Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Last days to see Bijou Art Exhibit

The Bijou Art Exhibit will end on Saturday, May 31st.  Still time to come out and see it if you haven't had a chance to do so. 

I sold Storm Over Cozumel on Sunday and replaced it with La Mariachi which sold today.  I'm always honored to have my paintings go to happy homes.

La Mariachi
Thank you and enjoy it as much as I did painting it!

Sunday, May 11, 2014

New Painting at the Bijou

The beautiful " Painted Bunting" has sold!  "Steer Among Us" will be taking its place.

While visiting the Texas Folklife Festival here in San Antonio, we were surprised to see this huge Longhorn steer being ridden by a cowboy right in the middle of the crowd. Never know what you"ll see at the festival. 

By the way, this is one of my left-handed paintings.  In 2013, I had problems with a growth on my right wrist limiting my being able to paint.  I decided to switch to the left hand and was amazed at what came out.  It's not easy but the brain will adjust and the paintings are very different in style from those done with the right hand.  It was like there was another artist in me,  one I didn't know.  Try it, you'll see what I mean.

Happy painting!
Steer Among Us 9x12

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Paintings at the Bijou and Stan Sperlak workshop

 Go by the Bijou Theatre Lobby and see the Texas Pastel Society exhibit.  Fourteen artists are participating including me.  I have five paintings up; Dance of the Cactus Flowers which was Second in Show judged by Doug Dawson, Storm over Leopold Vista, Painted Bunting, Storm over Cozumel,  and Marlin House at the Botanical Gardens.  All are originals and priced very reasonably.

Dance of the Cactus Flowers was named such because as I was looking at it, my eyes were going from one flower to the next, around and around.  It reminded me of a dance.

Storm over Leopold Vista;  we came across this beautiful park in New Mexico as we were making our way to Albequerque one year.  It was cold, drizzly, up in the mountains.  The road runs along the border of New Mexico and Arizona. A moment in time thing.

Painted Bunting; This gorgeous bird landed in my yard one day and I was stunned by its beauty.  After research, I found out it's native to Texas, particularly in north Texas and travels down to the valley.

Storm over Cozumel; On our one and only cruise, we went to Cozumel one afternoon.  So lovely. In the distance, we could see a storm developing, an awesome view.

Marlin House:  Our Botanical Gardens has a birdhouse for Marlins in the English garden.  They are fun to watch among the roses.


Stan Sperlak Plein Air Workshop

What fun! Yes, very tiring but very satisfied.  This was such a special workshop.  2013 was a difficult year in many ways and the Texas Pastel Society gave me the opportunity to energize and kickstart me as an artist.  It was touch and go for a while as I didn't know if I could do it because of health and family issues.The workshop was based at the Mary McIntosh Studio in New Braunfels.  Thanks Mary!

Stan is an excellent teacher and very commited to getting the point across.  I would highly recommend him to any artist.  Below you will see some moments from the workshop at the Ingram Ranch.  Enjoy.
Value study

15 minute sketch

demo at Bear Creek

I paint sitting down because of health issues

A happy time nontheless

Water coming out of the hillside


A scene I painted

Elk

Stan doing a silent demo,, only music

Done

End of the workshop - a happy ending
Thanks Texas Pastel Society! Thanks Stan!