The First Saturday in May

Spring in Kentucky

Means getting ready for the Derby!

I guess the whole world doesn't stop for the first Saturday in May, 

but in Kentucky,

especially near Loouuaavlle,
(yeah, we really say it like that)

it's a pretty big deal.

Carrollton is about an hour north of Loouuaavlle,

so it's a pretty big deal here too!

Today in River Run Gallery,

we were painting Derby Hat Coasters.

And are they ever cute!
These two did a super job on their creations!

 

Judy and Susanne were here painting a set of four coasters

 with a different hat on each one.   

 They decorated their hats with ribbon, feathers, flowers and beautiful color.

Each coaster is porcelain and has several coats of indoor/outdoor varnish on before they paint and then several more after they finish painting.

There are also some available for sale in the gallery, $25 per set.

This class will repeat at noon on Saturday, April 25, $25.

Springtime in the South

  This lovely painting may be a little more challenging than some other paintings, but the colors are beautiful and so fun to paint.  

Thursday, April 23, 6-9 p.m. $40

Gussy up your garden with this fun Derby Hat Garden Stone.
Sat., April 25, 10 a.m. - noon 12" x 12" porcelain stone
with several coats of indoor/outdoor varnish on it before painting and we'll get several more coats on it after painting,
weather permitting.  
$30.

How Limited Isn't Limiting

Or, Pushing The Limits.

What is a limited palette and why would you use it?

To me a "very" limited palette is:

White

Ultramarine blue

Burnt sienna 

That's pretty limited.

Now on to the why.

It helps you see and learn to paint the form or shape.

I follow a number of artist blogs and have been watching a number of artists recently working in a limited palette.  I teach art concept classes in River Run Gallery and this month we were working on using color to create form or shape and we played with lots of different brushes just to see how they effected the paint.  I called on one of the artists I follow to use one of her paintings as an example because the composition was simple yet so effective in telling the story of a coastline and making you ask questions about what is beyond the shoreline, morning or evening, before or after a storm

and do those trees on the right have a secret?

The painting had interesting sky, water, reflections and distant trees.

Charleen Martin's blog provided the inspiration and I'm providing you a link to check her out.

Thank you so much Charleen for your inspiration.

 

Her painting Murmurs and Whispers was our inspiration and you need to follow the link to see it and why she named it that.  Very clever.

 We started the class working with lots of different brushes and learning what you could do with them.

The big ribbon thing on the left was just loading up a wide bristle brush and moving it around to see what happened if. . . 

On the right is a palette knife tree.  

Here's a palette knife bush.

This was loads of fun.

This blue tree was with a fan brush.  

Lots of fun there.
 

  This tree used several brushes and all three colors allowed and seven shades using the three colors.  

More fun.

Here's what my practice sheet looked like when we were finished with that exercise.

Then we switched gears and did a study of Charleen Martin's Murmurs and Whispers.

We were trying to SEE and paint form and shape using only the three colors.

This was my finished painting for the night.

We painted with acrylic paint on canvas paper, which I love.

It has lots of tooth, but even though it comes on a pad, like paper,

it feels and acts like canvas.

This was so fun to use only three colors and try to get the depth and feel of the painting of Charleen Martin using only three colors.  

Thank you so much Charleen for your inspiration.

These weren't intended to be finished paintings,

this was another exercise in achieving depth, shape and form.

These classes don't complete a painting as my other classes do.

These classes are meant to teach concepts and practice methods to learn how to see better and execute what we see.

Thanks for stopping by today,

and I'd love for you to join us in class.

Unleash Your Creativity

Unleash Your Creativity

You are creative!

LET IT OUT!

I truly believe everyone is creative.

Everyone has talent.

I encourage you to let your creativity work for you in improving:

your home,

your work place,

your life.

How can you do that?

1. Don't be afraid to create something.  No matter if it's a great meal, try a new skill, decide on a new hobby, try quilting, gardening, crafting, jewelry making, knitting, crocheting, painting, etc.
2. Follow your heart.  If you have an idea of something you want to create or learn, start today and move in that direction.  Create for you even if you don't get great positive response in the beginning.  
3. Perfect your process.  As you find the thing you want to learn or create, work on it.  Study it.  Practice. Practice. Practice some more.  
4.  Share it! That can be a really scary part.  It makes you vulnerable.  It puts you out there.  But sharing it, when you're ready, is important for your growth.  You don't need to be a closet creative person.  I think when people come to the gallery to take a class, one of the scariest parts is the first few minutes of the class when they think they can't do it and they were foolish to try.  Another scary moment is when I either take a short video during the process or take the group photo at the end.  But, people enjoy seeing your success.  They want you to have success and so do I.  
5. Enjoy YOUR success!  So what is your success?  To most people, creative success is learning something and then being able to do it all by yourself without a teacher standing right over your shoulder coaching you along.  I took a workshop several years ago from Dreama Tolle Perry in Carmel, IN.  I adore her work, but as soon as I got there, I started having doubts if I could paint in her loose colorful beautiful style.  I looked at everyone around me and was sure they were all better than me.  Well, I am more of a realistic painter so it didn't come naturally for me, but during the three days of the workshop, I worked and painted three or four small paintings.  When I came home I decided to paint one again to see if I could do it on my own. I named it Balcony Victory, because to me it was a victory that I could do it without her standing right next to me guiding every stroke. 

  Balcony Victory

12" x 12" gallery wrapped canvas

$100

 

Now friends, get out there, unleash that creativity inside of you you've been squelching, holding in and trying to ignore.
You know you want to.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Leave me a comment on what you would like to create.

30 in 30, and I'm not there.

WOW!

30 paintings in 30 days,

and I'm not in.

How and why did that happen?

I have participated in four 30 paintings in 30 days challenges,

hosted by Leslie Saeta,

but not this time.

You may be wondering why,

or you may not care.

You don't have to hear from me every day.

Well,

I participated in the 30 in 30 in September 2014 and I really struggled

because I opened River Run Gallery in July.

I was exhausted.

I know, there are those people who don't plan on doing all 30 paintings.

But I'm an over achiever and I d plan on it.

I demand it of myself.

  

 This is one of my favorites from the September challenge.

It was a breakthrough painting for me.

Not just for the motorcycle, but also for the buildings in the background.

In the last four challenges I have learned:

Organization

Time management

Planning

Goal Setting and accomplishing

How to work fast,

How to "see" a painting before it's a painting.

How to let other things go to meet a goal.

How to prepare to succeed.

As you can see, I've learned a lot

and I also learned when I've bitten off more than I could chew,

When to say no,

When to relax,

When to admit I have limitations.

Those lessons are hard to learn, but I needed to learn them, again.   

Click here to Leslie Saeta's blog.

She hosts the challenge and there are over 1,000 artists world wide participating. 

Thanks for always encouraging me.

Maybe next time I'll join in the fun. 

 

Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday and Shopping Small!

Are you totally shopped out and sitting in your jammies

staring at your computer screen to find that perfect gift?

Here are a few ideas

  Are you looking for that special something online?

You can find jewelry, hand crafted journals, purses and scarves

and paintings at www.riverrungallery.com

Would you like a gift certificate for a class?

Mom, Monet and Me Class - This gift certificate entitles your 5-9 year old child, grandchild, niece or nephew to take a class where they will complete an 8" x 10" masterpiece, learn some art concepts and have fun for $25.  An adult must accompany the child if they have never painted with me before.  I will send you a calendar of available dates after purchase.

 
 
Paint Along Class - is for teens and adults and you will complete an 11" x 14" or 16" x 20" original artwork where you will learn art concepts, have fun and I furnish everything for $40. You will receive a calendar of available classes after purchase.
 
  
Garden Stone Painting Class - This class is a fun quick way to complete a usable piece of art for your home.  We paint on pre-primed 12" x 12" outdoor tiles with a simple design.  When completed we will add a few more coats of outdoor varnish to protect your creation from the weather.  I supply everything you need to complete the project for $30.

Would you like a calendar filled with paintings from Carrollton, KY?

These wall calendars feature the 12 paintings you see here and are of
 sights and scenes of Carrollton, KY. from my most recent 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.
These are great for people who live or work in Carrollton, KY.

$20 + $5 shipping.
Or come into the gallery and save the shipping.

Shop Small Saturday

You Can't Get Much Smaller Than This!

9 feet wide and 52 feet long may be our floor space,

but we have lots of 

walls,

shelves,

print racks

and card racks.

And we have a lot to offer to shoppers in the area.

  hand painted garden stones are on special TODAY ONLY

1/3 off which for you math challenged people is $20.

Today is the last day to sign up to win this 20" x 16" original painting.

 How fun would it be to hang this up every year with your nutcrackers and angels.

We have beautiful jewelry

Hand crafted encaustic journals with hand torn and hand sewn pages.

Some of the most interesting fiber art you will ever see!

2015 Calendars with these 12 paintings from scenes in Carrollton,KY.

Ask for the blog discount today only and I can save you a few bucks!

You can scroll through this video of the 30 paintings in 30 days I did in September.

They are all 8" x 8" and they are all on sale today only for $75 each.

These are original paintings, not prints.

I also have

gift certificates for classes

canvas

art kits

All Demo paintings I've done over the last 6 months are 50% off right now,

except for the ones I need in January.

So, you can see we have lots available at great prices,

 (I know artists aren't supposed to mention price),

here in River Run Gallery.

Stop by and take a look for yourself.

Or you can always shop online at

www.riverrungallery.com

Click on the gallery tab.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Shopping.

I'm a Calendar Girl

Carrollton Calendar 

Calendars are available in the gallery 
of my 30 paintings in 30 days challenge I participated in during September.
My theme was "Scenes From My Front Door"
so the photos in the calendar are all scenes from Carroll County.
This is a wall calendar with a spiral edge.
They are $20 + $5 shipping.
So hop in the gallery and pick yours up and save that shipping.
Very limited amount, so don't wait.

 

Do Not Run Faster Thank You Can Walk

Do Not Run Faster Than You Can Walk!

Sometimes we just put way toooooo much on our plate.

Last week I:

1.  Finished up the 30 paintings in 30 days.

2.  Taught 21 teachers to paint a pumpkin patch.

3.  Taught a garden stone class featuring a pumpkin.

4.  Hosted an opening reception for the 30 in 30.

5.  Attended 4 sessions of conference for my church.

6.  Had two of my 10 grandkids spend a few days with us.

7.  Taught a Koi fish pond painting.

So I got behind on my blog.

Go figure.

Today I'm playing catch up.

 Here's the teachers as they paint their pumpkin patch.

 That's quite the pumpkin patch.

These three had to bug out early because they have long drives.

These three painted pumpkins on garden stones.  

The stones come with a sealer and 2-3 coats of an outdoor varnish on them.

Then they paint the stones and then we put several more coats

 of an outdoor varnish on them. 

During the reception for the 30 in 30 paintings.

Here's a short video of the Koi pond painting class.

Painting fish was lots of fun.

Every painting will always be different and if you bring your posse,

they are there to cheer you on and vice versa.

It's a fun evening for everyone.

These are two of my 10 grandkids,

Lakyn and Karter.

They came to visit during fall break, and came to the gallery to paint

one really rainy day.

All in all, it was a very fun week,

Busy and fun.

Can I take my nap now?

The Final Wrap Up

Thanks So Much to Everyone

I really appreciate everyone who came to the gallery opening tonight.

We had lots of fun and food and friends.

Didn't I say we'd have all that.

 Mark and Carrie Perry came by.

David Hendren stopped in.

 

 We had a pretty good group, the Smiths, the Hedges and Robbie Mueller.

And finally Sandy Hirn popped in.

Stacie Darnold Westrick and her two kids were the first through the door, but I forgot a picture of them.

But, they put their name in the hat for a gift certificate for $40 in art lessons.

Stacie Darnold won.

Congratulations Stacie.  I think your children are going to have fun.

This fun painting has a new home.  

Thanks friends.

Day 15 Dreams - Sold

Thanks to all who came tonight.

I hope you enjoyed seeing all the paintings and all the other beautiful art in the gallery.

Day 30 - Show Off

DAY 30 - Show Off

Day 30.

It's over.

I made it.

I'm finished.

I did it!

I love it!

I'm tired!

8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping

These daisies are in my yard, all over my yard, in every garden in the yard.  They spread like wildfire.  But they are fun and cute and we love them.  But the one in the middle seems to be showing off.  Staring right at me as if to say, "I'm the biggest, prettiest and best flower in the garden".  There's always one show off in every crowd, even in a crowd of daisies.

Thank you for following along during the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.  It has been hard, there's no doubt.  But I have learned many things.  I've learned there are many beautiful scenes in eye shot of my front door, since that was my theme.  I've learned more about perspective this time than at any other time in my art career.  I've learned to paint faster and to see more and better.  I've learned that to make an impact you have to put the dark and the light together.  As I've said, I've learned a lot.

I hope you will join me, if you are in the area, this Friday, Oct., 3, from 4-8 p.m. for my opening reception.  I will have all 30 paintings on display and you too can learn a little bit about each one.  We'll have food,, fun and friends and hopefully you will join us.

 

Day 29 - Precious

Day 29 - Precious

And isn't she just. . . 

8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping

 

We raise goats, sheep, rabbits, pigeons, and apparently cats at JumbleBerry Farm.  But this little beauty was born this past spring and I painted it from a photo.  She actually was in the kitchen when I photographed her and just a few hours old.

Goats are pretty weak things when they are born and often struggle to survive.  Sheep on the other hand are strong and tough, they bounce around almost immediately and are very alert and fun.  And they are so CUTE!

Thanks for following along on this fourth 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.  I'm tired.  You're tired.  But, you're also invited to an opening reception this Friday, Oct 3., 4-8 p.m.  There will be fun, food, and friends and hopefully you'll be there too.

 

Day 28 - My Blue Heaven

Day 28 - My Blue Heaven

 8" x 8" acrylic on a panel

$95 + $6 shipping

As seen from my back door on the farm.  Sunsets are so beautiful there, but they don't last long.  I snapped this beauty last night on my cell phone and painted it Saturday for Sunday's painting.  I love clouds and atmospherics and have struggled with them.  I feel like I had a break through with this painting.  Another break through during this challenge.  My how much you learn when you get the brush in your hand every day.  I'm also sad to see the challenge almost over.  Not really.  I'm exhausted.

I have always tried to stay ahead during these challenges, this is the fourth one I've done.  But this is the first time I've been ahead since day 1.

Thank you for stopping by today.  Please know you're invited to an artist reception Friday, Oct. 3 from 4-8 p.m. featuring the 30 paintings in 30 days.  If I painted something that belongs to you, and you want it, you can have a 10% discount that night.  We'll have fun, food and friends and art.  Please stop by.