"A BEAR IN PARADISE" MIXED MEDIA ON CRADLED PANEL © SAUNDRA LANE FINE ART

"A Bear in Paradise"

18"x18"

SOLD

Mixed Media on Cradled Panel

This bear painting was done as a request from someone who saw "Bear Visit" I did a year ago; that sold, and she loved it so much she wanted one similar...Which is good, as similar is all I would be able to do on something like this...You can see the first one below IS similar, but different...ha...I enjoyed working on it to try to give her what she wanted.  

I think each one has some fun qualities, so I didn't mind doing it...

 detail...I think she will enjoy the different paper...I know her well enough to know this...

 This gives an idea of size when put in some type of decor...

This one is cradled...I used a combination of grey and leather stain to compliment the painting.

STAY INSPIRED IN ANY WAY YOU CAN!!

"DRAGONFLY" ORIGINAL OIL ON PANEL; FRAMED © SAUNDRA LANE FINE ART

"Dragonfly"

5"x5" oil on panel

Permantly mounted on frame

$85

ON HOLD for the Mountainside Miniature Show

August 30-September 28, 2017

Lakewood Arts Council; next to Casa Bonita

This is my 3rd entry for the Mountainside Miniature show coming up in just a few days!  I love painting dragonflies...and...the story goes that...

When a dragonfly lands on you, you will hear excellent news from someone far away from home. A dead dragonfly symbolizes sad news. Dragonfly symbolism crosses and combines with that of the butterfly and change. The dragonfly symbolizes going past self-created illusions that limit our growing and changing. Dragonflies are a symbol of the sense of self that comes with maturity.

They are fantastic flyers, darting like light, twisting, turning, changing direction, even going backwards as the need arises. They are inhabitants of two realms - starting with water, and moving to the air with maturity, but staying close to water. Some people who have the dragonfly as their totem have had emotional and passionate early years, but as they get older they achieve balance with mental clarity and control. They gain an expression of the emotional and mental together.

Dragonflies are old and adaptive insects, and are most powerful in the summer under the effects of warmth and sunlight. Their colors are a result of reflecting and refracting the power of light. As a result, they are associated with color magic, illusion in causing others only to see what you wish, and other mysticism.

The are often represented in Japanese paintings, representing new light and joy. To some Native Americans they are the souls of the dead. Faerie stories say that they used to be real dragons.

Dragonflies are reminders that we are light and can reflect the light in powerful ways if we choose to do so. "Let there be light" is the divine prompting to use the creative imagination as a force within your life. They help you to see through your illusions and allow your own light to shine in a new vision. 

 Whatever they are to you...a dragonfly is a pretty little creature for sure!

FIND INSPIRATION WHEREVER YOU CAN!

"BEAR" IS ORIGINAL OIL ON PANEL 4"X4" © SAUNDRA LANE FINE ART

"Bear"

4"x4" oil on panel

Framed in 8"x8" wood one of a kind frame

$85

ON HOLD FOR THE MOUNTAINSIDE MINIATURE SHOW

"Bear" is another of the visitors we have up here in the foothills above Denver every year.  I painted him in the fauvist style I have come to love...COLOR!  Love it!

I enjoy mixing different frames with some molding from time to time to highlight my paintings...this one was especially FUN!

You can see in the side view how the frames work together...

This I am using as a small work that will most likely turn into a larger work.  I've got a 15"x15" cradle that just screams BEAR larger to me!  Stay tuned!

INSPIRATION IS A GIFT...!

"BUNNY" ORIGINAL OIL ON PANEL 5"X4"; FRAMED 9"X7.5" © SAUNDRA LANE FINE ART

"Bunny"

5"x4" oil on panel

Framed

$85

On Hold for Mountainside Miniature show

August 30-September 28 2017

It's that time of year again when I enter one of my favorite shows...Mountainside Miniatures.  This show will be at the Lakewood Arts Council next to Casa Bonita in Colorado from August 30-September 28.

This year I decided to do creatures that are on our property.  The first is "Bunny" who visits us every morning!  I think of this little baby as all color and light and fun!  She often sits with her back to me, but with that one little eye keeping watch on my every movement!  

I chose this sweet little frame that is slightly distressed to highlight our little "Bunny" visitor!

FIND INSPIRATION WHERE YOU ARE!

"SLICE OF PINE" ORIGINAL MIXED MEDIA PAINTING OF A PINE TREE © SAUNDRA LANE FINE ART

"Slice of Pine"

24" x 6" x 1.5" deep

Mixed Media on Cradled Panel

$225 

Available through my WEBSITE

For a fun "Long Skinny" as I call them, this slice of pine tree is painted on a cradled panel that is stained green on the sides.  I adore how the depth of these paintings can allow for sitting on a shelf OR hanging.  I have included a wire on back.  The background actually started out as another painting, so there are things back there that were original to another work that I didn't really enjoy.  Then I put some paper over it, acid free of course...a bit of texture and then the tree is in oil.  A great conversation piece for sure!

 this was the beginning of laying in paper

I like to draw many of my subject matter with charcoal so I can smudge it out if I don't like the placement of a thing...

As you can see the sides are a green stain that compliment the tree branches and bring unity.

The end result is a fun long skinny that fits in just about any small space that needs a little pizazz!

INSPIRATION ABOUNDS!

'DREAM CATCHERS' © SAUNDRA LANE FINE ART

My dream catchers are a new creation for me.  I am always looking for new ways to be creative.  For me, working in a new medium is a way to generate more inspiration in my work as an artist.  I was never interested in doing them before, until one day I realized I don't have to create a perfectly symmetrical dream catcher...I can tickle my artist view by doing them in a new way.  Creating something with your own spin is a perfect solution for days when you are stuck for ideas!

My dream catchers are made with aspen branches from my property on the mountain.  I have learned that the best way to create them is to shape them as they might naturally be; meaning, not a perfect circle...and then letting them dry a bit.  This way they will not shrink once you have added the web inside.  I enjoy adding a bead or two..this one has a hand made bead from a magazine I rolled, and an actual acorn that I found after a season.  To add another of my personal spins I added a word encased in two part epoxy.  I tea died an old t-shirt and use them as an added element of texture hanging from these catchers...and then I decorate with feathers and beads...I love leaving little shoots (when they are there) of branch in my designs that emphasize the natural"ness" of the finished dream catcher.

 Another "Be" This one is SOLD

 "Goddess at Heart" available through Luna's Mandala in Conifer Colorado

 "I am Worthy of My Dreams" SOLD

The fun thing about these fun bits of whimsy is they can be personalized with a word of phrase of your choosing!  The only drawback is these little beauties are not huge so you have to keep your phrase to a few words...but...FUN!

I happen to be teaching a class on how to make these beauties on June 4 at our local coffee shop called Tamari's.  If you are interested...send me a message!

KEEP LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION!!

GROWING PAINS AS AN ARTIST...

"Spring Grove"

2'x2'

currently my private collection

"Spring Aspen"

18"x18"

Luna's Mandala

I just finished my latest newsletter for my website in which I described my current process in my latest "Growth Spurt" as an artist.  This one has been awhile in the making...if you would like to read it, please follow the link!  

GROWING PAINS AS AN ARTIST

As an artist it is imperative that we change and grow just as we grow as human beings.  This keeps us from stagnating.  This is what has been happening in my life the past couple of years.  Throw in a few life changing events like job losses, fires, health issues, and a myriad of other events and this growth spurt has been longer than I think it would have been...but life has it's twists and turns and we can only do our best to move forward as we have time and breath to do so.

The two paintings above are the result of my growing pains...along with so many projects and other things I have been doing to create inspiration in this artist brain of mine!

SO, follow along if you will...life is awesome, and crazy and scary and fun...for us all!

KEEP LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION WHERE YOU CAN!

"OUT OF THE ASHES" © SAUNDRA LANE FINE ART

"Out of the Ashes"

10"x20"

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Gifted

When my auntie M and uncle T's home burned down two days after Christmas my heart was broken for them!  They lost almost EVERYTHING...they had no insurance...but, so many folks stepped up and generously gave so that they were able to put a down payment on a new home that they delivered just recently to their property and they JUST moved in! YAY!

One of the treasures that somehow survived the fire; with some damage, but survived for sure was my grandaddy's guitar that traveled with him through WWII.  I saw a video the local news folks took and this guitar was in it, so I grabbed a still shot and painted it as it lay...I added some words from my heart..."Out of the ashes beauty will rise...I will choose to find my strength...my God will teach me to keep on growing and changing and moving toward the true gifts beyond"

I wanted it to be a reminder of how we can survive during the destinations of life.

FIND INSPIRATION IN EVERYTHING YOU CAN!

AFFIRMATION STICKS AND WHY I DO THEM! © SAUNDRA LANE FINE ART

"My Best"

A gift, but they are $45

Yes, I do commissions

"My Best" is my latest affirmation stick.  This one is a gift for a person that I needed to send a little hug to and a little I'm sorry for not being very understanding...sigh...I had a day of days not long ago and she was just in the path...sigh...I wish I had better control over my days sometimes...I'm working on it! 

 The reason I STARTED doing them was I had all these dowels that I didn't know what to do with, so I began playing...I started wrapping them with different materials...well, that wasn't enough, so I found some pre made affirmations at my local craft shop and that was fun...so they were born...AND THEN, it hit me that if I wanted to tailor these to people who might need a little boost how would I do it...and I figured out a way to write my own...or use a pre worded one with a little color and font specificity...I like both ways of adding an affirmation, so I'm doing whatever speaks to me...My favorite way to do these has been to take commissions with a little info, and tailor it to specific people...but, when no people are forthcoming at the moment, I just make them and if someone connects all the better!  I put these sticks on gallery wrap canvas as shown above and on barn wood...but who knows what material for a background will come to me next! 

WORDS with my work has begun to be more and more important to me.  I played with it in my early works that now describe a bit of a familiar to me style as in my 24"x12" "Aspen Lights and Shadows"...the whole phrase is "aspen lights and shadows weave through"...It seemed important to me to describe my experience with the aspen stands I had walked among.  I realized it was harder to market and sell these works because not only does it have to appeal subject wise, color wise, design wise, but then also PHRASE wise...I still do these on my 2D works, but not as often for the very reason I described...but I still have a need to include the word or phrase as I can...

So, on I go creating, and coming up with this or that to express myself...whatever I seem to be inspired by at the moment is where I land in my studio.  My wish for you all is that you

FIND INSPIRATION WHEREVER YOU MAY HAPPEN TO FIND YOURSELF!!

ADDING WORK SPECIFICALLY CREATED FOR LUNA'S MANDALA © SAUNDRA LANE FINE ART

"Worthy"

12"x4" x 1.5" deep gallery wrap canvas

$45

Available at Luna's Mandala in Conifer

Continuing on with my work specifically created for Luna's Mandala this is a "long skinny" (as I like to call them) version of my affirmation sticks.  Again, they are wrapped dowels with an affirmation thrown in to give it the meaning intended!  "I am worthy of my dreams" is a powerful statement that reminds us that we are worthy..to keep dreaming! I've included some peridot and lapis stones in the mix pulling together this powerful little reminder!

 "The Beauty of Existence"

24"x6"x1.5" cradled panel

$95

Available at Luna's Mandala

This very special "journal page" like painting is created specifically for Luna's Mandala.  Words have found a way into my paintings a lot lately...I'm drawn to the added power they can hold when added with the visual.  The photo doesn't show it but a peridot has found its way into the center of the poppy.

FIND A WAY TO INSPIRE!

"DREAM CATCHER", AND TWO AFFIRMATION STICKS © SAUNDRA LANE FINE ART

"Dream Catcher"

Acrylic on textured gallery wrap canvas

$45

Available at Luna's Mandala

This is one of several pieces I'm doing as a special series specifically for my gallery at Luna's Mandala.  If you have not been up to Conifer to see this special space I hope you do soon!  Luna has a wonderful store that includes original artwork from local artisans...jewelry, wonderful organic and trade free clothing, minerals, crystals and MORE!  I love the atmosphere at Luna's Mandala...it is CALM and INVITING!  She is wonderful about making everyone who stops by feel like they are the one and only!  SO, I am pleased to do work that "fits" in when ever she asks.  "Dream Catcher" is one such piece!  

ALSO specific to Luna's are my "Affirmation Sticks".  These fun little bits o art are my way of reminding us that we are important, and we need to remember it!  I create these affirmation sticks by wrapping a dowel with hemp, leather, and other bits of this or that and then add color and such with beads of different stones.  Then comes the affirmation.  I will use metal pre printed ones if it fits, but if it doesn't fit what I want to say I make my own and encase it in two part epoxy for a permanent application. 

"Do Your Best"

Affirmation Stick

$45

Available at Luna's Mandala

"do your best and let that be enough" is something I say to myself ALL THE TIME!  I think women often push themselves to do so much and then spend so much time regretting that it wasn't enough.  THIS affirmation is for a woman like this!  We need to remember, OUR BEST IS ENOUGH!  Thus the birth of this piece!This wrapped affirmation is attached to old barn wood and is ready to hang!

and, is if that wasn't enough, the little reminder below "truth" should be enough to cement that thought in our minds...IT IS TRUE!  BEST IS BEST! lol (by the way, things coated with epoxy are hard to photograph...the glare is not something I can avoid for straight on shots...i promise it isn't "glarey" in life!) 👍

"Choose Happy"

Affirmation Stick on gallery wrap canvas

$45

Available at Luna's Mandala in Conifer, CO

 "Choose Happy" was a no brainer for me...we are living in some stressful times right now, so I wanted to bring some bright color and a reminder that we CAN "Choose Happy" to make our day tun around.  This Affirmation comes to the person who needs that visual reminder to turn their frown upside down to quote a long loved phrase! 

I will continue to create these fun reminders to self as I am inspired to do so!  We all need to remember to be kind to ourselves!

FIND INSPIRATION WHERE YOU CAN!

"SPRING ASPEN" ORIGINAL MIXED MEDIA ON CRADLED PANEL © SAUNDRA LANE FINE ART

"Spring Aspen"

18"x18" mixed media on cradled panel

$500

To paint aspen for me is a joy!  I spend so much time in and around the aspen tree, I feel like they are family!  This painting was from a need to feel the spring time at the tips of my fingers!  I love the soft colors that bring spring, and that is what this painting is about.  You will see bits of paper peeking through, and a mark or so here and there from charcoal to define a bit of the abstract feel of the leaves.  I usually paint the subject matter in oil, so the top of it all will be oil.  This 18"x18" cradled painting comes ready to hang.

The sides are stained with a grey stain to compliment and unify what you see in the trees themselves.  This gives the painting a completed, contemporary look.

here in this detail shot you can see the paper peeking through and some of the fun stamping that makes for interest.

more fun implied texture and pattern in this detail

KEEP LOOKING FOR THAT INSPIRATION!

"Stretch - an Ostrich" and "Cherries 9"

"Stretch - an Ostrich"

6"x2" FRAMED is 9"x5"

acrylic under glass

$45

"Stretch" framed

"Stretch" is an ostrich that is waiting to be in a small works show at the Acorn Gallery in the Lakewood Arts Council location February 26-March 31, 2017. It is hard to get photos of work as it really is, so I hope you can stop by the LAKEWOOD ARTS COUNCIL right next to Casa Bonita in Lakewood, CO to see these little bitties in person!

"Cherries 9"

2"x6"; Framed 5"x9"

acrylic under glass

$45

FIND INSPIRATION WHERE YOU CAN!!