The Best Laid Schemes O' Mice An' Men.........

Theresa's Pansies 8x16 Oil Sold
I always say I am going to blog continuously like so many other bloggers...then life gets in the way...or should I say living life gets in the way. I have been plenty to say (just ask my boyfriend and friends...I am more than opinionated at times....and always have something to say. So here I am yet again...and yet again behind in blogging...I haven't even been on Facebook but momentarily.I have been more than busy living life, also.
As last mentioned I have acquired a patron who is more than generous in keeping me busy....and more than generous with emotional support. I have completed several paintings for a musically themed suite of paintings. Several other pieces have been acquired to there collection. You can see them below.
Gardening is another lifelong hobby and the vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers are rolling in. Thank goodness Max (who also has a very green thumb) likes to garden also or I could not do it all!! I have pictures and will try to get them up also.
I have also been doing a lot of studying....just trying to get better with edges and color. So I read a lot, I am especially enjoying my two new books one on Sorolla the other on Sargent. That makes five Sargent books I have now.....Oh, if I could only paint like him now...or Schmid or 100 other artists who have aspects of their work that I deeply admire!
I also attended a plein air paint out that was great fun even if rained most of the time...I still got a couple of decent paintings out....and one sold. There is no better training than painting from life!!!!
I hope everyone is enjoying there summer...we have been. There has been everything from a party on Memorial Day at our house to a sadly attended funeral of our 92 year old neighbor and dear childhood friend of Max's to toiling in the garden in unbelievable humidity and enjoying thunderstorms on our front porch.
Below find some recently sold pieces and some not sold yet.
Next up large step by step portrait and the story of a painting that I never cared if I sold...but did!
Best to Everyone and Enjoy Life,
Theresa



Rose Bower Oil Sold Plein Air



Rose Trellis Plein Air (finished at home)

A New Work....

It's Spring and we are so glad to be out and about! Working with the soil makes me feel connected on a very elementary level...which is an extremely good thing.
I have also been painting regularly at Cherry's Gallery ( and helping put together a website exclusively on art).......it has been a wonderful place to work! I still like being home but unfortunately dishes, laundry and other domestic chores continually call my name and compete for attention. So I have taken up semi-permanent residence here and am forced to get dressed (no more painting in jammies..that I rather love) , brush my hair and attend "work" on a more regular schedule! It feels good and it is a good work habit. I have just finished a commission which I will post next. I have also "cut up" another painting....and I must say it is better than ever now!!
The above piece is a plein air piece...the heron was added later in the studio...it was just missing something in my eye.
Gardening is a priority now also....peas, lettuce, spinach, onions and more. Twenty eight lilies are now planted and also nasturtiums and hollyhocks......next up English and cabbage roses.
There is also a picture box of my my baby brother and I.....:)
Until next time,
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. Re-potting houseplants...that have long since outgrown there containers.
8. Cleaning up my studio.
9. Re-framing 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

When it rains it poors.....

Inez, Max's daughter, came home night before last and.......my gosh....she had a broken wrist. The really sad thing besides the fact this will interfere with her work, life and just about everything..... is... she is a dancer. She has been dancing for a very long time about 20 years...it is part of her life...and she is very good. She was trained in classical ballet and dances three times a week and teaches occasionally also. I feel so bad for her. She had surgery yesterday and they reset the bone and added pins and a plate. It will be six to eight weeks before she is healed. She will be allowed to come home sometime today depending on her mobility and the doctor's schedule. Max and I cleaned her room and I washed all her clothes and making cinnamon rolls for her. She had great plans to go up to Kansas City and party with her friends.....she will still go....but obviously must be very careful. It is also her birthday on the 28th....not exactly the present she was looking for. We are all hoping for a quick an easy mend.....and that it won't interfere with her dancing.
Well Halloween is almost here and Max and I are invited to a Halloween Costume party....I think we may go as Deadwood....if you never saw the series....it is a hoot. I will let everyone guess who he and I will be. Some more suggestions would be helpful, too!
I have been looking at Eldon Warrens blog which is fabulous and very descriptive. He is showing the progress of a landscape painting he is working on. Please take a look!! He has some beautiful work.
Along the same lines I subscribe to Empty Easel and who do I find that writes there....Diane Mize...another fellow blogger and fabulous artist. She has a great article on edges....my trouble spot....and her entry is fabulous!
I plan to do the same as Warren soon......put up a progression of work. I will also put up the Profiles magazine article too. But for now....I am a little overwhelmed with duties. So all I have to offer is some work that was done a while ago. One is a plein air and the other a portrait. I sold the 8x10 plein air for $2000 at the Richard Schmid Auction and the 12x16 portrait could have been sold ten times over....but as of yet I want to keep it because it has some things in it that I like how I painted them. In particular the roses, the dress and the hand. Less is more....I am still struggling with that!
That's about it for today....off to make cinnamon rolls!
Love, Theresa

Vacation Time!!

Old Reddings Mill Bridge 8x16 sold
Since I was requested to to attend the Richard Schmid Pre Auction Party....and Max and I have never been on one together...we....well, he decided that we should turn this into a full blown Oklahoma City...Prix De West...Rocky Mountain National Park....camping....plein air painting...Estes Park...Richard Schmid get out and get away!! We are very excited to get going...but I must finish my auction piece for The MGA first. Then I can start packing and get into the swing of things! I will post before I am gone..but will not while I am gone. Here are a few more plein air pieces for your viewing.
Getting ready...
Theresa Harvest Sundown, Missouri 12x12 sold
Coastal 11x14

Missed A Day...It's Okay!!

House on Highway 71 8x10 sold

It's Sunday, right? I have been so busy I almost forgot what day it is! Friday was spent catching up on art business, shipping my painting, "Septembers' Barn", to the Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction . Calling the host of the artists party to R.S.V.P., I received an email that they would really like me to be there...so Max said..."Let me check the figures and the car and we will go." Looks like I am going to Colorado! To download a color flier of the auction, click here
I met Richard Schmid once before...a few years ago. It was my first year at the auction and I was terribly nervous...but I walked up to him anyway and asked if he would take a look at my paintings and critique them. Being the gentleman that he is...he permitted me some time in his very busy auction day schedule....and took a peak. He studied them carefully and while still bent over..he is very tall and my piece for the live auction was hung rather low.....he peered at me curiously over his glasses and said "This is very good work". The painting I entered was a small piece, "House on Highway 71"...only 8x10.....and I had it listed for what I thought was a fair price..$465. Well, I waited around for what seemed forever...for the live auction to begin. Finally the notice was given and off we went. The pieces of art were to be described alternately between Richard Schmid and the other artist hosting the proceedings. As the auction went along I noticed that if Mr. Schmid really like a piece he would take the turn himself to describe and introduce the artist...instead of going turn for turn. I anxiously awaited to see if he would pick mine......and.......Yikes...he did!!! He praised the work highly and said he wished he had painted it himself. The he turned to me and asked if I would step up to the front and introduce myself...I did. He asked me to explain how I painted it and when I mentioned that I painted en plein air he stated that "Nobody hardly does that anymore!"
Richard Schmid and his followers, which I am one, believe in painting from life as much as possible and although I do use photos for many of my paintings I always paint from life when I can and as a continuing observational tool. My teacher for some years was Barbara Courtney ( a wonderful artist herself and an avid Schmid fan)....taught us that right from the beginning. I learned much from her and am honored to have studied under her. All really good artists I have spoken with paint from life regularly!
To continue my Schmid story he then said congratulations on such fine work and shook my hand...then..paused and said "Come here..let me just give you a hug!" Well...what can I say, except that was quite a day...a high point in my art career I will never forget. I returned to my seat and the auction began. I was thrilled when the bidding went past $600....but it didn't stop there, in dismay and tears, I watched the phone banks ring and people bid....$700...$1,000.....$1200...$1500.....$1800....$2000...anyone for $2100??? No going once...twice...three times....and sold for $2000 to a lawyer and his wife who lived in California and had law offices in Singapore. She loved my style and has kept track of me ever since.
You just never know what will happen next. I am anxious in a good way to go to the party...but as always I get very nervous at these affairs...Max says I do fine and no one would ever know how nervous I get. He himself was a business man for many years and was in constant touch with bosses, clientele and buyers and such......he has no problem....he is my rock!
I have to say this.....I never had a rock.....never had that solid, dependable, faithful guy...who was smarter than me....sounds bad but it's true....I sure like having a rock! So we will attend and the painting I submitted this year is posted along with the one from the first year. I have been given the high seller status....which means you have a guaranteed place as one of the 75 in the live auction. This event is widely publicized and adds have been run in Southwest Art twice, Western Art Collector and American Art Collector. So I can I say truthfully my name has been in these magazines....of course you have to squint to see it....but it's fun to see ones name in "lights" however small...LOL!
I have been sending out invitations for The MGA also...getting entries ready for a show in Texas and of course painting! After all the craziness these past weeks between art business and doctors appointments. I can finally get back to what I love. I don't mind the other stuff anymore and it is life...and I intend to live life...always have! But painting is something that builds up in me if I can't do it...makes me feel like I am all bound up or something. So I started a new one yesterday....painted most of the day....a larger piece...and am enjoying that process thoroughly...with the addition of music...always...! Really enjoying The Felice Brothers and the Avett Brothers....someone my Max found...he IS a music connoisseur!!
Well I am burning daylight, so off I go to the studio, watch those edges.....keep it loose and don't over paint....until later, happiness, oh and take a look at this video!!
Theresa Septembers' Barn 16x20

Camelback Mt. plein air 8x10 sold









Got a late post going today....Max had to have the Big "C" this morning....for the uninitiated you have to drink a horrible liquid plus lots of water, no food.....and there is a camera involved. Because of the delicacy of the situation ...there will be no further details....but I am taking orders for 8x10 glossies for close personal friends.
I got up early yesterday ...and today...and was to bed late last night. So after getting home I took a nap. A real rarity for me! Sure felt good...might do it more often!
I have been trying to put an assortment of videos on my video bar....all about painting but it doesn't seem to work right...Any suggestions out there? Of course I have checked the tutorials...can't seem to find my particular problem.
The interview went extremely well yesterday...I understand it will be published August 28, in the Profiles magazine. I got a lot a compliments from the photographer on my work.......and myself Teehee! We talked a lot about light and Photoshop. The editor was a doll and very inquisitive...simply wanted to know everything about me....don't really know what to say about that! Well everyone in this household is anxiously awaiting the article. Me too!
A few lines I have started repeating to myself..they are pinned to my easel!! The painting today was done while in John Budicins' workshop at The Scottsdale Artists School in Arizona.

▪ I am true to my talents and joys, and I let life help me with all else.

▪ Life takes care of me in miraculous ways. I let go of any sense of loss and accept my good through clever doors and packages.

▪ I move gracefully from good to better to best. I ask for all of what I want, and the universe responds.

▪ I line up my intention and the universe lines up the means. I am equal to my dream
I have been doing this for a long time.....but just recently found the words expressed so eloquently on Alyson Stanfields' website
Try it you might like it!!

Max is awake....he is very hungry...!
Bye ya'all, Theresa

Rain and Relaxation

Rocky Mountain National Park-Plein Air 8x16



What a wondrfully welcome surprise! Rain! Our garden needed it...the lawn needed it...we needed it! The downside was we didn't feel like going to the last day of Marian Days. We were supposed to go with Kim and Tom but the rain won. Sooooo......we just laid around and read, talked and shared. Max made pizza!!! I was upstairs straightening up and when I came down to start a meal...and...he was already at it!!! My kind of guy, that's for sure. Strangely enough there was a time I would have found that threatening...I know sounds a bit weird..but we all have our idiosyncrasies....( I have several) thankfully as I have evolved in life...I let that one go!


A little talk about painting.....I have found some great artists on this blog and I will post there page to my list as I find them....if they don't mind. I also have many favorite artists and will provide a link to their page....some I know personally or have met...some I just stand in awe of their mastery. I am always looking....always studying....even when I don't paint. When Max and I go for a drive I imagine how I will paint something I see. Expressing how I would represent the composition, colors, light, shapes and brushwork, etc. I used to do this while I was driving back and forth to the classes I used to teach on art.....but as they say...don't try this at home! No accidents fortunately...just some irritated drivers.


One last note before heading to the studio......I like this blog....a lot....thank you to those who have left comments....always a good thing. This seems to be a very supportive bunch and was surprised to find many friends and aquaintances here. I am just really enjoying this!!


Thankful for the cooler temperatures,


Theresa

A Sea of Fans....and Tents

Devils Den Cabin, Plein Air 11x14


The second day of Marian days was even more impressive than the first!. As Max and I walked among the throngs of people it felt much like being in a village....the sights, the smells, the atmosphere!!! Those who have not gone...in my humble opinion...have missed out on a wonferful part of humanity! As we watched the Catholic ceremonies....there was a sea of fans that stretched out before us....it was warm..and the waving of the fans reminded of gentle ocean waves. We gazed out over the sea and appreciated the reverance and attendance of the thousands of pilgrims. Their was an angelic choir, lifting their voices up, loud and clear, sweetly singing praises in Vietnamese. Truly beautiful!!

The rest of the evening we spent walking around and appreciating the diversity. Dinner was Com Ga Kho Sa, for me (caramalized chicken with citronella served with a side of a delightful lemon grass soup, lightly pickled veggies and rice) and Pho Tai for Max (his favorite...the man can't get enough) in fact he had two bowls. Later we had Sesame Seed Buns with bean paste inside....Hmmmm....delicious!! and of course Iced Coffee!

We stopped at a vendor and Max bought me a sandalwood fan and a painted paper umbrella. His darlin' daughter Inez gave me 20 dollars to spend on myself...but I forgot it at home...I will bring it with me this afternoon. Today is the last day to enjoy the festivities!

Inez is very much like my daughter, Anna....they are both wonderful, kind, gentle spirits! Very special people indeed. Love them so much....I could just squeeze the stuffin' out of them!!


Speaking of Anna, Max and I will be going out to Arizona to visit with her, her husband Larry and of course the grandkids....talk about two precious souls....how I love them!!! We will also be visiting my dearest friend, Jacquie!!


While wondering around Marian Days we ran into Cherry, of Cherrys' Gallery and her squeeze...we visited for awhile...(They are so much fun) we also saw the director of artCentral, Sally Armstrong.....and several other people Max knows. Yes, we had a great time and I took a lot of pictures...they are here on the blog.....hope you can find them!


The home office is almost done and Max has made me a new still life box. Thank goodness he has also taken over stretching my canvases!! The box is for controlling the light. If you would like to make one they are pretty easy. Just get a big box and cut away everything except three sides.....leave the three sides connected. Spray paint it black and you are ready to go. Another piece of cardboard can sit on the top for further control of the light. If you have any questions I am always happy to answer them.

Until next time...lots o' love,
Theresa

Welcome!

I am a fist time blogger... sort of...I had a short run at it on my personal website TheresaRankin.com...I have been putting off writing one for some time now...as if I didn't have enough to do!


I recently moved (well,actually, I have been here off and on for about 9 months) and started a new life, here in Carthage MO....the best one ever I think! I have always wanted to live here since moving to the Midwest. Those of you who know me...know what I am talking about. I am given to change...moving...sort of like a kite...whichever way the wind blows me. Except in my heart of hearts...which is the home of my artwork (I am an oil painter...which probably describes the kite statement)...My children....My friends...and MY MAX!!
I intend to post daily paintings here....and also those from the studio....keeping my friends and family updated on what's going on...! I am a terrible email writer...and worse about phone calls. My heart is in the right place...I think of those close to me daily...I just don't take time to communicate....my bad!
So here is some info on me and a picture of me and Max at a 4th of July party...I will expand on said info later and hopefully keep you all up to date!

Current Read: The Road by Cormac McCarthy also the author of No Place For Old Men.
Current Film: Tom Dowd & the Language of Music (2003)
Current Favorite artist: Zhaoming Wu


Red Onions 11x14 SOLD

Bio
Born in Hollywood, California Theresa knew she wanted to be an artist at six years old. “I remember telling my teachers how to color and draw, stating matter of factly that I am going to be an artist when I grow up. Formal studies began at the University of Hawaii., University of Utah and most recently Scottsdale Artist School. Many mentors and other artists have helped her direction. After a considerable break from the art world, the last few years she has been seriously working at improving and defining her style. That style is filled with interesting paint texture, gestural paint strokes and an accent on light. "I look at things as shapes of color and light; therefore I am happy to paint anything that stirs my heart and mind." She is influenced by Sargent, Sorrolla, Zorn and current artists Richard Schmid, Dan Gerhartz and Jeremy Lipking. Theresa strives for a mix of realism and looseness she finds emotionally and visually satisfying. Always eager to improve she has attended workshops with several local artists and received scholarships to Scottsdale Artists' School twice in the last three years. She continues to strive towards excellence and has lived in the Missouri/Kansas area for the past 16 years. She is a member of SPIVA of Joplin Mo, Artists of Northwest Arkansas, Eureka Springs Artists Guild, Bartlesville Art Association, Ok, artCentral of Carthage, Mo., NOAPS, Oil Painters of America, The Academic Artists Association and Landscape Artists International. She also teaches regular classes, dabbles in photography, gives workshops and is a member of Artists Who Teach.
Selected juried entries, exhibitions and awards include: Midwest Gathering of Artists, St. Avips Silent Auction, Ball and Exhibition, Capital Building Exhibition at Jefferson City, Scottsdale Artists School Scholarship 2004 and 2006.
Ozark Artists Alliance at John Brown University, “Best of Show” 2008Artists of Northwest Arkansas Fall Regional Competition "Best in Oil"The Thomas Hart Benton Exhibition and Juried Competition, "Best of Show" 2006 and 2007The Thomas Hart Benton Exhibition and Juried Competition, "Artists' Choice"The Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction "High Seller", 2005, 2006 and 2007Scottsdale Artist School "Best and Brightest" Invitation and Juried Competition The National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society "Best Landscape"2005The 20th Annual Bosque Conservatory Art Classic. 2005 and 2006Academic Artists Assoc. 56th Annual Juried Exhibit 2006Museum of the Southwest Peoples Choice and Honorable Mention 2006Artists of Northwest Arkansas Second Place 2003 and 2004Her work is available through personal contact and at Cherrys' Gallery in Carthage Missouri