"CHERRY DUO" ADDED TO ETSY TODAY © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Cherry Duo"

5"x7"; 9"x11" framed

$85

Available in my ETSY shop

Cherry Duo is that painting that can go in a kitchen, dining room, well, any room that needs a splash of summer color! Painted in front of a bit of what I think of as antiquity these cherries are bright with oranges and reds in different values. Cherry Duo is a 5"x7" oil painted on a slightly textured panel and is framed in my one of a kind wood frame with a big of red added to the top of the molding. The frame is 9"x11" finished size. It comes ready to hang or can sit nicely in an easel!

 

I really enjoy playing with making frames for some of these smaller paintings...they are truly one of a kind!  FUN DOINS!

HAPPY CREATING!

"PINE CANYON" UPDATE © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Pine Canyon"

36"x12"x1.5" deep

Mixed Media on gallery wrap canvas

$650

There is not much updating to this painting except to add more highlights than previously existed on the trees up top.  I knew at the time of painting that it needed highlights to unify it MORE to the rest of the painting, but there was so much paint on it every attempt to blend just disappeared! HA.  It was fine like it WAS, but it is much better like it IS.  Just goes to show, a little can go a long way!

 You can see here the highlights within the tree that help to describe the lights that are happening in this landscape...they are subtle, but if strong sunlight was hitting from the left, it would show up more than previously described.  

Like I said, it is simple, but just gives a bit more information.

"Pine Canyon" is painted on it's sides.

And there you have it...I'm MUCH happier with it...so, as always, there is a reason some paintings come home with me!

HAPPY CREATING!

"MT. EVANS IN FAUVE" BEFORE AND AFTER © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Mt. Evans in Fauve" REWORKED

30"x24" 1.5" gallery wrap

$900

Available through my WEBSITE

YES..you've seen this before...this was one of my new pieces that went to SAM this summer.  The mountain itself always seemed a little strong for the painting, and as I'm in the middle of growing and changing a little it is always a process.

SINCE it came home with me, I have played a little...I softened the mountain...simplified shapes and the amount of color that existed and I am NOW much happier with it!  There was JUST TOO MUCH going on...and it needed a makeover; at least in my view, and this is the end result.

Here I have the before and after so you can see the change...and you can judge for yourself...I like the after myself!

It really wasn't that complicated, and with just a little care taken to blend the new with the old middle it came out just fine and dandy!

It is a GOOD thing to take stock of work you currently have...and play...it helps in the growing process as an artist.  I will continue to play with a piece or two, cuz that's what happens when stuff is in my house! LOL

HAPPY CREATING!

PAINTING FOR THE HOME - "BLUE - A SEA TURTLE" © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Blue - a Sea Turtle"

10"x20"

Acrylic and Paper

Artist's Collection

It is very important for an artist to take time to paint for the home...OUR HOME! HA.  I often think of my house as a revolving gallery...I hang up whatever isn't at a gallery or in a show, and when it sells, or needs to go to another place, my walls are blank for a time.  I think it is much like a doctor's family or a builder...I've known both kinds of families and things have a way of kind of being delayed. NOT to say the kiddos of a doc are neglected, but the mom often took those kids to a different doc for treatment...ha...and I know several builders who are always behind on home projects!  It just seems to be the way things are. 

We have a bathroom that is beach themed...I DO love the ocean, and even though we live in the mountains, I like to be reminded of those wonderful vacations at the beach.  For over 5 years there has been a spot above our towel rack that has screamed at me to have a beach themed painting of some sort...and this week I FINALLY took a few moments to do just that.  "Blue" is just hanging out just under the surface of the water enjoying life...I added my signature papers for just a little movement in the negative space.  If you look closely it may remind of bubbles....I didn't want too much...just more of an illustration type of painting, so the little bits of paper were just the ticket!

I sketched him and then painted him with watered down acrylic; but in the fashion of watercolor.  It has been SO LONG since I painted this way where I needed Misket, well, let's just say the last time I did this it was called Frisket and the bottle was $1.99!  The other day I paid $11.99! WOW!  But, it was worth it to paint over all the white instead of around it.  Needless to say this decor shot ISN'T above my towel rack, but that might not have looked so hot in the photo for this post, so I gave him a little staging.

I had a frame that was some stained color, but wanted to play with the turquoise a bit for some fanciful  flair and then distressed it a bit. It must have had some gold, because that shows through here and there.  I could have had it matted, but for now this is fine...under glass...just hanging in my bathroom.  SO, now I'm happy to have taken a little time for our home and will get back to business!

HAPPY CREATING!

UPDATING ETSY; "DRAGONFLY IN REPOSE" OIL © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

 

"Dragonfly in Repose"

7"x5" oil on panel

$85

Available through my ETSY shop

One of the things I've been doing is updating my ETSY shop.  I fell in love with dragonflies when I painted one for my dear friend and CO-GRANDMA, Diana Grimes.  My daughter actually commissioned one for Diana's Christmas present...I started studying them and became interested in painting them pretty...cuz folks, in real life close up they are kinda scary! HA...well, their bodies...not their wings.  

The frames like these I make myself by using a base frame and adding molding and then paint and stain.  I really enjoy making these frames to go with my paintings of this size...lots of fun!

 

HAPPY CREATING!

UPDATING FOR ETSY, "BUTTERFLY IN BLUE" ORIGINAL OIL WITH ONE OF A KIND WOOD FRAME © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Butterfly in Blue"

7"x5"; framed size 11"x9"

$85

Available in my ETSY shop

For the next few days I'll be updating my ETSY shop with some new work, and some newly framed work.  It is good to clean house while I am designing new larger work.  Today is "Butterfly in Blue", and oil on textured 7"x5" panel and framed in my one of a kind wood frames.

HAPPY CREATING!

BACK TO REGULAR LIFE AFTER AN ART MARKET and THOUGHTS ON DISCOUNTING

I usually photograph lots of things at Summer Art Market, but this year I was SO BUSY I had little time, HOWEVER, this little guy was a MUST!  I see a painting in the future for sure!

SUMMER ART MARKET was great fun this year despite sales being less than in previous years.  This seemed to be the consensus of many vendors I spoke with.  We always try to talk about things so we can understand trends and location and such...The truth is sometimes this just happens!  I talked to some who felt the location on our street wasn't the best...that may be true.  SAM has gotten so very large that it may have turned into another little Cherry Creek, except at the Art Student's League only has local artists;  which is awesome!  I talked to many shoppers and they all felt it was getting SO BIG they shared that they did not choose to see the entire show.  There were those very negative folks who griped and complained about the lack of sales and blamed everything and everyone for it, but thankfully only a couple...that IS NOT the way to behave at one of these events, in my view, but it happens.  Regardless of this type of thing I did sell a lot of smaller items and a few big ones...among the sold are:

 Rock Cliffs

 Tree Line

 Three Lemons and a Cherry

 Majesty

 Dragonfly in Purple and Green

Lollipop Forest

All total there were over 35 sales in my tent, so I'm happy about that...it frees me to do MORE; which I will very soon!  I also sold several of my pet portraits and got commissions for many more! FUN DOINS!

I had a very nice and very talented artist next door to me for whom this show was a first for her.  She asked me how I felt about discounting.  Every artist has their own personal belief about this and I respect each one.  We all get to decide how we are going to approach this subject.  This is my approach to it; which really means nothing to anyone but me, but it is a school of thought worth considering as you decide how you want to approach this.  First of all IT IS A PERSONAL DECISION.  I usually have one or two paintings that have been there for a few times and I usually decide BEFORE the show to mark them down; NOT BECAUSE IT IS LESS VALUABLE, but quite honestly I'm ready to move it along.  That is OK for me.  HOWEVER, I do not barter with folks at my shows.  I had two shoppers who tried to knock off a couple smaller paintings by A LOT!  Frankly I am not a fan of this.  Do we ask our plumbers or electricians or attorneys to knock off of their fees?  NO!  They went to school and got a degree or certificate and they charge what they charge.  It should be the same with artists.  I've got well over 35 years of knowledge and experience behind my work and I view it as valuable as those who are in other professions!  I, occasionally, donate work for worthy causes and sometimes paint things for someone who needs a boost...just like lawyers do pro bono work for example.  So when there was a new painting hanging for $85 and a woman said "Will you take $50 for it?" I politely told her "no " and was nice, but no it was.  She chose not to purchase it, and that is ok too.  I understand that these fairs have a certain thrift; flea market feel, so people are conditioned to bargain, and as I have said there are artists that DO THAT, and it is OK...but for me, I value my work and time and effort it took to produce it so I don't discount much.  IF I CHOOSE TO VOLUNTEER IT FOR A SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE that is my decision, but I'm not swayed to do it otherwise.  I always smile and am kind, but I am firm in my decision.  SO, those artists out there that are quick to discount...before you do, remember your talent and work and time have value just like every other profession.  OK...that was my soap box...ha

It's back to my easel after I rest a day or so...SO STAY TUNED!  

HAPPY CREATING!

SUMMER ART MARKET 2015 AND NEW DOOR © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

It's that time again, SUMMER ART MARKET!  With all the rain we've had and earlier in the week, the rain threats for this weekend, yesterday's first day was spectacular weather!!  It even got hot!  I didn't complain though, because with all the rain we've had it was a summer day, so YAY!

There were a steady throng of folks, and sales were pretty good, but I'd like to see a spectacular to make all the months feel worth it! HA!  On a side note...about complaining at the market.  NOT A GOOD IDEA! HA!  My poor neighbor was so angry that we were on a side leg and she didn't sell much that it sort of put a downer on our little street.  I understand her angst...BELIEVE ME I DO, but there is always a positive spin we can put on things...making positive suggestions to the market's admin for next year might be a better idea instead of griping and complaining and blaming.  We all have those bad days, but the sun was shining and people were out and fun conversations were had and sales were happening...so I'm hoping today's sunshine and happy beginning will help those who were angry to have a better day!

I had a healthy inventory, INCLUDING what is left of my 101 Pet Portraits in 101 Days kiddos; of which a good number sold to those who felt they looked like their precious pet kid...so it was a good day...I'm hoping those shoppers come right back out today! 

Something I created and didn't even have time to get out on the web was another chalkboard door...It lasted about 10 minutes before it sold...but I have more on my drawing board! FUN DOINS!  The bird in the middle has a hook for this or that...

and...I even had a visitor to my tent all day...I call him "Piggey"...Hope to see him again today!  Hope to see any of you who didn't make it yesterday!

Happy Creating!

"MT. EVANS IN FAUVE" ORIGINAL MIXED MEDIA LANDSCAPE © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Mt. Evans in Fauve"

30" x 24" x 1.5" deep gallery wrap canvas

$900

Available in my WEBSITE

See it in person at SUMMER ART MARKET

June 13-14, 2015

Come visit me at booth #54

I've painted my view of Mt. Evans in every medium I've worked in, every style, so it only seemed fitting to paint it again with my current experimental way of working as I weave my way to artistic growth.  There was a base of acrylic put in that you can see here and there peeking through.  After that I started painting in oil.  I used a palette knife for a good portion of this painting.  I also worked with stamps and stencils to pull in pattern; which you can see most obviously in the sky, but if you look closely you can see the honeycomb pattern repeated; though more subtly in the foreground.  There is also a bit of paper throughout as well.  

 This detail image shows the paper peeking through as well as the honeycomb shape repeated

 The trees are applied almost intuitively...not much emphasis on realism; thus moving ever more close to my need for more abstract in my work.  The rocks are painted more with color as was the fashion of the fauves (wild beasts as they were called in the late 1800's and early 1900's)

This painting comes ready to hang.

HAPPY CREATING!