My hands are finally warm!!!

Florida is so lovely! It's not as warm as usual here, but they tell me tomorrow the temps will be back to normal (high 70's). Wehoo!

It's an understatement that most of my money is spent on art supplies. I had one small suitcase and my laptops. The rest of the car & trunk were packed to the gills with art supplies. It was really more than I would normally need, but I have a still life painting class I'm taking next semester and have no idea what I'll need...so I brought it all!!! Plus, I'm scheduled to teach some painting classes while I'm here. So you can imagine the supplies I needed for that as well. Packing the car was like putting together a complicated puzzle, but my guy did it! It is clear to me now why my wardrobe is lacking....I spend most of my money on oil paint, easels, paper, canvas, charcoal.....oh and the books/magazines....it's terrible!!! (And typical for me.) It just feels like home if I have my paints & brushes with me.

For this or other paintings available for sale on ebay, click on the link at the above right.

"September Sky"

5 x 7 inches, oil on canvas board

Currently available for sale on ebay

Looking forward to Florida....

I can't wait to get my toes in warm sand. That being said, I am so behind as far as getting ready to go!! I love talking about going south for a while, but hate packing for it. I'll no doubt come home with some new paintings started, tons of photo refs for future work, and another semester under my belt. I'm getting fired up just talking about it....not enough to start packing though!! Ha!

For this or other paintings I have for sale on Ebay, click on the link at the above right.

Red Marsh Grass

4 x 4 inches, Oil on canvas board

Available for sale on ebay after 10/21/2010

Staying warm inside...

Oh...the weather outside is frightful...but my furnace is so delightful..... Ok, corny, but right now I'm loving being inside. The high temp today will be 29 degrees, with a "wintery mix". Translation, sleet, snow, very cold....stay inside! The good news is I'm getting some painting done today. Most of my time will be to finish a commission I have due before Christmas, and I like being ahead of schedule. Stay warm everyone!!!

For paintings available for sale on Ebay, click on the link at the above right.

Shady Stream

4 x 6 inches

Oil on canvas board

Available for sale on Ebay after 12/18/2010

Early Snow

It is snowing like crazy here. We knew it was coming, but it still seems a little early for us to have such low temps and this much snow. We've been about 30 degrees below normal here in Northern Ky. You would think it would inspire me to do some house cleaning/organizing etc. since I'm stuck inside. No such luck. Instead, I've been working on some larger works....beach scenes. I guess that's my way of dreaming of warmer weather!

For this or other paintings I have for sale on ebay, click on the link at the above right.

Early Mountain Snow

5 x 7 inches, Oil on canvas board

Available for sale on ebay after 12/14/2010

Paying it Forward

I rarely give paintings away as gifts. Mainly because not everyone gets the thrill out of getting something handmade or original like I do. I think I'm going to give one of my paintings to an Aunt of mine though. When I was young, she always encouraged me to be creative and explore that side of me. I remember one year when I was into photography, she had me photograph all of the porcelain dolls she had made. Now, she could have done that herself, but she insisted on paying me to do it. I spent several hours putting my heart and soul into photographing those dolls in the most creative way I knew how. The photos were terrible, but you wouldn't have known that by my Aunt's reaction. She made over them as if a pro had done the work. It gave me confidence and was probably a stepping stone for me becoming an artist today. I try to encourage others, especially young people as much as possible. It's sort of a way to pay it forward from the wonderful people in my life who encouraged me.

For this or other paintings available for sale on ebay, click on the link at the above right.

First Fall Colors

5 x 7 inches, Oil on board

Available for sale on ebay after 12/9/2010

Shakespeare's Sonnet...

I'm never sure what I'm going to write about here each time I make an entry. Earlier, my artist group EBSQ was asking for our opinions for 2011 shows. One of my suggestions was Shakespeare's Sonnets. So...thought I would share one of my favorites:

Sonnet Number 91

Some glory in their birth, some in their skill,

Some in their wealth, some in their body's force,

Some in their garments, though new-fangled ill,

Some in their hawks and hounds, some in their horse;

And every humor hath his adjunct pleasure, wherein it finds a joy above the rest.

But these particulars are not my measure,

But these I better in one general best.

Thy love is better than high birth to me,

Richer than wealth, prouder than garments' cost,

Of more delight than hawks or horses be;

And having thee, of all men's pride I boast;

Wretched in this alone, that thou mayst take all this away, and me most wretched make.

For this or other paintings I have for sale on ebay, click on the link at the above right.

Gulf Waters

5 x 7 inches, Oil on canvas board

Available for sale on ebay after 12/7/2010

The Holidays...

I think I'm nearly done with my Christmas shopping. I have a few things to buy (and make) but I'm not doing too bad this year. It's amazing how it sneaks up on you. My favorite gifts (both for giving and receiving) are creative ones. There's something cool about getting something that has sentimental value. Just knowing that someone put a lot of thought into a gift that could be appreciated by you more than anyone else makes it even more special.

For this or other paintings I have for sale on Ebay, click on the link at the above right.
Yellow Trees
5 x 7 inches, oil on canvas board
Available for sale on 12/2/2010

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving again this year. As usual I ate too much!! The photo is me and my guy over at my Mom & Dad's house. It's funny, we're a loud bunch...right down to my smallest niece. No quiet, restful dinners when our family gets together!! Tom has really had to get used to that, but he survived! I hope you got to spend time with loved ones this Thanksgiving holiday.

For this or other paintings I have for sale on ebay, click on the link at the above right.

September Fields

4 x 6 inches, Oil on board

Available after 11/30/2010

Friends

Most Sunday nights you can find me and my boyfriend over at one of our friends homes. We call it life groups, or Bible Study. We all meet at someones home, bring something yummy to eat, and dive into God's word. I can't tell you how much this time means to me. It's just the re-charge I need to get my week going and it's nice to just be able to kick back and be yourself.

What does this have to do with my art journey? Everything!! Our friends shape us more than we can ever imagine. Sometimes more than our own families.

Neighbors, local, or online, I hope everyone has the great support group of friends that I've been so blessed with.

For this or other paintings I have available for sale on Ebay, click on the link at the above right.

Florida Channel

5 x 7 inches, Oil on Canvas board

Available after 11/27/2010

This Week...

Well, I got my worst grade ever in my Analysis of Form class this week. I had it coming though. Not enough time put into my assignment and my professor knew it. That seems to be the theme this week....not enough time. I have some commission work due before Christmas, 2 painting classes I teach to plan for, and the general holiday stuff looming over my head like a dark cloud waiting to burst. Oh well...situation normal I guess!! At least our EBSQ site is working better since the upgrade and I was able to upload my new paintings for ebay. (That was number 153 on my list of things to do this week! Ha!)

For this or other paintings available on Ebay, click on the link at the above right.
Summer Pasture
4 x 4 inches, Oil on Canvas Board
Available after 11/25/2010

EBSQ Self-Representing Artists

I'm a juried and lifetime member of EBSQ Self Representing Artists. Honestly without them, I don't believe I would have come this far as an artist. Now don't get me wrong, I feel that creating art is a journey. I don't think you "arrive", I think you constantly grow. However, the collaboration of other artists there, helped me not to be afraid of who I am. Their support, both with my business and art questions, has totally had a positive impact on my life and work. If you are creating art, join some sort of collaborative. You need people whom you can relate with and relay questions to.

Right now they have just updated the EBSQ web page. They're working on getting out all of the "bugs" and have been doing a fantastic job. I'm so thankful for places like EBSQ where artists like me can learn, grow, and even contribute.

http://www.ebsqart.com/

Morning Serenity At The Pond

5 x 7 inches, Oil on board

Available for purchase on ebay after 11/16/2010

To purchase this or other paintings by Kimberly Vanlandingham, click on the link at the above right.

Memories

This little painting is from memory. My Grandparents had a large farm that I roamed about on as a kid. Because Grandpa grew tobacco and harvested hay, there was always a tractor path at the edge of each field. I can't tell you how many times I was able to ride on the tractor with my Grandpa, or walked that path with their old dog Margo. It almost brings tears to my eyes now writing about it. I've passed that old farm many times in my car which now hosts a gorgeous home with the most beautiful horse barn I've ever seen. I'm so pleased that the new owners are preserving the land and running horses on it.

The Tractor Path

4 x 6 Inches Oil On Board

Available for Sale after 11/9/2010

For current paintings I have for sale, click on the link at the above right.

Daily Painting

It's funny how some days I have to force myself to get out the oils and get to work. Other days, I just can't wait. Today was one of those days. I've been doing mostly fall foliage from here at the farm. I did throw in a beach scene though. Maybe I'm so into painting today because I have homework to do!! My "Line & Form" class is strictly charcoal. I'm not really into black & white so I sometimes get to "craving" color after working on my school projects. OR...it could be that I just want to get out of working on my homework. After all, I like working on what I want to work on!!!!

The Back Pasture

Available for Sale on Ebay after 11/3/2010

5 x 7 inches, Oil on Board

Click on the link at the upper right to check out my work that's for sale this week.

Autumn

Well, the fall colors are in full swing all over the country. Here, because of the drought, we didn't have our usual fiery colored hillsides. It's still been pretty none the less.

Much of my time recently has been working on school projects and trying to keep up with my daily painting. I also help my boyfriend bring cars back (he has a small car lot) from different parts of the country. When I'm alone in the car on the road, much of my time is spent looking at the countryside, envisioning how I would paint it. It's the artist in me no doubt, but I can't help but to look for the purple in the trees.

Autumns Colors

5 x 7 Oil on board

Scheduled for Sale on Ebay 11/1/2010

Summer Moments

Right now, my horses are wishing they had thier summer fields back. Everything is so dry and brown around here in Kentucky. I guess I like painting these fleeting moments so I can go back and "re-visit" them whenever I please.

Though, me being one of those people who can see the good in things...it is nice to be so appreciated by my horses. I'm the "candy" lady now. They see me coming with the buckets of grain and some apples...I'm their new best friend!!!

Today I spent prepping my new planner and for the oil painting class I'm teaching in a couple days. After this weekend, I can relax again and go back to painting some more of my favorite places.

Shadows On The Field

4x4 inches

Oil on canvas board

Daily Painting

I'm painting nearly every day. Most weeks, between the line I sell on ebay or the paintings that I'm working on for the classes I teach, I've cranked out between 6 and 10 paintings. In addition, now that I'm back in school (hopefully this time to finish), I'm drawing and learning Creative Suite5. At the end of each day it seems like I've got paint under my nails, charcoal on my face, and liquin in my hair!! It's who I am though and I've never been happier. I treat each aspect of my work as several part time jobs ... that add up to full time hours. My work is definitely changing & evolving. I can't wait to see where it goes.

Forest Clearing
5 x 7 inches
Oil on Canvas Board

For this or other paintings available for purchase, go to Ebay and search for: Vanlandingham Original

Where has the time gone??

Well...this photo is where. No, that's not me and my twin sister. I don't have any sisters. That's one of my media class assignments for my classes this semester. The assignment was to "clone" yourself using photoshop. I spent hours and couldn't get it to work. I had visions of failing a class that the only reason I'm taking is because it was required as a fine art major. Finally after trying, and reading and downloading, one of my fellow students gave me a quick tip...one that wasn't in the required reading...and it worked like a charm. It was almost as simple as "cut & paste".

I'm not computer savvy. In fact, if you're working at an online helpdesk...you probably hate getting people like me to call. This computer stuff is like learning a new language to me. One that I don't care if I ever have to use again. That being said, I know this will help me. I'll probably appreciate it more once I'm not so stressed with the deadlines.

(Chuckle) If there were two of me...I would hope my other half would be a little more "electronically savvy".

Fall

Well, fall has begun...though you wouldn't know it from the weather here. It's still very dry and hot. Because of this, we aren't getting the color we usually get in the trees. Bummer. I still have some good photo ref's from previous years and I've done a few fall scenes, including this one. Fall...Where are you?

Untitled

4 x 6 inches

Oil on canvas board

Technology

Ok...so I am not among those who know technology. In fact, I always feel sorry for the help desk folks when I call in for help. I bought an HP Mini...which I love, but just found out that it's not capable of handling the Adobe Creative Suite...that I need for one of my classes. Aways something. On a cheery note though...the leaves are starting to turn here in Kentucky. I love the cool nights and the colorful hills this time of year. I guess I'll just try to think of that while I'm on hold waiting for software help this week!! Happy Fall everyone!

Summer Pasture
5 x 7 inches
Oil on Board
Sold

Back to School Time!

Well, it's that time of year...back to school. Believe it or not, that includes me too! I'm finishing my degree with the Academy of Art in San Francisco and I'm signed up for 2 classes this semester. I'm already swamped! (And Broke!) I still have more software to buy & forms for the drawing part of one of my classes. The drawing forms were $268 !!!! No kidding! Who would have known that cones & spheres were so expensive! (Ha!) Anyway, I know I'm not alone. Since I've spent all of my money, I'll spend some of my free time exploring the farm...which will no doubt inspire more paintings.

Rainy Morning
Oil on stretched canvas
6 x 6 inches
Sold

Summer's coming to an end

I can't believe that it's almost September! Where has the summer gone? I'm registered in school this fall and my classes start in 2 days! Two days! I totally lost track of time and now I'm rushing around the local art supply stores to get my supplies, trying to buy a laptop, and spending way more time on the computer to iron out all of the details. Details that I could have handled weeks ago. Why do I do this? Hmm...maybe I just like the excitement of a little stress. Ironically, most of my paintings are of peaceful places. Perhaps that's why I enjoy painting them so much. It's a way to sort of "get away" from the craziness of life.

Chilly Morning

5 x 7 inches

Oil on canvas board

Sold

Foothills

Well, school is back in session again, the days are getting shorter, the evenings are getting cooler, and soon the leaves will be turning on the trees. I'm looking forward to the change in season. We have so much color here in Kentucky and I intend to enjoy every minute of it.

Foothills
8 x 10 inches
Oil on Canvas Board
Sold

Red Barn

I definately have a thing for barns. I guess it has something to do with growing up near my grandparents farm and living in rural Kentucky.
My Grandfather always kept his barns stained black. I always thought that red barns had sort of a nostalgia to them and those were my favorites as a kid. Now it seems that most folks put up pole barns with siding. It's always a treat for me to see an old wood barn in any color still standing.

"Red Barn"
4 x 6 inches
Oil on Canvas Board
Sold

Small Headland

For those of you who have followed my work, you may see some familiar places over and over in my paintings. I love the farmland that I have access to and many times will paint the same pond or tree groupings with different colors depending on the time of year...or even the time of day. I spend a lot of time on the coast as well and my paintings reflect that also. I love capturing a moment, and keeping it in my memory. I look back on most of these scenes with nostalgia. It's like putting a piece of my memory out there for all to see.

"Small Headland"
6 x 6 inches
Oil on Stretched Canvas
Sold

Heat Of The Day

Heat Of The Day

4 x 6 Inches

Oil On Canvas Board

Sold

Well, right now I'm feeling the "heat of the day". It's not even 9am yet, and it's already muggy and hot. Typical August weather for us here in Kentucky. I complain about it, but I love this area. We have four seasons, lots of gorgeous countryside, yet all the conveniences of a big city.

Country Barn

Country Barn

4 x 6 inches

Oil on Canvas Board

Sold

Wildflowers At The Pond

WildFlowers At The Pond

4 x 6 inches

Oil on Stretched Canvas

Sold

Desert Pond

Desert Pond

8 x 8 inches

Oil on Canvas Board

Sold

Last year, I got to spend quite a bit of time out west. We hit the Grand Canyon, Sparks Nevada (to check out the horses at the BLM), and ended with a trip down the coast of California, then back up thru wine country. The colors there are so different that here in KY, but beautiful nevertheless.

Hidden Pond

Hidden Pond

8 x 8 inches

Oil on Canvas Board

Sold

This is one of my favorite paintings. It brings me back to some of my hiking trips down in Tennessee. Clear day, cool weather, beautiful scenery.

Florida Marsh

Florida Marsh

8 x 10 inches

Oil on Stretched Canvas

Sold

I've been so blessed to be able to spend a great deal of time in Southern Florida. The winters there are just fantastic. There's something about the green of the marsh grasses againt the reflected blue skies in the still water. I'm looking forward to spending more time there this winter again.

Quiet Creek

Quiet Creek

4 x 6 inches

Oil on canvas board

Sold

Canoe Path

Canoe Path

8 x 10 inches

Oil on canvas board

Sold

When I was younger, we would go canoeing at least twice a year. Usually once with the youth group at church and once with a group of friends. There's something to be said for how quiet (yes I said quiet...even with a group of young people) a canoe can be on the water. It's a great way to go birding, see the local countryside, and just hang with some close friends.

Three Trees

Three Trees

4 x 6 inches

Oil on canvas board

Sold

Blue Ridge Sunrise

Blue Ridge Sunrise

8 x 10 inches

Oil on canvas board

Sold

I love Tennessee. My family and I have spent many, many weeks down in the Smoky Mountain area. Even though I live in Kentucky (which is a state I love!), Tennessee has a "homey" feel to it for me as well.

Fall Pasture In The Rain

Fall Pasture In The Rain

8 x 8 inches

Oil on canvas board

Sold

Storm In The Hayfield

Storm In The Hayfield

5 x 7 inches

Oil on canvas board

Sold

Small Island With Trees

Small Island With Trees

5 x 7 inches

Oil on canvas board

Sold

Sunrise at Independence Pond

Sunrise At Independence Pond

8 x 8 inches

Oil on Canvas Board

Sold

There is a pond up where we keep our horses. Mornings are one of my favorite times there. There is always bird "action", sometimes there's a mist, other times it's just me and the horses startling frogs into the water. Even though you can't see any homes from the pond itself, it's nearly surrounded by development. I love capturing quiet moments like this.

Canyon Creek

Canyon Creek

8 x 10 inches

Oil on Canvas

Completed 2010

Sold

So...why do I choose to paint the paintings that I do each day? Unknown. Some days it could be my mood. Other days it could be a book or magazine I've finished reading. Again other days, it just may be nostalgia from my memories and it simply feels good to capture a moment on canvas.