Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Art Shows

One of Oklahoma City's largest outdoor art festivals will be this Labor Day weekend on the grounds of Oklahoma City Community College, also known as OCCC. It's a great show and lots of wonderful people come to visit. I've been in it for the last four or five years and it's a wonderful place to meet new and interesting people.

I think I have everything ready to go except for the packing which my husband will do. I'm not organized enough for that part.

It's going to be four long hot days and if I'm still kicking after it's all over I'll let you know how it went.

Monday, July 14, 2008

The Party's Over - Oil on Canvas

I'm going to show this as a step by step of a painting I just finished. Well actually more like how I started out. I seem to have gotten a little lax on photos toward the end.

This is a 30" x 24" canvas gallery wrapped. I wanted to get some paint on the edges for two reasons. One was to get some color on and to cover the white and the other was to protect the canvas around the corners. This is a grey acrylic.

Next I draw what I am going to paint using a thin mixture of oil paint and turp. At this point I am mainly trying to get my size and placement of the objects. The colors I'm using is not all that important and I'm not looking for any small details.



Here I've gotten a little further along with drawing in my objects and have used the wash to block in my larger masses.






Now that I have my large masses placed where I want them I now want to get rid of the white background. At this point I haven't decided yet on colors, I'm just more or less poking around for values. Still using the thin oil and turp wash. As soon as I get the white of the canvas covered, I'll start working more on values and experimenting with colors. And, get that darned glass stem straightened.


The Party's Over 30" x 24" gallery wrapped canvas $850.00

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Poppies - Oil on Board


Poppies 5" x 7"

I've been so neglectful due to my recent run-in with the scapel, but I think I'm pretty much back on the road to recovery. At least I can type a little better.
This little painting is going to be entered in a local OAG (Oklahoma Art Guild) miniature show. Should be lots of fun. Must run, but I'll be back soon.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Still one handed....

Still one handed, but I'm trying to look at the humorous side....see my squidoo lense for a few laughs http://www.squidoo.com/one-handed

Sunday, June 1, 2008

One-handed

Silverback
14" x 11" clayboard etching

Let me first say that I have always admired and respected any person that has lived with and overcome any handicap, but never more so than this last week.

Carpel tunnel surgery has left me all but helpless for the next two weeks. Now I'm not looking for sympathy (well, maybe just a little), but I think they should make a person go into training and practice one-handed skills first. Like physical therapy, but prior to the "event". Not only am I typing with one finger, i"m having trouble spelling. How can that be?

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Pastel on Suede Board



Lady of the Mountain

One of the trickier supports for me is suede board. It can sometimes be a challenge because pastel does not adhere very well to the suede.

I like to lay it flat to get the maximum layers of pastel that I want. If I feel the knap is too full I will turn it over and tap it very lightly.

After laying it back flat I may need to tweak or highlight a few places until I'm satisfied with the painting. At that point I will lay the glass directly on top of the painting.

Archival tape will be used to completely surround the glass and painting sealing them together to prevent any movement. The painting is then framed without using a mat.

There are many different way to create pastel paintings. This is just one of the road maps I use to get to where I want to go.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Art Fairs

I did tell you how much these art festivals will take the punch out of you, didn't I? I must have because I'm just now feeling like I have the energy to blog again. Age could be a problem also. Plus, I'm going to have to have surgery on one of my arms. How depressing. I was so depressed I had to go buy a new car. A Mini Cooper. It's black and silver and if you see me coming - move over!

Now that I have all of that stuff out of the way, I seem to recall mentioning some of the other artists that impressed me while at the show. Cheryl Lockstone was one with her bright and cheerful paintings. Guaranteed to perk you up with out the cost of a car. Go see her www.cherylart.com You will have an enjoyable visit.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Art Fairs and Festivals

Whew! What a weekend. May Fair Art Festival in Norman, Oklahoma. Pretty nice festival, but I have decided that I may be getting too old for this type of stuff.

It was, however, fun. Best of all was the booth next to us belonging to good friends Elaine and Dan Nealey. They have original hand-turned wood that you would have to see to believe. As a matter of fact you can see it at: http://www.turned2art.com/ They also deservedly won Best of Show.

We both show at 50 Penn Place Art Gallery so I get to see their beautiful work quite often. I will own some one day soon-it's just all so awesome I can't make up my mind.

As soon as I recover more, I'll tell you about some of the other great artists I met at the show.

Monday, April 28, 2008

In Search of Ice



This is something I just have to show you. I think this little guy is sooo cute! You can get him on CafePress wearing the t-shirt of the "In Search of Ice" pastel. I will be taking the original to the May Fair Art Show this weekend in Norman, OK.
This is the original painting. He's been a guest here before, but I just had to let you compare him to the little stuffed one at the beginning of the post.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

More naked painting

More demo painting at the Arts Festival this week.

I started out with oil. Right next to us were some woodworkers. The wind was blowing the sawdust was swirling and the woodchips were sticking. I wound up with more texture in my paintings than I planned.

Since I couldn't come out of that with a good oil painting I decided to have fun, so every little kid that came along to "admire" my work I handed them my brush and asked them to help me out just a bit. It was a lot of fun to watch the expresstion on their little faces as they worked on that oil and wood chip painting.


My next two shifts, I wised up and decided to go for revenge. I took my pastels....some really sabre tooth paper.....large sheets......lots of my more inexpensive pastels. I wound up getting two large pastels at least 3/4 done without getting a speck of that dust in my house. Don't know about the woodworkers - they may have taken some pastel dust home with them.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Painting in Public


Or...as one friend said if she ever wrote a book she would call it "Painting Naked". It bothers her to have people look over her shoulder - even people she knows. I must have been a stripper or something in a past life because it doesn't seem to bother me. I just kind of get in the zone and away I go.

At least that's the way it worked last night when I painted "live" at the Oklahoma Arts Festival. This is the art festival for Oklahoma and it's big and has about a gazillion in attendance. I am there, along with another couple of artist representing Oklahoma Art Guild, OAG for short.

I didn't get juiried in to the show this year so I decided to do the next best thing, go out there get some new members for the Art Guild and do a little "naked painting".

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Pastel Portraits

Now that I have a few minutes, I thought I would bring everyone up to date on the pastel portrait demo that OPS, (that's Oklahoma Pastel Society) had last Monday conpliments of Dennis Parker.

He actually spent most of the time allotted explaining his teaching method and giving us all some great tips. You can see some evidence of that on the edges of the paper on the portrait.










The next photo shows Mitsuno Ishii Reedy (Google her) sketching Dennis. She is one of the most well know portrait artists in this part of the country and her portraits hang in the State Capitol and corporate offices.










At last with about 45 minutes to go Dennis decided he should maybe start getting some color on and stop having fun with the rest of us.










This is the finished portrait! We all had a great time and appreciate his generous time.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Greeting Cards

The demo went off without a hitch last night - I'm putting togething some pics and a few blow by blow commentary quips which I'll post when I get a little extra time.

In the meantime....have I mentioned lately that Sophie (that's one of my Italian Greyhounds) and I have a Greeting Card Store? Well, take a look....jeez, I hope this works....


Saturday, April 12, 2008

Pastel Demo

There's going to be a wild time in Oklahoma City this Monday evening. Dennis Parker is going to do a pastel demo for the Oklahoma Pastel Society.

For one thing, it's a really wild and fun group. It could be from lack of oxygen because of all the pastel dust. I should know since I'm a past president and I do have my moments of 'pastel dust insanity'.

Another reason it will be fun is because Dennis is a really, really fun person in addition to being a very good artist. Also, he hasn't done a pastel portrait in about twelve years. (and we have a whole front row of hecklers already lined up) He said it makes makes art more exciting when you live on the edge.

Dennis usually paints in oils nowadays but I figure even with pastels and a row of hecklers this portrail will still show his usual talent and ability of observation.

Your can view more of Dennis Parker's art at: http://www.dennisparkerart.com/

And if you're in the area Monday, April 14th 2008 drop by - it's free.
6:30 p.m. Will Rogers Park and Garden Center OKC 3400 NW 36th St

Monday, April 7, 2008

Food and Friends and Painting

Friendship and Food and Painting - what could be better

My friend Helen is coming over to paint and have lunch. I'm going to fix one of my famous peanut butter sandwiches for us. Hubby says he's even going to give it a 'try'.

Here's my recipe: Get some nice whole grain nutty type bread - you know, the type that's good for you. On one side put a generous smear of organic crunchy peanut butter. On the other slice drizzle a generous amount of honey.

That's almost good enough as is, but hey, I'm not finished yet. On top of the honey side layer on some Nutella. (next to the PB at the grocery - it's Hazelnut and cocoa and smooth and creamy)

Okay, now that you have gooey on both sides, get a handful of dried cranberries and put that on one side or the other and slap the other side on top patting it lightly so that all those yummy little cranberries will stick.
I think most of this is even good for you.

Painting: 20" x 10" on canvas panel. Listed on ABU search lhiller. Pssst...reserve is only $50.00

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Opening Party

And a good time was had by all.....

The Oklahoma Friendly National Show had their Opening Party last night and what a fine party it was! I feel very fortunate in being juried in to this prestigious show. I had a great time visiting with some old friends and making some new ones.

One person I would like to thank regarding the show/party other than my husband who is always very helpful and supportive is Maggie Stiefvater who writes a wonderful blog called http://greywarenart.blogspot.com/ . In one part of her blog yesterday she wrote about how you should be your own best cheerleader. Thanks, Maggie. I got thrown out twice - just kidding.

It does help to be your own best friend.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Pastel - Forever Wild


Forever Wild

This pastel started out as a demo for one of the art associations here in Oklahoma City. It was more of how I frame my pastels so the details were not added until later. This 20" x 16" painting is now showing at 50 Penn Place Gallery.

I would like this to be a reminder that all living things born on this planet will always be what they were born to be.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Enchantment - Oil on panel....on panel..




Delivery time.

Oklahoma Friendly National Juried Show. Nice show. Nice people. I'm excited.

I had a bit of stress after being accepted however, because I had not thought about a frame. Hmmm...what to do. I spent a lot of time looking at frames. This type of painting does not lend itself to traditional frames. This, I tell myself is a perfect example of not planning ahead.

A painting of this style should be on a gallery wrap canvas or a panel. "But wait", I say to myself "it is on a panel". But alas, it is only a 3/4" cradled panel......not very classy looking for a show like this. I needed something to really make this painting stand out. So what I did find was a new player in town called Art FX Panels out of Michigan. I'll tell more about these wonderful people in a later post.

This is how I decided to finish it off. The painting itself is on a cradled panel 12" x 16" x 3/4". I put that on the Art FX Panel which is 16" x 20" x 2". I don't know how it will place in the show, but it bumped my creativity process up a notch.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Iguana





Just finished framing this fellow today, and I think he likes his new home. At least I'm not gonna be the one to chase him out.

This is pastel on Kitty Wallis sanded pastel paper. It's a great paper and it really will grab all the different colors you want to throw at it. What fun!

Choosing the right frame sometimes can be very challenging because the frame can make a painting look very good or very bad. My first thought was silver. I tried a nice pretty antiqued silver - looked okay. Blended well with the colors in the painting picking up the cool colors. The only problem was that instead of a Iguana I had a Chameleon and it didn't show up at all!

I needed something to make this big boy jump off the paper - figuratively speaking, that is. At last my framer said well, I do have this nice piece of molding leftover that might work. Perfect! Right colors, right look, and right price.

So, never give up, that perfect frame is waiting for your painting. I've been looking for this one for nearly a year.


Iguana is 14" x 10.5" framed under Anti-Reflective glass with this beautifully detailed frame that is approximately 4" wide. Priced at $249.00, plus shipping

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Blog Review

In case any of you haven't had a chance to visit the Bold Strokes for Art blog yet, you've missed out on viewing some wonderful art.

This dynamic trio have put together some really great colloraborative paintings. It's amazing how they each can do their own thing and "poof" it all comes together. Take a look. http://www.boldstrokesforart.blogspot.com/

Monday, March 17, 2008

Book Review

Margaret Kessler presents things in a very progressive language to profit the advance painter as well as the beginner. She will give you the motivatition to explore the potential of your palette, to bring atmosphere, emotion and harmony to your work. One of my favorite books!

If you work your way thru this book and using each of the different exercises, it's bound to make you a better painter.

Invite A Friend

One of the best and most constructive ways to paint is to get together with a friend - or more. I do this several times a week. As a matter of fact, I'm waiting for a friend right now.

While we paint we're also gonna review a painting instruction book that is in my aStore. I'm not going to tell you which one it is right now, but I'll have the results later today.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

The Last Perfume


Yay - more bottles!

Oil on panel 12" x 12" x 3/4" in some of the brightest colors I could come up with.
It's been fun to step outside the box and get some creative juices flowing. I pulled out a lot of my books that I have purchased over the years. I've missed these old friends but I believe my paintings have lost out the most.

Therefore......I have decided to become an Amazon Associate. You can see a banner with a list of books across the top of my blog. Clicking on this will take you to a wonderful book store called Art For The Soul



Thursday, March 13, 2008

Spin The Bottle - Oil on Canvas


I have a new passion. Painting bottles. Painting vases. Painting jugs. Painting glass. Painting anything that has sparkles, reflections, shadows, bright colors and about any subject that remotely resembles jewels. I'm pretty sure that it has something to do with being female and liking all things that sparkle.

One of the galleries I show at will be having a an artist's reception tomorrow evening and I will have four bottle paintings on display. Wish me luck!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Bunny for Easter Card



I haven't mentioned this really cool site that makes greeting cards. Since I just finished one and put it up for approval over there. Sophies Card Store I said that I would show and tell how I created the card over here.

The first thing I did was to sketch the bunny on a 5" x 7" piece of watercolor paper and do some light watercolor washes. I have a really nice reference of this little bunny and I'm sure I've done him before using another media. Pretty sure....well, you know what they say about rabbits. This is what I scanned in to my computer. Pretty plain, huh? After that, I can do some playing around. That's what's so fun with these cards. You can "fix" them and add little 'touches' that you can't with a painting when your trying to sell the original.

This is what I finished with - still pretty simple, but now I have the option of adding ribbons, polka dots, eggs or let the purchaser customize it.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Acrylic - Purple Iris



Purple Iris

$1.00 will start the bidding on this piece over at ArtByUs. (search LHiller) It's a fun site and it's free to register. This Purple Iris painting is 10" x 8" on board.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Petite Oil - Golden Pears


That's also pretty much the name of my eBay store now. Closed it this morning. I think most everyone has 'left the building'. Too bad. I have my brick and mortar galleries for larger framed paintings, but selling my smaller paintings on line had been such fun.
I'm putting my Petite Oils on Art By Us which, by the way, is a very nice site. I'll probably add a few other items there also. I hope these little 5" x 7" paintings do well - they are really nice looking when they are framed. I'll take a pic of one and post it. BTW, I do take PayPal if anyone if interested in any of my art here or on my website. Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Petite Oil


I feel so good this morning. I "got" to sleep on the couch. The first time this happened I was all stuffy and I may have been snoring just a little. So my DH propped some pillows up on the couch and got some blankets out so I wouldn't get cold. I slept soooo good.
Of course the main reasons is that I have a pinched nerve in my spine and that dirt cheap couch seems to pamper it.
Well, I don't do this all the time - just when my back needs some R&R. I tell my friends that if I don't sleep quietly enough he makes me sleep on the couch. I get more sympathy that way.

Friday, February 29, 2008

Petite Oil




Brass and Onions

This is a new series I'm just starting. I'm calling them Petite Oils because they are all 5"x 7" inches which makes them a very petite size. It's easy to make groupings of them or sit them on little easels. I've decided to paint them all on panels because there is a much larger variety of frames available. They also have a high gloss finish - which gives them a pretty unique look. And....instead of eBay I have them on ArtByUs.com Come by and take a look. You can also see a close up.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Go Green

Decided to do another little card in this style. It's fun and satisfies something. Maybe the childhood and crayola thing. It will show up on eBay tonight.

On to other matters - I enjoyed a demo at one of our local art organizations' Monday evening meeting. The Oklahoma Pastel Society, OPS for short, hosted a demo by Debby Kaspari. She specializes in natural history art and does the most beautiful work. It was a very enjoyable evening. I'll put a link to her site on my sideboard. Take a look - you'll be impressed.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Early Mornings

Blue is my husbands favorite color, but alas, cats are not. This must be a little rebel streak in me. Actually I have a big one but just don't let it show in my work - maybe I should. I woke up early yesterday morning and did this - could it have been the conclusion of a dream?

2.5" x 3.5" ACEO click to bid

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