Mississippi John Hurt as Picasso's "The Old Guitarist" The painting process.

You can watch this painting unfold as I add new videos to this blog post. This is step 1 of the painting I am currently working on. It is a recreation of Pablo Picasso's "the Old Guitarist" with Mississippi John Hurt as the subject. This painting is a gift for my husband. I hope you enjoy watching me paint it. The final video will be all of the footage put together and sped up 32X. Until then enjoy these flip video magic movies. I will upload them as I work on it. I apologize that you can not see the bottom. I will have to figure out how to position the camera so that you can see it all. Also sorry for the crappy music, the final video will have music from Mississippi John Hurt.  

Watch me paint

This is a time lapse video of me working on a custom oil painting; wedding rings balanced on the strings of a guitar. Enjoy and feel free to comment.

                                                                The finished product

The Watercoloresque Melting Flower

                                                  "The Watercoloresque Melting Flower"
                                                               8 piece Aceo puzzle

            http://www.etsy.com/listing/79143335/original-aceo-drawings-grouping-of-8

I drew this years ago after I got a 300+ set of prismacolor markers. They came with a clear blender marker, which I used to give this a watercolor look. The more I look at it the more I love it! I have discovered things in it that I forgot I drew! In the upper left corner there is a person grasping a part of the flower's stem. I am not sure what my plan was with this, or if there even was a plan. When I look at it today, I see a flower lying in a puddle that is sort of melting causing an oil spill effect. I drew it so long ago; I cannot remember what the original idea was. When I found it in an old sketchpad a couple of weeks ago, I decided that I wanted it to be an Aceo puzzle. Therefore, I cut it into eight 2.5" X 3.5" pieces. I hope you have enjoyed it's story. Please feel free to comment, I love reading what you think.

ACEO puzzle collage of Janis Joplin

             

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76830676/original-aceo-drawing-collage-janis

This was once a complete drawing of Janis Joplin. I drew it in 1995 from a Magazine photograph on printer paper while killing time at a Waffle House. She has always been quite beautiful to me despite her unconventional looks. 

 I recently cut into pieces, to make *ACEOs or art cards. The first ones I made, I was not happy with at all!

I then decided cut Janis out and glue those pieces to an article from a fanzine. I did not read the article until I glued my drawing to it. I picked the article because it had a large area with text. After trying to read the article, I found that it was very politically driven. I rather liked that. However, there was not enough text to make 2.5X3.5 inch cards. Therefore, I continued to look through this fanzine from 2003. I found a page that was a strange picture and I decided to use that as the boarder. I glued everything to a gift box. I used that instead of card stock, because I like to recycle. I listed it but I still was not happy.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     I asked my Etsy friends for advice. Even though I was given many compliments, something just bugged me about it. The Etsy team really came through with some great ideas. Thank you so much! By the end of the conversations, I decided to paint the text with a red watercolor wash. This is the result                                                                                                     

 *ACEO: Art Card, Editions and Originals 

An offshoot of Artist Trading Cards is the "Art Cards, Editions and Originals" (ACEO). 
ACEOs originated when some artists began to create cards, to sell, in addition to trading among themselves.


I store and send them in theses ridged. top loader cardholders. They have a nice green border and protect the cards well.

ACEOs

I recently discovered ACEOs, and I have started to offer them in my Etsy shop!

WHAT IS AN ACEO?

ACEO stands for "art cards, editions & originals". You may also see them labeled as "ATC" or "artist trading cards". ATC Artist Trading Cards have been

Around for centuries and are usually traded or exchanged rather than sold. In contrast, artists primarily create ACEOs with the intention of selling them. They must be 2.5" x 3.5" in either orientation - this is the same size as standard playing cards & sports cards, so they can be displayed in collector card albums. Many people choose to display them in special picture frames as they would with traditional artwork. They are miniature versions of works of art in various mediums that can be collected, traded or sold. Besides the size constraints, there are no other rules when making them - you can use any technique you want! Knit or sew one together, make one out of clay, plaster or paper mache', collage, paint, draw etc. They can also be prints.

The unique little art form known as ACEO Art Cards Editions and Originals was born in 2004 because of the public's interest in acquiring and collecting these tiny works of art that were up until then strictly traded between artists. Miniature works of art that have a long tradition. The small works were used to transport new techniques to other parts of the world, and in some cases to pay for food and lodging. In the late Twentieth Century, artists started making cards to trade between themselves, as most artists like to have the art of others they admire, and have little cash for such things. When the public learned of the ATC Artist Trading Card, they wanted to buy them, and the ACEO was born. Now archival art is suddenly affordable and these ACEOs
Make the perfect gift for anybody with very little display space

My marker and pen ACEOs
My pencil and color pencil ACEOs
My ACEO paintings and prints


Now all of my ACEOs are doodles and drawings, from my sketchpads and portfolios, which I have accumulated over the years. I have cut them down to the proper size and mounted them to card stock. They are all signed and dated on the back.


Soon I will be offering original oil painting ACEOs.

"Storm On the Lake" The story behind the painting

                                                         

                                                           "Storm on the Lake" SOLD
30X36 original oil painted by me in 2002. When any one walks into my home, they compliment this painting!

This was originally a photograph taken by a friend. The original photograph did not have the tornado in it; however, I felt it necessary to include it. At that time in my life, I was having many dreams with tornadoes; I guess I should have listened to my dreams. This painting has been all over the US. It has moved with me in my journey through life. It has been on display in galleries and in an art show in Charleston, SC during Spoleto. This painting has always brought peace to my heart. Every time I look at it, I am reminded of my mistakes and my accomplishments. It tells me to listen to my heart and trust my gut. I am sure it will speak to you as well. I would love to read your comments, let me know what it says to you.

Price change for oil portraits

painting - photo
http://www.etsy.com/listing/64916254/portrait-painting-in-oil-wedding

I have decided to reduce my prices for portraits painted in oil. The price starts with a base of $200 that includes one person and a background. If you have more than one person, add $100 for each additional person in the picture. I feel like that is a little more reasonable than my original price of $200 per person. I do not want to scare away customers.
The reason that I charge per person is, with each person there is a new challenge. More paint waste, and more hours involved. When you buy a portrait from me, you get a completely personal experience. I send you update photos after each stage for your approval. If you ever feel that something does not look quite right, feel free to let me know. I love compliments, but letting me know when you are not completely satisfied allows me to give you exactly what YOU want.

"Tangled In Purgatory" The story behind the painting

I painted this in 2005, but it started way before then. I did the doodle in 2001, while I was working in a tattoo shop as an apprentice. While working at a sports bar in 2004 I was still adding to this doodle. A coworker looked at it and said it looks like purgatory! That is when I gave it the name "Tangled in Purgatory"

This is the original doodle



 I always wanted to paint it, but I knew it had to be big. Later that year I was shopping at a well-known arts and crafts store when I saw the canvas! It was huge 36X48 and on the top shelf. It seemed to have the light from heaven shining down on it! I had to have it, so I took my 50% off coupon and bought it just for this painting.
 I have had the painting in my home ever since and every one who sees it is just loves it. It has moved with me three times from Atlanta, GA to Columbia, SC. Then again, from Columbia, SC to Charleston, SC and finally it made the journey across the country from Charleston to the mountains of San Bernardino in Southern California! In the move from Columbia to Charleston, it was ripped. You would think that the cross country trip would have caused it's injury!  No, it was the hour and a half trip that broke my heart! I placed it between two mattresses thinking that would protect it. It wiggled it's way out and fell on the bed frame. I consider it injured and not dead. It is part of it's story.
I was taking photographs of it outside of my home when my neighbor came out and asked me about it, he is a catholic priest. I told him the name and the story behind it. He told me that it was a very good depiction of purgatory, and that he was surprised, because I am not catholic, at how accurate he felt it was. I thought that was an incredible compliment and I hoped through the power of the Internet that more people could enjoy it as much as I have.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78937720/aceo-somerset-velvet-giclee-print

"TANGLED IN PURGATORY" is now available in ACEO Giclee prints for $8. These are limited edition prints only 16 will be available. Each 2.5 X 3.5 Somerset Velvet Giclee print is signed numbered and dated on the back. They arrive shipped in a rigid top loader cardholder.

"Delirius Night" The painting of the Delirium Nocturnum bottle

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64916046/surreal-oil-painting-night-sky-beer


This piece is the third and most recent of the beer bottle still life series. Everything about this bottle made me think surreal. Since oils are painted from the background forward, that is how I will describe this one.  I had to paint a night sky, a very surreal night sky. I used crazy colors in the clouds, and clear starry sky peaking through. The moon seemed like a necessary addition, but I did not want to go with the cliché full or crescent moon. I chose the half moon. Since this is a fancy Belgium beer, I chose the setting of a fine dining table with a black tablecloth. Why it is hovering in the sky, well you can come to your own conclusion there. While I was setting up the subject, I noticed that my palette would be a cool addition to the still life, so I laid the bottle down on the palette and set the glass next to it. I wanted to give the impression that the beer had been drunk. I decided that it would be neat if the beer and glass were somewhat part of the palette, smeared with the paint. The background is a smooth painting, blended with brushes with no texture. As you get to the foreground the more texture, you encounter. The more I painted, the more I used the palette on the painting as the mixing board. I truly enjoyed painting this and I hope you have enjoyed looking at it and learning about it's creation.

Delirium Nocturnum; Some info about the beer.

The bottle is very well liked among collectors. It is a normal brown glass bottle, but ceramic coated in a gray speckled color. The label includes a pink elephant set on yellow and blue psychedelic background with the big signature ‘Delirium’ pink elephant in the middle, and is lined at the top with golden doves. The bottle has a blue foil that seals the top of the bottle and provides confidence in the quality of the product. The cap is not twist off.

Delirium Nocturnum is sold in 750ml bottles that are sealed with a cork and cage setup, (like a champagne bottle), in four packs of 11.2 fl. oz bottles, or can be bought by the keg.

Delirium Nocturnum is an 8.5% ABV, dark Belgian Strong Ale. It is a triple-fermented dark ale using three different yeast strains and five different malts. Delirium Nocturnum pours a rich brown/ruby color, with a thick tan head that leaves a slight lace on the glass. It is mostly clear and has some carbonation.

The hops in Delirium Nocturnum become more present as the beer warms to room temperature while the alcohol smell becomes present as well. While drinking, the ‘mouth feel’ has a full, rich feel with little carbonation, but runs smoothly, with a soft, medium-bodied feel.

The taste is complex. It has a bouquet of aromatic sweetness with apple, berry, and honey maltiness and a hint of sourness (the smell can be a little similar to a brown ale). The flavor immediately bursts with raisins, bittersweet chocolate and aniseed. Halfway through tasting, one can detect plum and raspberry with an underlying yeastiness. The finish is long, with a fruity, plumy aftertaste with some spiciness.

Beer information from wikipedia.

"Amsterdam Blond Bottle" about the painting

-

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64915962/medium-oil-painting-16x20-palette-knife
For years, I worked in a sports bar that offered a wide variety of beer. When I would get a beer that I thought had an appealing bottle, I would keep it. It is only recently that I started to paint them.
This piece is the second painting in my beer bottle series. It is painted on a 16X20canvas in oil.
Painted only with a palette knife, it has lots of texture and dimensions. I chose this bottle because of it's unusual shape. I also love the "XXX" down the front. The beer is very tasty as well! The bottle is very interesting so I did not feel it needed anything else with it.
I hope you have enjoyed looking at it.

Amsterdam Blond, a little about the beer.

This is a brewery out of Amsterdam, and Atlanta is one of the first markets it's hit. It comes in a cool 11.2 oz bottle that is shaped like an old-style fire hydrant; the bottle is brown, unlike many Dutch beers. It offers a nice 5.9% ABV. As for the taste, it is a lot more like a decent European lager. This would appeal to your average beer drinker.