Definitely not a 'painting a day'

Well, I thought I better post something so people won't think I fell off the face of the earth. I've been busy as usual with a variety of stuff and just haven't made my 'paintings a day' or any paintings a priority. Soooooo....I decided to post some of my other paintings for you to enjoy.

This is an oil portrait I painted last year of a little boy at the beach. I had to crop the photo as the painting is wider...it is actually a square painting. The photo doesn't do the painting justice, and the painting doesn't do the little boy justice - he is so incredibly cute, cute, cute. However, his mom was absolutely thrilled when his dad gave it to her for Christmas. What a great gift to give someone ...... and a terrific heirloom.

Well, I'm going to wrap it up for today. I'll be back though. Let me know if you have any questions.

"The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work". Emile Zola, writer

Thanks, Helen

NFS

Painting a Day

Yes, this was done within a day...'a painting a day'. Even if I don't have time to finish a small painting a day I do try to do at least a bit of painting daily. Sometime it doesn't happen. This is a little ginger jar I love and use occassionally for paintings although I don't paint many still lifes. I'm not sure why as I do enjoy them when I do pursue them...well, I'll save that one for another post.

I had a professor in college that required us to keep a sketch book/journal that we were to draw, paint, doodle, write in daily. That was one of our requirements for the class. She emphasized how important it was to the development of our skills, ideas and discipline. It could really be a chore, and since that time I have not been very good about keeping a sketch diary, however, my work as a full time decorative artist has, I believe, helped my art overall in a similar way. No, it is not the same as the sketch journal but it has forced me to exercise my varied artistic skills and creativity on a regular basis - even some of the less interesting projects that I have tackled. This too, I will discuss further in another post... so, stay tuned and check back again.

This is an 8" x 10" oil that is available for purchase. Please email me if you are interested (rtist6162@aol.com). I had to improvise on the flowers as the ones I have dried up from when I picked them last year...yes, they have been in that ginger jar for awhile. I'll have more again soon - spring flowers are blooming and trees are budding. Yea!

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art...It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival". C.S.Lewis, writer

Have a good day, Helen

Not a Painting a Day

This is an 8" x 16" oil painting of.....the beach. I would like to be there right now, although it is kind've nice sitting here listening to the rain as it hits the roof of the house. Actually, I think it is just dripping from the trees and gutters...kind've a rhythmic/hypnotic sound...kind've like the sound of waves...and we've got the water connection...okay...the brain cells are slowing down...they're lacking sleep among other things. I just thought this would be a nice little painting to post, and of course it is available for purchase. Let me know if you have any questions. (I am also working on one that is similar to the cropped view of the boys - a close up).

"Life loves the liver of it" Maya Angelou, writer and educator

Have a great weekend, Helen

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ACEO's (art card editions and originals)

Well, I think I might be hooked....on these fun little paintings I 've been creating lately...they are called ACEO's (art card editions and originals). They came about from ACS's (art card swaps) that started back in the 90's - actually some versions of this probably existed well before, but it has become more standardized. Maybe the cavemen and cavewomen were exchanging little stones with carvings and paintings? Anyway artists create these little paintings, collages, enhanced photos, etc...in a 2.5" x 3.5" format. I have noticed that they have become quite popular in many of the art publications I read (sometimes just read the titles and look at pic's) and on ebay. Sooooo.....I decided I needed a challenge...and they have been a challenge but a good one. I've been enjoying what I have created so far. It hasn't been good for my back or my eyes but what the heck - they're going bad anyway.

I've been dabbling with different subjects and somewhat different styles and it is kind've fun...often times it is frustrating... a small painting and the brushes don't always cooperate. I can't say that these paintings have been particularly profitable yet, yet,yet,yet...but it is all part of 'the strategy'.

If you want to do something different, than just sit down and try creating one of these...and if you are not an artist than at least take a look at them. What a great and cheap way to start an art collection for yourself or someone else (hey, great for the new graduate). They can be framed or made into magnets or set in a basket or on a dessert plate with other ACEO's or some other little treasures. Well, enjoy...and let me know if you have any questions.

These two are listed on eBay and the auctions will expire next Sunday. If you look under self-representing artists and type in the title 'There's Something in There' and/or 'View from Villa Maria' you will find them. Also, I have an 8" x 10" oil painting titled 'Delicate Beauty', please take a look. I will be adding others so check back.

"It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves". Sir Edmund Hillary

Thanks and enjoy, Helen

Both are Sold

In the Garden

Spring is here! My daffodils are up and there's greenery on just about everything...yea! This is a little oil painted out in Athens, IL. It was just a cute, inviting, little spot so I painted it.

This is an 8" x 10" oil on canvas. Let me know if you have any questions.

"Noboday has ever measured, even poets, how much the heart can hold". Zelda Fitzgerald

Thanks for stopping, Helen

Good Morning.....There isn't any sun streaming through this morning as it is in the little painting to the left. I guess we have to take the gray days too - they're good also but some days I don't want them. Anyway...this little painting is an ACEO (art card editions and originals), which is a painting that is 2.5" x 3.5". These paintings started out with ACS's (art card swaps). Back in the 90's an artist (swiss??) started swapping these small treasures with other artists, when they began selling to other people they became ACEO's. They are created in a number of mediums - paint, collage, clay,etc....The cards can be framed, or hung on the fridge with a magnet, or put in a small basket with other cards or treasures. It is a nice way to get art on the cheap.

This is a little oil on a piece of canvas. I have listed it on ebay...If you go under self-representing artists and type in the title 'Golden Delicious' you will be able to view it and bid.

"No artist is ahead of his time. He is the time. It is just that others are behind the time". Martha Graham

Thanks, Helen

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En Plein Aire

With the beautiful day I am getting anxious to get out and enjoy the out of doors....a combination of wanting to do some plein air painting, tennis, gardening, and....not so fun yard work. I guess it isn't that bad....and I'm thankful to have a yard and all that goes with it.

This is a fun little painting I did en plein air out at Lake Springfield. It has been purchased by a customer in Texas and is going to his vacation home in Costa Rica...wish I could go there too.

"My favorite weather is bird chirping weather". Loire Hartwould

Thanks and Enjoy, Helen

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