I'm Baaaaack........

"Vecchio E Sereno" oil on panel 18x10
After a wonderful trip out of state, visiting some old friends (we partied like rock stars as the saying goes), an enjoyable and fun visit from Max's son for about three weeks, and a great 4th of July party at a fellow artists home.....the past month has flown by! It has been, as always, a whirlwind of activity and the past three days I have barely done a thing....and frankly it feels pretty good! Does anyone know why you have to come home from vacation to rest? I thought that's what vacations were for!! At any rate....it was ALL good!
The painting I began....in the last blog went to the sidelines temporarily and instead I completed a still life before I left...it is the first image on this blog. I am planning several more garlic themed pieces. Doing several paintings on one theme is not something I have done in the past but....as I have seen....most artists do this either regularly or for some time during there career. I have been painting about 8 years now...and have only done the series thing three times. Oddly enough another piece sold recently that was from a series...."Little Guys" ...a series of six little paintings based on tiny or young animals with a humorous accent....you can see them here. They are all sold now. I also plan another series of little guys.

"Hanging By A Prayer" 8x10 oil on panel
I sold the last one last week...or I should say I got the check for it. Nice surprise! I also sold the little bottle from the gallery (Cherry's) I am in and gained another new client.

"Antique Bottle In An Antique Frame" 4x5 oil on panel
I will be moving my studio to a larger space upstairs...we will see how that works...I keep trying to find a place where I can concentrate and still feel like part of the household flow....is it possible...or am I being unrealistic??? LOL! I have been known to be somewhat unrealistic...:)!
Lots of paintings in my head....and I am dying to get to work again on a steady basis. One in particular will require a lot of background work...but it is coming together....I shall not mention anything until I have a heck of a good start. I believe in saving my voice for the paint!
Well, folks and fellow bloggers that's it for now...Between my website, blog and Facebook....I am spreading myself way to thin. I will be cutting back on Facebook.
Glad to be back,
Theresa

Time Flies....

Quiet Determination...posted on Every Photo Tells A Story

Time flies when you're having fun....right? Right! I haven't been doing much of anything else other than that. Playing outside in the sun and trying to keep the yard up. Entered two shows and was juried into both of them. I have also been fortunate enough to gain a mentor....his work is highly respected, in many galleries and I am honored that he would critique my work and coach me along. I am looking for a house in this market....I would like to use it as my studio and also teach there and hold workshops. Max and I have helped, Inez, his daughter move out and she is really looking forward to having her own place. We attended a ballet performance she was in....and I went backstage and took pictures. Max's son graduated high school...whew!...last one for him and he will becoming to visit soon. I will also be leaving for Phoenix later this month to visit old friends and family. Facebook is taking up a lot of time (especially Farm Town) I may have to cut back there considerably! But it is a great way to connect!
I would like to mention that I am so honored that so many people have decided to follow me here and on Facebook....I am truly in awe by this..I will try to provide interesting stimulus for those who are following along.
Last but not least....I have begun painting after a long break. Here are a few pictures of the start. Also Nancy over at Every Photo Tells A Story has used one of my paintings on her June 5, 2009 blog. She has also described my work in a beautiful way!! Thank you Nancy!
Here are the photos of the start....

The beginning...consists of a violet wash over the canvas, quick sketch, thin darks and an indication of the brushwork I am looking to achieve.

Just a close up of the area worked on from the first photo.

A considerably more amount of work....still keeping the darks thin...conscientious color choices...begin working on water and weedy area. At first my biggest concern was the perspective...looking down on the young woman in the water. I think i have managed to make that work...the color choices are a triad of various mixtures of violet, orange and green...one of my favorites...I will post the photo reference when the painting is complete. I would also like to mention...I really do not like working from photos anymore....but sometimes....I must!
We are heading into summer here and it will be so humid I will hardly be able to bear going outside....but I will try! I am really a cold weather girl...:)
Happy Spring Days To All,
Theresa

Staying Way Too Busy....

I am so far behind in blogging I should start doing it once a month so it appears like I am on target when I'm really not!
It has been a wonderful, weary, exhilarating, successful, rewarding, humbling, hard, busy and most delightful three weeks or so since I last posted. I will keep this short and not to flowery and give a simple line by line knock down blow by blow account of events and turns of the past while!
Here goes:
1. The show at Spiva was successful and I sold two paintings for a good sum, gathered two new collectors and the show was held over an extra day for the directors Mothers Birthday. I was honored! We removed it the following day.
2. I have sold 6 paintings in the last two weeks....economy...shmonomy!! I sold two out of the gallery (Cherry's my cheerleader!~! Thank you!) I am in and gained a serious collector there also, two at the Spiva Show and two at St. Avips a large yearly affair that provides a silent auction, formal ball and sit down dinner to benefit the artists and art center in our community...quite fancy for our part of the world!
3. Went to Bentonville AR. and plein air painted for three days with a large bunch from down there. Among them personal friends Todd Williams, John Lasater, Vicki Ross, Jo Hall, Margie Moss, Sue Dixon and Julie Mayser to name just a few. It rained some but was nice most of the time and it was just what the doctor ordered!! Next post will have a bigger report and slide show!
4. Mailed and delivered entries to several different shows including ANA, Powers Museum and Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction.
5. Restocked the gallery I am in with new work....one of which promptly sold. (Cherry's)
6. Taking care of my seedlings and getting the yard ready for the garden.
7. Repotting houseplants...that have long since outgrown there containers.
8. Cleaning up my studio.
9. Reframing paintings. I just drop them off and pick out molding.
10. Catching up on mail and cleaning after being gone from the house for three days and unpacking.
11. Looking forward to getting to painting ...have several ideas I want to express.

There you have it...Above and below are two of the paintings done plein air.
Thank you to all who have posted and signed on....you are all appreciated and viewed although I don't always comment...my bad!
You gotta love the Universe!
Theresa

An Oops....And An Update

"White Pitcher, Lemon and Grapes" 14x18 oil

As some of you know I was selected by Richard Schmid to participate in his Fine Art Auction this year. I just received an email and they told me it was the other painting "Coastal" that he picked...and here is a picture of it.

"Coastal" 11x14 oil

The artists party for St. Avips was last night and we had a great time....I commend the ladies for putting this thing together so expertly each and every year. The Silent Auction and fancy dress ball is May 1st.......I will be there to mingle that evening also.
Tomorrow is the last day of my workshop and I have a great bunch of people who are so eager to learn!!!
May 7,8,9 is a Plein Air Paint Out I have been invited to attend....that should be a challenge!!!
Above is the finished demo from Neosho...."White Pitcher With Lemons and Grapes".
Kind of busy here I have two more paintings to finish before I can get back to what I love to do....romantic figurative and portraits!!!!

Much love to all and happy painting,
Theresa

Living Artfully.......

Happy Earth Day!! After almost 40 years of experiencing Earth day and trying to live as green as I can (and often laughed at in the process) which by the way does not give me pause at all....I see we have not moved too much closer to our original resolve. I would like to ask just one thing of everyone who reads this blog. Please do not buy water in plastic bottles anymore...this is one thing everyone can do to cut down on pollution and reckless waste of energy. Get a filter and attach it to your faucet....or a pitcher that drips through and makes clean water. Also if you eat less prepared food and use fresh and cook...there is less packaging required. These two things will make a tremendous difference if everyone does it. I have been living this way for a very very long time and it is really very simple and something everyone can do and feel the effects of. To those of you who are already doing so...Bravo!! You are making a huge difference. That said on to other news!!!

Thank you to every single person who comments here visits here or passes by in one way or another! I have been so busy I have not had a chance to personally reply to everyone's comments or visit everyone's blog...sadly...as it is my loss. On the other hand I have had many new and exciting experiences! The party for The Edward Jones Financial Group was a delightful success. Many of my personal clients dropped in and want commissions or have a painting they saw on my website that they want. Several people wanted prints and a few paintings are marked on hold! But........here is the best news!!!!

RICHARD SCHMID HIMSELF HAS PICKED MY PAINTING! The rules changed this year and everyone who was an automatic entry based on there quality and selling was no longer automatically invited. He decided to limit the entries to 52 this year instead of 75 as in previous years. Believe me I was really worried that I would not get juried in ( Max...the big show off never once doubted in me....the man amazes me!)....there were 100's of entries....here below is the copy of the letter I received...in part:

Dear Theresa,
The selection of art for the 2009 Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction has been made. Richard tells us that it took longer to choose than he anticipated because he agonized over trying to limit his selections to 50 works. In the end, of the hundreds of images submitted, he chose 52 pieces.

Richard chose those pieces strictly based on on his opinion of how well they might sell in the auction.
Images were identified by a number only and he did not know who the contributing artist was.

Your work, "House on Harmony Road" was chosen for the live auction this year!

Thanks for taking part in the selection process.

Thanks,
Wes
www.RichardSchmidAuction.com (last years auction list)



House On Harmony Road 16x20 oil

On other fronts...the demo and workshop went great!! I had a wonderful audience and managed to begin a lovely little still life (below)....painting in front of people has always been a little disconcerting for me (it is such a private thing for me) but as time goes on and experience and confidence grow...it starts to become fun and....thank goodness....not so traumatic!!. I might add that no one.....absolutely no one has ever recognized my shyness or nervousness in this area of being around people...but what goes on inside is like a tempest!! Hmmm....I guess I can act, too! LOL! The workshop will last one more day and then that is done...some money made at these events too. St. Avips a local invitational event is coming up...the artist's party for this event is April 24 and the silent auction is May 1. I will try to have three pieces for St. Avips....no promises though. I need to get a couple of paintings scanned for entry into some shows and deliver some new work to Cherry's Gallery and get some frames made. Things stay busy I guess I like it like that!

Neosho Demo beginning 14x18 oil

In the gardening world...it is too wet to do much and some of the seedlings I started got damping off disease from it being on the cool side. I will restart a few more and call it good. The rest can be direct seeded outside.
Back to the easel for the next few days, and here is something I said while giving the demo that tickled the ladies and gentlemen.
I was describing how art begets art...for me living in an artful and beautiful surrounding helps me create. I mentioned that I try to live artfully. I am certainly not the only one nor am I the first one to say this....but it was the first time some people had heard it. .........Now I am being quoted......ha!
Life is good no matter how you slice it,
Theresa

Canadian Morning....for Barbara

Kitchen Morning 12x12 oil

Barbara Muir ....fantastic Canadian artist, famous Skype artist, fellow blogger, inspiring supporter and I am proud to say a friend of mine had a lovely photo posted on her blog a few months ago. I immediately fell in love with the color and light she had captured in that photo and she was kind enough to allow me to paint it. If you have not seen her work or read her blog...you better get over there right now!! I know Barbara personally....she is a delightful human being and I have never seen anyone accomplish so much in so little time....she is amazing!!! Three cheers for Barbara and a bless you for being so inspirational and generous!!
So, I am happy (hurray), once again, with my new piece.....I feel it is painterly ( lots of thick paint and brushwork) and romantic ( love the palette and sense of light)....and I feel ever closer to the message and voice I want my work to say. Thank you Barbara for everything you give in your work your blog and your generous spirit. I hope this piece is as pleasing to you....and everyone else....as it is to me!!
This coming week is crunch time...again! I must prepare for a client party for my show at Spiva on Friday....a 4 hour demo I am giving Saturday.....and a workshop I am giving on Sunday. The following week is shaping up to be equally busy. I have been so consumed with work ( trying to produce high quality work at the rate of two per week) that I have forgotten to enter two local shows...that's okay I have more awards than I have room for and am seriously trying to improve my work and keep the house and family humming....all a big job when you are trying to do it right!
Until later....the Universe rocks!!!,
Theresa

Looking For My Voice....

Summer Dreams 16x20 oil

Here is one of the "under wraps" projects I have been working on. I am really thrilled with many of the aspects of this painting .
I spent a considerable amount of time thinking about what I want to paint and the approach I want to take. When I admire other peoples work...I see many things that they do that I would like to include....but there are also things that happen when I paint that I love also...and i don't think it is so bad to have a healthy respect for your work as long as one sees the need for improvement. I believe we are all aware of that!
I love romance....can't you tell???!! So I thought there needed to be a real romantic streak in my subject matter. I have had many people tell me that there is a romance in everything I paint...from still life's to landscapes on to figuratives...that's good...cause that's me...extremely sensitive and romantic! So I was already halfway there...I love the Pre-Raphaelites but not necessarily the time period they portrayed, especially Waterhouse who may or may not be a real Pre-Raphaelite! I love Alma Tadema's subject matter and I love painting people....of all ages. The human body is beautiful and the faces of the young and old are so full of character and emotion. As for paint application I love a loose semi abstract application a la Schmid or Sargent or Pino...but I also admire the skill and challenge of a more photographic illusion such as Paul McCormack, Jeremy Lipking and Paul Oxborough to name a few. When I paint I love the look of a puzzle somewhat...little pieces of color and value next to each other creating the whole. I love color...clean rich jewel tones and transparencies and lovely subtle grays to accent the color! So after much thinking and soul searching...brainstorming and searching through my stock connections. I am trying to put together all these qualities...I really like it when realism meets impressionism...and I am trying to do what seems to have come naturally to me since I was in college....along the way I will hopefully improve my skills and find my particular voice...the voice that will be seen in everything I do.
Thanks for visiting,
Theresa

Artisticly Speaking....

Barn In Soft Spring Light 18x24 oil
I have never been able to understand my artistic moods...one day I can paint so easily the brush flies across the canvas the next it is a struggle from beginning to end and then....at the end...nothing to show for it. The last two paintings went that way for me.
So since I believe in sharing my good ones (well, I think they are good....art is subjective you know!) and also sharing my failures.....here are two paintings from this past week.
The one at the top flew out of the brush in about 14 hours...pretty fast for me.. it is an 18x24 and done pretty much alla prima...which is what I like to do the most. The one below is the itty bitty failure....in all honesty I do not know what happened....except that I was not particularly excited about the subject. I do love flowers and don't even mind painting them. I used to really hate painting them...to me they were always more fun to grow, smell and admire. I had a mentor (Barbara Courtney) that absolutely loved painting them and did an excellent job too! But alas for me I had to learn to love painting them.
I picked the daffodils in the morning and thought I had an image in my head of how they would turn out...but...it was not to meant to be. On the other hand The Barn in Soft Spring Light came out almost exactly the way I had pictured it. I must say though that the image here never looks as good as the real thing! The barn is down in Pineville next to a friends (Marilyn Carnell) home...I took pictures of it a couple of years ago when I was living in Pineville and teaching my classes. She was nice enough to invite us out for a day of photos and if I remember correctly we also painted that day....my memory is vague some days!
Today I begin working on the paintings I have been keeping secret. I hope they work! They really aren't so different...it is mostly just the subject matter and some paint application. We will see....
Until another day,
Theresa


Daffodils 8x10 oil

A Passion For......

What a very nice surprise I have received from another artist and recent blog follower! Thank you Ann Buckner for your thoughtfulness in awarding me this honor. You must run over and see Ann's work as soon as possible. First off the Koi that head her page will knock your socks off..she also has some lovely portraits and sketches. Also you must read her 7 things to gain insight into her generous and sweet soul.
I must now relate the seven things I am passionate about and then award this to 7 other artists. This always is so hard because everyone deserves it for one reason or another. Some because they are just learning and that struggle requires passion....some because they are so very accomplished and still remain fresh and energized...others because of the conditions and space they must work in and still produce excellent work. There are also those that give and share much of there information with us...and then there are those that I want to learn from because they are doing the things I love.
So first here are 7 things I am passionate about:
1. Fairness and generosity of spirit...the real kind...not the self-serving kind.
2. Painting or more plainly put....creating.
3. My life and my family...which goes back to creating
4. Gardening....which also goes back to creating
5. The feeling of being cherished and honored
6. Having a belief system and honoring it
7. Old stuff...anything...from furniture to advertising art to bits of metal, glass and fabric...I know odd...but it all fascinates me and I get a wonderful feeling from them all!
There is a whole lot more but I am only allowed 7.

And now the artists...they are all passionate and knowledgeable and express themselves very well...they are all...I believe genuinely nice people...they also do something for me...some know they do others have no clue. I really wanted to nominate about 50 artists:
Barbara Muir
Terry Miura
Bonnie Luria
David Lobenberg
Jennifer McChristian
Marc Hanson
Eldon Warren

I know that time is at a premium...we all have busy lives...so if you feel you cannot respond that's Okay!!
I am hard at work here coming up with some new work...but some of you have never seen some of my photography....so for a little change here are a few of my photos!
Have a picture perfect day!
Theresa

Hidden Heart


El Hombre Sale Del Sol


Waiting For The One



Peoples Car

Just a little for today...

Antique Bottle in Antique Frame 4x5 oil

One of the last pieces I painted for my current show...I never did post it ! It is a 4x5....that would be the smallest framed piece I ever painted. It is framed in a little antique frame I found in the attic. The other image is a plein air I did last Spring...I am getting that feeling to get outside and paint.
Little House 8x10
Not much going on doing some drawing for my new pieces. My tomatoes and all the other herbs and vegetables are up!!! The ground is turned and has the compost added to it...just waiting for the nighttime temps to improve a bit. Boy, I love the Spring!! Also been doing Spring house cleaning...just a few Oriental carpets upstairs to get done.
Aaaannnnnd......soon it will be tornado season... Oh, joy....but I still live here!
Much love,
Theresa