Louise Mellon's Art

News from Louise

2012-01-18T09:21:00.001-08:00

I just found out that three of my pieces, "Love Among Friends", Puppy Pranks: Cover Me...Grandma's Goin' In The Pool!", and The Andalusian", have been juried into the Caladan Gallery's exhibition, "Creatures: Swim, Crawl, Fly". The exhibition will be posted online from February 1-29 on the gallery's website, www.caladangallery.com.

"Mare Mumblings: Hey! Watch Where You're Swinging That Thing!"

2012-01-06T17:03:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered what the polo ponies are really thinking? Especially if they have a player who's new to the game?

In Bernie's Dreams

2011-12-16T10:32:00.000-08:00

In case you missed this a while back, Bernie is now an elderly, portly cat who keeps the patients company in a large animal hospital and spends much of his awake time patroling the clinic at a dignified pace. But in his dreams, Bernie flies and effortlessly chases and flings mice around the sky. This is a 48" x 36", oil pastel and is owned by Bernie's loving veterinarian.

Is This Covered in the Rules?

2011-10-17T12:08:00.000-07:00

This player has enlisted the aid of a mischievous and fun loving canine to get to the goal...fast! The oil pastel is 24"x24" and is available for $950.

New Paintings

2011-10-17T12:03:00.000-07:00

"Oh, My...I Think There's A Duck On My Head" is a 12"x16", oil pastel on board, and is an illustration for an upcoming book. This piece is available for $800 plus shipping.

Can I Play, Too?

2011-09-20T16:08:00.000-07:00

This Yellow Lab is trying to convince her owner that she can really be a good ball player and retrieve the ball in splendid time! This is a 24"x36", oil pastel on board and is available for $2500 plus shipping.

New Paintings

2011-07-30T17:07:00.000-07:00

"Oh, Please Come Down A Little Closer!" In this 7"x5", oil pastel embedded in resin, the Labradoodle is using all of his persuasive powers to coax the rascal squirrels out of the tree...and into his mouth! "Oh, Please Come Down A Little Closer!" is available for $250, plus shipping.

New Paintings

2011-07-30T17:03:00.000-07:00

The polo ref has been waiting and waiting for the players to get into position...such patience! This is a 24"x24", oil pastel on board and is available for $1900, plus shipping.

New paintings

2011-07-30T17:00:00.000-07:00

"Virginia Summer", and a little red fox is serenely watching the sunset. This is a 7"x5", oil pastel on panel that has been embedded in resin. It comes framed and ready to hang. Virginians know how the sun lingers over the Blue Ridge mountains, letting us savor the last colorful moments of the day. It is available for $250, plus shipping.

Rodeo paintings

2011-06-24T15:46:00.000-07:00

Here are two fun paintings, both 18"x24" in oil pastel, showing the funnier side of bull riding, considered the most dangerous eight seconds of any sport! You may also see them, and their particulars, on my website, louisemellon.com.

Shove

2011-02-24T08:31:00.000-08:00

Here is the most recent polo painting, finished this morning. "Shove" is an oil pastel on paper, 23" x 17" and is available. I am represented by The Chisholm Gallery, Millbrook, NY, and they may be contacted at info@chisholmgallery.com, and 845-373-8370. Jeanne Chisholm has mounted a stunning show of many artists at the Willcox Hotel in Aiken, SC, with everything from paintings, sculptures, memorabilia, needlepoint and photographs to dioramas and mixed media works. This show will be up through March 2nd, at which time there will be an artists' reception highlighting my work and the entire show. I am happy to announce that "Spring Brake" has gone home with a new collector.

Show Bull Jumping Final

2011-01-31T13:14:00.000-08:00

Here is the finished Show Bull Jumping, ready to give you a chuckle!

Show Bull Jumping 3

2011-01-28T17:49:00.000-08:00

I hope this makes you smile...it's almost finished and it's quite silly! I've had so much fun painting this. The final will be here next.

Show Bull Jumping2

2011-01-25T16:48:00.000-08:00

The layers are being added gradually and it looks like this bull is a water jumper! Great fun!

Show Bull Jumping 1

2011-01-13T13:42:00.000-08:00

Here is the first view of the progress on Show Bull Jumping! These are the first layers of this very large piece, and the current colors will change quite a lot. My daughter Jennifer, who competes in international show jumping, will undoubtedly call me right away to add her comments (or express her horror!). Lots of fun, and do share it with your friends who need a bit of cheering up today.

Gallery Representation

2010-12-15T11:10:00.000-08:00

I am delighted to announce that my polo work is now represented by The Chisholm Gallery of Millbrook, NY. Jeanne Chisholm is well known for her forward thinking and creativity in providing collectors with the finest sporting art and antiques. Please visit her website, http://chisholmgallery.com, and peruse the many talented artists in her stable. I am so pleased to be included in her roster...you will see that I am in really good company! To find my work, go to "Search Artists" on the right side of her home page, click on "By Name", and you'll find my name and my paintings. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Frolicking

2010-11-27T15:09:00.000-08:00

This piece is a children's book illustration and is almost finished. Two doggies doing what doggies like to do best...play!

Frolicking

2010-11-03T13:05:00.000-07:00

Here is the beginning of "Frolicking", an oil pastel on Claybord, 12"x24". Great fun! Also, ribbons at the Western Carolina State Fair, "Five Rabbits in a Forest" won a first, "Polo Picnic" won a second, and "The Andalusian" won a second.

The resin pourings are doing great and I'll post those next time. I'm back in the studio full time again, and will take time out to compete in the American Competition Trail Horse Asso. rides; the next one will be in December in Aiken. Can't wait...time to get the Connemara pony out of mothballs and get us both in shape!

New Pieces

2010-10-18T13:52:00.001-07:00

"Playing by the Beach", is an oil pastel on board, approximately 18" x 24". "Polo Down Under", a mixed media 18" x 18", is the final of Wax Spin seen in an earlier post. It has fish and other creatures swimming around with real shells, and the ball is being commandeered by a fish at the bottom left. It sold at the show in Middleburg, VA. "Steeplechase" is an 18" x 24", oil pastel on board.

New pieces to be posted

2010-10-05T18:03:00.000-07:00

Here is Ruffles guarding the prints that have pencil illustrations at the bottom. Animals are always welcome in the studio and there are many cozy beds scattered around for snoozing. Also, here is a diorama called The Polo Picnic, and it measures about 14" wide and 10" tall. The background is from one of my paintings, and the foreground has many details and goodies: a little dog about to scarf down someone's unguarded sandwich, bottles of Gilbey's Gin and Chevis on the table, a cake, pastries, cheeses, Cokes and grapes underneath, and a bucket of carrots and apples on the chair with a halter, polo mallet and ball close by. There are plants, grass, a little fence, and a basket of watermelons. This piece will go on the website when I return from the World Equestrian Games in KY, but if you are interested in investing in this fun work that is guaranteed to make you smile, you may reserve it now for $500.00. More detailed photos from different angles are available.

Paintings in the Nandina window

2010-10-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

The box for In The Sleepy Country has been built, I'll hand rub some white color into it, and then I'm ready for the resin pour. Meanwhile, Nandina, here in Aiken, carries my work, and here is a photo of their current window with four of my paintings. Nandina offers fine home furnishings and design services, especially for the growing polo community that is establishing polo playing and breeding farms in and outside Aiken. We now have, at last count, forty eight polo fields!

In The Sleepy Country

2010-10-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

Here is In The Sleepy Country, a very mixed media piece of paper, wax, oil pastel, crayon, ink, fabric, plastic, canvas. It is 12" x 24", and is the experimental piece to embed in resin. I hope it works. Ah, what fun!

A question for you

2010-09-19T15:22:00.000-07:00

I've just completed a piece that is encaustic (molten wax) and mixed media (plastic, oil pastel, paper, fabric, pen, etc.), and I'm wondering if any of you know about encasing encaustic in resin? I'll post the piece next time...drumroll in anticipation...before I ruin it by experimentation. Resin, while it cures, becomes very hot and that could lead to some pretty undesirable melting effects with wax! Maybe I could put a thin skin on it first which wouldn't heat up the piece too much, and then the work would be protected for the next pouring of resin. Just thoughts...any advice?
It feels good to get back in harness again in the studio. Life is good! I'm reading a really interesting book called The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin. She dedicated a year to figuring out how to be happier; it's a wonderful and instructive read guaranteed to make you thoughtful, in a happy way, about your own life.
A little chuckle for you: my sister recalls seeing a garbage truck many years ago driving through the little town of The Plains, VA that stated on its side, "Satisfaction guaranteed or double your garbage back". Have fun today!

I'm back

2010-09-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone, I'm back from a long time out. I had a month long show at the Byrne Gallery in Middleburg, VA and then another month's show at the Lombardi Cancer Center in Washington, DC.

I was asked to provide awards for the winning team of a 20 goal polo match, also in VA, so four large prints, with unique hand drawn illustrations at the bottom, were given to the victors.

I am switching everything over to my new website, so if you are on littlehouseart.com, please go to louisemellon.com and see the new pieces that have ben added. Very soon, the switch will take place completely. This blog is available on both sites.

I have been busy taking encaustic workshops working in molten wax and producing pieces in that medium. Several mixed media pieces were sold before I could get them on the website. I was so exhausted from the three shows, one here in Aiken, one in VA and one in DC, that I had to take a break. But, I'm back at work in the studio again and producing fun pieces very suitable for Christmas presents.

Margueritaville is once again pumping out on my stereo, and I've got renewed energy to "get on with it"!

Wax Spin

2010-04-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

What an experiment! This is an encaustic piece, painted in wax and oil pastel on board. I hope to finish it tomorrow. It is a challenge painting on such a rough, textured surface, but I need to keep challenging and pushing myself to grow as an artist.

Handy

2010-04-11T15:31:00.000-07:00

This piece is a 20"x20" oil pastel on wood board. Hopefully it will be finished tomorrow. I have several pieces "resting" and waiting for the paint to set a bit before finishing.

Mare Mumblings

2010-04-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

This is an oil pastel on wood board, almost finished, and about 20" x 20". The title is: "Mare Mumblings: Oh, Good Grief...Would You Just Look Down?"

Tanglewood

2010-04-07T10:47:00.000-07:00

This is one of the candidates for the program cover of the Tanglewood Steeplechase.

show at ACA

2010-03-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

Here are photos of the show that just ended at the Aiken Center for the Arts. Six pieces sold.

Show update

2010-03-14T12:27:00.000-07:00

The shows at the Aiken Center for the Arts have gone well with two pantings sold at the previous Sporting Art show, and six sold so far at the current show. I'll photograph the show and post it soon.

Best Buds

2010-02-22T06:04:00.000-08:00

Here is the final for Best Buds, which has been framed, and is going to be delivered to the Aiken Center for the Arts as part of my show that opens Thursday. I sold two paintings at the Sporting Art show here, Summer Afternoon and Bareback.

I Think I Can and Best Buds

2010-02-14T15:33:00.000-08:00

"I Think I Can" is an experiment using colored pencil and oil pastel on an 8"x 10" Clayboard. This little pony is going to make a mighty effort to grab the apple! It would make a great children's book illustration."Best Buds" is an 8" x 10"oil pastel that was given a first coat of acrylic to seal the paper. It was started on a large piece of paper and will come down to the 8" x 10" size when finished.

Before the Race

2010-02-11T13:11:00.001-08:00

This piece is now finished. I had to wait several weeks for the paint to set up somewhat, although oil pastel never fully dries. This is a portrait of Pal's Pride, owned by Kevin Pallister of Camden, SC.

Head and Head

2010-02-11T13:08:00.000-08:00

Here is the final for Head and Head. It looks much better in person than my photo.

Bay and Gray

2010-02-08T11:40:00.000-08:00

This is the midway point in Bay and Gray. More layers to come.

2010-01-22T07:01:00.000-08:00

This piece is coming along and I hope you feel the action of the gallop!

Polo 1

2010-01-19T07:36:00.000-08:00

Here is the midway point on this polo piece. I've had requests for more polo, so here is one of several in the works. This one is oil pastel on canvas, and is 30" x 40".

Cover Me 5

2010-01-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

Here is the finished piece and the final title is "Puppy Pranks: 'Cover Me! Grandma's goin' in the Pool'!" Maybe someone could give me the correct punctuation for all the quote marks and exclamation points.

Cover Me 4

2010-01-12T15:52:00.000-08:00

This is almost finished and now you can see what's going on. The new title is "Puppy Pranks: 'Cover Me! Yeh...Granny's Goin' in the Pool'!" I love being an illustrator and telling stories with my art. I hope this one made you smile!

Cover Me 3

2010-01-09T16:19:00.000-08:00

What do you suppose Grandma and Auntie are looking at so intently? Tune in tomorrow to see!

Cover Me 2

2010-01-08T16:01:00.000-08:00

Now can you see what's happening? The full title is "Puppy Pranks: 'Cover Me! I'm Goin' In To Bite Some Butt!' ". Grandma and Auntie have no idea what the little brat is up to this time! Stay tuned!

Cover Me 1

2010-01-07T13:07:00.000-08:00

This is going to be a surprise for you! It is an oil pastel on canvas, 24" x 36". Watch what happens!

The Andalusian

2010-01-06T13:52:00.000-08:00

Here it is almost finished. I have had a lot of fun painting this one, even though there were major holiday delays. I've had suggestions from all who have seen it to leave the background white, so I've done that and I like the simplicity of it. The next painting is for The Corgi Family's Afternoon at the Pool book. Yipee!

Andalusian 1

2009-12-12T12:29:00.000-08:00

This work is inspired by a beautiful Andalusian and rider I saw perform at the Windsor Horse Show at Windsor Castle a few years ago. Such concentration and grace on the part of both that it just had to become a painting. This one is oil pastel on 24" x 32" canvas.

Before the race 3

2009-12-04T08:50:00.000-08:00

I have to let the paint rest a day or two before I can make further corrections as the upper layers are very soft and my oil pastel sticks will move the under layers instead of going over the top of them. So, on to another one. I have a show coming up here in Aiken in February and am under the gun to produce several more new works that have not been exhibited at this venue. I really like working in the kitchen, and I can't wait to get into my new space that is being added onto the south side of the kitchen. It will be sunny and cheerful with ceilings high enough that I don't bump my head! I have set the production bar high to make sure I deserve this wonderful new space, and I'm obligated to do my very best work and plenty of it!

Before the race 2

2009-12-02T15:39:00.000-08:00

This one is going fast and has been a lot of fun! I really like painting in my kitchen...closer to the snacks. Maybe I can finish it tomorrow.

Before the race

2009-12-01T12:24:00.000-08:00

Here is the start of a new piece in oil pastel. It's 36" x 48", a really large piece. It was too big for my attic space and low ceilings, so I moved my good easel down to the kitchen, got Marguaritaville playing on my laptop for cheerfulness, and it's coming along. I was inspired by the recent fall steeplechase races here in Aiken, on the backside near the start, as many of the riders let their horses go up to and see the first fence. This jockey had such a look of confidence in his horse, and joy in his job, that I knew I had to do a painting of the pair.

Oops 3

2009-11-21T15:50:00.001-08:00

Here is the next step...a folding back of the leaders beside the wheelers in a four-in-hand team. Oops! Another layer to come tomorrow.

Oops 2

2009-11-16T14:39:00.000-08:00

Here is the next step in Oops!..keep watching to see how this one plays out.

Rabbits in the Forest

2009-11-16T14:35:00.000-08:00

There are five rabbits hiding in the peacock feather grass next to a clearing in the forest. This piece is about 20" x 12", very mixed media and will be finished soon. I did another tiny piece, 2" x 2" but it didn't photograph well..more rabbits.

New drawing

2009-11-02T08:27:00.000-08:00

Here's the beginning of a new piece, a surprise situation that carriage driving competitors don't relish happening.

New pieces

2009-11-02T08:12:00.000-08:00

The collage I posted called "Hope" has morphed into an entirely different work. It is now "Rabbit Eyes", pictured here. What can I say?...an artist's mind works in digressions and sidebars, just for the fun of it! It's going to be finished today and there will be another photo to come. I love working with feathers and the colors of nature are intoxicating to me. I am so grateful to be able to see them.

Busy week

2009-10-23T08:46:00.000-07:00

I've been hard at work in the studio this week! First, "Is Breakfast Ready Yet?", bottom left, is finished. I wish I had a better photo of it for you, but it goes today to be professionally photographed, and then prints will also be available.

Next is a re-painting of "The Wheelers", bottom right. This one is in the middle stages of completion.

And then a new one, "The Muse", top left. There will be an opportunity for a viewer to do a double-double take to figure this one out. Great fun!

And, finally, "HOPE!", top right. This is a mixed media work, experimental, and a great learning experience to work with new materials.

The foundation was poured for my new studio, and I've found many visitor, critter foot prints to be forever embedded in the now dry cement.

2009-10-18T13:48:00.001-07:00

I've added more contrast...the darks are darker with more delineation of the main shape from the background. Still more work to do on the face, but it's coming along. Just in case you want to see a pony I have for sale, you'll love the YouTube video I have up for him. Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT48ovSujSA and watch some of the tricks all the ponies here perform...and, of course, he paints!

Is Breakfast Ready Yet? 2

2009-10-13T07:19:00.000-07:00

I've added some cool yellows and greens in the background to give this piece more interest and placement in a morning environment. Still some corrections to make, but it's coming along well in time for my deadline for the Barn Book/Florida. Maybe I'll do another one so thet the Barn Book has a choice. Suggestions are always welcome!

Is Breakfast Ready Yet? 1

2009-10-12T15:26:00.001-07:00

Here is the next step of laying in colors, and starting to get the background lighting. I really have so much fun with these paintings, and I hope they bring you pleasure in seeing them come to life. Thanks for watching!

Is Breakfast Ready Yet?

2009-10-11T11:27:00.001-07:00

I got further along with this piece for the Florida Barn Book cover than I realized, and I'm sorry not to have shown you the basic drawing first. This is an oil pastel, 18" x 24" on Gesso Board, and they wanted a horse at a gate in a misty morning setting. My friend, Elin Pendleton, www.elinart.com, has a new DVD in the works on just this foggy lighting, and I wish I had it now to refer to. She is a master in different lighting and I encourage you to go view her work. This is just the first layer and there will be many more to come, with reflected colors of the morning sun trying to come through. Please feel free to coach me or offer suggestions!

Barn Book FL 1

2009-10-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

I am taking a little departure from serious work into playing with my encaustic materials, which means building and painting with wax. A corner of my studio has been set up just for such play and I've included a piece in progress of a rooster. This will be whimsical and fun to hang on a wall.

I've also started an oil pastel for the Florida edition of the Barn Book and will include the sketch next time. Ground has been broken today on my new studio and I am looking forward to having enough room to stand up straight and not bump my head on the eaves on a regular basis...well, that's a true attic for you!

Bareback 5

2009-10-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

Here is Bareback and it goes to the photographer tomorrow. This is for the show, Women on Women, at the Aiken Center for the Arts. On to the next painting!

Bareback 4

2009-09-29T19:32:00.000-07:00

Oh, my...some experimenting is going on here. I think I have a tiger by the tail! Tune in tomorrow to see what happens next.

Bareback 3

2009-09-29T07:21:00.000-07:00

Here is the next step. I see problems with it and need to figure out what corrections to make without starting over. Each painting is such a learning opportunity. For the sake of modesty, do you think the girl should have breeches, boots and a hunt cap on? I'd like to leave it the way it is, but if I use this piece in an ad, will it offend people? Thanks for your input. You can email me at corgis3@bellsouth.net. I will still leave her "bareback", however.

Bareback 2

2009-09-28T10:33:00.000-07:00

Here is the next step with Bareback. See what I meant when I said this was going to be fun?

2009-09-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

I have been dying strips of old stable towels for The Dancing Tree, and, in the meantime, I've started Bareback. This is going to be fun! It's for a show here in Aiken called Women On Women, it's an oil pastel on gesso board, 18"x 24", and will be for sale. Also, a reminder that most of my paintings are now available as giclee prints, slightly smaller than original size and they are $85 each. Just send me an email if you would like to make a purchase.

The Dancing Tree 1

2009-09-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

Here, as promised, is the next step on The Dancing Tree. I'm following a suggestion to give it color, so here goes. There are many layers to be added, and this piece will be substantial...as in weighty! All the texture comes from pulling threads out of an old stable towel, laying them down with acrylic medium, bit by bit, and giving that old towel new life as a work of art. The frolicing rabbits are there on the left and they will be joined by maybe an owl in the hole in the tree, all in sculptural relief. This is an arduous and lengthy process, so I'll be working on another piece at the same time as a break. The Dancing Tree will be strong and very touchable, so I'm hoping that even sight impaired viewers will have the fun of finally being encouraged to feel the art!

One more thing...The Offering has been featured on the cover of Sidelines magazine and you can see it by going to http://www.sidelinesnews.com/. They also did a very nice writeup about moi...gee, shucks. You're an insider because you got to watch as this painting came to life, step by step. The original is for sale ($2450) and prints are available ($85 plus tax and shipping).

See you next time!

Home again

2009-09-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

Hello again. I'm back from the carriage driving competition, The Laurels near Unionville, PA, in one piece. The weather was windy, winter coat cold, and rain blowing sideways. Many vendor booths had rivers of water flowing through them. We had to move several items away from the tent leaks and rain blowing in, but we managed. I had, fortuitously and by chance, taken a large box of yellow rubber ducks with me which we gave out to everyone in honor of the weather. We also were very popular because we had a bowl of chocolates for visitors! We featured a beautiful 1905 English antique carriage that everyone enjoyed. There was a slide show going on at the front so visitors could see works that were not present in the booth. So, now I'm back in the studio, preparing new works for a show this winter. The Dancing Tree has been brought out to be finished and I will post a photo of it tomorrow. Many thanks!

Preparing for The Laurels

2009-09-03T06:57:00.000-07:00

I've taken the plunge and purchased a professional booth setup for my vendor space. This booth will last a very long time, I hope. We put it together for a trial run last night and it's a good thing we did! It was tough and I'm glad we had a contractor friend as captain of the project. But now it's done, and my sales partner, Sarah, and I won't be struggling to set it up at the last minute at the show. I'll put a picture of it on the blog when we get set up for real. I have also gotten very nice giclee prints made of many of the images, and they are for sale as well. Until next time...

Update

2009-08-31T18:47:00.000-07:00

Hello, again. I worked on the polo painting in a previous entry to take it to The Laurels. I came to the conclusion that it was not up to my archival standards, meaning it's longevity was in question concerning the stability of the experimental materials used. So, after taking a nice long look at it, I destroyed it. I had to make that decision for the protection of a future collector and to maintain my reputation as a reputable artist. Did it hurt to tear it up into tiny pieces? Yes! But it had to be done. Then I went to The Wheelers and determined the same thing, as similar products were used in that piece. Yes, that one is gone too. Two paintings destroyed in one day, but my conscience is clear that a collector has my word that a painting of mine will retain its integrity and value. On to the next project...

Hi, Everyone,

2009-08-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the silence. I went to the NC mountains for a week of guitar camp at the John C. Campbell Folk School...lots of fun and I learned so much. I am preparing to leave for The Laurels Driving competition in Unionville, PA in about a week to set up a vendor booth where I will display and sell my paintings. Here are final photos of Barnyard Mayhem and In Bernie's Dreams. The colors are much brighter in person than in these photos. I hope they make you smile!

In Bernie's Dreams

2009-08-12T09:47:00.001-07:00

It's almost finished and shortly it will leave to be photographed and framed. It's final title is "In Bernie's Dreams". The whiskers and claws are on, some mouse details and clouds...I'll take a few minutes to give it the last tweak and off we go. A much better photo of it will be available in the Gallery on the website. On to the next one!

Cat on catnip 6

2009-08-11T17:33:00.000-07:00

My deadline is tomorrow! I think I can make it! I'll finish the details tomorrow...one more set of whiskers, a few more clouds, a few surprise flecks of color. The title will change...will sleep on it tonight. This piece has been a major challenge and I have learned so much by doing it. And, yes, Bernie the cat really is that fat with a head that is dwarfed by his "ample physique"! I imagine that Bernie, who is about 15 years old by now, dreams of a flying mouse fest of days gone by. Happy dreaming, Bernie!

Cat on catnip 5

2009-08-10T13:26:00.000-07:00

Here is the surprise of the mice cavorting around the cat! The sky has its first layer. I have two days to finish this painting and get it to the photographer and framer. This is going to be tight...there is much left to be done!

Cat on catnip 4

2009-08-07T09:49:00.000-07:00

My deadline to get this finished is approaching fast! But it's coming along nicely. I'm really trying to get the likeness of the cat, and put him in the sky cavorting and feeling frisky. Almost time for the surprise!

Cat on catnip 3

2009-08-05T05:17:00.000-07:00

Again, I apologize for the photography and lack of white lighting, but you can see the progress on this piece. It's coming along well and I'm happy and grateful to have had this challenge. This kitty is named Bernie, and he is flying and frolicking. The background really is white, so I hope to show you the true colors later in better light.

Cat on catnip 2

2009-08-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the bad lighting on this painting...but maybe you can see the progress made on the bottom right cat anyway. I think some of the postures will be changed a bit to improve the composition, but we'll see. I love the flexibility of oil pastel on generously applied acrylic medium on board. Double edged sword, however, as the painting smears easily and never dries. That's why these artworks have to be framed with a spacer under glass or Plexi...to protect the surface from being bumped and smeared. That's also why I always wear old clothes while painting..otherwise all my clothes would be stained. It's a messy medium!

Cat On Catnip 1

2009-08-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

Barnyard Mayhem needs to rest a bit to let the paint set, so here's the beginning of the kitty I mentioned earlier. It's called Cat On Catnip and there will be a surprise addition at the end to make this painting even more fun. This is a big painting...32" x 40" on heavily prepared foam board. This is a huge undertaking for me with three kitties on one surface, but it's a good challenge and I hope it will complete the way I see it in my mind. Can you tell that I have a whopping good time making these creations? Silliness is one of my essential life elements!

Barnyard Mayhem 5

2009-07-26T16:10:00.000-07:00

Well, the surprise is appearing! This pony is feeling his oats and is racing around the barnyard scattering the chickens every which way. These are the base coats. I hope to finish this piece tomorrow and see what colors pop up!

Barnyard Mayhem 4

2009-07-21T17:19:00.000-07:00

I took a gamble on the background color, but now I think it's perfect as a contrast to the Welsh Cob pony. Pretty soon the "surprise" will appear!

Barnyard Mayhem 3

2009-07-20T16:35:00.000-07:00

Layer after layer...it gets a little scary to me sometimes, too. I'm always juggling and balancing color and value, lights and darks, cools and warms. This is a large painting, 30" x 40", for my little studio! Can't wait to get to the "surprise" that will appear last in the bottom right corner!

Barnyard Mayhem 2

2009-07-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

Here we go again with the laying down of some very strange colors, but it will all make sense later. I took a few days off to hostess my mother for a visit and her 92nd birthday. At the party, the ponies performed their circus tricks for everyone. I think there should be a painting in my future of circus ponies...using home talent!

Barnyard Mayhem

2009-07-12T14:32:00.000-07:00

This piece is 30" x 40" on illustration board. It has three layers of gesso and four layers of gel medium to seal the board, as well as sealing on the edges. Oil pastel can get into the fibers of an illustration board, so the multiple sealings keep everything where it should be. The background is acrylic around the drawing. This one will have a surprise in the bottom right corner, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, there is a very special cat that is waiting to appear on the next piece, and as a message to his loving caregivers, his board is 30" x 42" and is getting the multiple sealings, as well. This process can take up to a week as each layer must dry thoroughly before the next layer can be applied.

So very much fun!

Vigilance

2009-07-12T14:30:00.000-07:00

It's finished and will go to the photographer tomorrow. Yippee!

Polo 5

2009-07-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

I'm in the final stages on this one. One more post to show the finished piece coming right up!

Polo 4

2009-06-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

This piece is progressing slowly but it's coming along. Getting the details is important, but hard. I need to be true to my impressionistic style... but you can't fool horse people and they will know immediately if an artist doesn't know the subject!

Polo 3

2009-06-25T15:22:00.000-07:00

Progress is being made on this polo piece. I've been working on several small works at the same time and I'll post those later, as well. They are definitely not serious pieces!

Rooster 1

2009-06-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

Goodness! Look who's popped in to join us! You know I just can't keep the barnyard out of my studio. This piece is in progress, and it's about 4" x 6", mixed media...hand painted paper, gel pens, crayons, markers, and whatever strikes my fancy at any given moment.

Polo 2

2009-06-20T14:56:00.000-07:00

Can you see what's happening now? The story will unfold bit by bit.

Polo

2009-06-19T10:31:00.000-07:00

Here is the new one just started. It is on heavy watercolor paper, gessoed and painted with red acrylic. I am using oil pastel again. Polo is so popular here in Aiken, and, as of last count, there are forty eight public and private polo fields in the area. Stay tuned to see this one evolve.

Trot Out 3

2009-06-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

The Trot Out is just about finished. Did I leave anything out? Should I take out, or put in, anything? This will go to the photographer tomorrow and then to the framer. As with the painting before, you get a discount for watching the blog and the price to you is $500. The website price will be $700. On to the next one!

Trot out 2

2009-06-14T15:30:00.000-07:00

Here's the next step in this painting. I hope to have the colors jump out at you when it's finished, and that you can tell that the man and horse have their feet in the air. When the shadows are put down, that will help. But patience, patience. That comes later. I'm afraid this snapshot doesn't show the current, true colors.

Trot out 1

2009-06-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

I've started this painting on illustration board primed with turquoise acrylic. It's about 14" x 14", and it is inspired by watching the horses at a driving competition being trotted out in front of the judges and veterinarians for a soundness check before the rigors of the competition begin. I'm laying in the base colors and these paintings are always a surprise to me, so we'll see where it goes.

Love Among Friends

2009-06-12T14:05:00.000-07:00

It's finished! It's name is "Love Among Friends" and please let me know if you see something that needs correcting. This one is approximately 16" x 19" and the price to you all is $850, plus framing and shipping, before it goes onto the website and the general public for $1150. So, off to the photographer it goes. I wish you could see it in the flesh...it's much nicer than in this snapshot.

Corgi and kitty 4

2009-06-10T17:02:00.000-07:00

Hi, everyone. This piece is getting close to being finished. I have had a lot of fun painting this, especially the expressions. The green on the bottom has to rest a little as the oil pastel in that particular color is very soft and needs to firm up before I can lay anything on top and have it stay. And, guess what? The whiskers and details can finally be added...the best part! Love and trust know no boundaries with these friends.

Corgi and kitty 3

2009-06-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

The layers have to rest a bit so I can add more without smudging. The whiskers are hard to resist painting in, but I have to be patient and do them last to make sure that the colors under them will be permanent.

Corgi and kitty 2

2009-06-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

Ah...love and friendship! These two are best buddies and trust each other completely. A lesson to us all! More under layers are falling into place with texture building up, as well.

Corgi and Kitty 1

2009-06-06T15:30:00.000-07:00

Here is the beginning of an oil pastel on a green acrylic ground, about 18" x 18", and this one is a hoot to paint! The bottom layers are being laid in and, hopefully, this will "purr" right along.

Belle 4

2009-06-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

Belle is most likely finished. There is a little surprise in the painting...can you find it? It will go to the photographer tomorrow, then framed, and sent to Belle to put on the wall of her crate to relax her into napping.

Belle 3

2009-05-25T15:55:00.000-07:00

Belle is almost finished and I hope she likes it. What a cute doggie!

The Wheelers 4

2009-05-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

I took a risk and did a gloss medium pour over the whole painting and then added transparent inks and water soluble pastels. I'm working on this four-in-hand going through the water on a cones course in a competition. This is great fun!

Belle 2

2009-05-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

I was not happy with the way Belle began so I started again with a new board and a different composition. Hopefully, this will go along better now. The underpainting this time is orange. She looks like she has accomplished a lot in her "office time"!

Belle 1

2009-05-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

"The Wheelers" has been put away to rest and let the paint set a bit. In the meantime, here is the beginning of "Belle", who was photographed by her person after an exhausting job of helping in the office... by tearing up papers pilfered from the waste basket! This is going to be a tough portrait to do. The reference photo is posted here, and I have some other photos of markings. This one is 18" x 18" on gallery wrapped canvas, watercolor underneath, and maybe on top. also. We'll see. This is in the experimental category...which means that I will probably lie awake at night noodling over how to get it right. Suggestions are always welcome!