After drawing in my subject I start blocking in the background.
A peek inside Linda's creative process.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
New Painting in progress
This next piece is not from my Florida trip but is one I have wanted to do for a while.
After drawing in my subject I start blocking in the background.
After drawing in my subject I start blocking in the background.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Florida reference trip
When I have the opportunity to spend time with animals in their natural habitat, I take it. There is no substitute.
I just returned from a trip to Florida and the main species I wanted to see there was the Roseate spoonbill. Knowing one of the best spots is Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, that was my first stop. It has been 15 years since I have been to Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge and this trip certainly exceeded my expectations!
Below is one of the more than 600 reference photos I took of Roseate spoonbills. The other 1400 reference photos are of various wading birds, herons, cranes, and two baby alligators.
I just returned from a trip to Florida and the main species I wanted to see there was the Roseate spoonbill. Knowing one of the best spots is Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, that was my first stop. It has been 15 years since I have been to Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge and this trip certainly exceeded my expectations!
Below is one of the more than 600 reference photos I took of Roseate spoonbills. The other 1400 reference photos are of various wading birds, herons, cranes, and two baby alligators.
Monday, March 20, 2017
American Oystercatcher
American Oystercatcher
12" X 9"
Original Oil
Painting water is such fun. It has so many different moods that it is easy not to repeat oneself.
One of my favorite spots in late May is the barrier beach on the southeast shore of Martha's Vineyard. Nesting birds fill the beach. In one particular place on the inside shore, I can almost always spot oystercatchers. Each year I look forward to seeing them.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Quick Finish
A quick finish is a painting completed within a set period of time. Usually this is in front of a crowd and then the painting is auctioned.
Next week I will be painting a quick finish at the invitation of the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana. This coincides with their main fund-raiser, The Russell Event. The Quick Finish is Friday morning, March 17th, and I will have a another piece, Morning Mist, auctioned at the Friday First Strike Event.
I believe I'll have about 2.5 hours to work on my piece, then put it in the frame. The quick finish auction will take place once the 20 of us have our framed paintings ready to go.
Things I need to prepare for:
the absence of my handy-dandy hand rest on my big easel since I'll be bringing a small free-standing metal easel
chatting during my 2.5 hours with all the wonderful, enthusiastic patrons who attend
unpredictable lighting
...and time will pass much faster than I think!
This is the piece I am bringing. It is 20" X 16". The elk's body is not completed and I haven't started on the grass. I'll also add the bull's breath in the night air. An artist can bring a piece which just needs a signature but what is the challenge in that. Wish me luck!
Next week I will be painting a quick finish at the invitation of the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana. This coincides with their main fund-raiser, The Russell Event. The Quick Finish is Friday morning, March 17th, and I will have a another piece, Morning Mist, auctioned at the Friday First Strike Event.
I believe I'll have about 2.5 hours to work on my piece, then put it in the frame. The quick finish auction will take place once the 20 of us have our framed paintings ready to go.
Things I need to prepare for:
the absence of my handy-dandy hand rest on my big easel since I'll be bringing a small free-standing metal easel
chatting during my 2.5 hours with all the wonderful, enthusiastic patrons who attend
unpredictable lighting
...and time will pass much faster than I think!
This is the piece I am bringing. It is 20" X 16". The elk's body is not completed and I haven't started on the grass. I'll also add the bull's breath in the night air. An artist can bring a piece which just needs a signature but what is the challenge in that. Wish me luck!
Morning Mist
Original Oil
37" X 23"
Friday Night First Strike Auction, C.M. Russell Museum
Friday Night First Strike Auction, C.M. Russell Museum
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
On the Road Again
It seems I just returned from my last show and am on the road again for my next one.
This upcoming show is NatureWorks at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center, Tulsa, OK. It is open to the public February 25th & 26th with a VIP reception Friday evening the 24th.
Below are two of the new pieces I will be unveiling:
This upcoming show is NatureWorks at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center, Tulsa, OK. It is open to the public February 25th & 26th with a VIP reception Friday evening the 24th.
Below are two of the new pieces I will be unveiling:
 | |
| Reticulated Original Oil 5" X 7" |
 |
| Tandem Original Oil 11" X 15" |
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Lions
This piece I unveiled at Safari Club International. Though many of the art patrons prefer paintings of male lions, this is a painting I really wanted to do. (My first piece to sell at the show was a male lion.)
When I think about what to paint for a show, there is consideration for the crowd. But, some pieces I do because they move me and tell a story. I spent lunch on the Serengeti with three lioness one day and they were so comfortable with us, they napped. When I can be with wildlife and observe their natural behavior, that is always a special moment.
When I think about what to paint for a show, there is consideration for the crowd. But, some pieces I do because they move me and tell a story. I spent lunch on the Serengeti with three lioness one day and they were so comfortable with us, they napped. When I can be with wildlife and observe their natural behavior, that is always a special moment.
Cat Naps
10" X 17"
Original Oil
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Anatomy of a Show
You've seen pieces I have painted in the last several months and I thought I would give you a "behind the scenes" look at my latest show.
Once the paintings are completed, varnished, and framed, the packing begins. My husband and I put together a floor plan of my booth area. The island booth is 20 feet by 20 feet and both the inside and outside walls are filled with my original oil paintings save a small interior corner for giclee canvas prints. I have a total of 135 linear feet of wall space. With this kind of space, a lot of time is saved with a floor plan which ensures I bring enough to fill the space and not too much.
Packing involves lots of lists: booth parts, lights, electrical cords, light bulbs, desks, panels, shelves, step stool, dolly, and the black box. The black box is my catch-all box: utility knife, electrical tape, scissors, description cards, pens, flyers, tape, drapery hooks, velcro, and lots of other stuff. Then there are the paintings and prints. It generally takes 5- 6 hours to pack, all carefully accounted for in layers.
The next day, Friday, we are off on a two-day drive to Las Vegas, Nevada. We have two mountain passes and fortunately the driving was good both ways. Sunday morning we are up at 5 am so we can get to the staging area with the trailer by 5:45 am to stand in line and get a number to drive into the building. (we were #8 but were the 3rd in the building at 7:30 am.) Unload approximately 1800 pounds and it is time to start.
First we lay the carpet and then erect the walls. By 3pm, we quit for the day after finishing all the electrical.
Second day. We start around 8am and by 3 pm, all the paintings are hung with description cards. Errands include picking up more light bulbs, extra extension cords, new guest book, and another table cloth. On Tuesday, I have a lunch meeting and spend the afternoon with finishing touches.
The show (Safari Club International) opens on Wednesday morning.
When the show finishes at 5 pm Saturday, our crew of 7 dismantles the booth and carefully packs all the paintings (including all the sold ones for shipping) in 90 minutes. Many thanks to Jim V., Jeremy, Cody, Sariah, and Kevin, and of course my husband Jim, who all made the packing a fun experience.
Sunday morning we bring our truck and trailer into the building at 6:15 am, use our carefully constructed packing list and my husband and I load the truck and trailer. We are on the road home before 8 am.
Of course once home, we unpack and I begin ordering custom boxes for all the shipments.
It was a great show and I broke all my previous records for sales.
In the next few posts, I'll show a few of the paintings I finished just before the show.
NatureWorks in Tulsa, Oklahoma is my next show. February 24th and 25th at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center.
Once the paintings are completed, varnished, and framed, the packing begins. My husband and I put together a floor plan of my booth area. The island booth is 20 feet by 20 feet and both the inside and outside walls are filled with my original oil paintings save a small interior corner for giclee canvas prints. I have a total of 135 linear feet of wall space. With this kind of space, a lot of time is saved with a floor plan which ensures I bring enough to fill the space and not too much.
Packing involves lots of lists: booth parts, lights, electrical cords, light bulbs, desks, panels, shelves, step stool, dolly, and the black box. The black box is my catch-all box: utility knife, electrical tape, scissors, description cards, pens, flyers, tape, drapery hooks, velcro, and lots of other stuff. Then there are the paintings and prints. It generally takes 5- 6 hours to pack, all carefully accounted for in layers.
The next day, Friday, we are off on a two-day drive to Las Vegas, Nevada. We have two mountain passes and fortunately the driving was good both ways. Sunday morning we are up at 5 am so we can get to the staging area with the trailer by 5:45 am to stand in line and get a number to drive into the building. (we were #8 but were the 3rd in the building at 7:30 am.) Unload approximately 1800 pounds and it is time to start.
First we lay the carpet and then erect the walls. By 3pm, we quit for the day after finishing all the electrical.
Second day. We start around 8am and by 3 pm, all the paintings are hung with description cards. Errands include picking up more light bulbs, extra extension cords, new guest book, and another table cloth. On Tuesday, I have a lunch meeting and spend the afternoon with finishing touches.
Final touches, husband Jim vacuuming
The show (Safari Club International) opens on Wednesday morning.
When the show finishes at 5 pm Saturday, our crew of 7 dismantles the booth and carefully packs all the paintings (including all the sold ones for shipping) in 90 minutes. Many thanks to Jim V., Jeremy, Cody, Sariah, and Kevin, and of course my husband Jim, who all made the packing a fun experience.
Of course once home, we unpack and I begin ordering custom boxes for all the shipments.
It was a great show and I broke all my previous records for sales.
In the next few posts, I'll show a few of the paintings I finished just before the show.
NatureWorks in Tulsa, Oklahoma is my next show. February 24th and 25th at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)