New little painting

Limon

oil on linen

8 x 8.25

available for purchase at my etsy shop!

This little painting was a fun one. I think I'll do a larger version soon. I've been working on a couple landscapes lately that haven't been going so well... let's just say they're very purple. Not that there is anything wrong with purple, but they are very purple. I haven't even been able to look at them in a week. So I've been working on smaller paintings and painting the edges of older paintings, sketching, writing down ideas... anything to not work on these other dreaded paintings!! I know I can always start over, but there's just something in me that wants to be able to finish them! I'll keep you posted...

Chew-Chew

Chewie

12 x 12

oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

Hello all! Wow, it's been too long! You would think I would blog more during the winter months, but apparently not. I have missed blogging a bit, but sometimes I think it might be good for me to take a step back from technology and focus on the real world :) Thank you to those of you that have become new followers! I'm excited to check out some new blogs and get all kinds of creative ideas from all you brilliant people out there!

The painting up above is my parent's cat, Chewie. (Yes, that is short for Chew-bacca). She is the best. A little loud and needy at times, but the cuddliest cat I've ever met! I am hesitant to put this one up for sale, but I know I can paint another one, if need be. So, for now it is listed on my etsy shop and it can also be seen here in Omaha at Long Dog Fat Cat.

Still working on those mini paintings from my previous post... they kinda got pushed aside as more pressing paintings came up! Hope you all have a great day! Spring is almost here!!

Animal Art

Costa Rican Kitten
oil on canvas

Available for purchase at Long Dog Fat Cat!

We took a few of my animal paintings to a new shop near Village Pointe today. They are called Long Dog Fat Cat and they sell natural pet food and toys and they also support local artists by hanging our work in their store! You should check it out if you are in the area. The owners are very friendly and knowledgeable.

Koi Details

Koi Triptych (details)

Here are some detail shots of the koi painting. We will be helping them hang it this weekend, so hopefully I will have some installation shots for you!

Koi Triptych Painting

Koi Triptych
24 x 72
oil on canvas

SOLD

Here is the big Koi triptych... finally! Dave and Tiffaney took it last night and they were really happy with it! Phew. It's always nice to have that part over with. They are going to put it over their bed. I think it will look nice. It was a lot of work but a lot of fun too. I'm already working on a small koi painting again. I figure I might as well keep painting koi while they are fresh in my mind! I kinda want one for my bedroom now...

Poudre River

Poudre River

20 x 24

oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

It seems fitting that I post one of my paintings of boulders and water because I have just colored my first landscape design for Olive Branch which included many boulders and a very large water feature. I found that I really enjoy that type of drawing and coloring with markers and I am looking forward to learning more about it!

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for." - Georgia O'Keefe

Red Tulip

Red Tulip
9 x 12
oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

Since we bought a new camera, I have been going crazy taking photos of our garden. This was one of the first flower photos I took this spring. It was fun to use so much red paint... I don't often get to do that! It was also nice working in a new studio space. I have much more room to back up and look at what I'm doing. Stay tuned for more garden inspired paintings!

Leia at Olive Branch

Here is a little of what you'll see at Olive Branch these days! I still have so many ideas as far as display and merging our two businesses, but I have to take it one day at a time!  If you're in the Omaha area, please come visit us! We are located in Rockbrook Village across from Great Harvest (free slices!) Olive Branch has great containers for the garden, outdoor sculpture by local artists and beautiful outdoor furniture! It is also fun to take a look at some of the designs and projects that Mike has been working on.

Pet Portraits

Mastiff

19.5 x 25

charcoal on paper

I am very excited to be doing more pet portraits lately! I am going to start actually marketing them around Omaha and expanding the category on my website as well.  I really enjoy painting animals and many people have shown interest. 

If you or anyone you know might be interested, let me know! Prices are actually very reasonable.  Charcoals start at $75 and oil paintings start at $125! That is for something that will last for a lifetime :) 

Funny, I have painted both my pets and would love to have them hanging in my house, but my pets are just too cute! They keep selling paintings for me! I guess I just have to keep painting them! 

Oakley

Oakley

10 x 10

oil on canvas

SOLD

Here is my most recent commission of Oakley the cat! He was a lot of fun to paint. Gotta love those blue eyes!

Cat Eye

This is a portion of a commission that I am currently working on.  I will show you the final product after my client has seen it! It is a 10 x 10 oil painting of a cherished feline companion.  I absolutely love cats so it is a joy to paint them!

new art on etsy

Pears

9 x 12

oil on canvas paper

Sold

I recently added some new pieces to my etsy shop. They are priced really well, so you should check 'em out! I am working on a few more to add to my shop in the near future so stay tuned! This one would be really nice in your kitchen! :)

Also, if you haven't checked out my website lately, I have recently updated it. Head on over to see what's been happening in my art studio!

Milagro

Milagro

24 x 30

oil on canvas

Here is the full painting.  It depicts three young men after going through a scary, but amazing experience in Costa Rica.  On our last mission trip we were enjoying our fun day on the beach when some rip tides caught several of our friends on the trip.  Some made it back to shore by somehow swimming through the currents to get back to the beach.  Two were unable to get back on their own. They later told us that they were swallowing a lot of water and may have blacked out at some point.  Those who had made it back to the beach either ran for help or starting desperately praying.  This beach was private and pretty empty.  Two men happened to be walking by as we were praying and we asked them if they were good swimmers and they said yes.  They swam into the currents and coached the two men back to shore.  We then prayed with them, praising God for answering our prayers and they continued walking down the deserted beaches.  We all have wondered who those men were and whether or not they were angels sent to help at the moment when we needed it.  I don't know the answer to that, but I do know that God does send angels to help us and He is in control at all times.  This story is one that I will never forget and will remind me of God's faithfulness in our time of need.  I am so thankful that God brought those men safely out of the water and that He allowed me to be there to witness a miracle.

Milagro (detail)

Milagro (detail)

oil on canvas

Here is a detail shot of my most recent painting.  There is an amazing story behind it, but you will have to wait to see the whole painting... maybe tomorrow.  I had a lot of fun doing this one, I feel like I am venturing in a new direction with my work and I am really excited about it!  I will still always do portraits and pet portraits but I really love working on a painting that tells a story.  So, I hope that gets you excited to see the rest of the painting!

In the Morning

In the Morning

16 x 20

oil on canvas

Available for purchase at the VNA Art & Soup

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.  Psalm 5:3

How To Find Time to Paint

Pages from my sketchbook

My "No Rules" sketchbook

This little sketchbook is one way that I get my creativity out of my system. I often struggle to find time to paint.  Actually, I never "find time" to paint.  You have to make time to paint.  I am often looking for tips on how to make time, save time and not procrastinate.

Last week we went to my Grandma's house to help her organize her art studio and I found a great book on her shelves called The One-Hour Watercolorist by Patrick Seslar.  He has many useful tips and ideas that got me thinking about how I am using my painting time.  I know many of you out there would like to pick up a paintbrush, but can't seem to get started so here are some of my favorite tips from Mr. Seslar that may help you (and me too!)

1. Realize that you can accomplish something in as little as one hour.

2. Designate a work space.  It doesn't have to be anything fancy, the kitchen table, spare room or even the attic will work.

3. Start small.  Work on a small painting or drawing to start out.  This will build up your confidence and it can feel really good to complete a project!

4. Do some quick sketches... they don't need to be incredibly refined and they get you warmed up.

5. Limit your palette.  Try a one-color value study or a two or three color palette.  This will develop your knowledge of color and value and is a big time saver!

6. Keep an idea file. This is one I need to work on.  I have so many ideas and images to work from... the problem is that they are all over my studio as opposed to a "file." This can become a problem when I really want to start a painting but I just can't find the picture I need!

7. a tip from me... keep a sketchbook/journal where no rules apply!  Just get creative.  Doodle, paint, draw, write, stamp or collage whatever your heart desires!  I always go into it thinking, "ok, no one will see this, just have fun." Sometimes ideas for a more finished piece come out of this sketchbook, but it is also just an outlet for my creative energy. Above are some snapshots of my "no rules apply" sketchbook so you can see how I get to explore different styles, mediums and subject matter in one book! After I complete something I usually feel like I've accomplished something and don't really care anymore whether or not anyone sees it.  If you are struggling to start a painting or drawing because of a lack of confidence maybe you should try something only for yourself.  You'll probably be surprised and it will only make you a better artist!

Orchid II

Orchids II

8 x 8

oil on canvas

Sold

Here is the second in a series of three orchid paintings I am working on. They will be available at Art & Soup, a benefit for the VNA.

Orchid

Orchid I (detail)

8 x 8

oil on canvas

Sold

I love painting portraits, but I am trying out some new subject matter. I rarely paint flowers or a still life of any kind. I don't have anything against them and I enjoy other artist's still life pieces. I want to do more of them and I am starting now.

I also work in a flower shop in Rockbrook called Blooms. It is here that I have developed a deeper love and appreciation for all flowers but orchids are definitely on the top of my list. They are truly beautiful! I am working on two other orchid paintings to go with this one and they will be available for purchase at the VNA Art n Soup.

For all you facebook people, this "note" is actually imported from my blog at liquidbirdsong.blogspot.com