My mother had a number of 2.5 x3.5" stretched canvas in her basement just hanging around so when she heard I was planning on doing some holiday craft fairs this season she asked if I wanted them! Um, YEAH! Thanks Mom!
Had a hard time not getting paint all over me though....bet it was funny to watch me paint them. Little buggers are hard to hold on to and paint at the same time. Really need to get myself one of those easels that lock the canvas in.
Fun with acrylics again today! Painted some Northern Maine Pine Trees with snow. Opted for a light teal background to pop the trees out and I really love the abstract feel I got. Getting ready for the craft fair next weekend...not really sure what to expect since this will be my first one. I know...it's taken me years to sell my work other than online. I'm a shy person by nature and I've really liked hiding behind the computer. But the time has come for me to get out there and talk to folks one on one! So wish me luck and if you have any experience either as a buyer or seller at a craft fair - I would love to hear your thoughts!
5x7" Acrylic on Canvas
5x7" Acrylic on Canvas
I painted all the sides of the canvas as well. Thanks to my online artist friend Caren! She has some lovely work in acrylics and she's from MAINE too! Stop in a check out her work if you have the chance you can follow her on facebook!
I loved painting each one of these little guys...they make for the
perfect stocking stuffer! They each have their own unique little face
with a smile! I love to read a good paperback and just like the smell
and feel of holding a real book. You can just never have enough bookmarks!
So here is how I made them!
First tape down your paper and separate each bookmark shape - I like to put a 1/4" border around mine.
Then I pencil in my snowman shapes.
Using Black gouache paint I painted my backgrounds.
Once the backgrounds are dried I put in the faces and orange carrot nose.
Using White gouache and a small brush I add snow to the tops of the nose and head and then take a wet toothbrush, splatter the snow flakes.
Remove the tape once they are dry.
Trim and cut them separately. It's okay that no two are exact - that what makes them hand made!
Then just pop in a hole punch at the top and pull a ribbon through!
You know how I can always tell that fall is here and that I"m getting ready to hunker down for the long Maine winter hibernation? COOKING - yup, the urge to cook becomes incredible! Funny it's always the hearty warm meals that come to mind. Today I'm making one of my hubby's favorite dishes, shepherds pie, and I have pumpkin cookies for dessert. :)
This painting depicts the end of fall with all the leaves blanketing the ground like that warm hearty meal will be in my belly!
Hope you get to get out and enjoy what's left of the beautiful fall foliage and enjoy your fabulous Sunday!
Look what I got in the mail today from Amazon and it was on sale! It's going to be perfect for my holiday fairs this year. It's really light weight and easy to just pop on the legs!
I've shown it here with my Blue Lobster Print - the Backing board is a 16x20 so you can grasp the size of mats it will hold.
The pocket depth is around 5" in width so it should hold quite a bit of prints. I also found this great little roll of tape that I am using around the edges of my print sleeves to make them look like a package for the holidays! They have a bunch of different ones...so cute and professional looking.
Today was a frustrating painting day for me -
but my mood came through my canvas eventually. You may love it, you may
hate it, or you may just nothing it....but here is my mind at work. This
was my process on just one painting...through many stages today.
Abstracts, when
all fails, is my go to medium. I just love playing with the shapes and colors. I have
to be in the mood for it but sometimes it just happens. It is a way to express your feeling, mood and emotion....the perfect outlet.
Today I felt like that moody deep artist....with something to prove to myself !This
was the kind of work I did about 7 years ago, before I started with
watercolors. For me acrylics are
much easier to use than watercolor when creating abstracts. I like the way the acrylic brush strokes feel.... stronger and bolder.
"PRISM"
8x8 Acrylic on Claybord with 2" Wooden Cradle.
Here are my progress steps during the day. Had a lot of fun with it, once I got past "TRYING" to paint the
boat.
When I posted it on facebook I received the funniest comment... Comment: "Quite a journey... I'm guessing that dang boat got you pretty ticked!" Me: "Looks a bit stressed huh? Should have named it CAN YOU FIND THE BOAT?"
What I started with, is definitely not what I had planned!
It's been years since acrylics have made an appearance on my easel. My husband bought me an incredible Winsor Newton Artists Acrylic Bamboo Box Set, just because he loves me! It's been driving me crazy not to use them, so today I pulled the kit out!
Acrylics are a lot different than painting with watercolors and it's taking me a little bit to get the hang of it again, but having so much fun and making a big mess to boot!
Can't go wrong with a coastal Maine scene right?!
On another note.....Some of you may be aware of my business called PartyPainter. My mother and I created and developed back in 2007. We love our jobs and feel incredible to be able to share and create with others, it is just so rewarding.
Anyways, A client friend sent me a note on facebook that made my day and I wanted to share it with you all. She said: "What you do is bring out the creative side of people,
a side that some never knew they had and that, my friend..... is a
great talent." How sweet is that, music to my ears! Thanks and hope you all enjoy the day! ~Happy Painting, Kellie
Worked on some hand painted watercolor bookmarks yesterday. The picture needs to be changed out on etsy, but I wanted to get them up there quickly because I have a watercolor workshop today. I'm rushing....not good, but it is what it is.
These are so much fun to paint. Each little bookmark is hand painted and cut separately so no two are exactly alike.
Paper books are still an important part of our culture - everyone still needs a bookmark right?
These would be a great idea for the work shops....hmmm, maybe we'll add these to our PartyPainter scene options!
Melted chocolate on top of roasted marshmallows...who can resist that huh!
It is really making my mouth water while painting them lol, yep this girls a BIG BIG fan of Chocolate! Top it off with a hot cup of coffee and can you say HEAVEN!
So managed a little more progress on it but my neck has been killing me. Here is a long story made short: When my son was 3 years old I decided to teach him how to do a somersault (NOT A BRILLIANT MOVE on my part)- it didn't go over well and on the second attempt, yup...shrieking pain in my neck arrived mid roll!
I was laid up for a few days and of course didn't go to the doctors! I'm not sure if other mothers tend to do the same thing but when it's anyone BUT me I say hey "You should really go to the doctors and have that checked out!" Why I don't listen to my own advice, I'll never know.
So here I am 10 years later it still acts up. My hubby is a great guy, but he laughs at me with all my pillows. Some folks buy shoes...I buy pillows! Hoping it'll get better in a few more days. Ibuprofen is my friend right now.
Waiting for my paint to dry before I head back in to paint! Gosh, I must get very stressed or tense when I paint...Looked in the mirror and noticed that my face was all RED!
Guess it's time for a break... lunch time anyways! Thought I would share my progress on a commissioned painting I'm working on.
A client recently purchased my whoopie pie painting and asked for me to paint smores and coffee cups for her dear friends using similar colors and style...fingers crossed - that she likes it so far!
Finally had a chance to work a bit more on Hopper today. He's really coming along but now I'm stuck trying to figure out how I want to do the background.
Should he be left white (similar style to my blue lobster) or splatter paint would be fun...maybe just on the top right and bottom left? Decisions decisions....
May as well sleep on it tonight and see what my thoughts are in the morning. Find that stepping away from a painting for a while works for me, so does taking a picture. This way you can really see it from a different perspective.
He certainly is a big insect - can't tell his size here, but this bug is on a 22" x 15" sheet of Arches 300lbs cold press.
Now I notice that my photo has horrible lighting! Took this one with my Ipad...still playing with the new windows update ugh.
Since the 30 day painting challenge in September a habit has sort of developed for me, painting everyday! Hmmm, wish I could do the same thing with exercising!
In any case....my mother and I may be crazy, but we decided to do it again...too soon you say, not sure, but we'll see! The holidays are just such a great time to give or receive a special one of a kind item. I know for me Art is so personal....it has depth and meaning behind it.
So from November 26th - December 20th, we'll be completing a 5x7 painting a day for the holidays! Each Daily watercolor painting will be priced at only $50 and will come with a FREE 8x10 Mat.
If you have any idea's or something special you would like to see please send us an email!
Not sure if I'll have a theme.... but if you have followed my blog for a while...you know I don't tend to stick with one thing for very long.
My work will be available on Esty and HEADS UP....the Esty Maine Team is having their CASH MOB Sale online Friday November 8th, 2013 if you want to get a head start on your HOLIDAY SHOPPING! I'm currently working on a coupon for the event so keep your eyes open for one! I'll post it here and on my facebook page!
Have you ever planted a fresh tomato garden? I did my very first time a few years back. Watching them grow from a little yellow flower was amazing, but eating them was even better! Since we moved this summer I wasn't able to do a garden (sad face) so it's certainly good to have friends that did!
I was over to a friends house the other day for a quick visit and managed to snag myself a few ripe garden tomatoes right off the vine! We had a frost a few days later....I hope she managed to grab the rest! There is nothing like fresh garden tomatoes!
Feeling sad that I didn't have more...so I captured them forever in a painting! :) Until next summer folks....Looking forward to planting after the long cold Maine winter. According to the Farmers Almanac it's going to be a fun one!
"THREE AMIGOS"
Red Garden Tomatoes
$100
This 5x7 watercolor painting comes 8x10 double matted and Framed in a 1" Solid
Black Contemporary
Matte
Black Picture Frame with a smooth Matte Black finish with minimal texture.
Use secure Paypal
for the purchases for your art work. If you are not a member of Paypal,
you may click the 'Buy Now' button simply click on the phrase "Don't
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you prefer to handle the transaction by phone, feel free to call
(207) 241-0086.
Happy Fall everyone! Opted to paint a 6x6" just to give myself a bit more room for the leaf. Only problem is that I do not stock mats for this size. Hmmm, what to do?
Most folks felt the work definitely needed to at least come with a Mat, but when it came to frames it was a very individual decision. Frames are such a personalized piece of the puzzle not to mention the cost of a frame can be all over the board.
Some people said the total price could deter them from making a purchase while others said if it didn't come with a frame they may never get around to hanging the art up. Most said that the cost would affect their decision.
I usually sell my work Matted and sometimes offer the frame as an option on my smaller 5x7 pieces online. They are a very basic 1" black or white 8x10 wooden frame.
It does become more expensive to ship with frames and then glass is of course breakable so more materials are needed to secure during shipment. But I have to agree it certainly finishes the look with one.
For my gallery pieces and exhibits, they are always matted and framed!
So what did I learn from this - people like options. My thought is to continue to offer a simple cost effective frame, so that the work is complete. It's always and option to re-frame to fit your own taste, don't you think?
My work in progress....my model started to shrivel before my eyes.
Use secure Paypal for the purchases for your art work. If you are not a member of Paypal, you may click the 'Buy Now' button simply click on the phrase "Don't have a PayPal account?" and your preferred credit card choice will appear. If you prefer to handle the transaction by phone, feel free to call (207) 241-0086.
During this 30 day challenge I was not happy enough with some of my paintings, so guess what? I didn't post them, but kept on and painted another one instead.
Then I read this.......
Why shouldn't they get posted, right? I mean how many artists LOVE every piece? Isn't it about learning and growing? Shouldn't we have fun with watercolors?
It's really all about the play with colors, how they interact with each other. Discovering how the water moves with the paint, and letting them do "THEIR" thing. It's fun to see what happens.....it's like one big experiment, and really...that's what makes it fun!
So even if you aren't happy with them....you can learn from them and grow as an artist.
Thanks for following along with my journey - Happy Painting!
Set up my exhibit the other day at Cooks Lobster House, on Bailey Island Maine. Had to bring Mr. Blue...he fit in so perfectly!
Update: Mr. Blue - Lobster has been SOLD
Managed to get there a little early before the lunch crowd hit.
They were really great about letting me in while the doors were locked! Got to see all the set up action before customers.
Here's picture I took of Maine's historical Crib Stone Bridge!
It connects Orr's Island and Bailey's Island and supposedly is the only crib stone bridge in the U.S or the world! You can view it right from Cooks windows!
It's quite long actually!
A View of Cooks Lobster House from the crib stone bridge.
Here
are a few of my 30 in 30 painting over the past 30 days, and as much as I
enjoyed the challenge I'm looking forward to a breather. I may go back
to working on some larger painting now that my 22x30 sheets of 300 cold
press arrived!
I
always love this experience and I thank Leslie Seata for putting the
challenge together. I think she had over 400 artists that participated
this time around. This is my second time this year doing the 30 day
challenge and I'm already looking forward to another one maybe in
January of 2014?
Thanks
to all of you that have followed my journey - and I really hope you
enjoyed seeing all my work. All of the painting of course are for sale in my
Esty Shop.
Please feel free to follow my blog and find me on facebook - I love to stay in touch with my collectors and artist friends!
Use secure Paypal
for the purchases for your art work. If you are not a member of Paypal,
you may click the 'Buy Now' button simply click on the phrase "Don't
have a
PayPal account?" and your preferred credit card choice will appear. If
you prefer to handle the transaction by phone, feel free to call
(207) 241-0086.
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You know how I can always tell that fall is here and that I"m getting ready to hunker down for the long Maine winter hibernation? COOKING - yup, the urge to cook becomes incredible! Funny it's always the hearty warm meals that come to mind. Today I'm making one of my hubby's favorite dishes, shepherds pie, and I have pumpkin cookies for dessert. :)
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, just because he loves me! It's been driving me crazy not to use them, so today I pulled the kit out!.jpg)
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