Blog Talk Radio . . . Love It!

Painted into a corner:
This is where I sit to paint -- my large monitor is in front of me
and I can look out into my gardens during the day.

"Secrets To The Perfect Art Studio"  -- That was the title of last week's podcast by Leslie Saeta so I've peppered this post with photos of my "perfect-for-me" studio while singing the praises of the Artists Helping Artists weekly podcast.

An old store counter is the perfect height for working while standing.
I cut mats and do framing here.  The curtain hides supplies and books.

Whether you're a veteran artist or just starting out I highly recommend listening to Artists Helping Artists, a weekly podcast from artist, Leslie Saeta.  I can't tell you how many helpful tidbits I've received over the years by listening to her shows.  Each show is usually about an hour and are recorded live on Thursdays.

I try and keep this table surface clean.
This is where my students sit and work.
The old baker's table houses supplies and displays cards.

Leslie usually has a guest artist with her and they share advice about being an artist/small business owner.  She's covered everything from social media marketing, how to set up a studio, tips on staying inspired, legal advice for artists, to interviewing specific artists and conveying their stories.  Each show has been archived so you can pick and choose which ones you want to listen to in addition to tuning in live.

My deskwork area.  I do my blogging, research,
scanning, editing and printing from here.
The armoire holds my printer and paper.
A small lightbox is on the old slanted desk by the door.
Two students can fit at the black card table.

One of my favorite things about the information Leslie shares is that it's always geared toward the artist with little to no budget.  So when she's talking about marketing tools, they are usually free or have only a small fee but have the potential to yield good returns.  I've never been steered wrong.

"Where's Waldo . . . ahem . . . Teddy?"
Teddy finds the studio most enjoyable . . . can you find him?

So if you haven't ever listened to one of the Artists Helping Artists podcasts, or if you have but just not recently . . . hop on over and turn one on.  I love to listen to them while I paint -- although I often don't get much done, as I'm usually busy jotting down all the great ideas!

My stash of "Little People" props.

If you'd like to share other great artist resources or photos of your studio - hop on over to my Facebook post and share away in the comments!  I'd love to hear from you.

From another angle.

Have a lovely weekend!

"Value #4"

"Value #4"
8" x 8"
(watercolor on paper)

Click here to bid.

It's Day 10 but this is my fourth painting in Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Painting Challenge.  I've been painting close to every day (although I took off Sunday to work on an outdoor project) and am really enjoying this groove I'm in.  (And those of you who know me, know how much I like to groove!)  :)

Thanks for stopping by.  Oh and I've included another progress shot of the larger geranium painting if you scroll down.  It's coming along.

(what this painting could look like when framed)

"Cape Cod July" - work in progress
14" x 18"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Still painting

"Value #4"  - sip
8" x 8"
(watercolor on paper)

I've decided to try and complete 3 paintings per week for Leslie Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge."  This is my fourth, although it's not quite done  . . . I'm just letting it set a bit while I work on some others.  

I've also begun a few larger pieces, one of which I've posted below as a couple of progress shots.  It's actually a little further along and I'm hoping to wrap it up this week.  So while my blog may have been idle a few days, I certainly have not.  :)  

Cheers to all!  Thank you for stopping by.

"Cape Cod July" - wip 1
14" x 18"
(watercolor on aquabord)

"Cape Cod July" - wip 2
14" x 18"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Value #3

Value #3
8" x 8"
(watercolor on paper)

Click here to bid.

This is the third painting in my series as part of Leslie Saeta's "30 Day Painting Challenge." Hope you like it.  These studies are really helping with my observation of value I think . . . I hope.  :)

Have a good day!

what this painting could look like when framed

30 in 30

Value #1
8" x 8"
(watercolor on paper)

Well . . . it's that time of year again:  Leslie Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge."  I won't be painting 30 paintings . . . probably not even close . . . but I'm planning on consistently working on my use of value through a couple series of different subjects.  So here's my first study.

Painting #10 - "Big Blue"

"Big Blue"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord) 

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

This is my 10th painting in Leslie Saeta's "30 Day Painting Challenge."  Thank you for stopping by.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

Day off

My plate is really full this month and so I've given myself permission to take time off from Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Challenge if I need it.  Even God took a day off, right?  Although I don't know that painting a painting a day is equivalent to creating . . . well, EVERYTHING.  Ha!  But seriously,  I think 25 paintings would be perfect actually, because I love the square.  My paintings are square and 25 would give me a 5 x 5 square of paintings.  :)   

So instead here is a recap of my paintings so far. I like them all together.  Yippee!  See you tomorrow.

Thanks for swinging by.  

#7 - "Chatting With Kathy"

"Chatting with Kathy"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

You may be wondering about the name of this painting. Well, ​I was on the phone with my friend, Kathy, while I painted this. I got a late start on this one, and technically finished it at 1 in the morning on Monday. I could've named it "Missed Due Date" but I thought "Chatting with Kathy" was a nicer memory. This is #7 of Leslie Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge."

Thank you for stopping by.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

#5 - Corked

"Corked"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

I struggled with this one (just like the last one) . . . but managed to finish it up just before I headed off for dinner with my husband's brother, sister-in-law and two nephews for a fun evening.  Those little boys crack me up.  One of them had me scratching his ears like dog, to which he responded:  "aaaah, that's the spot."  Ha!

I'm back now -- uploading my images and ready for bed.  Thank you for visiting.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

#4 - Little Brown Jug

"Little Brown Jug"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

Tonight's post is going to be brief.  It's past my bedtime.  I struggled with this one today.  Got a late start as I had some other obligations to attend to and then it gave me trouble.  Thank you, little brown jug.  :)  I think I'm finally satisfied.

Thanks for stopping by.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

#3 - Brimfield Mini-Pitcher

"Brimfield Mini-Pitcher"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

Brimfield's back!  If you haven't heard of it, it is one of the best and largest antique markets in the U.S.  It's running now, the first week of September and is just a few towns over from me.

Back at its July show, I purchased some miniature redware vessels.  I knew I could use them for little floral arrangements and in still lifes. This one is a miniature (about 5" high) pitcher.  So in homage to the Brimfield Antique Market here's painting #3 in Leslie Saeta's "30 in 30 Challenge."

Thanks for popping by.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

Day #2 - "All Scratched Up"

"All Scratched Up"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

Day #2 -- so far so good.  Thanks for taking a peek.  :)

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

30 Day Challenge Prep

My 30 Day Challenge Prep-work continues.  I got my aquabord in, all my photos taken and composed; now it's time to get them on my painting surface.  If you're interested in taking part or just curious to see the paintings, visit the link above.  Artist and entrepreneur, Leslie Saeta is the mastermind behind this online event.  

Thanks for stopping by.

30 Day Challenge - Painting #30!!

"All Lined Up"
5"x 5"
watercolor on paper

Woo hoo!  The 30 day challenge is complete!  This painting is going to a collector -- and is the last in a series of 3 theatre paintings, as well as the last of the 30 Day Challenge paintings.  It was so worthwhile, although I'm actually looking forward to cleaning my house!  :)

Thank you Leslie Saeta for hosting this challenge and thank you to all my readers and to those who left such lovely comments.  I appreciate your support.

Have a lovely day!

30 Day Challenge - Painting #29

"Pass The Popcorn"
5"x 5"
watercolor on paper

Day 29 -- one more painting to go in Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Painting Challenge.  This one is part of a series of 3 theatre paintings that have been commissioned.  They are planning to be displayed near my client's home theatre.  How cute is that?  

I apologize for the quality of these photos - I'm hoping to get a new computer and scanner in the near future, hopefully though, you get the idea of each painting.  You see, my camera went on the blink and I've been using my husband's -- which is actually a very nice camera, but I don't know how to use it properly.  I've also been finishing these up after dark and rushing the photography, not taking the time to do it properly.  Anyway -- that's my story . . . luckily though, I've been able to get high res images of them for my records, but that's been after posting. I have to say, I think they look much better in person and am excited to put what's left of them out on display during my Open Studio next weekend.

Thank you for viewing my work.

30 Day Challenge - Painting #28

"A Shave And A Haircut"
5" x 5"
watercolor on paper

Click here to bid.


"A Shave and a Haircut . . . Two Bits!"  My grandfather used to sing that to us, so I think I will dedicate this painting to him, God rest his soul.

Two more paintings left of this 30 Day Challenge, sponsored by Leslie Saeta.  It's been a challenge to say the least -- but oh so rewarding.

Thank you for viewing my work.

30 Day Challenge - Painting #27

"Two Popcorns, Two Sodas"
5" x 5"
watercolor on paper
SOLD

I keep wanting to throw in a "Please" at the end of this title, but am afraid it would be too long.  However I just don't want anyone thinking these Fisher Price people don't have manners!

This piece is not exactly authentic Fisher Price, but it was oh so much fun.  A collector suggested to me that a concession stand would make a delightful painting and could round out a little vignette of 3 theatre themed paintings that they would like to purchase.  So I drew up what would be the concession stand "decal" - stuck it on the wall of one of the Village shops, threw in a couple of movie-goers and voila!  I hope they like it . . . and you as well.  It was a lot of fun to do.  

Thank you for viewing my work

30 Day Challenge - Painting #26

"Her First Apartment"
5"x 5"
watercolor on paper

Click here to bid.

I can still clearly remember my first night in my first apartment.  It was very exciting and a little scary . . . but mostly exciting.  And no, I didn't live over the Barber Shop.  :)

We're getting close -- only four more paintings to go!  To see more of this challenge, head on over to Leslie Saeta's blog.

Thank you for viewing my work.

30 Day Challenge -- Painting #25

"Chatting At Work"
5"x 5"
watercolor on paper

Click here to bid.

Day 25 -- it's getting close!!  I have the remaining paintings all plotted out.  Four are in the works already of which 3 happen to be commissioned.  I've been lucky and have sold 10 of these paintings through Daily Paintworks -- you can see one of the packages below, all ready for shipping (a photo taken a few days ago.)  I am very grateful for my collectors -- thank you!

I'm also posting a photo of some of the collection all together.  Thank you for viewing my work and have a lovely day!

all ready for shipping

21 paintings

30 Day Challenge - Painting #24

"The Family"
5"x 5"
watercolor on paper

Click here to bid.

This one took a lot longer than I had expected, but alas it's done.  I have 3 more in various stages . . . so stay tuned.  We're in the homestretch!  

Thank you for viewing my work.