Who Let TheButterflies Out?

Butterfly Weather

I know, this weather is crazy.

It is December 12, and it's 75 degrees in Kentucky.

Today was probably my last class in

River Run Gallery,

and we painted,

Wait for it!  

Butterflies!

 It's Rileigh's birthday

 (girl in the middle)

 

  And a few people showed up to help her celebrate.

Rileigh and her mom, Stacie have been very

supportive of River Run Gallery,

and it is fitting that they were about the last class.

These girls were so creative as they painted butterflies.

These are right on the verge of being abstract,

so all I had to do was put some paint on their palettes,

and let em fly.

Look at these great butterflies,

and painters.

I just want to thank everyone for all your support over the last year and a half.  We've had some great times here in the gallery and I hope we've created some wonderful memories and learned a little bit about art.

I will continue to teach painting classes to groups at your place.  Just email me at slgraves6@gmail.com,

call me at  502-523-0663,

or message me from facebook.

I will also have art camps this summer at the farm.

I have an online painting course for beginning painters.

Click HERE to see the program. 

I also have a facebook page for beginning painters.

Click HERE for that link. 

I have posted several free short courses on there for beginning painters.  

If you could hop on over there and give it a like

(or a share)

that's where I'll be posting lots of free content

for beginning painters.

Also, I'll still be giving away a free painting every month,

so scroll up to the top and click on the blue box on the right that says, Enter to win a FREE painting

and leave me your name and email

and you'll be in for every FREE painting I give away.

Till then,

See you in the funny paper.  

 

   

Snowmen in Masse

Snowmen in 50 Degree Weather?

YES!

We here in River Run Gallery

are so confidant in our abilities,

we think we can conjure up snowmen

in 50 degree weather,

without the aid of snow.

 

And We Did!

 

This sweet group of kiddos came together

to give a fun birthday gift to Carly, (girl in the middle).

They all painted snowmen.

Noah, in the front, is 4 and he did a super job.

Andrew is the oldest of this crowd, and he is a very creative guy.  Look at how he's rockin that snowman right into GQ status.

Carly, the birthday girl, was very excited to come in and paint a snowman.  Hope you got that paint out of your shirt.

Lily, on the right, has painted with me many times, and she has grown by leaps and bounds as an artist.

This may be one of, if not the last completely childs class in River Run Gallery,

and I want to thank everyone who has supported this adventure over the last year and a half.

Please know, I have enjoyed teaching you and your children and I will continue to have some classes

and will try to keep you all informed of them.

I will have art camps this summer 

at our farm.

That is going to be a fun thing. 

I hope many of you will stop in during this last week that 

River Run Gallery is open.  Final day is December 19.

Thanks again.  

Reindeer Games

Kid Friendly Reindeer Games

This was definitely kid friendly reindeer games.

Mom and 2 girls came into the gallery

to paint reindeers.

So, what should my wondering eyes should appear,

 but a crazy instructor

and two magical reindeer.

 Give it up for the reindeer girls!

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Don't forget to sign up to win a free painting.  I give one away every month. 

Follow the link below to get your name in the hat.

 

November Winner

And The November Winner Is. . .

 Kelsey Clay

I give away a small painting every month

to one of my subscribers.

So if you want your name in the hat,

you have to enter to win.

At the top of this blog on the right is a button

that says,

Enter To Win a FREE Painting.

I can't make it much more obvious than that.

Give me your name and email 

and you're in

for every painting I give away.

Here's the painting I'm giving away in December.

It's an Osprey from the Naples, FL area.    

If you want to learn to paint from the beginning

principles and finish two paintings,

click HERE to view my online

beginning painting course,

Painting With Acrylics 101. 

 

Mermaids in Winter

Technically It's Not Winter,

but it sure looked like it here this morning.

We had a very heeaavvyy frost this morning,

and it looked like a winter wonderland.

But we were snug as bugs in a rug

in River Run Gallery as we painted mermaids.

 

Abby and Shaela kept things lively this morning

as we painted mermaids.

Abby's mom, Katie owns the store next to mine and Abby's been after me to paint a mermaid.

So here we are painting by request.

Here's a short video of their process.

 I know it looks staged,

but it's not.

Just caught them in the very same stance.

 We're starting to paint the flowing hair now.

 They added bubbles

and water,

and aren't they just too cute.

(and the mermaids aren't bad either)!

So Long, It's Been Good to Know Ya!

Business Plans Change

River Run Gallery Fun Art Studio

last day of business is 

Saturday, December 19.

Sometimes business plans change,

I've changed mine several times,

sometimes the economy changes,

or doesn't change,

sometimes a business just isn't a good fit 

for its location.

I may be in all of those categories.

But,

we are STILL open until December 19,

and I'll still be having classes until then,

Our artists will have their work here until then,

so PLEASE stop in,

say hi,

look around,

enjoy it while you can.

We have a sale going on of a super selection

of handcrafted earrings.

Our fiber artist has a whole new line of fall wraps

that are super soft and warm,

and unlike anything you can get anywhere else.

 Photographer Kristin Sherrard Beck has new photography

just in time for the holidays.

All of my paintings are 30% off.

So, while we're still here,

how about stopping in and giving us a look. 

We're going to miss you,

and have had a wonderful time here on Main St.,

I have a fabulous group of loyal supporters and followers

and I love you all.

I've had a super time teaching your children,

having parties here,

and enjoying your company and support.

I've learned a lot here,

and I hope you have too.

I will continue teaching art classes

and to my groups, if you would like to have a class

just let me know and we'll

gittr done.

The web site will shut down December 19

and this blog will also shut down, but I don't know when.

I have created an online beginning painting course

and I hope you'll hop on over to take a look at it at

https://www.paintingwithacrylics101.com  
 

Click Here to Enter for a FREE Painting

After Thanksgiving Activities

So,

Everyone's in for the Thanksgiving holidays,

and you can't 

eat turkey,

watch football,

eat turkey,

shop,

eat turkey

or

eat desserts all the time.

Why not get your posse together,

oh wait, they are together,

why not come on down to

River Run Gallery,

Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving

and paint?

What about this?

or

or

or

or I could go on and on

and nobody wants that.

I'm open Friday from 10-4

and Saturday 10-3.

Allow 2 hours per class,

 even though it probably won't take that long.

Leave me a comment or

call me at 502-523-0663 to talk turkey. 

  

Enter for a FREE Panting Here

October Winner

October Has A Winner

I give away a painting every month,

and October was no different.  

Congratulations to Kendra.

I pulled her name out of the hat to win this fun painting of Augusta, KY.

It's hard to see the painting above because it's in a cellophane package, but this is the October painting I gave away.

This is from Augusta, KY inside the Mains Garden on Riverside Dr.

Get in on the fun by clicking on the link below and signing up.

 

Enter for a FREE Panting Here

Click HERE to view my beginning online painting course. 

 If you have ever wanted to learn to paint,

this is the course for you.

You can learn at your home,

at your pace,

and watch all the videos as often as you want.

Do Your Ears Hang Low. . .

Camp Song

Did you go to 4-H, Girl Scout, or Boy Scout Camp

and learn the song,

Do Your Ears Hang Low,

Do they wobble to and fro,

Can you tie them in a knot,

Can you tie them in a bow,

Can you throw them over your shoulder

Like a continental soldier?

Do Your Ears Hang Low?

(My best childhood memories come from 4-H camp)

Well our drawing instructor, Jeremy Cobb

can help you fix that problem.

 Jeremy will be opening a 6-week portrait drawing course, beginning Tuesday, Nov., 10-6-7:30 p.m. and continuing every Tuesday for six consecutive weeks.

This course will begin by understanding the structure of the skull beneath the face and how it creates all the highlights and shadows that take a face from flat to realistic.

You will watch as Jeremy shows you how to draw parts of the face and then you will work on your own drawings in class and outside of class.  There's only one way to get better at anything, and that is by doing the thing.

This course is designed for students 14 and up and is priced at $150 for all 6 lessons,

and can be paid in full at the first lesson or pay $75 the first lesson and the final $75 the third lesson.

Because it is a course and each week builds on the week before, there are no makeup lessons and no refunds can be given for any classes missed.

If you are interested in  learning to draw,

or improve your skills,

this course is for you.

You will need 

1. A sketchbook, no smaller than 11" x 14"
2. A set of varying sized graphite pencils or charcoal
3. A kneaded eraser
4. An enclosed pencil sharpener.

All are available at Carrollton Office Supply.

Please message me or call at 502-523-0663

to register for this fun course.  

Please feel free to share this with anyone you think may be interested.

Enter for a FREE Panting Here 

Garden Stones from Spring and Summer are 25% off.

Earring SALE!
Yes,
you heard right.
We're having an earring sale in River Run Gallery.

You don't want to miss this. 

Enter for a FREE Panting Here

 Click HERE for information on my beginning online painting course.

Painting Christmas Coasters

Want to Paint Christmas Coasters?

Sure you do!!

I'm offering two Friday morning classes

to make these coasters.

 Friday, November 13, 10-11:30 a.m.

you can create this set of four different coasters,

or you could make them all the same.

They're your coasters,

Paint em how you want em.

$25

Friday, November 20, 10-11:30 a.m. you'll be painting 

these fun Santa coasters.

Each tile looks totally complete by itself,

but when you stack them like this,

look what you get.

$25.

Tiles are all hand cut and sanded (by me)

yes, I use power tools!

They all have a minimum of 3 coats of an 

indoor/outdoor varnish on them,

they have felt feet, so they don't scratch your surfaces.

When we are finished painting them,

we'll give them about 3 more coats of varnish,

unless the weather isn't cooperating.

In that case, you'll need to do that at home

before you use them.

Enter for a FREE Panting Here

And finally,

hope you're going to give my new online beginning painting course a look see.

There might be someone on your shopping list who has been looking for just this type of course.

And you can be the hero by getting it for them,

or

pointing them in the right direction to it.

Click HERE to get a really good look.

 

Meeting Our Artists

Meeting Artists Can Be Scary

After all,

they are artists.

And we all know how crazy tempermental they can be

 Oh look,

Enter for a FREE Panting Here

there's two of those tempermental artist types now.

Sylvia Brestel, fiber artist and

Kristen Beck, photographer.

Sylvia creates truly one of a kind items using her own felting process

  and she loves to show you her work and explain how she does it.

Here's a short video of just a few of her items.

To see more of her art, click HERE 

 Kristen offers beautiful scenic photography that would enhance any office or home.

Click HERE to see more of her work. 

If you fall in love with something,

but it's in the wrong size,

just let us know and we'll get it made up for you.

See, so far that wasn't so bad, meeting those two artists.

You barely have to say a word to an artist.

They can't wait to talk to you about their creative process or their art.

Now lets meet another artist.

Jeweler, Mary Ebert.

 I'll bet the headgear was a dead give away about her art.

  Here she is helping a customer with  a bracelet.  

This short video shows off some of Mary's earrings.

She also has a sale rack of earrings, which almost never happens,

so hop on in before they are all snatched up.

 Click HERE to see more of Mary's work. 

Don't give up!

We have more artists you haven't met yet.

Jeremy Cobb

Master of Fine Art with a specialty in, wait for it. . .

drawing, silly.

 You have to look close to see what he's working on in the top drawing.
But it is stunning!

This one's pretty self explanatory.

Jeremy will be hosting a class/meeting

Thursday, November 5, 6-7 p.m. where he will be demonstrating

and explaining a new 6-week course he's offering on drawing portraits.

This will be an intense 6 week course where students will watch as he teaches them how to draw portraits, and then they will do lots of work themselves.

That's really the only way to learn any art form.

Get in there and make lots of mistakes and then learn from them.

The one night class will be $10, but it will be refunded

 if you sign up for the 6-week course that night.   

The full course is $150.

And then there's me.

OK, so that's not really me,

but it is my painting of marshes near Logan, Utah.

I recently had a skin cancer removed,

and well. . .

I don't look so hot right now.

Click HERE to see more of my work. 

Now you've met all of us,
and now you know,
we're not that hard to talk to
and
we're not that crazy.

 I hope you're going to come into the gallery real soon

to see the beautiful work created by our artists

or take a painting or drawing class. 

Enter for a FREE Panting Here

Before you go,

I hope you'll take a look at a new online beginning painting course I created

just for beginners and home schoolers.

Click HERE to give the course a really good look.

 

 

This course has everything you need to get started learning the basic concepts of art 

and then follow step by step instructions for two paintings.

Thanks for stopping by today 

and

I'm glad you got to meet us.