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.

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....

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

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

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.

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.

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.