where has the time gone?

Summer! I love this time of year... taking it slow, just like a "country time lemonade commercial" (remember those...).

Anyway, this summer has been far from slow. It is flying by with touring colleges, teaching art camps, visiting friends and family, driving the kids to work... It is all good, just busy.

I did want to mention that I was invited to be featured artist at a great little gallery (Blue Heron) in Volant, PA from August 1st to the 28th. I will do a demonstration on the first from noon to 2 pm and donate the painting to raffle for the gallery. I will be a the gallery till 4pm that day, visiting with whoever stops by. The gallery has a nice variety of items.... and the town has a trout stream, shops...

So, till I get some real painting time in....

Another Butler Model Session

This was done in watercolor, from life, in about an hour and a half. It was nice to do more than a head portrait. (Notice how I didn't have to worry about her facial features... so I could concentrate on the body proportions) I had some people ask me how can I work so fast. It really is practice. I teach my classes quick drawing techniques, simple plumb lines and shapes to look for... and it must have sunk in for me. I do demos for my classes. I figure they don't want to watch me paint the entire class time so I have been "practicing" drawing fast so that they can get to their own work. Every few days I am doing a demo... that makes for good practice! And again, a quick note, our model was very sweet and a big thank you to her!

Check out my Etsy shop

DSFDF PA hillside

I decided to do the latest DSFDF challenge since I missed the last one. I had no plan, pulled out the paints and picked a warm red for the sky. The rest just happened, lots of changes, and I added some branches to break up the space. A little study for a larger painting someday. It is only about 5 by 8 inches, done in watercolor in about 20 minutes.

my etsy shop

Weekly Portrait Session

Sometimes painting is like breathing. It comes so easy... and other times, it can be a struggle. Today was a struggle. The air was humid, the washes would not dry.... so many excuses... any valid? I don't know, but I still captured the feeling of the model and her pose. Maybe just not as clean as I would have liked. And a quick note - It was nice to meet someone like our model today. Very sincere and grounded... best of luck to her in her adventures!

stop by my etsy shop

Back Painting Again

Well, it seems like forever, but I was able to get to a portrait session today. Even though I didn't get the whole session in... late again! This watercolor took about an hour of painting time. Sometimes I think, especially with watercolor, a time limit helps to keep the focus and not to overwork the painting. It was really easy to pick colors today... got away from my purples... Check out my etsy shop.

Butler Session

This watercolor is from the latest model session at Butler Arts... I am enjoying these sessions and am learning how to apply my paint fast and which colors work. We end up with about 1.5 hours of paint time. I am trying to use less water so that the paper dries and I can layer without turning to mud. I offered to model last week (which was really fun) and am getting my summer class schedule out so I have not been painting much.... miss it, But as an artist/studio owner, the marketing has to come first. This summer I also plan to do some bigger paintings and less demos since I will have the time. Stay tuned! Oh and I also got my etsy shop open, but still need to list more of my work. It never ends, but at least I am not bored...

DSFDF Statue

This is the latest challenge from DSFDF. The challenge was to draw (paint if you must) the statue, full length just as it was in the photo. I chose to paint and draw with the ink to fit the challenge. (watercolor, ink 5x7 inches)

More Model Sessions

This one is from the model session this morning at the Associated Artists in Butler. 14x18inches/watercolor/1.5 hour

Went to a great model session at Double Door Gallery on Monday. Our model was really very good and I wish that I brought a camera so I could really capture her heavy eyelids and faraway look... My pencil sketches were quick, 5 minutes and the watercolors were 20 minutes (5x7) and 40 minutes(10x17). One of my students asked me, "why draw fast"? I think the more you practice the more the process become instinctual, so that you can focus on the detail if the main parts are there. I am sure there are many other reasons. I try not to overthink the process. I draw fast and practice so that I can spend more time painting. But if the drawing is wrong, the painting will be too. Fast and accurate.... I will post some of the sketches from the sessions later today.

Art for Shelter Animals Project

The Art for Shelter Animals project was something I wanted to do and I asked my studio class if they would like to participate. Well, it was YES they would! So I donated the time and materials to my students and had them do a watercolor, matted, of a shelter animal from the Butler County Humane Society. They did a great job! I am really proud of them! I will deliver the paintings and update the blog with what the shelter decides to do with the paintings. They have a fundraiser coming up so the timing couldn't be better. Go to Butler County Humane Society and Art for Shelter Animals to get more info. I painted the dog and cat above, 5x7 inches in an 8x10 mat.

UPDATE!!!!! The shelter was thrilled with the paintings. Thanks to all the great comments and it is good to know that we inspired many others to do the same in their areas. This project was contagious! The shelter chose to auction one of the paintings at the "Fur Ball" fundraiser this weekend and will hang the others in the shelter till November when they have their "Pawcasso" fund raiser. We will definately do this again next year!

ANOTHER UPDATE!!!!! The shelter ended up auctioning all but two of the paintings and they made $150 . The best part is that many of the paintings went to the staff and voluteers that had worked with some of the animals to get them adoptable. The were bought by other staff, directors... the gift that keeps giving....

Pastel Portrait

Update!!!
This is the painting in truer color and with the adjustments I made. Thanks for all the great tips on how to finish.

I have been working on this portrait in pastel. I find it helps if I photograph it and then look at it to see if I need to adjust anything. It helps me to decide if I am finished or not. I will look at it in the morning with fresh eyes and then decide.