Art Shows

One of Oklahoma City's largest outdoor art festivals will be this Labor Day weekend on the grounds of Oklahoma City Community College, also known as OCCC. It's a great show and lots of wonderful people come to visit. I've been in it for the last four or five years and it's a wonderful place to meet new and interesting people.

I think I have everything ready to go except for the packing which my husband will do. I'm not organized enough for that part.

It's going to be four long hot days and if I'm still kicking after it's all over I'll let you know how it went.

The Party's Over - Oil on Canvas

I'm going to show this as a step by step of a painting I just finished. Well actually more like how I started out. I seem to have gotten a little lax on photos toward the end.

This is a 30" x 24" canvas gallery wrapped. I wanted to get some paint on the edges for two reasons. One was to get some color on and to cover the white and the other was to protect the canvas around the corners. This is a grey acrylic.

Next I draw what I am going to paint using a thin mixture of oil paint and turp. At this point I am mainly trying to get my size and placement of the objects. The colors I'm using is not all that important and I'm not looking for any small details.



Here I've gotten a little further along with drawing in my objects and have used the wash to block in my larger masses.






Now that I have my large masses placed where I want them I now want to get rid of the white background. At this point I haven't decided yet on colors, I'm just more or less poking around for values. Still using the thin oil and turp wash. As soon as I get the white of the canvas covered, I'll start working more on values and experimenting with colors. And, get that darned glass stem straightened.

The Party's Over 30" x 24" gallery wrapped canvas $850.00

Poppies - Oil on Board

Poppies 5" x 7"

I've been so neglectful due to my recent run-in with the scapel, but I think I'm pretty much back on the road to recovery. At least I can type a little better.

This little painting is going to be entered in a local OAG (Oklahoma Art Guild) miniature show. Should be lots of fun. Must run, but I'll be back soon.

Still one handed....

Still one handed, but I'm trying to look at the humorous side....see my squidoo lense for a few laughs http://www.squidoo.com/one-handed

One-handed

Silverback
14" x 11" clayboard etching

Let me first say that I have always admired and respected any person that has lived with and overcome any handicap, but never more so than this last week.

Carpel tunnel surgery has left me all but helpless for the next two weeks. Now I'm not looking for sympathy (well, maybe just a little), but I think they should make a person go into training and practice one-handed skills first. Like physical therapy, but prior to the "event". Not only am I typing with one finger, i"m having trouble spelling. How can that be?

Pastel on Suede Board

Lady of the Mountain

One of the trickier supports for me is suede board. It can sometimes be a challenge because pastel does not adhere very well to the suede.

I like to lay it flat to get the maximum layers of pastel that I want. If I feel the knap is too full I will turn it over and tap it very lightly.

After laying it back flat I may need to tweak or highlight a few places until I'm satisfied with the painting. At that point I will lay the glass directly on top of the painting.

Archival tape will be used to completely surround the glass and painting sealing them together to prevent any movement. The painting is then framed without using a mat.

There are many different way to create pastel paintings. This is just one of the road maps I use to get to where I want to go.

Art Fairs

I did tell you how much these art festivals will take the punch out of you, didn't I? I must have because I'm just now feeling like I have the energy to blog again. Age could be a problem also. Plus, I'm going to have to have surgery on one of my arms. How depressing. I was so depressed I had to go buy a new car. A Mini Cooper. It's black and silver and if you see me coming - move over!

Now that I have all of that stuff out of the way, I seem to recall mentioning some of the other artists that impressed me while at the show. Cheryl Lockstone was one with her bright and cheerful paintings. Guaranteed to perk you up with out the cost of a car. Go see her www.cherylart.com You will have an enjoyable visit.