Smaller formats for ebay auctions....

What a great winter and spring I've had!!  I did start back up my little ebay paintings and they can still be found at the link at the above right.  I'm mostly doing ATC or ACEO miniature sizes for ebay now.  That doesn't mean I won't throw in a few larger ones.  

 I've been collecting photos of Kentucky's wildflowers and look forward to doing some larger paintings from those references.  I had no idea there were so many!!  

Changing your mind....

One thing I've really allowed myself to do more this year is to change my mind in my work.  By that I mean, sometimes I'll start a painting...get pretty far and realize it's not working.  I used to try to force it, re-work it, cry & pray over it....well....no more.  Now don't get me wrong, I still cry, re-work, and re-do.  :-)  However, once I decide, it's not working, I put it away for a while.  If when I get it back out, I'm not re-energized to work on it, I let it go.  Just had one the other day.  Some foliage from one of my rambles about the farm.  36 x 36 inch canvas and  I just painted over it.  I'm doing more of this because I felt like I was wasting time on paintings, that weren't   "working" so to speak. 

I've ordered stretchers for the Hollyhock from my last post and can't wait to dive in on that one.  I've got a couple more large ones started as well.  I'll share them later.  

For this or other little paintings that I have up for auction on ebay, just click on the link at the above right. 

Little Blaze....

She's about a week old now, but was only two days old when I took these photos.  She was still very clumsy..it was so cute.  Needless to say, she's gotten much more agile and is a little cutie.  I would love to have gotten some better photos of her, but she was too curious about my phone. 

 

I love seeing these cool rushing waterfalls we have here in KY and this one in Tennessee. 

For this or other little paintings I have up for auction on ebay, just click the link at the above right. 





Some Rough Figure work...

Well, since I've been doing mostly drawing lately for my class, thought I would post one. Not many details in these yet, but she looks like a human female right! My first male drawings looked like Sasquatch without the hair! LOL! I'll no doubt cringe at this as I get better, but we all start out this way right!

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

Choosing paints

Many of you ask me what my favorite brand of oil paint is. Mostly I use Gamblin oils. I love, love, LOVE the creamy consistency, they are high quality, and they are so affordable. Do I have other brands in my oil box. You bet. Will I try other brands. Absolutely. I'm thinking of adding Vasari to my palette this year as a matter of fact.

For this or other paintings I have up for auction on ebay this week, just click on the link at the above right.

Chassie...

My little dog Chassie loves sleeping on her pillow. She's also now taken to getting covered up with one of her towels. I couldn't resist posting this photo of her.

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

Body of Work...

I've been spending time this year trying to get scholarships and grants to help pay for college. It's soooo expensive! I so wish I had just finished when I was younger and tuition was about 1/3 the cost it is now. Hind site is always 20/20 though. Anyway, many of the grant programs want to see a body of work from your portfolio that that shows your innovation in style and concept, technical proficiency, consistency etc. Which is all well and good, but part of why I'm continuing my education is so that I may develop all of those things further. It can be discouraging, though it hasn't stopped me from applying. My paintings are selfish. When I'm someplace that moves me, I want to stop time and hold on to that moment. Since I can't stop time, I capture it with a painting then I can re-visit it whenever I choose. I wish I had something more profound to say as to why I paint the things I do, but that is the honest truth.

This little 5 x 7 inch oil painting will be available for sale on ebay after 8/9/2011 by clicking the link at the above right.

Wish me luck....

Well, this week is "root canal week". I'm getting it done on Wednesday. Everyone keeps telling me it won't be bad...I'm hoping they're right! So today and tomorrow are mostly going to be me trying to get everything caught up for the week. I've also been trying to get more organized with some of my filing. I've not got a binder for school scholarships organized by date, and I'm starting one for upcoming art shows that I may want to submit too. For some of you, that may not seem like a big deal, but my last filing system for this was a box on a book shelf. I don't know why, but I'm inspired to paint more when things are organized around here.

This little 5 x 7 oil painting I call "Afternoon" is available for sale on ebay by clicking the link at the above right.

Changes...

I've really been exploring doing more studio still lifes. Now I'm torn because I like the control I have working in the studio. That may sound weird, but I do. However, I love the outdoors and I'm drawn to painting what I love there also. I think this year is sort of going to be a pivotal year for me with my work. I'm not sure if I'm at a crossroads, or if I'm just in for some serious refinement. I know many of you are going thru, or have gone thru this. I'm excited about it, but a part of me wants to jump to the end to see how it all turns out!!! I'm still planning on doing my little ebay jewels that I post here, but my larger works are in for some changes I think!!!

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

Warm Surf

5 x 7 inches, Oil on board