaded board across the seam. |
 |
| I added this crown hook, and I will have to add some backing to seal up the back. |
 |
| I had made this one earlier, but it needed some repairs. It is for sale..it is $50. It is made of vintage beaded board, some porch posts, and some hooks. |
 |
| I also repaired this one. It is a chalkboard, edged with vintage beaded board, and some other choice pieces of old stuff. It is hanging from a porch post with some burlap ribbon. It is also $50.00, and it is at the Pea Patch Gallery. |
 |
| I also finished up this one...adding the vintage border on the left side, and the hanging post. It is one of my scripture photos of the mountains in Utah. It is $75.00. I am planning to make several more of these "window art" pieces. They will all be on display at the gallery. If I can do a custom one for you, just let me know! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| Sunset tonight at my house...the sky is filled with smoke. We live near the Kisatchie National Forest, and at this time of year, they do some control burning of the undergrowth. It makes it very smoky, and gives the sky a wierd mood. |
 |
sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| Having fun in class today...lots of masking tape all over the watercolor paper. Now that it is dry..Kate is pulling it off...revealing white paper. |
 |
| And Anna pulling hers too |
 |
| Finished projects! |
 |
| Smiles and artwork! More classes today..lots of fun with masking tape, watercolor and straws to blow the paint around with. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| Time for my Tuesday class again. I have a group of adults who just want to learn some basics...these two are good friends, and they drive in from out of town. |
 |
| And this is Jordan, my high school student, still working with watercolor for her high school project. |
 |
| And Dana is learning watercolor too...doing very well. |
 |
| And that is me, adding my two cents worth to an area she wanted darker. I still love teaching, and I am blessed to get to do it often, in all kinds of situations. If you are interested in a class, just get in touch with me, and I will let you know what is available. It is always fun, and rewarding to learn something new. I also do the children's classes on Wednesdays; ages 10 and up. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
 |
| This is Jordan, my high school student that I have been mentoring each week. This is her finished watercolor of Louisiana stuff. She drew it and painted it all by herself. |
 |
| She did the painting to enter in a competition. She should hear something this next week. Good job, and good luck!! |
 |
| Another change of pace today...My friend works for the U. S. Forest Service, and this weekend, they were sponsoring a bald eagle seminar. The lecture was held at Tunk's Cypress Inn down on Kincaid Lake. So, this afternoon, I joined the group there to learn about our bald eagles. |
 |
| This was the featured presenter, David Hancock of Vancouver, BC. He has spent his life studying West coast and arctic wildlife. He has published several books, including "The Bald Eagle of Alaska, BC, and Washington". He gave an informative lecture on the birds, along with some great personal stories from his experiences over the years. |
 |
| After the lecture, we drove out to Kincaid lake, in the Kisatchie National Forest, to view the eagle's nest. This is one of the recreational areas on the lake. |
 |
| It was a beautiful day to be outside....we were blessed with plenty of sunshine. |
 |
| This was my first view of the nest...as we walked along the trail. |
 |
| A little closer view...he said the female was on the nest, and the young birds had already hatched. |
 |
| We got excited...it was just a pelican! |
 |
| This is my only photo of the eagle...that is his tail sticking out over the edge of the nest! I needed to be somewhere besides on the ground...under them! |
 |
| And here are the rest of the white pelicans that I saw on the way out. All in all, it was a lovely day, spent enjoying God's glorious creation. sheltongail@hotmail.com Hancock Wildlife Foundation They do streaming video on this site...check it out and see if you can watch the eagles |
