"COLORADO VISIONS" ORIGINAL MIXED MEDIA PAINTING OF COLORADO SCENES © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Colorado Visions"

24" x 18" mixed media on gallery wrap canvas

$425 includes shipping in the US

So, this is the first in my Shabby Chic series.  It was an interesting experience.  There is no scene that I've photographed that has all these elements just this way, but it seemed to fit together.  I asked my friend Carol Nelson about colors she used to paint aspen leaves for a fresh view...and I used them.  The challenge with the aspen was to portray the colors, but not too perfectly.  This Shabby Chic piece did not call for that in my view...so, after painting them all pretty...I decided they were TOO pretty for this, and too bright, so believe it or not...these colors have been grayed down and sort of approached in an expressionistic way.  I liked that better.

The rocks and little stream just went in without incident...quick strokes of color (yes, rocks have LOTS of colors in them)...a few highlights and that was done...

My conclusion with this piece is it was great experimentation...it was FUN; mostly, and I enjoy the shabbiness of it for a different approach.  I plan to do more Shabby Chic...but I have a couple not so shabby ones in my head first...but, I'll get to it!

The entire bottom subject matter I painted in oil...so this mixed media piece has oil, acrylic, modeling paste, acid free paper and some brads...and I may even sneak a few in for good measure when the oil dries...FUN DOINS!

ps..The sides...I will be finishing the sides in the shabby chic way...for me that means...a little paint...but not the full scene wrapped around...

HAPPY CREATING!

ADDING "SITTING PRETTY" ORIGINAL MIXED MEDIA PAINTING OF ASPEN AND RED BIRD © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY AND MORE ON SHABBY CHIC #1 WITH VALUABLE ARTICLES FOR YOUR INFORMATION

"Sitting Pretty"

Mixed media on canvas covered MDF framed in grey metal

$400.00 includes shipping in the US

WOW...what a LONG title even for me...Sorry about that...still working double duty to put available paintings in my DAILY PAINTWORKS on line gallery, but I think it is OK to remind those of paintings that I have right here in my studio.  Of course as always...if you see it here and love it...you can buy it right here! 

It was a gorgeous weekend up here in Colorado for February...so I played and got outside errands done...thus the little delay in working on my Shabby Chic #1 painting...HOWEVER, I have added a bit more...

Just a reminder...you may have to click on this one to see it a bit larger to see the shabby"ness" of this...and remember, it is a first in a series, so the experimenting is new and FUN, but I'm ever working out kinks in the armor.  You can see I've begun to add my fav's...aspen...but Pines will also be in this piece along with a little boulder and water action...(and I say action meaning it's there...no raging waterfalls...:))

Over the weekend I found two articles that I found really important and helpful to share.  The first is an explanation by David Marine on the copyright issue that has been brought up about sharing photos and work on the fairly new site called PINTEREST, of which I am a participant.  I am including a link to that letter he wrote to the PINTEREST participants because I believe it may help some who have had concerns about joining this fun little (well, HUGE) group...

PINTEREST AND COPYRIGHT

The other link I wanted to share comes from the on line newsletter we get through the website FineArtStudioOnLine that is the host for my website...it is called the Empty Easel.  This article is about paint quality and what those pesky numbers...Series 1,2,3 etc. really mean and why a Hue is what it is and colors that are good for mixing...I felt it valuable and wanted to share...

 Understanding Paint Series Numbers and Pigments when Buying Artists Paint by Maureen Ryan

I hope you find these articles helpful while I labor with a smile on my latest thing above...Well, it's back to the easel!!

HAPPY CREATING!

"ASPEN GOLD" ORIGINAL MIXED MEDIA PAINTING OF ASPEN © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY AND...PROCESS ON SHABBY CHIC #1 (NO NAME YET)

"Aspen Gold"

2'x2' mixed media on MDF cradle

stained on sides with English Oak

ON SALE FOR A SHORT TIME

$600 includes shipping in the US

I'm happy to say I've put all the codes in for DAILY PAINTWORKS on line gallery and it seems to be revolving just fine...This is one colorful piece!  I always think it would fit so great in a childs room I think because of the colors.  Occasionally I will pull a piece and spontaneously put it on sale for a little while...today this is the sale. yippee!!...

I am having a great time working on my first Shabby Chic piece...laying in things as I go down and then going back up to do some more...FUN DOINS!  I will be putting pine and aspen on the bottom with a little bit of water coming through some awesome boulders I ran across on one of our hikes...It took me a little while to decide just what would go where...but it's looking great in my head! lol

You can see that I've added color and some papers to block in background...and have added a few embellishments that is easier to see in the detail shot below...

It's a little like where's Waldo...you might have to click to make the pic bigger...but there are little brads in there...I'm just playing...but I'm loving the process!!

HAPPY CREATING!!

"ASPEN IN ORANGE AND GREEN" ORIGINAL MIXED MEDIA PAINTING OF ASPEN © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY AND SHABBY CHIC PROCESS

"Aspen in Orange and Green"

Mixed media on MDF cradled panel with English Oak stained sides

$220 includes shipping in the US

One of my favorite aspen pieces since I started working in this style...

I've continued working with my "Shabby Chic" piece...adding color and building up texture and making decisions...FUN DOINS!  I've been playing with brads and such to add a little emphasis to my shabby canvas strips which will be in tomorrow''s post...I'm not sure where this is going...but it is tons o fun!   Stay tuned!

NEWS:  I finally registered for the jurying process for the Summer Art Market outdoor show that will be at the Art Students League this June 9-10...let's see if I get in.

OH, and PS...I have had quite a few requests over the past few years to put some of my photo's up for sale...so, I've also begun to add some of what I feel are my best to the FINE ART AMERICA gallery that has a link on my side-bar.  As with the other work...if there is a fav photo that you've wanted to make a print of that you don't see...just contact me and I'll try to get it in there!!  Thanks all!!

HAPPY CREATING!!

"POPPIES THREE" ORIGINAL MIXED MEDIA PAINTING OF ICELAND POPPIES" © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY; EXPERIMENTS; REFERENCES FOR YOU

"Poppies Three"

12" x 12" mixed media on cradled MDF with English Oak stained sides

$300 includes shipping in the US

THIS is for the Daily Paintworks site...YES, it worked the last post...now to add to my on line gallery...:) NOW...for the REFERENCES and the EXPERIMENT!!

The past few days we have had TONS of Robins hanging out in our pines that have the blue berries...they are going crazy!!  I learned a bunch of Robins is called a "ROUND"...FUN TO LEARN NEW STUFF!!  They flit here and there SO fast I felt lucky to get this pic of a sweet little guy!!  Below is a collage I made of some of my favorite bird pics...

You can also see these pinned to my PINTEREST site that you can either access by following the link or click on the PINTEREST on my sidebar...

The experiment I am working on will be a series I'm going to call my "Shabby Chic" series (IF it works out that is...)...I woke up wanting to play some, and had the idea to add canvas to canvas...mostly for more texture...but also to see what I do with it...the beginning is below....24" x 18" gallery wrap canvas...

Not too pretty is it...HA...nope...but, in my head it may go some places...I'm still going to do my "thing" on it...but I am also thinking of it as a tippy toe into abstract...for later on when I may want to push a little bit on my old creative brain.

I HATE to have white canvas...so I rolled some color over the whole thing to get it started...

As I work quickly, and often on two or three things at once I've already sketched a bit of mountain at top with vine charcoal...REMEMBER...Shabby Chic...gotta be excited with every stray string, every smudge...etc, etc...Hopefully I'll have a large block of time tomorrow to do MORE!!

Til then...more reference photos for your pleasure...also on my PINTEREST boards I believe if you like...

gotta LOVE this fatty!!

These are my favorite ocean birds I snapped when visiting my son in Ocean Beach; San Diego...some of them have been painted already...

This cutie just made me laugh...hope it gives you a little tug at the corners of your mouth too...

HAPPY CREATING!!

"ACORN TRIO" © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY AND MORE FROM TEDDY SCHMEDEKE LEE

"Acorn Trio"

12 x 12" mixed media on cradled panel

$300 includes shipping in the US

You may be wondering why I am posting a previously posted painting...WELL, I have an answer...I've recently joined Daily Paintworks; a fairly new on-line gallery that was started by Carol Marine and is run by her family.  Every day the first painting posted on my blog will be pulled and put on the Daily Paintworks site, so this is an experiment to see if I've done it correctly!...So, you will be revisiting earlier paintings from time to time as I add paintings to this site.  I can go in and add them manually, but I'm testing this avenue as well...ALWAYS EXPERIMENTING!!  Plus, it is a nice reminder of work I still have in my home studio!

As promised I am now adding a second video taken by me of parts of the workshop I attended on figure drawing and painting by Teddy Schmedeke Lee yesterday.  This is about 10 minutes as she describes the first thing her mother taught her about shading...as I believe you will see she also describes that this method works on all subject matter...so, ENJOY!!  If you click on the utube symbol it will take you to the site on u tube and you can click full screen.  Sorry I'm such a novice!!

I've entered these paintings in the Lakewood Arts Council "Colorado's Best" show that will open on February 27, 2012 and run through March 1, 2012.  If you live in the area I invite you to pop by to see the paintings that get in.  This show is juried by national award winner Chuck Danford!

"Acorn Duo", "Sitting Pretty", "Sunflower" and "Among the Trees"

Stay tuned to see if any of these get in!!

HAPPY CREATING!

FIGURE DRAWING WORKSHOP WITH TEDDY SHMEDEKE LEE

Charcoal sketch of my daughter over mixed media background

Today was FUN DOINS at the Lakewood Arts Council as we had a figure drawing workshop with a wonderful artsit and teacher Teddy Schmedeke Lee who teaches at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design.

I don't do many figures, but it is ALWAYS a good idea to stretch and practice and LEARN.  Today my favorite NEW thing was how to fit work into an "envelope".  This is valuable when trying to fit a figure within a certain size.  Below is a video as she described this to me.

I promised the other members of class that I would post a lot of the videos I took on other sections of class, so be looking for this in coming days!

I also did a charcoal sketch of my son on his skateboard that I will work on...I used the "envelope" method to place him.

My goal in these workshops is to learn at least one new thing...play, and practice rather than produce a finished piece...and that is just what I did!!

HAPPY CREATING!

"MT. EVANS" COMPLETED...© SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

Mask Project is completed...and soon it will go off to it's destination.  On April 14 they will all be on display at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center closing on May 13, 2012.  There is also an on-line auction where the masks will be on display the same dates at:  www.themaskproject.org.  Again, this benefits the Denver Hospice, so if you are so inclined...save the dates and either hop on line or over to Cherry Creek!  As you can see I added my aspen at the bottom, completing this little version of my long skinny type layer paintings.  FUN DOINS!

It was a crazy day yesterday beginning with a run to the emergency room for hubby and I.  He did some damage to his tendons in his upper chest which mimicked heart attack symptoms to a T!  After a little wifely "encouragement" we headed out about 6 a.m. to have it checked out.  Glad it wasn't "the big one"...but we are both left a little light headed and tired today...aaahhh life!

There is this BIG OLE RED ROBIN that's been hanging around the house lately...I've chased that thing with my camera for days...trying to get a pic.  FINALLY it was still long enough for me to at least grab a little photo...or BIG photo...I just had to share this...biggest robin (at least I believe it is a robin) I've ever seen.  If it wasn't winter I'd be sure it was gonna have a million babies or something!...so, sharing!!

and...still snapping those photos of my beautiful Valentine flowers...the roses are opening fast...but had to share another reference for any of you roses painters out there!!

Tomorrow I'm off to play in a figure drawing and painting workshop...mainly to have some FUN...not that I paint that many figures...but it is ALWAYS a good idea to keep fresh and try things...so, off I will go!

HAPPY CREATING!

MASK PROJECT;MORE PROCESS...and a TREAT OR TWO

Another day of process on the MASK PROJECT for the Denver Hospice...you can see that I've added papers over the under painting and have added a few details to the mountains...Next will be to add my paper stream and the aspen I've decided to put on the bottom.  So, this  will really be a little layer painting over a face...I'm getting a kick out of it!

I have a FUN and AWESOME video to share with those of you who know I adore my family and share their lives and talents from time to time.  I believe art is much more encompassing than just what we put on a surface...it is music, poetry, dance...and in the case of my most wonderful son Jonathan Prather his absolute skill on the skateboard.  Recently he was approached by a director DYLAN AVERY who directed and produced (among other things) a Netflix movie called "Loose Change" which is about 911...well, he saw my son as he was working on his skate tricks and asked to shoot him (in film that is...) and this u-tube video was the end result of that moment in time...I am QUITE PROUD of my son and wanted to share this link as I've yet to figure out how to share a u-tube video directly to this blog...SO, for those of you interested...it's called
SLOWBOARDING in OB. (click on that)... ENJOY! Oh...this is my most talented boy!

Jonathan Prather

My talented son...

AND, because it's Valentines Day, and as I've promised to share reference material for you to paint if you wish, AND because my husband ROCKS and brought me these lovely VALENTINES DAY FLOWERS I'm sharing some of the pretty pics I've gotten so far!!  HAPPY VALENTINES DAY and 

HAPPY CREATING!!

He asked me one day what kind of flowers I wanted for "sometime" and I promptly replied SUNFLOWERS AND RED ROSES...and...bless him if he didn't find a few sunflowers for me in February!!  AWESOME HUBBY!

MASK PROJECT PROCESS, CORE GALLERY, MY PAXTON!

My 3rd day of process on the MASK PROJECT is a sort of ugly stage...(remember...there's almost always an ugly stage).  I've laid in the section of Mt. Evans...and have begun to put color on the bottom for the papers I will add.  Hang in there...I know it will at least look better! HA

Today I deliver GORE RANGE LAYERS to the CORE GALLERY for a show.  CORE is a gallery just off of Santa Fe in Denver.  This show will run for a couple of weeks.  If you are in the area I invite you to stop in! The show begins February 16, and will run for 3rd Friday on the 17th and 1st Friday and the Reception on March 2.  Hope to see you there!!

If you have time to glance at my sidebar you will see I've added a few new things.  I joined a fun new social media called PINTEREST.  It is a place where you can "pin" photos of things that have meaning to you...AND, as soon as I read all the info there is a way to sell from there too...so, I invite you to click on the Pinterest link on my sidebar and take a look!  I've included so far some paintings...of course...and have begun to add some of my favorite reference photos along with some other things.  It is FUN and FREE!

I also decided to add FINE ART AMERICA back into the choices you can have for purchasing prints of my work.  They do quality work.  I've only just begun to add paintings to my store in FIA, so if you've been hankering for one of my pieces in print form but don't see it there yet, just e-mail me at art4life44@hotmail.com and I'll add it for you!

I'm still using ZAZZLE as you can also buy prints, but also mugs, t-shirts, well...all sorts of products with your favorite image, so if you are looking for prints you now have TWO choices.  AND, as life has been so hectic there isn't much there yet either...but the same goes...don't see it...e-mail me and I'll put it in!!

AND, as if that isn't enough I've also JUST joined the DAILY PAINTWORKS on line gallery...but that is SO new I haven't set up my gallery yet...so, stay tuned!!  This was started by Carol Marine and is family run...a great avenue for artists!!

TODAY is my little grandson Paxton's 6th month birthday.  Time has gone so fast!  It seems just like yesterday that I made that wild dash to Omaha in the middle of the night to get there in time to see him come into this world.  He has made great strides...rolling over...eating yummy new foods that his mommy makes from scratch and has had his first day in Sunday School (with mom right there of course)...and we even NOW have the first family photo! YEA!

Paxton LOVES Sunday School (with mommy right there) :)

FUN DOINS in this family!!  HAPPY CREATING!

MASK PROJECT BEGINNING, ZAZZLE, AND MY DAD!

Day one of the mask project was to coat the mask with gesso and to draw a section of Mt. Evans on the face.  Note how I put the highest point of the mountain section off center so as to keep the composition interesting.  I then added some texture with Golden Molding Paste (no, I didn't spell Molding wrong...that's just what they call it) :)  You may have to click on the pic to see the drawing...it is a little fuzzy and hard to see...chalk that up to the fact that I am hurrying to get ready for another dreaded dental appointment and the light in the studio...sorry...dentists make me nervous, so the anti shake thingy on my camera was no help this time! HA

I wanted to remind you that I have re-opened my ZAZZLE store for any of you who may want to purchase prints of my work.  When you click on the link above and go to my "store front" you will note that there are hardly any paintings in there...I KNOW...things have been a little hectic around here, so I've just begun to put items in the store...HOWEVER, if there is a piece you are interested in, contact me at art4life44@hotmail.com and ask me about it and I'll put it in the store for you!!  YEA for prints!!

Another reason I am so scattered and SLOW these days is, as I've said before, my father is going through chemo.  I adore my parents...my dad is quite the trooper...still assistant attorney general in Oklahoma...going to work when he can...and my mom is awesome in that she is with him every step of the way through this process!  Today is chemo day #3...we are about half way there...so, I love you dad and mom...hang in there...we are all praying for you!!

and..well, cuz there was no color to my mask today I thought I'd sneak another pic of my precious grandson Paxton in...His big ole cheeks are happy cuz he just started solids...Sweet Potatoes his mom made from scratch...I think he loves it!! YEA!

SOOOOO whatever gives you inspiration today...jump on it!!  Have an awesome February day!!

HAPPY CREATING!

MASK PROJECT FOR CHARITY

The Mask Project is a fund raiser for the Denver Hospice.  This will be the 14th anniversary of this fundraiser I believe.  The first time I have participated.  On April 14 all the masks painted by artists all around, including celebrities will be on display at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center in Denver.  I wanted to participate in this project to give back to the community...and it will be FUN DOINS!  So, stay tuned to watch the progress of this mask.  To see what others have done in the past click on this link.  THE MASK PROJECT OF 2010

After looking it it for awhile I decided to go the route to paint something from my world in the way I work...so this will be a collage piece.  I decided to take advantage of the surface to do another rendition of our own Mt. Evans.  I actually think I will pull from actual paintings I've done in the past of Mt. Evans...I have quite a few shots of this mountain as it is visible from the top of our mountain...but most of them are covered in snow or shadow like the reference shot below.

This will be good to get the silhouette I want to make my Mt. Evans actually LOOK like Mt. Evans!  I used this before when I did "Mt. Evans Inspiration"

"Mt. Evans Inspiration"

12x12" mixed media on cradled MDF

$220 STILL AVAILABLE...check my website!

This detail shows the silhouette of the mountain cut very carefully from acid free paper.  This is a part of a series I did last year.

I like the colors in the other views of Mt. Evans I have done...so, my palette will be taken from some of these...

the colors in this detail are quite fresh and fun!

This is the end result of that detail...

"MT. EVANS PANORAMA"

SOLD

From this painting I got a commission to do another Mt. Evans...

"MT EVANS PANORAMA 2"

SOLD

"Mt. Evans Panorama 2"  was a requested painting from a collector.  They wanted more orange! FUN!

"MT. EVANS THROUGH ASPEN EYES"

OIL ON CANVAS

$75...CONTACT ME IF YOU ARE INTERESTED :)

This rendition of Mt. Evans was actually a demo for a high school class a few years ago...I don't even have this painting as I was attacked that day when I was subbing long term and decided not to return...Sigh...aaahhh life!

"MT. EVANS IN COLLAGE"

9"X12" MIXED MEDIA ON CRADLED BOARD

SOLD JUST RECENTLY!

This painting was an experiment with mixing papers and oil.  I wanted to depict Mt. Evans almost totally in paper...there is very little paint added, but the trees were painted in oil.

So, you can see I have several things to choose from when putting this majestic painting on the mask...I'm going to have FUN!

HAPPY CREATING!