What I've Been Up To

I actually have been painting--just not as fast as I sometimes do--but I've been working with some new color schemes and am actually quite pleased. Here's a sampling of the panels I've completed this week.

How Long Does it Take?

I am often asked how long it takes to make one of my oil pastel drawings/paintings. I never really know how to answer that. This piece I did this afternoon--about 4 hours. But, that doesn't include taking the photograph from which I derived the painting, ordering the panel, storing it until I am ready to prep the panel--that includes sanding down the edges and adding a layer of red gesso. Then, once the image is on the panel, I have to use a spray fixative until it is no longer tacky--that means going outside to spray as the stuff is noxious, when the snow isn't clumping off the trees, or when the pine needles aren't blowing all over the place. Then there is drying time in between coast of the fixative. Next, I have to use my brush on-varnish --2 coats minimum, with drying time in between. This, of course, assumes that the varnish is in stock and that I have some. I'm down to my last inch of it and just received word from Jerry's Artarama that it is finally on its way to me (I got smart this time and ordered 4 bottles rather than 1 or 2.) Do I count the time I'm online re-ordering my supplies? Then once it is dry, I need to photograph it on a sunny day, outside, when the sun isn't shining on that side of the house (I found out yesterday that that has to be before 4 o'clock--at least this time of year.) Then I cut foamcore to fit the piece and cover that with glassine--it is how I protect the surface while traveling. Then Rees puts wires on the back--no other framing required!!! Yeah--no glass cleaning. The image gets uploaded into the computer at some point as well--although if you have noticed my website has not been updated in quite some time--On my list! So, you could say it takes 4 hours to do a 6 by 24 piece but in reality a lot more goes into it!

Merry Christmas!!!

I think these pictures speak for themselves! This is what I awoke to today! Before Halloween. I've got some customers coming to the studio today--better go try to get it tidy!

Appropriate Footwear

I know it has been two weeks since this Cottonwood show. But I've had oodles to do and hadn't yet uploaded any images from the weekend. While the show turned out really well (THANK YOU, ALL!), it was once again rainy and miserable during part of the show. I even had to bring out my famous wellies that I bought near the beginning of the show season. Let's hope the weather is better for next year's shows.

On that note, I'm home now with no shows for quite some time. You can expect some more of this blog--lots more pics of art, etc. And, I think I'll get the oils out again pretty soon and give them a go!

Thanks for your patience!

Be Careful!

A dear friend of my was in a terrible car wreck yesterday morning. In thinking about it, it occurred to me that I am actually surprised these sorts of accidents don't happen more often. I'm glad they don't. But, it underscored for me the need to be extra careful when driving! Judy is going to be okay and I'm thankful for that. But, if you are out driving, PLEASE be careful--stop when you are tired or can't devote all your attention to the task at hand.

Texas State Fair

Well, I forgot my camera so you can't see Big Tex on my blog but he was there, presiding over the Great Texas State Fair. Just so you know: I consumed 2 Fletcher's corny dogs, 1/3 order of chicken fried bacon, 1/3 order of fried peaches and cream (the award winning food this year), a lemonade, and a bite of caramel apple. I may never, ever eat anything fried again! (Probably an overstatement, but I definitely got my fill--seeing as I had started this fried thing the day before when I had a half of a fried oreo at the art show.) Probably didn't help that Rees & Laird made me go on a twirly ride that made me really dizzy! If you are anywhere close to Dallas--go to the fair. It is fun!!!!!

Oh, and by the way, Happy Birthday, Mom & Dad & Gail!!!!!!

Cottonwood Booth Assignment

For those of you who may be wondering--I've been assigned booth number 116. It is on the Rembrandt row about half way down on the east side of the little street that cuts through the park. It isn't the first aisle by Beltline but the second. Hope you can come out to the show!