HammelmanArt

Is it winter?

2012-01-06T14:30:00.000-08:00

Well, it is January 6th but it is 70 degrees in St. Louis! Surely it will snow sometime.

Happy Holidays

2011-12-16T16:26:00.000-08:00

Deck The Halls!

2011-12-07T17:17:00.000-08:00

http://youtu.be/uH8FvERQHtM
Click the link! And be jolly!

Another change of the seasons

2011-11-28T14:22:00.000-08:00

Are you ready for winter? This original watercolor is available in my Etsy shop.

Fall flowers

2011-10-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

Print available in my Etsy shop.

Summer time

2011-08-10T18:22:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lapse in posting. We go boating in the summer, not much painting happening. Here is a painting of out boat on the left and 2 of our friends.

Goodbye Daffodils

2011-05-01T21:18:00.000-07:00

Here in St. Louis the daffodils are done and the iris are coming up. But here is a lasting image of those early spring beauties.

This is Daffodils IX, 15"x20" original watercolor available in my Etsy shop or at auction now on Ebay.

Sun or Snow? What do you wish for?

2011-02-17T17:05:00.000-08:00

Are you here or do you wish you were here?

This is Private Beach, original watercolor 11" x 14" available on Esty or Ebay.

Winter Wonderland

2011-01-20T14:31:00.000-08:00

Woke up to a beautiful snowfall in St. Louis today. Reminds me of this painting.

this is Snow in Michigan, original 15 x 20 watercolor available in my Etsy shop.

Handel's Messiah

2010-12-20T14:42:00.000-08:00

Here is a lovely piece of joy that I would like to share with you, regardless of your religious persuasion. this is uplifting and appropriate to the season of renewal of all faiths. Turn up your volume.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE&feature=player_embedded

It's Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas!

2010-11-27T13:30:00.000-08:00

Very busy at my house getting ready for the joyous season of Christmas. Here is a holiday greeting to all of you.

A Change of Seasons

2010-09-30T20:47:00.000-07:00

Things are changing and I like it! I am happy to live in the midwest, St. Louis, where we have 4 true seasons. The leaves are falling here now, just beginning.

Here is "Leaves, Leaves", 14" x 20" original watercolor. A bit of a change from the usual fall color palette.

Available in my Etsy shop and on Ebay.

Nothing new

2010-08-22T16:52:00.000-07:00

Wow summer is flying by! We travel and spend a lot of time on our boat, so I have not painted anything new. However, a funny thing happened. While on a trip to Virginia/Maryland to visit my sister, I was wandering around Annapolis. At the same time, a print of this painting sold on Ebay. This is City Dock Annapolis. Also available in my Etsy shop.

My first magazine profile!

2010-05-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

I was honored to be interviewed for Lake Lifestyles Magazine, May/June issue at Lake of the Ozarks.

Showing Now in St. Louis

2010-05-03T19:04:00.000-07:00

I am proud to announce that both of these paintings were accepted into the 11th Annual Juried Exhibition of the Saint Louis Watercolor Society. The juror was Judy Morris, internationally known watercolorist. The paintings will be for sale on line after the show ends, June 1, and are available now in the gallery. The exhibit is at the Creative Art Gallery, 3232 Ivanhoe, St. Louis Mo, 63129.

Carondolet Park, St. Louis

2010-04-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a look at a beautiful city park in St. Louis. The fabulous boathouse and lake have been maintained for centuries. In fact, my ancestors lived in Carondolet in the 1850's. This is a print of one of my original paintings, available in my Etsy shop

Coming Soon - Iris

2010-04-08T14:39:00.000-07:00

Irises are my favorite flower, I think. They are so self-reliant and reliable. And majestic.

Here is a mixed garden of purple and golden iris. 15 x 20 original watercolor. Available on Ebay and in my Etsy shop.

Spring has Sprung

2010-03-30T14:45:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful day in St. Louis, 70 degrees and sunny. The daffodils are up and spring has sprung!

Here is Daffodils IX, 15 x 20, original watercolor painting, available in my Etsy shop and on Ebay.

New paintings of Lake Of The Ozarks

2010-03-26T13:25:00.000-07:00

Finally got over the winter blahs and winter projects. Here are 2 new paintings for my "Ports of Call" series at Lake of the Ozarks. Prints are available at Lake Galleon and ArtPho Gallery, both on 54.

This is Docknockers at MM 4.5

This is Coconuts up the Gravois.

Art and Ambiance Trail

2010-03-08T20:30:00.000-08:00

I am so pleased to be a part of the annual Art and Ambiance Trail at Lake of the Ozarks this year. Lake of the Ozarks is my part time summer home base. (We live on our boat at Salty Dog Marina but bounce back to St. Louis to mow the lawn and check the mail.)
The Art and Ambiance Trail is a map of the local artists that you can visit to explore the fine art, in many mediums, of local artists. Brochures will be available throughout the area to guide your trip. Prints of my "Ports of Call" series are available at Art-Pho Gallery and Lake Galleon.
Here is a look at some of the prints and more are coming this year!

Fire in Winter

2010-02-23T19:35:00.000-08:00

This piece is just a bit of fire in winter. Color, drama, energy.

Here is Pot Of Crotons, 11" x 14", original watercolor available on Etsy and Ebay.

Think Pink

2010-02-07T17:21:00.000-08:00

Pink in the springtime! This snow will be gone before you know it and then..... tulips!

11 x 14 watercolor, available in my Etsy shop and on Ebay.

Selkirk Range - Northern Rockies

2010-02-01T20:06:00.000-08:00

Just finished this and had a great splurge of energy in painting it. The drawing was done and it sat on the board on my kitchen island for a week while I walked by getting lots of other chores done. Finally, tonight I just hit it. And I think with some success.

Here is Selkirk Range, A Piece of the Rockies 11 x 14 watercolor available on ebay and in my etsy shop.

White Peony

2010-01-23T19:56:00.000-08:00

White flowers are a real challenge! I tried to exagerate the warm and cool areas of the very complex flower. This painting is currently on display, and for sale, at the Saint Louis Watercolor Society exhibit, "Squares". (My painting is a square shape) The show is at CJ Muggs restaurant in Webster Groves through April 20. Stop in to see the great exhibit and enjoy some fine dining. Unlike most of our other exhibiting venues, sold paintings can be removed from this venue during the show and replaced with another peice from the artist.

Here is White Peony, 13" x 13" watercolor

Last Winter Scene

2010-01-21T16:08:00.000-08:00

Here is more winter scene, and it will be the last one this season, I think. This one was particularly challenging because I wanted a warm glow in a very cold atmosphere. Hope you like it.

Here is A Winter Day, 11 x 14 watercolor

Peaches and stuff

2010-01-16T21:22:00.000-08:00

Hello there. Sorry to be so other-wise distracted but it happens. Completed a still life of peaches last week. It was quite a challenge literally because it's from a challenge photo on WetCanvas.com. I think it is successful because the peaches look soft and the callendar looks hard. (and it was)

Here is Peaches, Peaches, 11 x 14, original watercolor

And a PS to my Entrecard pals. Is there any slower site on the net? Drives me crazy! I do get into seeing you all again when I have the steel to brace myself for wait, wait, wait..........

New Winter Scene

2010-01-01T18:02:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! We had a wonderful holiday season here with family from out of town for Christmas and then local friends in for New Year's Eve. My house is still decorated and I don't want it to end. In between tasks, I love/have to paint. I wanted hard bare wood exposed in the cold sunny day. The snow is soft, but the trees seem hard in winter.

Like I said, I am alternating florals and landscapes. Here is a new winter scene based on a reference of a cabin in Michigan.

Here is Snow In Michigan, 15" x 20"

Iris Garden

2009-12-29T18:35:00.000-08:00

I have been alternating florals and landscapes. Here is a new painting of my favorite, irises.

Iris Garden, 15" x 20"

Winter Scene

2009-12-14T13:52:00.000-08:00

Is it snowing in your neighborhood yet? Here is a new painting with winter on my mind.

Winter Road, 11" x 14"

Recent works

2009-12-07T09:36:00.000-08:00

In between holiday tasks and parties, I have painted a variety of pieces this past week.

A Lane in Georgia

Hardware Store

Daffodils VIII

Montana Sunset

Red Roses on Teal

Pomegranates and a Pear

Two Views of the Cove at Low Tide

2009-11-30T10:48:00.000-08:00

One of the images offered in the Wet Canvas weekly challenge was this quiet cove in British Columbia. I painted it twice; once with some realism and again loose and fast. Which do you prefer?

Cove at Low Tide, 11 x 14

Low Tide, 15 x 20

This week's art show

2009-11-28T16:34:00.000-08:00

Several new works to show you. All original watercolor, available in my Etsy shop.

Private Beach 11 x 14

Black Iris in the Mist, 15 x 20 (sold)

Anniversary Bouquet 15 x 20

Scarlet Splash on Teal 11 x 14

Yellow Roses III 11 x 14

Burgundy Iris in The Mist, 15 x 20

Landscape Show

2009-11-21T19:56:00.000-08:00

Making up for lost time. I have been very busy.... Here are three landscapes from family photos.

Rocky Shores, 11x14, original watercolor

Montana Creek, 11x14, original watercolor

Winter Fences, 11x14, original watercolor

The Last of the Sunflowers

2009-11-19T20:44:00.000-08:00

Here are two more of this fun subject. I have really been on a painting spree making up for almost 3 months of nothing. This is great but all too soon, I need to get going with holiday stuff!

Sunflower Field, 15 x 20, original watercolor

Sunflower Arrangement, 11 x 15, original watercolor

More Sunflowers and more to come

2009-11-18T13:33:00.000-08:00

I'm in love with sunflowers right now. Having fun with similarities yet different treatments.

This one, Sunflowers In Blue, sold in one day.

This one Sunflowers in Blue Pitcher, is listed now on EBay and Etsy.

This one is a monotype print done last night at our Saint Louis Watercolor Society meeting. It is 7 x 10 and titled Sunflower Stalks. Listed on Ebay and Etsy

Coming soon: Arranging Sunflowers and Sunflower Field.

Sunflowers In Copper New Painting

2009-11-11T14:52:00.000-08:00

I'm back in the groove! Finally painting and loving it!

Here is Sunflowers In Copper, 11 x 14, original watercolor painting available in my Etsy shop or on Ebay.

Walk in The Woods

2009-11-09T12:57:00.000-08:00

Doing any hiking this fall? This is from a trip to Door Co. Wisconsin.

Here is Toft's Point, 15x21, original watercolor available in my Etsy shop.

On to 100 Sales in my Etsy Shop

2009-10-28T20:00:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a wonderful time on Etsy for the last 18 months. I now have 95 sales!! To celebrate, I am offering 1/2 price on sales 96-100 (excluding shipping) ! Offer good until Nov 7. Nothing excluded. I mean it. I love Etsy and the people who populate it with their arts and crafts and personal interaction with other sellers. Here is a snapshot of a few my current listings.

Puzzle Me This

2009-10-07T14:24:00.000-07:00

Here is a truly great gift idea! CustomDogBananas, a fine artisan with a shop on Etsy, is creating custom wooden jigsaw puzzles using some of my images, your custom photograph, or art from other Etsians. Here is a look at the first one she has made from my work. This one includes 5 "figurals", special shapes that are 3 birds, one anchor and a sailboat. Others will be available on her web site soon. It is spectacular! It is created from a print of my painting Tangier Island. (The original of this painting has been purchased by the Tangier Island History Museum.)

Abstract or absurd?

2009-09-24T15:34:00.000-07:00

You have not seen an abstract from me for a while. Funny thing happened several years ago when strolling through an art show with my mother-in-law. She pointed to a booth and said, "those are absurds." I said, "you mean abstracts?" She said, "well, yes, absurd, abstract, whatever."

Here is Abstraction, original 21" x 29", watercolor with a bit of collage, available in my Etsy shop.

Companion Art

2009-09-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

A client is going to purchase these 2 prints from my Etsy shop to hang together in her dining room. Her table is decorated with Fiesta Ware. She asked how I thought they would look together, and I think they would be great! Both have the same theme, and shades of red and yellow. However, one is vertical and one is horizontal. I think the placing the vertical on the left with the horizontal on the right, with their middles on the same line, would be perfect. What do you think? (I cannot get them spaced apart, but you get the idea.)

Still boating more than painting....

2009-08-25T13:58:00.000-07:00

Busy summer. Come November, I will be back at the brush and palette. Here are some boat portraits I have done. Ours is first. It is a 1968 50' Hatteras, Seaeagle.

Iris and Poppies Print of Original Watercolor

2009-07-31T10:38:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, I am sharing one of my all-time favorite paintings, available as a giclee print in my Etsy shop. This painting won an Honorable Mention in an exhibition juried in St. Louis.

Here is Iris and Poppies.

Lake of the Ozarks Watercolor Painting

2009-07-28T18:45:00.001-07:00

Hello all,
Here is a new piece in my Ports of Call Series of great waterside restaurants at Lake of the Ozarks. This makes 12 in the series. Prints are available at Lake Galleon and ArtPho Gallery at the lake. They are selling so well that I am spending my days in town, Tues, Wed, Thurs., printing and packaging prints instead of painting new spots. But I did make time for this very popular venue, Franky & Louie's. On the drawing board; Ozark Bar-B-Que. Pit Stop, The Duck, DockKnockers, Fish & Co. , The Barge. Stay tuned.....

New watercolor paintings

2009-07-15T17:56:00.000-07:00

Hello again,
Forgive my absence. We lost our dog and got a new puppy and took a trip and have been everywhere but at home acting normal. Finally back in the groove and painted a couple of loose happy florals.

Here is Tall Black Iris, 11" x 14", original watercolor painting

Here is Tulip Bouquet, 11" x 14", original watercolor painting

Original Watercolor Painting River Sunset

2009-06-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

This painting was inspired by the re-enactors of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Here is Exploring The River, original watercolor, 11" x 14" available in my Etsy shop.

Wine and Cheese Party

2009-06-03T11:53:00.001-07:00

Here is Wine and Cheese Party, 15" x 20", original watercolor.

Bright Colors

2009-05-28T09:45:00.000-07:00

I love the brilliance of turquoise, yellow and red. This still life combines those colors resulting in a southwestern flair, thus the title, "Baja".

Here is Baja, 11" x 14" original watercolor.

Evening on the beach

2009-05-26T19:20:00.000-07:00

Sunset on the Beach, 11" x 14", original watercolor available in my Etsy shop.

Twilight on the Beach, 11" x 14", original watercolor available in my Etsy shop.

Had a rainy weekend at Lake of the Ozarks this past weekend. Not so good for boating, but fine for painting!

Irresitible Iris

2009-05-16T17:09:00.000-07:00

I truly love irises. They are big, tall, fragrant, colorful, hardy, reliable, showy, long-lived, what more can you want from your flower garden. This painting is from a bouquet I cut last Tuesday for my son's birthday dinner.

Here is Iris Bouquet, 15" x 20", original watercolor painting available in my Etsy shop or on Ebay.

Cinco De Mayo - just a few days late

2009-05-14T17:08:00.000-07:00

Just finished this fun snappy still life. The pitcher and maracas belonged to my inlaws.

This is Cinco De Mayo, 15" x 20", original watercolor, available in my Etsy Shop and on Ebay.

River Bluff

2009-05-08T13:22:00.001-07:00

This classic landscape is a river bluff in Missouri along the Gasconade river. I bet there are many similar views wherever glacial outcroppings meet winding rivers.

This is "River Bluff", 15" x 20", available in my Etsy shop and on Ebay.

Another new painting

2009-05-06T17:02:00.001-07:00

Oh, I am on a roll. Here is another beach scene with a distinctively different feel than the last post. This one hopefully portrays energy and fun.

Here is "On the Beach", 11" x 14" available in my Etsy shop and on Ebay.

Set The Mood

2009-05-05T16:11:00.000-07:00

In this little painting I wanted a sense of serenity so I kept the colors muted and edges softened. The result is quiet and peaceful, I think.

Here is Seaside, 11 x 14, original watercolor. Available in my Etsy shop and on Ebay.

Abstraction

2009-05-03T12:56:00.000-07:00

Ah, driven to abstraction. Sometimes I just love to think of a pleasing palette and then apply bold strokes, wet-in-wet, thinking about shape placement. For you painters, this one is Maimeri Bleu Verde, DS Undersea green and WS Cad Scarlet.

Here is Scarlet Splash, 11" x 14", original watercolor painting available in my Etsy shop and on Ebay.

Time for the Tropics

2009-04-30T15:21:00.001-07:00

Just finished this lush, juicy painting of a tropical waterfall. It really felt good to smoosh the paint around after the careful portrait work!

Here is Tropic Falls, 11" x 14", available in my Etsy shop and on Ebay.

A Few Portraits for Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-29T16:38:00.001-07:00

Wonderful Workshop and Show

2009-04-25T15:50:00.000-07:00

So the week-long workshop with Ted Nuttall is over. It was fantastic! Many of our 23 class participants asked to have him back so I highly recommend Ted to any art organization that sponsors workshops. Very organized teacher with a unique message and lesson plan. We had students who have painted anywhere from 2 to 30 years and all learned something. Here is Ted on the last day reviewing my work. It turns out that the first one I did was the best because it was so fresh. (the girl with the rose from my last post) The other 2 I completed were a bit more worked, probably because I knew the subjects and tried to fine tune the likeness. I am jazzed to do at least 10 more to see if I can really embed his instructions in my scattered art brain.

Here are the 2 paintings of mine that he accepted for our show. This is the 10th Annual Juried Exhibition of the Saint Louis Watercolor Society. 85 paintings are showing at Creative Art Gallery in St. Louis. If you are in the neighborhood between now and May 30, stop in. It is a great show!

The first one is "A Row of Red" top left. The next is "The Range" top right.

Ted Nuttall Workshop

2009-04-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

I am having a wonderful week! Painting 9-4 with master watercolorist, Ted Nuttall in a workshop sponsored by the Saint Louis Watercolor Society. He is a fantastic teacher; well organized, funny, a good instructor all-around. With his permission, I will share a little of the week so far.

We are studying portrait painting from photographs. The focus is to capture the emotion and expression with minimal definition resulting in a loose, painterly likeness. While it may seem that his paint is splashed on, each "sloppy dot" is very carefully placed. His work is high-key and the result of several very transparent layered washes. Here is Ted at work. He uses a hand palette and works on 300# hot press paper.

Here are my first two works-in-progress. It is amazing what reducing to thumbnails for the screen reveals! I have touch-ups to do, for sure!

More to come.....

A Walk in Shaw Park

2009-04-14T16:53:00.000-07:00

One of the loveliest parks in St. Louis is Shaw park. The extensive Japanese garden is graced with lush growth and stately trees. This arched gate marks the entrance to one of the areas of the park. I chose to show only half of the gate to create an interesting shape with the white space of the gate and walk.

Here is Moon Gate, 11" x 15" original watercolor, available in my Etsy shop.

Getting Things Done

2009-04-10T17:11:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy that if I had been painting, I could have completed a 4'x6' photo-realism cityscape. Alas, that is not the case. But I will share a painting with you reminiscent of the April showers we are having in St. Louis.

Here is Umbrellas, 15" x 22" available in my Etsy Shop.

Serenity

2009-03-28T12:14:00.000-07:00

Amidst the turmoil of floods and snow storms, I was wishing for some peace and quiet for those who are effected. Here are a few serene views. All are available in my Etsy shop or Ebay. (links to right)

Moon Light, 11" x 15"

Around The Bend, 11" x 15"

Lakeside, 11" x 15"

A couple of gals...

2009-03-24T19:21:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago I took a workshop with Don Andrews here in St. Louis. He is a master of the figure in watercolor, with his own very unique style. We worked from models in the class and I had a bit of success. Unfortunately I did not come right home and do 10 more so I lost the touch.

We (the Saint Louis Watercolor Society) have a workshop coming up April 14-20 with Ted Nuttal. His class will be painting portraits from photographs and, this time, I am really going to follow through with practice after the class. Maybe I will even dare to share my daily work with you. (cringe)

Anyway here are the 2 that I completed with Don Andrews.

Trish Has An Attitude, 15" x 22" NFS

Diane, prints available in my Etsy shop.

Thank you Holland...

2009-03-15T18:33:00.000-07:00

For Rembrandt and tulips! This painting is watercolor on Yupo paper that is a synthetic blend with a slick surface. The watercolor stays on the top rather than settling into the paper. It's a trick to paint on it, but the effects are mesmerizing.

Here is Wet Tulips, original watercolor painting, 12" x 16", $40 on Ebay or my Etsy shop.

And thanks to PenguinandFish for showcasing my spring floral paintings on her blog. She is a very talented Etsy artisan creating unique plush animals. Take a look.

Are you thinking Irish?

2009-03-07T17:48:00.000-08:00

We will be going to our friends Kevin and Jeanne's house next Saturday for a super annual St. Pat's party. Here are two paintings I did for them based on photos from their trips to Ireland.

Prints are available in my Etsy shop and on my Ebay.

Here is Kylemore Abbey

And Cliffs of Moher

Have you been to Paris?

2009-02-26T10:28:00.000-08:00

I have not but my good friend has and she shared her photos with me. Here is a look at Fouquet's Hotel on the Champs Elysee.

Dine at Fouquet's, 11" x 14" original watercolor.

It's a party, a Mardi Gras party!

2009-02-21T08:51:00.000-08:00

It's a chilly, windy 31 out there but St. Louis revelers will let the bon temps rouler. Our Soulard neighborhood, just south of downtown is home to one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations in the world, number 3 I have heard. My husband and I are not going because we have out-of-town friends to meet for dinner elsewhere this evening. But my sons and their krewes will participate in style.

Here is a painting that expresses the excitement and energy of a Mardi Gras day. It won an Honorable Mention from juror Don Getz in a juried exhibition sponsored by the Saint Louis Watercolor Society in 2004. Prints are available in my Etsy shop or on Bonanzle.

Iris Jig, original watercolor

Happy Valentines Day

2009-02-14T15:23:00.000-08:00

Remember the Roses, 15" x 20" original watercolor

Selling Art on the Internet

2009-02-11T11:53:00.000-08:00

I have just passed my one year anniversary selling art on the Internet. A fellow blogging artist, Trevor Lingard, happened to comment on my last post and started me thinking about it. He said, "I have never tried Internet selling. Can it be successful?" My answer is, "Hmmm, yes." (This is going to be rather long, so in keeping with always showing a painting, I will show some of the first pieces I sold on the Internet.)

I started on Ebay last January and I sold some household items. I was running out of things to sell when I thought to myself, "Good grief, I have about 300 paintings around here! I wonder if I could sell them on Ebay?" I dove right in, read the Ebay discussion boards on art, selling, and shipping, and did quite well for a few months. Then, as Ebay sellers know, and many of you have heard, Ebay started making changes left and right.

As a result, sales were decimated and fees shot up. Other Ebay artists started talking about moving to other sites and I followed them. In July I opened my Etsy Shop and listed for sale on ArtByUs. And as you read in the last post, I just opened a booth at Bonanzle. I still sell on Ebay and sales there trump the other sites, but diversity is a good thing and the other communities are supportive and inspiring.

So in my first year, I sold about 200 paintings and prints on Ebay and 28 on Etsy. Almost half of the Ebay sales were in the 1st 4 months, before the most drastic changes sunk in, so I don't expect to be able to repeat last year's results. But I am hooked on the internet art community. In fact, a downside is lost time to paint.

After my brief exposure to the many, many sites for artists I see 2 major categories; Exhibiting and Selling. For exhibiting only, with no check out cart or online payment, you will find private studios (your own website or blog) and shared space. Artspan, Paintings I Love, TrunkT and NoBullArt are great places to be seen with other artists. These sites provide a boost in search, web designing services, and inspiration for your work. Some are free and some charge monthly fees.

For selling, there are 3 concepts; your private website, the fine art gallery, and the mall. You can set your own website up for direct selling through Paypal and other payment systems. (But you will need to work extra hard to promote your private space - search engine optimization and all of that stuff)

The sites I categorize as fine art galleries offer only art for sale, some with annual fees, some with commissions and some free if you don't buy upgraded services. Among these sites are Yessy Art Gallery, Boundless Gallery, Zibbet Find Art Love Art and ArtByUs.

Now we come to the malls. What do you get at the mall? Traffic. I categorize Ebay, Etsy, ArtFire, 1000 Markets, and Bonanzle as malls. There are many, many fellow sellers. And with many, many, sellers you get many, many buyers.

Where do you fit in? I know some artists who have divided their work among sites, with higher priced pieces here, and prints and smaller works there. I am still finding my way. The sites I mentioned are just a few possibilities. I'm sure many of you know of other great sites and I would love to hear about them.

But here is one thing to remember. There must about 10 million (billion?) works of art for sale on the Internet. I am pleased that someone found and loved 230 of mine.

Grand Opening

2009-02-09T17:44:00.000-08:00

I have opened a "booth" on Bonanzle. It's a neat site for shopping and selling; a venue for all products, not just art. I found it very user-friendly and easy to set up. You can import listings from Ebay and Craig's List as well as individual listings. The basic booth is free except for a small sales percentage. Upgrades are available for $10 or $20 per month, but I am sticking with basic to start. My next expansion would be Art Fire, if and when I decide to take on any more venues. For now, Ebay, Etsy and Bonanzle are enough to keep track of.

Here is a screen shot of my Bonanzle Booth. It has a nice look, don't you think? All of my listings are on the same page as you scroll down in my booth.

America

2009-02-03T16:54:00.000-08:00

I painted this landscape this afternoon. The process was exhilarating; a broad brush, wet on wet, no pencil work, just paint, paint, paint. And I love the result because it is the very definition of America, glowing with promise and pride.

Here is The Range, 15" x 20" original watercolor painting

Spring Fever

2009-02-02T15:16:00.000-08:00

Last weeks snowfall gave me a touch of spring fever. Here are 3 new paintings from my Garden Series - just flowers.

What a challenge!

2009-01-27T14:15:00.001-08:00

The last 2 weeks have been a real challenge since my father-in-law passed away. Life just turned upside down, but things are beginning to turn back to normal. I found time to paint a couple of landscapes based on reference photos from the Wet Canvas monthly watercolor studio challenge. It's great to have a "challenge" to use when you just don't have the time or inclination to think.

Here is Sunrise, Sunset, 11" x 15" original watercolor

And Evening Drive, 11" x 15" original watercolor

New Year, New Look

2009-01-06T17:27:00.000-08:00

The new year is rather distracting for me, so far. My father-in-law is not well, one son needed help moving, and one son is in China on a study-abroad course and was robbed today (his wallet from his hotel room, he's ok.) And I have a 14' Christmas tree to dismantle and 7 large boxes of decorations to put away. However, I am falling asleep planning paintings rather than singing Christmas carols. So..... I expect to get that brush wet sometime next week.

For now, here is a look at a painting I did of a friend several years ago. I was reminded of this painting when I saw a current photo on his facebook page blowing the same horn.

Toot Sweet

Celebrate the Season

2008-12-20T13:37:00.000-08:00

Hope your holiday season is filled with happiness!

"Coolest Blog Ever" Award

2008-12-15T09:19:00.001-08:00

WOW ! Thanks so very much to Susan from Hot Rocks Glass Jewels for this really cool award! Please take a minute to view her beautiful creations especially if you are still looking for a unique gift.

Winners of this lovely Butterfly award are asked to pass on the honors to some of their favorite blogs as follows:

1. Put the logo on your blog
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you
3. Nominate outstanding blogs that you follow
4. Add links to those blogs
5. Leave a message to those nominees on their blog

I think I will concentrate on a few of my favorite fellow painters that I may not have recognized with previous awards. Here they are.

1. Paul Baines at Indoor Street Art
2. John Wright at John Wright Art
3. Diane Clancy at Diane Clancy's Art Blog
4. Kristina Laurendi Havens at Figures...in my Art and my Life
5. Marionette at Kauai Artist Presents Painting in Paradise

And maybe this lovely butterfly flew through this garden! This is "Wine Iris" from a garden series I will be continuing next spring.

A Trip to the Islands

2008-12-13T14:53:00.000-08:00

We're having a heat wave in St. Louis; up to 55 tomorrow. I am busy with Christmas preparations and have put my paints away for a couple of weeks, so nothing new to share. But here is a favorite tropical painting titled Playing In The Sand.

My heart goes out to those struck by the recent ice storm. Hopefully power will be restored soon.

Do you ski?

2008-12-06T10:13:00.000-08:00

I don't because I don't like to go fast. That eliminates snow skiing, water skiing and motorcycles, at least. But my sons love it. It all started when their Dad and Aunt gave them their first lesson about 15 years ago.

Here's a little painting of that day titled Ski Lesson. Prints are available in my Etsy shop and would make a great gift for someone in a skiing family!

Hello

2008-12-02T10:26:00.000-08:00

Just want to give you Entrecard pals something new to look at today. Here is Pond in Winter, 11" x 15" original watercolor painting.

The Annual Total Waste of Time

2008-11-29T10:05:00.000-08:00

Replacing those teensy batteries in the strand of lights! I have never been able to get that not-lighting half of the strand to come to life again. Why do they put that little replacement battery in there anyway? It's a conspiracy of some sort! But they've got me hooked. I spend 30 minutes getting the old ones out and a new one in and then trying each of the old ones with the new one, just so I won't have to put my coat on and go to the store. (I will use these anyway just wadding up the duds and cramming them inside the bush.)

Of course, now I get it. After I have wasted the hour on two strands (which were new last year BTW) I'll put my coat on, go to the nearest store and spend whatever they are asking for a couple of boxes.

Bah Humbug.

Holiday EtsyFest

2008-11-28T11:37:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of super savings/super shopping over 200 Etsians are participating in a Holiday EtsyFest. Check this link to see the Fine Art category. Beautiful work for unique and personal gifts!

These two paintings are available in my Studio Sale section. Either would make a lovely gift for a family member who "has everything"!

Peace Roses, 11" x 14" Original watercolor painting

Red Roses, 11" x 14" Original Watercolor Painting

Let's go for a walk.

2008-11-23T07:17:00.000-08:00

Good Sunday morning. How about a walk in a peaceful, silent park blanketed with snow and mist?

Here is A Walk In Winter, 11" x 14" original watercolor painting.

Color, Color, Color

2008-11-21T07:23:00.000-08:00

Having fun with this color series. My process is to "paint" a silhouette using masking fluid and then layer, layer, layer transparent washes to achieve the luminous background color I am looking for. This piece has about six layers. Then I remove the frisket and lightly fill my center shape. Here is Cream on Blueberry, 11" x 14", original watercolor, available in my Etsy Shop.

Holiday Mood

2008-11-15T12:11:00.000-08:00

It's time! I know it's still 12 days til Thanksgiving, but it feels like Christmas to me. For several years, the Saint Louis Watercolor Society had some fun paint-outs at Christmas time. About 40 painters met in the large fellowship hall of a church and set up elaborate still lifes to share. We spent the day painting and eating. What fun!

Here are my 3 favorite paintings from those days. The originals, all 15" x 20", are not for sale because I pop them into frames and hang them in my home during the season. But the images are available in my Etsy shop printed on white deckled edge greeting cards with matching envelopes. The insides are blank for customized greetings.

Celebrate the Season

Holiday Cheer

Poinsettias

Kudos to Me!

2008-11-12T10:22:00.000-08:00

I am honored to have received four awards from Sharon Hart of The Artist's Muse. What a delight! Many of you know her work and thoughtful, detailed posts. She is one of my favorite art bloggers.

The first is the Arte y Pico Award. "It’s an international award for a global community of artist-bloggers, acknowledging that what we create helps make the world a finer place.” I bestow this award to Tomas Karkalas at Modus Vivendi for his art and philosophy.

Next is the Butterfly Award "for the coolest blog I ever know", which of course is very poor grammar. But it is a cool looking award and I would hate to be the one to deface it with a correction. Since the first three blogs I have started to give this to have already just received it, I'm going to keep it on my mantle.

Next is the "I Love Your Blog" award. I'm giving this to Five O'Clock Somewhere for her great ability to mix art with life in her posts
.
And last is "My Favorite Blog". I give this award to The Art Zoo. I really don't expect them to post it because the perfect thing about their blog is the clean, focused, look and content they post every day.

Thanks again Sharon!

Color Series Continued

2008-11-08T11:06:00.000-08:00

Here are two more paintings in my color series. The first is Green on Wine. I feel it really fits the visual complement color wheel.

And next is Blue Iris on Brown. This piece is an expression of value and temperature. A look at interior decorating trends finds that any pastel on brown is appealing. I think it works best if one is cool and the other warm. Here I placed a warm blue on a cool brown.

Both paintings are 11" x 14" and are available in my Etsy Shop. Have a great weekend!

Color - The Visual Complements

2008-11-04T18:05:00.000-08:00

Several years ago I took a workshop with Hilary Page. She is a fine watercolorist who has made an intense study of the pigments from every watercolor manufacturer. She shared her discoveries with us but also explained a new look at color complements - visual complements as opposed to mixing complements. (See her website for an in-depth explanation.)

We are familiar with the traditional 12 section color wheel based on the 3 primaries, red, yellow, blue. The Munsell theory of color, which Hillary subscribes to, squishes the wheel a bit and leaves 5 major colors, 10 total. The 5 are red, yellow, green, blue and purple.

All artisans working with color whether 2d, 3d, fiber, metal, glass, come to realize that some colors just look good together. The traditional complement of red is green. But red, especially an orange red, looks best with blue-green. Well, except at Christmas!

In the days after the workshop I did 4 little paintings of imaginary still lifes to cement my understanding of visual complements. Working clockwise through the 4 paintings you will see that yellow moves to red-orange to blue-red to purple. Blue moves to blue-green, to true green and to yellow-green.
You are probably already making these color decisions subconsciously in your work. But if not, give it some thought. And if you are contemplating buying a piece of art you may better understand why it "works".

Now you see why the painting below works so well. Be back soon with a few more color studies.

Color Series

2008-11-02T09:07:00.000-08:00

New series - color, shape and impact! Yes, I'm bouncing all over the creative map once again. On the way to my Tetons series I got waylaid. The brilliant orange/red of the trees and the intense blue autumn sky captured my imagination. To showcase those two colors I placed each on a complimentary color by masking the focal shapes then layering the background with multiple washes. The result.

Here is Tomato on Teal, 15" x 20", original watercolor.

Here is Blue on Chocolate, 11" x 15", original watercolor.

And now, back to the mountains....

Flower Show

2008-10-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

I used to be quite into gardening and flower arrangements. I was president of a federated garden club in Richmond, VA and entered a flower show once. The competitions are fierce. While my arrangement was pretty good, I was way off in presentation without enough scene-setting paraphernalia.

Of course I learned this from my mother who was in the garden club wherever we lived. When I paint florals I imagine that I am arranging flowers. Is it a hogarth curve, a triangle, a mass? I painted this last weekend thinking of an armful of fall grasses, ferns, and coleus with a few lilies added for color. To me, it is a mass with a touch of hogarth (up on the left, down on the right).

Here is Fall Flowers, 11" x 15", original watercolor painting available in my Etsy Shop.

A Change of Scenery

2008-10-27T13:09:00.009-07:00

It's time for a new look around here. I love painting florals, and even painted yellow roses again. But, for a change of scenery, I started on a new series based on my friend's trip to the Tetons a few weeks ago. I'm starting the series with a realistic interpretation and plan to progress into some abstraction.

Here is Summer In The Tetons, 15" x 22", Original Watercolor Painting

Tag! I'm it!

2008-10-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

Woo hoo, I've been tagged by my colleague, Fransceca (Cecca) Whetnall. She is a fine watercolor artist that I met on Etsy where we are both members of the Watercolor Works Esty Team. As you probably know, this means I have to tell you seven things about myself and then tag seven other blogs. I'm honored to be included in this fun game!

Tagging Rules
1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 interesting/random facts about yourself on your blog.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post, leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Leave a comment on each of their blogs to let them know they've been tagged.

Seven facts about me
1. I am currently addicted to dark chocolate and cheesecake but plan to switch to carrots and celery any day now. Really.
2. I wear earplugs when I sleep.
3. I do all the daily puzzles in the newspaper including the NY Times crossword.
4. I am a 16 year cancer survivor.
5. I have been on a 2200 mile boat trip.
6. I do not pay anyone to cut or color my hair or paint my fingernails and toenails.
7. Dust is a protective coating in my house.

Now you're it!
1. Veronica Escudero
2. Jordanka Yaretz
3. Marionette, Kauai-artist
4. AlteredEvents
5. DesignsBySheila
6. 57 Design Studio
7. HolyCuteness

And for the painting du jour:
Here is a new painting; Pink Rose Bouquet, 11" x 15" available in my Etsy shop.

Whatnot, Whatever, What Now

2008-10-16T11:22:00.000-07:00

Whatnot seems to be the new etc., I suppose. Well in the last decade or so. My husband happened to have the dictionary out just now where we were looking up pedantic. I mentioned my title here and he looked up whatnot. It is defined as "an indescribable thing." (derived from the whatnot shelf) However, my son, who has always been very creative with his word construction, (I'm always saying, "Jimmy, that is not a word.") started using the phrase and whatnot often as a list-ender.

Having solved that weighty matter, let's move on to whatever. A good friend, whom I spend a lot of time with on the weekends at the lake, truncates many, if not most, of her sentences with whatever. She gives a it very definitve downward inflection; end of discussion. It's rather contagious for some reason and I find myself imitating her, whatever.

So what now. I just stared out the window for about 20 seconds. Oh yeah, the yellow roses painting of the last post sold this weekend. And someone else is interested in a similar painting, only larger. That's a good thing, isn't it? For the nonce,

Here is Fishermen's Dock, prints available, original sold. I imagine those fellows on the Chesapeake are hauling up the oysters as we speak.

The Color of the Day is Yellow

2008-10-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

It's sunny and I feel cheerful today. I was just accepted to display my art on the TrunkT.org site. My portfolio will be accessible later today or tomorrow and I look forward to filling it with my current paintings.

I was also feeling sunny a few days ago when I completed this loose, painterly mass of yellow roses in a celadon vase. For the painters in the room, my pigments were New Gamboge, Winsor Yellow, WN Perylene Green, DS Undersea Green and Winsor Violet. I'm loving this perylene green! It goes from a soft grey-green to almost-black. I think these cool greens really emphasize the warm intense gamboge. I'm off to buy some more perylene green at Cheap Joe's special one-day $1 shipping sale!

Here is Yellow Roses, 11" x 14" original watercolor

A Touch of Pinks - Breast Cancer Awareness Tribute

2008-10-03T19:58:00.001-07:00

So Much Stress

2008-10-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

Just sitting here in a daze. I think I typed that about 3 minutes ago. I want to show you this painting that I did on Monday in the midst of all that stress - the bill didn't pass, the market dove, and I had to plan a dinner party for 18. I was over-the-top stressed into an actual place of calmness. Like when you drink so much caffeine that it makes you tired. The result here is a very quiet, serene painting.

Here is Magnolias, 11" x 15", original watercolor painting.

No talking, please.

2008-09-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

I'm painting today, so I am not talking to you. Actually, I am, because I am waiting for my background to dry.

Here is a painting I did yesterday and just listed in my Etsy Shop. We are all fascinated by watching koi; their colors, their constant movement. I tried to capture those aspects.

Koi Pond, 15" x 22", original watercolor painting

My Palette - Exposed

2008-09-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

When we have demonstration painters at our Saint Louis Watercolor Society meetings, you will always hear, "What paints are you using?" We all seem to have a fascination with the palette of other artists. And what about the workshop supply list. "He uses Naples yellow. I better get some."

Having been to about 20 week-long workshops, I have a bag full of barely squeezed tubes. While I am still open to new ones, and a sucker for the workshop bait, I seem to have settled on this mix.Here is my palette as of last evening. I will name the paints starting in the top left corner. The number of stars indicates frequency of use, 3 being most often, and none, meaning it's gotta go.

WN Cobalt Blue **

WN French Ultramarine ***

WN Antwerp ***

WN Winsor Blue/Red

WN Winsor Green/Yellow *

Daniel Smith Under Sea Green ***

American Journey Skip's Green ***

WN Cadmium Yellow Med *

WN Lemon Yellow

WN Raw Sienna **

WN New Gamboge ***

WN Winsor Yellow **

WN Orange *

WN Burnt Sienna ***

WN Scarlet Lake **

WN Perm. Alizarin *

WN Perm Rose *

Daniel Smith Quinacridone Magenta **

Maimeri Theoindigo Violet **

WN Violet ***

WN Opera *

WN Cobalt Violet *

Holbein Manganese **

Maimeri Bleu Verde ***

Dabs in the middle: Sepia**, Maimeri Avignon Orange **, AJ Andrew's Turquoise **, S Quiller Rose Madder **

And my favorite white is "Aqua Cover" made to match brand name papers. Very nice for emergency recovery of whites.

It Matches The Bedspread

2008-09-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

There are artists who have a statement to make or cause to promote. And there are artists who don't. That would be me. Well, not really. My artist's statement is I paint because I love the process. I paint to please my eye. I have fun painting.

There are art collectors who collect a style, or the work of an artist, or for investment potential. There are collectors who buy to make their room look better. All are very fine reasons to buy art, I'm sure.

This painting is not about anything. But it is very nice to look at and it would look great with certain bedspreads or sofas. Don't you think so? Do you collect art or buy art? What is the last thing you bought and what are you looking for next?

Here is Poppies, 11" x 15", available in my Etsy Shop and at auction on eBay through Sunday.

It's a Challenge

2008-09-22T18:00:00.000-07:00

I belong to two Etsy teams so far, Watercolor Works and Visual Arts Street Team - VAST. As is the case with most Etsy teams, the monthly challenge is a fixture to help promote the team. I'm all for promotion and I like themed exhibits, too. My local society, the Saint Louis Watercolor Society follows the theme genre at an on-going venue, CJ Muggs restaurant. Themes are generally inspriational and certainly motivational.

For the WWETeam challenge, our team leader posted three photos to be interpreted as we see it. Here is the photo and my interpretation for that challenge. It is titled Harvest Time, 11" x 14" original watercolor, available in my Etsy Shop.

The VAST September challenge is "fall colors", that I intend to work on soon. You'll have to come back to see that one!

Just Ask Me

2008-09-20T09:12:00.000-07:00

Many artists offer to do commissions. You might wonder why they do that and why you would want a commission. Here is an example of a recent commission request I completed. I had a painting of purple irises listed on eBay. Someone liked my style, but really wanted white irises with a yellow background for the room she was decorating. So she emailed me and asked if I could do white irises. I said sure, and because I was painting that day, and in the mood, I was able to complete her request that day. I emailed her a photo of the painting, she liked it, and she paid me through Paypal. Voila!

So artists offer commissions because they are willing to paint upon request. This is not for everyone. Some artists just really want to stay with their own "from the heart" inspiration, which is occasionally how I feel, too. On the other hand, it can be very gratifying to create a painting that fulfills the vision of someone else.

If you see an artist offering commissions, take a minute to consider their offer. It is from the heart.

Here is White Iris, prints available in my Etsy shop.