BELLA GOES TO CALIFORNIA and 26 UNDER $50

BELLA

12 x 12 oil on canvas  

 There's something about a new year that makes me want to have more spare surroundings.  So, I've been spending some time getting my art room all sorted out.  Pitching, paring down etc.   In doing this, I came across "Bella", a painting I did a couple years ago and had almost forgotten about.  Then I woke up this morning to the news that she's getting a new home in California!

This has inspired me to clean out the shop! Start fresh! 

Buy some fresh paints and brushes and get those new ideas on canvas!

So, starting today there are 26 items in my shop listed at 

under $50.00!  

Check them out HERE.

Look for the ***** after a listing name to 

find the new priced items and start fresh yourself 

with a new piece of art for your tired 2016 walls!

-Nan

DRAWINGS, PHOTOS, AND WATERCOLORS FROM THE SKETCHBOOK

Just a sampling of some recent drawings and watercolors from my sketchbook.  This first drawing was done from a photo I took at the marina on Captiva Island yesterday.  Brown Pelicans are everywhere here - sleeping, airing out, and keeping their eyes peeled for a tasty treat.  Beautiful birds, they are full of personality.   I love the look on his face!

 Below, a sketchbook watercolor of one of the cottages here.  They are so brightly painted - hot pink, lime greens, turquoise - charming little cottages, every one.

I was hoping for a view of the manatees feeding near shore today.  We've seen them there before - but today, no luck.  Hence, a sketchbook drawing/watercolor of another one of my favorite subjects.

And some practice of different styles below - all for the sketchbook.

And last of all, three favorite photos from the last few days.

 The Brown Pelican, this one posed for my first drawing, watching my every move lest I should get too close.

 Morning fog in the marina with beautiful reflections from the pier and boat.

A Great Blue Heron keeping watch over the marina as the morning fog burns off.

BIRDS AND THE BEES . . . AND A FEW SHEEP

If you have a "make it" blog, or even if you just like to make things, then you understand how I'm feeling.  I kind of feel like this every day, actually, but sometimes you get specific creative urges.

You just want to use your hands to make something.

Sometimes you have the urge to sew.

Sometimes you feel prompted to paint - and that's the way I feel.  It's windy, sunny, and pretty chilly today.  A good day to stay inside, light a couple great smelling candles, make a fresh pot of coffee, and use that bright sunshine coming in the window to work on a painting project.  

I have a couple of great photos of some sheep that I've been saving for a day like today . . .

Aren't they awesome?

So it's time to get out my supplies!

Also, for the "birds and the bees" part - I have a few new paintings in my Etsy shop to share today.  

A Green Honey Creeper

 A couple bees . . .

 . . . and a Nuthatch.  They were part of a little painting challenge I took part in a while ago.

Thanks for stopping!

A ROOM, A SHEEP, AND A PAINTING GOAL

I had a fun, busy day yesterday. Stayed home, turned off the AC, turned on a fan, and camped out in my little workroom.  Today's post is about three things that transpired - I'll go light on the words and just share pictures   

#1

A ROOM 

I started out the day by cleaning my workroom.  

(There's nothing like cleaning out your work space to make you feel industrious.) 

Miss Gillyflower and friends nearby as a reminder to get going on that . . .

Along with a great little bit of wisdom!

Some stuffed versions of the characters as a model . . .

#2

A SHEEP

I worked on a close-up painting of a sheep using a photo for inspiration.

#3

A PAINTING GOAL

Then, as a result of the Daily Paintworks Challenge I blogged about a few days ago,  I decided to join the DAILY PAINTWORKS group in September.  (My sheep painting will fit in the Up Close Animal category.)  

So, when a lot of my friends head back to the classroom in a few weeks, I'll try to add in some time spent painting every day.  There is a small fee to join but it's a place to be seen, get inspiration, and sell.    And you can join for a month or forever!  Kind of like Etsy but with a focus completely on painting.  

There are two main reasons I want to join this group:  

1.  It will challenge me to paint things I wouldn't normally paint.

2.  It will make me step out of my comfort zone and focus on using oils rather than acrylics.  It isn't that you must use oil paints, but most of the artists do.  So, you know, peer pressure and all . . .