Artwork, travel, and musings by artist, Gail H. Shelton.
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| Got a chance to work on this drawing a little more....I think I have the hair done..yea! The hands are the next challenge. I may have to use a ruler on those guitar strings. And I am going to make them dark instead of light. |
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| This is a house portrait that I have been working on for awhile. I have had to make several changes, and add a few things. I will email her this photo, and see if she is satisfied. Hope so! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| Just some pretty light illuminating the grasses in the front yard....Fall has such beautiful light...more golden, more dynamic...stronger. I get a treat in a couple of weeks of going with my photographer friend up to Oregon to take pics around the gorge and the forests. We may even see some snow! I have never been, so when she asked me, I said yes. I have also been going through the Galapagos photos and getting some of them enlarged on canvas. They will be stunning...some of the landscapes were awesome. I am putting together a small show from the trip. It will be all up around the first week in November. Our annual downtown Christmas Open House will be the second Thursday from 5-9 pm. I have also been selected to be the featured artist and speaker at the LAEA (Louisiana Art Educator's Assoc) convention this fall, later in November. I will have an exhibit at the Alexandria Museum of Art, and teach a workshop for the educators, on using colored pencil in the classroom. I am very honored and grateful for this recognition. Should be a lot of fun. Lots of busy times ahead...a lot to be thankful for, to reflect on, and to capture in pencil, paint, and film...the life of an artist is so amazing. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| Painted signs for an upcoming wedding...just the lettering |
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| House portrait...Baton Rouge I am soooo busy trying to make a dent in these commissions I have piled up. The house portrait is almost done. I just have to do the watercolor painting. I am waiting on the client to let me know some more info on certain parts. I was asked to do the lettering on these boards just yesterday...they need them this Thursday! So, I got those done this afternoon. I still have at least four houses to do. I also finished up a portrait for someone this week. I am trying to stay focused to meet all the deadlines. At least I work well under pressure! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| I have been trying to finish up the Galapagos Photo Book, and I think I am done. I have ordered a copy for myself to make sure everything looks good. It will be here next Monday. If it all looks ok, I can order the rest for the travelers who are interested. If you would like a copy, they are $100.00, payable to me. The books are 43 pages, and include most of my sketches from the original book, and lots of photography and text. It will be a treasured momento from the trip. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| I haven't had a chance to draw very much; I have had lots of company, and have spent most weekends with my daughter and that cute grandbaby! But I made a little progress on this...still trying to figure out how to do that hair? |
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| I received some good news about this crazy piece again... it was a finalist in the Animal Category of the Artist's Magazine Annual Competition this year. It will not be printed in the magazine, just my name. But that's something I guess! |
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| And I am still trying to get these in a show. I entered them both in the American Artist's Professional League show in New York. I will be notified of acceptance (or not!) later this month. Will keep my fingers crossed. I am taking in some commission pieces now for Christmas. If you are interested in a house portrait, children's portrait, or pet portrait, please let me know asap. There is still plenty of time. sheltongail@hotmail,com |
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| Finished this name canvas, and got it delivered to the customer. She was pleased. I hope the mother-to-be likes it too! |
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| I also had to do something for a bride-to-be as well. I painted the hydrangeas. leaves, and colored in the parts of the design that were already printed on the invitation. This is a gift from my niece for the bride, one of her friends. I hope she likes it too! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| Trying to get this little tri-canvas project done today. It is a gift for a baby shower this weekend, commissioned by a client. I like the soft colors, and her long name will be stretched across all 3. I will seal it all, and add hangers on the back. And it will be ready to go! If you would like something similar, or want a custom painted treasure..just let me know. I can design something for you! sheltongail@hotmail.com Tri-Canvas Name: $60.00 |
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| Making a little more progress....still needs work on the face. Will keep going...when I have time!! |
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| I didn't get much of a chance to work on this drawing...the main reason is in the following photos! I am thinking of doing this one a little more loose...a more unfinished style. I am back home now, and will get more chances to draw. |
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| I have been down to babysit this little one over the weekend. This was a really rainy day, and we just got to look outside...not go outside. |
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| I got to be creative with her hair! |
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| It was fun to make her smile. Little Clara Grace is such a blessing and a delight. I enjoyed the weekend, but I remember why God gives them to young people!! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| This is one of the interesting people I photographed during the Ecuador trip. He was at the market in Otovalo, playing the pan flute and strumming his guitar. His dreadlocks were very interesting, and I liked the shadows on his white shirt, etc. I also like the composition. But I knew it would be a little bit challenging to draw. |
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| I started on it. This is Mi-Tientes drawing paper. It comes in a variety of colors. This is a sandstone color. When using colored paper, you have to put down a whole lot of white pencil first. Otherwise, the colors will not be bright enough. So, this is the first step; I am layering some white colored pencil on the paper, paying attention to the highlights. I printed the photo in b & w also, to help define those values. It should be fun! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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Sally Lightfoot Finished this crab watercolor! It was so fun! I LOVE the primary color scheme... red, blue, and yellow. Do you think God was thinking about that when He made them? This is a mature crab; we saw lots of them. The immature ones were very dark...grey or black with lots of spots. They don't get this bright coloring till they are full grown. They were stunning. And they were very entertaining to watch...tiptoeing (is that a word?) across the sand or lava. I went ahead and left the background white, because I wanted that nice blue shadow underneath. I also added some colored pencil on several areas to add some texture. It is about 22 x 13, and is for sale. $200 It will be on display up at the gallery after I get it matted. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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I got some fun exciting news today. This is my entry for the Louisiana Pecan Festival poster from last year. I didn't do a new design this year. But they called , and said they wanted to use this design for this year's poster. yea! But I do have to change the date to 2014. As soon as that is done, it is off to the Pecan Festival office in Colfax. They will print them, and I will have to go down there and sign all of them. They will be on sale during the festival which is the first weekend in November. Why not plan to go, eat some pecan pie, buy a poster, and jam to some music! sheltongail@hotmail.com I am still working on the digital copy of the Galapagos book. I am about a third of the way through. It is looking pretty good. Will keep you posted. And...anyone interested in going with me to Germany, Switzerland, and Austria next summer...there are only 5 spots left! So, if you want to go, hurry and sign up to reserve a spot. just sayin.... |
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| Sally Lightfoot Crab |
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| I started a watercolor of one of these crabs. (I don't know why it uploaded sideways?!) Anyway, these are the initial washes...just a light, thin, glaze of color on the white paper. |
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| Starting to add some of the details and the darks, and building up the layers. This is where the illusion of shadows is added (value), and he starts to take shape. Will keep working on him. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| This is the finished watercolor of the pelican. |
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| Here it is with the masking fluid on it. It coats the painted part and allows for the wet, loose background to be painted freely. Once it was dry, I wet the background with clear water. |
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| Here it is with the wet paint washed across it. I sprinkled some salt on a couple of areas. The salt soaks up the pigment, and leaves some interesting little sparkles in the wash. Once dry, the masking fluid rolls off, a lot like rubber cement. I will mat it, and it will be at the gallery. It is for sale, $150. It is 21 x 13. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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Finally getting to paint some Galapagos subjects..yea! I had some great pics of a brown pelican, so I decided to start there. These birds live along the coast in Louisiana; in fact, they are our state bird. They were endangered at one time, but they have made a strong comeback. They were recently affected by the BP oil spill, and several oil laden pelicans made the news. We may not ever know the full effects of the oil spill. But I am glad to see these guys healthy and flying around when I visit down south...either here or in the Galapagos islands! I will add a background to this watercolor. I am going to cover up this bird with the masking fluid that will protect it. Then I will paint the whole background in a looser style. Once dry, I will remove the masking fluid, and add any needed details. Here I go! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| I was captivated in the islands by the interesting landscape.... the black lava rock with the white bird "graffiti" decorating it. Here is a little watercolor of a blue footed boobie perched atop some lava formation, dripping with the white shapes. It is about 9 x 12, and is $45.00. Painting Class...with Chalk Paint |
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| Molly Hunt came today and taught a painting class in the studio. She and her daughter sell this kind of paint in a booth in my store, and they offer classes on how to use it. She had just 3 students today, but she is planning to teach more classes soon, including next Saturday, the 23rd. |
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| This is a sample of what they painted today. They used some different waxes, and some gold leaf to get different effects. It looked like fun! |
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| Some of their supplies. The class on the 23rd is at 10 am, $75.00, and all supplies are included. You can call the gallery if you might be interested. Thanks! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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Here is the finished house portrait. I painted it with watercolor....putting in those bright pinks and pale greens, along with the grey shadows on the roof and the house. I hope they will be pleased with it. I will mat it tomorrow and let them know it is ready. I started a watercolor of a blue footed booby tonight. Will post in the morning. sheltongail@hotmail.com House Portraits: 11 x 14 $150 |
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Had a chance late last night to finish up the ink drawing of this house. I will go ahead now and paint it with watercolor. The house itself is not very colorful...just white with dark green shutters. The mass of bushes out front are all azaleas, and they are bright pink. There will be lots of shades of green: light greyish green in the background, dark green foliage on the bushes, and a medium green on the grassy lawn. I will post again after it is painted. For info on house portraits (great Christmas gifts for the person who has everything!), email me or call the gallery. Very reasonable, and there is still plenty of time. Let me know if you would be interested. Thanks! sheltongail@hotmail.com Pea Patch Gallery 318-628-3560 |
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| In Quito, at the top of the mountain |
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| Painting in the market |
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| Can you see me in the lava rocks...sketching? |
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| This is our "Cormorant" group from the boat |
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This is for all of you that say you never see me in the photos! I was just able to see my daughter's pictures, and all of these were on her camera. I don't get to see myself painting or sketching, so it is fun for me too.I look really serious in some of them...I guess I was concentrating. I really like the one in the lava rocks. We had finished snorkeling, and I had brought my book along. So, I sat in the rocks and sketched the scenery.I still have on my wet suit, so I blend in. I didn't know she had taken this one. Anyway, I thought you might enjoy seeing me at work... on the book. I just received a new scanner, and I am beginning to scan and work on the pages. Will keep you posted on the progress.\\ sheltongail@hotmail.com |
