Photo suite 140 -- men at work

To celebrate Labor Day:

"Demo at Springfield 2" --- Sold

This is the second demo painting. I enjoy specifically painting the brass goblet. Every place I go, I always found some interesting objects I never painted before. There is excitement and risk.

More fiber art at Morehead

Some more fiber art from the Bluegrass Biennial in Morehead KY:

Joanne Weis, Floyd's Fork Wildflowers (detail below)

Cathy Vigor, Moon View (details below)

Constance Grayson, Stamen (detail below)

april and may hearts

- 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 -

"Demo at Springfield 1"

I don't know why so many cities in America are called Springfield, but I have arrived at THE Springfield of America. If you watch the "Simpsons" on TV (I think all the Americans do), you will know where I am now. Springfield Oregon is the home of the Simpsons. I am so glad I am here and teaching a workshop. I want to thank the Emerald Art Center for organizing this workshop for me. I want to thank all the artists who attend my workshop. This is my first demo painting.

Neverland Color Key

This is painted in photoshop over an animatic rough model frame.

Sign of the week

julia kostreva give away

Do you already know the work from Julia Kostreva?

We are happy to announce that we are able to give away 3 great oversize black and white prints. Which one? You get to choose your favorite: Stay Foolish, Free Admission, 2015, Night Flowers or Keep Going.

What do you have to do to win this poster?



- Like Julia Kostreva on Facebook here.

- Tell us in a comment which poster you would like to win and why.



We will announce the winner next week on the blog and on our Facebook page.



Good luck! xoxo April and May & Julia Kostreva

Horse Of A Different Color

SOLD!!! FOR $10,000! TO A RETIRED VETERINARIAN who has generously agreed to donate it back to Return To Freedom for touring! ~ The sculpture, "Horse Power", is the scout horse for an upcoming event called "Horse of a Different Color" for saving the wild horses of America. A few of us artists at the Art-A-Fair painted it.

Bottle Label Hibiscus Cocktail

Two sample bottles of this special cocktail arrived yesterday featuring my pale lilac-pink hibiscus image that I licensed to Son of Jen's company...can't wait to taste it!

color inspiration

Beautiful color inspiration from the brand Jotun. All styled with our favorites designs from Menu by stylist Krakvik D'orazio.



Photography by Margaret M. de Lange

"Demo at Cloudcroft 3" --- Sold

This is the third demo, high key with flowers. I am keeping explore my high key approaches, and hope eventually I will get more control on it.



I have to admit that this workshop was one of the difficult ones. All the outside conditions were excellent. I had a group wonderful artists, and logistics were good. The issues were within me. Due to my busy schedule, I feel my physical and mental well being are out of balance. During the workshop I felt very tired with a strong headache. I coped with my issues with my meditation practice, but I felt I need more strength to face more challenges. I might have started to feel "burnt out". I am very grateful that one of the artists in the class, Carman, who helps me to straighten up my diet and get more energy back. We are human. We need to have the skills to take care of ourselves. I will do, and you do too.

Charcoal Study

moosedesign | handmade bags

We have a crush on these large bags by MOOSE DESIGN. All of the bags are handmade in Poland with the use of materials like felt, canvas and natural leather. The combination of the leather handles and details with the canvas from the above bags makes them our favorites.



When you need a lot of things to carry these bags will do the perfect job and look great too.

"Demo at Cloudcroft 2" --- Sold

This is the 2nd demo. I like the fresh pamagranit (spelling? I am amazed the blogger spelling checker is not capable to correct this simple spelling error for me. I am even more amazed that my English is still so inadequate to write a simply blog post like this.), and the silver incense burner. I converted the cup holding the flowers from a coffee mug. That was an interesting process.

Photo suite 139 -- the geraniums of Tuscany

I know that Tuscany is famous for its fields of sunflowers, but in the towns geraniums are everywhere.

Sign of the week

Rio 2 Confrontation Sketch

Painting Watercolor Portraits

Two portrait works in progress from a Stephie Butler workshop.









First, the young girl. This one is almost done. I will add a few small details and leave the rest as is.







Second, the old man. I selected this subject to learn wrinkles (character lines), beards and fabric. I have more to do on this painting.



I've been wanting to get back to portraits, and this workshop did the job. Generally, I paint portraits with oil paint, and I'm glad to have learned this watercolor technique as it is just what I've been looking for. I will be focused on portraits for some time to come.



Vernita Hoyt