It's Great To Be Loved

Isn't this cool? I received this honor from an art colleague and internet friend. Please take a moment to view her fine work at A Painting A Day By Veronica Escudero. This award personifies the sense of community one can find in the blogging world whether within your field of interest or on a wider scope.

Recipients of this award are asked to pass it on by nominating 7 other blogs they particularly enjoy. What a difficult task! After only a few weeks here I am sure I have just scratched the surface, but here are 7 blogs that I recommend:

Beadalicious

Karooart Expressions In Polymer Clay

Figures... In My Art And Life

Mary Lou's Art [Ad]Venture

LWGodsil's Jadis Jewelry

Skwiggazine

Blenda Studio

Winners may pass it on as follows:

1. Post the award image on your blog

2. Link to the person you received the award from

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Link to those 7

5. Leave a message on the blogs you have nominated

I'm a Tasmanian Devil

and proud of it!

A guest lecturer at one of the Saint Louis Watercolor Society's membership meetings once described three approaches to painting; the plodder, the deliberator and the tasmanian devil. The plodder works on a piece for weeks, months, years, perhaps never even finishing. The deliberator plans and considers every move and brush stroke from the detailed value sketches to the final framing. The tasmanian devil flies right at the paper or canvas with arms flailing, paint flying and brush strokes every which way AND loose!

That's me. It's the way I do it. I loathe value sketching and even most pencil work. I love the loaded brush caressing the paper. The energy and passion pours as fast as I can release it!

This is also my approach to writing although I admit that this blogging business has made me stop and think just a bit. This week I came across a great blog dedicated to successful blog writing and especially appreciated the blog, Tips on Avoiding Wordiness. I plan to spend more time hanging around on that blog, although, like I said the other day, I really need some time to paint!

Before I head off to bang out a little gem straight from the heart, here is Joyful, Joyful, an award-winning painting completed in about 15 minutes from a photo of flowers from my mother's funeral several years ago. Prints available in my Etsy Shop.

"Merv Griffin" - or Learn a new thing everyday...

So I had just gotten off the cell phone with my 27 yr old son and was talking to my sister on the house phone when my cell phone "text" rang. We were in the midst of a long-winded political debate but I glanced at the cell and it said "Merv Griffin". I interrupted my sister to say, "Charlie just texted me "Merv Griffin". What in the world?" She said, "I can't imagine" and we went on to reminisce about all of his game shows while I punched buttons on my cell attempting to reply to Charlie.

Finally, somehow, I scrolled down to see "Merv Griffin Seinfeld episode on right now TBS." This, of course, is breaking news and worthy of attention!

So now I know. If you receive a text message, scroll down!

On the other hand, you can always resort to the old-fashioned "let's meet at Buck's for a beer and some convo."

Here is Buckeroo's, prints available at my Etsy shop.

What does a full-time artist do?

Well, I can tell you what they do not do.

• They do not volunteer to be treasurer and business manager of their local art society.


• They do not volunteer to have Grandpa's 88 birthday party at their house instead of a restaurant.


• They do not blog or otherwise promote their work.


• They do not sell art on the Internet.


• They do not ship their art anywhere.


• They do not clean their house.


• They do not cook dinner for their husband and/or kids.


• They do not do laundry.


• They do not feed the dogs.


• IF they do all of the above, they do not sleep.

Well, I am doing all of the above today and I am going to sleep tonight. So, guess what? No painting again today. (Just a small rant because I am blessed with a very full life.)

But here is a look at a painting I did a few months ago.

This is White Sands, original watercolor, 15" x 20", available in my Etsy Shop.

Labor Day Sale in my Etsy Shop

As a member of the Visual Arts Street Team - VAST, on Etsy, I am offering 3 special 8x10 prints from my popular Garden Series 1/2 PRICE, only $7.50. I figure since the flowers are fading fast, it's time to pick a few! The sale runs through Tuesday, Sept 2.

Follow this link to see my shop with the 3 sale pieces featured in the top row. Also search "laborday vast team" to find many other special deals from some very talented artists!

http://hammelmanart.etsy.com/

Ports of Call Series - Lake of the Ozarks

I'm pleased to announce that prints of this series are now available at Artpho Gallery & Frame, 1075 Main Street, Osage Beach, MO 65065, 573-348-4084.

Originals are 15" x 21" and are available from me. This series includes the most popular entertainment venues at our wonderful Lake of the Ozarks.

Painting portraits this week!

Order your custom boat portrait now: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14628184