Back With A Barn

I've discovered a new love......
I love painting barns!  Is that crazy?  Now I need to start photographing barns whenever I can.  They have character and personality all their own.  Most usually have a story to tell as well as a rich history hidden within their wooden walls. 

This painting was fairly quick to paint, but fun at the same time.  It is sized at a dainty 3 inches by 5 inches.  It will be featured at the St. Edward Bazaar which takes place this Saturday, December 4.  I've been working my tail off painting, matting, framing, and preparing for the event.  My 9 year old will be with me selling his creations also.  It should be a fun time for mother and son.

What I'm thankful for.....Motrin.

Okay, I admit, it's a crummy title for my post.  It's been awhile since my last post for a few reasons.  I was able to get away for a bit with my husband.  We spent a few days in Florida.  However, my enjoyment in Florida was interrupted by horrible pain in my shoulder, back, and neck.  Turns out I was having muscle spasms, but I'm not sure what caused them.  So now I have to make time for physical therapy along with my other daily tasks of household chores, keeping up with my boys, painting, blogging, yearbook creation, social networking (I have to stay up to date on Facebook), Christmas shopping, Christmas cards....I'm sure you can all relate. 


So yes, I am very thankful for Motrin as well as a hot shower and a heating pad. 
I will do my best to keep up with all of your wonderful posts about your art and daily activities as I love to read them.  But please don't be offended if I don't take the time right now to comment on them.  I am hoping to be back to 100% very soon so I can avoid turning into the Grinch.

Maddey's portrait is finished.  I will be matting and framing it this week so it can go to it's new home wrapped up in a big bow.

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far......

I gave my 9 year old son the simple task of writing thank you cards for the birthday gifts he received last month and he turned the task into a major project by choosing to paint each gift giver their card instead.  (The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.)

Once he finished the thank yous, he moved on to snowflakes in a watercolor resist technique.  He informed me he plans to sell these at the Christmas Bazaar where I will be selling my art as well.  I fear he may run me out of business!

More Progress on Maddey

Here is an update on the portrait of "Maddey".  Since the blanket she was laying on was white, I used my artistic license and changed the color to a combination of burnt sienna and prussian blue.  I think it compliments the color on her ears.  I haven't decided what to do with the negative space above Maddey yet. 

As usual, I got sucked into detail work around her face.  So to keep myself from pushing the envelope I made some Dunkin Donuts coffee, poured some in my Mickey Mouse cup, and headed back into the "studio" to view the painting from the doorway.  Since this painting is taped onto my drawing table, I don't have the usual luxury of viewing it in different parts of the house, like I usually do.

I've determined that the paws need to be defined a bit, especially the one on the right.  I am also wondering if I need to darken the values of the body?  And lastly, I need to make a decision on the remaining background.  Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the progress.

Unfortunately, the image shows up yellowish, due to having to photograph it in poor lighting.

Maddey-WIP

This is a commissioned painting that will ultimately be a Christmas gift to the owner of Maddey, the Jack Russell Terrier/Chihuahua mix.  I received several reference photos from my client (and good family friend).  All of the photos show a very sweet-faced dog who was obviously very well loved. 

However, Maddey's story is a sad one.  While her owner was burning brush on their farm, Maddey got excited chasing after a rabbit and followed it right into the burning brush pile.  She did not survive.

Since I received such nice reference photos, I may try a different pose for Maddey's portrait.  She had some really great expressions and I want to be sure to capture just the right one.

Considering she is mostly white on her body, I plan to build up the background around her in order to make the painting "pop".  I'll also go in and detail her eyes more in addition to her little paws.  There is still plenty of work to be done, but I hope to have more to show by tomorrow.

Let The Madness Begin!

I cannot believe the first week of November is almost over.  I have officially begun Christmas shopping as I have an order placed for two copies of Doodle Diary: Art Journaling For Girls.  I can't wait to page through them.  Of course they will be gifts for two special girls I know, but I can't divulge those names because it wouldn't be a surprise for Christmas then, would it?

As you can see by Frosty to the left, I've been working on some Christmas/winter related paintings.  If I can get Zazzle to cooperate, they will end up as greeting cards, however, as of today the website is being very persnickety and it's making me nervous.  I'd love to know if any of you use a different site or method to print greeting cards with your art featured on it.  I'm ready to jump ship on Zazzle.

Our church is hosting a Christmas Gift Bazaar the first weekend in December and I've signed up to set up shop and sell my art.  This will be my first experience offering art for sale in a live public format and my head is spinning.  I would also love to hear from any of you who have done this sort of "gig".  What do you find sells best (smaller sizes)?  Do you sell greeting cards in packs or single lots?  Do you paint while sitting at your table?  How do you set yourself up....do you frame a bunch of pieces or just place them in sleeves (matted or unmatted?)  I know....lots of questions, so little time.  I'm just curious and want to be prepared for whatever I may encounter.  I just hope I sell enough to pay for my $30.00 fee.  (Although, that $30.00 will go to a local charity in the end....so it's all good.)

Snowflakes Greeting Cards from Zazzle.com

Snowflakes Greeting Cards from Zazzle.com

Redemption

What a great way to redeem my confidence after my last painting that I struggled with for a week!  First and foremost, I have to give photo credit to my 9 year old son for taking the reference photo for this painting.  We tend to frequent I-71 in Ohio when visiting family in Cincinnati.  If you've ever traveled this section of interstate you'll know there are several old barns that sit prominently along that route.  I've always thought they would make great paintings, but I'm usually the one behind the wheel.  He successfully captured a couple of great looking barns for me.  This is one of them.

Back to the "redemption" part of this painting.  If you read my last post, you'll know some paintings are more challenging than others.  The challenges are sometimes induced by myself and my wanting to "control" the direction of the painting.  Then there are paintings, such as this one, that I can't help but jump up and down and pump my fists, all while whispering under my breath "YES!!!".  I vowed to keep things simple and loose before attempting this piece, choosing a limited palette and preserving the white of the paper for the barn. 
I believe I was successful.

Thanks to all who frequent my blog. 
***If you're a Facebook junkie, I welcome you to join my Facebook page at Gretchen Bjornson ART, if you haven't already.  To fuel some excitement for the upcoming holidays I will be giving away a painting to a lucky Facebook "fan".  So if you want to join in on the fun, go to my page and click the "like" button to be automatically entered.

This is the original photo captured by my son.  Not bad at 70mph!

Just Not Satisfied

I took everyone's great suggestions to heart and dug my heels in to make the needed adjustments.  However, I'm simply not satisfied with this painting.  Every once in awhile I come upon certain pieces that just don't live up to my expectations.  I have a final image in my brain of what I want it to look like and I can't get my brush and paint to perform the way they should.

I still think my darkest values are lacking.  I'm also frustrated by the left garage door....I can't seem to push it back behind the tree.  The left window has also been troublesome.  It's suppose to be open, but it almost looks bowed. 

This painting will most likely sit in my closet for awhile.  If I'm not happy with it, I can't justify giving it away for the sake of gift giving.  I am still open to suggestions, but I certainly don't want to "beat a dead horse".

Time to move on.......
And again, many thanks to all who provided wonderful and helpful suggestions.  Even though I can't walk away from this one feeling satisfied, I've walked away with additional knowledge to take to my next painting.

Looking for Suggestions

I've been working on this piece to give to a family member as a gift this weekend.  At this stage I'm looking for some constructive criticism to help me take this painting to a higher level.....it's just not there yet and I'm afraid I may be adding paint unnecessarily.  I think I just need a little direction on where I need to strengthen it. 

I'm hoping I can get the help of some of my fellow "blogger artists" to provide words of advice before I change my mind and end up with a gift card instead of a painting as a gift.  Right now I feel I have a very flat painting with little to no interest or focal point.....I'm just not feeling it.

This is my reference photo.
(I don't think the recipient frequents my blog, at least I hope they don't, this week especially, in case this painting ends up in my recycle file.)